Moving Forward

Hi Everyone,

I've had lots of inquiries lately about how we're all adjusting and many requests to update the blog, so here I am!! We've had a very eventful couple of weeks. I think I may finally be getting rid of the strep I caught in China - I don't want to get too optimistic, but it seems like the fifth antibiotic is doing the trick! Terra had a nice "Welcome to America" present in the form of chicken pox. She was, surprisingly, not at all bothered by the pox, though we were all a bit stir-crazy after being stuck at home for a week!

Jeff worked incredibly hard to put together our beautiful new swingset and the girls are thoroughly enjoying the outdoors - how wonderful to finally have a backyard!! Jorie is forever asking to go outside to "swing extremely high" on her big girl swing. Terra is turning out to be quite the daredevil - climbing to the top of the swingset and coming down the slide by herself (something Jorie was not willing to do until she saw her little sister give it a try). Terra is completely convinced that she can climb the rock wall like her big sister and will not take "no" for an answer. She's also convinced that she should be allowed to climb up the bookcases in our living room and dive off of the couch head first, but we're working on that. :)

The girls are already acting like sisters - they love each other like sisters and fight like sisters. Terra plays the little sister role very well as she tries to take Jorie's toys and pushes down the block towers that Jorie so carefully builds. Jorie plays the big sister beautifully by both protecting her baby sister from harm and offering her to just about everyone that stops by. :) Of course, there are those fleeting moments when they cuddle up together or stop everything just to give each other hugs and kisses - what a wonderful sight to see!

All in all, it's been a BIG adjustment for everyone. We're working through each issue one day at a time and have faith that we'll be a stronger family in the end. How could we be anything less with two beautiful, intelligent and strong-willed daughters?!