We're home...........

Back in the USA.......The best part~ My bed............:))
We arrived home on Monday morning at Cleveland airport greeted by many friends and family members. It was so nice to see so many of you that early in the morning! Thanks!
Leaving the airport in our friends van (Bob and Lois Ferrel)......we were welcomed inside their van with photo's everywhere of our time in Brazil as a new family. Streamers, pictures, presents, American flags, etc....with also a beverage selection and snacks! That Lois~ She really knows how to make things special! Thanks guys!
Upon arriving to our house we were greeted with many signs welcoming the "Gouge Family" home and welcoming Donei HOME. From what I hear we had around 60 people at our house to welcome us home and of course with more food than you could imagine! Thank you again to everyone who came and brought food.
Donei is doing well for the most part. He is a bit overwhelmed with everything and we are trying to take things as slowly as we can for him. He has been very gracious and kind to everyone who wants to hug him :)) But there has been a lot of hugs.
Today was a bit more difficult for him as we have needed to move forward by getting him registered with school. He will be attending GlenOak High School in the 9th grade for now. We wish we didn't have to think about school already but  since school has started we are forced to have to move in that direction. He wants to play soccer (and other sports) so we feel putting into public school right now is what is best for him. Plus they have the resources he needs to help him better than homeschooling or private schooling. Please pray for his adjustment that things would go quickly and he would start feeling not so homesick for Brazil.
He has been invited by the soccer coach at GlenOak to practice with the team tomorrow and Donei seems to have been excited about that part. He hasn't been able to play soccer for several weeks now since our constant moving around Brazil to get back.
Tonight we are taking Donei to a soccer game at GlenOak to watch the team play a game. They are playing Jackson High School tonight so it should be a really good game! I hope this helps him not feel so sad. As a mother it just really breaks my heart that he has to go through this adjustment phase......but there is really no other way to get around it. I remember growing up how hard it was every time we had to move and I had to start at another school. Five schools I went to through my school years. It was very hard on me, especially once I reached 9th grade. I didn't have to change countries though only states! So I can only imagine how difficult starting school can be. Of course we all know that within time it will be fine and ultimately what is best for him. Still hard to see him going through the painful stages.
Steve has been teaching Donei how to play the drums today and he has been down stairs practicing for quite awhile now.....good therapy and stress reliever! :)