A couple of weeks of new beginnings!

This has been a very exciting couple of weeks in the Burke household.  

It is our first time as a family of 7!

The highlight for the first day home for Miss "M^" was a drive around town.  We took her and showed her the sites.  All the parks in town, the schools, the church, the library . . . and of course the giant hamburger statue :)  We had to stop and play for a while though!

That afternoon the 4 younger girls and I had Vacation Bible School to go to.  We headed off to church.  While we were busy exploring "Wilderness Escape" and learning about Moses, Kevin and "M^" headed to the grocery store.  From what I heard they had a great time.  "M^" enjoyed looking at all of the different things available.  It was a good first day in America!

It has been really great watching all of the girls interact!  All four of the younger girls are super happy to have "M^" home.  They all find ways of interacting with her.  "K" especially enjoyed getting out "M^"s favorite games to play.  "K" will also get out books so "K" can read to her as well!  Super cute!

Kevin and I have been really happy to see our 4 younger girlies as well!  A month away from them was so very difficult!  We needed to give lots of hugs to make up for lost time!

Games, games and more games!

During the first week "M^" had a doctor appointment.  The first one here in the US.  A general check up and a serious look at her particular issues.  A massive vaccine update was needed so that was 4 different injections!  Of course they wanted blood work done too!  The doctor also decided to go ahead and do a biopsy so there was some pain involved with that as well.  "M^" is amazing.  She watched the blood draw the entire time.  During the biopsy she flinched, but watched them during the last half!  I was about to pass out, but she was fine!  The pediatrician decided to refer "M^" to an orthopedist to further look into things.  So, more doctors.  There may be lots more doctors.

In these first few weeks I have found out what awesome youth we have at our congregation and in our community.  Several of the youth brought over some clothes for "M^".  She is now very stylish!  Another awesome youth came over and played games and watched movies with her.  The youth at our congregation has been very gracious and included her in youth group activities.  In addition one of the girls that will be in 7th grade with her offered to show her around school and volunteered to attend the back to school sessions with her.  What a great group of youth that are surrounding "M^"!!!  As a parent I feel so very blessed by these youth and their families!  I have heard from others that friendships is one of the hardest things for newly internationally adopted teenagers.  I think we have at least a good start! 

It was a fun filled week!  Tours of town, VBS, new friends, grocery shopping, "school work," registering for school, and doctors appointments.  It was all topped off with the Hamburger festival (yes, our sweet little town has a full blown tribute to the hamburger!)  We spent Friday night at the balloon rally.  All the girls really enjoyed seeing the balloons inflate and take off!

Saturday started off with another tradition . . . the hamburger parade.  The 4 younger girls and I walked in the parade with the church float.  It was really nice to wave at people and get to toss candy at all the children!

A big highlight for the week was all going to worship together at our congregation.  It was so nice for Kevin and I to be there with all 5 of our girls.  Our congregation is so gracious towards us.  We feel so loved and so blessed to be a part of the body of Christ there!

It has been a busy time!  However, it has been an absolutely wonderful time!  "M^" has handled each new situation with grace and flexibility.  I can't even imagine how different life is for her now.  While some aspects may be better, there is still so much loss in her life.  I admire her for the courage it takes to totally enter a new family, home, culture and language.  She is obviously a person of great courage and strength.  I pray that Kevin and I can be the parents that she needs to support her through life and journey with her on whatever path God has for laid out. 

As the Ethiopian portion of our journey has come to an end, the life journey is just beginning for us.  Right now "M^" is preparing for school and more doctor appointments.  Please continue to pray for "M^" and our family!  I look forward to posting more updates as the months go on.  God's blessings to you and your family.