Sunday, April 3, 2011

Here Comes the Sun

I don't know if you noticed from my last post, but I was feeling a little bluish. The jet lag and reality were getting me down and I really needed some rejuvenation.  I asked Heavenly Father Friday night if He would help me to see Anya with His eyes.  To come out of my slump and truly cherish her the way He does.  It wasn't that I didn't love her or that she wasn't what I had hoped she would be. I was just a little overwhelmed with having a new little person in our family and I was so tired.

Saturday morning, I woke up at 6 am (still recovering from jet lag...) and went out to the living room to read my scriptures.  I immediately felt the Holy Ghost whisper peace to my heart. After a few minutes, I heard the creek of one of the bedroom doors and the pitter-patter of feet.  I saw Anya standing there with a huge smile on her face. 

If she could speak English, I think she would have said something like, "Good Morning, Mama.  I love my new life so much, I can't wait to start the day!  What can we do first?"  I motioned for her to climb up on my lap, and she did.  I hugged her closely and told her I loved her.  Since then, I've been just eating up our new sweetheart.

It was so gorgeous yesterday! It was over seventy degrees! We started the day with a little housekeeping.  After breakfast, Bennett taught Anya how to stack the dishes from the dishwasher in big piles and I taught her how to sort the silverware into the right compartments in the silverware drawer. She loved that!

The kids played happily outside much of the day.  We got to sit and watch our church's semi-annual General Conference on T.V, then I did a little shopping. It was the first time I spent by myself in weeks and it was so rejuvenating!  I never thought I would enjoy shopping so much! I bought some new pillowcases and a booster seat so Anya could reach the table easier, then stocked up on groceries.

When I came home, Jeremy told me that Anya was content as can be, all afternoon. One of my concerns before taking her out of her structured life at the orphanage was that she wouldn't know how to just "be."  You know, just hang out. But she has shown us that she sometimes loves to just be.  She'll sit in her room and play with toys for a long time.  She'll even focus on puzzles and books, which amazes me.  She's just happy. Jeremy commented this morning that she seems so content.  Isn't it just incredible how children can sense when they are loved?


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14 comments:

  1. Titus FamApril 3, 2011 at 9:35 AM

    We're so happy for you! Thank goodness for the peace the Holy Ghost can bring us. Anya looks like she's doing great. Good luck with it all!

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  2. Michelle ZApril 3, 2011 at 10:08 AM

    Heather, she's AMAZING!!

    Never underestimate the power of jet lag -- things look so much clearer after a few days home :)

    And your dishwasher picture made me giggle! We have the same Ikea cups & plates, and a big brother to help!

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  3. TinaApril 3, 2011 at 10:26 AM

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts and being so honest. I am so thankful we have the Holy Ghost to turn to when we need it the most.

    She looks like she has has been a part of your family forever...

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  4. KatrinaApril 3, 2011 at 11:26 AM

    I didn't notice anything but love and positive things from your last post and this one - like usual. I think you have been on an amazing journey and there will always be bumps in the road. But how wonderful you must feel to be home and ready to get back into some sort of routine. I sure that listening to conference today and yesterday will be a huge help too. Today's talks were just what I needed to hear. Thanks again for sharing in your journey. I can't wait to see pictures of your Sealing. We are going on my birthday, April 30th, to Seal Nevaeh. And I am still holding out hope that we will be going again next year with another daughter :)

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  5. Wife; Mom to the SixApril 3, 2011 at 11:41 AM

    :) Love the updates and pics! Watching GC here too - and grocery shopping, lol. Love Conference weekends!

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  6. KristinApril 3, 2011 at 12:15 PM

    She seems like one smart little cookie - picking up on things without knowing the language or comprehending what REALLY just happened to her. Amazing.
    Do you have a sealing date? We had to wait a year with Max. And then my dad died the day before the sealing. It was beautiful, but hard to keep my emotions together.

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  7. Redeeming Hidden TreasuresApril 3, 2011 at 12:18 PM

    I'm glad you got some rest. Adding new ones is always exhausting, but it is also always so worth it! :) She is beautiful and seems to be adjusting great! Congrats on your little beauty!

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  8. TraciApril 3, 2011 at 2:13 PM

    So happy for your family and sweet little Anya! She is such a treasure for sure :) You are doing an amazing job Heather, so be easy on yourself! Thanks for the pictures and updates on your sweet family.

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  9. HeatherApril 3, 2011 at 2:18 PM

    Kristin--we don't have a sealing date yet. We're thinking some time this summer. You don't have to wait a year with international adoptions because they are final right away. We're looking forward to it. It's going to be amazing.

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  10. aliciaApril 3, 2011 at 5:11 PM

    im just loving your updates and honesty :)
    love the pictures ! :D though would love to see the pictures without the ... mm ugh i dont know what are the name for those thing on her hair (im from mexico ;)) hehe and see how her hair looked after :D

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  11. AnonymousApril 3, 2011 at 7:22 PM

    I'd love to see Miss Curly-Locks minus the curlers, too, though she's cute as a bug with them! What a smart little girl, too - and what a good teacher Bennett is (and what a useful skill to learn ;-)!).

    So glad this sweet child is home with her forever family at last.

    Best wishes,
    Susan in Ky
    Cousin to 2 from U.

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  12. keciaApril 3, 2011 at 8:45 PM

    she DOES seem so happy and content! I am glad you are feeling rejuvenated! I was a little worried about you from the last post and hoped you were feeling better! I am sure it is SO crazy actually being home and dealing with reality AND jet lag all at the same time! It sounds a lot like any new baby coming home....you are emotionally and physically drained and it is not that you don't love them, but the newness of another little one is sometimes overwhelming emotionally but you get there! Doesn't the sun just do wonders for that too?!!! She looks so cute in her curlers and I am SURE she would have told you that very thing you posted if she could speak english! How is the language barrier going anyway? I SO look forward to your posts so keep them coming!

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  13. heatherbrownApril 3, 2011 at 8:45 PM

    Anya is a beautiful child, absolutely stunning and sweet! I am so happy and thankful that she was meant to be a part of your family. :)

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  14. Sharon MApril 3, 2011 at 9:03 PM

    Heather, I feel for you. When my son who has DS, Jordan, was 5, my girls were 3 and 1, and my older son was 7. Plus, I was homeschooling. That time in my life was the hardest thing I have ever experienced. So my advice is to enlist help. It will make such a difference! The young women need service hours, so talk to the YW pres. Also talk to the compassionate service leader. Last summer I had a mother's helper for 3 days a week for 2 hours a day, and it made such a big difference. It's amazing how getting some time to myself, even if it's at the store like you, makes such a difference. I used that time to go shopping, rest, get caught up on chores, or I would take one of my kids on a special outing. I see the world and my kids differently when I am well rested and have occasional breaks. Your family is so beautiful! You are amazing!

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