Learning Times

This has definitely been a week of learning for me - learning parenting techniques never before used in our home, learning to juggle three children instead of two - two the same age almost, learning to find quality time for each child, learning to juggle household chores during hours while my husband is at work, learning to rely on the Lord instead of me. This last one, probably the most important of all, and maybe the reason for this week of learning.

Sometimes, when you get a child and haven't had them all their lives, it is hard to know what shapes their action and behaviors. As you learn little bits of the puzzle, things become clearer and you have a better idea of how to teach the children. But it is still a long, sometimes painful process for the parent trying to be compassionate but still guide the child in the way they should appropriately go.

I am thankful this week for friends, I have had so many just listen to me, a few bring me supper, some come over to just be with me and give me adult conversation. I am thankful so much for that. I am thankful for people who care about me, even when I appear to be falling apart emotionally. I am thankful for people who don't judge when my life is going crazy and I'm not appearing to be at all in control.

I'm trying to pay attention to these lessons that God is trying to teach me. I'm trying to learn them as they come instead of pass them by so that I have to learn them a harder way later. Control seems to be a big issue for me. I want always for things to go my way, in my time. That isn't happening in our lives right now. I am living on someone else's schedule and really have no say in the matter. Hard lesson for me, but a good one. Giving it all to God knowing that He can work it all out - and it is better His way than mine.

I'm thankful for my oldest boy who is being such a big helper. I'm thankful for the fact that he IS potty training. I'm thankful that he is learning obedience - not always doing it, but beginning to learn. I'm thankful for our baby boy who I pray is adopted in just 12 short days. I am thankful for his sweet spirit and for making me smile. The more we learn about his past, the more I can't even imagine how he is so calm and sweet-spirited. So I am thankful that God has allowed this to be his precious personality. I am thankful for the bonding my boys are showing, seeing them want to be with each other, hating it when the other is still sleeping, finding them in a room just playing together. These are moments I want to cherish and remember.