Well.
It's officially been a week.
A hard, long week - I won't lie.
Slowly, we are working on English. The laundry has been running 24 hours.
And somehow we've managed to keep the house relatively clean.
The little girls are having the most trouble. The place they lived in Ethiopia wasn't the best atmosphere for them, but that couldn't be helped. The girls do not know how to entertain themselves. At all. The word "no" coming from anyone but themselves does not go over well. And bedtime equals screaming and crying.
It's hard. Really it is. You don't read this on the adoption blogs.
Slowly, our family is learning to open their hearts. We're learning that even though it's not going to be "just us" anymore, we can still be a family. We're learning to lower our expectations a whole lot.
At the same time, however, there's a lot of love swirling around this house in so many different forms. With the coming of a new year, it's like a whole new world is waiting for us - one that holds eleven children, two parents, and one family.
Don't worry -- one of these days, you'll look back on this and think "It was worth it." Have a happy new year, Olivia!
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Jessica
it is all beautiful in its own. :))
ReplyDelete-jocee <3
Beautiful Olivia; sad, but beautiful. I hope everyone settles into their new lives easily, and things get a bit better. Praying for you. <3
ReplyDeleteYou all are in my thoughts! Glad to have an update and know that despite all of the challenges, love can overcome.
ReplyDeleteoh man, im sorry this is so hard for your family, but someday when everything is as it should be you probably wont even remember these first few weeks! i hope everything goes well! :)
ReplyDeletePraying for you guys! Thank you so much for being honest though. And you're right, people often don't talk about the hard parts of adoption. I must admit, i'm quietly dreading the challenges that come with adoption. But know that God is having y'all go through this for a reason! And just think, next year at this time, you'll be able to look back and see how much better things are and how much God has blessed you through these new siblings! <3
ReplyDeletewowzers. of course it's going to be hard--but then, things that are worth it always are a bit, aren't they? praying for your family and those kiddos.
ReplyDeletepraying for you! it's wonderful that you have new siblings, but I can imagine with ones who have been living in a different world, it's been pretty hard. love will conquer, though.
ReplyDeleteblessings,
Grace
gracesgardenwalk.blogspot.com
I have friends going through the same thing. I understand you a little, but i will never really know unless i experience the same thing, right? God will provide for your every need, Olivia. He is always there! I am we will be praying for you.
ReplyDeleteLove and blessings,
Meghan
So, so true. But you are not alone! For the first week Gergana would wake up in the middle of the night screaming. It gets better! Praying for you and sending lots of love your way!!
ReplyDeleteI think I must have missed some of your resent post updates on my dashboard because... Wow! I had no idea you guys were adopting! That is so cool! I know it must be had at first, but I've heard of so many families who have been blessed though adoption. It's amazing just how much a child's life can change for the better... all because of a family willing to open up their doors!
ReplyDeleteMay you an your family be blessed by your efforts in the months and years ahead! <3
Love in Christ,
Eve
I'm sure that once you and your family pushes through these trying times it will be 100% worth it! After all it all counts in the long run! hope that you have a great new year full of blessings.
ReplyDeleteI'll be praying for you,
Chloe
Wow, I really can't imagine what life's like in your family now! I'll be praying for you all.
ReplyDeletexoxo
simi
Looks like they are enjoying the snow! It's hard, but worth it. Have a great New Year!
ReplyDeleteI really admire what you and your family are doing.... i'm sure it's so so hard to adjust to having four people especially from a foreign place come and live with you. forever. i know that i would be scared, and confused!
ReplyDeletei'll be praying, and hope that as 2012 comes it will be easier for your family and the four.
blessings,
Emily
My family is pretty small (only my mom, dad, sister, and I... and a dog) so I can't really imagine what it must be to have 10 other kids around you. Yeah, you're right - on the few adoption blogs I've read, I haven't heard much about how hard the beginnings/everything can be. But, I hope everything ends up going smoothly for you all. I guess like most things it'll just take time.
ReplyDeleteYou (and the WHOLE family) will be in my prayers, Olivia!
Happy New Year. :)
I'll be praying for your whole family!
ReplyDelete-Anna Rose
I can't even begin to imagine what changes have been made! I was excited to see photos. :)
ReplyDeleteMmm, yes. Change is hard. Even small ones like adding a cousin to the family for a week changes the whole dynamics in the family. I can't even imagine what adding four new little people would do. Just think, it is an entirely new experience for them too!
ReplyDeletePraying for you all!
in Christ's love,
Emily Grace
Change is hard indeed. But what your family is doing is amazing. <3
ReplyDelete