Lessons from Peeing on your carpet?!

Yes, you read my title right- peeing on your carpet.  Little R and I have worked all day trying to get out a very distinct smell from his room.  I noticed it yesterday while cleaning.  I couldn't put my finger on the smell, so I got down like any good Mom would do, and put my nose to the floor.  Yep, by his bed I smelled pee. 

Luke happened to pick him up from daycare yesterday- yes, I said daycare- don't judge me.  Luke got several stories about how pee happened to end up on his carpet.  Apparently little R didn't want to get up and go to the bathroom because his door was closed.  So, he "fell" off of his bed and decided to do it right there.  On my cleaned carpet.  To say I was angry was an understatement.  I work my tail off at home to make our house look nice. 

So, last night little R learned how to use the carpet cleaner.  After he was in bed, did he get up again for his nightly- "I have to tell you something," or "I need a drink" or scream for 3 hours- nope, he went right to sleep. 

This morning we went and did our job cleaning someone else's house.  He did an awesome job on the baseboards and hard to reach places.  When we got home today, he had to clean the carpet again with a solution I found on Pinterest to get the smell out.  Is it still there?  Yep, sure is.

He asked me again if I was mad.  I told him "Yes son, I'm mad at you.  I still love you, but I'm extremely mad that you decided to use the carpet as your potty."  We have had a good day talking things out, but still am I mad- heck yeah! However, I do love our talks about the issue.  I've brought up zoo animals, our dogs, and just plain pigs to make my point.  Little R didn't think the idea of living in a dog house sounded too cool.  I sure hope he doesn't do this again, but who knows- he might.  We just have to love him through it and teach him right from wrong.  Crazy little dude. 

This whole foster/adopt thing is hard.  The kids don't understand some things that a "normal" kid would.  They don't have a currency you can pull away to make an impact.  They have stolen things from family and us.  They have lied more times than you can count, and they have been horribly disrespectful. 

On the flip side, they have loved us more than any two kids can.  They say it all the time- sometimes to manipulate- which doesn't work.  I put myself in their shoes daily.  They were left with us to learn to trust, obey, and love.  We are working on the first two, but the last one- well they do with all their hearts. 

That's the thing I need to hold dear.  They love us and are learning to trust.