Tuesday, September 4, 2012

1st week of Hosting

I know I am way overdue for an overview of how this summer went with our boys. Here is a week 1 wrap up. Their arrival day was pretty crazy. I was feeling the pressure of making sure all the families were there on time, didn''t have any questions or problems, etc. However, things went very smooth-other than standing and waiting impatiently for about an hour for them to make it through customs.

However, in one great moment-they came around the corner and I saw my boys! 2.0 saw me first and after greeting me wanted to know where papa was (he was behind me as I was inched up as close as possible to where the kids would come out. Hugs from all the boys. S and 2.0 as comfortable as always. V looking happy but nervous.




We finally left the airport and were on our way. V got a little carsick on the ride home-but I was prepared so it was no big deal. I think it was nerves and stress more than anything, because after the first day he never did it again. Unfortunately Matt had to work all day and night the first day-so we spent as much time as possible on base and went out to dinner with him on his dinner break that evening.

I had some very tired (but very wired) boys on my hands by the time we made it home the first night!

The first week had a lot of fun spent riding bikes, going to the park, playing water guns, going to the Air Show on post, doing Insanity with Papa, and all other kids of boy fun. 








We got to experience a lot of testing behaviors our first week from the boys. (mainly from 2.0 and V) Throughout hosting there was a push and pull between the 2 of them-and it was at its worst the first week of hosting. There were many times when we wondered what in the world we had gotten ourselves into! I was exhausted from the constant activity and pretty much fell asleep immediately every night. 

V especially was a lot more defiant in his behaviors and would say "no" to us all the time. This drove my hubby (and admittedly me) a bit crazy. 2.0 was testing as well as we were experiencing that from him-along with dealing with S and 2.0 constantly leaving V out of fun or being outright mean to him. 

So for our first week-we just worked on being super consistent with them-when they were being defiant or rude. Plus we tried to be consistent with the rhythm of our days, doing some sort of chore every day, getting enough outside time in, etc etc. We had some bumps, but also a lot of fun and we made it through. :) 

3 comments:

  1. Awesome! You have grown to be such an amazing woman of God! What you and your honey do for these kids is nothing short of true Christianity.

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  2. Looks like you guys ad such a great time!

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  3. Still praying for your time in Ukraine! Blessings on your paperwork chase and may you find favor with every official you encounter!

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