I recently noticed Gus laying on my bed, ready for bedtime and waiting for his siblings to finish getting ready. A somewhat common occurrence, but seeing him in a pair of monkey pajamas gave me a flashback.

When I came in, he just giggled and asked me to tickle him. No big deal, right?

Well, I think many adoptive parents would agree that the hardest time is bedtime. Actually, I think most parents would agree on that, too, but having children who have been in an orphanage, where bedtime meant changing caregivers or not enough people to sooth them to sleep or who knows what else, bedtime is an extra challenge. It’s a time of vulnerability. Instead of the sweet vulnerability you often see in kids who have been nurtured their entire lives, rage and fear often take its place.

I’m pretty familiar with these emotions.

But, do you see that?

Almost two years of difference. Two years of healing and trust being built up.

Love wins.

As a special end-of-summer treat, we did a movie night. Reed and Lena got to stay up for a movie, and Gus was allowed to stay up, too, on the condition that he didn’t melt down from the late bedtime.

They often watch something off of Netflix, their pick. But, what made this night unique, in addition to the popcorn, was that it was a movie I picked out and I sat down and watched the entire thing with them. Normally, movie time for them means time for me to get things done.

However, I found that actually sitting down for a movie with them was a great bonding time. By the end of the movie, I had both Lena and Gus on my lap. Reed was still busy finding the last popcorn kernels to munch on.

We all really enjoyed ourselves, and I think this might have to become a Friday night tradition. I picked Nanny McPhee, which I saw a few years ago and really enjoyed. I’m going to start introducing them to some of my favorites, as well as watch some movies I’ve never seen and wanted to.

Here’s my list:

Sound of Music
Nanny McPhee
Matilda
Night at the Museum
Mighty Ducks
Sandlot
Little Rascals
Hook
Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium
The Fantastic Mr. Fox
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

Any that you would suggest?

I’m starting a new blog series– Special Needs Sunday. I’ve partnered with several adoptive families to tell their stories and advocate for special needs adoption. Each week will feature a different child, family and special need(s) and we will cover medical needs, physical needs, and developmental disabilities. I’ve asked the families to write up their answers in either a Q&A format or a story-like format. The questions I’ve chosen are commonly asked questions when a family is considering adopting a child with special needs– what is day to day life like, what are the costs associated, etc.

There are two purposes of this blog series:

1. To help families share the reality of parenting a child with special needs.
2. To advocate and encourage families to be open to special needs when adopting.

Are you ready to learn? Any specific needs that you’d like to hear about?

School’s out! And, that’s pretty exciting.

Both kids had a great year. They both had exceptional teachers who just seem made for teaching their grade.

(I’ve had some requests for a tutorial on how to make a photo like this. It’s coming.)

All 3 kids on the first day and the last day. Can you tell how much harder I tried at the beginning of the school year?

Now, we were just trying to get out the door on time. Ha!

I’m thankful for teachers who made my kids want to go to school each day and inspired them to learn. I think it’s rare to find teachers who genuinely care so much and are so good at their job.