Six Months At Home~ How It's Going

Sunday it will be six months since Stephanie, Jude, and Lovenie arrived in America to join our family. It doesn't at all seem like it has been that long. Whew, what an adjustment time it has been for us all. One thing that is a surprise to me has been how natural it seems to have six children. When I count up all their heads it doesn't seem like that many and I'm always thinking "That's it?". While waiting to bring home our children I had read a lot and heard a lot about what a huge adjustment it was going to be for all our children. What I was unprepared for was what a huge adjustment it is for me as a Mother and as a person. I hadn't thought nearly as much about the emotions and battles I was personally going to face as well.



So here is how it's going~



Lovenie~ What an amazing little miracle this dear girl is! She is so full of spunk and giggles. She has changed and grown so much since coming home. She is talking a little in both English and Creole. Her comprehension has expanded at unbelievable rates. When she came home she had the mentality of a 1 year old and in only 6 months she is much more like a 2 year old. Unfortunately along with the comprehension of a two year old came behaviors of the terrible twos. She is going non-stop and gets herself in a lot of trouble but she is so sweet that she is still just precious. It feels good to know that she feels secure and loved. She takes dolls and stuffed animals and just really loves on them. She showers her Mama with snuggles and kisses nearly all day long and her Mama just LOVES it! I'm just all melty in love with her and it seems as if she has been our baby girl always.



Jude~ What a hoot! He's so cute and funny. I've been amazed at how good he is at everything he tries. His English is coming along wonderfully. He's smart, fun, and athletic. He's really just a totally remarkable little guy. He behaves great for us most of the time (other then normal little kid stuff). He still has some dark moods where he gets sulky and gets his mad face on. I think he's still working through some grief from all he has left behind and all that has changed for him. Usually we just love on him and wait it out and he works through it and is bouncing around again soon. He's so easy to love and we are excited to have him home with us. When I am apart from him for any time at all I really miss him. His sweet smile and easy laughter just brings warmth to our family. He has improved greatly when it comes to the aggressiveness and anger we saw in him the first two months home. He still has a tendency to not always be honest with us and we are working on truthfulness. We think it is a good sign that, while he does not always tell us the truth right away, he usually comes around to telling the truth and feels remorse for not being honest. Good sign!



Stephanie~ I have typed out and erased many times what to write about with our situation with Stephanie. I think I will leave it at this~ it's not good. Please continue to pray for her and for our family.