Three Months Home

Three months as a Robbs kiddo

Three months ago, we stepped off that plane and the world for our not so little family tilted on its axis.  We had a three year old who could not speak one word of our language, had been taken out of his culture and his home, traveled 40 hours with lots of scary adventures [airplanes, escalators, security checks, etc], and was just downright terrified of what was happening to him.

Scared as he is reunited with Justin

Over the past few months, we've had lots of tears [Eyob and us], much frustration, and many missed events.  Adoption is hard.  Not gonna lie.  It's difficult.  There was a period of a few weeks when we kept saying, "What the heck did we just do to our family!!??" 

But we've also had so much joy that I feel as if my heart could burst.  I am in awe of what a brave little boy Eyob is.  He faltered for a little bit and then he squared his shoulders and got on with living.  It reminds me of the lyrics from a Rascal Flatts song: ...you get mad, you get strong, wipe your hands, shake it off, then you stand...

Two months in - a genuine smile

When I look at how far he's come, I can hardly believe only three months have passed.  He's speaking quite a bit of English, learning how to appropriately behave [somewhat] in different situations, and settling in to life as part of a family unit.  We're definitely getting some of our footing back.  Not that things are easy or even what used to be our normal.  

For example, he gets really overwhelmed in unfamiliar situations.  Because of that, we don't feel like we can go camping this year and the other kids have been incredibly bummed.  So next week, we're loading up all of our camping gear and heading to my parents' house to camp in their yard.  We'll do all of the normal fun stuff, just in a familiar environment.  Hopefully the compromise will work for all involved.  

Mama lovin!

Really, that's what life has become these three months.  A compromise.  A balancing act involving what Eyob can handle vs. the needs and wants of the rest of us.  It's not easy, but it's necessary and we can see it starting to pay off.  We feel like he's developing an attachment to us and starting to look to us and trust that we'll fulfill his needs.  That's important stuff.  The other kids adore him most of the time.  They're starting to behave like normal siblings with him, playing one minute and arguing the next.

God has also kept the fire burning in our hearts.  We feel so heavy to do more for those whom God refers to as the least of these.  We're not sure what that will look like in the future.  Definitely mission trips and sponsoring more children.  Possibly more adoptions, not necessarily international, just wherever God leads us.  We can't wait!
  

For I know the plans I have for you," decalres the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11