Objectivity

I'm having a hard time, this morning, deciding exactly what to write.
I want to be honest.
I want to be truthful and share whats going on and how things are... but it's oh so hard to be objective when you're in the middle of it.

To start, I will remind myself that D&D have been here less than a week.
I will recognize that they're constantly having to adjust and re-evaluate and that nothing in their lives has prepared them to be here.
I will remember that they are children who, to my knowledge, have been institutionalized for most of their lives- which can equate to a Pandora's Box of issues- none of which are their own fault.
I will remember that our life experiences are VASTLY different, and I will make a concerted effort to approach each situation with compassion and a quadruple dose of patience.
I will appreciate the efforts they are making to fit in- no matter how small, to learn our customs, culture, language, and habits.
I will remember the time difference and that it took me a FULL WEEK to start feeling human again after my trip to UKR and LAT.
I will remember that no matter how tired or emotionally drained I become, it is my job... my responsibility... my privilege... our mission to be the light of Jesus to D&D- even when my last nerve ran for cover hours ago.

I will admit and FULLY OWN the fact that it is impossible for me to be objective at this point.

So today, in this moment, rather that look at what I see as negative- (because right now, there's A LOT of that), I'm going talk about the positives.

Daniels (actually pronounced something like "Dahn-yee-lah") latched on to me pretty quickly.
Diana took a bit longer.
But yesterday she started being much more outwardly affectionate... and has now started saying "I love you, Mama."  She will initiate hugs and is very receptive to hugs, etc. in return.
Where Daniels is ferocious and desperate in his affection, she is sweet and gentle.

Diana has also been a great help in communicating. Daniels doesn't read well nor does he have the patience to try and type something out on google translate. Diana has been able to paraphrase what's going on so he can be in the loop. She is also helpful when Daniels is having one of his fits and I don't know what's going on.

Diana will gladly put away groceries, help clear the table and load the dishwasher. She keeps her room neat-- though neither of them pick up after themselves around the house. Some of that is my own fault because I don't always enforce that with J&K, some of it is cultural.

We have a 4th of July thing with the other local host families tonight. Cookout, fireworks, etc.
Maybe a break from "just us" and time with other kids from LAT will help work a few kinks out.