just a few pics and a bit of adoption ramble...

Just a little camera practice...



We have had a much nicer week as far as the temperatures go. The nice 80's reminded me of why I love summer. Sitting by the pool watching the kids swim without feeling like I am melting. We normally save swimming for the evening but yesterday the Treasures cousins came over and they swam from 11AM until 7PM! Non stop! Two snack breaks and a dinner break was it! Even Ryan joined in for most of the day...Today I have tried to keep them busy with other activities.

A few thoughts on my Jacob:


We had company at the beginning of the week for swimming and Jacob was wonderful. Not one close call on behavior. Perfect. Yesterday challenged his behavior a bit. I love opportunities at our home to work with him on his socializing. Much easier than being out and trying to guide and direct him. His biggest challenge comes from feeling any type of rejection such as children playing and not including him or losing any type of activity. I am so thankful God has shown me his weak areas so I can help him overcome in situations that are going to arise. One of my dear blogging friends did a post this week and it really got me to thinking about Jacob's situation. I am quite sure she doesn't mind me sharing:

What is trauma? For our adopted children,

*trauma is being separated from their birthmother. (yes, they realize at this young age that they are being separated from the person who carried them for 9 months, the familiar voice, smells, and movements.)

*trauma is not having your needs met when you cry. (huge!)

*trauma is living in an institution.

*trauma is being tied to your crib*trauma can for some, involve physical and/or se*x*ual abuse.

*trauma is being neglected

*trauma is being handed to strangers that have been waiting so long to meet you. the environment they have been in for a year or two or more, is all they know. It was not a good place, but they are too little to realize this. they are taken from all that is familiar to them.


Jacob had 5 of these in his life, that I am 100% sure of. He is actually doing marvelous when I sit and think about what a tough start he had in life. One of the biggest challenges in parenting sometimes, is not seeing positive results quickly when you are trying to work on certain issues. With Jacob I have always had to look at yearly development, versus short periods to see improvements.
He is a very loving child. He is very intelligent and is above average in every subject as far as school work.(except for handwriting and I really never push him in this area) His behavior challenges 9 times out of 10 come from one of the two above situations I mentioned. He just loses it when someone reacts unkind to him, or if he feels inadequate. He is always repentant and wishes he had not reacted in the wrong way. When I think about the list my friend posted, it really made me think about why these two areas are his challenges. It makes perfect sense in some ways.

If none of this makes sense or seems a bit rambly, I am sorry...Just some thoughts I really felt like typing out.
He still has GOT to learn how to react in these situations and I have got to pray for wisdom for the perfect action to take in correcting his wrong behavior and helping him... as well as complete healing for his little heart. I am so thankful for my little guy. He is my Treasure...