A Mother's Day Update

Hello all! We are very sorry that we have not posted since getting home. It is not like we don't have anything to do!! Just wanted to update you on the latest since we have had some time to settle in. Everyone is doing great and Jerry and I never see each other! This is the biggest change that has taken the most adjustment. It isn't the four children, or the laundry, or the cooking, or the sleeplessness, it is the lack of Mama and Papa time. Jerry and I love being together so this has been a huge change for us.
The children have been adjusting well. Vica has some sleep issues that we are working through that were expected. Nothing surprsing here. Daniel has truly settled into his new life and is the funniest of all the kids! Christian is ALL boy and certainly tests the limits, but is beginning to understand expectations and boundaries. Olivia is like a totally different child. She smiles all the time. She and I have made huge strides by doing some shopping and rolling her hair. I should not be surprised. Our family has been very blessed since returning to the good ole' US of A!! Our friends, family, and community have been very generous and have helped each of the children in various ways. Thank you to all of those people that have helped with clothes, food, toys, and all of the other various assortment of gifts we have received. We feel like our gifts came home with us from Ukriane and that was certainly enough to make us happy for the rest of our lives!! We can never explain how much our community, family, and friends have meant to us through all of this. We love you and thank each one of you from the bottom of our hearts! We could not have done it without you!
There are so many stories I could tell you that would warm you heart! The children love their new cousins, grandparents, and the neighbors' children. Jerry's football boys had a swing set/tree house put in our backyard for the kids. We play on it every morning and every night!! OM guys- You are fantastic! I beleive in angels and that is exactly what you have been. The slip-and-slide is also a big hit!!! We have lots of scrapes, bumps and bruises in the first two weeks but nothing permanent. I don't think the children have ever had this much activity. One thing is for sure, they are exhausted at the end of the day!
We have begun our doctor visits-not fun!! I took Daniel and Vica last week, and there were no surprises. The things that we discussed were all things that Jerry and I were already aware of, which makes for a huge relief. This week Christian and Olivia will be going so we hope thing go well!
Today was our first day at church and, of course, Mother's Day. The children each had a card for me and some roses this morning. We spent a pretty low key day visiting with grandparents. The chidlren were very excited about going to church for the first time. They made it all of the way through big church!! Daniel fell asleep and Chrisitan and Vica left a few minutes early with Papa, but we will count it as a success. The were so precious dressed in their Sunday clothes. They were beautiful! Our church recognizes all mothers on Mother's Day. We always honor the youngest and oldest mother, and today, they recognized me specifically. They gave me a corsage and it made me cry!! When I returned to our pew, the chidlren were so proud and were grinning from ear to ear. It was a lot of fun. I think they simply honored me for being the brave soul to take on 4 new children at once:) It was a very special day for me.
The kids have been working on their English and are doing great. Olivia and I can actually almost have a conversation, supplemented by charades, of course. It is like hearing you child's first words in overdrive. We are hearing lots of new words everyday!
We have made some new discoveries. Popcorn and movies in Mama and Papa's bed are a huge hit! They are terrified of thunder and lightening. Anytime is thunders, they think we have to got to the basement, like you do for a tornado. Christian is the official weather watcher in these situations and constantly updates us on whethere things are good or bad via a thumbs up or down. We always say the blessing before every meal in English! Each of the children say their own blessing which consists of "Thank you for ..." It is really the highlight of our meals and they are very proud of themselves.
Overall things are good and changing every day. Getting to be a part of many "firsts" is a lot of fun. Jerry is a fantastic dad, as I knew he would be. It is hard to imagine life without them now (except for the laundry, three meals a day, and the staying at home because you can't take four kids anywhere by yourself!). They have been a joy and I would be rich if I had a dollar for the number of times someone has called "Mama!" in one day. And yes-Jerry and I are looking for a new car because we can not drive anywhere as a group. I sure do love my car that I have now, but I guess the family is a little more important. So bring on the "tank", or the minivan, or whatever we end up with. What a blessed problem to have!!!
Love from a new mom,
Amanda