Family Update February 9, 2013

So, life in our house has been pretty interesting lately! 

Tyler* started pre-school in October and LOVES it!  His teachers are so nice and patient!  I’ve seen him change so much in the past few months.  He is singing, counting, saying the alphabet, and can even spell his name!  We are finally getting somewhere with genetics testing and other learning evaluations.  Several doctors and other professionals have suggested he ranks on the lower end of the Autism spectrum or Asperger’s syndrome.  We don’t have a diagnosis as of right now, but we hope to have one soon.  Every test result we get seems to get a little closer to understanding his learning difficulties and how to help him grow.  Because he struggles so much, every accomplishment he has is a joyous occasion.  He brings such a tender light to our lives.  We are so proud of him.

Another benefit of Tyler going to school is that I get four mornings a week to spend with Jake* one-on-one (we also try to take turns so we can have one-on-one time with Alex every week also).  I think this is something he has been craving and truly needing.  Spending so much time with just Jake has allowed me to bond with him in a way I couldn’t when both boys were together all day long.  He is talking a lot more instead of screaming as a first response to everything.  Jake is also beginning to pick up a lot of new concepts.  He can tell you his name, how to spell it and how old he is!  Jake loves to be outside, throw balls, and pretend to be animals.  He is definitely boy, through and through!  Jake is also a wonderful friend.  He is kind to babies (he tries to feed them and always makes sure they have something to play with) and loves to try to get little friends to play with him.  We are still working on his temper, but I can tell he is starting to figure out how to cope with his emotions. 

We are currently filling out the adoption paperwork and hope to be finished with that whole process by fall.  We are ready to have them be officially ours. 

On top of all the therapies, trainings, paperwork, meetings, school (Tyler and Chris), and all the other billion things we do everyday, we are trying to buy a house.   So far, we haven’t really found anything we love.  I’m sure the right house will come along and everything will work out how God wants it too.  

After all, God keeps his promises.

*the boys’ names were changed to protect their identities 

February 9, 2013

On August 28, 2011 I became a foster mom.  Two little boys came into my life and changed it forever.  This year, I will be able to lose the title “foster” and finally be their forever mom.  I can’t describe in words, or in a blog, what it feels like to go from a caregiver of two little strangers to being their “Mommy.”  Or what it feels like to go from being screamed at for hours on end, to having them say, “I love you too” for the first time.  It’s been quite the journey.  I am so thankful that God carried me every step of the way.  His gentle and consistent guidance over the last year and half forever cemented this truth in my heart: God keeps his promises…every time.

“I am blessed beyond belief.  Thank you Lord, for loving me so much.  I don’t deserve it.  Thank you for blessing my life and trusting me with these two little treasures.  They didn’t grow in my womb, but you grew them in my heart.  You have been cultivating my heart since childhood in preparation for them.  Thank you for not giving me what I thought I wanted, but giving me what I needed.  Thank you for keeping your promise. I love you, Lord.  Amen.”

August 2012

What a mighty God we serve!

Thinking back over this last year brings tears to my eyes.  It's been wonderful, challenging, heartbreaking, emotional, and full of ups and downs.

The last time I posted on this blog, Tyler* and Jake* were very new to our home.  They screamed for hours on end because they were scared, insecure, and didn't know how to tell us what they were feeling.  Needless to say, the first three months seemed to drag on and on.  I was just about at my breaking point when the boys started to make progress.  The first time Tyler used sign language to ask for "more" macaroni-n-cheese instead of screaming, I literally burst into tears.  

Since then, both Tyler and Jake have grown so much.  Through Speech, Physical, and Occupational therapy (and lots of patient parenting from Chris and I), both boys are growing by leaps and bounds.  They both are learning how to communicate their emotions instead of throwing tantrums.  Learning this has taken quite a while and remains a daily struggle.  Tyler can count to 11 and Jake can count to 7.  Both boys can identify quite a few shapes and colors.  Tyler is almost fully potty trained (nighttime is still a struggle).  We started potty training Jake last Friday and he is doing fantastic with it.  I was worried about potty training Jake because he is a pretty strong willed child, but he hasn't really fought me on it.  I think he was just ready.  Jake knows just about all the basic animal sounds and enjoys making them any chance he gets.  

We love going to the zoo (Thank you Mamaw for the season pass).  We go several times a month.  Going to the park is one of our regular activities as well.  When the boys first came to us, they had no idea how to climb on playground equipment or what to do at a park.  Now, They run, climb, slide, and swing their way around like pros!  Several months ago we took them swimming for the first time.  Tyler loved it!  Jake didn't like it quite as much.  We have gone several times since then and I think he is warming up to it.  We also took them to their first movie recently.  We saw Madagascar 3.  They absolutely loved it and were enthralled the whole time!  We also saw Brave and the new Ice Age movie.  Eight, maybe even six months ago, the thought of doing so many activities would have produced quite a bit of anxiety for me.  I just can't believe how far they have come and how they are flourishing.  It makes me want to cry, laugh, and jump for joy all at the same time.  :  )

We have several things we are looking forward to.  Tyler will be starting pre-school in a couple months (*sniffle*).  It will be hard for me to not have him with me all day, but I am excited to see him grow and make friends.  We are also awaiting some very crucial test results that will hopefully give us a diagnosis on Tyler so we can make a developmental plan.  

Most importantly, we are expecting to begin the adoption process on October 17th.  We already have an adoption specialist assigned to our case.  We are just waiting for the go ahead.  We are very anxious to begin.  We love these two precious little boys with all our hearts.  Thank you, Lord, for bringing these boys into our lives.  We couldn't be happier.  It amazes me how God knows exactly what we need and when to give it to us.  What a mighty God we serve, indeed!

God keeps His promises.

*boy's names were changed to protect their identity