Challenging Week-Keeping It REAL

The last week has been tough on so many levels.  I hurt my back, pulled a muscle or something, probably when picking up one of the kids. I am feeling much better today but I have struggled all week.  It is so hard to NOT be grumpy when you are in pain every time you move. 

I am frustrated with the wait for Elshaday to come home.  I called USCIS Adoption Unit last week.  We are having her escorted so we had to file the I600 here in the good ole USA.  BTW, I do not recommend this unless it is absolutely necessary.  It is a slow process.  They are quoting 75 days until our case is approved.  They were still assigning cases from APRIL!!!!  Seriously,  we already have an approved I600A.  We have already traveled and legally adopted her.  Plus the Embassy in Ethiopia has approved our case for travel.  I know they are just doing their job and following the laws and regulations.  I have spoken to them on the phone before and they have always been nice and helpful.  I am sure they work very hard.  It is still very frustrating for me the mom.
Sera's behavior has been very challenging for me this week.  It is so hard to figure her out.  I have discovered that she requires a very rigid schedule.  She wants EVERYTHING to happen in the same order and at the same time every day, especially first thing in the morning.  She even says the same things to me every morning when I get her out of bed.  If this does not happen we get lots of crying.  Plus her behavior with food is involved is becoming more difficult to deal with.  I am not sure how to handle this issue.  Our kitchen and eating area is open to the rest of the house.  She can see or hear anytime someone goes into the kitchen.  If someone does not have her distracted in her room with the door shut it is impossible to enter the kitchen without her having a meltdown.  So happy we have a wonderful Occupational Therapist who is going to start working with us on some of these issues.

Throw in a little female teen drama and you have a small idea of what my week was like.  Unfortunately,  we were thrown into the world of a teenage drama a little earlier then expected.  As Grace continues to develop and mature VERY quickly we are now thinking she is probably more like thirteen years old.   At least she looks and acts like a thirteen year old. Fortunately, I have experience working with teenagers. 

I am so blessed.  I never write on this blog with the intention of whining or complaining.  I write because I want to be REAL and show my REAL struggles. 

I am not perfect

GOD IS! 

I am so glad I have HIM to carry me