Over a Month Later! (w/ Pics)
It is hard to believe that we have become a family of six and it has only been a little over a month. All four kids have been settling into their respective places and they truly seem very content where they are. The boys have been absolutely wonderful. Yes, Barney drives them running out of the den holding their ears. The “talking toys” are a bit much first thing in the morning (moms have a way of tuning that stuff out) but it has been good. Jenna is learning English so quickly that it is fantastic. She asks what everything is and how to say it. When she takes a nap she runs through all the words she heard for the day over and over until I think she feels she really understands what they mean and how they are used. I went out with the girls the other night and was telling them some of the silly stories. My sister in law was laughing about how we tend to talk louder to people when they speak another language. I had to laugh because Jenna Leeza does that all day long. It is precious. She asks if this is, Jenna Leeza’s? She has had a few moments. We are really trying to stay structured and as consistent as possible in all situations, which can be difficult. It sure has seemed to keep things together though. It is almost as if she tests us to see if we are going to be consistent and the same. We have sweet moments too like when she is getting ready to take a nap. She snuggles next to me and kisses me with butterfly kisses, cat kisses (I guess that is how they do it), and doggie licks. She laughs and squeals at all new things. I see child like innocence in her face that has just become more permanent (at least 75%) in the last few days. There is a certain serious look that will come across her face. It makes me sad to think that any child should have to protect them selves this way. It outwardly shows in both children in certain times. The good thing though is that I see it less and less. Her funny self is coming back. She loves to pretend, wear my shoes, dance and she cannot wait for Papa to get home. “He’ll be back, it’s okay,” She says each morning. When he comes to the door in the afternoon you would think he had been away a month in Ukraine! Papa! Papa, squeal, squeal! She loves Jacob and Justin and I see the adoration when they come home and she watches them and then attempts to do something that they do nonchalantly. She is also quite the kisser. It melts my heart to see the boys ask her for a kiss and she does it with a proud grin. Cute, cute.
Eddie has come a great distance in his own right too. We have been working with the Child Development Center and they have already seen such progress in him. They were a great help in getting us started on some things we could do to help him catch up. I know that it is by the grace of God that he has come so far. He is babbling and copying and mimicking everything. He is so silly. We felt this when we met him but I have lots of really silly cute stories about that little boy. His lips, when he puckers up, are just the most precious thing a mother has ever seen. He initiates kisses and hugs and love constantly. He has gained about 6 pounds in the last month. His hair is getting lighter and longer and more full. His eyes are shiny now – I mean a noticeable difference from when we first got home. He loves his new sandbox that a great neighbor/friend gave to us. When it is time to get out I am sure people think I have hurt him or something because loud yelling can be heard for miles. He loves music and has the beat immediately when something is playing. I almost hate to admit this, but once in the car when he was upset, Justin put his Ipod in his ear to the tune of Guns and Roses. Do you know he stopped crying at once and started to bob his head like he had been doing it for years.
Together, they seem to be bonding. They have had a few moments. Like when he accidentally put his leg on her arm while riding in the car. She said no and moved it. He put it back with a grin and so on until things got a bit loud. If she has a hissy fit he walks by her and shakes his head while making a “psst” sound and waves his hand. Kind of like, girls, who needs em’. I am not kidding. Jeff and I could not believe it the first time. There are many sweet times. Like if one gets hurt the other comes over to see how they are. When one goes down the other will ask or give a kiss. When they are in the jogger or the car they are content being with each other. That is pretty cool. God is so good. I look at them when they are asleep and tears just flow at how much my heart loves them both. I look at their faces and wonder why any child doesn’t have a warm shoulder, or a hand to brush their tears away. I think about how much their lives have changed in the last two months. I hear a lot how lucky they are. Yes, I know that. But so are we. And although they are lucky I see in them at times that they are still unsure, they still must grieve what they knew, and they get really frustrated when we do not understand. That is hard on them. What we may consider hard cannot ever match what they have known and experienced. All I know for sure is God gave us His best in this treasure. A month? It has only been a month. Wow!
Let me take a moment also to thank a special group of friends who are awesome. My supper club, Sisters in Christ, had a shower for me last Friday. It was a very special night and it felt so odd to be showered and loved as much as I was. It is hard to be on the receiving end. I feel that Jeff and I have been here since we returned. It is such a humbling experience. Believe me, we do not take being humbled lightly. It is amazing. These sisters also gave me a double running stroller. I was so happy! I could not believe they would all pitch in for such an extravagant gift. Every one of them has already done too much. To me it is like gold! Those who know me know how much running means – and for the days I can’t drag my bum out of bed at 5, well, now it’s okay. I love you girls! I hope you know what a special night that was for our family and me.
I also want to thank my church for their special shower for us. Oh my was it a sight to see a little girl and boy dancing with squeals of delight in the midst of flying paper, boxes, cards, clothes, diapers, cups, hats, gloves, gift cards…. I could go on. I just sat in the middle in awe of all of it. Never in my wildest dreams have I felt the immense love and support given to our family by so many loving, dear, thoughtful people. We are so filled with gratitude and awe in all of this. Thank you all at All Saints!
So that may give you all some idea of what things are like here. Lots of dirty diapers (Jeff thinks we should just put the food there instead). Lots of meltdowns before/at dinner time just like every other kid in America, lots of being late for this or that. Lots of schedule changes to accommodate naps and sometimes too much fun from the day before. Many grocery bills. I still am having trouble figuring meals for 6. Lots of kisses and hugs when you may or not expect it. Lots of adoring looks and sweet little faces taking in a new world. A lot of putting things in this world and at home in perspective. Many friends and family who have embraced us and held us up daily! All in all the Brooks clan is doing very well. I would have never thought things would fall in to place as well as they have. We could not have done it without our Mighty God and all of you who helped us along the way. Thank you!
Jen
Eddie has come a great distance in his own right too. We have been working with the Child Development Center and they have already seen such progress in him. They were a great help in getting us started on some things we could do to help him catch up. I know that it is by the grace of God that he has come so far. He is babbling and copying and mimicking everything. He is so silly. We felt this when we met him but I have lots of really silly cute stories about that little boy. His lips, when he puckers up, are just the most precious thing a mother has ever seen. He initiates kisses and hugs and love constantly. He has gained about 6 pounds in the last month. His hair is getting lighter and longer and more full. His eyes are shiny now – I mean a noticeable difference from when we first got home. He loves his new sandbox that a great neighbor/friend gave to us. When it is time to get out I am sure people think I have hurt him or something because loud yelling can be heard for miles. He loves music and has the beat immediately when something is playing. I almost hate to admit this, but once in the car when he was upset, Justin put his Ipod in his ear to the tune of Guns and Roses. Do you know he stopped crying at once and started to bob his head like he had been doing it for years.
Together, they seem to be bonding. They have had a few moments. Like when he accidentally put his leg on her arm while riding in the car. She said no and moved it. He put it back with a grin and so on until things got a bit loud. If she has a hissy fit he walks by her and shakes his head while making a “psst” sound and waves his hand. Kind of like, girls, who needs em’. I am not kidding. Jeff and I could not believe it the first time. There are many sweet times. Like if one gets hurt the other comes over to see how they are. When one goes down the other will ask or give a kiss. When they are in the jogger or the car they are content being with each other. That is pretty cool. God is so good. I look at them when they are asleep and tears just flow at how much my heart loves them both. I look at their faces and wonder why any child doesn’t have a warm shoulder, or a hand to brush their tears away. I think about how much their lives have changed in the last two months. I hear a lot how lucky they are. Yes, I know that. But so are we. And although they are lucky I see in them at times that they are still unsure, they still must grieve what they knew, and they get really frustrated when we do not understand. That is hard on them. What we may consider hard cannot ever match what they have known and experienced. All I know for sure is God gave us His best in this treasure. A month? It has only been a month. Wow!
Let me take a moment also to thank a special group of friends who are awesome. My supper club, Sisters in Christ, had a shower for me last Friday. It was a very special night and it felt so odd to be showered and loved as much as I was. It is hard to be on the receiving end. I feel that Jeff and I have been here since we returned. It is such a humbling experience. Believe me, we do not take being humbled lightly. It is amazing. These sisters also gave me a double running stroller. I was so happy! I could not believe they would all pitch in for such an extravagant gift. Every one of them has already done too much. To me it is like gold! Those who know me know how much running means – and for the days I can’t drag my bum out of bed at 5, well, now it’s okay. I love you girls! I hope you know what a special night that was for our family and me.
I also want to thank my church for their special shower for us. Oh my was it a sight to see a little girl and boy dancing with squeals of delight in the midst of flying paper, boxes, cards, clothes, diapers, cups, hats, gloves, gift cards…. I could go on. I just sat in the middle in awe of all of it. Never in my wildest dreams have I felt the immense love and support given to our family by so many loving, dear, thoughtful people. We are so filled with gratitude and awe in all of this. Thank you all at All Saints!
So that may give you all some idea of what things are like here. Lots of dirty diapers (Jeff thinks we should just put the food there instead). Lots of meltdowns before/at dinner time just like every other kid in America, lots of being late for this or that. Lots of schedule changes to accommodate naps and sometimes too much fun from the day before. Many grocery bills. I still am having trouble figuring meals for 6. Lots of kisses and hugs when you may or not expect it. Lots of adoring looks and sweet little faces taking in a new world. A lot of putting things in this world and at home in perspective. Many friends and family who have embraced us and held us up daily! All in all the Brooks clan is doing very well. I would have never thought things would fall in to place as well as they have. We could not have done it without our Mighty God and all of you who helped us along the way. Thank you!
Jen
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