I'm still running behind on blogging obviously but I'm also behind on laundry and a myriad of other things so don't judge too harshly! I've got FIVE kids now!
We have been home two weeks today. It's kind of crazy how fast two weeks have gone by!
Since January, I tried oh so hard to prepare myself for what our life would be like once we got home. TRIED is the key word here, but it's just so hard to prepare for all the unknowns. I basically prepared to feel like I was drowning for a good year. I planned to be completely and utterly overwhelmed by our new life. I feel like these are pretty realistic expectations when you plan to add three children from hard places to your family. So how did the expectations line up with reality?
Well, two weeks in, and I'm still so surprised how easy things have been. I mean it's almost scary how smooth things are because I'm wondering when the you know what is going to hit the fan and the water is going to rise to where we can't breathe.
Now, don't get me wrong. We have little issues here and there. Our biggest challenges have come from Rabina but I honestly can't say what is adoption related and what is just simply her being three. I totally forgot how much I hate that age! I mean twos are bad but threes suck, y'all. Two words... pull-ups and stubbornness. Those two words have been my biggest frustrations with her. Poop in pull-up? Yeah, not fun! She will now sit with Lance and even called for him the other morning. This has given me a break here and there but she still prefers me. We are also dealing with a little indiscriminate affection from little bit. I didn't think this was an issue at first but the more we've socialized the more I've noticed it. I think she just like the attention really but it's still not good to hug a stranger in the bathroom at Chick-fil-a (don't worry I caught her before she did).
Kashila and Khushboo are doing well. Khushboo has had some emotional shutdowns and we haven't really been able to find the best way to break through and get her to put her feelings into words but we are learning. I honestly think she just has a lot of feelings that she just can't really make sense of. She's such a sweet child. Kashila can be an instigator and she tends to be stubborn. We have to be firm yet playful with her. She has been warming up to Lance which is a huge improvement. She was very cold toward him in India. I think now she's learning he's the fun one. She has the most precious smile and is so joyful (when she's not pouting).
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Brayden and Asher are doing pretty well. They continue to fight with and aggravate each other until I want to pull my hair out. Asher is doing a lot of attention seeking. We are trying to be aware of how both boys are feeling and what they need. This is hard for them but they are hanging in there really well.
Of course we have had to adjust to bedtime routines, bathing routines (no more baths! showers for all!), and, the biggest adjustment off all, meal routines. The hardest thing for me is feeling like all I do all day is meet basic needs. If that's the hardest thing right now, then I think we're doing pretty good! God has truly blessed us!
Some of things I'm really enjoying... their desire to keep things tidy, their laughter, they way they always ask "Where Dad is?", singing to them at night, how they remind us to pray, they way they sing "Let it go" and "For the first time", their sweet kisses, when they ask me to put lotion on them, their Indian head bob, having a van FULL, watching Brayden and Asher be loving to their new sisters, kissing Lance and watching the girls trip out about it, and so many other wonderful things! We are truly blessed!
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I'm sure there will be challenges in the future. I'm sure there will come a time when we do feel like we are drowning. I don't know what tomorrow holds but I am so confident that God will continue to lead us every step of the way!
Until next time! -K
We have been home two weeks today. It's kind of crazy how fast two weeks have gone by!
Since January, I tried oh so hard to prepare myself for what our life would be like once we got home. TRIED is the key word here, but it's just so hard to prepare for all the unknowns. I basically prepared to feel like I was drowning for a good year. I planned to be completely and utterly overwhelmed by our new life. I feel like these are pretty realistic expectations when you plan to add three children from hard places to your family. So how did the expectations line up with reality?
Well, two weeks in, and I'm still so surprised how easy things have been. I mean it's almost scary how smooth things are because I'm wondering when the you know what is going to hit the fan and the water is going to rise to where we can't breathe.
Now, don't get me wrong. We have little issues here and there. Our biggest challenges have come from Rabina but I honestly can't say what is adoption related and what is just simply her being three. I totally forgot how much I hate that age! I mean twos are bad but threes suck, y'all. Two words... pull-ups and stubbornness. Those two words have been my biggest frustrations with her. Poop in pull-up? Yeah, not fun! She will now sit with Lance and even called for him the other morning. This has given me a break here and there but she still prefers me. We are also dealing with a little indiscriminate affection from little bit. I didn't think this was an issue at first but the more we've socialized the more I've noticed it. I think she just like the attention really but it's still not good to hug a stranger in the bathroom at Chick-fil-a (don't worry I caught her before she did).
Kashila and Khushboo are doing well. Khushboo has had some emotional shutdowns and we haven't really been able to find the best way to break through and get her to put her feelings into words but we are learning. I honestly think she just has a lot of feelings that she just can't really make sense of. She's such a sweet child. Kashila can be an instigator and she tends to be stubborn. We have to be firm yet playful with her. She has been warming up to Lance which is a huge improvement. She was very cold toward him in India. I think now she's learning he's the fun one. She has the most precious smile and is so joyful (when she's not pouting).
Brayden and Asher are doing pretty well. They continue to fight with and aggravate each other until I want to pull my hair out. Asher is doing a lot of attention seeking. We are trying to be aware of how both boys are feeling and what they need. This is hard for them but they are hanging in there really well.
Of course we have had to adjust to bedtime routines, bathing routines (no more baths! showers for all!), and, the biggest adjustment off all, meal routines. The hardest thing for me is feeling like all I do all day is meet basic needs. If that's the hardest thing right now, then I think we're doing pretty good! God has truly blessed us!
Some of things I'm really enjoying... their desire to keep things tidy, their laughter, they way they always ask "Where Dad is?", singing to them at night, how they remind us to pray, they way they sing "Let it go" and "For the first time", their sweet kisses, when they ask me to put lotion on them, their Indian head bob, having a van FULL, watching Brayden and Asher be loving to their new sisters, kissing Lance and watching the girls trip out about it, and so many other wonderful things! We are truly blessed!
I'm sure there will be challenges in the future. I'm sure there will come a time when we do feel like we are drowning. I don't know what tomorrow holds but I am so confident that God will continue to lead us every step of the way!
Until next time! -K
So glad things are going fairly well for you guys! The girls are lovely!
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