Searching for a New Normal

The adjustment period has begun, and we have been surprised a little at how jarring it really is.  For instance, the tots are jet lagged, so we're contending with Samuel up for the day at 4:30 am, 5:30 am, 6:15 am, etc.  Yikes!!  The kids are also getting used to a new concept called, family rules.  Everyone in the family has been affected.  We originally planned to room Anya and Samuel,  but the two of them together just doesn't work.  So we put Samuel with Matthias, but that has led to issues, particularly because Samuel is such an early riser.  So we are going to room Matthias in the basement until the situation improves.  This means Samuel, Anya,  Zach and Matthais all have their own rooms.  Josiah is moving out in August to go to college, which will free up his room for either Zach or Matthias. 

Another jarring feature is the realization that we have a  three year old, one that needs constant supervision.  In the daycare, he and Anya thrive.  But family life extends beyond daycare.  The good news is Samuel has really taken to all manner of toys, and likes to spend time on each one.  His attention span in Ukraine was really small, but apparently it was due to boredom and not short attention span.  Anya and Samuel have both had their share of timeouts, and are learning that saying "No" to the one in charge is not a good strategy. 

Matthias, in comparison, was a breeze of a three year old, as was Zach and Josiah.  Anya has chosen her battles, and she is getting the message that Mom and Dad are united...we won't wimp out.  We are clinging to the promise, "Train a Child up in the way he should go, and in his old age, he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6).  Good parenting is always hard at first, but it pays off down the road. 

Please continue to pray for us.