Lest we forget....

Pierre has a notebook with a handwritten message from his birthmother. One part reads: Pa bliye kote ou soti which means "Don't forget where you came from." That advice is something Bruce and I will hold onto tightly as well. We simply cannot have the same expectations for Pierre and Ange-Laurette as we do for our other children, especially after only a couple weeks. It would be easy to do with their quick adjustment, improving English, and great personalities. However, as we watched the Haiti recovery coverage on CNN tonight (the first we have watched since the kids arrived), we were once again shocked at what might have been! We cannot believe God's protection over the orphanage and his sheltering of our kids from what could have been even more trauma.

So, as we work through the busyness of each day and each new experience...we need to remember: any lack of manners, inappropriate behavior, or noncompliance is not a reflection of our parenting nor of the kids' individual personalities. It is partly just the result of spending years in an orphanage setting with 50 other children. It is also due to the lack of social opportunities in their early years with parents nearby as coaches. Add to all of that how we ALL tend to act in new and unusual circumstances!

The most promising fact is that both Pierre and Ange-Laurette always fall asleep with smiles on their faces; sleep soundly through the night; and wake up with a vibrant "Good morning, Mom!" All the "in between" chaos and misunderstandings and squabbles...well, we will take that, too. :)