Day 2 as a Family of six

Hmmm…how to begin? I already can’t imagine our family without Jessica and Joaquin, but it’s been an emotional day for everyone. It’s good actually, I think I would have worried if I hadn’t seen any tears. Everyone but Eric cried today…smile.

Waking up and getting ready with all six of us was kind of humorous. Jessica and Joaquin got right up and into the shower (one at a time). It’s amazing how independent they are. Some of the habits are a bit odd, they both got in the shower with their underwear on. And wouldn’t take them off until they got out of the shower and started drying off. We’ll have to work on that one. Jessica didn’t want any help with her hair. She pulled it up in a ponytail and put a barrett in the front, it’s obvious she is trying to grow her bangs out. She loves to fix her hair. She fixed it at least 5 times today and is very particular. When Joaquin took his pajamas off he folded them very nicely and handed them to me. We all just looked at him in shock, then of course I told Nate he needed to take some lessons from his little brother. Emi was just in awe of how they did everything and didn’t want any help.

We took the morning to put up all of the electronics and set some rules. We set certain times for television and for snacks. It made a big difference for Jessica and Joaquin to have some structure and limits, you could see right away it that it was a good thing. Joaquin is very laid back and easy going. Jessica is trying to figure out the way things work with us and will whine until she sees we are serious and not going to give in. She has been mostly a daddy’s girl, she so desires his attention and wants to serve him at meal time. She loves attention from Mami too but Papi is definitely king. She loves to give abrazos y besos (hugs and kisses).

Joaquin is not so free with his hugs and kisses but is starting to come around. He love so sit on your lap and play and doesn't mind hugs and kisses from you but shys away when we ask him for the affection. He calls all ladies Mami. This is normal for a child who has live in an orphanage. He doesn't udnerstand what a family is. Mami to him is like saying Maam. The staff here are trying to help him understand that only I am mami, but he just smiles at them, he doesn't get it yet. Jesscia however really does seem to understand.

After lunch we laid them down for a siesta. Jessica had about a 5 minute melt down. Not a fit, just some tears and soft crying. We held her and assured her everything was going to be okay. This is all very normal, they are missing their friends and scared about what is going on. She did fall asleep soon after. Just after waking up from nap time, Joaquin was reprimanded for being wild. He was not so fond of that and also cried for about 2 minutes. We're doing good if this is as bad as it gets. We were getting ready to leave at this time to go buy them shoes. I think he was nervous we were taking them back because he was very quiet for the first bit of the trip. Once he realized everything was okay, he was back to his happy self. Jesscia couldn’t stand it when he was upset and wanted to offer him some candy. We let her give him a fruit snack and all was well.

We walked around the town a bit with Carmen, one of the activity directors at our B&B. She showed us a few parks and places to go. Then she showed us to a shoe store near where we are staying. We didn’t want to go to the mall just yet because Jessica wants everything she sees and we didn’t want a big scene in the mall. Jessica wants flip flops badly, but needed some nice shoes for her dress and a pair of tennis shoes. We had to explain to her she can’t have everything she wants, but we will get her what she needs. In the end she was happy with her new shoes. No tears or fits. Way to go Jessica! Joaquin chose a pair of shoes that light up when you walk and was very proud. He’s a happy go lucky kid.

On the way back Eric and the kids when on to the cabin while Carmen and I went to a party store to order a birthday cake and decorations for Joaquin's birthday on Thursday.

When we returned everything hit Emilee like a ton of bricks. She became very homesick and full of tears. She misses her family back home and all of her friends. It made her feel very good to check the email and the blog and see that so many people left her comments and emails. She is still looking for the monkey and the tiger (to the boys at school). Keep the comments and emails coming, it helps to not feel so far away from home.

Then Jessica had another mini melt down just before dinner, the poor thing has gone through a lot but is doing very well.

The whole evening was tough for Emilee and so she got on line with her Mamaw Starla and they talked for a while. Then after dinner she wanted to call her Mimi. So Mimi and Papa helped her along for a bit. Then we called Uncle Brian on the webcam and the tears started really rolling. She finally had to walk away and her daddy took over. Usually Daddy can make everything better, but it wasn’t until Jessica snuggled up to her that Emi was able to calm down and feel at peace. Jessica was very worried about her big sister.

Then it started with Nate. Holy cow everyone was on emotional overload. I then started too, it tore me up to see them upset. BUT, all is well and everyone is okay. I think a lot of it is that reality has set in plus nothing is set in stone until next Monday. Emi has mentioned several times that she is worried they will not let us keep the kids. I have assured her that will not happen, but it’s hard for a 10 and 11 yr old to really understand. Plus it’s tough that hey can’t understand everything Jessica and Joaquin are saying and are not used to us having to give so much attention to others. It’s stressful, yes, everyone is trying to figure each other out, but it is good. Everyone is in bed now, asleep and feeling much better.

Tomorrow Eric is taking Emi out on a date to McDonalds for lunch. Then in the evening he is taking Nate to play Wii at another B&B. This will be very good for them. They are both excited to have Jessica and Joaquin and love when Jessica and Joaquin seek their attention.

Jessica and Joaquin are very smart critters. We have not started working on English with them yet, but by afternoon Jessica was saying her numbers 1 - 10 in English and saying Hello. She corrects us if we say something wrong in Spanish and has become our little dictionary. They have learned if we are not understanding something that they can gesture to help us figure it out. Jessica may become an interpreter, she is very good at charades…smile.

So that’s all I have in me for tonight. Time to hit the sack. More tomorrow night.
Thank you to everyone leaving comments and sending emails. It helps to know you all are praying for us and sending your support. It is the highlight of the kids day to check the comments.

Love to all of you!

Photos of course, everyones favorite part.

They love Emi and Nate's Ipods!



Jessica loves to have Emilee spin her in circles


Brothers wrestling on the bed