Bahahahahahahahaha!!! I may frame these. They make me smile.
This girl:
These past two months have been so very full. You guys, she is so, so smart. I love watching her little mind work as she figures out a new toy or “reads” a book or plays on my phone {seriously – she is a tech whiz. I have to hide my phone during the day because she will snag it and send emails and take photos}.
Her language is expanding daily. She understands us perfectly and has started not only repeating words, but using them in the correct context. I am in awe at how quickly she is picking up english. We have really not had any issues communicating since she has been home. I can understand her french-lingala-english-toddler speak perfectly. 🙂
She has made so much progress…
She is no longer afraid of grass or trees or our dog. She now gets excited when she sees daddy and wants to be near him. She no longer needs me to be in her line of sight at all times. She no longer needs me to carry her whenever we are outside of our home, she happily walks along with her brothers or is content to hold my hand. She no longer shuts down when someone new comes into our home or talks to her when we are out and about.
It’s been amazing watching her full personality come out. She is hilarious and fun-loving and so very sweet.
These two:
They are adorable together. Sylvie is such a great helper with Charlotte. She loves to help care for her and is always is the first one to jump up if Charlotte starts to cry. She has several baby dolls that she will feed, burp, rock and sing to while I’m feeding Charlotte. There is typically a “baby” in the swing or rock-n-play whenever I go to lay Charlotte down. This sister-love isn’t one-sided either, Charlotte loves to watch Sylvie and she giggles at her sister all day long. Sylvie lights up when she makes Charlotte laugh. I love when she yells, “mommy! baby!” to get my attention in her french accent. It’s ridiculously cute.
Now, I know I haven’t posted much on this blog about what our transition has looked like. I realize that if you read this blog or follow my Instagram posts, you will get the impression that life is peachy and everyone is happy-go-lucky around here.
Here’s the thing: I am all about transparency. I would never, ever want anyone to jump into adoption expecting ONLY sweet airport homecoming photos and silly videos and lots of snuggles and laughter. Those things are wonderful — incredible, actually – but they aren’t the full picture.
The full picture is hard. Adoption, at it’s core, is about loss. Our girl has lost everything and everyone she has ever known and loved. She has never had a chance to trust. She has learned that everyone leaves. We are working hard to build a foundation of trust and love and safety. We want her to know that we are not going anywhere. We want her to know that she will have food and water and she doesn’t have to be scared that it will run out. We want her to know that she is loved.
Yet, I don’t want to share all of the details here because I want to protect my girl. She is dealing with a lot of hard, hard stuff and not everyone {well anyone, really} needs to know all of the nitty gritty details.
Still, I struggle because I absolutely do not want to paint a false picture. I want y’all to know that we are seeking God’s grace and wisdom each day. We are learning more in this season about His redemptive love than ever before.
We have had an incredibly intimate glimpse into God’s deep love and abundant grace for us. I’ve been gently reminded that I too have run from His love. I too have tried to control my own life and resisted His leading {even when I know that His plans are for my good}. Yet, He has been there. Steadfast. Even when I turn away.
Undeserving, magnificent Grace.
I’m giving him the “you better stand up and smile right now” face. Meanwhile, my nephew is trying to sneak out {nana trying to restrain him}:
I give up.
Yep. This is my life. I think I will frame this one:
Nathan’s face is classic. Bottom-lip pout:
