A Fantastic Day of Firsts!!!

Unbridled joy on the swirly slide!!
So glad we didn't give away our double stroller!!

Well, today was a day of firsts for our family. Most significantly, it was the first day since our precious gifts have arrived that we have not experienced a major tantrum, meltdown , or defiant stand-off!! Also, it was the first morning since they have arrived that we have not been greeted by 2 children in sullen , distant moods. Both of them actually woke up happy, talking and so very pleasant :) Both of them actually called out, "Is it da-bre (daybreak)?!"

Today was our first time to our favorite church in the world on our favorite day of the week with our entire family!! Overall, Mercy and Odesco did surprisingly well...there were a few minor incidents but when we consider the number of people they met , the length of the morning & the introduction to Children's Ministry classes, I'd say they were real troupers!

Today was Mercy and Odesco's first trip out in our neighborhood to the local park. The big boys were kindly invited to a friend's house for the afternoon...I think it was a great break for them from the intense but controlled chaos (HA!) of this past week. So, hubby and I took the 4 littles on a looong walk to the park. Odesco and B4 rode in the double stroller and Mercy and B3 held my hand as we ventured out. They had a ball on the twisty and roller slides...they loved the big swings and all4 kids had a great time interacting together.

Today was the first time I actually washed Mercy's hair without her beautiful braided hairstyle. It was really in need of being redone and prior to bathing, she diligently pulled out every braid(with minor help from this clueless Mom)...it took over an hour to get all of the braids undone...these things were in so tight and so intricately woven...I am amazed at the skill of the nannies in this area!! Mercy used a rat tail comb to expertly lossen the tight braids...now I understand why she was a bit rough while braiding the hair of her "Faith Dollbaby". You should have seen her pull , tug and rip to get her previous style undone! Thankfully, I had been in touch with a hairstylist who specializes in ethnic hair and she recommended several products which I purchased 2 days before Mercy and Odesco flew home. I had to read my cheat sheet from her to remember which products to use when. After baths,we came downstairs to style her hair...inside, I was in a total panic--I had absolutely no idea what to do! I have been perusing the adoption haircare website' on and off for months, have corresponded with other adoptive moms about this subject but I just couldn't visualize how to do this without Mercy being here. With her hair unbraided , it is in a short afro.I didn't need to worry though since she was totally undaunted, sat on the floor crosslegged, used the "grease" to moisturize her hair and went to town putting small sections of her hair in a rubber band and then plaiting it...the finishing touches were the hair snaps I had purchased online that keep the braids from unwinding. I "helped" her a little bit as we muddled through...I think she did great job but I do have a few calls out to people who might be able to help us out a bit with a more defined style. i look forward to getting more creative.

Odesco was so communicative and playful today...he loves to wrestle and he plays this game with Daddy where he approaches him...comes in for a tickle and rustling and then says," I beg you" (the Liberian version of crying "Uncle") ....then he runs away giggling yelling " I NO Beg You"..in other words, come and get me!! His laugh and smile are so contagious especially because our hearts were so sad to see him so sad and angry...his smiles make our hearts hopeful that this little boy will one day receive all the love that the Father has for him through the vehicle of a loving family :)

Tonight was the first nite' our new additions BOTH went to bed without a struggle of some sort....now one of our other children had some issues to work through but we are accostumed to dealing with those :)
So there you have it...we are all beginning to settle in... I'm sure it won't be smooth sailing from here on out but it was a day of reprieve, a day of fun, a day of refreshment...a day where the Lord gave us a vision of what things might one day be again...."normal"...which of course will be a totally new normal for our family.
oh, and we've added a new staple to the Liberian diet...boiled eggs (I poach them and this seems to satisfy)

Thanks for checking in and thanks so much to so many of you who have asked how you can specifically pray for us. We feel your love and prayers...thank you to our SGC family. Your love for our children and your desire to weave them into the fabric of our church family will bring so much security to these little hearts. How blessed we are to be planted in such fertile, well watered soil. What a wonderful environment for these 2 especially to be nurtured and loved in. I love looking around to see all the little faces who have been brought to our church through the miracle of adoption. Truly, God has called them out of darkness and brought them into His marvelous light...what a joy it will be to see these little hearts transformed by the power of the
gospel
Signing off with a hope and joy filled heart :)
Love,MamaB
PS Mercy surprised me again today as she was reciting loads of Bible verses....one was Ephesians 6:1 Children Obey Your Parents in the Lord!
and Honor Your Father and your Mother....so, the word has been deposited in her heart and I trust with encouragement and consistency will continue to bring forth much fruit!!