Friday, July 1, 2011

How Is She?

That's a question we get A LOT. :) I guess I haven't really updated on the REAL stuff with Zahra since my 44 days post. We've made some good progress lately so I guess an update is in order. :)

Having adopted a toddler/pre-schooler before we did have somewhat of an idea of what this process looks like but we have always always told ourselves that our kids are ALL different and even in adoption you can't compare adoptions, the process, and what that looks like. That is absolute truth. Silas and Zahra processed coming into our family completely differently.

We've been home for ten weeks and its been amazing to watch Zahra's transformation.

A few weeks ago at bed time I was laying with little Z after I finished praying over her I asked if she wanted to pray. She usually tells me no but that night she said yeah. It went something like this. "Tank you mommy daddy, family, everyting, Amen.." She's processing and its coming out in little ways. After a few minutes of laying there she threw her arms around me super tight and said "Umm Mom....." Me: Yes Zahra (she squeezed tighter and said just above a whisper) "Zahra's Mommy I love you so much" I melted. As she processes we're here and its good to know that she likes her family.

Most recently we've seen some HUGE changes in Zahra - she announced this last week that she was done with her Sidamigna tongue and wants to speak English. Her Amharic still comes out some but her first language isn't used nearly as much as she had been. She's working through her feelings and she's communicating them to us. It is beautiful to watch.

I think of a caterpillar in a cocoon and we are currently watching that caterpillar develop into a beautiful butterfly that one day will fly with confidence. Zahra is learning so much, she's taking it all in, her language is coming along, and she's learning new things every day. She has challenges and struggles, she's sensitive and sweet yet a little feisty. She responds quickly to correction but likes to be independent.

This girl is FUNNY! Here's a couple examples from the last few days.

Silas eats a banana and peanut butter at least once a day. The other night we had a conversation that went something like this. Zahra: Mommy, banana stinky trash. Me: Oh, yeah you are right, the bananas are a little over ripe. A couple minutes goes by. Zahra: Silas, you eat a banana. Hysterical laughter ensues.

And another. Zahra: Mom, I hungry. Me: Uh oh we'll have to fix that. Zahra: Yeah my stomach uh talk uh to me. Me: (As I attempted to contain my laughter) Oh yeah what's it saying? Zahra: Grabbing her throat she started gurgling loudly. The kid is a hoot!

Looking back......its incredible to see the changes in our daughter. Her eyes tell the story.

The first picture we ever laid eyes on. Seeing her on a waiting child list broke me. I wanted her off that list, my mama bear came out big time. She was our daughter. She deserved to be fought for.

Seeing her family for the first time.
Being told that her and Abby would be neighbors.

New clothes from Mommy and Daddy - understanding completely that she had a family!

The day we met our daughter.
Such a difference! She didn't really want to stop for a picture.
I think she likes her sisters. :)
Seeing these three together is such an incredible gift. They love each other so much. Only God.

7 comments:

Sarah said...

So sweet! Love seeing how God works!

Janet said...

What a wonderful update! It warms my heart to see her sweet face... especially while we're waiting to see our daughter's face.

Bethany Fegles Photography said...

What an awesome post! And that last photo just melted my heart! God is good.

Pixie's mom said...

Praise Jesus! This is so encouraging! Thank you for posting!

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh! You are doing such a FANTASTIC job! It is so inspiring and beautiful to watch.

Keep up the great work!
Kelly

Lara said...

She is such a doll. Oh, how I pray God gives me another girl!!

Aimee- said...

She is so beautiful Erica. She reminds me so much of Silas. I enjoy reading your posts and updates. Very encouraging.