Deploying The Fleet

We've been back in the states for a week now and the time with the kids has gone very well.  Both Kayleigh and Michael seem to have taken the change in their world in stride and we haven't had any problems.  There has been a lot of teaching of basics, like closing the door after you when you go inside our outside (door closed by itself at the orphanage), or asking to go out to ride bikes (they just did it at the orphanage), but nothing big.  Both help with things when asked or on their own initiative in most cases. 

We continue to watch Kayleigh and Michael as we try to learn them as fast as we can. Both are very sweet kids and have seemed very happy with our family. Kayleigh, like Alyssa, hates to get up in the morning. Michael is a ball of energy, was great with tools, and continues to surprise us daily. When we saw his pictures from the orphanage he was never smiling and we thought he'll be one of those quiet tough nuts to crack. It has been quite the opposite as he has blossomed quickly, is a very energetic young man, very smart, loves to laugh and play. Both kids are eating a lot more than before which is good, and both are a lot more relaxed.   They really like having meals together as a family and ensuring we pray before we eat.   They love the trampoline and riding bikes.  Michael does not like mushrooms.  Neither likes oatmeal.

Yesterday was a day in our "normal" life where we're scattered all over.  Bekah was up in Austin as she is starting a job working for a family doing all kinds of stuff, the boys and I went to Lowes and fixed some stuff around the house (I now have 2 sons who are more adept at tool oriented things than I...), Jodi and the girls were down south for Alyssa's dance class (her first recital is this coming Saturday...).  We all ended up back home for dinner (tacos, both kids seemed to be fine with them and so far eat most anything...).  Today we'll be off and running again as all the girlies are going to get their hair done, I am still digging through the 6 1/2 week backlog of stuff that piled up while we were gone, and Dylan and I are going to karate tonight (maybe take Michael as well....).   We continue to try and keep the world small and give them time to get their hands around things.  So far so good!