Since we’ve been home…

Well, we’ve been home just over 6 weeks now and things really couldn’t have gone better! That doesn’t mean we don’t have struggles some days, because we do. We struggle with all the “normal” family stuff as well as a host of other issues that arise when blending a family of children who haven’t grown up together and who face their own personal challenges because of language difficulties, effects from institutionalization, and past traumas. We have just taken things day-by-day and prayed that God will give us wisdom as we begin the life-long journey with our children. Our prayer is that they will follow Christ and allow him to work in their hearts to help them deal with life’s difficulties. We don’t know what the future holds for any of us, but we do know that Jeremiah 29:11 is truth and God has a plan for each of them. Please continue to pray for us – that we will have wisdom in helping the girls heal, forgive, and grow into godly women. God is so good and has blessed us with 6 little people who are truly treasures. We want to be good stewards in guiding them!

Major accomplishments so far: Rosetta Stone English is going great, all 5 girls want to be together all the time, the girls are really bonding with Mom and Dad, we’ve had great talks about adoption, our faith & what it means to be in a safe home, the girls are trying new foods & finding that they enjoy many of them, the girls are so happy in our home and have not second-guessed their decision to be adopted (which wouldn’t be uncommon for kids this age!), all 6 children are really getting along amazingly, & they have a very teachable spirit and have made a lot of progress in just the past few weeks.

Prayer requests: more spoken English (they are understanding most of what we say, but speech is a harder part), that their hearts will continue to soften, that we can work on reading/writing this summer to get ready for school, for Zhenya’s confidence – she needs to believe in herself and know how smart she is (much work in Math needs to be done & she needs some self-esteem in that area), that Kristina will continue to speak more & develop emotionally (she is doing great, but obviously has been very stunted in her emotional growth due to trauma), and wisdom for Mom & Dad in knowing how to handle each and every situation.

Some of the girls’ favorite things: swimming, playing any kind of sports game with Dad, playing cards or board games together, cooking with Mom, reading books out loud before bed, going to the grocery store, staying at the table after dinner to tell funny stories, any kind of celebration (they loved celebrating Dad’s birthday!), playing with dolls, family movie time, school work, and going new places. They have been so much fun!

A quick update in pictures – can’t help but brag on these gorgeous smiling faces! We have all had a blast these past few weeks and the girls are so very happy!