Jiovenda' 5th birthday
Have the girls really been home almost six weeks now? Time flies when you are having fun (sometimes not so much fun). It has been a tough six weeks, but it has honestly gotten easier every single day. The girls have fallen into some wonderful routines and it has helped all of us get use to each other. Having five children forces you to be very organized and on top of your game. But it also forces you to drop things that just don't matter, like a clean house. People that come over can just say, "well she does have 5 kids", love having that excuse!
The first few weeks were the most difficult, but after a lot of teaching and love the girls are really beginning to understand how we do things around here. We still have many struggles and constant reminders, but we still have that with the boys as well. The best thing we did was to put them into school right away. They all love school and enjoy going. Falancia and Jiovenda have a lot of catching up to do academically, but we are working on it. Falancia and Sivencia are still learning how to act and behave in a classroom. Jiovenda, the quiet one, loves school and having friends and has had no behavior issues. She did cry when it wasn't her days to go to school, but she has gotten over that. She will probably repeat Kindergarten next year, but it will be good for her confidence with English.
The boys are doing great with the adjustment and are eager to teach. Brison and Falancia butt heads at times, some control issues there. Brison loves playing with Sivencia and babies her to death. Walker is a little jealous over this and sometimes wants his big brother all to himself. Overall, they love having siblings and more people to play with. We have a lot of normal sibling clashes (maybe as many as me and my brothers growing up).
Christmas is coming and life is very hectic, I basically live in my car. We are running all over the place shopping and running lots of errands. The girls have all been to the doctor and dentist. They had a few immunization shots to be caught up on, as you can imagine they loved that. Lots of good girl screaming.
Poor Falancia went sledding with some neighbor girls and chose not to come home when everyone else did. She got turned around coming home and started running the wrong way up our street. Carrying three sleds (because Jiovenda left hers at the hill) she could be heard screaming a mile away. Thankfully some of our friends up the street heard her and came to her rescue. She didn't seem too traumatized by the whole event, but she might think twice about going sledding again.
They are all eating well. After a lot of trial and error we have discovered some likes and dislikes. But as we do with the boys, if you don't like what we are having, you can wait for the next meal. No one has starved yet! We have even all gone out for pizza, which is a huge hit with everyone! Another popular food is Italian, lasagna, stuffed shells, spaghetti, etc.
I'm trying to think of more thing people have asked me. Oh I know, hair. I am getting much better and am not intimidated anymore. Falancia's hair is so short, so she just wears it with a head band. Jiovenda and Sivencia I have on rotating weekends. It takes me about 4 hours to do there hair, so that is what I do on Sunday afternoons. I have done beads the last two weeks and Jiovenda's is my best job this past week. Christmas color beads. It is much easier now that I discovered the bead threader that one of my friends bought me. Beads are better with Sivencia, because she can't rip them out as easy as clips, so her hair last longer.
Brian and I are doing well and life is getting into a nice "busy" rhythm. Friends have been wonderful with food and helping to watch the kids. We have been out twice and have to hire 2 babysitters at a time to do it (well worth it). The second time was easier on the girls then the first. They are getting to know our babysitter next door better as well, it helps that she brings a jewelry making kit.
Hope to write sooner next time, but the Lord only knows when I will have time. Thank you for all of your love, support and prayers!
Love,
Allison
The first few weeks were the most difficult, but after a lot of teaching and love the girls are really beginning to understand how we do things around here. We still have many struggles and constant reminders, but we still have that with the boys as well. The best thing we did was to put them into school right away. They all love school and enjoy going. Falancia and Jiovenda have a lot of catching up to do academically, but we are working on it. Falancia and Sivencia are still learning how to act and behave in a classroom. Jiovenda, the quiet one, loves school and having friends and has had no behavior issues. She did cry when it wasn't her days to go to school, but she has gotten over that. She will probably repeat Kindergarten next year, but it will be good for her confidence with English.
The boys are doing great with the adjustment and are eager to teach. Brison and Falancia butt heads at times, some control issues there. Brison loves playing with Sivencia and babies her to death. Walker is a little jealous over this and sometimes wants his big brother all to himself. Overall, they love having siblings and more people to play with. We have a lot of normal sibling clashes (maybe as many as me and my brothers growing up).
Christmas is coming and life is very hectic, I basically live in my car. We are running all over the place shopping and running lots of errands. The girls have all been to the doctor and dentist. They had a few immunization shots to be caught up on, as you can imagine they loved that. Lots of good girl screaming.
Poor Falancia went sledding with some neighbor girls and chose not to come home when everyone else did. She got turned around coming home and started running the wrong way up our street. Carrying three sleds (because Jiovenda left hers at the hill) she could be heard screaming a mile away. Thankfully some of our friends up the street heard her and came to her rescue. She didn't seem too traumatized by the whole event, but she might think twice about going sledding again.
They are all eating well. After a lot of trial and error we have discovered some likes and dislikes. But as we do with the boys, if you don't like what we are having, you can wait for the next meal. No one has starved yet! We have even all gone out for pizza, which is a huge hit with everyone! Another popular food is Italian, lasagna, stuffed shells, spaghetti, etc.
I'm trying to think of more thing people have asked me. Oh I know, hair. I am getting much better and am not intimidated anymore. Falancia's hair is so short, so she just wears it with a head band. Jiovenda and Sivencia I have on rotating weekends. It takes me about 4 hours to do there hair, so that is what I do on Sunday afternoons. I have done beads the last two weeks and Jiovenda's is my best job this past week. Christmas color beads. It is much easier now that I discovered the bead threader that one of my friends bought me. Beads are better with Sivencia, because she can't rip them out as easy as clips, so her hair last longer.
Brian and I are doing well and life is getting into a nice "busy" rhythm. Friends have been wonderful with food and helping to watch the kids. We have been out twice and have to hire 2 babysitters at a time to do it (well worth it). The second time was easier on the girls then the first. They are getting to know our babysitter next door better as well, it helps that she brings a jewelry making kit.
Hope to write sooner next time, but the Lord only knows when I will have time. Thank you for all of your love, support and prayers!
Love,
Allison
3 comments:
I love the update! (my favorite is the sledding part) Thanks for sharing! Please tell the girls I say hello and that I miss them and love them!!!!!
Joyce
It is so good to read about your first few weeks, it brings back allot if memories for us. Ketia loves seeing pictures of Jiovenda and misses her from GLA. They both where shy but a great team together. Glad to see the family is adjusting well. God Bless and have a wonderful Christmas! Dawn and Jack
Finally catching up on your blog again. Glad to hear things are settling in a bit. Love to read about it all. Glad to hear that they love school. I think that may be partly because of their routine in Haiti, don't you think? Hang in there. May God give you the wisdom, patience, and stamina that you need. You are doing the most important job in the world. Don't ever go by Bethany's office without stopping by! Have a blessed Christmas.
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