anticipation

In four short days, or long days as it feels at times; we will be picking up our daughter, lovelygirl, for a two week long visit.

Anticipating her arrival here brings a flux of emotions, from nervousness (will we be able to keep up with her issues? will we be able to create some type of connection?) to pure excitement, (making cookies, playing in the snow, reading books to her, and of course Christmas!)

I have to temper that excitement with a reality check, of course.

I don't want to overwhelm her.  Thus, we are keeping it a relatively simple Christmas. No big parties, no big outings.  Simple.

On the other hand, I do know that our lovelygirl has an outgoing personality, at least from what we have seen and heard. 

Guess we will just play it by ear so to speak.  Live in the moment, evalutate each day how she is doing and how to adjust our schedule to meet her needs. Be in tune to her emotions. Be everwatchful so she doesn't feel overwhelmed.

A big part of keeping their anxiety level down is to keep them well informed of upcoming events, at least I keep reading this. It gives her a chance to get emotionally prepared. 

Because it is the holidays, she will be meeting new family members.  We are keeping those gatherings small, and one at a time, so she can process them and deal with each one.

anticipation.

My head swims with all the things I need to be aware of, to be ready for and to watch out for.

She has some big issues.  How will they present? Will she wait until she is here for good and the "honeymoon period" ends? Or will she test us from day one?

anticipaton.

we will have her all to ourselves for two whole weeks.

*smile*