September 29, 2011

I can't believe that it is almost October already! As I was sitting here counting my blessings this morning, I stopped and thought about how we didn't think we would bring home our kids until maybe OCTOBER.  Yet, here they are in our home.  Here they are adjusted and doing well.  Here they are after the honeymoon period has ended, school has started, and roots have been growing.  We didn't have to wait until October!  We brought them home over 2 months ago.  God is amazingly good.

I also got word that we were awarded our grant and that my job will go on!  This was a HUGE point of stress for us because so much was going to change.  I was scared of what that would do to our kids and how it would impact bonding.. But God had it all under control and was on it the entire time. Smile.  I'm so happy that I will still be the one to pick up our daughter from school and to be the one to open the door when our son arrives on his bus.  I'm so happy that our kids will continue to have the presence of both moms as much as they have been since they arrived.  God really is amazing.

In other news, we talked to our therapist yesterday about our daughter's struggle in school and with executive functioning.  We have decided to find a new pediatrician and start her on medication.  We feel that she needs help. One thing that I read that really hit home was,

"Teaching skills is inadequate.  The key is to design supports in the environment and compensate for the EF (executive functioning) deficits.  EF deficits are neuro-genetic in origin, therefore medications may be essential for most.  The compassion and willingness of others to make accommodations are vital to success.  A chronic disability perspective is most useful."

There is it... My charge to not become frustrated or overwhelmed when it seems like she is doing little things on purpose... She isn't!  More discipline and more rewards... Immediate rewards.

Adoption is not for the faint hearted, make no mistake!  But it is the hardest job I've ever loved... I know I've heard that somewhere, but I don't know where-- insert appropriate credit here!