You could get a baby like Sophia, who had such severe reflux that she wouldn't eat or sleep without screaming. Who cried constantly. Who fought sleep. And you could have such an awful injury while giving birth that you can't walk for three weeks. Screaming baby + sleep deprivation + inability to walk = one sad mama. Yeah, those first few months with a newborn didn't line up with the textbooks. I was frustrated that I couldn't enjoy my baby. I was frustrated that I was stuck inside. I was overwhelmed with the responsibility. I missed my old life. Those were some tough days.
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| Screaming Sophia |
But you know what? I survived. It was hard, but I did it. Every day I kept getting up and doing it again. And now that fussy baby is a gorgeous, well-adjusted, calm eleven year old. Who sleeps through the night. :)
I don't know what our immediate future holds. We've read lots of books, taken classes, bought stuff, made plans, and started decorating bedrooms. We think we know what it will be like. But we really have no idea. It's kind-of like having a baby, except it's nothing like having a baby. Our babies are teenagers. They're real people with big emotions and strong opinions. We're going to have to get to know each other. We have to build trust. We all need to be flexible, to allow our familiar family dynamic to bend and shift and make room for two more. Hopefully we'll all sleep through the night. But maybe not. It might be really hard. I'm anticipating there may be some tough days for some of us.
But you know what? We'll survive. It'll be hard, but we'll do it. Every day we'll get up and keep doing it again. And I have a feeling that just as with a newborn, there will be a lot of hard and also a lot of good. It's going to be so much fun to experience things through their eyes. To do all the new things together. To teach them and learn from them. To watch all five of our kids interact as siblings. To be a family of seven. I cannot wait.
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| We actually found both their names while we were there last time! |
Please pray for us, friends! This is all so unknown. But we have a God who knows. He knows us. He knows them. Inside and out. Every hair on every head. Every personality quirk. Every emotion. He knows what our future holds, and He knows how to help. I know to go straight to Him when I am overwhelmed, at a loss, frustrated, scared, or sad. His promises are true. I've seen promises fulfilled and bold prayers answered. He who was faithful before will be faithful now. He started this whole thing (not us). And if He starts something, He will finish it.
He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it. Philippians 1:6
All Your promises are Yes! And Amen! 2 Corinthians 1:20
Indeed, the very hairs on your head are all numbered. Luke 1:27
He reveals deep and hidden things, He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him. Daniel 2:22
