52 Weeks of Family: Week 12

Mila:

You finished your first full week of school and you L-O-V-E it!  Love really isn't even a strong enough word. School is your sole motivation.  You will literally do ANYTHING if it has to do with school. Including...going in the kitchen!

Making your lunch, filling your water bottle, warming up your food in the microwave...doesn't matter. If it is school related, you are eager to do it! (And this momma ain't stupid...I am going to milk that motivation for all it's worth!  Helping with the dishes?  Um, yeah...that's for school. Knock yourself out. *wink* )

It's weird to think you've only been in school for 7 total days. You are so comfortable there. Your teachers have even commented they weren't prepared for how quickly you settled in, made friends and are navigating the school environment.  You even felt comfortable enough to test some boundaries at school and at home one day in the middle of this week. This is good!  You feel safe enough to stretch your emotional legs a bit to find the edge of the playing field, if you will. What's even better is you recovered quickly after each redirection (and that your teachers are on the same page).  I know it's hard some days honey, but soon you won't have to test if the love you've been given in a forever family is unconditional. You can't earn or un-earn it. It's freely given and it's going to stay. <3 

You've struggled with jealousy toward Isaac since our first trip to Albania last summer. It was hard to see him come home with me while you had to stay at the orphanage (that makes complete sense!) and during the weeks that you and I were home together while Isaac was at school, you struggled when he came home and split my attention.  Most days are fine, but some days have been hard in that regard and I've been praying that your heart would soften towards your little brother that adores you so very much. That seems to have started this week as you realized that you are BOTH at school during the day and not with me. What a joy to see you reach for him without prompting and even initiating play without me near. They are moments, but I treasure them as your love for him grows. 

New in your word arsenal:
Your welcome = your column
Your majesty (think FROZEN) = Emergency

The best though, is when I asked you if you had made your bed (in English), to which you responded "Go take a look!"   Um, ok...I will. 

Isaac:

We've had some dry and even sunny weather this week so you've been able to get outside and "run and run and run, Momma?"  Yes, buddy. Go run and run and run! Stretch those long legs!  Get ALL the wiggles out. (And sleep well tonight!).  

We've been going to private speech therapy in addition to school speech therapy for several years and you had seemed to hit a wall over the last few months. Feeling a bit exasperated, I cancelled our private therapist for a break while I sorted out next steps. Seems having an English learning big sister was the perfect motivation!  You are mimicking her new words and building your own verbal vocabulary, relying on ASL less & less.  After a sample at Costco this week you stared me right in the eyes and declared "that was GROSS!"  hahaha  (It was actually really gross).  And during a walk through the woods you took delight in pointing out different trees saying "LooK over der too; now dis one, Momma".  So awesome!

Me:

This was a planned buffer week--not yet back to work, but taking a week while both kids are in school to figure out the details of our new life.  And if all was well in the world I'd get a few minutes to myself. It took 2 & 1/2 days to get caught up on things and sort out details...but then...there was 2 & 1/2 days left!  I had lunch with a friend!  At a restaurant that didn't serve french fries or have a paper napkins!  I sat in my favorite chair, snuggled under a blanket, with a book for HOURS. We are still early on this adoption journey. This was a perfect opportunity to fill my tank as we look at the mileposts ahead of us.

Back to work this week...the freezer is stocked, the dishes & laundry are caught up and even all the bed sheets have been changed (why? I don't know why that felt important, but it got done). Back to the workforce (and a paycheck!).