Joys and Struggles

The first days home with an older adopted child are filled with joys and struggles. The joy of sitting on the grass in the front yard with my (complete) family. The joy of seeing my son swinging while my daughter runs through the grass. The joy (and smug pride, hee hee) of a lady passing by on her afternoon jog who is stopped in her tracks by my kids' beauty and says, "What gorgeous children!". The joy of hearing my daughter sing a song in her native tongue at the top of her lungs.
The struggles have begun. As expected, once the adopted child becomes sure they're staying with you, they may begin to test that love and commitment. Yep, right on schedule we had 2 fits, refused dinner, pooped on the floor and dropped a book in the bathtub. This was all in the 2 hours after naptime and before she collapsed into bed! Super Daddy allowed me to escape to the grocery store, we actually did need some things, but it was nice to peruse the aisles in peace.
This next week, I'm going to try much harder to stay on a tight routine, it seems to be the antidote to the chaos in SJ's heart and mind. It's tempting with an older, potty trained kid to hit the ground running. But it will be best for all of us to remember to slow down, get to know each other and make sure SJ feels fully loved and accepted. Even when she poops on the floor...

Coming Home

We are home! SJ travelled beautifully! She slept for long stretches on the long flights and was quite agreeable when awake. I, however, nearly jumped out of the plane on the Amsterdam to Detroit leg! The plane was full, my legs were sore, and the tiredness caught up with me. I whined and walked and stretched, and somehow made it.
For her homecoming, Super Daddy dressed SJ in her Ethiopian dress. Our superb friend Missy brought B to the airport to meet us and film the return. My son ran to me and I was overcome with joy to have our family complete. Missy even helped him make a sign, so cute. We slowly made our way down to baggage claim to meet the grandparents. SJ wowed the crowd with her beauty. She was a little overwhelmed and stayed with either Mom or Dad the whole time. SJ was a little upset when we were ready to leave, but got in to her car seat and giggled at her brother the whole way home.
Since we've been home, we've showed her the bedroom, given her a bath, watched a little TV and bonded with brother. So far, they find each other very funny!
I'm cuckoo with exhaustion, counting the minutes til the kids are in bed and I can collapse.

Guest House Families

In the Guest House, there were 6 families. It's neat to see each family's journey, interactions, joys and struggles. There were 3 families adopting through CHSFS for a second time, 2 of those families were returning to Ethiopia and one family had adopted from Vietnam. One of those returning families adopted a sibling group. There was a single gal becoming a mom for the first time, a couple becoming first time parents and us.
It was a neat experience to bond with these folks. I look forward to following their lives with their children, and what beautiful children they all are!

Backtracking, the power was out!

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday with our daughter went very well. She adjusted to us so quickly, I think she knew what was happening and was ready. The Care Center prepares the kids well and love them so much, the kids are just little "love sponges".
The power (and the water some too) was off and on Tue-Th. One night after all the kids were in bed, we adults sat by candlelight talking and playing Scrabble. We were actually disappointed when the power returned.
The children all did amazingly well at the transition. They were ready to leave the Care Center and have forever families. Our SJ gave Mommy her first kiss on the van as we left. I sat there crying with gratitude for this little girl.
SJ seems to have 2 distinct personalities...she's either quiet, shy and wide-eyed or crazy, rambunctious and giggly. We got to see both sides and learn about her sweet personality. She loves to be carried in the Ergo (thanks Dave!), loves bananas, pees on command, and when she does speak it's barely a whisper.
CHSFS is a superb agency for those considering adoption. We were thrilled with so many aspects of their projects. I could go on and on...

Update from Abby

Hi, I'm Abby, and I've been posting for Cynthia while she's in Ethiopia. I've not heard from her since Monday, I think there might be a glitch with email. I want to ask for prayers for Cynthia, her DH & SJ as they begin their journey home. Please pray for safe travels & for peace for SJ as she faces many transitions in the days to come. Thank you all so much for prayers lifted up on their behalf. I know that they are coveted and appreciated.

Monday

On Monday morning, we were all able to bring our children back to the Guest House for a 1/2 day visit. SJ willingly went with us on the van, as did the other children with their parents. She was very quiet and still as she checked out the house and the action. We sat on the porch swing with her looking at books, walked with her around the courtyard looking at flowers, and showed her around the house. We then cuddled with her on our bed and she fell asleep for an hour. We woke her up for lunch, which she refused. To refuse something, she puts her elbow up by her mouth, it's so cute! For some reason, she finally gave in and started eating. The kitchen staff, who are terrific cooks, made Ethiopian food for lunch knowing the children would do better with familiar food. SJ eventually gave in and let me feed her Ethiopian style, injera and wot with my fingers. It was a great moment, she ate very well and drank some milk. It was then time to take the kids back to the Care Center, she went willingly and gave us a tiny glimmer of a smile when we kissed her goodbye.
NOTE: Beth and Brad had a great day with their daughter T. God answers prayers, T had no fits and actually cuddled her mom and fell asleep with her. They were so relieved and excited.
Tomorrow morning we go to the Care Center for the Farewell Ceremony, then a quick lunch, then off to the Embassy for SJ's travel papers. After the Farewell Ceremony, she's ours FOREVER!

Village Day

We got to go out to the countryside today, which is completely different than Addis Ababa. Hosannna (and it's surrounding area) is a small town of 60,000 where many of the children CHSFS places are from. Lots of livestock, fields and many people looking for water. While there, we were also able to tour the initial Care Center that our daughter was placed in. I'll have Chris do a Show and Tell of our adventure, it's too much to write now.
We were able to meet SJ's Ethiopian mother today. She is a quiet, beautiful, brave, Christian woman. It was an intensely emotional experience for everyone. We will be keeping the details of the meeting private for SJ, we were blessed to learn so much about our daughter's life before us.
We're wiped out from the trip, and get to lounge around the Guest House tonight. Tomorrow we all bring our new children back with us to the Guest House for a half day visit. We did not get to see SJ today and miss her terribly.
Love to all, especially B, whose sister will be home soon.
C, C and S