Home Sweet Home

We are home, and things are good.  We are all jet-lagged in a big way, especially the children.  It's kicking our tails this time around.  We are struggling to stay awake during the day and trying not to be hoot-owls at night.

We learned that Anna loves to swing, and she signed swing back to us just as soon as she could.

Anna went to church for the first time today.  We were so blessed to see so many in our church family embrace and welcome Anna.  For now, Anna will go to Sunday School with Lucy so she can experience things she's never done (puzzles, playdoh, magnets, etc.).  I am helping as Anna's one-on-one coach, which is absolutely necessary at this point.  Anna loved Sunday School and did very well except for the sitting in the chair part.  When the pastor announced Anna's presence, she did the double-wave with both hands.  You could use many words to describe Anna, but "shy" would never be among them!

I'm wondering if Anna may need glasses -- she often gets up from her chair or reaches for materials to get a close look.  Soon enough, we will have medical appointments for Anna -- teeth, eyes, general checkup, and of course, ENT/Audiology.  We will report back once we know more!  In the meantime, please pray that we will cross paths with the right people who can guide us and be a part of helping Anna to thrive.  She is SO capable -- I want her to have anything and everything available.  That's my heart for her, but it may not be what's best, so please pray that we will use discernment and wisdom in all our decisions for Anna.  It should NEVER be about what is best or easiest for us, but what is best long-term for Anna and her future. Once Anna has words, though, I'm betting we'll hear alot about what she thought, what she endured, and how she perservered.

This photo is me mastering the triple-popo - carrying 3 weary, in-needof-attention babies at once.  When Isaac the cat claimed his piece of lap real estate, I thought that the only thing we still lack was a marching band of kazoos coming right through the front door.