Tuesday, April 03, 2012
Sunday, April 01, 2012
The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly
Peter has been learning very quickly the dynamics of our family. He was hitting and biting a bunch when he first arrived (as I would too in his situation) but with consistent reminders of what is expected, he has promptly stopped, and instead now seems to follow right along with what is expected.
Friday evening our family was helping with the Simpson Family Fundraiser (they lost their home to a fire on 3/18/2012) we were delivering tables and a trailer to be used for the yard Sale.
It was minimal effort on our part, this family has been close friends since we left Alaska in 2006.
I did not make it far.... I buckled all the kids in the Suburban, loaded up the trailer and pulled out of the driveway. The stop sign at the end or our road is set back from the intersection, and often times we have close calls with oncoming traffic.
This time the oncoming car collided with my suburban.
It totaled both vehicles but luckily none were majorly injured.
We were blessed with safety.
The Good is we are all ok, the bad is we no longer have a vehicle that fits our family of 9, and the ugly is we will be forced to go into debt to purchase a new one.
We have avoided debt since 2005 and we are not thrilled to go back.
but it could have been MUCH worse!
Friday evening our family was helping with the Simpson Family Fundraiser (they lost their home to a fire on 3/18/2012) we were delivering tables and a trailer to be used for the yard Sale.
It was minimal effort on our part, this family has been close friends since we left Alaska in 2006.
I did not make it far.... I buckled all the kids in the Suburban, loaded up the trailer and pulled out of the driveway. The stop sign at the end or our road is set back from the intersection, and often times we have close calls with oncoming traffic.
This time the oncoming car collided with my suburban.
It totaled both vehicles but luckily none were majorly injured.
We were blessed with safety.
The Good is we are all ok, the bad is we no longer have a vehicle that fits our family of 9, and the ugly is we will be forced to go into debt to purchase a new one.
We have avoided debt since 2005 and we are not thrilled to go back.
but it could have been MUCH worse!
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Hurdles and Hugs
Peter had a great day today. He has enjoyed the sunshine, and all the fun running around with Zeke & Eli.
Each of the boys had a tick tonight at bed time.....can you imagine me trying to remove a tick from Peters arm-pit...he thought I was simply TORTURING him!!!
But the bath made it all better. He LOVES water, he washes his hands faithfully after every potty trip, just so he can have time in the water. Then he helped Shaun do dishes for nearly an hour....for the pleasure of playing in the water....He is so fun.
He ate 4 HUGE bowls of Baked Ziti for lunch. This boy eats.... Now if only we can get him to start gaining weight. He lost 7 lbs from the flu last month, he is so underweight any little illness just takes it right out of him.
I shudder to think of the worst case scenario, where we are not able to raise enough $$ to finalize his adoption and he is forced to return to Liberia.
Thanks again to everyone who has sent money. The amount we have to save/raise is HUGE and every little bit helps. I never want any one to feel like I am guilt tripping them, I sincerely hope I am not sending that vibe....My cousins near and far and my friends that have sent money to me....I just can't put into words how amazed I am.
Madi's preschool teacher from 1998 gave a paypal donation. Amazing.
Thanks again everyone.
Oh...we took the CUTEST photos of the boys all dressed for church. I will share tomorrow. Even though Peter did not attend church, he sat and watched a session of Conference in ASL with me on the computer!
Each of the boys had a tick tonight at bed time.....can you imagine me trying to remove a tick from Peters arm-pit...he thought I was simply TORTURING him!!!
But the bath made it all better. He LOVES water, he washes his hands faithfully after every potty trip, just so he can have time in the water. Then he helped Shaun do dishes for nearly an hour....for the pleasure of playing in the water....He is so fun.
He ate 4 HUGE bowls of Baked Ziti for lunch. This boy eats.... Now if only we can get him to start gaining weight. He lost 7 lbs from the flu last month, he is so underweight any little illness just takes it right out of him.
I shudder to think of the worst case scenario, where we are not able to raise enough $$ to finalize his adoption and he is forced to return to Liberia.
Thanks again to everyone who has sent money. The amount we have to save/raise is HUGE and every little bit helps. I never want any one to feel like I am guilt tripping them, I sincerely hope I am not sending that vibe....My cousins near and far and my friends that have sent money to me....I just can't put into words how amazed I am.
Madi's preschool teacher from 1998 gave a paypal donation. Amazing.
Thanks again everyone.
Oh...we took the CUTEST photos of the boys all dressed for church. I will share tomorrow. Even though Peter did not attend church, he sat and watched a session of Conference in ASL with me on the computer!
Pennies for Peter!
Here is a Flyer I created with help from my friend Susanna. What do you think?
Are you willing to print ONE COPY and put it up for display at your local Grocery Store, or Gas station, What about a neighbors restaurant? Someplace like "The Smokehouse" or "Iggy's" or how about "Ernie's Deli" ?
Feedback appreciated!
Are you willing to print ONE COPY and put it up for display at your local Grocery Store, or Gas station, What about a neighbors restaurant? Someplace like "The Smokehouse" or "Iggy's" or how about "Ernie's Deli" ?
Feedback appreciated!
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Bonding & Trust
Newborn babes...the smell intoxicating, they are tiny, and sweet and utterly perfect. Not at hing they can do (even scream all night long with gas) can not mar the joy and peace they bring to your home.
When a new mother gives birth, first an influx of congratulations, and Gifts, Meals, and offerings for support and help flood in. Mom's usually have a bit of euphoria.
All is right. All is well.
Within the first three weeks, a mom will nap, snuggle and bundle up her wee one just basking in that babes wonderful spirit.
It is a perfect time. Of course there are struggles, postpartum pains, or the depression that often sets in. But overall the Highs out number the lows.
When a new child is introduced into a family and the child is older. (Say older than 2) The bonding, snuggling, cuddling, and basking are a little more complicated. The Synapses that occurs to a newborn, developing their intellectual capacity, establishing their trust, and safety comprehension.
The fact that the people that WERE caring for this child, are no longer in their life, the damage to trust and safety has already been done. These kids have a battle to overcome. Other wise known as 'attachment issues' having a normal attachment to their caregiver (Mother & Father) is essential to the normal development of relationships throughout their lives. Without this many things are not understood. For example; Authority, accountability, remorse, trust. Can you imagine a life without the capacity for one or each of these?
When a new child is brought into the home in adoption, it is absolutely essential and imperative that people in their surroundings understand something.
Affection and Direction are ONLY appropriate when they come from the Mother & Father.
If others (who are well meaning) Hug, pick-up, snuggle, caress, cuddle or otherwise ANY PHYSICAL affection it Disrupts the Trust & Bonding that adoptive families work SO HARD to establish.
I understand these babies (even if they are 2, 3 or 4) are adorable, and so lovable.
For the first year affection (even hugs) Should be considered a violation of boundaries.
Please do not get offended! Please be supportive during this CRUCIAL time of adjustment and Please respect the parents desires to mend the broken chains of trust, love and affections.
When a new mother gives birth, first an influx of congratulations, and Gifts, Meals, and offerings for support and help flood in. Mom's usually have a bit of euphoria.
All is right. All is well.
Within the first three weeks, a mom will nap, snuggle and bundle up her wee one just basking in that babes wonderful spirit.
It is a perfect time. Of course there are struggles, postpartum pains, or the depression that often sets in. But overall the Highs out number the lows.
When a new child is introduced into a family and the child is older. (Say older than 2) The bonding, snuggling, cuddling, and basking are a little more complicated. The Synapses that occurs to a newborn, developing their intellectual capacity, establishing their trust, and safety comprehension.
The fact that the people that WERE caring for this child, are no longer in their life, the damage to trust and safety has already been done. These kids have a battle to overcome. Other wise known as 'attachment issues' having a normal attachment to their caregiver (Mother & Father) is essential to the normal development of relationships throughout their lives. Without this many things are not understood. For example; Authority, accountability, remorse, trust. Can you imagine a life without the capacity for one or each of these?
When a new child is brought into the home in adoption, it is absolutely essential and imperative that people in their surroundings understand something.
Affection and Direction are ONLY appropriate when they come from the Mother & Father.
If others (who are well meaning) Hug, pick-up, snuggle, caress, cuddle or otherwise ANY PHYSICAL affection it Disrupts the Trust & Bonding that adoptive families work SO HARD to establish.
I understand these babies (even if they are 2, 3 or 4) are adorable, and so lovable.
For the first year affection (even hugs) Should be considered a violation of boundaries.
Please do not get offended! Please be supportive during this CRUCIAL time of adjustment and Please respect the parents desires to mend the broken chains of trust, love and affections.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)