The Adventure Continues!

Well, it's been a crazy week! Sophie is an absolute angel and Tariku is a miniature version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde! But we love them both already... :)

Tarik is very shy and he is still adjusting...he goes through spells of tantrums and pure joy. Not having ever experienced parenting before, it is definitely challenging at times, but it's just part of loving these little children. The day after we picked up the kids, Tarik's old social worker was present and she was highly involved with him...it was very, very tough. We felt like we lost all of the gains from the first 24 hours...by the time we left, he wanted to be back with her and didn't want us. We know to look ahead and we do, but these things are difficult in the moment. The same social worker was with us today on a trip to Acacia Village (our agency's new foster home here) and she was much better about understanding the need to not encourage too much reattachment (I think after my feedback...).

I am learning how to say many things in Amharic to communicate with Tarik. It seems to help a bit. So far, he has bonded more with me and Sophie more with Amy, but Sophie is really pretty good with everyone, so it's not a big deal. We're just trying to get him acclimated with Amy before I go back to work.

Oh - and we are officially/legally parents now!! We went to the embassy yesterday and there were no problems! They did ask if Sophie was married, though... :) They also said "no givebacks". We both were expecting a 6-month return policy...but we'll make it through this. haha.

Thanks again for all your prayers and we will be flying back home tomorrow!!

Love,
Phil & Amy