Grant Family Steps of Faith: Day 3 at home

Greetings from the Grants! Today is our third day at home after picking up Mom, Dad, Gezahegn and Yishak from the airport. It has been a strange and wonderful feeling to finally have our boys here after fifteen months of paperwork, prayer, and looking at pictures. Despite the emotions, exhaustion, and occasional feelings of "Good grief, why did we ever want to do this?" we have been having an amazing time learning how to be a family of eight. Both boys seem to be bonding very quickly with Mom and Dad. Of course, the hardest thing for their four big sisters to do is stay away and let mom and dad feed, love, hold, pick them up, etc, but it's paying off and we sisters are looking forward to more hugs and holding in the future.

Ethan Gezahegn, age five, has been having a fun time exploring all that is new here in his new home. At daybreak of day 1 he was ready to head outside and explore the backyard. Time was spent on the swings and play structure, then playing in the sand, meeting the animals, taking a walk on our country street, etc. Any and all things electronic delight him (light switches, the electric piano, the Wii, etc.) Ethan discovered the joy of Nerf guns, which he loved! Ethan and Levi also had their first bath, which kept them giggling and laughing the entire time. We would guess this was their first warm and comfortable bathtub experience, because wehn we say "bath time" or "Shower time" Ethan gets a little upset and shakes his finger and head "no". However, once Mom and Dad get the warm water ready and put some toys in there, the boys are all smiles and giggles. And there is no fear of water...they pour cups and cups of water over their heads and faces with great delight. Ethan is usually full of giggles, which keeps the rest of us laughing. He also seems quite brave - Mom and Dad were acting out how to swallow pills (he does not like chewing up his medicine tablet each morning). After just a couple days he decided to try it himself. Naturally the water ended up on the floor, table, and his shirt, but eventually the pill went down and he was very pleased with himself! He also showed no fear with the horses. He immediately took a liking to Lexy, our miniature horse, and motioned he wanted to get right on her. Mom and Victoria walked him around, with one leading the horse and the other holding Ethan's elbow. He loved it, and soon was riding with his arms straight out, not holding on, and motioning he wanted to go faster. They trotted and even went over a couple small poles barely off the ground, all of which had Ethan laughing.

Levi Yishak, age three, has been doing well and has been enjoying the one-on-one attention from his family very much. We have all been loving his adorable smile, giggles, and funny personality. He can be a clown and loves to play in or with water- outside puddles, sinks, the pond, and the bath. He likes his new toys, but both boys want the toy school bus that makes beeps and plays songs. Little boys and car noises... new things in the Grant house! Levi has not been as eager to try new foods as his older brother...he has a stubborn streak and loudly cries out "DABO!" (bread..his favorite food so far. He does not enjoy being strapped into his highchair, but he is slowly learning to put up with it for now as well as learning to try a few new foods. He has been adjusting to American time and is getting better at napping each day. He is learning how to say "please" and is so incredibly proud of himself when he does. He gives us a huge smile and giggles whenever he says it, and big brother is tickled that he is learning some words in English. Levi Yishak is an all-around cutie and is learning how to play, act, and respond in a new family.

The rest of the Grant family is doing fairly well also...trying to learn what our "new" family is like, how to make things work, how to be patient with one another when we are all emotional and tired and feeling the stress of all the change going on. We are trying to give lots of hugs and grace and patience, and remember to laugh at things!

Here are some pics of the boys enjoying their new life: