GOTCHA DAY!

NOVEMBER 6th. The day it became official that Jordan and Cameron would be ours. It's only been TWO years! They've lived with us three. It's kind of amazing! Our lives would be VERY SMALL without the addition of them to our family. Blending families is not easy, but the blessings far outweigh the difficulties. We laugh more, we see more, we think more and we do more with them than we would if they weren't here.

Today is election day in the USA and an HISTORIC vote is taking place.

No doubt here who wins here: family.

LOST CHILDREN

This morning we had our annual BIG SCREEN week at church. Our pastors use a modern day story (movie)  to bring Biblical truths to our lives. They use Jesus teaching in parables as an example of this kind of story telling/teaching. BIG SCREEN is only during July each year and we're encouraged to invite people who normally wouldn't go to church (but would not have a problem with going to a movie) to attend with us.

This morning the movie we watched part of was CREED. It's a boxing movie, and although my family watched it last night (in preparation) I wasn't interested. This morning I was so moved by the first scene they chose to share, that I had tears running down my face the entire time.

**I'm not writing his very smoothly, but I know I have something to say so bear with me if you've found yourself on this blog for some reason.

The first scene we saw today was a lady coming to get a boy from LOCK UP after fighting. He was fighting "again." When she went into the cell to talk to him, I knew nothing about the storyline, I knew nothing about her, or what was going to happen, but when I saw that boy, maybe 10 years old, standing there in that prison cell, I just lost it. He did not have a dad. This lady was the wife of his dad, and this boy was born of infidelity with another woman.

She was coming to get him...to take him to her home. The dad was no longer living.

This boy had been fighting for a long time already, his hands were in fists as he talked to her, he had a bruise on his cheekbone and he looked mad. ...

All I could think of was all the real boys who are in this same exact BUT REAL place of hopelessness, anger and complete loneliness. They've been abandoned and do NOT know what to do but fight. Whether it be fighting with their hands, their words or their tears, they can only fight, because that's what we  humans do to survive.

These kids need people to love them. They need people to speak TRUTH AND LOVE into their lives. They need people to teach them other things to do but fight...and I speak from experience, it takes a lot of work to un-teach them this reaction.

It's hard work. It's uncomfortable. In some cases, it will be dangerous, but not all cases. BUT, we have an epidemic of children who are LOST...lost from family, lost from love, lost from security and they need to see families who eat together, work together, play together and respect each other. If we do not get to these children we will have an epidemic of crowded jails full of angry adults who have taken guns into businesses, schools and churches...oh wait, we already do.

Consider this, there's a chance your first experience will not be good. I can GUARANTEE your work with the DHS will not be smooth. It's a system made to protect children but it is not without it's basic flaws because we shouldn't HAVE to have a system to protect children!

It will be hard, but it could also be the most rewarding thing you have ever done. And WHY should any child be standing in a prison lock up?

Tears

I hate crying days. Crying should've ceased when talking became an option. For someone who talks so much, my little boy sometimes thinks crying is the only way. When he's in that zone he can't hear you and he can't reason with himself. It's a sad place, but not as scary or frustrating as it used to be.

We all carry things from our past with us. We may react to things based on our experiences, our perceptions and our upbringing. A child who lived almost four years in insecurity and with little training has more to carry.

The snuggles, the laughter, the ball playing, the excitement of the other days is great. Crying days are just hard and sad. There's no way out of the crying but to let it run it's full course. When his mind is clear he tries to reconcile the best way he knows. Let me say it clearly...he knows right and wrong. He knows "crying = consequences" and "obedience = blessings." He knows "whiners gets nothing" and "if you're crying, you're in your room."

He's a precious boy whose heart is up for grabs. I pray for the bondage of his past to be broken sooner rather than later. For his sake.

"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

Adoption Day

Today is National Adoption Day. We are so thankful our adoption journey is in the past, and that last year, this day was our official adoption day as a family. This year we chose to celebrate by praying for many more children, especially Marvin, to have their own adoption day anniversary very soon.

Glorious Unfolding

This is the FINAL ADOPTION UPDATE.

Our adoption was finalized on Thursday, November 6th at 8:40am, in the Pulaski County Court. We've been a family for awhile now, and this was simply the day we became "official." After several years of pursuing this day, this calling, we were not super crazy emotional, just relieved and thankful. The real miracle was that all the paperwork was signed, sealed and delivered where we were and on the right day!

It was such a joy to have Grandma and Grandpa there, of course, they've been there for the births of all our kids! Mimi and Gramps were there, and Rhea Lana too. What a room FULL of love for these children, for our family. Not everyone at the Juvenile Court building was there for adoptions, and we were the loudest group in the waiting room, for sure. But, you only get one ADOPTION day, and even I wasn't uptight with the noise or the size of our group.

We took in a little CFA after our court appearance, then went directly to the office of vital records for new birth certificates, with Richard and I listed as the parents, and their full names on them. The girls went back to school when we got home...imagine that they wanted to! Cameron opted to stay home with Grandma and Grandpa and got some good grandson attention while we processed the morning events.

I had been convicted in the last few weeks that this day  shouldn't be the best day of our kids lives. The day they are adopted by Jesus should be the best day of their lives. I am thankful that they both are so open to the wonders of creation and God's Word, and I pray that they want the hope of Jesus in their lives very soon. It's not enough that they are adopted here on earth, they MUST be adopted by Him as heirs in the eternal kingdom.

Signed, Sealed?, and Delivered

Adoption Update #234...

From my email on Thursday: another form from the Adoption Specialist...then I got a phone call asking  if we could get them notarized and in LR by the Friday. I copied off the papers at home, and met Richard in LR at 11:15 on Friday. Fortunately, he was flying in from a 2 day trip in Houston. 

We met the AS at the DHS office, signed the papers, had the papers notarized in the office, and the AS followed us out of the building to FILE them. FILE them at the courthouse. LIKE, when they are "accepted" they'll put us on the docket...maybe in the next two weeks? Who knows? 

I had Sheridan take a picture of us signing...I think SOMEDAY we'll want to remember just how hard they made it all, and yet, how much we wanted to do it to have Jordan and Cameron as part of our family, officially. 

Quote of The Day: When we were waiting on our copy of the newly signed papers, Jordan asked if we were going to go to eat. (I mean, it was 11:30 and she's ALWAYS HUNGRY) 

Richard (jokingly) answered: "No, we're not eating today. At all."

Jordan: "Hey! You just signed a paper saying you would provide for me!"

Tears

My biological children did their fair share of crying. However,
 we encouraged them to save it for the big stuff. We have a few sayings like "Whiners get nothing" and we used them a lot. They learned it early, and whether or not they had to be chastised for it more than once is possible but not probable.

Not so much for Cam. The precious boy who sings songs about Jesus, has an uncanny sense of direction, is behaving in school, and has some crazy basketball skills for his age ...just doesn't get that "Crying doesn't change anything." And the boy has some endurance!

He's never cried over ANYTHING that was of any substance. And yet, he's cried more in the 9 months we've had him than my other 4 children combined in their lifetime...and I have 3 girls!!

When he first came to us and he did this crying, I was so heartbroken over it. I let my imagination run to all kinds of things he must've endured at bedtime, or at his foster homes. But as he continued to choose to cry over the MOST menial things (when we changed the tv channel, because we insisted he cut up his pizza, not being able to play on the wii) we realized he was completely trying to manipulate us...and crying is the only way he knows how. Putting together information that Jordan has told us about their past, even as far back as 5 years ago...he's been crying for his needs and wants for many years. That's his WHOLE LIFE. It's so hard to not be emotionally moved by his crocodile tears, but they now only make me think, "Here we go again."

If you've never had to hear the cry of a child that you can't stop...well, it's horrible. And especially frustrating with a 6 year old. There is NO reasoning with an angry or stubborn child. No wonder there are so many angry adults who make devastating decisions when they are mad.

REDEEMING MOMENTS:
After his fits...it is the sweetest time of reconciliation. He can tell me EXACTLY why he was in his room, the crazy reason it all started, and how he could've gotten out of the situation he has put himself in. We hug and pray, I tell him I love him, and I always tell him..."It's like you start digging a hole, and then you get deeper and deeper and I can't get you out until you're ready to get out!...and you never had to start digging! Let's don't do that again."

I pray for his precious life, thank God for the extreme changes he has made in the 9 months he has been here, and for the redeeming work God has planned for his life.

 

"Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life." Proverbs 4:13

FULL Birthday

Wednesday, September 24, 2014...



~ Text messages from kids before breakfast
~ Breakfast with a friend
~ Beth Moore Bible study at FBC
~ Cupcake Making Project
~ PHONE CALL FROM ADOPTION SPECIALIST - "Sorry it's taken so long, I have all the paperwork ready, I have to get it in a formal packet, then we'll have to meet for you to sign it in front of a notary, and then we'll have you on the schedule...."

At this point, I was almost in tears...just because she had told us more than anyone since June! And she told us a possible date, and it's not this month, but it's coming up. We're letting family know, but we're waiting for an official GOTCHA DAY ANNOUNCEMENT when we've seen the paperwork and we get an official time on a certain judge's docket. THIS was a great Birthday Present.

~ Reading Meeting at Primary School
~ Checked out kids early, traveled to Vilonia for Erin's tennis match
~ Birthday dinner at Colton's in Russellville
~ Stopped by the ATU intramural fields to see Lauren's SUPER team play a few minutes
~ Birthday cards in the mailbox when I got home...


A beautiful fall day!

Family

 

Grandma and Grandpa came to visit Labor Day, I didn't take nearly enough pictures, but I couldn't resist these. Grandpa sat with Cam for over an hour working on a puzzle, and it was the most still Cameron had been the entire weekend! It was precious and I LOVE these moments that make him a child who belongs in our family.

Waiting in Hope

 

This is our verse, I've circled it, I'm repeating it, I'm asking God to provide a court date for us in September. I'm praying for God's intervention with whomever has the paperwork that is holding us up. Our kids need to not be foster children anymore. They need to have lunch cards with their names on it, they need to know it's permanent and that no one can take them away.

 

Waiting Game

It's July 6th. It's officially been 6 months since we brought Jordan and Cameron to our home. We have filled out every form, we have had home visits each month, and we have applied for permanent guardianship of these children. According to the judge Richard saw on June 6th, as soon as the paperwork is turned in, we can set a court date to make it OFFICIAL. According to the Adoption Specialist, she has 7 other families waiting for a court date. So we wait.

Meanwhile, Ryan is now home from Africa. Lauren will be at camp 4 more weeks. Sheridan goes to camp the last week of July. And my event is the first week of August. Ryan and Lauren have to report to school very early in August for RA training. School starts for the kids on August 18th. We're going to call the kids' lawyer to see if we can get a word into the judge and get on the docket. But until then, it's not official anywhere but in our hearts.

 

5 months

Stories

If this bear could talk...this morning I noticed Cameron's bear needed washed. He brought it with him...or actually, it was sent in the second load of his things, 3 weeks after he moved to our house. (insert frown) This is the most personal thing he has. He came with toys and some clothing, and his bicycle and scooter.

He sleeps with it every night. He says Jordan gave it to him, but she doesn't remember it so I asked her not to dispute it. I was afraid to put it into the washer, so I washed it by hand, but it was a lot dirtier than I thought and I had to work on it for awhile. He doesn't look the same, but he smells much better.

I wonder what this bear would tell us if he could. I'm glad he lives at our house and that Cameron has him to snuggle with every night.

4 months

4 months ago today we were ALL excited and nervous and happy about bringing M and M to Cville. For several days we were honeymooning with 2 guests that just HAD to be happy about being in a safe, fun family home. Our expectations were not at all reality and reality was just around the corner. The coldest, iciest winter in recent history kept us all 10 of us indoors in a home that was days before "big enough for all of us!"

Our two new family members didn't know how to entertain themselves and we added to that by being on call for the first 6 days. How fun to play ALL DAY LONG. It was hard to understand how a 9 year old wouldn't know how to play games and a 5 year old who didn't know BASIC bathroom hygiene. We went from compassion to frustration to disbelief for 12 hours a day. It was too loud and too tight without being able to go outside and run off some energy. There was too much to correct, too many walls of conflict to run into, and too many people doing it...all day long.

Mealtime was difficult, and we had to sit down 3 times a day. Our eyes caught each others' as they both declared whatever we were having as "nasty" before actually getting to the table. It wasn't nasty, they just didn't recognize our food. They had limited palates and limited experiences. They always ate, but it was painful to hear and watch.

Looking back, these children were completely uprooted, brought an hour and a half from the only homes, schools, day cares and case workers they had known. They weren't even sent with all their toys, they didn't have the clothes they wanted, or even the dolls they slept with at night. (TRUE STORY) They knew none of our routines or schedules, saw no one they knew for days, didn't have any assurance of our care for them, and considering that they slept at night...well, that's more than I would've done in their place.

For 3 weeks I was extremely emotional and doubting my abilities. I needed my college kids to go to school because frankly, they hadn't asked for this, and we needed less help parenting and more space. I felt grief and relief as they returned to school mid-January.

Thank God I knew a friend who could help me and took my calls at 9:30pm and just let me cry and eek out my honest and raw feelings. I heard her say, "It will get better" and I tried to believe it. I told her things I would NEVER say in public but I felt them so loud and clear I had to admit them or combust. I didn't wear make up for 2 weeks because I couldn't risk tear trails down my face and I couldn't help crying every single time I was by myself in the bathroom.

NOTE: Every minute wasn't bad, it was just hard. Harder than I had expected.

Richard began his work season and was gone 5 days in a row on week 4. School was cancelled because of ice 3 of those 5 days. Sheridan wasn't sleeping well, I wasn't coping well, and I had to call in help one day so I could have 15 minutes to pound the carpet in my closet and ask "WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO?" An angel of a friend played a board game with them and read books. Praise God. It was a good reminder of His presence, even though we were struggling.

I was talking to God. I was talking to Him more than I had in years. I was trying to read a devotional called Whispers of Hope, I was reading Jesus Today, and I was reading Jesus Calling. I posted Bible verses all over the house to remind me that He hears our prayers, breaks the chains of bondage and is close to all who call to Him. He was, of course, with us, and had gone before us and was holding us up. NOT because we were doing something good, but because He loves us and wants us to depend on Him like that EVERY DAY.  I know He heard me in the closet, because I was able to come out and continue on.

Sheridan was a warrior, kept on keeping on...kept us focused on the future. It wasn't until month 2 when she got tired of sharing (everything) and wanted her "baby of the family" status back. It wasn't really what she wanted, but the stress and changes were just starting to get to her. Her stomach was aching everyday, even when the others were at school. She didn't know why but I did. I ate very little the first month for the same reason.

Jordan and Cameron finally decided they were going to stay here about week 8. Cameron started calling Jordan by her new name, and the tantrums and conflicts became further apart. They had already moved through any honeymooning (best behaviors) they were going to have about day 10...so that only left UP for behavior as far as we knew, and prayed.

And it finally did "get better." We started laughing more, I could look at Richard in the eyes without crying, I could talk to friends without becoming emotional, I could make a meal without major protests, we could do school work without tantrums, beds were made without battles, bedtime became bedtime, and they became part of us. We took them out of town overnight to Mimi and Gramps. I hosted my event with NO major issues at home. We took them to Branson for  few days during Spring Break. I went out of state to work for 3 days. We finally caught up to our new "normal."

Today, they are different than 120 days ago, and so are we, and we're all learning to be part of our family...

They sing "Colby Max" now. (Toby Mac)
They eat salad and other veggies.
They know Bible stories and ask to have them read before bedtime.
They learn AWANA verses and sing songs from church.
They play independently.
They do flips on the trampoline.
They've been to their first amusement park and water park.
They swim without life jackets and jump off the diving board.
They learned how to squirt someone with a garden hose.
They learned to ride bikes and race on scooters.
They learned how to hit a ball with a fat bat and play Yahtzee.
They can put away laundry and fold towels.
They feed the dog and set the table.
They laugh at jokes and win at Uno.
They make good grades and love their teachers.
They want to sit with Richard and I whenever we are watching tv.
They love their brothers and sisters and talk about them daily.
They take turns saying the prayers at meals and at bedtime.
They look at us in the eyes, write notes to us, and hug often.

They are kids, being kids, and they are ours.

1000 words...

Cameron kept busy and quiet during the reflective Good Friday service writing on this white board. They say a picture is worth a thousand words...and I think it says A LOT about what is in his heart right now. He has all of us in the picture, plus Rolle, the dog. He has our house, and the scooters...and the number 8. He belongs.

New Normal?

Tonight we went to our friends' house to watch the Super Bowl. Well, the Super Bowl was on, but the snacks, conversation and laughter are what I enjoyed. It was almost normal, and I am thankful for the moments when real friends ask how we are, and mean it. Things are so much better than two weeks ago, and although we have slip ups (or downs) we seem to be still heading in the right direction.

It's supposed to snow A LOT here this week. Richard will be out of town for 4 days. I'm really having to work on my attitude. I've never been a big grumbler about the weather, hot or cold, but I've had a bad attitude all day about the possibility of snow days. I've got to give God credit for all He is doing in our lives. For the laughter, for the peaceful moments, for the games played, for the friends who have set their phone alarms to pray for us every day, for the cokes from Sonic, for hugs from Erin and for safety for us all. What comes with the weather should not make me anxious, He holds all things together.

One week later...

Last Thursday night I almost called it quits. Richard was gone, Erin was gone and our new family members went a little crazy. By crazy, I mean they took turns...having fits. From 6pm - 8:50pm. Sheridan played in the living room with the quiet one while I tried to talk down, wrestle and subdue the upset one. It was a very trying night, and it challenged me so much I wondered if I had enough endurance to withstand any more nights like that. I talked to Richard as he travelled home from work, and I called a friend who has been in this place before. I cried through both conversations and finally put myself in bed with DVDs from the DHS on loving children of trauma. I waited until Richard got home to turn out the light and let him hold me so I could go to sleep.

The next morning I called their AS and let her know I wasn't sure what to do. She told me I needed to set boundaries, be consistent and let her know if she needed to make other arrangements for the kids. I told her I wanted to do this, and I just needed to let her know where we were.

So, with that in mind, I want to record what has happened since I picked them up from school today:
Richard is not in town, and Erin is at a swim meet all day in Siloam Springs. Me and the kids...
1) 3:20: Played basketball and rode scooters outside. (no fussing, no fighting, no screaming in the yard, and not even a skinned knee)
2) 4:30: Had a snack, then had "time alone." One child chose a bath, one child read on her own, and Cam played on his blanket in the living room with 2 toys, happily! I caught up on my emails and basked in the peace.
3) 5:20: After more than 30 minutes of time alone everyone came in for dinner, that everyone loved. Who knew they would love salad? And they want seconds of it!
4) 6:00: Next, we had "table time" where we all sat down with some kind of homework. Because one of the kids doesn't like getting work done, it's a great idea Richard came up with for the pressure to be off of one. Of course, Cam wanted to play, so it took him a little time to warm up to his notebook, but after we used the pointy pencil he got from school, he got into it and everyone got their work done in record time.
5) 6:35: Hide and Seek. Their choice. Since Cam is scared of monsters, there is a little delay when he is the seeker, but they worked it out and played until someone got a cramp hiding in the armoire.
6) Uno. Can't believe how many times we can play this game and they still have interest. Cam can play, and does well for a just-6 year old.
7) 7:00: Cam gets a bath and Sheridan takes a shower. Jordan catches a show on Disney.
8) While a movie plays, Cam plays a game on the couch, Jordan snuggles on the couch with me and Sheridan watches from a chair.
9) 8:05: Cam hugs the girls and requests a story. After reading about Jesus feeding the 5000, we say prayers, he reminds me he's afraid of the dark, and I shut the door. He's all quiet and asleep by 8:10. (5th day in a row)
10) The girls and I play more Uno.
11) 9:10: The girls brush their teeth and get in bed. I pray over them, kiss their heads and leave the room.

IT'S A HUGE DAY. Just one week after the worst night with the kids. I cannot find the appropriate words to describe the feeling I have right now. I'm wondering if I ran a marathon if I'd feel this way when I finished the 10th mile, or the 11th, or the half way point. I have no idea where I am in the race...but I pray we're facing forward for many more days to come.

The Glorious Unfolding

Lay your head down tonight
Take a rest from the fight
Don’t try to figure it out
Just listen to what I’m whispering to your heart
‘Cause I know this is not
Anything like you thought
The story of your life was gonna be
And it feels like the end has started closing in on you
But it’s just not true
There’s so much of the story that’s still yet to unfold

And this is going to be a glorious unfolding
Just you wait and see and you will be amazed
You’ve just got to believe the story is so far from over
So hold on to every promise God has made to us
And watch this glorious unfolding

God’s plan from the start
For this world and your heart
Has been to show His glory and His grace
Forever revealing the depth and the beauty of
His unfailing Love
And the story has only begun

And this is going to be a glorious unfolding
Just you wait and see and you will be amazed
We’ve just got to believe the story is so far from over
So hold on to every promise God has made to us
And watch this glorious unfolding

We were made to run through fields of forever
Singing songs to our Savior and King
So let us remember this life we’re living
Is just the beginning of the beginning

Of this glorious unfolding
We will watch and see and we will be amazed
If we just keep on believing the story is so far from over
And hold on to every promise God has made to us
We’ll see the glorious unfolding

Just watch and see (unfolding)
This is just the beginning of the beginning (unfolding)

~Steven Curtis Chapman, Glorious Unfolding

The Truth: Day 24

Friends are either 1) ignoring us, 2) telling us we're "such good people," or 3) squeezing my hand, looking in my eyes and praying for us. Note: people who adopt need to have their hand squeezed, looked in the eye, and prayed for.

Adoption is the hardest thing I have ever done...and I was in labor with Ryan for 22 hours. I've also survived a failed business. I just thought those tested my faith. But no, they were drops in the bucket compared to the buckets of tears I have shed in the last 22 days.

This is what I know:
1. The children we have are in the best place they could be.
2. They have not been parented in the last 3 years, as far as we can tell.
3. Children who have not been parented have LOTS AND LOTS of defensive mechanisms that they use to protect themselves. (crying, arguing, fussing, screaming, lying, complaining, etc)
4. Children who have not been parented have very few skills that other children might have. (wiping their bottoms, taking showers, eating with a fork, making decisions)
5. Children who have not had sisters and brothers in a home (where they haven't been parented) don't know things other children might know. (how to share without a major altercation, how to play with others and not fight, how to say any positive words, how to lose a game without a major meltdown)
6. Children who haven't been in a healthy home love to play hide and seek, get lots of hugs, play at playgrounds, ride scooters and shoot baskets in the driveway, have snacks, sit close to others on a couch, look at pictures of themselves, and go to church.

My husband is the rock of our family. He has stayed strong on the days I could not hardly talk without choking up. He has taken shifts at bedtime when I did not think I could. He has talked at least one of our kids down from a major fit on the phone, when he was out of town and I was out of ideas. On all my weak days he has been strong. (Note:  Single parents...need their hands squeezed, looked in the eyes, and prayed for.)

I have asked myself a hundred times how parents parent if they don't have God. I have prayed over  our days and our nights, our bedtimes and their teachers, over their reaction to our dinners, and about their words and their minds a million times EACH DAY. The hope I have in Christ and His ABSOLUTE SOVREIGNTY is sometimes ALL I HAVE to keep moving.

From the children's point of view (of which I can only guess), they have been picked up and moved in with strangers. They are at a new home, in a new town, in new schools. Their new mom and dad make them sit up at the table, share toys, help them pick out clothes/shoes/hairdos every day. They are hearing "no" more than they've ever heard before. It seems silly and is frustrating everytime we say "no." (Whether it is to limit their ketchup intake, restricting their wii time, enforcing a bedtime, or keeping them inside on a 30 degree day) They're here to stay and their normal tactics aren't working, they are not getting their way and, they don't know if they can trust what we say.

Last Sunday in church we sang:
"On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

His oath, His covenant, His blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay"

I've sung these words since I was a child...and I must tell you I've never felt them like I did standing with all 9 of our family on one row at church.

This morning we sang:
"All of You is more than enough for all of me
For every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with Your love
And all I have in You is more than enough"
If God is enough, and I've always thought I believed that...and I CHOOSE to believe that TODAY...then why am I sick to my stomach with anxiety, and why would I think He will give me more than He can handle in my life? I'm making this song my mantra this week, I'll hum it all week and remember that HE IS ENOUGH for this situation and for me, and for these kids.

Day 1: six plus three

 

Quote of the Day: While picking up littleM from his daycare on Friday morning, he ran out, gave me a hug, then turned back to hug one of the ladies working there. As he hugged her, his gaze went to a room full of kids, most older than him, and yelled, "I'm not ever coming back!"

This truly choked me up, and even tugged on the adoption specialist who was there to help us get him. As littleM went out the door and ran into Lauren's arms, we loaded his bag of clothes and noticed both the ladies working there were standing at the glass doors looking at us go. There were a room full of children there... watching our happy ending. For the first time ever, the 9 Rogers were together in the parking lot. It was surreal. And we were in 2 cars...because we don't have (and won't ever have) a passenger van!

We went to eat an early lunch at McDonalds..our first gourmet meal together. Then we headed to the River Walk bridge in Little Rock for some exercise and room to play. We had middleM for just a few hours. He wasn't going to get to go home with us, but we're not sure he understood that the other Ms were getting to come to our house.

It's been 2 long days. The newest Rogers slept around 12 hours each last night. I was the only one who didn't get very much sleep. I mean, I was exhausted (mentally) but couldn't believe we had 2 kids sleeping in our home and we don't even know anything about them! Do they sleep walk? Do they eat mac and cheese? Where are the prescriptions for their medicine? Where are all their clothes? Why didn't they come with their toys? ... Right this minute S and bigM are sharing a chair watching a movie, littleM and Richard are snuggled together watching and all is well. Two days down...a lifetime to go. (No faces or names can be posted yet...)