4 months home!!

We have been home 4 months today and I can not even begin to list all the changes we have seen in Grace.   There have been the physical changes of growing  2 3/4 inches in height and a couple of clothing sizes.  She has gone from struggling with a few words of English to now sometimes answering in English even if someone is speaking to her in Ukrainian or Russian.  I think a big part of her progress in reading and speaking English is this child's love of talking.  She talks from the minute she wakes up to the minute she falls asleep.   If  she has no one around to talk to she talks to our dogs.  Of course sometimes we hear our words of correction to her being repeated in a similar way to the dogs...,  "Look at me, look at me"  "I tell you true, Sophie (our dog's name) I love you!!  but you have to stop licking me, it not nice." 

But by far the biggest change we have seen is in her heart and we are so thankful to God for this transformation.  We brought home a hurt, angry and fearful child who could be very hurtful with her words to others, especially to me ( her mom).  But God in His goodness and grace has been softening her heart and bringing about a big change in this area.   He also has placed so many wonderful people in her life to show/tell/ and teach her about His love for her. 

The other day we were driving and Grace was talking about her Sunday school teacher.  She said "Miss S__ is beautiful,  right mom?"  "Yes", I agreed.  "I tell you true mom, God thinks Miss S__'s heart is beautiful, right mom?" ..., I couldn't agree more:)

Then we were driving on Friday down a major local highway and there was an incident of road rage that happened in front of us.  One of the drivers gestured to the other driver in a not so nice way.  Grace looked at me and said "that is not from God, that is from satan, man act like that".   (thank you Julia for helping us not only with schoolwork but God's Word).

One more example that things are starting to sink in.. ., we were shopping for new clothes (I hate to shop) and Grace gets a little overstimulated when we are in a mall.  She was pulling me from one rack to another to show me one more wonderful thing.  I finally shot her that look like I have had enough.  She said "mom, I know I need clothes and like them; but I know family and love more important".

We were in church this morning and Grace was just singing away with this beautiful smile on her face.  Mike looked over at me and said "what a difference 4 months makes"..., thank you Jesus!!

P.S. Just so you don't think things are perfect.., Grace has spilled 4 glasses of water this week, knocked over a vase and broke it.  Her favorite words are "just one second" and  she still likes to argue every night about going to bed.

Our daughter...,Grace

When we adopted Alona we gave her the choice of keeping or changing her Ukrainian first name and she chose to keep it.  We then asked her if it would be okay for her middle name to be Grace.  Through our translator we explained the meaning of Grace and in particular the meaning of God's grace.  I remember how she smiled shyly and said "okay".  I don't think she really knew what to make of us giving her a new name or our choice of a  name. 

Fast forward..., about 6 weeks ago she was writing her name on top of a math worksheet and she wrote Grace instead of Alona.  When I asked her about it she just said "No more Alona, just Grace".  We thought maybe this was just going to be a temporary change, but it seems she is serious about it being her forever name.  We have tried to ask why she wants to change it but for now she doesn't want to talk about it.  We have tried to figure it out..., is she shutting a door to her past or is it because the name Alona sounds foreign and she just wants to blend in.  The bottom line is she wants to be called Grace ..., so Grace it is!!

Home 3 Months!!

Three months ago yesterday we arrived home with our daughter Alona.  That day was one filled with many emotions.   We were so thankful to finally be bringing her home after 16 months of waiting to adopt her and 6 weeks in Ukraine.  On the flip side, she had acted like a real toot on most of the 23 hours of travel and I was so  relieved to finally be on U.S. soil and have reinforcements!!

I can honestly say looking back that we have really made progress  in the areas of attitude, respect and bonding.  She has gone from telling me 10 plus times a day that she didn't like me to saying (or yelling) "mom" over and over again, wanting to hold my hand and sit by me constantly.  She still can be sassy and strong-willed but is recognizing her misbehavior and apologizing for it now.   The one thing we have realized is that a lot of her misbehavior is really rooted in fear from her past.  Mike and I went on our first real date Thursday night, the first since we have been home.  We went to dinner and a movie while my mom (her Omie) watched her.   When we got back to pick her up she was fussing that we were 17 minutes late (she takes things very literal).  When we got in the car she turned on the inside light and looked me straight in the eyes and asked "tell me the true, you smoking and drinking?"  Oh my gosh..., I don't smoke and probably have 2 margaritas a year (which I have not done since we have been home).  I asked her "do I smoke?" "have you seen me drinking?"  "do I look like I have been smoking and drinking?"  She started to laugh and said "I was just joking"; but I know she wasn't.  This was her reality, this is what she lived.  

So as we continue on this journey, we all continue to grow and learn.  We are blessed!!