13 November 2009

This morning we met with Lino and Daisy, the court's social worker, to talk about the children. Even though we are still dealing with some major issues, Daisy really put it in perspective with us when she mentioned that all of this behavior is within the realm of "normal" for new families such as ours, and she commented on some of the amazing progress we've made in a couple of areas. That deserved a high-five all around on the spot! Even though in some ways it seems like we've been a family "forever," (which is a good thing, because it is!), we've really only been together as a family for 10 days. Everyone is still testing their boundaries and learning the rules and limits. Of course I suppose there never is that "perfect" family, but each incremental step in the right direction is a reward in itself. We hope and pray that everyone will learn to trust and respect in accord with the family we want to be. It takes time, and although it is indeed frustrating, as a parent I have already committed the rest of my life to my children, to love them and equip them to be their own person out in the world someday. I can't remember who said this, but I heard it said that children have "smaller lives" than adults, but that they aren't any less complicated. Over the last 10 days, this has been very real to me.

After lunch, we went downtown to the Passeio Publico, a public park with a small, free (families of six sure like free!) zoo with mostly birds, parrots, and monkeys. The kids loved the birds and especially the snake terrariums, where, no matter how many times they were reminded that all the signs said not to knock on the glass, delighted in aggravating the rattlesnake to make it shake it's rattle. Sigh. The park, and it seems like a lot of downtown Curitiba, is also filled with really beautiful, purple flowering trees, which may explain why my allergies are acting up so much tonight. This was only our second time downtown on a bus, but this time we got better return directions (last time we had to take a taxi) and were able to make it back on a return bus. I guess I always expected that our family would get looks once we got back to the States, but I neglected to realize how out-of-the-ordinary we would look while we were in Brazil! I think I saw some surprised look when on the bus, Luana who was standing near me and couldn't look more different than me, reached up and gave me her hand, I picked her up, and she gave me a kiss! In the end, everyone made it back to the hotel exhausted. Brayan was asleep on Dad's shoulder and Mom led a tired Luana up to the room to rest.

Mealtimes are getting better and everyone is starting to realize we're serious when we say we enter and exit the dining room together, don't get up from the table without permission (to wander the halls, go to the bathroom, get more food, etc.), and that we hold hands when we pray before eating. Sometimes a tiff between siblings means someone only gets one finger or holds onto a crossed elbow, but it's really precious when they pray in unison in Portuguese!

We tried a slightly earlier bedtime routine tonight since Betania has dinner earlier in the evening than Lar Rogate did. I don't think the kids noticed too much, though there was a little bit of consternation about who got to stay up a little later than someone else. Although I'm already easily counting four kids as "normal" at this point, I have to keep reminding myself that six people is a LOT of people to keep happy at the same time!

Oh, I almost forgot to mention one of the most important developments in our family today: Lucas learned how to blow across the top of an empty soda bottle to make a sound! Next step, spoons on noses...