What's New in 2012

Well, 2011 is gone and here we are in a new year. I have not written for a while because things have been very difficult. Ana does not seem to be developing normally. She is failing all her core classes and will have to do seventh grade over again. We have been undergoing testing for learning dissabilities, IQ, comprehension, etc. and she has not done well in any of the tests. This month she will be tested for her listening skills. She has a hard time understanding what is told to her. Not that she doesn't hear, but rather that she misunderstands the commands given or she easily forgets. They also told me she has ADHD and as I wrote last time, RAD is a probably there as well. I think I would be ok dealing with all these mental dissabilities if only she wasn't defiant. That's Oppositional Defiant Disorder. Basically this is just rebellious behavior. She acts out, talks back and thinks she knows what to do, when in fact because of her mental dissabilities her choices are usually the wrong ones. I feel very sorry for her. I keep thinking, we went across this globe to rescue this girl from this horrible life and brought her here where she may very well live the exact kind of life because of her poor decisions. She lacks common sense. She must be watched constantly as if she were six years old. Which probably is closer to her mental age. What is also very hard is that everything she does is self-focused. She cares only for herself - and dogs. She loves dogs in a very weird, unhealthy way. She will cry for a dog that is hurt, but think nothing of children left in her orphanage that are without parents. Or not even acknowledge the ones that live in the streets. Many of these issues I have been unprepared for. If anyone is considering adopting an older child from any Eastern European country, please do much research before making your decision. I believe we were much too naive, ignorant and idealistic and were therefore blindsided by things we never thought would occur. Having said all that, I am not without hope because my God is bigger than all this. At any time He could chose to change all of it. I also covet your prayers for Ana as she is struggling thru this life.