Little man is 4 months now and getting so big. He weighed a little over 18 lbs. this check up. When I was pregnant, I wondered if I would be able to give him enough attention. I no longer am concerned about this. I have to call a time out for him just so he can get a break and take a nap. Don't get me wrong - he loves the attention and rarely actually wants the nap. His big sisters and brothers jump at any opportunity to help take care of him, and he busts out in laughter when any of this brothers simply walks by. "Momma, maybe he wants a bottle?" "Could I walk with him, Mommy?" "I think he might be sleepy. I'll put him in his swing." "I got him, Momma. We're playing with toys." "Could I sit by him please?" "Momma, he needs a diaper change." "Momma, I wish we had a hundred babies. What about a girl next time?" "This is the cutest baby ever." "Momma, I kinda wish I could marry him. But, I know. He's my brother. But, it's just that he's SO CUTE, Momma." "I just love him so much, Momma." And the list goes on and on. |
This girl! Reading the encyclopedia. Chris told me to keep it because he enjoyed reading the encyclopedia as a child. I'm thinking in disbelief, "Sure you did." I can't say that I ever picked one up unless I was completing homework. Here's proof that she's a lot like her daddy. She does not get that from me. She will read anything she can about animals or the body. Speaking of reading, we now have 7 reading kids in the family. Some are better than others, but they are indeed reading. Teaching our children who once lived the orphans life how to read has been a huge challenge - huge. It's so difficult to overcome the "I can't" that has been ingrained so heavily in them. But they are getting there. I'll frequently hear when I'm reading, "I can't read that. Wait. I can read. Could I try to read that, Momma?" It makes me giggle. I once thought I could never teach a kid to read! It ain't easy, for sure! |
Our boy here was especially excited to get a Ukrainian sucker for losing a tooth. Looks as if little brother was especially interested in that same sucker. Big sis just wanted to get in on a photo opportunity. Oh, and ducks...we got ducks! What fun they are! J just mentioned today how he loves the sound they make when they are drinking the water and digging with their beaks for a treat in the mud. |
I expressed to Him that I would like to know why I periodically struggle with my own attitude. I told Him that I needed Him to move in my heart because my children really don't need a grouchy momma. He spoke to my heart, and this is the part that I want to share with another momma who may have a similar struggle. When we give birth to a child or adopt, there is adjustment that is needed in the family. New routines need to be learned. Desires and even needs must be put on hold to care for the new member of the family. The family dynamic shifts. God showed me that the struggled that I had when we first came home with our 5 children from Ukraine was simply me adjusting to the new norm. He reminded me that I new we'd all struggle then. Yet, as we grow and develop, more adjustments will need to be made. Furthermore, for those of us who take on multiple children at one time, those who adopt or give birth to several children at one time, especially if those adopted children vary in ages and abilities, will need to adjust even more - by this I mean a LOT more. For me, I had to adjust 5 times the normal amount and with multiple ages and abilities. We all had to adjust - not just our children. Then we needed to adjust again with the birth of our baby boy this summer. I didn't notice the adjustment in the beginning so much because I think I expected it for the kids and for me. It's normal to need adjustment, to have high emotions that can shift in a moment, with the birth or adoption of a new child. I expect this and prepared for it. But, I didn't expect that once our boy started sleeping less and wanting to be interacting more, this in addition to children's educational needs changing, along with all of the holiday festivities, that I would struggle again. I am always on high alert to notice when one of our children is going through something no matter how small. I'm always listening, always watching body movements and gestures, always staying one step ahead so that I can deal with issues that may come up before they have a chance to go too far (this is more so needed when one has adopted children with difficult and hurtful pasts that the enemy may try to raise up, so this may not make sense completely to those who have not walked this road. But, it's still something I think momma's should do - stay aware of how their kids are doing mentally, emotionally, as well as physically), but God showed me that I am rarely on high alert for myself. I finally noticed I was struggling in my attitude. I'm so thankful that God showed me that it's ok. I'm just adjusting to the new norm here, and I need to expect this periodically since I have 10 children who will continue to adjust and grow and need me to adapt and grow with them. God let me know that I need to give myself the same grace that I give my children and allow myself to struggle for a bit to figure out the adjustments that are needed. My attitude has completely gone back to my laughing and happy self. Just that simple realization from God that I need to extend grace to MYSELF allowed me to simply relax. Why does struggling to figure out a new norm need to cause such stress and havoc anyway.
So, I hope you too can give grace to not only others, but you too! We all need grace, and I'm not sure how anyone lives without God's Grace!