It's been a crazy couple of weeks in the Williams household. The kids behavior has gone downhill since the adoption. We've dealt with MAJOR issues from the both of them. Honestly, it's been taxing on me and Luke. I'm exhausted most of the time. Since school has started, their behavior at home has improved. I think having some structure back has been a good thing.
Being a stay at home mom has always been my dream. I loved the idea of having the kids at home, making dinner, keeping up the house, etc. Now, I'm not so sure I'm cut out for all of this. To be honest, adopting older kids has NOT been what either of us have expected. Sure, we knew there would be bumps in the road, but we really weren't expecting all of this. Lately, I've felt like I haven't been the Mom I want to be. I've felt like I have fallen short of everything in my stay at home Mom dream. I've yelled, said things I shouldn't, cried more tears than ever, and gone to bed earlier than I ever have in my entire life. In just 8 months, our lives have been turned upside down. I can't imagine our lives without the kids, but this has been the hardest journey of my life.
Today, I worked for 2 hours in the office for Robert's teacher. The laminator and I were on a first name basis. It didn't work so well, so I'm not sure what all names I called it! After that, I went to eat with the kids. Asia was thrilled to see me. Robert wanted to sit by his friends. His teacher explained to him that I came to eat with him. When you have a visitor, they sit to the side. He wanted no part of that. So, I left. I cried all the way home. Some people say- "Well, that's just a kid thing, get used to it." However, I'm sure those people have had their kids numerous years. We've had ours 8 months. We chose to adopt them just a few weeks ago to make it final. He tells me he doesn't want to eat with me? Seriously.
I haven't felt adequate enough for the job the Lord set before us to do. I don't think I'm strong enough for this journey. Emotionally I'm at my limit. I'm stressed, exhausted, and completely at the end of my rope. However, the Lord reminded me of Moses today. He didn't feel adequate either, but look what he did! I know I have to trust in the Lord. He will give me the strength I need and in His timing. For now, I'll wait upon Him. And pray because sometimes that's just all I've got. And sometimes, it's just His name...Jesus...that I can utter. Today, is one of those days.
Friday, August 22, 2014
Monday, August 18, 2014
First Day of School
The kids were super excited this morning about the first day of school. Asia is starting 1st Grade and Robert will be in 2nd Grade. They ate a breakfast of oatmeal, toast, and an over-medium egg. Asia wasn't really up to eating all of that. I think she was a little bit nervous. I left the house about 7:15 to drop them off. It was raining outside, so I used my big umbrella to walk them in on the first day. They are able to sit outside their classrooms until the bell at 7:50. Robert was certainly ready to start his day. Asia clung to me a little as I hugged her. They seemed to have great days though for their first day. We've already had homework!!! I think they will like their new classes.
Saturday, August 16, 2014
Open House
Luke and I took the kids to our first open house experience. It was fun to get to see them with all their school supplies. I couldn't resist taking pictures. This was our first time to go inside Springhill Elementary. The halls seem endless. We took Asia to see Ms. Whitaker first. We found her desk and got all her supplies put away. She seemed to like her new classroom. She kept talking about how littler her seat was. Robert's class is just down the hall from hers. Ms. Gray and Robert seemed to hit it off pretty well. Robert is really excited about starting school. This has surprised me on so many levels. He's not the shy little guy he was just 7 months ago- he's really growing into his own little person. We got Robert's school supplies all settled and then headed to the gym for the parent meeting. The school seems really inviting and parent oriented. We're looking forward to starting the year off as a family of 4!
First Electric Shower
Luke's office threw us a family shower. It was so special to experience the support, love, and encouragement from Luke's work family. They gave the kids blankets with their new names embroidered on them along with a few toys. The kids felt so special and loved. The cake and punch were wonderful! Don even got up and said a few words to us and the kids. He got down on their level and explained how special it was that we chose them. He told them that we love them more than they could ever know. Luke and I were truly speechless at the love and support we've been shown through his work family. He's worked several different places through the years, but not one has been like First Electric. It's such a great family environment. It's one we are truly thankful that the Lord provided for us. After the shower, we headed to All Aboard. The food was fantastic and the kids loved that the train delivered our food. We will definitely eat there again soon!
Monday, August 11, 2014
School Posting Day
Since I am brand spakin' new to all the fun things to do in getting your children ready for school. I decided to take my camera to the school posting day. I backed out at the last minute in bringing my "real" camera because the crowd was so big. So, enjoy these iphone pictures. The kids didn't understand why we couldn't go inside the building. I explained that Thursday night is open house where we meet their teachers and see their classrooms. For now, they are happy with just knowing they will have new names for the new year. Yes, the did have their middle names wrong, but it's a small victory for our kids to have new last name. We can change their middle names on the school roster later. Robert will be in 2nd grade and Asia will be in the 1st grade.. I've heard awesome things about both of their teachers. I'm looking forward to a new school year at a school that is so close to home. I'm also looking forward to starting fresh as a home room Mom...something I didn't have a chance to do last school year! Bring on the 2014/2015 school year!
Sunday, August 10, 2014
Branson with the official family!!!
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| Free picture slideshow generated with Smilebox |
We took a nap in the hotel and headed to the Landings for dinner and a little more shopping. We ate at Old Chicago and had pizza. It was good but rich! Luke and I had been talking about how we wanted something for the kids to commemorate their special day. We walked by Build a Bear and decided that was it. The kids had never been there before. Robert picked a black bear and Asia picked a puppy dog. They each got recorder buttons in their bears. Luke and I went and recorded messages to them inside their animals. They then got to stuff them and put a heart inside. They really thought that was neat. After giving them an air bath, we headed over to make their official birth certificates. We told the kids they should name them after their new names. So, Asia's puppy dog is named after her new name and Robert's is named after his new name. They do however have nicknames that change almost every day. After Build a Bear we headed to get ice cream and back to the hotel. We were all tired!
The next day, we went to Silver Dollar City. The kids love it there. I was having issues with a ligament in my foot, so the walking was about all I could do. Luke took the kids on their first ride- the Plume. I think they weren't too excited but loved it after it was over. We rode more rides before lunch. We ate a Pork Tenderloin sandwich and that succotash out of those big skillets for lunch. It was starting to get hot around 3, so we headed back to the hotel for a nap. That night, we went to Shorty Smalls to eat. I ordered the Chicken Pot Pie and Luke got the BBQ chicken. The kids got their usual burgers- but got green beans instead of french fries. I hated my chicken pot pie. Luke being the good man that he is- ate mine- we ended up eating some of both our plates.
After dinner, we decided to go swimming with the kids. They splashed around and had a blast jumping in. When the shallow end got a little crowded we took the kids over the rope to the sorta deep end. They weren't having it. Robert is so close to swimming. He was crying that he was scared. So, I got nose to nose with him. I told him, "In the 7 months that we've had you, have I ever done anything for you not to trust me?" "No Momma," he said. "And yesterday, when we signed your papers, I proved that I'm always going to be here. So can you trust me?" I asked. "Yes," he said. He started swimming again. I looked around the pool at that time and realized it had gone quiet. Yep, apparently everyone and their dog heard what I said, and I'm sure it sounded kinda strange. We left the pool shortly after that!
On the ride home, we stopped at Furgeson's for lunch. We love to eat there. I had some crayons in my purse, so the kids and I colored while waiting on our food. I drew a heart and put all our names in it. Asia says, "Mom we're now a forever family!" "That's right baby, we sure are!" It was a great end to a memorable trip!
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