The Big Day.

A water main in our neighborhood broke. That was how the morning started. We had the morning all planned out with the girls and the plan went in the trash. We melted ice and washed hair, faces and brushed teeth, made breakfast and ate.
Garrett and I layered up and got to work clothing the girls. 3 pairs of socks, 4 pairs of pants, two three long sleeve shirts, fleece sweatshirts, snow bibs, mittens, beanies and full jackets later, we all headed out the door. The air was FRIGID! It was in the teens this morning, but we figured it would warm up and the girls were bundled up beyond reason so we decided we could take it on.
When we got to the metro station, the train was already full (we are pretty far out of the DC area, mind you) so we squeezed in and hunkered in a corner until we hit our transfer station and finally headed up the tunnels and into the district.

Our tickets were in a designated section and we found the line quickly, but the longer we searched for the end of it, the more we realized that our chances of actually seeing the speech in our area were going to be slim to none. The line for our section stretched around 6 city blocks and that wasn't even the end of it. by the time we hit the Smithsonian air and space museum we were frustrated and the length of it and decided to take a break from searching for it and get a bite to eat.
It was a bit funny taking the girls beanies off. We had some serious hair going on, but we all go the giggles and enjoyed ourselves a bit.
We decided to head to the main strip of the mall where there appeared to be a bit more room to breathe. We finally stopped around the Washington Monument and found our place with thousands of others watching the big screens and waiting for our commander and chief to make his first speech as President.
We enjoyed Aretha singing (who wouldn't) and were wowed at the thousands around us saying the Lord's Prayer that was led by pastor Rick Warren. We were awed at the smiling faces of everyone around us and all the different ages, races and backgrounds.
There wasn't an angry word heard by my ears all day. Even those directing the crazy heard of a crowd that we were, stood on the tops of vehicles and laughed at their own attempts to try to yell over the chanting and repeated questions by those unfamiliar with the area. Military personnel, law enforcement, FBI, and who knows who else were all there in abundance. They were lining the streets and more than happy to assist anyone with questions.
There really isn't much that can express the feel of the day and the mass of the crowd. Everyone was excited to be a part of an amazing moment. We met people from all over the US and saw many others from far outside of our own borders. We were proud parents to two beautiful girls that we are so thankful to have finally brought home.
Macie and Ella had another wonderful day. We brought them home and treated them to hot chocolate and continual praise for the amazing little lives that they are.
An Update on them: They are totally, mind blowingly, well behaved kids. They are the best! Not only that, but Macie decided yesterday that she was done with pull ups. We thought it might be a fluke, but sure enough, all day long she went without a single accident in her big girl panties. Today, we noticed that our little Ella did the same thing. Not a single accident in her diaper! Is this normal (not that I am complaining AT ALL)?
I feel like the last two days, well three really, they have simply decided to love and accept us as their parents and thrive in their new lives. It's almost as if they have just turned a corner and are more than happy to just continue forward and enjoy where they are at. I'm failing to express all that goes into that, but if you could see them, you would know. It has really been amazing.
Anyway, I'm rambling.
All that to say, it was an amazing day. We are so thankful that we got to be a part of it and even more thankful to be moving forward and onto a new chapter in American history and in the lives of our family.