Life as usual

The first few days were crazy overwhelming. I remember things feeling hectic when Justin came home and we suddenly had 6 children. But this time around I was starting to worry we had jumped in over our heads. Eight children. E-I-G-H-T.

My worries were premature.

The dust has already begun to settle and this feels really good. Nathan desperately needed the structure and routine of school (and space away from us) to process and settle. The kids all needed to return to school after spring break to find their routines and just settle. Mom needed the structure of a 'normal' work week to find the groove and just settle. We are all finding our stride and this whole "family of 10" thing is already starting to feel normal.

So, fun memories from the past few days:

Nathan accompanied Justin to his first youth activity with the kids from church. Ice blocking was not exactly a hit activity in his opinion. He only tried it once. But he was a decent sport about it.

In case you are unfamiliar with this particular activity it is sledding down a grassy hill on a block of ice.

Justin got the hang of it quickly...

...Nathan, not so much.

The boys are realizing everyone pitches in around here. The boys who could barely stay focused on puling a single weed their first Saturday home are suddenly our best workers. Being 'allowed' to touch and participate in clean up is currently a novelty. They are both eager to 'get' to participate. I wonder how long their enthusiasm will last...

Nathan needed a hair cut. I was not expecting him to squeal like a little girl every time I touched his head. I have a video, but it is too big to share here. We will always remember the way he flinched and squealed with every clip of the scissors and touch of the clippers. He looks pretty dang handsome with the new look if I do say so myself. Maybe our next trim will involve less dramatics. Then again, drama seems to be the norm with this one...

Nathan's first day of school! This was so very needed...

My favorite part of the 'honeymoon' is the way the kids play together. They are all shoulder to shoulder all day long. They bicker and get tired of each other like siblings should. But the first weeks are always so nice because they will all play the board games or go to the parks that are too boring when brand new siblings are not involved.

Uno. If I never play another hand of Uno it will be too soon...

For Aiden's very first Friday-night-date we gave the bicycle a try. Aiden has obviously never touched a bicycle before. He could not even stand over it without support. Balance issues can be common with deafness. But this was simply a matter of exposure. Once I showed him how to coast without peddling and we practiced together for about 20 minutes he started to settle in. Now he can balance consistently and we just need to learn to pedal and break. It will take him a bit longer than the others, but he'll be riding soon.

This kid has weaseled his way into everyone's heart very quickly.

Still my 'honey-bear.' Seriously, ooey gooey sweet.

Coming up on three weeks home I have to keep reminding myself how new these boys are. We are still adjusting. And there is so much to learn for so many of us. But it really does feel like life as usual around here.