So...first off, I wanted to acknowledge that we stink at blogging just to point out the elephant in the room .
As an answer to so many prayers, we finally were able to
bring our children home from Ethiopia last Saturday. After 34 hours of straight traveling, we
arrived to an amazing group of friends waiting to welcome us home. The children did amazingly well. I’m not sure who was grumpier…us or them. But hours of being in a plane, or weaving in
and out of people at various airports can make anyone edgy. I travel for a living, and this was definitely
over-the-top.
Anyway, we’ve been home for one week now and I wanted to
give you an update on their progress.
The short of it is that we’re adjusting really well to each other. Our Case Workers have noted that we’re ahead
of the curve, as we seemed to have skipped the “honeymoon phase” and went
straight into the boundary testing phase.
Although hard….we’ve been assured this is a good sign that they trust us
and see us as their parents. We’re
learning that we don’t accept demanding attitudes and that pouting gets you
nowhere. For the most part they’re
getting it!
It’s amazing how adding 2 children to the mix seemed to
multiply the activity around here. So
much going on at all times of the day. After
a full day of activity, and the kids are in bed, Becky and I just sit and stare
at the wall for an hour or so.
Interestingly, it’s pretty therapeutic.
We appreciate all that our friends and family have done for us over
these past several weeks as we were overseas and now are making this huge adjustment.
Thank you for the prayers, the food, and the support! This transition is difficult, but sooo worth
it. These children are precious. Becky and I were reflecting about how none of
our children, biological or adoptive, are really ours anyway. They’re His!
We’re here to nurture, protect, educate and love them…but most
importantly, we’re here to train them up to Love Jesus and be His hands and
feet in this decaying world. How that will eventually manifest, is completely
in His capable hands.
It’s been pretty interesting to see how this change has
affected our natural children. When
asked how it’s going, Kaelyn, our oldest has reasoned that it’s been tough, but
good. It’s been hardest on Lydia, our
second born, and when Autumn, our third born is asked, well…It’s AWESOME! Our 2
boys, just sit around and laugh hysterically…they’ve been able to communicate quite
well without words. Or they’re fighting
over a toy…just like brothers.
So far, so good! We’re
going to have our moments, as we already have.
But then again, that comes with testing our limits. As someone blessed us: “May you parents set boundaries, and may your
children test them…and may you both perform the task well.” Please continue to pray that the lines be
held, but with a loving spirit, and that we continue to bond with each
other. During this Thanksgiving holiday,
we truly have more to be thankful about than ever before! Love you all.
Jeff Reese, on behalf of:
The Reese’s – Jeff, Becky, Kaelyn, Lydia, Bontu, Autumn,
Sintayehu & Jonah
