Week THREE Update

Parenting is hard work!  

It's not all happiness and hugs ... there are hurdles and there is heartache ... even for the experienced parent.

Being the child is hard work too ... especially when parent and child didn't start out together from the beginning.

I've learned that this past week ... we have had a lot of misunderstandings as we have worked with getting to know one another and functioning as a family.

misunderstood intentions.misunderstood actions.misunderstood communication.

Misunderstandings have probably been the root of all our issues so we are just continuing to work though each day trying to build up the communication and to be easy on the body language and facial expressions.

We know our photos appear to show that all is well and there are no issues and some have even commented as such.  My response to that has been, "I don't usually take photos of the moments that are filled with tantrums, obstinance, frustration, testing, raised voices, sibling rivalry, ... misunderstandings ... but those moments do happen, multiple times a day, sometimes with greater intensity, sometimes less.  We get through it ... and we try to move on.

There's obviously still so much that we do not know about these two little boys who have joined our family so bravely.  Each day we hopefully learn something new ... it's definitely a better view when you view the world through the eyes of a child and it is a special treat to gain new perspective on even the simplest things that we have, for so long, taken for granted.

I can tell you that these boys like to be active, engaged and very helpful.  They are always eager to get right in the mix of whatever we are doing and help us to get the job done.  If this characteristic sticks, once they've learned to exercise self-control, it could be very advantageous for us all!!  

If not, we will have to help to nurture and develop it ... because the world NEEDS MORE HELPERS!

They couldn't wait to take the vacuum away from me and give it a try!

Preparing Thanksgiving dinner was a wonderful activity for them as there were so many different foods for them to help prepare.  

("What?"  ... what do you mean I should be handling this BIG knife??" ) 

Each of them were SO INSISTENT about helping ...

Chopping ...

Peeling ...

Carving ...

& Taste-Testing ...

You NAME it!  They wanted to be a part of it!

Even when Baba changed the oil of our vehicle ...

... the boys were right in there ...

Doing what needed to be done AND organizing TOO!!!

Decorating the Christmas tree was no exception and there were lots of "Ooos" and "Ahhhs" as they admired the twinkling and sparkling of the lights and shiny ornaments.

Of course, this little guy enjoys snacking while he works!!

And, of course, I had to get a photo of the boys holding up their very own ornaments to celebrate their becoming citizens of the USA in 2015!!   

The B-E-S-T Christmas Tree yet!

This blessed holiday season should prove to be even more 'joyful and triumphant' than ever!!!

Stay Tuned: 3D CT Scans are this week!!

HONEST Update

It's been another week now since we've been home from China with the newest members of our family.  Honestly, we've been doing pretty well acclimating ... honestly, we've had our ups and downs ... honestly, it's been fun AND frustrating ... honestly, it's been charming AND challenging ... uhm, I forgot to ask if it was okay to be honest.

You see, all of our photos will likely give the impression that we are blissfully boisterous and blessed.  Of course, we have BEEN ... but not always ... if we're honest.

We have our moments.

Adoption is an adventure!  

And do you know the definition of 'adventure' isn't all positive?

ad·ven·ture

adˈven(t)SHər,ədˈven(t)SHər/

noun

1. 1.

   an unusual and exciting, typically hazardous, experience or activity.

This might come as a surprise to some readers but it needs to be typed and it needs to be read ... when God's people obey His commands, that doesn't automatically mean that the task at hand will be EASY or 'hazard-free'.  Adoption is about loss and grief and courage and change and adjustment.  

It has affected the boys, of course ...

... and it has also affected the rest of us.

No matter how prepared we thought we were, we still have had to make adjustments.  We've still encountered things we had not been prepared for.  Our little Brynn has really struggled ...probably the most ... since being home from China, both emotionally and physically.   And while nothing terribly alarming has occurred, we've also had situations arise that have made us say, "what in the world were they doing with these boys in that orphanage?"  Things we didn't expect ...

It certainly hasn't been EASY ... (It's only been two short/long weeks and while we've felt that our world has been at a stand-still, we have also seen progress, change and growth in two little boys ... and US) ... but we certainly know that God has been right here with US.

Just because it's not EASY doesn't mean we don't try; it doesn't mean we give up.  It doesn't mean we don't take that step into the Jordan River.  Surely, if we never take that shaky, fearful step, we WON'T see the POWER and GLORY of the One True God REVEALED in our lives!

Believing in the task at hand may make us nervous, tired or frustrated ... but we're still doing the task and we're still believing and we'll keep believing, trusting, clinging to the leading of our LORD.

No matter what we go through, He will be right there with us. 

It's the One thing we can count on!

They like to eat cookie dough, by the way ... and now they know the word YUMMY! 

We took them to their first dentist appointment already.  Mostly, we went so quickly because Jonah had a few teeth that required immediate attention.  They were all spruced up for their appointment as they practiced their toothy smiles! 

Rees' mouth is in pretty good shape but his x-rays did reveal that he does have a submucous cleft that was incomplete as it did not affect his soft palate and only minimally on his lip ... but his bones are indeed affected and it will be very interesting to view his CT scan when he has that done on in another week. Jonah was so brave and did very well but his time with the dentist took quite a while. Two of his teeth were really in bad shape but the dentist feels that it would be best to correct them during his jaw distraction which will be done under general anesthesia. So, he performed a temporary fix to prevent an abscess. The dentist and his technician asked us many questions and the dentist actually got choked up and apologized a couple times as he was working on him. He said Jonah is the bravest kid he has ever seen and that he can't imagine what he's been through and what he will yet go through. 

The boys are getting even more comfortable with our dogs.  Jonah is even getting confident enough that he will put his face really close to theirs to allow them to shower him with 'kisses'.   

Jax has been a real trooper with the boys! 

Rees is enjoying Sesame Street in the last couple days.  When someone suggested that we try having the boys watch that to aid with learning ... it was like *lightbulb* ... not sure why I didn't think of that!!

YouTube IS good for something (s)!!

These boys ... sweet as they are (most of the time) ... are still definitely boys and they want to TUSSLE with whoever is willing! 

Two against one ... though, not sure who the winner is!

Just today, we decided to try to get some of our Christmas decorations up and out.  The boys were all too eager to help with anything and everything.

Jonah helped with some raking of the last bit of leaves that had been blown up our front walk. 

They were both pretty jealous that they weren't allowed to join Mama on the roof to string the lights ... BUT ... they sure did enjoy going up and down the ladder(s).

Because of the lateness of our tasks, we had not gotten our dinner ready early enough so ... we decided it would have to be a PIZZA NIGHT ... and guess what??  

Jonah and Rees LOVE Pizza!!  

We have truly been quite fortunate so far with their eating habits and willingness to eat and enjoy practically everything we've given them.

Later this evening the first snowfall of the season began.  We were so excited to show the boys that it was snowing and they were just as excited to see it coming down!

Of course, we had to taste-test the first fresh flakes!! 

Never mind the cold temperatures - it's SNOWING!!

Yep ... Mama even got out there to enjoy the snow just like a kid!!

Children make SNOW MORE FUN!!  

Try it - find yourself a kid to hang out with and get out there and enjoy the snow!

Whatever stage of your life ... go forward viewing it through the eyes of a child.

Renew your own eyes.  Refresh your spirit.  Hold hands with God.  And experience ... 

Our First Few Days Home ...

Hi Everyone!!  It's been several days since we've been back Home-Sweet-Home in the USA!!  We probably should get an update out there so you're reassured that we did not fall off the planet!

Last Friday, we took a van from our hotel in Guangzhou to the airport 

in Hong Kong.

Now, I must say ... I didn't get any photos as we came into the city but it is surrounded by mountains and water; we went on a giant bridge and saw dozens of skyscrapers.  Hong Kong looks like an amazing city!  Too bad I'm not eager to get back on an airplane.

We looked out the windows all around us to see what we could see.

We watched the planes take off ...

... and the luggage get loaded onto the plane.

We were grateful when the plane landed and we were back in the USA!!!

When we got home our house was decorated with balloons which our boys were super excited about!!

Rees was happy to walk into his new home!!

Jonah was excited too ... mostly because of all the balloons!!

We took them to their room and let them open the door for their first time.

They were very interested and probably a little overwhelmed ...

They were pretty nervous about all of our dogs when they first got here.  It's taken a little time but a little more each day, they get more and more comfortable with them.

They've now gotten pretty comfortable with the dogs so much so that they were hand-feeding them their dog food.

We thought that was really sweet ... until they both decided to eat the dog food themselves!

Our little boys got to meet and hang out with our BIG BOYS who they think are really cool, of course!  They just gravitate towards them when they are around.

The first three days were the most challenging with the boys getting acclimated and used to their surroundings.  The first night they slept for a while but then woke up crying and so each of us had to hold one of them for the rest of the night and sleep like that.  The second night was better but only after Jonah cried himself to sleep as I laid next to him trying to comfort him.  Third night and since then has been great.  Rees sleeps with Jonah in his bed, which we're fine with.  When they are comfortable or outgrow the bed then they can sleep in separate beds.

And then I must tell you about this Great Kid!!  He has taken it upon himself to help clear the table each time we have a meal.  Then he gets the cloth and wipes the table until it is clean and then places the mats back on the table afterwards.  AMAZING!!!

If we leave any dishes in the sink, he washes them.  Until we gave him a step stool, he used utensils to help him turn on and off the water.  Quite impressive!!!

The boys really love being outside!!  

It is still nice enough that we can get outside and enjoy the fresh air.  

They even helped Baba rake the leaves in the back yard!

Then they decided it would be fun to bury Baba in the leaves ...  

What a blessing to view the world through the eyes of a child!

We also took the boys on their first hike ...

What a great thing to do with two young boys ... nothing better than to play in the world that God has made ... He hath provided all sorts of things in nature for us to play with!

This is my new favorite photo!  

What a pair of 'lil cuties the LORD has blessed us with.

Jonah was so sweet pulling us over for photos ... he has caught on nicely to the fact that we like to take photos.  What a good boy!

Peek-a-Boo!!

It was a good hike!  We're excited to do it again ... and again ...

Jonah was eager to show that he hiked and played well ... with his dirty hands to show for it!!  

Well done!!

Next Week: Medical and Dental appointments begin.  Stay tuned ... we're sure that there will be much to share and pray about.