A new chapter? Or an old one?

Like the sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives ...

Ever feel like you're in a soap opera? Only it's your life? Welcome to my world.

The boys' mom and dad have apparently decided to make a go of it. When he returns to this country in a couple of weeks, he now says he intends to live with her and attempt to make their marriage work. Is he just realizing that he needs her help to make a go of it in America? Or has he truly had a change of heart and wants to keep his family intact? Stay tuned for the next exciting chapter!

At least the boys are doing well. Progressing in school, behaving for us here at home, enjoying their lives it seems. Must focus on them, and not the drama.

The More Things Change ...

What a wild ride. It all started out rather calmly, this process. Everyone was on the same team. Hope mom and dad can get it together as a team and get J and M back, live as a family and flourish. Then it changed to mom and/or dad, or any combination thereof. Now we just have our fingers crossed that one of them might actually be strong and mature enough to actually do this!

Dad doesn't do what mom wants, and mom goes ballistic. Mom tries to give my husband and I parenting tips (in the form of a Scientology child rearing guide) because we don't do things the way she would do them. My husband doesn't take kindly to the suggestions. Dad is trying his best to get up here and keep things copasetic with mom.

I am simply trying to stay focused on the task at hand. Be a good influence while I have them. We actually had a visit from a "pre-adoption" social worker this week. She said it is routine for her to visit, but I'm keeping a watchful eye on the situation ...

Acclimation

Has it really been six weeks? Has it only been six weeks?

Amazing how quickly everyone adapts to new circumstances. I find it so interesting that the boys feel so much a part of our family already. When asked to write about family traditions, J wrote only about what we do here in our home. M was asked to draw his family and he included only our immediate family, including J, but not his mother nor his father. He even included our dogs.

I am so glad that they feel so comfortable with us, but it also breaks my heart. They must have really needed that connection to cling to it so readily. Perhaps its a human survival instinct to identify with your current situation in such a deep way. Perhaps it is just two kids that want to fit in.

Whatever the reason, I am not going to discourage it. If it makes this situation easier for them, I'm on board.