November 10, 2011

November 10, 2011

Shortly after I posted my post last night, Isaiah woke up and Jason and I spent from 11:00p-12:00a sitting on the floor in the back room with him in utter torment. I know that sounds harsh, but that is what it looked like as I watched him. It was aweful to see. He screamed louder and harder than ever and just moved all around. Once his legs began kicking out of control for some time, I picked him up and locked him down on my lap. After awhile his forced whine sound turned to real crying and he began sobbing, saying, “mommy” and then one particular word/name over and over. He was truly mourning. The kicking fits that kept the mourning at bay finally turned to grief. I sobbed right along with him. It was so sad. But, so necessary.

It is amazing the difference one day can make. Today was night and day better than yesterday – praise God! Isaiah had another fit right away in the morning (and again for an hour before his nap), but I got him dressed against his will and took him with me a good part of the morning to the school where I went to talk with a couple teachers. I stopped my mom’s office and drank my pumpkin spice latte in peace with her before Isaiah and I went back home. J

The girls watched a movie in the morning with Jason and did okay the rest of the day not watching TV. They asked a little but were okay not watching it. Sometime in the afternoon Muad was trying to tell me something but I could not understand. So, I called our friend, Rachel, who speaks Lingala. Rachel said Muad said something about being scared to go to school but that seems weird. Rachel said she told Muad they could talk about it more when we see her on Saturday. Muad’s demeanor changed after just getting to talk to her and feel understood at some level even if nothing seemed to be accomplished from my perspective. Shortly after this in her room, Muad said the word for English in her language and I realized she was saying she wants to learn English. YAY! I was so happy to hear this because I have not been sure if she has wanted to learn or not. She has not been interested in the things I have tried with her. Jason found her some English games on the computer and helped Mujinga with a computer learning game and both girls were quite content at the kitchen table a good part of the later afternoon doing this. Meanwhile, Abram was on Jason’s lap and Isaiah was on the counter helping me cut spinach and other vegetables. The whole thing felt like a glimpse of “family” for the first time. Praise the Lord!

And then after dinner we had an even better family time . . . the best family time yet in fact! At dinner the girls again asked about going to church so after dinner Jason found a Hillsong worship video that had the words on the screen (which was great for the girls in their new found English-learning interest). Every one of us was dancing and singing, some were playing air guitars and at times the little boys were drumming, but all of us – together - were worshipping God in the kitchen extremely loudly. It does not get any better than that, people! We even let the little boys dance on the kitchen table. (Hopefully Jason can upload one of the videos soon - HINT!) The girls LOVED watching the worship video and wanted to watch more and more. It was a crazy, beautiful scene. Due to the girls incredible interest in church/worship (we now think the word they use for prayer might mean worship instead), we are most likely going to try to go to church this weekend. But, we will probably arrive late and leave early to avoid the big crowds of people (for the kids sake).

After the kids went to bed, mom and Ed came over (to fold our laundry . . . I should mention my mom has been doing all of our laundry – except the girls which I do with them – she is AMAZING!) so Jason and I could go to Burgies for awhile – YAY! I didn’t think I would get to write tonight but Jason ended up running to Walmart after we got home to get a room monitor for the boys room. We have never had one for Abram, but after his seizure in the night incident and Isaiah’s need to be responded to if he wakes up we decided to get one.

Tomorrow we are taking out the girls’ hair extensions. They let me know yesterday they wanted to. I decided to do it tomorrow morning and then found out that my friend Karen can come at 1:00p to show me how to put their hair in cornrows (through past pictures Muad showed me that is how she wants it). WISH ME LUCK!!

My last thought of the day (which is really from yesterday) is that as hard as this all is for us, it is still way harder for our kids, I am sure. We at least get to go through this from the comfort of our own home. They don’t. There are invisible stressors that come with being in a new country and home (I remember from my experience), not to mention everything else they are going through. Just a good thought to keep in mind.

A very happy Isaiah helping me cut spinach.

Happy to be learning some new things.
Somehow in the last few days posts I think I have failed to mention that Abram has been very sick. Lots of snot and stuffiness and today his poor little eyes were so swollen. He looks terrible and constantly has snot on his face. Poor guy.
The worship scene!
Now dancing . . . seeing the boys on the table makes me laugh out loud looking at this picture.
Drummer boys.
And a few pictures from the past two days . . .

The girls have been sleeping in the same bed for about a week. I love it! It reminds me of my sister and I doing that for a long time growing up (usually it was me wanting to sleep with her because I was the scared one!). Yesterday they asked to have the one bed back on top of the other so that is giving them more room in their room again.Seeing snow for the first time. I think they opened every door in the house to check out the views!
Aunt Kake coming to Abram's rescue yesterday.