January 2016

January was filled with firsts!  Getting to know each other without much language.  Eliana and Justus learning the ropes of living in our family and us learning how to live in a larger family.  There were times of intense grief for them and much holding, rocking and hugging.  We were so surprised at how affectionate Eliana and Justus were.  They craved so much touch that it was stretching for me however it sped up our bonding and God gave us this gift!  I have never been kissed so much in my life!  They were so precious to trust us so quickly!  

 This was the first time in the snow.  They giggled putting all of their snow gear on and though that ski pants were hilarious!  Justus used the word "wow" so many times this month.  It was such a pleasure to watch them experience so many new things.

 We went to a hotel as part of our Christmas gift and this was another first!  Water slides and hottubs.  It was a lot of fun!  A friend of Travis' bought the guys Winnipeg Jets tickets as a welcome gift and so they took a game in during this trip as well.  That was a huge highlight for them!

 Hockey was played every evening and so Justus learned to skate very quickly and by the end of the season he was almost keeping up with Coden.  He learned to love hockey and asked everyday to play.  At first learning to skate caused a bit of frustration and attitude because like most boys Justus likes to be the best at what he does and so it took some encouragement to get things started but he is very nimble and a fast learner!  Eliana didn't take to skating as much but we will continue to learn next winter.  You can hardly live in Canada and not skate!  

 Eliana loved to help in the kitchen.  It was a good was to work alongside each other, laugh and have fun even though communication was limited.  Google translator was our best friend in the month of January.  Many evenings I sat with Eliana on her bed and we talked through Google Translate to get to know each other.  She has very good written and language skills and so that made it much easier and I was thrilled every time I found out new things about them!  It was very important to have fun together these first few weeks of being a family because laughter bonds when words can't.  It was absolutely exhausting for every one of us.  All consuming, overwhelming and heart wrenching but so fulfilling and we felt very blessed in many ways!