Work in Progress

Who knew there wasn't an instant mix for families where you can just stir and everything will naturally blend? Well, it's been an insightful and wonderful journey we've been on the last few months as we have added two teenage girls to our family. But I would be lying if I said it was all bliss and moments of us holding hands around the dinner table. It's a transition. It's hard to expect two girls, who have really never known what it feels like to be part of a family, to immediately feel comfortable and allow us in. In the little time they have been with us, I know there is a lot of hurt, pain, sadness, and emptiness they regularly cope with. I know they struggle to feel normal on most days and I know they crave structure and stability. We are all trying to give that to them, but also balancing the individual space and time they need to go through this process.

The social worker came to visit and follow-up a couple of weeks ago....I was so incredibly touched to learn how happy they are so far to be with us. And I have tried to explain how blessed we feel as well to have them in our lives. There have been tears, there has been frustration, re-direction, long talks....but we accept and know this is part of our journey of becoming a family.

Donna is 19 and has goals of being on her own. We are trying to help her figure out finances, look for a possible studio apartment near us, and get her on track with her education. She is attending a local community college and hopes to earn her cosmetology license.

Nancy is only 16 and we have outlined her goals as well. Naturally, she would love to get her driver's license (and let's face it....I would LOVE for her to get it too!). So, we have signed her up for the necessary classes to complete this. She is doing so incredibly well in her junior year, but she also has quite a few credits to make up. Thankfully, I am right there to help her get back on track. She is extremely bright and every time I see her interact with my children, I can easily envision her being an amazing elementary school teacher. She is patient, gifted, and has a keen sense of what is right and wrong. I have encouraged her to try one of our classes called "Careers in Teaching" for her senior year where she can intern at one of our schools in the district. She seems interested.....let's hope.

I have yet to regret the decision we made to take them in. It has taught Tim and I several life lessons as well and it is a nice reminder of how important it is to express love, maturity, and consistency at all times. Even though we kind of "fell" into this situation, we wouldn't trade it for the world. And as hard as we knew it would be, the fulfillment that comes along with it is overwhelming. So, our little family of 6 is slowly beginning to feel like a family of 6.

That kind of day

Let's just say I have a beer in my hand (thanks for leaving some Sam Adams for me, Mike), pizza in the oven, a rented a movie for the kids on TV, and am basking in what I hope is just a little bit of silence at the end of the day. Yes, it's been that kind of day. The kind where your husband has a late meeting and you have two kids jumping off the wall at home. Or the kind where you look at the clock and it says 11:30 am instead of 7:00 pm. The kind of day that requires a beer in my hand, pizza in the oven, and a movie to zone the kids out. But then I realize I have a four-day weekend ahead of me......and a smile comes over me. Yeah.....not one ounce of guilt over this one. I think I'll have another.

Grammy and Goppie Visit!

Grammy and Goppie were in town for an entire week and I managed to get zero pictures with them and the kids. I am awful, simply awful. As a matter of fact, I had to steal a picture of Goppie and Noah off of my mother-in-law's Facebook page. I have no filters and no shame. Anyway, we loved having them out and the kids had a fabulous time with them!

 I take everything back; I DID get at least one picture of Grammy with Sophie! Woo hoo!

Goppie and Noah, courtesy of Lori's Facebook page

Halloween 2010

We had a great Halloween this year! The kids were favorite superheroes from back in the day looking absolutely adorable as Superman and Wonder Woman! Tim's parents were in town, so they were excited to take the kids trick-or-treating while Tim and I gave out candy and listened to the Giants game. We looked like an old couple hanging out on the driveway in our lawnchairs while listening to the game on the radio. Seriously, how old are we? Here are a few pics from Halloween and a local pumpkin patch we visited:

 Here are the cutest superheroes EVER!

 Sophie striking a pose....Noah is too cool to strike a pose.

 Figuring out the corn maze while visiting the local pumpkin patch!

 Noah the Navigator

Having fun on the big Pillow Jump!