Friday Is a Fine Day

It's Friday-we've been back from the camping trip now for almost a week. I've had no return to head spinnies! Our little big family is taking GIANT steps forward. Every day I am knowing more and more who each of my kids is, their strengths and weaknesses.

I have one that is a helper, always asking to fill the water glasses, set the table, generally, trying to keep justice and order in the place. Another one needs clear explanations with demonstrations and almost a definition of each word. I can't say, "Go get the lotion, it's in the bottom drawer of the kid bathroom." I have to show what a "drawer" is (versus a cupboard) and which is top and which is bottom-this is not the littlest kiddos either. Yet another child has issues with having an attitude, pouting, taking offense easily yet that one will rise to meet our big expectations too. One follows me around all day wanting to do what I do. One is barely able to put feet in the water, another was scared initially with me in the water yesterday, but by the end of the day she was floating around in a life jacket and noodle all by herself (ok, THAT is the 3 year old.)

A hurdle I wasn't prepared for is "language" differences. So many expressions and phrases that I can't understand. If one of my new kids says, "Ah gotta USE it" with crossed legs, that's the signal for potty. We are insisting they say "potty" or "bathroom." There are many things I don't understand and I bend down and ask for them to repeat it again and again and again. Sometimes I just give up trying to interpret.

If you're wondering how we're doing...we are wonderful. This is a time in all our lives where God is at work in us in big ways. One month ago I was bored out of my mind. I would sit down to read to my kids (from N.D. Wilson's book-a fun series, by the way) and I'd fall asleep after 1.5 chapters. My days were easy, I was lazy, and I didn't make the most of my days to organize, clean, minister-I did enough to where no one could say I needed to step things up but I knew I needed to. I always figured I'd have time tomorrow.
My house is better organized than it was a month ago. And the 8 of us stronger spiritually than we were a month ago.
I also look my original 2 and am thankful for the good things I see in them. I see how they have grown since we got them. I know June 1, 2013 will hold amazing differences for all these wee Killys.