game changer

three kiddos has been a game changer for me.....

just this week a friend of mine made the statement that she had to run to Walmart.......I was envious and grateful that I could say, 'Hey can you pick me up a loaf of bread and some dry shampoo.'  Cause let's face it you all......I can't go to Walmart or any other store right now....well I can - but you don't want me to.....

I mean seriously, if you are in the store with me - you want me to leave.

This kid that has moved from the other side of the world, into a new family, a completely different life and  has adjusted like nothing I could have ever dreamed of.  I mean really - she is something special.

But it's hard...We have a three year old who is outgoing, who is spunky, who is funny and who loves people - what's so hard about that you might ask...

Well, how about a new being walked through our home doors - and well it isn't a baby that is just laying there who depends on you so the love builds because you simply meet his/her needs......No, this kid walked through the doors telling us what she did and did not like.....It was funny in Ethiopia......in America....stressful.

She is headstrong.  She is stubborn.  She is at times defiant.  Does she need those skills as she goes through life?  without a doubt.  Is it hard to parent?  Oh yeah, baby.

She hates our food.  She likes bananas and spaghetti. Everything else gets a look that says, 'you got to be kidding me.'

She will say no to most everything we ask her to do......but will then do it and surprise us with her openness to the whole situation.....

For example, the dentist.....our dentist just happens to be the most wonderful in the land.  We love Hedgespeth Dentistry!  Maggie had a special friend - (Hi Mia!) who was brave enough to go first in the ol' dental chair.  Mia did so good.....Maggie said 'NO!' the entire time and even shed a few tears and stuck out that bottom lip.......I was sweatin'.  I bowed my head and said a silent prayer that Dr. Lauren would not hate me by the time we left that office.......

Mia finished up, went with Maggie to the treasure chest and then WHIM-BAM-BOOM, before I know it Maggie is in the chair, has opened her alligator mouth and is not only getting her teeth counted and polished but also x-rays!  Who is this kid?

(Ethan came up to me when Maggie was in the chair and said (and I am quoting him here)  'I didn't see this going this good.'

We are getting to know each other and we are starting to really like each other (she may disagree at times).  Love is there.  Love was instant for Eric and I.  Liking takes a minute or two.....but we are getting there, I mean come on....look at this face, how could you not?

How you doin'?

Tell me you didn't just say that like Joey did in Friends?  I knew it - you totally did.  :)

I'm hearing that a lot lately, 'Fran, how are you doing?' of course it is said with concern cause apparently I look like el crapo.  :)  (Also, let me be clear - I am blessed to be surrounded by people who care that I look like crap and maybe a tad bit frazzled. So to those friends, thank you!)

This whole adoption thing has been filled with countless roller coaster rides to the top of the mountain then falling into what feels like a free fall then immediately back up.  Apparently I am beginning to show signs of wear and tear......

We are good.  We are very busy.  We are adjusting well.  To be honest and in the honor of 100% transparency.....It is hard, but not in a bad way.....just a getting to know you, trying to understand you, what the heck do you want kinda way.

Eric and I are both out of vacation time at our jobs....so I took just one extra week off after our arrival home.  He works an odd shift so I would go into my job earlier than normal and then come home right before he left for work.....two weeks of that schedule and a new kid in the house who didn't understand English - hated our food and who has a very strong personality was T-O-U-G-H.

But then Jesus reminded me that He does love me - He loves me enough to let school start back.....can I get a halleujah!  We had debated on whether sending Maggie to school would be a good idea or not....and well..let's just say momma needed her to go to school.  She is doing AMAZING!  She has an amazing teacher who she adores (thanks Ms.Kelly!).  She is now a pro at nap taking, she has already in one week learned a few more words and bed time is easy peasy now!  Ol' girl is WORE OUT!  See I told you Jesus loved me.  :)

Ethan and Reagan are as amazing as ever too. I mean seriously - I don't think it is possible to love those kids any more.  They set such an example of love.  I am inspired by their actions.

On a completely different note - I work at a church - the people that come together in that church are all together amazing!  I also work with some pretty fun characters.....For those of you that know Rodney Lynch  - you know what kind of characters I'm talking about here.....

Rodney has a love of kids that is kinda out of control.  I mean I have honestly seen this grown man roll on the floor playing with kids (if he didn't have the gray hair you might mistake him for a kid).  Well, he and our Maggie have quite a special relationship....in fact her second week here she put together her first sentence - what was it you might ask......

let's start with what it wasn't.....

It wasn't - I love mommy.
It wasn't - I love poppy.
It wasn't - I need to potty.
It wasn't - More water please.

Nope - none of those......

it was..

I WANT RODNEY!!!

I want a redo!!!!  Really, I want Rodney!  (there were witnesses - they heard it too)

Everyday she looks for him.  Everyday she talks about him.....She loves her some Rodney Lynch and well, when you see them together - you really can't help but smile.