Coppin' a 'tude

Today we escaped to the coast for the afternoon. We planned to leave in the late morning so we could get some errands/ chores done before we left. One of these was grocery shopping. While eating breakfast this morning, Joe told Kai about our plans to visit the "ocean" today. When he saw me he said, "Ocean now!". My reply was, "Not yet, we have to go grocery shopping first". To this he rolled his eyes... big time!

Oh, boy!

Foto Finish Friday

Then: K by the maple 6/13/08

Now: K by the maple 5/19/09

Happy Mail

We got a big surprise in the mail a few days ago! A package from K's foster Mom! He was so excited to open it! When it came, the conversation between K and I went something like this:

Me: "K, this package is from Korea. Who else is from Korea?"

K: "ME!!"

Me: "Then who do you think this package is for??"

K: "ME!!"

OK, I'm sure he only got those questions right because the answer was him, but it still made me wonder if some of what we tell him about his story is already sinking in. It was pure torture for us to wait until Joe got home from work to open it, but we did. And it was worth the wait! K's foster Mom is such a sweet and thoughtful lady. I really hope we get to meet her someday. She sent: an adorable outfit for K (see photo), a beautiful coffee set for Joe and I, a stack of baby pictures (including what may possibly be the youngest photo we have of him yet), some tulip bulbs from her garden (the same tulips which were in a handful of pictures with K in photos she had previously sent us...my sentimental sappy side is sooo lovin' those), and a wonderful note. The love they did and do feel for our son is so apparent, and we are all so thankful that we've been able to maintain contact.

K in his Korea threads...

Oh, and I have to mention that somehow she got these pants right on the money, he very well may live in them this summer. They're super lightweight, stretchy waisted "short pants", even though they don't really look like it in this pic. I realized that if you cinch the elastic at the bottom of the legs, they ride up a little and are shorter, I'm sure this is the way they're meant to be worn.

it's good to know...

That I am *officially* 100% free and clear of my military obligation! OK, for most of you this is probably old news, since I have been out for over 6 years. However, I never received my discharge orders so I couldn't "prove" it. You might be wondering why I didn't inquire with them sooner...hmm...let me think; Iraq war, Afghanistan, I can't prove I'm discharged... really, am I going to bring my name up in the midst of all those circumstances?? I think not! But, I decided it was finally time, and requested my military records just over a week ago and got them in the mail on Monday (honestly, the fastest I've ever seen the military move...). And yes, indeed, it says in black and white, "Status at separation: honorable"!! (And yes, they had sent them to me...at an address I hadn't lived at in a very long time)

Journey of a Mother

I am K's third mother. His first mother, of course, his birth mother. His second mother, his foster mother. His third mother, Me, his FOREVER mother. His other two mothers were most definitely in my thoughts and prayers on this Day for Mother's.

Mother's Day was not always a happy day for me. In fact, for many years it was one of the worst days of the year. I dreaded it, and I grieved every year it came around and I still had no child in my arms. The feelings I felt were some of the loneliest in the world; not only did I not have my child in my arms, but few people knew or realized my suffering and I knew only a few other people who were going through the same things. It's such a lonely road, made even more so by the fact that even our husbands don't know what we're really going through, although it pains them just as much.

This weekend I had a great time celebrating my motherhood with our families. As much as I felt it was a celebration of my motherhood, I also felt it was a celebration of my CHILD, who we truly feel is our special gift from God. Today, as everyday, I cherished the hugs and kisses from my little boy. It still amazes me that even after all this time, I still get teary eyed with his whole body hugs and "I love you Mommy".  I hope I never lose that feeling.

Foto Finish Friday

After my last post I feel I owe you all a bit of silliness. Well, our boy is never short on that! This week was kind of a slow in the picture department (who wants to see pictures of crying and screaming, anyways?). Since it's not from this week, I thought I'd spice it up a bit by making it an action shot (ie, video). Enjoy a few moments of our silly boy!

He had been doing this crazy dance on his toy box, which I of course missed most of since I had to run and get the camera. Then he decides to shift to super hero mode (in case any of you need some translation).

Testing...one...two...

Yes, K, we still love you, even though we've about had it....

This week surely has been one for the record books. Can anyone say "testing twos"?? (Gotta give credit for that one to my blogger buddy, Mara) 

Oh...my...goodness, and just when we thought we had the world's sweetest child, too.

Not sure what's been going on in that little head of his, but he sure is trying to make sure we're in this for the long haul. Probably the biggest disappointment of the week has been his regression on his potty training. Honestly, it's like he lost over a month worth of training over the course of a few days. It started the end of last week, and went down hill all weekend until we finally put him in diapers on Sunday afternoon. He would refuse to sit on the potty and actually asked to wear a diaper. I wasn't in the mood for fighting, so that's what we did... put a diaper on him. Monday he was in daycare and it wasn't much better. He went through all 3 pairs of pants I sent with him and he gave his care provider flack when she asked him to go. When we got home in the evening, he had 2 accidents in less than 40 minutes... He was also not a very nice boy on Monday and had several time outs at daycare for hitting other kids. 

Yesterday was slightly better, but he still went through all the clothes I sent with him. His day care provider had the brilliant idea of making him take off his wet clothes, put them in the dirty bag and put on his clean clothes (all by himself) when he had accidents. She said this continued all morning, but after 11am yesterday he stayed dry the rest of the day! And today... so far, so good. :-) And yea, we're adopting that method for home as well. He was also had a much better attitude yesterday and didn't hit anyone. 

OH, and the other news...he can open his bedroom door.  So:

**open door + big boy bed = little boy who doesn't want to stay in his room at bedtime**

Monday he tested this on us as well, and finally stayed in bed after about the 6th time of being taken back to bed. Hopefully this is improving as well, last night he only got up once. Right now he's down for nap and he didn't come out at all. 

It's pretty strange to just see him appear when he's done sleeping. 

K and I have done lots of praying together this week...praying for Mommy to have patience and for K to be able to make good choices and obey his parents. Speaking of prayer, if you're so inclined, please send one up for my Grandma. She's 97 and still lives independently. She's currently in the hospital for pneumonia and will not be able to return home to the level of independence she knows and loves. Please keep her and my parents in your prayers as they make choices on her care needs and living situation. Thanks.

So, there you go, our exciting week. Sorry if it's a bit of a rant, but real life isn't always pretty. Can't be all sunshine and smiles, you know. ;-)

Handwashing 101...

First, turn on the water ...

notice the fine balancing skills this requires.

Next, plenty of soap...

Stop to say "Cheese"!

Then, rinse clean

Finally, quick dry with the towel...

so quick, in fact, I could barely get a picture of it!

And he couldn't be happier that there is now one more thing he can do (almost) entirely on his "own". :-)

Foto Finish Friday

Enjoying his very own bowl of yummy locally made strawberry ice cream! It was the second time ever of getting his "own" treat and boy was he feeling like something special! Oh, and sporting his new favorite T-shirt, his "basketball shirt" from Grandma Nancy. He's insisted on wearing it the past two days, luckily I had to do laundry last night... it was a bad potty day at day care yesterday :-(.