14 month ago...

Jorja entered our lives...

and her world was turned upside down.

Big Miss was full of emotions 

and attitude.

She had an incredibly difficult time 

accepting the fact that she had 

a mommy, daddy and an entire family
who wanted to love her 

and be here for her.

Soon after she came home we 

put her in pre-school for two mornings a week.

Part of this was for my sanity 

and part of it was to help Jorja 

 learn from others.

When I would try to sit with her and read

a book to her, 

I would either get hit with the book,

 or she would spit on me.

I truly believe that she thought story time

was a type of discipline.

Never having this type of quiet, 

structure, 

one-on-one time 

was a new idea to her,
and she was determined to fight it
will all she had!

Though she was 5 years old,

our wonderful, local pre-school 

(that our 3 big kids attended)

took her in with open arms,

and added her into the 3 year old classroom.

This was a great fit for her -

as this was her developmental age.

Pre-school twice a week, 

and Sunday school once a week 

helped incredibly with Jorja's transition.

(It also helped that Jailyn was in SS with her)

14 months later - 

she still fights for her independence,

but not as often.

She still has fits and temper tantrums -

but more weekly rather then

hourly or daily.

She feels comfortable and confident at home,
and voices her opinion
with confidence.

But, when we are visiting new places,
or new homes,

I have to make sure I put my purse 

near the front door, 

or in sight of where Jorja will be.

She knows that I wont leave without my purse,

so if she can't see me - 

she looks for my purse.

A sense of calm over comes her.

She loves to snuggle and to give hugs 

and kisses! 

And is learning how to be part of

a family,

and how much her family wants to love on her!