A Beautiful Thing

We have been together for a little more than six weeks now. Because we are a home school family, this means a literal six weeks. There have been only a few hours here or there for church/youth group activities that we have actually been apart. I understand the need for some families to place newly adopted kids in school right away, but I also feel that our crowded house insures that we are getting to know one another quickly, warts and all. On one side of the living room, you can hear my seven year old son subtracting (LOUDLY). On the other side, you can hear Andrey repeating his Rosetta Stone sentences, "What are you doing? I am reading a newspaper." In one bedroom, there is the muffled sound of Russian rap coming from Ruslan's headphones as he completes a worksheet. In another, there are the frustrated complaints of the eleven year old who needs TOTAL SILENCE and doesn't think that's too much to ask. Moments like these can be frustrating, but this is our family, living and breathing, learning about one another and figuring out how to coexist. It's a beautiful thing for this Mom to behold. And then there are the moments you dare not photograph, for fear they will stop doing what you wanted to capture on film- swinging together in the backyard, laughing at something only adolescent boys find funny, practically lying across one another on the couch or (my favorite) spontaneously hugging little brother Noah. These moments feel like little hugs from heaven.

Of course, in the middle of it all, I'm cooking, cleaning and washing the never-ending laundry. I love caring for my boys. There is nothing that gives me more pleasure than knowing their needs are met. I love that now it's not a new idea to Ruslan and Andrey. The first few weeks, they were volunteering to help me at every turn. (not that they don't have chores- because they do) But now, they recognize that some jobs are Mom's job. They don't stare anymore. They don't protest. They let me "mother" them.

In short, things are going very well. We have had our moments FOR SURE. There have been difficult days, but nothing we cannot overcome with the strength of God. Thanks for checking on us, praying for us and making the boys feel welcome in our community. We are making it one day at a time. God is forever faithful.