Just 4 weeks ago I finally completed an 8 year project. I began journaling my emotions and feelings after our last miscarriage in 2003, God led me to publish it as a book to help others like myself find healing through honest self evaluation and trusting in God's promises from His Word.
The very day after I sent the final draft to someone for help getting permissions and copyright's taken care of we received "THE CALL!" (October 14th)
Husband Bill was out of the country on his first mission trip in several years so it was me and our two gifts from the Lord! For now we will refer to them as Jo1 and Ja2
Honestly I have to say that single parenting is not the way I had envisioned starting this phase of the process out, but as always, God had other plans.
We knew this could happen while Bill was away but were torn because all parties involved would prefer that both of us were present for this phase as well. Also the 6 month clock would not begin until they were in our care even though we had been selected as their adoptive parents back in September. Bill and I had agreed that if we got the green light that we would just do this because it was becoming to hard on the girls, they were ready for the move!
What was supposed to be our first overnight visit that Friday turned into moving in day! WOW... momma officially has her hands full!!! Praise God for Amy and Kelly who came to help out for that first evening, Mrs Amanda who comes every morning while I take Jo1 to school, Schreibers & Robin who come to play and Nana and Grandpa who graciously attended soccer with me on that first Saturday morning to help with Ja2 while I coached soccer for 4 cute little girls! y huge blessing that day was the free BBQ the church provided for the soccer league... very perfect, hot dog never tasted so good!
Bill was due home on the 19th, so it was single mommy for 5 LONG days. I got so discouraged at times. Between missing Bill terribly and finding myself unable to even enjoy what had just taken place in our lives I was at my breaking point by the end of those 5 days.
It was so great to finally have Bill home!!! The next thing to do was train him on what we had already established... baths bed times, snacks, meal times, school stuff, Dr's all the rules ect...
Crazy first days... it has been 4 weeks now and I do have to say the girls are doing much better and they are typical 1 and 4 yr old girls... I do think PMS starts way before the actual M happens... Just Sayin!!! LOL
Jo1 LOVES attention and snuggling and can't forget PINK and she is sure that she's a princess, mommy loves that too! Ja2 we have learned really likes her lil feet rubbed before bed and her cup of milk helps her sleep through the night.
Just when we thought we had sleep patterns figured out a few weeks ago Ja2 got sick and her sleep was all messed up, then about the time she was better it was daylight savings time, and were just getting adjusted from that and now Jo1 is trying to get sick!!!
And this is our new normal now... 7am wake up get dressed take Jo1 to school, come home take care of breakfast and dress Ja2, play for a while, get our 1030 snack down then it's time to pic up sissy from school, then its home for a little play time and then lunch around 1230 then our nap which we are still working out the issues there. Then it's up around 230 if we even nap... then mommy attempts to do chores or run errands that are needed then it's time to begin the dinner preparations. Yes it takes at least 2 hours to get dinner together in between Mommy... Mommy... Mommy... she took my toy, she pulled my hair, she ...or Mommy I want... I want... I want... and baby Ja2 wanting mommy to hold her while I'm cooking, which can't happen... so she gets all sorts of bent out of shape...
Feels like I am always cooking or trying to get some laundry clean or other general cleaning... everything takes 10 times longer now with the two little ones, slowly I am getting used to it and even tonight I actually was enjoying holding baby Ja2 after she woke from her sleep scared or something... I think she is still adjusting to the new surroundings. I rocked her and rubbed her lil feets and she was so happy and snuggled with me! : )
We're really getting to know their personalities to. Jo1 is very strong willed and likes to be in control so we are really trying to work hard with her on letting us be mommy and daddy taking care of her and giving her areas of independence. She has also just begun falling out of bed at least three nights in a row now... not sure but I think she's out-growing her bed... they are both growing so fast... Ja2 has such a big head I am having to get her cloths 18-24 mo now... poor thing the shirts fit but her pants are too long... still cute though! Lil Ja2 is pretty smart for her age... she knows what the No No's are and she will look at you then go for it while smiling at you... now how do you train her that this is not a game when we say NO! Sometimes we just have to laugh... like the first funny family moment we had was after Daddy came home from Brazil, we were at the dinner table and dad let one rip... I was like REALLY daddy... I tried to hide my laugh as the baby appropriately uses the phrase "Uh-oh!" We all laughed so hard...
Now were trying to find new balance to our new normal and still have lots of family and friends to meet but have to take it slow with them, I think they get insecure when meeting to many new people in a row so please be patient with us as we continue to adjust to the new normal of our 4 member family!
Much love and thanks to all who have been helping and supporting us through the transition... we are so very thankful and know that we could not do this on our own... I have a whole new respect to those single parents who do this all the time. Prayers to them...
We are praying the finalization goes through much sooner than 6 months... and then we can share pics of our lil family! There are many more details to share but not enough time... perhaps another day there will be... until then,,,
