A Letter to my kids...

Dear W & J:

Today I took you to sleep away camp.  We packed your clothes, loaded up the truck, and away we went.  We stopped for gas, drinks and snacks, because we had an hour drive to make.  We sang songs and we were silly the whole way.

When we pulled into camp, you were both so excited!  We unloaded the car and headed to registration.  Along the way, every counselor welcomed you to camp.

After handing in the paperwork, and getting your cabin assignments, we were on our way.  J, we took you to your cabin first, and I helped you unpack your sleeping bag and pillow, and set up your bunk.  I met your counselor, and took a couple of photos.  You were so confident standing outside that cabin.  I was so proud of you.  I hugged you tight and told you how much fun you would have.  I reassured you that you would make TONS of friends, and that you were a great girl, so it wouldn't be hard.  I talked to your counselor about how happy I was that you had this opportunity.  You hugged your brother and I again, and we left you to get settled in.

After we left J, W and I made our way to his cabin.  He skipped down the trail, so excited about finding out where he was staying.  We came up to your cabin, W, and you picked out your bunk: top!  We unpacked your sleeping bag and pillow, and carefully placed your clothes on your shelves.  You went outside to make your bunk tag with your name on it.  I talked to your counselor about what a wonderful little boy you are, and I went outside to check on you and get a picture.  You hugged me tight, almost not wanting to let go.  I told you how much fun you would have, and how daddy and I would be there on Saturday to pick you up.  You hugged me even tighter.

I left quickly, trying hard not to cry at the fact that I was leaving my little ones for the first time.  I looked back down the trail at you, and your little head was down, working hard on your bunk tag.  I am so proud of you.

I drove home with moments of sadness, missing you both already.  I've had to fight back tears a couple of times today, missing you SO much, yet knowing you are making memories that will last a lifetime.

I love you both so very much, and I am so happy that you have this amazing opportunity.

Can I call out sick this week and join you?

Love,
Mommy.

Please Review.

Those are the two words that my attorney put in his email this afternoon.  Please review.  He also said, and I quote:

"Have fun.  You have to mail the originals back to me, then I'll send them to Eugene & request a hearing date, OK?  I'll coordinate all the way through to getting your birth certificates, but you have to go get the social security information changed after that.  Heh."


Heh?  WTF?  Heh?  OH!  Cause he's talking about me having to deal with SS.  Heh.  


We are thisclose to being able to post pictures and introduce the world to our new littles.


As I was reviewing the paperwork, J came in crying about some tween angst.  She's fighting with her BFF.  *sigh*  I told her to go back out there and figure it out, that life was too short.  I got the eyeroll, which loosely translated means 'like you have ANY clue what the heck I'm going through right now, moooooooooom.'  Depending on the day, my name either has one or eleventy syllables.  Good times.


So the good news is that we are inching towards the finish line.  I feel like those people who race in a triathlon and are totally not prepared and have to literally crawl across the finish line because their legs are all 'right.  Not anymore' and their bodies are all 'kiss my ass with your 26.2 after the swim and the bike, jackass'.  It's THERE, that finish line, I can see it.  I just can't get my legs to cooperate.


In other news - my husband is coming home early this week!  Yay!!

Your documents are in...

I'm not going to lie, I haven't been getting my hopes up on the fastidious movement of the State when it comes to our adoption finalizing.  It is what it is.  Social Workers are overwhelmed, they're over budget, they take furlough days. 

Today, however, I got an email from my attorney "I have your DHS documents in hand, and will be mailing them to you for signature!"

What the what?  Today is July 21.  You have our DHS docs?  Are you kidding me? 

Someone up above loves this family.

The Secret Is Out

Now that we've informed everyone we need to about our Big! New! Adventure!, I can talk about it here.

In the immortal words of the late, great Notorious B.I.G., we're going (going) back (back) to Cali (Cali). (Please do not confuse this song with the one by LL Cool J.) 

Chris has been offered an amazing opportunity with another airline - and since that's his passion and complete expertise, after much thought, talk, and prayer, we jumped on it.

This is so completely unlike any other move we've done in the past.  Before, it was easy-breezy.  We set a date, put the house up for sale, and moved.  Now, we've got this little chapter in the 'Life Handbook' known as 'The Adoption is NOT Quite Final Yet'.  So there's that. 

Chris started his new job on the 11th, and will be commuting between San Francisco and Portland for a few months.  We've met with a real estate agent and we'll be putting the house on the market on Saturday.

**Side note: Anyone interested in a completely remodeled gorgeous split-level in a quiet, established neighborhood that will be a freaking STEAL? Call me.**

Our kids are very excited for the new adventure, and mostly because it's close to Disneyland.  But of course.  And the fact that they will now have flight benefits - they think that's cool as all get out.  Yeah, just wait until they get stuck at the Vegas airport because all of the hungover people missed their early flights and decided to roll.  Not that I've ever had that happen.  Twice.

So now I'm playing single mom five days a week, and running quite the tight ship.  Menu plans, chore charts and a couple of pretty cooperative kids makes for a relatively easy go of it.  Of course, they're 10 and 7, and of all the pros in THAT list, it's that they only mutiny every once in a great while.  Usually it's the Boy.

I'm proud of my husband - he's making sacrifices of time right now with his children to provide them with a better opportunity in the future.  And we both know that looking back on this when we are at Mile Marker 58, and living together daily again, we will see that this was a blip on the radar, a drop in the bucket, a molehill on a mountain.  And any other metaphorical nonsense you can insert here.

To assist with the transition of daddy being gone, I've been taking two days off a week and will do so through the end of the month.  The kids go to camp for a week the first of August, and then we're getting back to our routine.  I want this to be as painless as possible for them, and so far they're on board and handling it like we always do - as a team.

6 Month Reports.

We had our 6 month visit on June 17th.  I just received our reports in my email - and they are also being sent to the kids' social worker. 

I've read through them, and the best line in both of them, is this one:

This author recommends immediate finalization of the adoption of J&W by Christopher and Christina.

It doesn't get any better than that.

Hippo Birdie America!

Our nation celebrates its 235th year of freedom this weekend.  She keeps pretty good care of herself because she doesn't look a day over 200!

To celebrate, we commandeered two lovely campsites along the Oregon Coast and we are taking our very best friends and their kids with us to whoop it up!  We're all so excited we can barely get through this week!!

Today my husband and the husband of the other couple went to Washington to buy some celebratory items.  To commemorate our nation's independence.  And such as.

And also, there will be a negative tide on Saturday morning - which means CLAMS! 

Enjoy your weekend - and our freedom and independence.

Bass Ackwards.

Captain Sassy Pants has a problem with wearing his clothes backwards.  It doesn't matter what it is, he will inevitably put something on backwards.  He doesn't care to look at the label.  It's too much work.

Tonight at the dinner table I look over and he has his basketball shorts on backwards.  I could only tell because I could see the pocket.  Unless that kid was trying to store things in the pocket of his tutkus, he had them on backwards.

I sighed, and said "W!  WHY do you have your shorts on backwards?  You're a wreck!"  He just smiles.  I explain for the eleventieth time how he needs to look for the tag.  "And where does the tag go?"  He smiles an says "In FRONT! No, wait.  In BACK!"  It's always 'No, wait.'  I say to him "Child.  You test me.  You exhaust me.  You are a wreck!"  He just grins and laughs.

So we're clearing the table and the kids are heading back outside to play some more (it's the last week of school and I am uber super relaxed about bedtime this week).

W tells dad "I fixed my shorts."

Dad tells W "Good job bud."

W tells dad "Yeah, I didn't want mom to go all 'Boom goes the dynamite' to me!"

HA!  That kid.

It's All Coming Together...and I Can Hardly Stand It!

For the past week, we've been receiving mail almost every day from DHS (Department of Human Services) here in Oregon.  One day it's the kid's new medical cards (they are entitled to secondary insurance through the state - which is nice because it will back up our insurance).  The next it's another agreement we need to sign and send back.  Or some information.  Or something!  The good news is, it's all starting to flow.  We're in the home stretch.  Our adoption is coming down the straightaway - the white flag has been waved and we're putting pedal to the metal.

It's an amazing look back at what we've accomplished in these last 6 months.  We brought home two children who had been through SO much.  Who had been promised SO much in their short little lives.  They had been ripped from their parents - the only people they ever felt truly loved them, through no fault of their own, and bounced around from place to place.  They were summarily handed back to their bio-mom a few times, and when they were, she would pack them up and move them to another state, all with the intent of trying to hide them from the CPS in the previous state.  And inevitably, the cycle would start all over again.

I am thankful that Washington and Oregon work together, and did work together to bring these children out of the unfortunate situation that they were in, and find them a family that would take care of them and love them the way they deserve to be loved.

I am thankful that my tough little nut, my 10 year old daughter, has softened.  I am thankful that she has seen that we love her, fiercely, and that we will always be there to protect her and guide her.  I am thankful that she has finally opened up, little by little, and allowed us to hold her heart, if even for a moment.  I am thankful that she is honest, and accepts responsibility for her actions.  I am thankful that she sends me little emails each day to tell me how much she loves me.  I am thankful that she no longer feels the need to worry about or watch over her brother out of necessity, rather, she does it because she wants to.  I am thankful that she has let go - and that she is able to be a child right now, when it's most important.

I am thankful that my sassy pants boy, my 7 year old, has matured and become comfortable.  I am thankful that he doesn't keep his room clean with military precision anymore.  I am happy when I see clothes strewn about and toys not put away.  I am happy that I have to remind him to clean his room, and that he grunts about it.  I am thankful that he no longer looks to his sister to provide him with answers, or guidance.  I am thankful that he is blossoming on his own, and developing his own little sense of self.  I am thankful that he is so helpful, and that he enjoys teasing mama about her love of the Yankees, all the while clinging to his papa and cheering for the Cardinals. 

We have introduced them to sushi, late-night get togethers with great friends, independence, personal responsibility, Wii tournaments, Just Dance, rock music, Bon Jovi, family game nights, and road trips.

We have instilled in them that THIS.IS.IT.  And I think they are finally getting it.

A Damn Good Cause

I know someone who holds foster adoption as dear to her heart as I do.  She's a foster mom, and also the adoptive mom of a foster child.  She loves her son and is currently looking for a sibling for him.

Foster children have what are called 'Life Books' that contain stories and photographs of their lives as they go through the foster care system.  Since their lives are so uprooted, it's a way for them to record their memories.  This way, they have something that they can own, and be proud of, and look back on.  It is usually passed on to the adoptive parents, or in some cases, back to the biological parents if it is deemed that they are to go back home.

Sometimes the children are so nomadic, living out of cardboard boxes, and constantly moving, that these Lifebooks are lost.  Or they aren't kept up well by their foster parents.  It's understandable, but not acceptable.

Enter Andrea.  She has a plan to make these Life Books digital, so that all of their information is readily accessible and available, no matter where they go.  This service is free to foster children and their families.  It is in the upstart stages, but I see this idea taking off and becoming the new norm.  How wonderful that these children always have access to their memories.  How wonderful that no matter where they end up, they will always be able to look back on their lives, and never lose these memories.

Recently, Digital Lifebooks entered the Pepsi Refresh Everything contest to win a $50,00 grant towards the cost of implementing this idea.  PLEASE, go to Digital LifeBooks - Pepsi Contest and vote for them to win!!  You can vote once per day.  It's a great cause, one that is near and dear to our hearts, and it would mean the world to a child.

Be the change - and vote!

Much Love!

Making Me Smile

You should know by now that I am a huge proponent of foster adoption.  As such, I am in touch with others who are interested in foster adoption, or who happen to be going through it.

One of those internet friends posted today that her paperwork is all in to her adoption agency, and they are getting into their Home Study phase!  I was so excited for her - it really made my day to read that.

It's been a tough few days for me.  And I think that God knew I needed to read some good news.

We're.So.Close.

We had our fifth visit yesterday.  The Cinco.  Our social worker commented that she can see a huge difference in both of the kids - especially W.  He used to have a lot of anxiety whenever someone would come to the house to see the kids.  Now, he looks forward to Miss Emily's visits, and has become very comfortable with her.

In the mail yesterday we received our Legal Fee Agreements.  These pieces of paper are very important as they are the LAST AND FINAL pieces that we need to finalize the adoption.  We pick an attorney, forward the signed agreements to him, and he helps us get the show on the road!

I talked with him tonight and what a nice man.  Encouraging, informative, and positive.  He loves doing these cases, and is excited to be a part of our process.

We're in the home stretch!

A-Ball Observations...

After a few rough starts, cancelled games, and rainy and muddy fields, it looks as though Captain Distraction is getting into a pretty good groove of practice on Monday, games on Thursdays and Saturdays. 

I don't usually go to practices on Mondays, that's daddy and son time.  I imagine things happen at practice that would make most moms mad at their husbands, you know, for yelling? At the precious?  And so it consists of the dads, and the sons.

Game times are a completely different story.  I am constantly amused at games, because gosh darn if these kids are not the cutest freaking things playing baseball.  Ever.  Amen.

We have two main coaches, and then two dads that assist.  My husband happens to be an assist coach.  So before the game, one of the coaches hands each assist a sheet of paper that shows where each kid will be playing each inning.  Each assist chooses an area of the field to help with (outfield or infield) and they take the kids on their list each inning. 

So this is how it goes:  Coach Chris yells out three boy's names.  All three run to him like there's a clown with a knife chasing them, screaming for what position they want.  "I want first, FIRST, FFFIIIIIIIRRRRRSSSSSTTTTTT!!!!" is what you hear usually at the infield coach. 

Once they get to play at first, the chalk line, the grass, and the butterflies are all WAY more interesting than being in 'ready position'.  Twirling, staring at your mitt, or checking out the kids on the playground behind left field are much easier tasks than say, focusing on the ball.  I especially love the kids that will watch the ball go by them, and stare at the rest of their team as they try to cover that position.  Like he's watching a movie, and thinking 'Heh.  Check it out - they're all trying to get this kid out that just hit the ball right to me that I ignored and now he's running to - oh hey!  Congrats, dude!  You're safe!'  All the while the sideline parents are yelling to the kid to GET! THE! BALL! AND GO! TO! FIRST!  Ah, the joys of being an A-Ball mom.

My son, in particular, will take a pitch, and when he doesn't hit it, will look over at me.  DON'T LOOK AT ME SON, LOOK AT THE BALL!  For the LOVE!

I once told W that when he is playing in the field, and the ball is heading for him, that he needs to pretend that if he doesn't catch it, the world will end.  He would stand in the same spot, and expect that the ball come to his glove like a moth to a flame.  Yeah, it doesn't quite work like that.  So once I told him this, his FEET started propelling him towards the ball.  Miracle of miracles!  He made a few great catches!  One time he missed, losing the ball in the sun, and looked over at me and started making excuses.  I simply said 'No excuses!' and he grinned and played on.

He trotted off the field and said, loudly, 'Mom!  I catched the ball because it would blow up the world!"  Fantastic, son.  Please avoid using that phrase at the airport.  Thanks.

He's quite the good hitter.  Once he connects, he can drop the ball into short right field.  He's very proud of himself when he makes it all the way home.  And overall, we as parents are simply encouraging and uplifting.  W told me the other day that he LOVES baseball.  Let's hope he keeps that love alive.

More on that in a minute...

W is a jokester - and he has no idea that he's so funny.  Some recent examples:

*Apparently he and daddy were watching the baseball game the other day (natch) and the "muffin-top lose weight" commercial came on.  W pulled his shirt up, and proceeded to poke and pull and prod, trying to see where his muffin top was.  And also, he doesn't have one.

Meanwhile, daddy is watching him do this, trying really hard not to laugh and asks him: Do you have a muffin top?  W answers: No, dad!  To which my husband replies: And that's good kiddo.

*One of our nicknames for him is 'Captain Distraction'.  He's 7, and in possession of a penis, so he is predisposed to being distracted easily.  He will rush in to wherever his dad and I are (usually in the kitchen), all the way from his bedroom in the northeast wing of the manse (20 feet away), and need to tell us something "rightnowcan'twait...!!!!one!11".

We stand there, waiting, and we get... 'Oh, I forgot'.  Not even kidding.  It's actually hilarious.

*Mornings are sometimes a challenge is he hasn't gotten his alloted eleventy-nine hours of sleep.  I find myself saying 'Oh W' a lot.  Every morning. And he usually responds with 'Oh mom!'. 

*We will discuss something at the dinner table, and no sooner has the last syllable left my breath that he will ask a question about what we JUST. TALKED. ABOUT.

i.e. I will say 'and then we will put away our laundry' and he will say 'do I have to put away my laundry' - but not in the oh ma, do I hafta? sense... more of the I wasn't listening to a word of that, but I just realized my laundry is still on my bed.  I should ask mother if I should go forth and putteth away my laundry sense.  At least, that's how *I* think it goes in his head.  It has to.  The stuff he doesn't hear amazes me.

*Which brings me to - the stuff he hears versus the stuff he doesn't hear.  Take example A, above about the laundry - that's a 'not hear'.  I sit across from or next to him at each meal (depending on who's turn it is to sit where).  So, what?  Max: four feet; Min: poking me violently in the left boob with each bite. 

Let me whisper something to his father, while W is downstairs and around the corner, watching the city street department jackhammer the sidewalk, about anything pertaining to: ice cream, playing, vacation, or the Wii, and he hears it clear as day, like I hijacked the neighborhood ice cream truck and violated their bullhorn.

He cracks me up every day.  Even when he throws one of his W Special Tantrums.  Of course, in the middle of it, I'm asking myself how much room is on the credit card and if I can get to the airport in time for the last Cabo flight.  (I can. I pack QUICKLY). 

Truth: I wouldn't trade them for the world. 

And also - I found the BESTEST book EVAH for those of you who have little ones that fight the sleep.  I hear that between the ages of 2 and 6 is the worst.  I wouldn't know.  Yes, you can hate me now.  K was a DREAM sleeper during that time, and so are J and W now.  I don't know what J and W were like when they were between the ages of 2 and 6, so I have no frame of reference other than to say that they are GREAT now.  They go to bed, no muss, no fuss. 


Anyway - read it.  It's funny.  If even a little irreverent.  And it has a lot of F-bombs.  I'm just warning you now.

RANTS FROM MOMMYLAND: Five Universal Laws of Mornings

I had an unusually rough morning this morning. W decided to throw a fit about his choice of clothing. Yes, I said HIS choice.

Then there was this little thing called 'DUMB' at the dentist where they 'forgot' to check me in when I arrived at 8:50 for his 9:00 appt. And while I sat there IN THE WAITING ROOM, they called my house at 9:20 to ask where I was. They finally took him back at 9:55, but only after I had to have a little conversation with one of the managers. And I hadn't even KNOWN about the phone call to my house yet.

So it is with great pleasure that I direct you to this blog here. It's funny, it's irreverant, it's everything I want to be when I grow up. And this post that I've referenced? Classic. Timeless. And if you're a mom, TRUE. Read on dear reader. It's hysterical.

RANTS FROM MOMMYLAND: Five Universal Laws of Mornings: "What is it about the morning routine? Why can't we get through one measly cup of coffee and *possibly* the gossip section of the paper befor..."

Planning a Vacation Celebration!

The title of this blog is 'Working For Vacation'.  And the reason for that is simple.  Before Mr. H and I decided to venture down this road to adoption, we travelled.  A LOT.  We simply viewed our jobs as the means to another fabulous vacation.  We've been to Puerto Rico, Jamaica, all over Mexico (with Cabo being our abso fave), and Hawaii.  We've ventured to Canada and we've managed to put our feet in almost every single state in the Union.

I'm currently barreling down the road to turning 40.  Forty.  Four-Oh!  It's hard for me to get my mind wrapped around.  I don't feel forty.  But what does forty feel like?  Is there a manual?  A description?  Should I start wearing elastic-waisted pants?  (That would be a resounding NO ghost rider).

In addition, we're also barreling down the road to the finalization of the adoption.  Our fifth home visit is this month, and our sixth is in June.  That's the magic visit - that June visit.  That is the visit where our Social Worker will write on her report: Recommend to Finalize.

At that time, a recommendation will be forwarded to the judge in the kid's case for finalization.  And seeing as they just had the kids' yearly hearing on the 5th of May, he's in quite the hurry to get this show on the road.

As is their social worker, their CASA, their lawyer, and our social worker.  And them.  And us.  And everyone who has been close to us during this long and arduous journey we've been on.

So where was I? Oh yes - so we get the recommendation to finalize.  And knowing that the government moves at the speed of a paralyzed turtle, I'm expecting a court date in either August or September.  Hopefully sooner, but PLEASE not later.

Which means, we can apply for their passports, and get to CELEBRATING!

We're vacillating between an all-inclusive in Mexico (either Puerto Vallarta or Cabo), or a cruise to the Mexican Riviera - which would give us PVR and SJD, as well as a good time on a boat.  Chris and I did the Mexican Riviera cruise in January 09, and it was pretty fun.  I wouldn't get off the boat in Mazatlan again, but there's plenty to do aboard the ship.

There's not much of a price difference between the vacations, airfare included.  The big pro to the boat is that we get to see more of Mexico.

So right now, that's what I've been doing.  Looking at options, tweaking our budget to save the $$ to do it with cash, and praying to my Lord and Savior that He comes through (as He has this entire time) and makes this happen.

Celebrate.  Good times.  Come on!

Mother's Day 2011

I sit here on the eve of Mother's Day.  My 18th Mother's Day.  I have a 17 year old, a 10 year old, and a 7 year old.

My husband has made brunch plans for all of us for tomorrow.  I bought my daughter a new dress to wear.

I tucked them into bed and she sweetly whispered to me 'Happy Mother's Day mommy.  I love you.'  The quiet whisper from her sleepy lips.  The resounding hush of a daughter who, just five months ago, didn't like us to hug her.  And we didn't push it.  She didn't like to be kissed.  And we didn't push her.  She only gave affection when she was getting something in return.  And we didn't push her.

Now she freely gives affection.  Hugs, kisses, bear-grip, rib cracking hugs.  For no reason.  Other than that she has found her home.  Not her temporary home.  Her real home.

I love my children.  I am truly blessed by them.  I am a better person because of them.  And every day, I thank God that He has entrusted me with them.

It's Commonly Referred to as "The Sun". Also Month 4 Reflections.

Sunday was a super-fantastic day at our house.  I say super-fantastic because the SUN! WAS! SHINING! and the kids were out in it ALL! DAY! LONG!

I'm so thankful that the kids have made really good friends in the neighborhood.  Kids that I like them hanging out with.  Kids that are polite, and kind, and that love to be outside as much as they do.  Chris and I were referred to as "Mr. and Mrs. H" this weekend by one of J's friends and I about died.  I simply told her "you can call me Christina" and she said "ok Mrs. H!"  Oy.

Yesterday was a fundraiser for the elementary school that my kids go to at the local burger place - Burgerville.  Well, if I'm any kind of supportive mom, I HAD to go, right?  Of course we did.  Mondays are a hectic night in our house - with baseball and activities - so we usually have a quick dinner anyway.  Burgerville is nice in that it is local, and they use local and fresh foods.  So I felt good about that treat.  We topped it off with Timber Joey shakes (a salute to the Portland Timbers - our very own MLS team!) and the night was complete!

Today is exactly four months since we brought the kids home.  Four months of bonding, and learning each other and the rules, and love.  The kids are doing way better than we ever expected - I think that it is finally sinking in with J that this is her forever home and no matter how much they try and test us, we aren't sending them anywhere (well, except summer camp for a week). 

We've been through our first Christmas together, New Year's, J's birthday, and Spring Break.  They've bonded with their brother SO quickly that it amazes even me.  He's so good with them - not that I didn't think he wouldn't be, but they are 7 and 10 years younger than he is.  They love their grandparents and Skype with them often.  They've even Skyped with their Auntie M and cousin L (my younger sister and nephew). 

We have our monthly visit with our social worker today.  I read her last reports and at the end of each one, she writes "It is the observation of this worker that bonding is progressing well.  W & J appear to be stable in their adoptive home and are ready for the adoption to finalize.  It is this worker's recommendation that the placement of W & J with Chris and Christina continue".  

Wait until she hears about the fit from a week ago.  HA!

Two Wonderful.

Two things happened at our den this weekend.

1.  The kids slept in on Saturday morning for the first time.  EVER.  That is wonderful - and to be celebrated - because that means they are both finally feeling safe enough to sleep away!!!  And that made me feel good!

2.  W threw an EPIC (and I do mean EPIC) fit on Saturday.  All because we told him he had to do his chores before he played the Wii.  When he threw the fit, we grounded him from the Wii because of his reaction. 

I need to say that the kids do not have chores every day.  They don't even have them every weekend!  We do a cleaning in our home once every two weeks.  Why?  Because life is too short to be cleaning all the time (right about here is where my husband strokes out over that sentence - and the fact that *I* wrote it). 

So W's chores are:  clean the toilet, vaccuum the stairs (with the dustbuster), take out the recycles, and dust.  Granted, I make him clean the toilet about once a week (hey!  He's the one with the bad aim!) and he takes out the recycles when the bin gets full.  We're talking maybe a half hour of chores here. 

That he threw a fit over. 

So while he is cleaning the toilet, he's sobbing like I just kicked his puppy.  Chris goes into the bathroom and explains to him that tears do not get the toilet clean, and to please use the bleach wipes (I kid, he told him to dry it up).  He finishes that, and goes to his room, where I promptly tell him to go vac the stairs.  While he is sobbing.  He finishes that and goes to his room (are you catching the pattern?)  I tell him to go dust.  He starts sobbing again (I like kicking the puppy, ok?).  I asked him what his deal was, and he tells me those three little words that I will not let them use as a standard answer to me:  I don't know.

So I tell him to go ahead and sit on his bed for a while and think about it.

He does so.  While sobbing.

At this point (I know, you're feeling for the poor kid.  Has to dust - ugh!) Chris goes in and tries to reason with him (ha!) and explain the rules.  All the while, W is kicking and whining and yelling and scrunching up his face and THROWING. A. FIT.  Sigh.

Once we got through to him that throwing a fit would only delay the inevitable, and would not get him out of his chores, he started really laying it on thick.  So we sat him on his bed to figure it out and went back to what we were doing.

Eventually, the child finished his chores.  When I asked him if the fit was worth it, and showed him how little time it took to finish his chores and he could have been playing the Wii by now if he hadn't lost his shit, he told me he was sorry.  I accepted his apology, and gave him loves. 

Why is this a good thing?  Because he felt safe enough to let his feelings rage, roar, and generally show his ass because he knew that we would get him through it. 

Progress.  We're doing it right!

Three Months.

Wow.  It's been a while since I've update you all on how things are progressing!  I apologize - but MAN it's been a really busy month!!

On Friday, March 11, I had to drive to the coast to speak at our Regional Conference.  A good friend of ours offered to take the kids, since I was simply going for the night, and coming back early the next morning.  The kids had no school, so I planned on dropping them early and heading out - I was slated to speak at 2.

That morning, when I woke up and turned on the news, an earthquake had hit Japan (8.9) and had caused a 23ft Tsunami - wiping out large pieces of the island nation, and causing death and devastation.  It was a sad and scary time - and they were afraid that we were going to get Tsunami waves at our coast.  We had to wait it out, but long story short, there were no devastating waves hitting the Coast, and although we started late, the conference went off beautifully.

Sunday the kids and I walked the 5K in the Shamrock Run, while Chris ran it.  It was raining (shocker) but we all had a good time.

Spring Break found us taking a few days off to head to the Great Wolf Lodge in Washington, where we had an absolute BLAST.  I recommend that anyone take their children - it's so completely geared for them and so much fun.

We did some bowling, had family pictures taken, and then had to say good bye to Spring Break.

Back to school - and now the month is almost over.  Things are going well here.  We're all settling in.  W started baseball and seems to have a knack for hitting!  J is going back to gymnastics on the 4th.  Things are settling in.

Tomorrow is April Fool's Day.  Right now I have two bowls of cereal in the freezer - with milk, spoons already in!  When I get the kids up tomorrow, I'll pour a little more milk on top and laugh as they try and get the spoons out to eat!!  I can't wait!!!

Camping. And Camp. And Sleeping Away.

I've started to think about camping. 

And started to research sleepaway camps.

Some of my best childhood memories were those that I spent at Three Springs Farm in Pennsylvania.  I had such a great time hanging out with friends, running around on warm summer nights, riding horses, playing 'Murder' in the farmhouse, playing games in the converted barn, and swimming.  Every child should experience at least one week at sleep-away camp.  The memories are so worth it.  Bonus: Mom and Dad get a week to connect, sleep in late, and just BE together.

I found a sleep-away camp that is only an hour away.  I showed the kids, and they are STOKED!  Right?  I was thinking there might be some thoughts of missing us (they assured us they would) and being homesick (they looked at me like I'd lost my marbles) but it seems they're ok with the thought of it - for now.

Turns out that the place where Chris works sponsors a clean-up day at this camp!  So we're most likely going to volunteer to go assist in cleanup.  I want the kids to be involved in some community service anyway, and this will give us a chance to show the kids where they will be.  It will also let them see that we are only an hour away.

We're all very excited about this opportunity for them.  Now all that's left is to pick a week, register them, and count down the days!  I'm so excited for them.  I just know they're going to make memories that last a lifetime!