52 Weeks of Family: Week 46

Mila:

School started back this week and you were SO EXCITED! You are a social butterfly and I know that being in a small family has been a difficult transition for you. I am glad that you have such a wonderful team and many good friends at school. I am praying that not only is your mind opened to academics this year, but your heart grows deep in friendship as well. <3  

The start of school triggered some things in you that (maybe?) I should have expected?? I'm still not sure. But it triggered you in such a way that I'm needing to sit down and rethink how I'm parenting you in a lot of ways. A lot has been asked of you in these last 46 weeks--leave all that you know, go with strangers on a plane across the world, move into their house, take their name, learn their language, eat their food (you haven't struggled with that portion as much!), and ignore every instinct you have in your arsenal for living, also start school for the first time ever, make your bed every day and learn how to a big sister "with a happy heart"...and do it all during puberty AND with an extra chromosome. It's A LOT honey, and I have to remind myself that 46 weeks is not going to undo nearly 14 years of institutional survival.   As much as I am personally ready to not have to use Google Translate and to not have to remind you how to flush toilet paper, I know we are still in this for the L-O-N-G haul. 

Isaac:

Lots of new changes in school this year--a new teacher, a new room, a new schedule. The evening before school started we met your teacher and took a walking tour of your school to 'remember the sameness'. You tolerated it well but took a stress nap on the way home. Your little brain and heart just couldn't take one more bit of new information. I get it, buddy. I get it. But you have a great team and many of your close friends sitting near you in class. I think you are going to have a good year, buddy. So much to learn and explore!

Your sister hasn't been too keen on having you nearly lately---I am working on that. BUT I caught you both on the couch folding kitchen towels together and you were both enjoying it. HALLELUJAH!  It is a victory I am going to celebrate!

Me:
It was the wrong week to give up sugar & coffee.  I'm exhausted.