Party

The girls have been invited to a birthday party tomorrow. Actually, all three girls were invited, but Morgan is still at camp. I would feel much better about leaving them if Morgan was there. The girls are doing so much better and have come so far in almost 14 months, but they still have issues. I am not sure they will ever "get" some things.

Things still happen that frustrate me so much. I am not going to detail them because others would probably so I am being petty. However, even a four year old would know better. Social settings we have been in quite a few times and can't remember how to behave. We struggle remembering our boundaries regarding hugging and touching people.

They struggle with friendships. For this birthday tomorrow, I was talking with the girls about not hanging all over the other girls. They can't grasp my problem with their actions. They struggle with the fact a hug must be wanted by both people. We don't hang all over our friends. Hannah mentioned she would sit with the birthday girl in the car tomorrow. I had to explain that there will be 12 friends of this person at the party tomorrow. Some of them are much closer to this person than Hannah. Hannah thought she would be her buddy tomorrow. I had to explain that may not be the case. They are doing a scavenger hunt downtown. I am nervous about it. The mother doesn't want me to go, but I might. I will just have to evaluate the situation in the morning when I drop them off. I am happy they were invited and I want them to go. I am just really anxious about the party. If we have struggles in the morning, we may not go. My friends always tell me they do well for them, maybe I am too strict. No, I am not. I have to be in my world or all will fall apart.

Anyway, enough of that...I will let you know how things go.

We are headed to my parents tomorrow for the remainder of the week. Well, the twins and Alex will be with me. Morgan is at camp and my husband and Tucker are going to a Father/Son retreat in Texas this weekend. We will pick up Morgan Saturday and return home. We will pack Sunday and leave for our annual beach trip Monday.

It is a very busy month for us.

Things are okay

Morgan has been at camp since Tuesday. Things are going pretty well. It is funny how many times the girls would both say they didn't do something in their room and I would get to say, "You can't blame Morgan, one of you did it." I am really surprised at how many times that has happened. They have wondered around a couple times wondering what to do. We have spent the last two afternoons at the pool so that has helped. They are bickering more and more. It is definitely interesting.

I have received a letter each day from Morgan. She seems happy. I have a feeling she is going to be rotten when she gets home. She is blessed with so many wonderful activities all day long at camp that when she gets home she is going to have to remember how to entertain herself. I am so thankful we were able to send her. I think it has been a good thing for everybody.

My husband has noticed the flirting the last few times we have all been together. Today at the pool a new teenage boy started life guarding. He is a good christian homeschool boy. Well, she was trying to discreetly get his attention. She was the only one in the middle pool and she was swimming right in front of him. My husband noticed and told her to come play with him in the water.

Camp

Well, Morgan has been at camp for one night and over 24 hours now. The camp has a private website where they post pictures daily. I found her in two pictures from last night. She looked happy. I am so glad. I hope she has a wonderful time. I miss her already. The girls have had some issues this morning. I am sure it is acting out of jealousy and some anger. We have been very busy today, so that has helped. The next few days aren't as busy. We shall see how things go...

Busy Times

We had our piano recital last week. We are finished with piano until September.

The girls had their dance recital this weekend. They did really well.

Morgan leaves for camp tommorrow. Twelve days!!!! What am I going to do? I am sure the time with her away will be good for bonding with the girls. The dynamics will be different. It should be interesting.

Hannah and Haylee participated in ballet. Morgan participated in ballet, tap and jazz. She was also asked to be a chimney sweep from Mary Poppins. She loved it! She popped up out of a chimney and then flipped in the air. She did great!

Again today...

Haylee had a difficult day again. She was yelling at Hannah first thing this morning. We handled that and moved on. She was complaining about something or getting on to someone most of the day. She went on to swim team and said she had a headache. She sat out some of the workout. They played a game and she said she was better. After the game, she had a headache again. Interesting.

She came home, ate a very good dinner, showered and was in the bed by 7:15. Everyone else had sat around the bonfire outside and took turns making up funny stories. I am sorry she didn't get to participate, but if you are that sick, you need your rest. I don't know if she had a headache or not. She has never done this before. However, this week she has done a lot of things that aren't normal for her.

We aren't opposed to putting her back on her medicine, but we are trying to see if she is just testing the boundaries or what she is up to. Another new season on this journey of adopted older children from foster care.

Hannah is still doing well. She has had a few really good days.

Only one at a time...

As many of my blog friends have stated, with adopted children, it seems that only one of mine can "do well" at a time.

Hannah is usually my problem. Well, she has behaved pretty well and followed the rules the last few days. She has done well with her small amount of school work as well.

Haylee hasn't done well. She can't keep her hands to herself. She won't listen. She won't answer us when we ask a question. She just stares or looks at the ground. When we pull her chin up to look at us, she looks back down. She usually isn't in trouble until she starts not answering us.

We had to drive an hour in the car this morning for a doctor appt for the twins. The girls were all told to take their small amount of school with them. We start driving and I notice Haylee isn't working. I ask her why and she says she gets sick in the car. She hasn't ever gotten sick in the car with us. Hannah has, but not Haylee. So, she only brought one of her books. She had to finish her when we got home while everyone else played.

After completing her school, she wanted Hannah to play with her. They were in their room. I kept hearing Haylee yell at Hannah. After I heard a foot stomp, I intervened. Hannah was trying to control the situation by saying she didn't remember the "game" Haylee wanted to play. Haylee was frustrated and yelling at her. Haylee is now resting in her bed. I will not tolerate them acting in their "games" in ways they shouldn't act to anyone. I really don't like the "games" they play.

I am sure, since Morgan isn't home, Hannah was trying to control the situation. Well, it backfired. They aren't playing.

It may be a long 11 days while Morgan is at camp!

They may be having rest time while Morgan is gone. I try to have quiet reading time in the summer anyway. It doesn't always happen. It seems like we are always headed somewhere with a child for an appt or something.

I wonder if Haylee's medicine is helping control some other issues other than ADHD. I wonder if it is helping stabilize her emotions. We may not make it all summer without her meds. Any opinions from other Mom's of children that have suffered abuse and neglect? Children with FAE?

Mixed emotions today

Today is our 16th anniversary!! Yeah!! My husband is awesome and has helped me through many difficult times in our marriage.

My brother died of cancer 15 years ago tomorrow. We spent our first anniversary at the hospital with him hours before he died.

My grandfather passed away during the night last night. I don't think we are going to take the kids to the funeral. Haylee and Hannah have never met him. He has been in a nursing home since they came. I am not sure what emotions this would bring in the equation. Elliott may change my mind, but for know I think that is the best thing for everyone.

Also, if the girls go, it will be all about them and how cute they are. This always causes problems.

The girls have dance all day tomorrow to prepare for their recital next weekend and the boys are competing in a swim meet in Auburn.

Two sweet friends are going to help us out. One family is going to get my boys to the swim meet. Another friend is going to pick the girls up at dance and stay at the house Saturday night and Sunday so the kids can stay home. The friend staying the night has done foster care for 25 years. She knows what can go on around here and she is also aware of my recent concerns. I don't think much will get past her. I am so blessed to have such sweet friends.

So, for our anniversary, we get a night without kids but it is to go the my grandfather's funeral. The funeral is four hours north of here. We will get to see what is left of the tornado destruction because Cullman was hit pretty hared.

It is a bitter sweet time, but we will find joy in our situation. What will I do with a car ride with my husband by ourselves for three hours?

I hope the girls will do okay while we are gone. We probably won't be home until late Sunday night.