the hardgrave family

Well, if you have talked to us lately, you probably already know this, but things are going great with Lily. Despite the normal sibling stuff, Sarah and Kathryn both really love her and often make it a point to thank God for Lily when we say prayers together at bed and before our meals. It’s really sweet.
On Monday of this week, Angela took Lily to the International Adoption Clinic based at UAB and everything that we’ve heard so far has been good. They thought that she seemed to be bonding well and suggested the her outgoing personality testified strongly to the fact that she was with a foster family for the last year rather than in the orphange.
We have read the the initial transition and bonding process with children in fostercare could be really traumatic, but the “trade-off” if you will, is that the children from foster care do tend to be able to really make an attachment quicker. The folks at the international clinic menitoned all this again and added that Lily seemed to be doing well emotionally as well as physically.

Yesterday, February 16th, was our one month anniversary of Lily’s “adoption” day. It’s hard to believe that’s its been a full month since we paced with anticipation with our friends, the Whitlocks, in that government office in the freezing cold city of Changchun, China.

Given all the excitment, there’s not been a lot of time of for deep reflection, but we can not say enough about how good God has been to us. Despite the fatigue involved with keeping three preschoolers (fatigue mostly comes from Lily and Kathryn) safe, feed, sleeping, learning and loved, it was been wonderful to have a full house. On top of that, I just can’t say enough about how wonderful you, our friends and family have been to us. On top of having a reception/shower for us this past Sunday, there have been countless words of encouragement and acts of Kindness. We’ve really just been overwhelmed by everyone’s love and kindess.

The girls playing with blankets. This is a great game as you can both play “Peek-a-boo” and be an eskimo princess at the same time!

Lily in an outfit that Nettie Jones gave her at our reception Sunday. You can’t tell it from her expression here, but she LOVES new clothes just like her two sisters do.

Before starting this post, Angela left to run some errands and take some much deserved “alone time” while doing so. Since I started writing this post (now three hours ago), I’ve intervened in countless “sharing” issues, changed a few diapers (Full diapers), dealt with a couple of tantrums and managed to not notice until this moment that Kathryn is wearing her blue jeans backwards. It’s been fun, but I have once again been reminded how thankful I need to be for my dear wife who spends 90+% of her waking hours keeping the kids alive and loved. And for the record, I’ve never seen any of the kids’ pants on backwards when she’s in charge.

(By the way, Sarah wants to help me post, so she’s adds “I love you Aunt Susie!”)
Things are getting closer to “normal” and we are starting to make some real progress in re-establishing our routines. We may even get back to our diet here soon. If we don’t, the new outfits are going to have be for Dad(me). Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that!

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