Saturday, February 23, 2013

Back to Work...Kind of

So I went back to work on Monday. I hadn't worked in eight weeks because I had two weeks of Christmas vacation and six weeks of adoption leave. I teach 6th graders. My husband is on a business trip for two weeks. Yep, it was definitely a tough week! The days were exhausting, I lost my voice, and I the blizzard sure didn't help. On the bright side, I only ended up working three and half days this week, report cards are done, and I have a four day week again this week. Well, maybe it will only be a three day week because we are supposed to have another blizzard...

Overall, I am feeling like the first week back went better for all of us than expected, and I am excited for next week. I was really worried that my kids would have some regression when I went back to work, but we seem to be going along about the same as we were before. I did forget to do homework with my child one night, but I think this week will be better. Thank God for answered prayers!

Sunday, February 3, 2013

One Month

Yesterday was one month since we brought out kids home. That is almost unbelievable! What did we do before they were here? How did we spend our days? What kind of insane people were we to adopt children we had never met? How have I spent the last four weeks? What am I going to do with the next two weeks of leave, and how will I ever function when I go back to work?

I can honestly say that I am already beginning to forget what was like without them. I know we all have so much more adjusting to do, and we definitely haven't learned nearly everything about each other, we are a family that loves each other and is so thankful that we have been united.

When the kids first arrived, I was so worried about them adjusting to life here. They kept telling us about their house and beds and clothes and school. They were talking about all of the things from their past.  I just kept wondering when they would start to think of this life as their life. When would this be their home, teacher, clothes, beds? We are getting there. They know our routines, neighbors, and friends. They can recognize their house and recite their address. In five more months, when we finalize the adoption, I am sure we will feel like we have always been together. Don't misunderstand, we don't want them to forget. We have pictures, and we Skype with their foster family to make sure they remember. We do want them to think of this as their family and to know that these are their things.

I am so thankful for them -even when someone pees in their bed, gets a little sassy, or has a timeout at school. I love them, and I can't imagine life having been any different.