Lessons I'm Learning...

A few things I am learning about being a family of five... and a very non-traditional family at that:

1. I am so very grateful for friends and family who have rallied around us to help us in the last 2 weeks. (Thank you Grammy, Papa, Mimi, Grandad, Auntie Amy, our ET Families in NOVA and those who have called to check on us... we love you guys!)

2. The adjustment and attachment time can NOT be rushed... each child responds differently to their new surroundings and new family. Each day is a new learning opportunity for us, as parents.  We are slowly learning how each child needs us to invest in them and love them.

3. My house looks like a tornado has gone through it -- not the end of the world.  Spending a few minutes each night picking up will help with the issue.  While it's not the end of the world... for my one child who truly loves order... it brings them peace when they experience a straight room. So for this sweet child... we take the car to get it vacuumed once a week too! :) It brings them full blown smiles! (and squeals since they have never seen a car-vac before!)

4. Date Nights are important!  Ed and I get our first one on Friday night! Can't wait for a dinner for two in a restaurant with my sweet husband all to myself!

5. Everything takes time... most families get one child at a time... or if they are bio multiples... they get the same age at a time... we have a preschooler, elementary-schooler and a middle-schooler... all who speak Amharic and have come from a hard place.  We are learning to slow down and take time to learn their sweet personalities and interests - what makes them unique!

6. Our days and evenings flow much better when we take time to focus our kids on Jesus.  Each evening, Ed leads our little clan in a devotional and prayer time.  Of course, the girls don't really understand everything... but they do understand we are talking about Jesus, reading from His Word and praying.  It's becoming a good part of our family rhythm at night time.

7. These kids have stolen our hearts! I can't describe how incredibly blessed we feel each day (even on the challenging days) to be able to parent these three children.  We are trusting God to give us wisdom to mother and father their hearts each day.  In the short time we have been together as a family we see huge strides in attachment.  God is so gracious and we are so thankful.

8. Another important lesson I've learned - when all else fails... a good bath time brings joy to their heart and a smile to their face!