Friday night was a simple breakfast-for-dinner and Walmart trip. I think we were trying to keep it low-key before a big Saturday.
Saturday the kids headed to my parents for the day while Scott and I went to our first of two adoption trainings. If you ask Scott he’ll tell you he was bored out of his mind but I thought it was so interesting, enlightening and terrifying all at once. The purpose of the training is to prepare you for the issues the child might have coming from DSS. We talked about the different types of abuse and neglect, the grief they experience losing everything they know and ways we can help them assimilate into the family. I was heartbroken at some of the stories we heard. Sexual abuse happening even as young as 9 months old without recollection from the child and yet, years later their little brains remembering what happened and causing them to act out. Physical abuse so severe it causes a lifetime of issues. Neglect so bad a child is incapable of trusting anyone. In fact I found it fascinating that neglect can be the cause of this hoarding we are seeing more of on TV.
I can’t tell you how much I wanted to encourage parents and especially mothers that are feeling like their job isn’t important. It’s no surprise but parents are so, so important. Even little things can mean the world.
I also walked away hopeful and yes, scared that we could make a difference in one of these kids’ life. Will we “fix” them? No. But can we give them the stability and love to give them a chance? Yes. There are risks, no doubt; my risk list was long. But I am confident this is what we’re supposed to be doing. Oddly I was energized yesterday. More than ever I wanted to be part of the change we need to see in today’s youth.
Saturday evening Lexi had her first sleepover birthday party. That brave mother kept 11 kids overnight. Lexi had a blast. Emma and I spent some much needed girl time. I made some steaks and got out my china. Sadly Emma didn’t even know what it was. How has she gotten to 8 without knowing? We did manicures and pedicures and a little Mary Kay makeover just for fun. She opted to watch tv over going to spy on the prom goers to see dresses. We had a great time and I can tell her attitude is much improved from days past. With my new work schedule and the addition it has been so much harder to have this kind of time with them. And trust me, it is not lost on me how much harder it will be with a special needs child (not in the traditional sense but almost all children out of DSS are considered special needs because of the emotional and physical issues) coming into the mix.
Today was church and dinner at Moe’s. I stopped by Dani’s new house this afternoon. I am glad to be passing the remodeling torch over to her. I can’t wait to see what she does with her new space. This evening was low key, just eating leftovers, running some errands and paying some bills. It’s going to be a long week with 3 days in the office so I’m happy to have had a low-key Sunday.
As for the addition this week I think sketchy plans are:
- Put up shelving in linen and maybe clothes closet
- Get doors and drawers for the vanity (I will be shocked if this happens)
- Put in HVAC (YES)
- Finish tiling the bathroom
- Monday we get the template for the counter-tops done and Friday it’s installed
- Possibly begin remodeling our old room for the girls. We need to repaint and get the carpets cleaned as well as find two twin beds! Craigslist anyone?
Hope you had a great weekend!