Even though the kids are beginning to be more challenging than the initial honeymoon days, it is good to know that they are beginning this process early because we have been told that the second week is the most taxing and we have not finished the first week. So we are starting the process of post honeymoon early and hopefully we get a better handle on things before we get home. Today we went to a local amusement park and discovery world type place. This was in the center of Medellin. The city is busy, and there are over 4 million people. It is a very clean city, much more than Cuernavaca MX,where I visited Alex last year. There is a lot of poverty, but there are also big shopping centers and industrial areas. It's strange for me to think that this city had so many problems, because now you would not know it. People are the nicest I have ever met in any country or city (really, anyplace!). The city is very modern and the mountains are beautiful. It's pretty to see the rain coming over the mountains. We are in the rainy season, but it only rains maybe once a day for about 1/2 and hour to 45 minutes and most days are sunny or partly cloudy. The mornings can be a little cool.
There are many beautiful birds that sing in the morning here where we are staying. One of the things that I have disliked the most though, is the pollution and the fact that there are no crosswalks here. The first day we had to cross to the mall with the four girls I just about had a heart attack. It would be the equivalent of crossing of crossing Wisconsin Avenue in downtown MKE during rush hour without crosswalks.
At the same time the girls are challenging they are also entertaining and delightful while some of the girls are more challenging than we were led to believe, others are helpful and supportive. It would have been very difficult for me (Mercedes) to do this without the oldest girl. At the same time that this might seem unfair to her, because her sisters look up to her like a mom, she has been helpful to me in trying to explain her sisters, their backgrounds, challenges etc. as well as understanding their background and the things they have gone through together at the orphanage and other places. We do not plan to have her stay in that role,we want to make sure that she gets similar opportunities as her sisters, but for now.. it works!
The place we went to today was an amusement park, and a discovery type center. The places were OK, nothing compared to some of the places they will go when they get to the U.S. I am impressed though, that the girls have been to so many places with their orphanage, places around town. So it's nice because the girls know their way around many of the places in town. What the girls have told us is that there is a foundation that takes care of taking them out to different places. I have truly been impressed with the organization of not just their orphanage, but of this great city. The people that we work with are truly caring of the girls and of the other kids in the orphanage. The lady that helps us has known the girls for years. Our lawyer when she came to see us told us that adoption is her passion. That she had volunteered at the orphanage before she even became an adoption lawyer. We are fortunate to have such good people on our family's side--MM
Wowza! Sounds like you are in the midst of fast forwarding through many tough years all in a week. I think that this early end to the honeymoon is a great sign - one that points to the girls being very mature and bright.
ReplyDeleteWe miss you at work and hope for the best. Tell the girls that Mr. Deno will be waiting for them.
Thank you Mr. Deno, I am using some of your tactics already... " How can I be of help?"
ReplyDeleteKids are the same everywhere.
I thought you would like this:
ReplyDeleteO Father of mankind,
who hast given unto me these my children,
and committed them to my charge to bring them up for Thee,
and to prepare them for everlasting life:
assist me with Thy heavenly grace,
that I may be able to fulfil this most sacred duty and stewardship.
Teach me both what to give and what to withhold;
when to reprove and when to forbear;
make me gentle, yet firm;
considerate and watchful;
and deliver me equally from the weakness of indulgence,
and the excess of severity;
and grant that, both by word and example,
I may be careful to lead them in the ways of wisdom and true piety,
so that at last I may, with them,
be admitted to the unspeakable joys of our true home in heaven,
in the company of the blessed Angels and Saints.
Amen.
-Millie