Family picture

Family picture

Monday, March 31, 2014

Gracie Update

Gracie's behavior just keeps getting better and better! 




Gone is that scared, overwhelmed, angry, impatient little girl.




 Now we see sweetness, mild outbursts, and really wanting to be part of the family kind of behavior
 




There are days and times that she reverts back to what we call "orphanage behavior," but those times are less and less.
 
 
 
 
Several times a day we stand back and marvel at what God has already done in Grace's life and ours. 
 
 
 
 
Sometimes I think that it isn't just the new child that changes so, but also it is that our hearts expand and grow. 
 
 
 
 
 
Maybe it's a little of both, really. 
 
 
 
 
 
Or a lot.  

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Home a month now!

We cannot believe that our Gracie has been home for a month now!  That stressful, awful, wonderful time in China is becoming a distant memory - thanking God for that!! 

The Gracie we received and struggled with through our time in China is also becoming a distant memory.  She is blossoming before our very eyes, and we love the softness and gentleness we are seeing in her.  We love her so already!!

Everyone is settling down into a routine.  We are even able to venture out more and more and do more "normal" activities with our new little girl.  During her first couple of weeks at home, there was a time that I didn't think things would ever get any better.  Jet lag, exhaustion, and being overwhelmed with the transition can really play havoc on your emotional state!  Also, there is a certain letdown after you return home.  The high excitement of traveling and receiving your child has worn off, and the sheer amount of work in the transitioning stages tend to be a let down similar to the day after Christmas.  That is the only way I can explain it, and I am not meaning anything negative about our precious children and the gift they are to us.  I feel fairly certain that each new child we bring home feels the letdown for a bit as well.

Then we begin to move on through that stage, and suddenly you wake up one morning, and just like that, your new child feels like he or she has always been with the family.  Just like that the same new child begins to feel that he/she is finally home and that you are their family.  It is such a difficult process, but we are entering into that stage where we all are feeling like we belong to each other, and I have to say that we are "thrilled" to be out of that yucky "new at home" stage.  Even though we will still have rocky times, we know that mostly it will only get better and better. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Monday, March 17, 2014

How are we doing this far into the transition time?

Today, March 17th (St. Paddy's Day)
Gracie has been ours for one month!
 
 
Many people want to know how she is doing with the huge transition in her life. 
 
 
We have had a fair share of ups and downs, and Gracie (who came home so delayed) has a long road ahead of her,
 
 
But, this we know. . .
 
 
She loves sleeping in a comfy bed with lots of warm, soft blankets to cover her.  She loves having lots of good food to eat (and some junk food, too!)  She loves giggling and being silly.  She loves having toys with which to play, and she is beginning to love being in school at our home. 
 
 
But most of all, she loves belonging . . .
 
 
She loves having a family of her own! 
 
 
So amazing to see the early beginnings of our diamond in the rough starting to shine!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Sunday, March 9, 2014

Home and adjusting to a new normal

We arrived back home Wednesday night, February 26th, to a gathering of our loved ones welcoming us back. 
 
 
 
Happy to be heading home  
(our dear friend Deidra and my Sophia)
 
 
A homecoming at the airport
Gracie meeting her daddy and brothers for the first time
 
 
Looking a little travel weary, but so happy to be home
(Our first picture as a family of 7)
 
 
A little overwhelmed and getting a look at her new
bedroom for the first time
 
 
Beginning to play in her new home
 
 
Philip and Elijah sharing the moment with Gracie
 
 
 
Awww,
Home Sweet Home