One big happy family

Well well well. We have had our new family together for several weeks now. It has honestly been quite an adventure. Like all good adventures, there have been the times where it is really tough and I feel like giving up and there have been times when everything is going smoothly and I think we have a pretty good thing going on here. Interestingly enough, Amari and Joseph (yes, we are calling him Joseph now)have settled in much better than expected. The challenge has been with our biological children who I guess feel a little displaced by the "new kids." Leah has been pretty clingy and hits a lot lately, and Ellie...drama drama drama. She is fine one minute and then the littlest thing sets her off into tantrums. We have been trying to be loving, understanding parents knowing that this is a big adjustment, but we keep telling her "the feelings are ok but the behavior is not." I hope going back to school tomorrow and having her own "thing" again will help with this.

Despite Ellie's outbursts, Amari loves her and copies everything she does. Amari is a strong-willed little critter but is smart and loving and is starting to make friends at church and feel more comfortable here.

Joseph is my little "Mama's boy" and is starting to slowly warm up to Dave. He loves to play and tease and have fun. His laugh is such a happy sound it makes me smile every time. He and Leah are just starting to get comfortable together and spent a half-hour today sliding my bathroom closet doors open and shut and going in and out together. I think they are on their way to becoming good friends.

Dave and I are definitely leaning on each other for support through all this. We've each had our moments where we feel like we just can't handle things anymore but as long as we both don't have that moment at the same time we'll be ok! :) I know I'm starting to feel more confidant in my ability to take care of everyone but there are sure days that push my patience to the max. With the spacing between Ellie and Leah we've never had to deal with more than one little one at a time so there is a learning curve here for us.

At the end of the day though, we are so grateful for our "new and improved" family. There is a well-known quote "I never said it would be easy, I only said it would be worth it." and that is how Dave and I feel. Long after the difficulties of these years pass we will continue to enjoy the blessings of this wonderful family.