All in all things are going well. The honeymoon phase is gone, and now we are in the sibling bickering and fighting. Nathan and Joshua haven't lived together for the better part of a year so they are not only adjusting to a new family, living situation, school, rules, structure, they have to get use to living with each other all over again.
Nathan had his 10th birthday on the 31st of March and for is birthday his CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) got him a pair of rollerblades. A few weekends ago he was out front trying them out while Joshua and Rich were throwing the football around. Joshua became irritated at Nathan and pushed him down, which Nathan in turn threw the football at Joshua and hit him in the shoulder leaving a mark.
This week is Spring Break for the boys and we were going to go camping to the coast near Ft. Bragg. Unfortunately the boys have taught our dog foot and toy aggression and we do not feel comfortable taking the boys and the dog on a camping trip. There were too many dangers - campfire, beach, cliffs, etc.
So the boys have helped me weed the whole back yard and plant a garden. I have found about four peaches on my peach tree and another five or so apples on my apple tree! I planted squash, zucchini, cucumbers, tomatoes and jalapeño peppers
So we have attempted to do a few day trips. Monday we tried to drive to Bucks Lake to find that the road to the lake is still snowed in! Tuesday we drove to Truckee to have lunch at my brother-in-laws restaurant to find that he wasn't working when he said he was!
Today, Wednesday, Rich let me sleep in and run into town to get a few things done while he hung at the house with the boys. When I got home at about 2 PM, I found that the boys did not listen to Rich when he said it was lunch time, and that they chose to play the Wii instead of going out to lunch with Rich. They were upset because they had to wait until dinner to eat.
Everyone keeps telling me that Rich and I are doing a great job. Some days I feel defeated and today is one of those days. Seems like no matter how many times I say something or give an instruction they don't hear me. I feel like I must be speaking a foreign language. I’m tired of the yelling, repeating myself, being lied to, the disobedience, rudeness and back talking. But you know what, I wouldn’t give it away or trade it for anything in the world.
These two wonderful little boys God has given Rich and I to raise. It has been a long two-year road that Rich and I have traveled down. There have been a lot of prayers and tears. Heck there is more prayers and tears now! I just don’t want to fail these two boys; they have lost so much, and have had people turn their backs on them.
I just keep reminding myself, God only gives me what HE knows I can handle. God thinks I can handle these two boys, BRING IT ON!
