What I Am Thankful For

I cannot believe it is Thanksgiving already. It seems like I was just outside taking the kids for long walks and swimming. Now it is colder and winter is only moments away (some say snow later this week). I wish the world would slow down and that time was going so quickly. Yet, I have a lot to be thankful for. Here are a few things I am thankful for.

1) My boys. Both of them. I love being their mom and spending time with them. Even on bad days.

2)That my sons no longer have to worry about getting enough food. We haven't had any gorging or other food related issues in over a year.

3) My loving and supportive family. I could never succeed at graduate school without their help.

4) Graduate school. I am very thankful that I was admitted and am succeeding. It is a ticket to a better life for all of us.

5) My internship. I love it. What more can I say.

6) Adoption. It gave me one son and someday might give me another one.

7) Foster parents. The good ones who truly love the kids and help them heal from their past traumas.

8) My children's teachers. They work hard each day to teach my kids and help them. I can see the results in the pride and joy my children have when they show me their latest art project or share their new knowledge.

9)My job. It's no secret that I am preparing to change careers in a couple years (or sooner) but I am still grateful for it. Good and bad days it pays the bills.

10) Food. We live in a country with an abundance of it. I have been in countries where it is scarce and will never be able to take it for granted again.

11) Clean water. It kind of goes with 10. When you have seen people struggling without clean drinking water it makes you realize how good you have it. And chuckle when inmates complain they want soft water and not hard water.

12) For all of those people who are positive role models for me and my kids. Most of you know who you are. We may not say thanks enough but we are always grateful.

There are so many other things I am thankful for. These are just a few. Please take a moment and think about your blessings. I recently saw a sign on a church in Rosendale, WI instructing people to "Count your blessings. Not your problems." Life really does look differently when we stop to realize how blessed we are no matter what challenges we may be facing. Watching my children smile and hearing them laugh are everyday reminders that what is truly important are the people around you not how many possessions you have, what kind of car you drive or how much money is in your wallet.

Beauty Salon

How children see the world continues to amaze me. One of my favorite things about being a mom is watching my children learn and explore the world. Even simple things like playing rhyming games brings me joy. Last night the boys decided my hair needed combing and styling (sorry no pictures). Here is what each boy said as he combed my hair.

Jacob: Put your head down and hold still. This might hurt a lot but it's something we have to do. Don't move so it doesn't hurt as much. (He then gently combed my hair.)

M: (As he violently combs my hair quickly and hard) This going to hurt. This going to hurt. This going to hurt.

M would then back up and check out his work. When I would ask if it was beautiful he would sadly shake his head and comb some more. After about 4 tries he announced that I was finally beautiful. Maybe he will be a hair stylist when he grows up.

Update On School

Jacob, M and I continue to work hard at school. I am just finishing watching a 3 hour movie and answering questions. Earlier today I finished an 8 page paper and Tuesday I gave a presentation on social work values and adopting children with special needs. I also finished writing my field log for this week and read about 70 pages in a novel. I still have 3 chapters in my text books to read and write a two page reflection paper. If I have time, I need to start working on my next research paper as well as work on two more presentations that are due at the end of this month. Just thinking about it makes my head spin. I find I really need to write down what I will do each day and then work ahead if I get done early.

While getting all of the above work done, I am still working at my normal job and raising my boys. How am I doing it? Well, I'm not really sure but I know I am doing it. My boys are thriving and I am surviving. There are things that get lost in the shuffle of our lives. An example is Jacob's order form for his school pictures butfor the most part we are making it.

Jacob is really making great progress academically. I have no doubt he could test into kindergarten in the fall but I don't want him to be the youngest so he will wait another year. Here are his most recent progress.

-He can now recognize all of the letters in the alphabet.
-Reading familiar words. He can read mom, his name and the names of all of his classmates. He amazed me by quickly reading his friend's names on an attendance chart at school and moving their names to the correct chart depending on if they are at school or home.
-Able to add and subtract up to 5 and sometimes higher. We had some cows watching us while we were near a farm today. There were four cows at the fence when 3 more walked up. Jacob quickly stated "Mom there were 4 cows watching us. Now there are 3 more so there are 7 now."
-He can spell and write his first and last name.

I am completely amazed at Jacob's progress and hope that it continues. I am also relieved that the boys are doing well with our new schedules.

God and Hair

I really couldn't tell you how this conversation came up this morning. I was helping the boys get dressed when this conversation occurred. Here is what I remember.

Jacob states something about hair:
Me: Did you know that God knows how many hairs are on your head?'
Jacob: Yes. A lot.
Me: Yes. I don't know how many. Why do you think God knows how many hairs you have?
Jacob: Because I'm beautiful.
Me: Yes you are beautiful. God knows because he loves you so much that he knows everything about you.
Jacob: God gives people different hair.
Me: Yes he does.
Jacob: God has every kind of hair in his tummy.
Me: What do you mean?
Jacob: God grows lots of different hair on his tummy. Then he gives it to people.

Considering Another Child

Jacob has wanted a little sister for a long time. I don't blame him. I want a little girl very badly as well. There are some days where I want it less than others but the desire never leaves completely.

So what is the problem? Well to begin with, I have only been a parent for 2 1/2 years and have 2 children. The youngest has only been here for a little over a year and his process is not completed yet. It won't be for a very long time. Possibly two more years. I wish it would be quicker but I can see it won't be.

The other huge problem is that I am overwhelmed with school, work and parenting. School is giving me the chance to change careers to a job I really enjoy and am looking forward to. I don't want to slow down because I don't want to delay that dream any longer than necessary. I don't want to change careers before I get the degree because it would severely limit my options.

Work is work. It pays the bills so even though leaving would make school and life much easier, it is not an option. I would love to win the lottery but it costs money to play and I have better things to throw my money away on.

So, I will have to wait for my daughter. I will find her someday. It just won't be today or even this year. It probably won't be until I settle into a new job. Unless I can find some rich man to marry and support us in the meantime :) Just kidding.

Next month is national adoption month. It is a good reminder of how blessed I am and a chance to celebrate my children and my family. M's case will progress, school will be over in just a few weeks and I have a week off work coming soon.

New Pictures and Updates!

I finally got my wireless internet working. I had to change internet companies to do it but am excited. I haven't had internet at home for about a month. It was really making getting my school work and other business difficult. Now, I can play and work at home. Yipee! The following are pictures and updates of our recent activity.

Halloween 2009

We started our halloween festivities yesterday. Some of the parties are calling them fall harvest parties but they all involove treats and costumes so I call them all halloween parties. Last night was our first one.

I took Jacob, M and our friend P to the YMCA last night for their halloween party. The kids made treat bags at the first stop and then headed off to the gym. They loved playing the games and picking out the small toys and juice offered. After games, we headed over for face painting and then a few minutes to the dance. Jacob would have stayed until the end but M and P were exhausted. M wasn't really moving around much and I could tell he was getting close to a meltdown so we left about 30 minutes early.

I took several pictures but they all have M or P in them. Here are 2 of Jacob as a fire fighter. M was a police officer and P was a movie star.