I realize I never posted that we actually arrived home…but once we were home things got very busy:) The plane ride home was as you would expect a 9+ hour flight to be with a 17 month old who hardly knows us and who has never exeperienced as much stimulation as three plane rides and busy airports! We endured it and promised Elliott he did not have to travel on long plane rides again anytime in the near future. We did get a great USCIS agent in Washington D.C. when Elliott officially became a citizen. We asked if there was any balloons or confetti and he laughed and said “no” but he would offer Elliott a high five if he didn;t look so darn tired:)
One of the biggest adjustments for me has actually been my lack of time. Not that I did not expect this to be true, but after spending three weeks with mainly having one 3 hour appointment each day and no other chores or commitments, I have been rudely met with more responsibilities and adjustments than I really anticipated. I am having to work harder than expected to keep Christ my focus and rely on His strength now that we are home. I have found myself in constant prayer conversation giving Him praise for the million little blessings all day and asking for wisdom with Elliott, wisdom with Ryan, wisdom with Anna, wisdom…wisdom…wisdom.
Anna and Ryan are a wonderful big brother and big sisiter for Elliott. They are anxious to help him, teach, him, hug him, etc… Reconnecting with Anna and Ryan and finding our new rhythm as a family is my biggest priority each day and is a bit of a slow process. Ryan, especially, is having some trouble reconnecting with me and letting his feelings out from all that has happened for three weeks. His difficulties remind me how hard it is when I am away from God by not doing my bible study, neglecting my prayer life, or even not listening to praise music. I am sure God mourns my silence much like I am mourning the struggles Ryan is having to reconnect with me. The difference, of course, is that Ryan did not choose to be absent from me for three weeks. When I neglect God, it is my choice whether or not I realize it at the time.
We are adjusting and I have written on my planner the date when we would have been home for 30 days. I am not going to be too concerned with habits or adjustments until that 30 day mark. Once we are at 30 days, I can focus on habits or patterns in sleeping, adjusting, attitudes, that may have crept in. What I mean is, if the boys are waking each other up now while sharing a room, I am not going to think it will be that way forever..If Elliott screams every time he sees a car and thinks he has to get in, I am not going to think it will be that way forever. I am going to ask for strength for each day and celebrate each day and then look for issues that need addressing after 30 days. We are ALL adjusting to one another, to sharing rooms, to reconnecting for now. We are going to hibernate and fall in love as a family again for as long as it takes. If I seem to have gone silent or have disappeared from events and usual happeneings…you will know why!