Transitions

Transition:
     noun  1. the process or a period of changing from one state or condition to another.

1. verb   1. undergo or cause to undergo a process or period of transition.

The most common question we've heard recently - "How's it going?".  And, the answer is usually "good", "very well", or  "as good as it can be", because all in all it is.  

Lalli has been home with us for just over 2 weeks.  It is hard to believe that just over a month ago we had returned from our first trip and were making plans to return back in less than two weeks.  And, now we're home.   

We'll save the details from our second trip for another blog update (it was quite the trip!). But, for now, we'll share about being home. 

We arrived home on Thursday, August 10th around supper time.  After quick introductions at the Airport we came home for a meal together with our SIX kids and spent some time outside playing around and trying to make Lalli feel as comfortable as possible.  The majority of the next day was spent at Nationwide Children's International Adoption Clinic (Can we give a shout out to them?  They rock!) where Lalli was poked and prodded and run through all sorts of tests and evaluations.  On Saturday and Sunday we just stayed home and allowed him to rest and try to get acclimated in any way he could.  Then, Monday, Vicki started up daycare for the school year and on Wednesday, Ellie, Josh and Martha returned to school full time for the year. It was a crazy few days to say the least and somewhat of a blur.  

Those first days were tough.  We were tired. Traveling the distance/amount that we did within two weeks of each trip is hard enough when you do it for fun. Throw in the emotional aspect of adoption and you are wiped out. Josh and Ellie were tired from lots of Martha care and the thought of going back to school. Vicki also had some sort of allergic/viral reaction to something just hours before we left Ethiopia (resulting in MAJOR hives & 14 days of predisone once we got home).  Dave returned to work.  Cross Country season began.  Martha started going to school every day and was tired.  Communication was rough. One of our showers our broke.  Lalli was overwhelmed and tired and shy.

Good stress is still stress.  Good change is still change.  And change can take a while to get used to.

Transitions.  That's where we are.  We are in transition.  Changing from having 5 to 6 kids.  Changing from living years in an orphanage to being part of a family unit.  Learning new skills and seeing new things and eating new foods and being with new people. Trying to figure out best methods of communication in order to assess Lalli to see which school setting is best for him.  Trying to keep him busy and challenged and yet not force too much on him as he waits for school meetings and evaluations.  Trying to build relationships without pushing them.  Filling out forms - lots of forms.  Insurance, school, County, post-adoption reports. Prepare for Post adoption Home Visit with Social worker.  Appointments for hearing aids and school stuff and dentist and ear doctor.  Balance socializing without overwhelming.  Changes.  More smiles from Lalli.  Two 15 year old brothers picking on each other.  Lalli tells us he's happy.  He tastes every new food we've introduced.  He is initiating more conversation with us. We get to introduce him to a walk in the woods.  To S'mores.  To our Church family and community.  Transitions.

All in all - it is very good.  But, the balance of all sorts of things is a work in progress and probably will be for a very long time yet.  We are thrilled that Lalli is here and we are grateful for the Village of people in our lives who made that happen in a million different ways.   Thank you for giving us our space, your support and most of all your prayers.  We are so grateful for be parents to Lalli and eager to see what big plans God has in store for him!