She's just too cute!

Here are some more pictures, because I just can't keep all this cuteness to myself.

I'm sorry! :)

Playing in the sprinkler is one of her favorite things to do.

We still can't get her to put on a bathing suit, but we did finally get her in flip flops!

Serious skills. We're thinking gymnastics or karate!

You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,

Psalm 30:11

2 Weeks Home!

Well we've been home now for 2 weeks, and we are finding our new normal.

Bedtime has been the biggest struggle by far, but it continues to get better each day.

2 nights ago we moved her out of our bed, and into a toddler bed that is in our room.

She woke up quite a few times and wanted us to hold her hand the first night.

Hoping tonight she will wake-up less.

We stayed home for the 1st week, and have made our home off limits to visitors.

She is feeling very safe and relaxed at home now, and even though it has been hard,

it has definitely been worth it.

Her first outing was to go see her 2 older brothers do a demonstration at the end of their week of 'Ninja Camp'.

They would probably tell you it was the best week of their lives. They had a blast learning to use nunchucks, ninja stars, and swords.

Aidan even got 2 black-eyes during camp!

Batri also had her 1st Frosty from Wendy's which she thought was too cold.

We went to Oak Glenn and went raspberry picking.

It was great since it was the week before apple season we were the only ones there.

Batri ate way more than she picked!

The Boulton Bunch, minus Austin, who is at Church Camp in Catalina this week.

Her 1st taste of soda.

Not a fan! :)

First trip to the beach.

She LOVED the sand, but was not interested in getting in the water.

Frankly I don't blame her.

I had a knit hat on her most of the day to keep the sun from drying her hair, and the sand out!

Her 1st PB&J sandwich

Oh, and she is learning to skateboard too.

A girl has to keep up with her older siblings!

After a rough 1st month, most of which we spent in Ethiopia, Batri is doing so much better than I had ever imagined. She is a total goofball, and loves to make us laugh.

She loves to snuggle her daddy, and wrestle her brothers.

She is always wanting Autumn to carry her around.

We play in the sprinkler and jump on the trampoline a lot.

Batri is such a joy, and we feel so blessed that she is in our family.

Airport Homecoming

Here are some pictures at the airport and our first moments at home!

Just copy and paste the link...

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.179916792079735.45009.100001842472932&l=de6042637c&type=1

Behind the Smiles

So here I am about to expose the not so pretty side of adoption, especially an 'older' child.

It has been HARD!

And that is the understatement of the year!

It has been a struggle for Batri, and me, and the rest of our family. Can you imagine taking an older toddler and putting her in a completely new environment, with people she's never met, a language she doesn't understand, animals that live in the house, and food she doesn't recognize. It has been terrifying for her. Bedtime is especially frightening. I have bruises from her biting and hitting me trying to fight sleep, not because she is angry, but because she is scared.

When I sit and talk with God, and reflect on everything she must be feeling and experiencing my heart breaks for her. But I don't have very much alone time with God right now. I am constantly with her, showing her I won't leave her, and that she can trust me. She prefers everyone to me. She loves her siblings and her daddy, but I am the one who gives her boundaries all day, and makes her sleep when she is exhausted, but doesn't want to. It is exhausting.

I was prepared for all of these things. Bart and I went to a 3 day course on parenting an older adopted child, I've been to multiple conferences, I've read just about every book out there. I knew all of this was coming. And even with all of that preparation, I struggle. I sometimes take it personally. It is not easy being rejected by a child you have been loving, and longing for, and praying for, and fighting to bring home for over a year!

So the reason I share all of this is NOT to scare anyone away from adoption, especially adopting an 'older' child. I share because I want to be real. I have talked with our agencies Social Worker just to make sure I am doing everything I can to love and support her in the ways she needs me to right now. It was encouraging to get a few more tips, and know that I am on the right track. I have an amazing network of fellow adoptive moms that I can Facebook with or call if I just need to talk. I want to say to you other adoptive moms, this is normal, it's okay, hang in there, and email me if you need a little encouragement! I am here to encourage you, as others have encouraged me!

The beauty is each day I see more of her true self coming through. She becomes more relaxed, and less stressed. She is thriving with the routine we have. She talks to us in Amharic, and we respond as if we know what she is saying, and sometimes we actually do. She loves to dance and to sing, and to laugh! Her laugh is deep, it is full of joy, and it is beautiful! Her eyes are soulful, and they are coming alive more and more each day. She sees her daddy go to work, and she is beginning to understand that he will come home to her. She is loved by her family, and she is beginning to believe it!

I would not wish away any part of this journey. I have learned in my life that these are the times that God is making me into something beautiful. When I can mourn with my daughter. When I can see through the anger and feel her pain. When I can beg God to use me to heal her hurting soul. These are the times that He is forming me into His likeness. And that is reason enough for me to continue to endure, and know that something better is ahead. I am not alone in this journey, and neither are you!

She's Home!

This is Batri with her 'special caregiver' on the day I took placement of her.

Batri grieved deeply, which was heartbreaking, but such a gift. She was loved and had attached to the caregivers. She cried silent tears for days, and I mourned with her.

She still fights sleep as hard as she can. I have the bruises to prove it.

I have to continually remind myself that it is fear and not anger, and this is the only way she knows how to protect herself.

We moved her into our bed last night because her fear of sleep is just too intense, and we want to do everything we can to help her feel safe and loved.

I constantly pray that God will use us to heal her broken heart.

In Ethiopia I was able to see her personality come out about the second week.

Her best friend from her room at Gladney care center also was coming home and we were able to stay together for our last few days.

We are looking forward to many Skype dates when they get to their home in Georgia.

So here she is...

Princess Batri!

We are so excited to tell her of God's love for her, and how she truly is a princess,

daughter of The Most High King!