A week ago today, I was a nervous, excited wreck driving to Birmingham with our four youngest children, ready to pick up my sweet husband and two newest children from the airport after 30-something hours of traveling from Kiev. A very small group of friends from Bridgestone were there to greet the children with us, and that was more than enough excitement for Tanya and Viktor. I was glad it wasn’t more, but thankful for the support everyone wanted to show us all.
It’s hard to believe it’s only been a week. I am amazed at the progress all of the children are making in adjusting to our new family, and amazed at how God is truly building us into a family little by little. We have had some bumpy moments for sure, but overall I would say the tone has been a sweet one in our home. For that I am so grateful.
We are learning a new rhythm of family life, of meal times, cooking, cleaning, chores and responsibility. We are learning to play together, to spend time together, to enjoy each other. We are learning to share more – the little ones are sharing their parents and toys, and the big ones are sharing their space and privacy, and all 6 of them are sharing a bathroom! It has been a growing experience for all of us.
We are also learning to say, “I’m sorry.” We are learning to forgive and let go of things. We are learning to trust. We are learning to put one another ahead of ourselves. We are learning the painful lesson of patience. Scott and I are learning to give ourselves away. It is not an easy thing to do. But we are all learning.
We have been so impressed by Viktor’s handiness, his mechanical mind, the way he can take something apart, figure out what is wrong with it, and with much diligence he can fix it. We love how playful he is, how affectionate and silly he can be, and how he receives correction humbly and responds appropriately. It is hard to remember what life was like before the fun he brought to our family.
We are so much enjoying Tanya, and her sweet, gentle personality. She has a special connection with Isaac especially, and the way she cares for him and nurtures him makes a mother proud. We love her silliness, her helpfulness, and especially her contagious laugh. She is our sweet flower.
The younger children are adjusting, but I think it has been hardest on them. It is hard to understand why the rules and bedtimes are different for Tanya and Viktor. It is hard to share so much so quickly. It is hard to understand why the older children sometimes need their space and don’t want to play with them every minute of the day. It is especially hard to share your parents. I don’t think any of us knew how needy all 6 of our children would be after an adjustment like this and sometimes the exhaustion of someone needing something constantly wears on us, especially me. But our God is our strength in our weakness. Thanks be to God, and to you for your continued prayers. We desperately need them.
It’s hard to believe it’s only been a week. I am amazed at the progress all of the children are making in adjusting to our new family, and amazed at how God is truly building us into a family little by little. We have had some bumpy moments for sure, but overall I would say the tone has been a sweet one in our home. For that I am so grateful.
We are learning a new rhythm of family life, of meal times, cooking, cleaning, chores and responsibility. We are learning to play together, to spend time together, to enjoy each other. We are learning to share more – the little ones are sharing their parents and toys, and the big ones are sharing their space and privacy, and all 6 of them are sharing a bathroom! It has been a growing experience for all of us.
We are also learning to say, “I’m sorry.” We are learning to forgive and let go of things. We are learning to trust. We are learning to put one another ahead of ourselves. We are learning the painful lesson of patience. Scott and I are learning to give ourselves away. It is not an easy thing to do. But we are all learning.
We have been so impressed by Viktor’s handiness, his mechanical mind, the way he can take something apart, figure out what is wrong with it, and with much diligence he can fix it. We love how playful he is, how affectionate and silly he can be, and how he receives correction humbly and responds appropriately. It is hard to remember what life was like before the fun he brought to our family.
We are so much enjoying Tanya, and her sweet, gentle personality. She has a special connection with Isaac especially, and the way she cares for him and nurtures him makes a mother proud. We love her silliness, her helpfulness, and especially her contagious laugh. She is our sweet flower.
The younger children are adjusting, but I think it has been hardest on them. It is hard to understand why the rules and bedtimes are different for Tanya and Viktor. It is hard to share so much so quickly. It is hard to understand why the older children sometimes need their space and don’t want to play with them every minute of the day. It is especially hard to share your parents. I don’t think any of us knew how needy all 6 of our children would be after an adjustment like this and sometimes the exhaustion of someone needing something constantly wears on us, especially me. But our God is our strength in our weakness. Thanks be to God, and to you for your continued prayers. We desperately need them.