One Week Home

Pictures from our local FCC chapter picnic and pool party.

My favorite picture of Kara - getting ready for the water balloon fight.

Kara and Mia in the Lazy River.

Leila tossing a water balloon and adorable Chloe looking on.

Getting messy decorating cookies.

Our little family of five has been together exactly one week tonight. I'm sorry for the delayed update. I have received lots of requests asking for an update on how we are doing, but I have had very little time on the computer since we've been home. Our internal clocks are still messed up and we can't seem to catch up on all the sleep that we missed. I think Leila and Kara are getting close to normal on their sleep patterns and I am just hoping that Nolan and I are shortly behind them!

It's difficult to find the words to express all that has happened over the last seven days, so I'm going to try the bullet point some thoughts:

• For the first few days, Leila and Kara would wake up at 3 or 4 am and come into our rooms wide awake. Nolan (my hero) would take them downstairs, but we would all (except Mia) be up the rest of the morning. Nolan and I finally had to set sound ground rules and with the help of a translator for Kara, explained that they must stay in their beds until at least 6 am, at which time they could get up and turn on the lights and read quietly in their rooms until 7 am. I wish we would have thought to lay these ground rules ahead of time. Those first few days starting so early have really thrown Nolan and I off.
• For the first couple of days, Kara would say, "Whoa", "Whoa", "Whoa!" to so much of what she saw. I think she really likes her room, but I did find out that her favorite colors are purple, black and blue. Her room is pink and red. Oops! Oh well... if she ever tires of it, I just might move in. It makes me happy whenever I walk into it.
• Kara's room is farthest from ours and I really thought I would have to sleep with her to help her adjust, but that hasn't happened. Kara sleeps by herself in her bedroom. She has never expressed any fear of the dark or being alone in a new room by herself.
• Kara's English vocabulary expands a little every day, but I quickly realized we were going to need to bring in someone to help with formal English lessons. We are starting her with an ESL tutor this week. Her favorite words are to point to something and say, "What is that?" Unfortunately, she doesn't yet understand our response. She is a smart girl, though, and I am sure she will continue to learn quickly.
• Our biggest struggles thus far have been sleep and setting rules. Kara, like all kids, is testing our authority and her boundaries. It helped that yesterday, our Mandarin-speaking friend was able to explain that if she doesn't obey us, that she will begin to lose certain priveleges, like her DS, Wii, TV or going swimming. (Thanks a ton, Lily!!!) This afternoon, all three girls lost TV time after misbehaving in a sporting goods store and I think she realizes that Mom means business. I am sure this will be an ongoing struggle, though, and I will just continue to pray for God's strength and guidance to help me through it.
• I love to watch Kara in her element. Yesterday, we went to our local FCC family picnic and swim party. Kara was able to communicate to some of the people there in Mandarin and she is so expressive, animated and so inquisitive. I can't wait until she can communicate with us like that. But I also hope that she doesn't lose her Mandarin. It is so much a part of who she is and the life she has led to this point.
• Speaking of Mandarin, Kara was able to Skype her two friends, Lela and Hannah, last night. Oh my, can those girls talk. And talk. And talk!!! I SOOOOOO wish I knew what they were saying. We have scheduled weekly calls so the girls can talk. (BTW, if anyone knows how to get a picture when you three-way Skype, please let me know. We lost the ability to see each other when we added a third person to the call.)
• Over-stimulation does not seem to be a problem for Kara. She handles everything we have thrown at her with ease. She was quite confused and unsure of the place we took her to on Sunday morning (church), but she ended up going to Leila's Sunday School class and staying for the second service for the kids' program and really enjoyed herself.
• On Friday, we had to do the three-hour visit with our local Children's Hospital International Adoption Clinic. Kara was a champ. All of the doctors, nurses and specialists that came in to meet her instantly fell in love with her. This morning, we had another one hour visit downtown for hearing, checking her TB test (no reaction!) and psychological evaluation. So already, four hours in the doctor's office since we've been home.
• Yes, the girls have other bathing suits, but they have no desire to wear them. They only want to wear their matching suits. They just may fall apart from all of the constant wearing and washing. :)
• Our church is holding a soccer camp in the evenings this week and all three girls are attending. The coaches let all three girls stay together and it was so much fun to see! Mia has waited for this day for a long time, as she is always watching her sister from the sidelines. Kara is already learning that being Leila's sister means lots of soccer. For the first time in my life, I have three pairs of shin guards in the wash. Is it time for me to go out and get a "Soccer Mom" bumper sticker? :)
• Kara is the most affectionate and loving girl. It is night and day from the girl who didn't like hugs, kisses or touching on Day 1. Only three weeks later and she is constantly giving me hugs and kisses. (As long as I haven't just said "no" to her, of course.) She and I shared a very tender moment on Thursday, after she did something I asked her not to. A difficult moment turned into the most long and loving embrace with my dear daughter, at which time she said, "I love you." It was such a special moment. I hope I remember it forever.

Kara was used to a much later bedtime than Leila and Mia were used to, so we have tried to meet in the middle... at least until school starts. Their later bedtime means that I have had very little time to spend on the computer... or do anything for/by myself, for that matter. Please bear with me as I try to adjust to our new normal. I see it's already past my bedtime and I'd better get going. I don't think it's possible to "catch up" on sleep, but I'm going to try!!!