The first 13 days...the good, the bad, and the ugly

Silly faces!

Mommy and her girls

All my kiddos!

So...the kids have been home for almost two weeks! In some ways, it seems much shorter (like we were JUST in Ethiopia) and in some ways it seems like they've been with us much longer.
Overall, we are doing well. We are having our share of adjustments. I can honestly say that NOTHING could have prepared me for becoming a Mommy of one to a Mommy of four overnight. At times, it is incredibly overwhelming. It seems like SOMEONE is always acting up, pouting, crying, or into SOMETHING. Here are my general observations:
1. Tewodros is doing very well. He is definitely missing Hannah's Hope and FRIENDS. He spends most of his day with four year olds, a two year old, and a 31 year old. I think he is DYING to just PLAY with an eight year old boy. He will be starting ESL summer school on June 20th and he REALLY needs it.
He loves Braeden. He loves to play soccer. He is trying to learn English but is not as interested as I would have hoped. He seems bored ALOT. I find myself always looking to please him which I know is probably unrealistic. He LIKES to holler at the girls ALOT. This is something we are working on!

2. Yitayish (a.k.a. Waverly) is doing great! She is sweet, has an infectious laugh, and is VERY mischievous. She seems to be adjusting GREAT. I think she is very happy and content. She likes to fight with Braeden. They have made me nervous with each other because they will go into COMBAT with eachother. She will repeat English words but that is about it for now. Her hair is my PROJECT. She is beautiful, sweet, and for now pretty easy.

3. Seble (a.k.a. Riley) is my little drama queen. She is MOODY, MOODY, MOODY. She sulks ALOT. She smiles the rest of the time! She loves to play with Yitayish (who SOMETIMES chooses to play with her.) She listens very well. She LOVES to tattle. She tattles ALL day long. I have NO idea what she is saying but she is tattling...believe me. She LOVES to eat. She will not be my skinny minny for long! Haha! She repeats..."I love you So much."

4. Braeden is happy when he has Mommy's attention. He follows me EVERYWHERE. He doesn't like to share toys, LOVES to wake up and see the kids, and LOVES to sit on, jump on, and ROUGH HOUSE with the girls. We are working on this! He is more of a big boy everyday. I look at him and think..."Oh, my baby. Where are you going to."

Did I mention that the girls LOVE to fold wash! I'm NOT kidding!!

Daddy's girl

Sweetie pies

Yitayish in the tent

My Teddy

Braeden's method for keeping his toys...hiding BOWLING pins in this shirt...Also check out that he is wearing a GIRLS hat!