One Week Home

We've been home for a week.  In some ways, it's hard to believe it has been that long, but in other ways our trip to China feels like so long ago.

So, how are we doing?

We all have mixed emotions and are still processing our new normal.  We are still feeling jet lag (which feels like it will never end) and are very tired.  I'm trying to remind myself that it will take a couple of weeks (possibly months?) to get our bodies and our house back into a good routine.

There are many hard things right now, but I don't think it would be helpful to list those out.  We are muddling through the hard things, praying that God would use them for good.  There are also many great things!  Jack is home!  He is getting medicine he needs (for sinus infection, ear infection, 3 infected rashes) and he has a more extensive evaluation next week.  He has a backyard that he loves!  He gets cuddles, snuggles, and kisses all the time.  We are a family of 6 now!  We are looking for beauty in the small things - and there is so much beauty!

Jack is so cuddly and snuggly.  He was made to be in a family, y'all.  He seems happy here in our house, but we haven't ventured outside of it much.  When I took him to the doctor, he called two men "baba" (Chinese for daddy) so he still doesn't quite get it yet.  He wants to be held a lot (which makes Daniel want to be held) so my arms are very full.   

Daniel & Jack.  My heart was nervous and anxious about this relationship while we were in China.  It still is. I see sweet moments of love between them, but there is also a good bit of arguing over the same car/train/truck.  Daniel keeps pointing at him and saying "this is Jack, mommy, this is Jack!" and will do sweet little things for him.  Jack sees some value in Daniel because he copies him a lot.  But, Jack doesn't have any concept for brother (or family at all) so it is going to take a while for "brother" to sink in with him.  Right now, they don't hesitate to push and shove to get the car/truck/train they want away from the other one. I have hope, though, in the One who made both of these boys and knew they would be brothers before the beginning of time.  He is the one who will knit their brother hearts together.  I'm so excited for Jack to learn that a brother isn't like his friends at the orphanage who are there one day and gone the next and who were competition for food and toys. A brother sticks with you for a lifetime with love that is big!  

The girls.  They are doing great!  They still have some jet lag issues, but overall are doing great.  They are truly the best big sisters these 2 boys could have.  Molly is happily back at preschool.  Leah is going to New Life Camp a couple of days in the next few weeks.  They are both back at dance class.  They are just doing their thing.  I love that we sit at the dinner table and talk about China.  I love that we have those sweet memories together!

Some fun moments from our first week home:

 First time trying popcorn.  He was so excited about it, but then he didn't like it too much. He only ate 2 pieces.

 Daddy and the girls made pillow cookies (cookie on the outside, brownie on the inside - yum!)

His first time playing in the backyard.  JOY!

The boys trying to play together. :)

He loved seeing our truck and car.

Love this boy 

 He sucks his thumb a lot.  It calms him so much.

 These sweet brothers are only 2 weeks apart in age.  Because of that, we've been able to see up close and in person the difference between being in a family and being institutionalized.  Jack was in a "good" orphanage but he was just a number there.  We love that we get to love on him and see him grow and thrive!

First snack time with all 4!

 First time eating mac & cheese. He wasn't sure what to do with it. He looked at Daniel, then...

 We've had some trouble with food, though, and had to buy some baby food. He eats that up every time.  Mashed meat and mashed vegetable at its finest.  But, we've made some progress with food.  So far, two sweet friends have brought dinner and look at this boy. He ate every bite we gave him of what they brought:

 Ms. Suzanne's soup!

Ms.Meghan's spaghetti!

My friends must be putting some extra love in their cooking because so far he eats their food far better than anything I have given him other than baby food!  Meals are bringing us life right now.  They are fuel for our bodies and hearts. So thankful!

As I write this, Matt is feeling sick, so I'm not sure what the next week holds for us.  We appreciate you continuing to pray for our adjustment time, our health, and that our eyes would be fixed on Jesus (the only one who can give us real hope).