Wednesday, April 12, 2023

Birth family visit - 1

For the second leg of our trip, we headed about 2.5 hours northeast to Apple Valley to meet up with Christy and Chris.  They call it "the high dessert" and we remembered, as we drove, that this means they're at about 3000ft elevation.  With snow capped mountains in the background, it was a beautiful drive.  

We met Christy and Chris at Oggi's, a local pizza place nearby.  They were late and while we waited, we passed the time by looking at pictures from our last visit to Victorville and Apple Valley.  Just driving through town, on Bear Valley Road and seeing all the familiar sights, brought a flood of memories back for Mike and I.  But, for Nick, Jacob and my parents, this was all new.  Jayden's memories didn't seem to be triggered by the landscape alone and Luke's memories from when Nick had been born (he had just turned four then) were faint.  

Once they arrived, we all stood and they greeted us with hugs.  It was sweet watching the kids see their birthmom for the first time in so long, and moving to see her loving response as well.  They shared stories about all their favorite things and she and Chris asked them many questions.  Christy remarked that Nick's love of adventure is similar to hers.  Chris was very engaged in playing with the boys, swinging, running, and playing football.  

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1qJIGoPHZWjqWQKn6raFOKineKKTqXwfW

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1kCXi7H0dkKNLx2R5hnSAX2i5skk9L3fZ

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1p6Wel8rLahhlUigxkao1KlYXS9i7uq1z

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1CEFTrI7YHj3GTBwRvg8Pr1whtK8hZ8Pj

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1AqSuzHFgLAf_Hf9FlzYyfANdxRQkeCys

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1h4gIFMs_J0EE0psZq3A7L3Wxi2yq04k6

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1I3tvTJ-kbvDO9nTRUEeadF4OX__3vQxV

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1eS-62MeFXxRv3UNAqCRFC4_biQXLBIyd

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1imwOLJDLd6sJn2Pph_bRrBCdiptFydJt

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1Q_cwVx2iWGzigfy2Mpw8N-n7F_NLFx2-

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1BbZ9txjJoFMG1FiaUcGtJozSWQZCRHeq

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1jKKe5RmZ2fhpE9OfJRsgn2k_ZcfOJ-QG

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1S8HvGVhU4HvywsPT6Vbhjsf66kric_v5

This was a deeply meaningful visit, one that we'll continue to appreciate and unpack over the days to come.  

Lots of Love!!  

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