Back in the groove!

Life is slightly different with two more running around the house, but it feels like they were always here! So far, everyone is doing great...our little one is even making it through the night until about 6/6:30am before needing food! They are eating great and they pretty much try anything that we give them, and like it too! Our littlest, who is 3, is just over 20 pounds, and he eats more than me! He has already made significant progress in gaining weight - but has a long way to go! Our daughter seems to be a healthier weight, and actually turns food away when she is full - I take this as a good sign that she trusts us and the availability of food. Our other two are adjusting well to the new ones. Everyone has their moments, but overall there is a genuine love for one another - which is great to see. We have resumed homeschooling and will start the newest one as soon as her books come in...I can't wait to see what she knows and how quickly she will learn. She said she was in school which would make sense because she can hold a pencil and knows various random things, BUT then again she answers all my questions with a "yes!"

Ever see these commercials?
...Bottle of neck pimple ointment (for scabes) $2, going to the "pharmacy" to buy antibiotics with a "prescription" $25, bottles of water $2, walking to the end of the street for a coke - $0.50, going to a restaurant for an "American" meal $25, a run to Total for Pringles, Ramen Noodles and Coke - $10, a room with a bed, running hot water and a tub w/o holes (hahahahaha), a/c at night (again-hahahaha???) 3 wonderful meals a day - $100, an eventful stroll/speedwalk to the market to buy fabric - $20, spending the 2 weeks in the country bonding with our new kiddos - priceless! I would've NEVER have chosen to stay the 2 weeks unless I was made to, but I now see the benefits of this experience that I would have never understood unless I walked this path. God made me face every fear/phobia that I had on this journey...and I mean every ONE. God is a humorous God and when we say "no," He replies, "oh-yes." God met me in so many wonderful ways. If I would not have accepted His will for me to go, I would've missed out on so many of His wonderful blessings for me!

Funny thing:

Our oldest from Africa came to tell me that my youngest (born in the States) was picking his nose and eating it! Okay, if someone born and raised in the bush knows not to pick her nose and eat it, why, then, can I not get my son to stop that nasty habit?

Secret from the country we were in...things we didn't post while we were there:

The "bottled" water that we drank and was supposed to be "safe"...was actually bottled in that same country! I am not sure, but the last I checked, they weren't real into drinking water safety standards...oh, well...I never had anything floating in my water...and we aren't sick?

Blessing:

Our flights home were absolutely uneventful...no sick kids, no screaming kids, no turbulance (because on the flight going we had about 2 straight hours of it!)...a perfect day to fly!
My one prayer was that God would work in the hearts of the adopted kids and in our hearts so that we would "know" each other before we met and that bonding would occur quickly...He has more than answered our prayers. They took to us quickly (only a few days) and it feels like we know them and that they have always been here. Only God can do that!



I wanted to add some thanks ('cause quite frankly, I am not sure I will ever get to thank-yous!):
-McCrackens and Versace's - thanks for the pre trip information and guidance
-Mom and Dad Parks for the meals and helping keep everything together while we were away!
-Kris and Jim - well, without you guys we wouldn't have been able to go and experience Liberia or have been able to have a special time to bond with the kids (and for food, too)
-Mom and Dad Hegland for the meal and help with the kids and for the gifts :-) AND for getting us on that Friday flight
-the Cables - thanks for the gifts the kids love them!
-Cramers - thanks for the meal - that Buffalo Chicken soooooo hit the spot! Thanks for caring for me and prayers for me while away
-Kims for the wonderful meal; the kids devoured the rice:-)
-McCrackens - for the wonderful birthday meal that I didn't have to cook and for my favorite dessert (even though I doubt you knew it was my birthday - I really appreciated not having to cook on my bday!)
-Walls for all the help watching the kids while we were away - they seemed to have a great time at your house
-SAV managers - for keeping things going
-ALL who prayed for us, we needed it and felt it while away!

I am not sure what all to post, so if any of you all are wondering anything just ask, and I'll try to answer!