We did get home on the 23rd of December just in time for Christmas. We came home to our house lit with lights, a Christmas tree in the window, and wrapped presents under the tree, and even stocking stuffers, all provided by our amazing family and friends. In Kiev the day we left, we had woken Artur up at 2:30 am to help us load our packed suit cases and Taylor and Molly in the taxi at 3 am. Then flew to Munich, then Houston (where we had a smooth immigration process), then Jackson. Everyone napped early in the flights except Artur. Finally on the last short flight to Jackson he got a power nap. He did not want to get off the plane because he was nervous about meeting a lot of people at once. We were greeted by so many wonderful faces that we had missed so so much. It was a really special time. And Artur had a hard time going back to sleep after counting how many presents he saw with his name on them under the tree, seeing his room, meeting his two dogs (who were very loved while we were gone), and looking in nearly every drawer and cabinet in the house. Taylor hardly woke up after that last plane ride and he and Molly slept hard in their old familiar beds. It was so good to be home.
We have now hit the ground running.... and biking and playing basketball and wrestling and hugging and hugging a lot. Our bond with Artur is growing stronger and stronger everyday. We are trying to figure out his likes, dislikes, what sets him off in anger, what dissipates that anger, how to homeschool, how to work as a family. We have seen tough moments and hard days, but we have also seen progress and gradual change. We are at a place of incredible encouragement and hope that only The Lord can bring. He alone can change our hearts to seek good, patience, honesty, love, and kindness. Taylor and Molly are having to adjust as well and it is not easy for them. These siblings are fighting a good bit. But Taylor said yesterday, "Even if someone says something mean to me, I will just say that I love you." We are all trying to help Artur learn how to live in a family that loves him and how to love and trust us in return. We praise God for the progress we are already seeing.
School started this week. I am homeschooling Artur (and Molly) and Taylor is going to a preschool 3 days a week (which he started in the fall). It has been quite interesting and challenging, but once again we have help and hope through friends and family and our amazing God.
pics to come soon... need to upload
