Upward and Onward!!!

me, my sister and some of our kids

Here we are at day 3 of having our new son home and I feel an update is in order. I feel this way because of the sweet emails I've received asking me "how's it going?" . . . I feel this way because so many precious friends and family members have walked the road to this adoption with us and to leave your questions unanswered seems dismissive of all you've done for our family.   I hesitate to post an update simply because things are in a definite state of transition.  We have had priceless, sweet moments over here when I could tangibly feel the assurance of the Lord throughout this home and there have been moments of  sadness and doubt.   For sure, the moments of blessed assurance have far outweighed the other moments.  I am making a conscious effort to do TWO things that I know will keep our home on a positive note. First, I am going to stop asking him "are you okay" four hundred times a day. I have no doubt I'm driving him a little crazy and that he is perfectly capable of letting us know if something is NOT "okay".  . . he has done this. We already know it's possible! He is being very patient with me and I do appreciate it.
Second, I have to remind myself that this is only day THREE of a new life together and, Lord willing, there is plenty of time to do and say all that needs to be done and said.  The jet lag has caused all of my kids, and my husband, to sleep and eat at odd times and to feel pretty draggy in the evenings. I have to recognize jet lag for what it is and not allow myself to be fearful that there's "a problem".  
I can only speak for myself  when I say that we are more honored and blessed to have Francis in our family than I expected!   I have so much respect for this kid! He willingly left a loving home and everything familiar and consented to be adopted by us.  This is an act of bravery I can not understand and yet, I see the character that it sprang from and I am truly amazed.  
We have tried to keep the first few days at home low key but we haven't been extremely successful. We had my sister and her kids with us for a few days (and the teens had a really good time together), we went to church, out to eat and played around the house a good bit.  We saw a movie at the theater yesterday and have done a couple of chores as well. . . probably not low key enough for just three days post-travel because as I type, Francis is asleep on the couch and has been for over an hour (and it's 7:30pm).

He's definitely an early riser like me and the last three mornings he's been up at about 6:15am or so.  I don't mind a bit.  We took a walk yesterday morning before it got really hot outside and it was such a blessing to me.     I'm sure as the jet lag wears off and we get into a bit of a routine around here, complete with assigned chores and a little school work, I'll have more substantial updates.  For now, suffice it to say that everything is just as it should be. . . and it's all happening in God's perfect timing.