We finally brought her home.

Saturday was exhausting as well and I have a feeling that will be a theme in life from here on out. We have been so lucky with Flower, always sleeping 13 to 14 hours a day. I'm really in for it!
Anyway, Saturday was amazing and emotional and life changing.
Since Flower didn't wake up till 10:00, we finally made it to the hospital at 10:45 to Daddy and River. We spent time with Mandy(birth mother), Kathy(her mom and whom River got her dimples from :)!), Carrie(her sister), Debbie(her cousin), and Randy(her fiance). KG's dad had been working up the road from the hospital so he stopped by to see how things were going. That was a huge blessing. We really didn't know how long it would take and he completely entertained Flower. It was a huge help! As we were all in the room, Mandy finally got emotional. It was the first time we had seen. We all left the room to give her some time with River. We were all so happy to have her finally crying. She talked to River and cried for a good hour. Unfortunately, Carrie had to catch a plane back to Oregon so Debbie left at 11:30 to take her to the airport. We are so thrilled that Carrie came to town. We have so much in common with her and she was an enormous blessing to have around the past few days. She is really lovely and I'm looking foreword to meeting her husband and daughter someday. It was hard to see her go. Shortly after that three ladies from our agency showed up to start the paper work.
It was really happening!
When all paper work was done we went in to be with Mandy. I gave her a hug and the flood gates opened. It's a moment I will never forget. It touched me so deeply because Mandy and I are both fairly guarded with our emotions. We both sobbed out loud and held each other. She asked me to please be a good mother to her daughter. I thanked her for the amazing gift she is giving us. I whispered how brave, courageous, and selfless she is. I thanked her for the amazing sacrifice she is making for us. It was a moment I will forever be grateful for and I cry every time I think about it. She and KG hugged in a similar fashion and then she and Flower. And then we hugged again. I couldn't hug her enough. Words will never express the love and gratitude we have for Mandy. River will grow up being very proud of her. She will know how much she is loved by her. She will know her story. She is lovely. She is beautiful. She is thoughtful. She is smart. She is a CNA. She is everything that River will be proud of. We are blessed to have her in our life. She also had aunts, a grandma, and Randy that she will know and that love her dearly! We are grateful for all of them and that they supported Mandy with this decision and helped her through. Mandy and Kathy both sent us with several gifts for the girls and Carrie gave the girls two books that will mean so much to them in the future. My heart is so full.
Walking out of the building was a little surreal. As we were finally making our way to our cars I think I was in shock that it was really happening. The past few days have been so overwhelming that I couldn't believe we were all about to drive off together in the same car. I sent out a mass text with the joyous news and then just sat back and took it all in and enjoyed the ride. Oh, and hoped the massive headache I had would go away! :)
Since Aunt Amanda so willingly helped out with Flower from Tuesday to Thursday I wanted her to be the first one to see our little babe. We went to their house and picked up the extra car seat and sent Flower with Ken, or 'my buffalo grandpa' as Flower calls him, so we could visit with Ryan and Amanda for a bit.




After that we met up with Grandma, buffalo Grandpa and Flower at Texas Roadhouse for a much needed meal. We have been eating like crap since Wednesday and this hit the spot. We were finally home by 5:15 and KG and Flower went straight to bed. They slept for several hours! It was my turn to spend time and bond with Rivs. I took some photos in her coming home outfit. The tye-dyed onesie is the first thing we bought her as a family. We bought it on our Oregon vacation this summer right after we finished our end of the adoption process and were viewable by birthparents. I love it on her!








We were too dang tired to stop at the store so Sandee and her friend Jenn came over later with formula. They oo'd and aw'd at our precious girl.

I then wrapped her up like a burrito in Aunt Peggy's blanket and we cuddled for the night.

I want to thank everyone for the kind comments, emails, phone calls and texts. You mean so much to us. We love you.
KG, Ang, Flower and River :)