Travels with Mommy

I took a four-day, three-night, solo trip with the boys and had only a few bad moments. (Many thanks to the tolerant family members that hosted us on our journey!) The boys were well-behaved, for the most part, and I didn't lose my temper or my ability to cope. I am so dependent on Dave for "relief pitching" at the end of the day. By about 8 pm I am usually just done. Going it alone, away from home, was new for me. Advance planning helped; I had the things with me that I needed.

I'm getting lazy about watching them every second--so they get into mischief. (All part of the realization that we are running a marathon, not a sprint, and if we are going to be doing this for 26 miles/years, or there about, I'd better save some energy for the next mile.) At home it isn't such a big deal. We have locked away anything truly dangerous or valuable. Joseph went through all of Mother's mail, and took everything out of the envelope for her. She reports that she managed to match it all up again, except for one missing envelope... He also managed to find "solitaire" on computers where the owners didn't know it existed. I've not heard of any missing or damaged files and I trust my relatives would let me know, so that is all he did with the computers.

I'll post photo of boys and Grandma later. I managed to get the camera out once.

Cleaning helps

I've been fussing over my kitchen. The color scheme bothers me. I've considered painting the cabinets, the walls, getting new china, making curtains or roman shades, etc. etc. etc. I finally cleaned up all the stuff we had let gather on the counters, and it is amazing how much less offensive I find the place. I still think paint and roman shades will improve it. But keeping it straightened up is a good first step. All those who know me well will laugh, 'cause you know what a mess I can be.

Last day of Fifth Grade

Today is Joseph's last day of fifth grade, and last day of elementary school. The school has a nice tradition: Instead of a graduation ceremony, all the fifth graders walk past all the other classrooms at the end of the last day. The other students line the halls and "clap them out." The parents gather at the door of the school and continue clapping until all the 5th graders are outside. Next the children line up by the school bell, an old-fashioned wrought-iron bell near the entrance, and each student takes a turn ringing the bell.

Isn't that a great way to mark the milestone of finishing elementary school?

I took a photo with my phone, but the connection to the computer isn't working... Don't know why???

Excerpt from Adoption blog

I found this in another blog: Be sure to read the response at the end. It is so nice to hear the words of an adopted child that struggled and behaved badly, but who sounds like she is doing well now.

I am seeing a behavior pattern in one of my children lately that is really hard to figure out...

I'm sure when you have more than one child, that at least one of them will be an instigator. The child who pushes everyone's buttons just to see them yell. Everyone can be getting along well and when the instigator shows up the room is quickly full of yelling and complaining. This is one of my kids right now. Every room she walks into, every situation she is in, game she plays or chore she does ends with yelling or hitting or a fit. She is so touchy and sensitive to touch, pain, words and actions, yet she loves to hit others, yell at other, roll her eyes and have screaming fits when anyone else does remotely the same treatment to her. I'm having a hard time having compassion for her right now, as I'm exhausted from this day to day craziness.

When I step away from the situation I can see how hard she is trying. She tries to be helpful, but ends up being in someone else's way, or messing up something or doing the right thing at the wrong time.

The other night I was relaxing at my parent's house and just watched her play. She is so full of life and down right funny. Other parents and her teachers often go on and on about how great she is doing. I sometimes wonder if she works so hard to behave at school that when she is home she cannot handle anything more.


Comment:
I understand your plight. I am an adult adoptee. Sounds like me when i was younger. ... Thank you for adopting an older child. :-) It takes a world of patience... I know it was not easy for my MOM now that i am older and a parent myself.

One day at a time. Possitive encouragement.

Miracle LeagueAgain

It is that time of year. This year we asked Alex if he wanted to play. (He would be lost on a regular baseball team with kids his age... so, it made sense that he should play miracle league. They were happy to have him.)

They are both all smiles in the photo. However, Alex didn't want to play in the field. He just wanted to bat. So we are negotiating. You play in the field if you want to bat, and you don't get a snack if you don't play... Hmm... The choice is not so easy. He chose to sit out the last game, but was pretty unhappy that he didn't get a snack with the team. Ah. Decisions. They don't get any easier, Alex, when you get older.

Feeling better

I worked outside today after all my papers were graded. It felt good to be in the sunshine and working outdoors.

I have many plans for the yard.

Boys are fine. Dave is recovering.

Wow, a month gone

I'm amazed--simply amazed at how fast time can fly.

Since the last post about being incredibly tired from lack of iron, I've been sick for 2.5 weeks. Fever for 5 days, sore throat for two weeks, and an abscess behind my tonsil. Three visits to the Dr., three scripts, and I'm feeling better. Another follow up visit to Dr. to discuss if I need to have my tonsils out... Hmmm... I read that impaired immunity is part of iron deficiency. Guess I'll keep taking those Iron supplements and cooking in my iron skillet. Even though I was the sickest, 3 of the 4 of us have had fevers in the past three weeks. Joseph is the only one that has escaped with just a cold... And I'm the only one that had two separate episodes of fever. Through it all I only missed two teaching days. I thought that was pretty good. I still feel way behind in both my classes.

I have pictures to upload of cute boys, but it will have to be later.

My friend with cancer is doing okay. Keep her in your prayers. 2 chemo treatments done. 10 to go. She has been pretty sick and they are adjusting the amount of drug they give her each time. She sounds strong over the phone, and her friends have all rallied. She is, however, single. I think this is the first time in her life that she has really been through something that would just be easier if there was someone else there each and every day that could take care of some of the details. Like I said, she has many, many good friends that have come from far and near to care for her. Really to return the favor of the great care she has given us over the years--but it is different. Actually, maybe in some ways it is better. There is no caregiver fatigue. We each take a turn and she has our full attention and devotion while we are there. I might be up a creek if I had to rely solely on Dave to get me through something like that.... and I've not nurtured friends like I could or should have over the past few years. (For all the many obvious reasons!!!!) So I guess, it is okay either way. It balances.