Adoption Thoughts

Today, Kevin and I got the privilege of speaking to a group of couples who were just starting off with their adoptions through our agency, Bethany Christian Services. We got to share our stories, and on the drive home, we both commented on how fun it was to be able to share what our experiences had been.

SO - basically I just wanted to put that out here too. Maybe you just read this blog for fun, and that's fine.  Or maybe you know me from high school, college, or somewhere and read it out of curiosity. I'm good with that too! But maybe you landed here because you're thinking about adoption.  Maybe you're in the middle of an adoption and wanted to find someone who's "been there".  If that describes you, and you have any questions, feel free to send me an email.

kelleyandkevin (at) yahoo (dot) com

Kevin and I are both very open with what our experiences have been as we started out with adoption, as we were matched and placed with our girls, and now as we've been navigating the whole open adoption world.  It's been a learning experience and we would love to help give others encouragement and support as they go through the same thing.

And with these two girls as part of our testimony, why would we not want to share what God has done in our lives?

First Grader - Kate

This morning, Kate started first grade. Like I expected, waking her up for school was no easy task. However, once she realized what exactly I was waking her up for, she was ready!  No complaints on getting her up and dressed for the day!

When we got to the school, Kate wanted me to walk her in.  We got about 10 steps down the parking lot and she saw 2 of her friends from her Kindergarten class - Corbin and Aubrey.  Once she saw her friends, she didn't care much about me being there anymore! I followed her in anyway, since I was the one carrying their five hundred pounds of school supplies. 

After we got to her classroom, I think she got a tiny bit nervous.  She asked me to stay for a couple of minutes, and that is so NOT Kate.  I hung around for about 5 min and then headed to work. Kate gave me a kiss and then her day alone was underway.

We love her teacher and are praying that this is a GREAT year for her! 

Night Before First Grade

Last week we headed back to Kate's elementary school for Meet the Teacher night.  Kate was so excited.  Tomorrow, she starts first grade. Summer has flown by faster than I could have imagined, but that seems to be the season of life we're in right now.  So - back to school we go!

Kevin and I have an envelope for each of our girls in a drawer in our desk. We'll occasionally write letters to them (hand written) and put them in their envelope for them to read when they grow up.  Last year I placed one in Kate's envelope the day before she started Kindergarten.  I figured that this year, I'd write it here (and will probably copy it into her envelope also)...


Kate, 

You are SIX and tomorrow you start your second year of school.  First grade! It's a big deal.  You were so excited about school, you almost voluntarily went to bed early tonight.  You got up about 4 times before finally falling asleep, but still.  It's the thought that counts, right?  On Saturday, you made a craft with one of your new art supply kits that you got for your birthday.  The first thing you asked was if you could give it to your new teacher.  I hope you always keep this excitement for school.  Please remember that excitement when I'm waking you up early in the morning, okay? 

Your bag is packed. Your new pink pencil case is safely tucked inside. All of your paperwork has been completed and is ready for you to turn in. Your lunchbox is ready and waiting on the kitchen table. Your clothes are laid out.  Your shoes are by the door. Your STUFF is ready. Your mama is not. 

You're one more year older and that's one less year for me to keep you here with me.  One less year of you being little.  It's hard on my heart to see you grow up, but it also makes me so extremely proud at the same time. It's hard to explain. I know one day you'll get it. 

You already know a few of the kids in your class, but knowing you, you'll be best friends with the rest of them by the end of the day.  I hope this is true! I'm so thankful that God made you exactly the way He did.  You're quick to include people and make friends.  If only we could all be a little more like you in this!  When you see another kid on the outside of the playground all by their self, go take their hand and ask them to play. Run, and jump, and laugh and have a GREAT time with your friends. I know you will. You would find a way to make sharpening pencils all day fun. 

I may be a little sad, but I'm also a lot excited.  I'm looking forward to our morning car rides together, and our prayers in the drop off line.  I'm looking forward to hearing about your day and going with you on your field trips.  I'm not necessarily looking forward to the homework, but I think we might both feel the same about that. First grade will be awesome. And it will be over before we've even realized it's begun.

So enjoy tomorrow.  Pay attention, learn the class rules, and tell me all about it when you get home. 

Love, 
Mama

Kate - 6 Years

It's official.  Kate now has to use two hands to show you how old she is. Today, she turned SIX.  And she was so excited.  Every where we went, she told people it was her birthday.  She told the lady at the bank (who had to put a new PIN on my debit card because I forgot the number.....), she told her gymnastics teachers, she told the waitress at lunch.  Seriously, every single person we saw.  But ya know, you only turn six once so why not be excited about it? 

I love this girl so much. She is fiercely determined, she is still very strong willed, and she is independent.  It's funny though.  Up until now, her personality was very independent but she was still so little, we couldn't really give her a whole lot of independence on her own.  Now though?  It's so fun (and terrifying) to see her grow up enough for us to give her a little independence and see how she handles it.  My heart both hurts and bursts with pride to see her growing up.

She is a nurturer and a comforter. When Karsten gets hurt, Kate is the most concerned of all of us.  Kevin and I are quick to tell her to shake it off.  Our theory is that if you make a big deal of it, they cry harder.  If you tell them it's ok, shake it off, they usually do!  However, Kate's tendency is to cuddle and comfort in all situations.  She'll pick Karsten up and rock her, or give her a kiss.  And if she really does get hurt and Kevin and I are doing the comforting/doctoring, Kate is right there making sure she actually is okay. 

She is so excited for first grade and can't wait to meet her teacher, Miss Pennington, next week.  She loves to read and Kevin has been reading chapter books to her each evening. I hope her love of reading continues throughout her entire live.  

They recently started the 2nd chapter book in a series about fairy ponies.  Pretty sure Kevin never imagined THIS part of parenting, but I know he loves this time of night that has become their tradition. If you ask Kate "Do you want Mommy or Daddy to tuck you in?", she quickly answers with "Daddy."

She's a picky eater.  She does not like hamburger meat, rice or pasta, which either make cooking dinner extremely difficult when I try to accommodate her, or it makes our time at the table difficult when I don't.  Mom problems.   

However, with the foods she DOES like, she is a girl of expensive tastes. She loves shrimp, crab legs, steak, and lobster.  She recently asked if she could have crab legs at her birthday party.  Um, no.  She picked out her birthday cake tonight and what did she pick?  Red Velvet Cake. 

Oh but she will eat almost anything if it is smothered in ranch dressing. 

Yesterday she and I were in the car and we drove past the YMCA.  She asked me about swimming lessons and asked if I could find her goggles before we went back to the pool.  This was our conversation: 

Kate: Does the YMCA pool have tentacles?  

Me: No, they don't.  

Kate: Oh, good.  So I don't need my goggles. I can just open my eyes underwater.

Me: No.  You can't at that pool  It's got chlorine in the water. They put too many chemicals.....

LIGHTBULB MOMENT.  Tentacles = Chemicals

She is quick to tell me "I love you Mama" and I never get tired of hearing her tell me.  I'm just as quick to say it to her.  

When I tucked her in tonight I said "Goodnight, Birthday Girl! You have a whole year to be six."  She answered back with "I can't WAIT to be seven!"

Slow down time. I know that day will be here before I know it!