Family of Five

Our trip home went very smoothly.  We saw God's hand several times orchestrating our timing - especially when we arrived in Chicago.  There we had to go through immigration, get all of our luggage, go through customs, recheck our luggage, go to another terminal, pass through security and find our next flight in an hour and a half.  A worker pulled us out of a long line (on her initiative) in immigration and sent us to be processed right away.  We were told there that we might miss our flight.  However, God allowed the other lines to be fairly short so that we arrived at our next flight about 10 minutes before we boarded (enough time to use the bathroom!).  As smoothly as the trip went, we were/are extremely exhausted due to the 8 hour time difference and being awake for about 30 hours.  Unfortunately, Victoria slept about 15 minutes of the whole travel time and was just beside herself when she arrived at her new home.  It wasn't a surprise to us when she cried uncontrollably and repeated over and over in Bulgarian "I don't like it here!"  I just sat in our bedroom and rocked her - with my own tears.  Although it wasn't surprising, it was still very hard to process those feelings.  It's not been the first time we've turned to each other and asked, "Are we really doing the right thing?"  Thank God for His grace that those moments do not last forever.

Shortly after Victoria calmed a little bit (fell asleep), Mark and Amy Stamper (who've graciously watched Jocylin and Cherith while we've been away) brought the girls home from church (Wednesday evening).  The girls have been so excited to meet Victoria that we finally agreed to let them see her (and me) while she was resting in my lap.  When she saw them, she calmed immediately.  The girls just chattered to her as fast as they could and she just looked and listened.  She extended her hand to both of them, and Jocylin and Cherith showered her with hugs and kisses.  We let them talk to her a little bit more and then ushered them off to bed - very reluctantly on their part.  John helped Victoria fall asleep, and I helped the girls in bed.  Then we fell into our own bed with such relief, and all five of us slept soundly until about 6:00 AM.  That sleep felt so wonderful!

We all awoke early in the morning, and so we began our day.  It wasn't long into our day that I noticed Jocylin acting very unusual - she wanted to go back to bed!  She also had a fever that went up to 102 degrees F.  She had a pretty rough day yesterday, but seems to be doing better today.  Hopefully she'll be the only one that gets that bug.  John and I have been under the weather also, although we might be seeing some progress for us today.

Our days have not involved much besides helping the girls stay busy and trying to rest - we often do shifts between the two of us.  It hasn't been easy with a sick little girl (Jocylin), one experiencing jet lag, and another busy toddler, but it seems to be coming.  I think we'll all be good and ready to get out of the house soon!

The girls have gotten along very well.  Victoria seems to be fitting into the role of "big sister" pretty seamlessly.  We have found her sympathizing with sick little Jocylin while stroking her hair and helping Cherith to take her last few bites of lunch so she can have a little dessert.  We've consciously given Victoria space as well to play on her own and be alone sometimes.  She's a very normal little girl and we often find ourselves working with her attitude or her obedience (along with two others of whom I don't have to name :) Jocylin seems to be handling having a new sister well too.  She is so excited to tell everybody with great exuberance that she has a new sister.  Cherith is also doing well, and has been the recipient of much sisterly advice and help already.

The biggest blessing so far is that, somehow,Victoria has felt comfortable enough to fall asleep on her own without crying or screaming!  We know that she is used to sleeping in a crib, so we set up our pack 'n play in the girls' room.  (We decided we'll have the 'Big Bed Battle' later.)  She calmly gave us a kiss and hug last night when we laid her down with the girls, and she even instructed the girls (who were not at all excited to be where they were) to go to sleep.  Next thing we knew, she was laying down and asleep.  The next morning she was so proud of herself!  She said several times with a big smile, "Mommy" as she put her hands together and rested her head on them to show me that she had slept well last night!  Amazing!  She did this again for naptime today!  John and I are already telling the difference of getting a little more sleep at night and having a little time together in the evening.

Watching a movie together

We think that we all are adjusting well, and now, we also think that Victoria changed her mind about liking our home.  :)  We haven't been able to get a picture of the five of us yet, but I'll post one as soon as I can get it!  Thanks so much for your prayers.  They have been holding us up!