His Refuge

Week 2 of school has come to an end. The verdict is still out. Some mornings are more of a struggle than others. Overall his mood swings are not nearly as bad as last week. I wish he would sleep a little more, but I have always wished that. He just doesn't "require" as much as Owen does. Some day that will be a blessing I am sure ;)

He comes home every afternoon and heads straight up to his room where his beloved LEGOS await. I have always sensed they were a source of comfort for him, but not it is very obvious. Quite frankly it's perfect for me. I spend some time getting Owen settled and started on his homework. Then I sneak upstairs to ask Mason about his day. Usually by then he is ready to talk. I don't stay too long b/c he loves to be at work alone. He has spent nearly every afternoon in his room despite the beautiful weather. Sometimes up to 2.5 hrs! Owen calls him a "Lego potato" instead of couch potato.

He has started building furniture. It's really cool and pretty amazing at the details. He built a bunk bed, dresser, shower, potty, grill, refrigerator. Most of the ideas come from this book. The book doesn't give building instructions just completed design ideas. He comes up with the pieces all by himself.
Thankfully he has not had any homework. This was not the case for Owen's KG class. I am SO thankful b/c he clearly needs this time. It will start eventually, but for now we are counting our blessings.
He is doing well in class. No problems according to his teacher. His favorite part is rest time?!?! Somehow my extremely friendly, outgoing son is also a hermit who needs his peace and quiet. Go figure.

Home Study Ready to Go!

Doing a little jig here with tears in my eyes. 

Since I didn't have anyone to high five or hug, I took a picture ;)

Next stop, immigration approval.

Little Fish in A Big Pond

When we were selecting an adoption agency, I had read a few good things about Lifeline via internet, but it was my "gut" that was the main deciding factor. From my first encounters over the phone and the personal attention I received I sort of assumed it was a smallish China program. Ha! Just last week I finally asked and it's around 400 families in the China program alone!!! Of course all in various stages, not just waiting for referrals. Wow!

Well, despite being 1 family in a sea of families we are still feeling loved. This is part of an email update from the agency (to ALL of us) but special none the less.

"I know that the wait is hard and becomes discouraging at times. In the midst of the "waits", please remember that the Lord is working. He has such a perfect plan for your family; one that cannot be thwarted by governments, agencies or orphanage directors. I am confident we will have a child for your family soon and when we do, it will be the child that has been meant for your family since the beginning of time! I wish I had more details and time frames to offer...until I do, please know that your family is loved and valued by our agency. We look forward to the day that you are looking back at this time of waiting as a sweet time that the Lord used in preparing your family for the precious little one soon to be placed in your arms!"

I would be lying if I said I was doing this gracefully. (thankfully HE is Grace) It's kind of ugly around here. I feel like I am walking around in a fog and a lot is being set aside :( 

I know this is a season. And I know it will get way harder before it gets easier (if it does). Our normal will be a new normal once again. Thankfully we've done that 3 times already ;) 

I am pretty certain that the adoption of 1 child, out of 148 million, won't change much for the big picture, but I am seeing (He is showing me) how it's being worked out in lots and lots of little pictures. He is generous, to lift my fog, long enough to see and we are encouraged!

The home study is still being revised ;(

1st games

Owen and Mason had games at almost the same time, Saturday at completely different parks. Gotta love it. I took Mason. On the way we picked up a headboard for Sugarplum ;) A craigslist find.

 This was a pretty regular occurrence... Mason and the goal and no one else in sight  :)

He "claims" he doesn't want to play soccer (now that we've signed him up). 
Doesn't really look like that to me ;)

Progress

The home study has required a lot more work this week to finalize than I expected. Let's just say I didn't totally understand the process for using 2 agencies. So there has been a lot of additional copies being made and several new forms being filled out. None of which is extremly difficult, but I thought I was done. So my attitude has not been very positive.

The stacks are growing by the day. Like my desk? At least I use the ironing board for something ;)

 

Hoping by Monday it will be ready for the mail.

We are coming for you girlie!!