One month down!

Is anyone else having a hard time believing it's been one month since Natalie arrived in the USA? I would LOVE to be in her mind and listen to her thoughts as she has experienced EVERYTHING for the first time! First time to a park, the store, in a cart, at the lake (still hasn't been on the speed boat yet), to church, to the schools, seeing a bus, house, van, car seat, big girl bed! Not to even mention the English she is learning. I am so thankful that despite having Down Syndrome and a stigma that goes with that, being that she can't learn, she soaks up information like a sponge. She is doing even more signs, she is starting to say words. She calls me Mom, over and over and over and over!!! She hugs and kisses and blows kisses. She loves her brother and sisters. She helps with laundry and knows how to dress and undress, over and over and over! LOL. She can climb over any gate or any other object that is in her way. I'm telling you, this girl is going to move mountains. And to think 6 weeks ago, the only thing she knew was her orphanage. Now she is free to learn, to speak, to explore, and to play in the toilet.........😝 (don't leave the bathroom door open!)

Time, An Interesting Thing

It seems like forever ago that we were in Sofia! I feel a little like a time traveller (you know what they feels like, right?)! It is a world away from here. Taylor always asks us if we are in a different world when we go to other cities, so for once I could tell her yes and mean it! It is definitly not America!!! We missed so many things about home! Mostly the availability of our own transportation and our proximity to stuff we needed! It was either a 15 minute walk or a $10 taxi ride! We got over that the first trip. Dragging three kids around was exhausting to say the least! Now looking back, it has almost been 3 weeks since we have had Natalie! It does not seem like that long. It has been 1 week since we got home! I won't lie or cover it up, life can be challenging! But so worth it when she smiles and laughs!! She is not used to anything here, so we are inteoducing her slowly to our (100mph) life! She has many institutional behaviors that we will be working through for many months. We are starting to teach her sign language, and I thank Lisa of letting us borrow her DVDs!!! I tried to get a picture of her signing eat, but I was not quick enough! She says Mama, but I don't think she is associating it with me yet. Pretty much anyone that takes care of her for 5 seconds is Mama! LOL. She lets me rock her to sleep so that is a good start for me!!! 

Many people may still wonder why we did this. I saw this on Facebook the other day and I think it will help you understand. I told Pastor Ron long before we even started the adoption process that I felt like God was calling me to do something big. Big does not equal easy, or even in your comfort zone at times! There are many areas of my life where I don't consider myself worthy, or good. But I was able to do something that God willed for Matt and our family. And it was worth it. God will continue to bless us with Natalie forever!