Mother's Day (x3)

Mother's Day was interesting this year.

I've never really been one to be sensitive or really even place that much importance on what happens for ME on this day.

It is a good thing too because this year as the boys are getting older...they are definitely more focused on their birth mothers. And that is ok. Sunday morning we made cards for them.

(A) was very proud that he drew a picture of a Manatee for his mommy, but we weren't so sure when he described another drawing as, "This is a Manatee and he is squished, but he is not dead." I usually write down what the kids dictate about their pictures, but I opted NOT to write down that one! Happy Mother's Day:).

David drew a beautiful card and then after church we bought them flowers.

Then the race began.

(A) had a visit with his mom at the same time as lunch with David's birth mom. As we waited for his mom, people must have been so confused since it was Mother's Day and he was calling me mom, but we were also waiting for his mom.

After she arrived, I left and tried to patiently wait through traffic in order to get to lunch with Lee, David, and Mommy N.

What a gift that was! God is certainly showing me how blessed we are by her. She bought a balloon and card for David to give to me. We both just love David so much and that is what will connect us for the rest of our lives. I didn't realize how rare that was until recently so I am thanking God for it.

Lee kindly offered to pick (A) up from his visit since it only left a short amount of time to sit and eat.

Once we were back home it was the usual:)...grocery shopping while Lee took the boys out to the park, dinner, baths, books, and then bed.

Today, however, the day AFTER Mother's Day, was really really nice. Sure...as I mentioned before, it was a forgetful day, but perhaps it was better because of that.

Lee has been working later because of his new job and so the boys and I were home, we had eaten, and they both were bathed and ready for bed. David offered me a massage - sweet boy! I accepted and then (A) joined in. We formed a train...(A) 'chopping' my shoulders and David 'chopping' (A)'s shoulders.

THAT was the life and what a wonderful Mother's Day gift. I thank God every night for my sweet boys AND for their moms!

God is good.

Forgetful

Forgetful...I am trying to accept and dare I say...embrace my forgetfulness?

I'll be honest. It is at an all time high right now due to lack of sleep, emotional exhaustion, and who knows what else. Oh yeah, genetics!

I forgot a good friend's birthday this Saturday...I forgot that I had scheduled a meeting after work today...I'm sure there are a million of other things I have forgotten, but I don't remember what they are:).

You know, Lee got me an iPad and I was initially quite excited about the 'to do' list feature and the calendar that can supposedly sink with my gmail. It also combines with his calendar so that I can see what he is up to.

TOO MUCH. IT IS TOO MUCH.


I don't really want to see what he has planned. To be honest, I don't really care to see what I have planned, but apparently I need to check more often so that I don't forget:).

Back to the whole embracing my forgetfulness. Life is not meant to be filled with 'to dos.' Life is meant to have much more quiet time...to listen. To listen to what God is teaching you and where he is leading you. Life is meant to be filled with moments that matter...moments sharing God's love with your children or spouse or friend. 

Life is meant to be simple and if my forgetfulness helps me to simplify my life than so be it! Amen?

Conversations

There are times when I wish I had headphones to wear in the car so that I wouldn't have to listen to the crazy noises my boys make, but other times I wish I had a tape recorder to capture their sweet and funny conversations!

David and (A) get each other. Sometimes I have a hard time following (A)'s train of thought, but David is usually right on.

Here is a little glimpse into their 'car chat' from today:

(A): "Remember that boy and that girl were mean to you, David?"

David: "Oh, you mean last year when I was in the Duck class, (A)?"

(A): "Yeah. What did they say to you, David?"

David: "The boy said that I was stupid and the girl said that she was four and I was three, but in a mean voice."

(A): "That's not nice that he said you were stupid. That is a VERY BIG NO NO."

David: "Yeah, it wasn't nice at all and so I told my teachers."

(A): "David, when we get home I will give you a hug to help you feel better, ok?"

David: "Ok, (A), thank you."

Walk

There has been so much that I have wanted to share and I wish I could document all the details, but I can't.

God has been teaching me a lot lately. He has been teaching me about obedience and about how easy it is to rationalize disobedience when it seems logical. He has been teaching me about love and reminding me that I am to love in truth and action...no exceptions.

He has given me such a sense of peace in knowing that He has good plans for my boys. This peace is definitely needed...especially on days when we have explosive tantrums and yell out things like, "I can't be in this family anymore!" You might read that and have your own strong feelings or opinions, but don't worry- the emotional chaos is temporary and within our days, God blesses us with great joy.

Tonight, David joined me on a walk. This has been a goal of mine...to train my boys to have the stamina to take walks with me! Over the past few weekends, we have started off fairly slow and always with the promise of a treat at the end. I've so enjoyed it!  Yes, the walk and the treat:).

So tonight during dinner, I looked at Lee and asked him if he would let me escape for a walk. He said 'yes,' and David begged to join me. I must have asked him a million times if he was sure because it was going to be a LONG walk. He is typically the one to complain after a few minutes that he is tiiiiired. He promised to hang in there and off we went. 

All I can say is that I wish I could have video taped our time together. It was so so so precious. We walked and talked about what we think heaven might be like. We both think there will be a lot of flowers there:). He pointed out some birds and commented that they were adopted and I asked him if he knew that we were all adopted by God because of what Jesus did for us. He said, "Of course" and proceeded to tell me that one of his favorite parts of the Bible is when Jesus held the little children on his lap and loved them, but that the saddest part of the Bible was when Jesus died on the cross...for us. We talked about how we could never do anything to stop God from loving us and he quickly connected it to how Lee and I will love him no matter what too.

We walked for a LONG time! David kept asking if I was tired and then ran off:). It was a good workout and such a sweet time with my son.

A Few Funnies

related to foster care...

Back Story:
Almost every Sunday we go to church. Lee and I will often talk about which service we will plan to attend...the first service or the second service. During the week, we also take trips to social services for visits.

Quote:
Apparently (A) caught on to these terms, but with some slight confusion. One morning as we were entering church, he loudly inquired, "Mommy, are we going to the SOCIAL SERVICE?"

Back Story:
(A)'s social worker intern has been wonderful, but she is leaving. We are definitely sad to see her go.

Quote:
The boys made cards for her this weekend and David spent an especially long time on his picture. There was a castle, pipes, flags, a football field...you name it. When I asked what he wanted me to write, he said,

"This a castle and Ms. N lives in it with the social workers."

:)

Kaari

Joy

(A) has been teaching me so much about joy.

There have been multiple times during this week when I felt exhausted and was a little cranky. During those times, it never fails...(A) just looks at me with those brown eyes, smiles, and says, "I love you, mommy!"

I smile back, amazed at his little heart, and say, "I love you too, (A)."

The desire that both of my boys have to learn about Jesus...read the Bible...talk about God...THAT brings me joy.

The heart that David has for orphans. It is such a part of him that he is always incorporating it into his play: "Mommy, the baby kitten doesn't have a mommy and daddy. She wants you to adopt her." "We are going to adopt all of these animals and we can play with them and help them feel comfortable."

Their laughter.

The ridiculously silly faces that they make at each other in the car.

The pride they take in helping me clean and 'work.'

The songs that they make up.

My boys bring me so much joy. I pray that God continues to fill up little (A)'s heart with it so that it overflows to others! 

New York

We had a wonderful time in New York with family and even ventured into the city to see the Statue of Liberty! I'm going to mostly fill this post with pictures, but also wanted to comment that both David and (A) were very fond of their cousin, Naomi. It was so sweet to see them together and when we had to say goodbye...a great amount of tears were shed by all three!

Naomi has grown SO much and we loved every moment we were able to spend with her. I can still hear her little voice answering "Okay!" instead of 'yes' and calling, "KIIIIDDDSS!" when she wanted to play with the boys.

Can you tell they had a good time together?

 

 

Below are pictures from our adventure in New York City: Lee and David waiting for the LIRR, David on the subway, the boys waiting for and traveling on the Liberty Ferry, and finally- the Statue of Liberty- David was thrilled!