so, I know it has been nearly 2 weeks since we got home...and no update. sorry.
we got home on friday the 26th after a long day of travel and no sleep. we were greeted by our wonderful kids and my amazing parents who took care of the littles while we were gone...2 and a half weeks! whew! needless to say they said their hi's and goodbyes and booked it outta here quick as possible ;)
our wonderful friends left us dinner and a fun decorated house with welcome home signs and all. we are so blessed by everyone in our lives. we had some people from our church set up a meal train for us and many have been bringing us meals almost every night since we got home. I didn't think I needed it but jet lag was a bear and I am glad to have had the break.
Sarah went through the house and we showed her everything. she scoffed at the western toilet (sorry kid!) but was happy to see the rooms and bed from the pictures we sent. she knew her bed right away.
we have been trying to develop some routines since we got home. the first few days were rough. Sarah broke toys, hit me, was afraid of the dog and hit/kicked her, and pretty much clung to brendan. but come monday brendan had to go to work. she spent long periods of time looking out the window for him. I tried to play a matching game with her. she liked it but got mad when she didn't win.
I have been trying to teach some rules around the house and it is hard. she doesn't want to listen to me. but I am getting the other kids to mimic and just making her follow through with what I ask. she may not fully understand everything but she is learning every day.
I also used the game as a way to show her to take turns, and the value of good sportsmanship. I am not embarrassed to say I rigged a few games so that she would lose so we could all hi five the winner. then I would have her win and we would all hi five her. at first she would yell and refuse to hi five the winner. but slowly over the last week she has begun to understand and though she still says some not so happy words in chinese, she does hi five the winner ...I'd call that progress.
also, I will say, though it is still up and down, she is much better with me. she likes our bedtime routine (jammies, brush, prayers, songs, hugs) the second night we were home she punched me in the face when I tried to lean in for a hug and kiss. now she actively grabs my hand and asks for the songs. and 2 nights ago after I hugged Emma goodnight, sarah came over with open arms and hugged me! definitely progress!
I have come to realize that the more I lavish attention on her, the more she resists. if I, not really ignore her, but pay less attention or am very casual, she will seek out my attention, though she is still not interested in my touching her.
and we started school again this week. sarah has been copying books. she grabs a book (that is in english) and just copies it into a notebook I gave her. until this point, we didn't know she knew how to make letters. we knew she wrote in characters. but she just writes and writes. of course she has no idea what she is writing. but, when it comes time, one less thing to teach her :)
anyway, we also do math. she knows basic addition and can do some low level problems on her own. when it gets past adding 5+5 we count on fingers. I help because she only has 10 ;) she can also do some basic subtraction but only when I do it on my fingers. I think if I could explain she could grasp it a bit better, but for now all we have is fingers. but she can count up to 4 in english because we play hi ho cherry-o.
I think once we get some more language she will really be able to do some amazing things. right now while I do read alouds or teach other subjects she just plays or copies books or talks quietly to herself. but I'm hoping the flow of language is seeping in a little bit.
I hope not to be this long between posts again and I do hope to get more pictures up soon. thanks everyone for your prayers...keep em coming.
