Another month down

Well, we've hit the 4 month mark and although I know small in comparison to some, it’s still another milestone in this interesting process.  I must admit that selfishly I was hoping we would be taking our first trip by mid-August.  I know, I know- God's time can't be rushed or planned- but its not because we are just so anxious to meet our new son; its for a couple of other more practical reasons, which might be even worse, lol.  

This sad and silly but here goes.   My son starts back to school in August and I really hate the idea of taking him out for a week once he’s in to travel to Poland.  Now some people would say "just leave him home"; but here's the thing- he really, really wants to go along and meet his brother.  How do I deny him that?  lol  And honestly, I want to see them interact together too and think it'll be a fantastic experience for him.  Since we are looking at adopting a child over 5, I feel their dynamics will be very important and I want them to get a great start.   And our school is fabulous and will definitely be understanding make no mistake- its just that he starting 4^th grade and is doing sooo well that I don’t want to do anything that would disrupt it.   See?  Silly, but a worry nonetheless.

And the second reason is even worse.  This year I got saddled with...I mean, honored with being elected PTO president.  I could’ve said no, but that’s just not me.  We needed someone and I was the most qualified...ok, actually I was just next in line.  And I do love being a part of the organization and all it does for our elementary school, so how could I refuse? 

Anyway, I can’t help but look at not only the school calendar, but also the PTO calendar and see when a trip would fit in best.  These are absolutely crazy worries and not even related to a job!  Lol lol!  In fact, I’m less concerned about my husband taking off work from his practice!  How skewed is that??  I know, I need to get over it because everything will work out fine and later in life, I’m sure we’ll look back and laugh at my silliness.  Still....with fall festival, testing, fundraisers, and...... ahhhh, stop it Laura!  lol

Moving on, I do have to say I see so many adoptive mom friends that have completed their first and/or second trips (Yay!!) and I am absolutely thrilled!!   I have gotten to know many of you via FB and your blogs and I cannot think of any group more loving and deserving than you all.   And I am continually amazed that although we are still waiting, this doesn't make me jealous or unhappy or even "woe is me, when will we travel"- it makes me joyous to see God bring so many families together and make so many children happy and safe.  That is what this whole adoption thing is about and it is God’s hand at work- how could I even question that perfection?  I can’t wait for the day we can all meet up at Polish Fest and let our children play- how special will that be since we have gone through these journeys together?  Awesome, simply awesome.

So how have I filled my time over the month?  Phew, lots of ways!  Number one, with all this bru-tal heat lately (we’ve been in at least the upper 90’s since June!), we have been focusing on cooler family activities.  That includes day trips, boating and tubing on our beautiful lake, and seeing movies- Cars 2, Mr. Popper's Penguins, in particular.  I have played chauffeur to soccer training sessions and 2 camps- Clemson University where he commuted and got to work with Div I coaches and MLS players; and Erskine, where they held his team camp.  At Erskine, my little guy stayed over from Thurs-Sun in the dorms, which was a huge step for him and mostly, me.  He was with his club teammates, absolutely loved it, and could not have been safer.  It was so good for him to branch out and stay with his soccer club buddies.  And best of all, although he urged me to leave asap after I unpacked him on Thurs ("Mama, I'm fine. You can go now"), he was so happy to see us on Sun and greeted me with a huge, sweaty, boy hug...in front of his friends!  Doesn't get much better than that!  

On the educational side of things, the other day we also attended a tour of the Clemson robotics department, which was totally cool!  Case got to drive a large robot through a maze, learn about light and sound sensors/technology, do facial recognition exercise, 3D computer generated technology, and see different uses for robotics.  Case was completely into it and was thinking all the way home of ways robotics can be used to enhance and improve daily life.  The best was when he said he would like to design a robot that would do the laundry to help me (cue the "awww!").  I loved that this experience really resonated with him and was educational to boot!  As a result, he asked to be signed up for the Lego League Robotics Camp in August for kids here in town and I was more than happy to comply.

So as we wait for word on our new son, we will continue to have fun in the sun and AC.  School is inching closer and closer and everyday I work on not stressing about the calendar.  I’m trying to focus on the positive and not worry as much about that which I can’t control.  One really good thing: my son’s new teacher for this year is fantastic (a man!) and very interactive with his students.  Should we have to travel during the year, we are thinking about setting up a protected blog where Case can write about his experiences in Poland and his classmates can ask him questions.   Another classmate whose family went on sabbatical to Spain last year did the same thing with this teacher and it helped keep him connected while away.   One way or another, it’ll all work out.

Until next time!