Our First Anniversary

[FONT=Times New Roman]To share a bit about our first year as a 6-member family, I thought Id post this letter I wrote to our sons. For those who have gone before, perhaps youҒll nod and smile at a few similarities. For those who are in the trenches of their first few months home don֒t give up what a difference a year makes! And for those waiting, waiting, waiting, don֒t stop. Once your children are home youll see - the wait was worth every second!

Blessings to All

[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman][/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman]My Dear Sons . . .[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman][/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman]We have gone a full year being a family of 6.[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman] [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman]You probably donҒt realize, but heres how it started . . .[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman] [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman]Your tata and I were manipulated by our adoption facilitator (unsuccessfully, thanks be to God). We spread our family all over the globe. We spent 2 months in a post-communist country where I didnҒt understand a word and spent an exorbitant amount of money to do it. We lived through 8 year old boys introduced to us as severely ADHD, who by all accounts, certainly exhibited those traits in 5th gear every waking moment. We got our entire family home where I spent the next 6 months on the phone with my husband on speaker translating for me when the boys were in more trouble than my vocabulary could manage. (Half a dozen times a day to start!) Weve spent 75% of the last year doing intensive damage control, physical, emotional, and spiritual, and the other 25% of the time we were simply asleep.[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman] [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman]As you know, IҒve lived through some pretty serious things in my life, but Im telling you, this past year has seen peaks and valleys I never before thought possible. But while it seems the bad is always the focus, let me tell you what has been accomplished around here.[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman] [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman]You have both learned, now understand, and consistently exhibit the following . . .[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman] [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman]Brush your teeth well.[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman]How to wash up and shower.[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman]How to use the toilet, leave it clean, and wash their hands afterwards.[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman]Make your beds.[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman]Keep your room and clothing in order.[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman]What to do with dirty clothes and how to fold clean laundry.[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman]How to interrupt a conversation politely.[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman]How to greet adults.[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman]That you donҒt greet every Tom, Dick, and Harry with a tackle/hug combination.[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman]How to use an interpreter properly.[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman]That identity swapping is NOT an option.[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman]Respond to everything with Yes MomӔ or Tak TatoӔ or Yes MaӒam/Sir.[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman]To wait until the ladies at the table are seated before taking their seats.[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman]How to eat with table manners (eat slowly, mouth closed, proper utensils, etc.)[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman]To select toys, play with them properly, and put them away when finished.[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman]To keep the water pitcher full.[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman]Take out garbage and recycling.[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman]How to help in the kitchen.[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman]How to help clean the various rooms in the house.[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman]Help with the maintenance of the church grounds with their Tata.[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman]Be gentle with babies, protective of those younger/smaller, and respectful of the elderly.[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman]How to assist their sisters in and out of vehicles, hold doors, etc.[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman]How to stay close, hold hands or stay ԓon the shopping cart when running errands.[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman]How to obey (most of the time).[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman]How to pray.[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman]How to trust.[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman]How to love and be loved.[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman] [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman]You are almost 9 years old. For most 9 year old boys, I wouldnԒt think this list terribly impressive. But for you, my sons, who have only had this past year in a family, I think this is a pretty good foundation. We have spent our time at home, training, training, training, having lots of long quiet days, you have learned what a family is, and the rest of us have learned who you are.[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman] [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman]January will start your academic career. In your native country you were doubly institutionalized (living at the orphanage and attending public school) and we got to see their classroom (there was no academic work going on there), so you have no academic history of which to speak. I am excited that you are looking forward to more formal work like your big sisters. By the end of next year you will be reading![/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman] [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman]I love so many things about your personalities. You love Star Wars movies and the Polish bible. You sing everything from The Gloria Patri to classical Italian to Queen֒s We Will Rock You. You are loving, appreciative, and give the best hugs on the planet. You love naps and football and going to church. You are sympathetic to a worthy cause and love to be helpful. You both want to work hard to become men, because then you can get a wife. Thats a pretty lofty goal for 8 year old boys, and IҒm proud of you for it.[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman] [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman]Thank you, my dear sons, for pressing through this difficult first year home. We sure have cried a lot around here, and you know how much work it has been. But my goodness - you have learned more in one year than many boys your age who have come from more traditional backgrounds.[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman][/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman]I am so happy you are home, and thankful that God made you and gave you to me.[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman] [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman]Ja Ciebie Kocham,[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman]Mama[/FONT]