Fitting In

As many of you know this is our fourth adoption from China.  I have often heard people say that when they adopted it felt like the new child had always been there,  That the adjustment was just that easy.  I have never felt that way.  When we adopted Emma it was such a long time since I had a baby in the house and she needed me so much.  I could not leave the room without her crying.  My life changed so much.  I loved her instantly, but it was hard.  

Then when we adopted Meilynn the change from one to two the same age was significant.  Those two could get into more messes together.  We had an adjustment period. I loved having two, two year olds but it was hard.

Then when God called us to adopt Lily we again went through a lot of changes.  It really is like having three the same age in so many ways.  It was hard and at times still is.

Then Miss Jilliana came to our attention.  I worried about what I might be doing to our family.  There were so many unknowns due to the information we were given about her disruption.  I knew it was what God wanted us to do, but it was scary.  I constantly thought about what we might expect.  It has been 6 weeks since we have been home and this has been the easiest of all adjustments.  Even with Jilliana waking up two or three times a night.  I can say that she has just walked into our family and stolen our hearts.  She is the funniest, sweetest, smartest little thing.  It truly feels like she has been here forever.  Yes, it is hard, but she just fits in so perfectly.

Meilynn and Jilliana,  they have formed a special bond

Popcorn and a movie

A friend of mine told me about this exchange student that we could have come over and speak to the girls in Chinese.  She was so sweet and the girls just loved her.  We have been so busy I have not had the chance to have her come over again.  She will be leaving to go back to China in June.  I wish I had found out about her earlier.

The girls having ice cream with Mike.  Emma dislikes chocolate so much that she cannot even stand to sit next to anyone eating chocolate.  That is Emma way over to the left.

Too cute!

Meilynn, Jilliana, and Emma

Playing in the water table

Swimming with Daddy

We love this little thing!