We had a week of many highlights this past week. All things that might seem insignificant to most families, but to ours, they are huge. Jocelyn struggles to learn and we have worked on her writing for a couple of years. This week, she finally shifted her 3's to the upright position. After hundreds of attempts and always writing them like an m, she has caught on! She also struggles to express her thoughts and one day I could tell she was deep in thought. I asked her what she was thinking and she said, "I am thinking that my family loves me." Such a precious girl.
Just look at this 3!
One day I could tell Benjamin was a little downcast and I asked if he was ok. He said yes, as he always does. So I asked if he was sad and he said, "A little." I asked him if he was missing Ukraine (He has not once expressed sadness over Ukraine but I could not think of anything that had happened that he could be sad over.). He said, "No, I sad I am hungry." So he got some food immediately and praise for being able to tell me that. It is very hard for most kids from hard backgrounds to identify feelings and to express them so I was very happy that he was able to tell me that.
Two weeks ago, it seemed like Benjamin and Jocelyn were arguing endlessly. I had finally had it with being their constant mediator so I told them we would just do more school when they could not get along. They are always happy while we are sitting at the table working and if that is what it takes to keep the peace, I am content to do it all day! Well this week, they have been as happy as can be. Any time a small issue comes up, they immediately look at me and declare, "No fussing, no more school!" It is still not perfect, but they are playing much better together.
Aren't they the picture of happiness. (haha)
Today is the anniversary of when we picked up the girls four years ago. Since Benjamin has been home, it has sparked many more conversations with the girls about how they came to be a part of our family. Since we were in Jackson this afternoon, we went by the places where we picked up each of them and talked about what it was like four years ago. They both seemed very happy to hear the story in the actual places it all started.
Our church's missions minister takes a team once a month to Mississippi Children's Home to lead worship with the kids there. We went with them several times last year but had not gone with them since Benjamin has been home. We hesitated to take him this soon but we thought he might just think it was a different church. Towards the end though, Benjamin was putting it all together and asking lots of questions. I guess a kid recognizes what he has grown up in. At Christmas, he was confused as we tried to explain getting gifts together for area foster children. I think he believed that we have no kids in America without parents or families to take care of them. He was very serious-faced when he started whispering to me asking if this place was an "internaut" (orphanage). I did my best to explain that the children's families could not care for them right now so they are living at MCH. He asked if they slept there, if they ate there, if they went to school there, and on and on. He asked if the same missionaries who came to his orphanage in Ukraine came to MCH too. Finally he said, "This Pishanna," very matter of factly. It is obvious there were lots of emotions going on as he continued asking questions. But isn't his bewilderment that we have a need for such a place right here in America how we all should feel?
