A New Normal

We have been asked so many questions since we've been home about how everyone is adjusting. It's been hard to answer honestly up till now. The first week that we were home was very difficult for so many reasons - adjusting to the needs of two new children,teaching them how to eat, how to play with a toy, how to trust that we would be there when they woke up, and so many other things. We also had to adjust to the new needs of our own children. We had to step back into our rolls of running our farm business. All this along with providing clean clothes for everyone and operating with very little sleep since before we left for Vietnam made giving a positive response to any question almost impossible. But now that I can say I've had an 8 hour night of sleep, I have a much different perspective.
We are so very thankful to our family and friend for providing our family with the basic survival needs that first week. I didn't have to cook once. Famiy and friends brought dinners, lunches, and even breakfast foods so we never had to leave the farm. Grandma Beth brought diapers, wipes, formula, baby food, and even an extra crib. We are so grateful for our families and our friends.
Now to answer a few questions. How are we adjusting? Jeff tells me so often, I get tired of hearing it, that "nothing good comes easy". Well, while it hasn't been easy it has been easier than we expected. The trip to Vietnam, while not easy, was much, much easier than everyone expected. We are so grateful. We are starting to see a new normal. Emily has had little to no adjustment difficulties. Eli on the other had made us both wonder if we hadn't made a big, big mistake until about 3 days ago. He had never eaten anything before. He had only had a bottle. While eating was not difficult for him to learn, eating right was. He only wanted things that tasted good and refused to eat if it wasn't his taste. Anyone with little children know that this is the first place little ones start their manipulation of their parents, this and naptime. Jeff or I were not in the mood to be manipulated. To make a very long story short, we won! And as a result Eli is behaving wonderfully so far.
As for our own children, I don't think that they will ever stop arguing over who gets to change the next diaper or who gets to feed the next bottle or who gets to get Emily out of bed. They absolutely love Eli and Emily and I am positive they will never regret this adoption. Take you Lord for these loving children you have blessed Jeff and I with.
I have to go for now. I'll write more later.

Emily

Oops could figure out how to get pictures in last one.

Pictures

I'm not sure how many of you are still looking at this blog, but I finally had a little time to take some good pictures when the kids would cooperate. I will post an update about how the kids are doing a little later.

Made It Home!

We finally arrived home Saturday morning at about 5:30 am. It is now Monday at 2:00pm and we are very sleep deprived. I will try to write more tomorrow about Eli and Emily's return home. And include pictures. I can't thank you all enough for all your prayers. They got us through when we were too tired and too overwhelmed to pray. Love you all!
Jeff and Sherri
Clay, Erin, Suzanne, Brett, Elisha, and Emily