Well, we have been home from Haiti with Sammy for a little over a month now (got home on April 19th). This is the first time that I've really had time to sit down and blog about it. Two four-year-olds, a full-time job, church, and a principal husband can really keep a girl busy. But life is good, people, life is good.
It's time to let all of you sweet people who have prayed for our adoption, asked about our sweet Sammy, and liked all of his pictures on Instagram and Facebook know about how the transition has gone. In one word: amazing. Let me say that I am being totally honest. I have thought about this and whether I am just sugar-coating and pretending as if things are better than they are, but really, really, really, it has been amazing. This little boy is amazing. He has been so adaptable, so go-with-the-flow, and so happy to be here with us. Not once has he seemed overwhelmed- not by restaurants, not by ballgames, and not even by Wal-Mart. He takes it all in with big eyes and constant chatter, but there has been no fear, just excitement and curiosity. My strategy going into this was just to play it by ear, to see what made him uncomfortable and to work from there, but so far, there hasn't been anything "normal" that we haven't been able to do with Sammy in tow. It has been everything I hoped and prayed for. It has been interesting learning to parent two children at once- dressing them in the mornings, getting them to the babysitter's, and definitely trying to get through the grocery store with both of them. I'm pretty much exhausted at the end of the day, but this life is good.
Now, again, I'm being honest, there are moments that I could live without. Sammy had a few fits the first week he was here. He would get so upset that he couldn't calm down and would just cry and cry. I was so torn. I didn't know whether this was a time that I should try to hug and comfort or whether I should use the strategy that I used with Cade during his fit throwing stage and just walk away and ignore it. It was tough, but I ignored. And, miraculously enough, the fits have stopped. Right or wrong, this worked for us and I don't think that Sammy thinks that I don't love him. Tough love. Also, this "tattling" thing is getting really old. Both of them for some reason think it is fun to get the other one in trouble. They tell me EVERYTHING that the other brother has done. They're having to learn when to tell mom and when to work it out themselves. Sammy can also be kind of a baby. When he gets hit or runs into something, its a pretty dramatic deal. I'm so used to Cade (who has lived with this momma who tells him that unless he's bleeding, he should suck it up) and the fact that he has learned to just bounce back when he falls down. Sammy gives us a little performance every time he gets even a little bit hurt. He's learning that mom isn't very sympathetic, though. It's getting better. Y'all, nurturing is just not my deal. I'm blaming it on my mother- I'm just like her. He's figuring it out and it won't be long until he's just bouncing right back too.
For every one of those moments I could do without, there are about 10 that absolutely melt my heart. Seeing my boys running around the house, playing chase, playing catch, tackling each other, hugging each other, and praying together every night before we go to bed just makes my momma's heart so happy. They fight like crazy and they love like crazy. They are brothers and were fast friends. I love to hear my little Haitian baby in his accent say, "I love you so much" to me, his daddy, and his brother. His smile absolutely lights up the room and he is so excited every morning to get dressed. He loves to ride in the car and often asks us if we can go in the car (even if it is almost bedtime). He loves to play with our dog- which is amazing because the first time he saw her, I thought he was going to have a panic attack. It only took a few days before he became Charis's shadow. I'm not sure how she feels about that, but I'm sure she loves the attention. He has given up talking to us in Creole. After the first few weeks when I would respond to him with, "Son, I don't know what you are saying" and he would give me a frustrated look, he stopped even trying. He either tries to say something in English that maybe I will get or he just acts it out with his facial expressions and hands. I love to watch him do that. He is so animated that I always get what he's saying even if I don't understand the language. He gives the best hugs. He wraps his arms around your neck and squeezes. He's learned good manners, always saying "please", "thank you", and "you're welcome." He always tells everyone bye when he leaves and tells them to have a good day. He's just a sweetie with a big smile and an even bigger heart. He belongs with us and I'm so happy he's finally here.
Anyway, really, it has been amazing. I didn't really know what to expect, but I know that we are right where we need to be. Parenting two children is challenging (and three will be even more so- as we will find out in December for those who didn't already know that), but I'm finding that the Holy Spirit gives guidance and God gives grace every single day. I'm sure we're not doing this all right, but we're giving it what we've got and seeking to mold both of our boys into godly men who respect and care about others. They're good boys.
On a completely different note- yes, I am pregnant and we are going to make it a party of five in December. No, this was not a surprise. Yes, we might be crazy. Jason and I have discussed whether the two boys were it a lot in the past few years. We never did come to a conclusion, so last fall, we decided we would just see what happened. It took about six months, but we are apparently meant to have at least one more in our brood, so here goes. So, just to clarify, this wasn't one of those miraculous times when a couple adopts because they couldn't get pregnant and then once the adoption is final, they do get pregnant. This is just a case of a couple who wants to open their heart to whatever the Lord wills for their family. And even as scary as it is to bring more children into this world that seems to morally decay by exponential bounds every day, if we can raise our children to follow God, then they will be the good that this world needs. Light always sends darkness fleeing. That is my prayer- that we can teach our boys (and whoever this new little peanut is) to be light, because y'all, God's still on the throne and He's still worthy. That is all.
