Happy Beginnings...

It would be easy to say the story has a happy ending...

After two and a half years of process after process to get Kembert home...

After Kristen and Karis were in Haiti and and survived the earthquake...

After realizing that the years of adoption paperwork was under the rubble...

After having to leave Kembert behind in a chaotic country...

After advocating on behalf of Kembert and other orphans over and over and over again...

After Facebook and Twitter updates mobilizing friends to also spread the word...

After countless calls and letters to Congress, the White House, my Senators...

After what had to have been intense moments of uncertainty and fear...

After all of these things and more...

Kembert (pronounced Kem-bay) was granted Humanitarian Parole and was flown to the US to reunite with his forever family.

I am a person of very limited faith, but when I read the news of Kembert coming home on Facebook, I started BAWLING my eyes out. I mean, BOO HOO crying. I was glad to be home alone because I called Jen and cried, left an ugly cry message for Sarah, shared the joy with Lisa, then just sat in my living room saying thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you... over and over and over again. Thank you God. I had no idea I felt this invested until we got the news, and I couldn't be happier for the Howerton's complete family, for goodness winning, for love prevailing.

Here is Daddy Mark and Kembert after a long night of being contained in a holding facility while paperwork was processed. Oh yes, I saw this picture and more tears came. BTW... so happy to have a crying buddy in Bunch... she never lets us down in the sentimental tears department!

Mark then flew from Orlando to LAX with Kembert and I tell ya, I was there for this homecoming in spirit. News video of the homecoming can be viewed here.

I have been very mindful of Kristen, Mark, Jafta, Kembert, India, and Karis since they went home. Mindful of the transitions that are bound to be challenging with the acculturation process in helping Kembert adjust to his new environment while learning English. Mindful of the change in routine with the other kiddos. Mindful of the pragmatics such as not having a vehicle big enough to support another child or the fact that the adoption process may have to start over. Mindful that this was all very sudden and Kristen has most likely not had the time to digest the horrors of what she experienced in Haiti. I'm just so mindful of this family. But what I know of them is they will overcome the challenges because they are so full of love. I don't always think love conquers all, but in this case, I have absolutely no cynicism and absolutely trust the love and goodness and intentions in this family.

Yes, it would be easy to say this story has a happy ending. But really, the story is just beginning. And here's to beautiful beautiful beginnings...