Back to Life, Back to Reality...

I used to love this song, and I still sing it when I am trying to be joyful when I'm not feeling joyful. So, I went back to work Monday. I needed more time, more rest, more adjustment to my new life, but unfortunately I also need to get paid. How do all my friends take these long maternity leaves, these weeks/months of FMLA and still pay for their house, buy food, etc. etc.? That is the big question for me. Can you tell I'm just a tad resentful? Oh, well. It is what it is and we will make it. So, on to better topics. The family is doing well. Mia is adjusting well and is getting more and more comfortable with the new home, the new family, and our life. As I've said before, this is a marathon, not a sprint and we celebrate little successes because we know that family is a new concept for Mia. Last week, she had her appointment at the International Adoption Clinic in Birmingham. She checked out well and the social worker was pleased with the bond she said she could tell was forming between the two of us. She talked with me a good bit about the importance of the mother/child bond. This bond shapes who we are, who we will grow to be. This time in Mia's life is critical because she will learn to trust or mistrust. She will learn to accept love and reciprocate that love to others. She told me that my going back to work would be difficult and to expect some regression. She didn't beat me up because I was going back to work, but she did offer support and advice for the future. I appreciate that and her talking with me helped. The brothers... they love Mia. They play with her and tote her around like a sack of potatoes a lot of the time. I am embarrassed to admit that one of their all-time favorite movies is "Major Payne" and they respond to their dad's barking many times with "thur yeth thur", just like in the movie. I always giggle under my breath because I find their mocking hilarious, but I want to support the daddy too. Anyways, guess what the little sister's first American words were? "Thur yeth thur" ... I will video this for all of you to see. Unbelievable... I was expecting Mama or Dada... not an excerpt from a silly movie. Oh, well, even I can see the humor in this. What can I say? She's joining a family of all boys. We are learning that Mia had the nickname of "Little Bee" at her orphanage for a reason. She is into everything. She loves to open cabinets, plays in our dishwasher, feeds the dog snacks (who is highly food allergic I might add), and steals the remote to the TV every chance she gets. She is so, so funny. In China, I doubted that she could walk. Today, I watched her run as she chased Nolan and my niece Molly, in a game of hide-and-seek. So, in the big scheme of things, Mia is doing great. I am discovering that I am going to have to be a much better time-manager at home. The boys go back to school Monday, Cole is playing football, he is the waterboy for the Varsity team, and Garrett is the waterboy for the Jr. High team. We are about to shift into high gear and I'm going to have to get ultra-organized. I was thinking today that I probably ought to renew my Sam's Club membership, because these kids are eating like crazy. I am making a grocery store run every day. I am working on a new family blog, but that is a project that will wait for a little while longer. Until then, I will continue to post here. I am continually meeting people who have read our blog, or are familiar with our story. My cup runneth over...

Much love,
Ashley