Sunday, November 27, 2011

I've Been Stalking

Our adoption agency, All God's Children International, put out a call on Facebook a few months ago to share your blog with others who had gone through or are going through adoption.  I threw my blog address in there and promptly forgot about it with all the hecticness (is that a word?  It's red underlined, so I'm going to say no) of us getting the house ready for sale, Chris commuting, and the move.

I routinely peruse any new followers I have, and link back to their blogs to read them and see what they are about.  I love reading other adoptive mom's writing.  I love immersing myself in their feelings and thoughts while they are going through what we are going through.  I love getting those moments where I realize I am nodding my head and agreeing with everything they are saying.  I want to reach out to them, tell them that the other side is so close, and that when they are standing where I am standing, it will all be SO incredibly worth it.

And then I feel like a stalker.  Thoughts race through my head, letting in self-doubt, and insecurity.  What if they think I am crazy?  What if they don't like me?  It's my junior high insecure self popping up and whispering in my ear and I need to give her a stern look and tell her to take stock of everything that's happened.  I want to tell her to look at my beautiful children: one by birth and two by adoption, and let her decide if my insecurity has a place in this world.  Let her decide if my passion for domestic adoption - especially of older children in the foster care system - is insecurity.  And I am not surprised when she sits down and shuts the hell up.

I'm a 'tell it like it is' girl.  Sometimes it's gotten me in trouble; other times, it's lost me friends.  More often than not, I've been told it's refreshing because my friends always know where they stand with me. In the grand scheme of things, I won't change who I am.  I would rather slap you with honesty than kiss you with a lie.  I believe a large part of who I am comes from having to be honest.  Honest with myself, and honest with others.  And I won't change that now.  And I won't apologize for it.

And here I stand, one year and four days after learning that I would, indeed, be a mother again.  On November 23rd of 2010, we received a phone call that changed our world forever.  I couldn't have been more happy for that phone call and yet honestly, at the time it scared the crap out of me.

On the other side, looking back, I can smile at how far we've come.  And I just want to reach out and share that with everyone who's blogs I am now stalking who are going through the same process.

Is that weird?

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Time keeps on slippin.....

I can't believe it's November 23rd already!

I also can't believe how busy I am being a temporary SAHM.  I told my husband the other day that I needed to get a job, because I'm way busier now than I was when I went to work every day, which to me is unexplainable.  He laughed.  I think secretly he would like me to stay home.  The house is clean, laundry is done, errands are run, kids are taken care of, and dinner is on the table most nights when he gets home.  (Sometimes he pushes me out of the kitchen, because he likes to cook as well).

This morning after I took the kids to school, I ran to Starbucks for a Caramel Brulee latte (YUM) and then off to the grocery store.  What. A. Nightmare.  I'm just thankful that I was able to get out of there in under an hour.  Came home, straightened up the house, did a few chores, got laundry done, made a few phone calls, and sat down for a minute and remembered I hadn't posted here in quite some time.

Things are going very well for us here in Northern California.  We all love it: the weather is mild, the people are genuine, and the community we live in is amazing.

Wyatt is settling in with his Tae Kwon Do classes.  Master Herb Perez, who owns the gym he attends, is the only American to ever bring home a gold medal in TKD from the Olympics!  He's a Gold Medal Olympian.  It's very inspiring.  He's also a no-nonsense guy who commands - and receives - respect from his students.  The other teachers are also very good.  It's a fun environment, and I like the philosophy that they have of partnering with parents to help teach life skills.

Jordan is registered for Spring softball and can't wait!  She's made a couple of close friends, and they are good girls from good families.  She's enjoying school; her teacher is amazing.

Today my kids are being filmed to be featured in a video for our adoption agency.  The video will focus on the need for families that are willing to adopt older children.  So many stigmas exist that older children are a 'lost cause', when in fact they want what any child wants: a good, nurturing, loving home. Our children have acclimated wonderfully, and I like to think that it is because they have an amazing support system.  They have grandparents that love them to pieces, aunts and uncles and cousins who all made them feel so welcome when we took them to Alton to introduce them.  They have an older brother who thinks that they are awesome.  And they have parents who love them fiercely, and who keep them in line.

This is not to say that every day in our house is puppies and rainbows.  Oh no.  Sometimes I joke that I wouldn't trade them for the world, but would sell them for a dollar.  There are trials, and there are moments.  At the end of the day, however, I look at those faces, and I know that they love us as much as we love them.  I hear it in their prayers to God, I see it in their responses to us, and I feel it in the death-grip hugs and face-smooshing kisses that we receive.

Last night Wyatt said grace, and his prayer to God was 'thank you for my family, I love my family'.

Melt my heart why don't ya??  Happy Thanksgiving y'all!!

Monday, November 07, 2011

Outdoor Ed

Today my baby girl left for Outdoor Ed along with 90 or so of her classmates!  She is headed to the mountains for four days of learning about the environment, ecosystems, organisms, and the way life around her works.  It's a great program, and I'm so excited for her, I can't wait to hear all about her experience.

Fall has made it's way to Northern California.  The temps have been milder, chilly at night.  The leaves are a beautiful red and yellow shade.  People are bundled up more.  The sun still shines most of the time, however, and that makes it quite bearable.  Even when it rained the other day, it was still a beautiful day.

I'm learning my way around the peninsula.  I've ventured further and further out, but there have been several days when I don't leave.  There's no reason to!  Foster City has the nickname of 'Wisteria Lane' for a reason.  Everything is close, convenient, and safe.  The longer I'm here, the more I like it!

Thanksgiving is approaching and I am so excited!!  We're going to have a full house, and I can't wait!

The kids and I are going to make a countdown chain for our trip to Cabo in...33 days!  We're all so excited and if there's anything we need, it's a vacation!!  We're really excited to see some friends that are joining us as well.  It should be a fantastic time.