{ 2 Months Together }

It seems that people are still asking how things are really going here. So, I thought I would do a { 2 Months Together } post and tell you how it is honestly going. The good, the bad and the tears. We have brought children into our home of all ages. Mixing them in and trying our best to show them love and what it means to be a family. There are many days I question myself in how I am doing in this area. I rely on my faith, husband, Mother and friends to listen and suggest ideas and thoughts. So here it goes.

~ Daniel ~

For the most part, Daniel has taken to Olivia very well. Completely different then when Andrew came home. He doesn't seem to feel that same kind of "threat" that he appeared to have when a new brother arrived. He tells me that he loves Olivia and I see him trying to be kind to her and hug her. However, Daniel is our high energy child. He is much more likely to go after Andrew or Sophia out of frustration. He has not attempted to do that with Olivia yet. But from time to time I do hear Olivia say his name and then proceed to be quite frank with him in her full blown Chinese. Daniel looks at me and says that he has no idea what she is saying. I tell him that I have no idea either, but I'm pretty sure she is not happy with something that he has done. He doesn't disagree. lol Daniel needs energy outlets. When we are trapped inside, it is the hardest. There are days that this child drives me completely and totally insane and yet he is my most passionate child. There are days he drains me and I can't wait until it is bed time. And then there are days like when he comes home from school and can tell me the complete Easter story while opening each plastic egg with an item in it to help tell the story that he melts my heart and I am one big puddle of goo. He is growing up right before my eyes and while he is so challenging for me, I will never forget the blessing that he has been for us.

~ Andrew ~

Andrew is the one that usually shows the most emotions. He and Daniel can be the best of buddies or the worst of enemies. When the boys click it is great, when they don't it can get very ugly around here. Andrew is our child that cries at anything. He is struggling to find his place. I can sense that, I know that and I am trying my best to figure it all out with him along the way. He can be very sure of certain things and yet when he is in front of other people in school, I know that he is unsure of himself. He has come a long way since bringing him home two years ago. His English is quite good, but he still stops and needs to think to get all his words out. He is a very bright boy that I think likes to be sneaky and see what he can get away with. He tells me all the time that he loves me. I know in my heart that he is the one that needs the most reaasurance right now. He is such a sweet boy. He doesn't seem to want to talk about China very much and at this point I really question what he can and can't remember so I don't press it. I am hoping that some of the summer programs I have him in and the little home schooling program I plan to do with all of them will help him in the areas that he is struggling in. Andrew has a very sweet soul and he is such a gift to our family. I pray that the boys bond will grow stronger

as they figure their emotions out as well.

~ Sophia ~

Oh my sweet Fia.

My little artistic soul who is trying her best to be a big sister to the boys, a sister to her new sister, a little sister to her big sister and keep her place in line as well. She has done remarkably well until lately. She is more weepy and a bit more sensitive then usual. I am trying my best to talk with her and let her know that most of everything she is doing is fine. There are times that Olivia gets frustrated with Sophia's affection of wanting to be near her all the time and when that rejection comes it crushes Fia. While she still tells me all the time how happy she is to have a sister her age, I need to remind her that Olivia is not a baby and is actually quite independent and has a mind of her own. I think Fia will chill out a bit more once school is finished for the year. She is quite excited to be taking tennis lessons this summer and I am also looking at an art class for her and some gymnastics. She has had a lot of changes in her little life.

Two brothers and an older sister in 5 years.

~ Olivia ~

What a brave child.

She has done amazingly well her first 2 months home. She has gone with the flow, gone on a family vacation, is trying to understand us, has started school full time, is having a tutor, adjusting and meeting new friends, learning what it means to be a family and trying very hard to please us all the time. It has finally taken it's toll. Just recently I feel we had our first real breakdown of tears. She is frustrated and I have called out to a few girlfriends in the hopes of finding someone who speaks Chinese. We need a translator. It is time for me to make sure she understands some things and I need to hear her frustrations. Good or bad. I do have a connection that I will call this week. Olivia has been a dream. She is happy, bossy, helpful, silly, serious, nurturing and possibly now grieving. I would do anything for her. I just recently gave her back the photo albums we were given of her life in China. I pointed to a few of the pictures and she said "No" to all of them. We hugged and I told her over and over again that I loved her. She cried, I cried and I knew she was frustrated and grieving. I know that we will get through this process. We are all working through this together. For the most part, I will say that it has been an easy transition for her. I believe she was prepared and she is happy to be here. But when those tough days do come I wonder what she is thinking. I am looking forward to our home schooling program this summer. I think it will be good for her. She is so sweet and I love her to pieces. I can't imagine my life without her.

~ Emily ~

What an awesome big sister. She loves all the little ones and gives them more attention then I could ask for with her schedule and own "teenage life". She was hesitant about bringing Olivia home. She was older, another child in the family and would it all work out? Her feelings were valid and I prayed the entire time that her fears would not become a reality. The moment she saw Livi she was in love. By day two Olivia was everything she dreamed she would be. Emmie takes time out of her schedule to hang with her sibs. She coddles Fia when she is upset, goofs off with Livi, and tries her best to be be patient with both boys. I see a sense of responsibility within her and how she views her role with each of them. She talks of going off to college and Sophia and Daniel become quite distressed about it. They can't imagine life without her. Neither can I. OK, I am changing the subject and moving on! ;)

~ Sasha ~

Loves the girls and runs to hide from the boys. Leaves me hair balls to clean up at least 3 times a week and meows loudly when attention is needed. ;)

~ David and Steffie ~

David is so good with the boys. They look forward to the weekends when they know Daddy is going to be home. We are doing our best to work as a team to raise these little ones. To understand the importance of family, God, and to not take each other for granted. It is tough some days. I don't have all the answers and I know some days I fail miserably. I laugh about it, cry about it, get angry about it, question it and hope that I can keep my sanity while doing so. However, I pray that the next day will be better and that we continue to move forward with our dreams. Four children in five years is quite something. Three were a choice, another a miracle and 8 total. We love them all, young and old and hope that whatever the day may bring, good or bad that we stick together and overcome whatever obstacle stood before us.