Today wasn't a bad day by any means. However, Ann struggled in school again today. It is almost 2 pm and she isn't finished with school yet. She has been moving slow all morning. Beth has been finished for about 45 minutes. I will give the meds one more day, but I am probably going to call to have the meds increased. I was hoping we could stay on the low dose, but I guess not. She has started not wanting to eat now. She didn't want a snack this morning and I had to make her eat some lunch. How do you deal with this issue, especially after we increase the meds?
We did sign the papers today. The attorney said he would file with the judge today or in the morning.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Signing Papers tomorrow!!
We are signing the papers tomorrow!! We have a meeting at 10 am with our attorney!!
I am so ready!! I think this well help the girls so much.
We also have a birthday coming up for the girls. We can't decide what to do for a party. Any suggestions? Ann loves anything like princessess and fairies, etc. I think she believes she is truly a part of their world. Beth loves all of the teenager stuff. She hasn't been exposed to much of it at all since she has been here. I am not sure what her favorite theme would be. I haven't been able to find her love for anything.
I am so ready!! I think this well help the girls so much.
We also have a birthday coming up for the girls. We can't decide what to do for a party. Any suggestions? Ann loves anything like princessess and fairies, etc. I think she believes she is truly a part of their world. Beth loves all of the teenager stuff. She hasn't been exposed to much of it at all since she has been here. I am not sure what her favorite theme would be. I haven't been able to find her love for anything.
Disney and Meds
We had a wonderful time at Disney! We went from early in the morning until way too late at night. Nothing unusual happened. They didn't throw any surprises at us. Ann and Beth struggled following the rules for the rides and events, so they did have a few time outs. I think they were also testing their boundaries. We did a lot of hand holding so no child was ever lost. One time, I thought we had last Beth, but she had walked out with my nephew. It still wasn't okay, but at least she wasn't by herself. We were there long enough and were glad to be home.
The teacher cancelled school Monday because she was exhausted. It would not have been a pretty day at all.
Ann took her meds for the first time today. The doctor started her on the lowest dosage. She did so well today! She was the first girl finished and her work was very good!! She was very happy and so was I. Beth wasn't happy that Ann finished before her. She rushed through her math and had to redo at least half of the work. She was mad and I just let her stew. She has improved so much. She knows I won't help her if she is crying and whining. She got herself together and asked me questions which showed she was trying and not trying to have me give her the answers. She finally completed her work. All three girls were finished by about 1:30. I was thrilled...it was a first. It sure did make my day easier. She ate well on the meds, but people have said that will change. I am hoping we can stay on the low dosage. I guess we will have to wait and see. I am anxious to see how she goes to sleep tonight and how Day 2 will turnout.
She even ate lunch better today. I didn't have to tell her to eat and get finished. She just ate. Wow, I guess it helps in all areas with her focus. I hope it continues.
The teacher cancelled school Monday because she was exhausted. It would not have been a pretty day at all.
Ann took her meds for the first time today. The doctor started her on the lowest dosage. She did so well today! She was the first girl finished and her work was very good!! She was very happy and so was I. Beth wasn't happy that Ann finished before her. She rushed through her math and had to redo at least half of the work. She was mad and I just let her stew. She has improved so much. She knows I won't help her if she is crying and whining. She got herself together and asked me questions which showed she was trying and not trying to have me give her the answers. She finally completed her work. All three girls were finished by about 1:30. I was thrilled...it was a first. It sure did make my day easier. She ate well on the meds, but people have said that will change. I am hoping we can stay on the low dosage. I guess we will have to wait and see. I am anxious to see how she goes to sleep tonight and how Day 2 will turnout.
She even ate lunch better today. I didn't have to tell her to eat and get finished. She just ate. Wow, I guess it helps in all areas with her focus. I hope it continues.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Disney!!
We leave for Disney bright and early in the morning. Everyone is excited about going. I hope we have remembered to pack most everything.
We got a prescription for Ann for ADD. He suggested to wait until Monday to start the meds. I hope we have made the right choice. He, as many have told me, said that we should see a change quickly. He said it really helps the entire family. I can believe that.
Until we return from Disney...I hope everyone has a great week!
We got a prescription for Ann for ADD. He suggested to wait until Monday to start the meds. I hope we have made the right choice. He, as many have told me, said that we should see a change quickly. He said it really helps the entire family. I can believe that.
Until we return from Disney...I hope everyone has a great week!
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Questions
Last night as I helped Ann and Beth pack for our Disney trip, they began asking questions. Questions like, will we be able to see our BM and BD again?, Why can't we go see them?, Why can't they know where we are?, Why can't Aunt *** and Uncle *** know where we are?, They told us we were going to live with them forever. They also told me about another person that said they were going to adopt them and didn't. These questions break my heart. They wanted to know why their birth parents couldn't keep them. Why did they want alcohol instead of them? They told me about finding a lot of alcohol in the kitchen closet. The alcohol scares them. They were surprised they never hurt them when they were drunk. I told them I was very thankful that they hadn't. Beth wants see them again. I told them about the time they graduate from high school they could find their parents if they wanted. They asked if they could write them a letter. Beth wanted to tell them to follow Jesus and to stop drinking. They said if they have pictures of Jesus in their house and a Bible why do they still drink? I answered the questions the best I could. When we started the adoption process, we never imagined adopting eight year olds. I always pictured younger kids. These girls remember their past, the good, the bad, and the ugly. It breaks my heart. They miss their friends from their old school. They want to invite them to their birthday party. Ann has received letters back from her friend, but not Beth. It is sad for her.
We are trying to show them the love of Jesus. I pray that God will help me love them as He loves us. I have to say, it is getting easier. This may sound crazy, but Ann testing has helped improve my relationship with Beth. I think it is because she sees the same rules apply to all of the kids. I am very proud of how far my girls have come in five months. They are really doing well considering their past. I believe God is healing their hearts and minds. I believe it will take a long time. We will get there only by following God.
I am praying for guidance regarding the treatment of Ann's ADD this week. I want the path to very clear.
We are trying to show them the love of Jesus. I pray that God will help me love them as He loves us. I have to say, it is getting easier. This may sound crazy, but Ann testing has helped improve my relationship with Beth. I think it is because she sees the same rules apply to all of the kids. I am very proud of how far my girls have come in five months. They are really doing well considering their past. I believe God is healing their hearts and minds. I believe it will take a long time. We will get there only by following God.
I am praying for guidance regarding the treatment of Ann's ADD this week. I want the path to very clear.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Update
Sorry I haven't posted in a while. It has been pretty busy around here.
We went to the doctor this week for Beth. Praise God!!! She has doubled her growth rate in the last five months. I took her in April and she had a rate of 3.9 cm per year. This time it was 9.3 cm per year!! We were all so happy!! She didn't even have to go back the second day for the hormone testing. She may need it later, but the doctor wants to see if she keeps growing like she has in the last five months. God is so good. We prayed before the last visit and decided to ask the doctor to wait on the testing. We want to get Beth in her forever home and make sure she is eating well, sleeping enough, and exercising. The doctor said we would probably need it at the next visit and to go ahead and schedule it. We did and were able to cancel it!!! It was a true to testimony to God's power and response to our prayers. Beth was so proud because she had diligently prayed. She had grown a little over 1 1/2 inches in five months.
The doctor is concerned that we are dealing with another syndrome in addition to FAE. It has very similar characteristics. I hope we aren't because it affects the ability for them to ever have children. She does want Ann to be seen the next time Beth is seen. The doctor and I are both waiting for the testing from the geneticist to return. Hopefully the results will be in within the next two weeks.
Beth has been okay lately. She hasn't tried anything new. I think I am used to her "normal" and am not surprised often. She really works hard during school and eventually gets tired and angry. I tell her to take a break, which she doesn't like to do. She does and is able to work better when she returns. She is still having a harder time in the evenings, but I am getting better at recognizing the symptoms and helping her redirect and control her anger better.
Ann is another story. I caught her cheating in school this week. She was working in a book with the answers in the back. We all know they are there and that I am the only one that looks at them. Well, I think she chose to look in the back for answers. I found her out because she left the marker in the back of the book. I would known when I checked it because she probably needed help to complete the work. The good news is she didn't lie at all. When I asked about it, her face dropped and she told the truth. She also took her punishment well. She was very repentive.
Last night, someone had left socks on the floor. I asked who they belonged to and Ann said Beth. I found that interesting because they were right next to the shoes Ann had worn that day. I asked if Ann had wore them and her face dropped and she said yes. I then proceeded to ask if she had asked Beth to borrow them. She said no. I asked if she was in Beth's drawer without permission. She said said yes. Ugh!! The socks aren't the issue here. Beth doesn't care at all if Ann borrows them. The problem is she went in someone else's drawer without permission. This has been a major rule since the girls came to our home. I was shocked that she had done this. Anyway, you may think we are mean, but Morgan and Beth can go in her drawers and get her clothes or toys for the next two days without asking. Beth had fun with that this morning because she can wear most of Ann's clothes because she has grown so much. Morgan even found something that fit her. Ann didn't like it at all. I don't think she will forget this punishment. She also had to write the scripture, "Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right." Ephesians 6:1 ten times in her best handwriting. She didn't like this because the other girls were already playing. Amazing how fast she completed this task so she could play with the other girls when school takes her forever.
I am taking Ann to the doctor Monday and Tuesday about her ADD. She is really struggling. We have decided to try medication. It may not work for her with her conditions. People say it works quickly if it is going to work. If it doesn't help, we will stop the meds. She needs help. A friend of ours that reads my blog reminded me that these girls have so much to overcome and deal with in their past, that if i can help Ann with this, that is one less thing for her. Also, it doesn't help my relationship with her. I am the teacher and the mother. It is no fun when I am constanly correcting her. I hope the appointments go well.
We leave for Disney Wednesday. We are so excited. I am a bit worried about the girls wondering off. I believe Elliott and I will be specifically be in charge of one for the day and the boys will each have one. Two people will be assigned to each of them everyday.
We went to the doctor this week for Beth. Praise God!!! She has doubled her growth rate in the last five months. I took her in April and she had a rate of 3.9 cm per year. This time it was 9.3 cm per year!! We were all so happy!! She didn't even have to go back the second day for the hormone testing. She may need it later, but the doctor wants to see if she keeps growing like she has in the last five months. God is so good. We prayed before the last visit and decided to ask the doctor to wait on the testing. We want to get Beth in her forever home and make sure she is eating well, sleeping enough, and exercising. The doctor said we would probably need it at the next visit and to go ahead and schedule it. We did and were able to cancel it!!! It was a true to testimony to God's power and response to our prayers. Beth was so proud because she had diligently prayed. She had grown a little over 1 1/2 inches in five months.
The doctor is concerned that we are dealing with another syndrome in addition to FAE. It has very similar characteristics. I hope we aren't because it affects the ability for them to ever have children. She does want Ann to be seen the next time Beth is seen. The doctor and I are both waiting for the testing from the geneticist to return. Hopefully the results will be in within the next two weeks.
Beth has been okay lately. She hasn't tried anything new. I think I am used to her "normal" and am not surprised often. She really works hard during school and eventually gets tired and angry. I tell her to take a break, which she doesn't like to do. She does and is able to work better when she returns. She is still having a harder time in the evenings, but I am getting better at recognizing the symptoms and helping her redirect and control her anger better.
Ann is another story. I caught her cheating in school this week. She was working in a book with the answers in the back. We all know they are there and that I am the only one that looks at them. Well, I think she chose to look in the back for answers. I found her out because she left the marker in the back of the book. I would known when I checked it because she probably needed help to complete the work. The good news is she didn't lie at all. When I asked about it, her face dropped and she told the truth. She also took her punishment well. She was very repentive.
Last night, someone had left socks on the floor. I asked who they belonged to and Ann said Beth. I found that interesting because they were right next to the shoes Ann had worn that day. I asked if Ann had wore them and her face dropped and she said yes. I then proceeded to ask if she had asked Beth to borrow them. She said no. I asked if she was in Beth's drawer without permission. She said said yes. Ugh!! The socks aren't the issue here. Beth doesn't care at all if Ann borrows them. The problem is she went in someone else's drawer without permission. This has been a major rule since the girls came to our home. I was shocked that she had done this. Anyway, you may think we are mean, but Morgan and Beth can go in her drawers and get her clothes or toys for the next two days without asking. Beth had fun with that this morning because she can wear most of Ann's clothes because she has grown so much. Morgan even found something that fit her. Ann didn't like it at all. I don't think she will forget this punishment. She also had to write the scripture, "Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right." Ephesians 6:1 ten times in her best handwriting. She didn't like this because the other girls were already playing. Amazing how fast she completed this task so she could play with the other girls when school takes her forever.
I am taking Ann to the doctor Monday and Tuesday about her ADD. She is really struggling. We have decided to try medication. It may not work for her with her conditions. People say it works quickly if it is going to work. If it doesn't help, we will stop the meds. She needs help. A friend of ours that reads my blog reminded me that these girls have so much to overcome and deal with in their past, that if i can help Ann with this, that is one less thing for her. Also, it doesn't help my relationship with her. I am the teacher and the mother. It is no fun when I am constanly correcting her. I hope the appointments go well.
We leave for Disney Wednesday. We are so excited. I am a bit worried about the girls wondering off. I believe Elliott and I will be specifically be in charge of one for the day and the boys will each have one. Two people will be assigned to each of them everyday.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Papers in hand!
We have taken all of the papers to the attorney's office. Hopefully we will hear back from him the end of this week or early next about the next step and when we get to go to court. I am happy, but once again, hurry up and wait.
Joy in the journey!!
Joy in the journey!!
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