First Post-placement Visit

Tonight we had our first post-placement assessment with our very kind social worker. I keep wanting to call it a 'post-op' visit... Anyway, we basically just poured out all our observations, struggles, experiences, and concerns and she took notes.

The point was not really for her to give us advice, although if she noted any major problems, I'm sure she would have referred us for help. She actually didn't say much of anything - just listened. One comment she uttered made my whole night, though:

"You'll be adjusting for 6-12 months."

Thank Goodness no one expects us to have it all figured out right now.

Firsts

Thursday marked two weeks since we brought our son home from Armenia. I think the honeymoon is definitely over, which is good. Getting on with the business of being a family is a happy, healthy step in this process. The time we've spent together so far has been delightful at times, very challenging at others. There is so much we all need to learn about each other. Here are a few examples of the new beginnings we've been experiencing:



-First trip to the library. I hope the concept of returning the books is understood.



-First fight with brother over toy. I think it is healthy that they are comfortable enough with each other to argue. They've been through the cycle of fighting to friends again a few times now, and no one seems worse for the wear.



-Mom's first trip to grocery store for 'basics' that cost over $150. :) I think I will start making better use of my Sam's Club membership. I have not yet braved a trip to the store with everyone in tow... I'm in no hurry to go down that road.



-First correction of misbehavior requiring loss of privilege. Difficult moment for him. Difficult moment for Mama, too.



-First trip to our pediatrician, who kindly agreed to grant my request for a handicapped parking space in his lot. I love our doctor, but I can't believe in his 30 years of practice that nobody else asked him about this. I know we're not the only family in his office needing wheelchair accessibility.



-First email I ever sent to the Governor's office. The BMV initially denied our request for a handicapped tag for the van because our son does not yet have a SSN. Ridiculous!! I decided to be a squeaky wheel for once in my life, and it paid off. I got a response from the state BMV director and we had tags within 2 days. I didn't even have to go back to the local BMV. Amazing.



-First meal from a drive-thru eaten in the car. His initial reaction was, "where should I eat?" :) Dining (and I use that term loosely) while in motion seemed to suit him just fine.



-First visit to Grandma and Pada's house. First meeting of cousins. Family is such a blessing.



-First encounter with the Blue Knights Boys Club (Thanks, Grandpa, for accompanying the boys while Daddy was working). The club is eleven 4-7 year old boys. Need I say more? I believe he might have been slightly overwhelmed by this one, but says he enjoyed himself nevertheless.



-First experience with homeschooling. He is still getting his mind around the idea that for our family, school is at home, or wherever we happen to be. He is beginning to read in English. I think we're holding our own with completing the basics, not necessarily going crazy on extra subjects.

We're being initiated as a family in so many ways, it's hard to itemize them all. We're learning a great deal about love, trust, relying on grace, and meeting the needs of someone who has a significant disability. I am being stretched as a parent. The kids are growing in generosity, but it's hard sometimes.

I read headlines and no longer feel stressed. Obamacare? So what. It's not that I no longer care, everything just seems less important than the people God has placed in my life to care for on a daily basis.

I think the experience of completing an international adoption - from first seeing this child's face in a picture to completing the final paperwork and travel - has made very clear God's hand in our lives. Yes, things in the world, in this life, are bad, frustrating, upside down. I am so sad for Pope Benedict who is being accused so unjustly and is dealing with unimaginable challenges at a time in his life when most people have long since retired. But, that God can make a family from biologically unrelated people from opposite sides of the Earth is nothing short of miraculous. I am humbled and grateful for the opportunity He has given us to raise this sweet human being. God is bigger than all the garbage from whoever or whatever making life difficult and unfair.

I feel immensely blessed to be the wife of my wonderful husband and mother of these 4 great kids. God is so generous and merciful. Several times in my life, I have been acutely aware of His presence and power. This is one of them.

Demoted

We drove past an ambulance today in our new (tank of a) van and realized it had us in size by just a few inches. Victor's reaction: "Well, Mom, I guess we're actually the Vice President of the road."

Home

In the Homestretch

In 27 hours, my dad and I will head to Chicago to meet their flight.

In 19 hours, their plane is expected to take off from my son's home country, headed to London, then on to the good ol' USA. I hope in time he will learn to love his new country as much as the one of his birth.

Today, I will run around like a crazy woman tying up loose ends of a few projects and making last-minute preparations for the big homecoming.

We are immensely grateful for the prayer support of so many people, and we beg you to keep it coming!

God bless.

Happy Easter

The glorious weather today is perfect for Easter. It's the kind of day your mind draws up when contemplating egg hunts and daffodils. Even though, as a family, we are separated today for the first (and hopefully only) time on a major holiday, the sunshine and warm breezes are consoling our lonely hearts. Oh, and a healthy dose of sugar lifts everyone's spirits as well.

We are also able to connect through the beautiful liturgy of the Catholic Church. Even though we attended Easter Vigil Masses on opposite sides of the world, the basic form of the service is the same. I was feeling very connected to my husband as Lucy and I participated in the Easter Vigil at the church in my hometown last night. (Grandpa was babysitting the little guys, bless his heart. It was too late for them, and almost too late for Lucy...)

Eustace, Mom, and our little guy are all ready to come home, and we are ready, too. Only 4 more days. I can't express how eager I am to see them all and to meet my son. I've spoken to him on the phone several times, but I want to see him face to face and begin the process of bonding.

As happy as this child is to have a family, he is very connected to the people, language, and customs of his country. He is asking questions about how he will retain his language and culture from a distance. We will do our very best to help him with that, we are reassuring him. He is very proud of his nationality.

In Armenia, tomorrow is a national holiday. So, the little stinker tried to tell his Daddy that on such occasions he doesn't need to do his physical therapy exercises or any schoolwork (they've been doing a little letter practice and math each day). He handles it well when Eustace sets him straight, so that's good. With all the businesses closed, they won't have much else to do anyway!

Everything seems to be lining up so that their departure for home will be right on schedule. There is one last party at the orphanage (there have been several already), packing up, and their flight leaves on Thursday. We will pick them up at the airport and then have about a 3 hour drive home. The very next day, I will take him to the burn center here to have his foot checked out. Nothing like hitting the ground running!

So, that's what's happening here. I want to thank everyone for the support I have received through prayer, phone calls, and emails. I really appreciate everyone's kindness.

Have a blessed Easter season!!

Introducing...

...our son!! It is tradition in his country for children to wear wreaths woven
from some type of plant (not clear what it is, exactly) on Palm Sunday. I think I'm entitled to say that he is one handsome little dude.