Welcome Home, Ollie!

A few weeks ago, some of our close friends brought home their son from Uganda after a more than two-year adoption journey.  

Our group of friends decided to celebrate the happy event by putting together a fun gift basket for Ollie (and his parents...we included one of their favorite bottles of wine) as well as by welcoming the new family at the airport.

After Jill dropped off the gift basket at their house, we headed to the Hicks' house to make signs for the airport. 

Since Lolly couldn't be there, we made a "Lolly on a stick" sign. It was by far my favorite. 

Then the crew, including me, Ava, Jill, Steven, Erin, John, and the Hicks (Josh was a little under the weather, i.e. extremely hungover), headed to the airport to greet the new family.

And we weren't the only ones. There were approximately 40 friends and family members waiting in the International Arrivals area of the airport in anticipation. The love in the room was palpable.

After countless hours of travel (not to mention the prior two years of waiting), Rachel, Jesse, and Ollie were held up in the customs and visa lines forever! 

During the more than three-hour wait, we kept the kids entertained with lots of toys, snacks, and games. 

But one of them may or may not have licked the airport floor at one point. [DFW Airport would make a killing if they sold beer and wine in the International Arrivals section. Just sayin.]

When we got word that they would soon be headed through the sliding doors, we hoisted up our signs and couldn't contain our excitement. 

The wait was well worth it. Seeing the sweet little family walk through that door was such a wonderful sight. The tears were definitely flowing. Happy, happy tears. 

And Ollie is so ridiculously cute. I had to steal this pic from Jesse and Rachel's Facebook announcement, because it is just too much...

I am beyond thrilled for Rach and Jesse. They have been praying and waiting for this moment for so long, and the joy that Ollie has brought to their lives is immediately apparent to all who see them together. I have a feeling they are even smiling in their sleep. 

Ava is pretty excited to have a new little playmate as well. 

Welcome home, Ollie. We love you so much!