Making A Home

Juggling

A week or so ago we went to the theatre, as part of a local education series to see "Mark Nizer, 3-D."

It was a juggling show, with light effects.  It was pretty cool, but I wasn't sure how educational it was to just WATCH juggling...

 

So I used it as a launching point.  We bought a "learn to juggle" kit on Amazon, and an additional set of juggling scarves (since they're the easiest to learn with.)  This summer, we're all going to learn to juggle, to whatever extent we can.

I got to thinking that with our children's backgrounds (any possible combination of: trauma, abuse, neglect, drug and alcohol effects), their brains could use a workout of the non-scholastic kind.  Activities that use both hands also use both sides of the brain.  Just maybe we'll help re-build some connectors (they are young, and their brains are still developing despite their rough starts), and have a whole lot of fun in the process.

How we make scrambled eggs...

 
  

Messy

In general, things around here are going well.  We've had counselors and social workers and all types around here, working toward finalizing this adoption.

But the truth is, children in foster care are coming from messy backgrounds.  And as much joy as they bring to their new families, the adjustments can also be... messy.

We're in a messy period right now.  So bear with me if I'm not great about updating the blog for a little while.  There's been a slight incident, and the things that are occupying the biggest portion of my brain right now are things I can't share here.

When my mind goes into crisis mode, my brain function for some things decreases.  Signs and symptoms... boxed food.  I spent $90 at the grocery store last weekend, and it was mostly mac & cheese and rice-a-roni (they were on sale)... a far cry from the usual "from scratch" meals I usually cook my family.

I assure you there's been no change of plans in regards to adopting our kids.  But we would certainly appreciate prayers as we move forward.

Oh!  The good news is, after weeks of grueling work, pouring over name books and websites and discussions and debates, it appears we've chosen names for our children!  We're not revealing them just yet (even to the children), but they had a big say in the choosing.  We'll be giving them new first names (part of our gift to them on adoption day), their first names will become their middle names, and of course... they don't have to change their last names since they are already the same as ours!  If they insist on being called their old name, we have no problem with that, but we hope they'll embrace what we worked together to choose.

Hmm...

I don't know whether to scratch my head or bash it against a wall after this conversation with Hailey yesterday... but I thought you'd get a chuckle out of it like I did.

The children know our cats and their relationships.  Fiona gave birth to 3 kittens 2 years ago and we kept one.  His name is Yoshi.  We've been over the story no less than 10 times.  So yesterday as Hailey and I were snuggling on the couch, she sees both of the kitties in the diningroom and asks...

Hailey: "Who have you had longer?  Fiona or Yoshi?"

Mama: "Well, remember how we've talked about when Fiona had her kittens and Yoshi was one of them?"

Hailey: "Yeah."

Mama (wondering why that didn't clear it up): "If she gave birth to him HERE, we would have had to have gotten Fiona first, right?"

Hailey (with the look of dawning understanding): "OH!!  Yeah!"

A few seconds pass...

Hailey: "Well then, which one is older?"

Oh Yes, I Did.

When a certain son of mine woke up spouting ugly words to my other son this morning...

And I just happened to be online making handwriting worksheets for learning our spelling words...

And it was obvious son #1 would need a project of endurance to change his heart while making restitution to his best friend...

Yes, I did make a page for him to copy 19 times his true feelings...

(And yes, I did promise to print another if one page wasn't enough to change his heart.)

He was spouting and grumping and flailing when the project started, but smiling and apologetic when he was done.

And yes he did have to give it to him with a sincere apology.

And yes, his brother did forgive him... and saved the page with his keepsakes.

And yes, I did bookmark that web page for future use.

Adoption Stuff

The termination hearing for birthmom was over 30 day ago now, so we should be free and clear.

Of course, there was the little matter of the courts misplacing the order to make Hailey legally free... so only Tyler was.

But as of just moments ago, the court order has been found, printed and delivered to the chair of our state adoption worker. That means BOTH of our children are legally free now.

And a conversation with our agency worker last night gave us a preliminary guideline... they (agency and state adoption worker) are hoping to get us finalized by the end of June! We were told to get the kids physicals and hire and adoption lawyer.

To Whom It May Concern...

I will heretofore, henceforth, and from this day forward (did I mention hitherto?) be unavailable (except for emergencies) during school hours. 

You would not believe the number of interruptions we received today!  And since I have naturally squirrelly children, and two new ones I am trying to incorporate into our routine, and my being even remotely distracted or unavailable causes them to think they can do whatever they want, wander away, or cause mischief...

I have to put up some barriers.  And it's going to be very difficult for me.  But so much time has been wasted just trying to get everyone back on track.  And there were two phone calls while I was having a very important conversation with my daughters, (that I didn't answer, but the girls were still distracted by it... and I think if they got in the routine of me ignoring those rings during the day, they could ignore them, too.)

SO... if you call during the day and I don't answer, it doesn't mean we aren't here.

And if it's urgent, leave a message.  I'll hear it. 

If it's not an emergency, but you just need to tell or ask me something, send an e-mail.  I'll respond as I have time throughout the day.

I'm going back to educate my children now.  Thank you for your understanding!

Hilary :)

Go Mariners!

 
Sunday we spent the day in Seattle.  We drove to Everett, then hopped the Sounder Train to Safeco Field.  It was Tyler and Hailey's first train ride (though they tell me they DROVE a train when they lived with their uncle who worked for the railroad in Eastern Washington!)

 

We brought lunch with us - PBJ's, Pretzels, Apples and licorice, and bought Garlic Fries during overtime.

 

The M's lost.  But it was an interesting game, at least.  Going into the 9th inning, they were winning 1-0.  The Rangers scored in the 9th, and we didn't pull any more out.  Several innings later, the Rangers scored two more... and we didn't. 

 

 

It was "We are Family" night, so not only did the children each get a Cliff Lee poster, but the whole family got free Mariner's hats.  Nice!