Three Weeks In

It is two days shy of three weeks, and we have definitely settled in with our new additions. I feel like things are becoming easier all the time. I hope the boys feel the same way.

J and M began attending my daughter's elementary school this past Monday. J complained to his teacher about a stomach ache the first day but I'm sure it was just nerves. They both seem to like it and are making friends quickly. That's a relief to me. I registered them for daycare, which they will start on Tuesday. I can then get back to some sort of a normal work schedule.

Their previous school informed me on their last day that J had won "Student of the Month" for January. I took them both back today for an assembly so he could get his award. It was so worth it. He was grinning from ear to ear!

Their mom was released from jail last Friday, and promptly moved one of the "friends" she made in jail into her apartment. She has lost her job due to her situation as well, and took on a job part-time working nights and weekends. She is entitled to three monitored visits per week, two hours each. Since the boys are in schoold during the weekdays and she works nights and weekends it is going to be difficult.

She told me that she cannot continue to attend the alcohol classes she was ordered to attend when she got the DUI last summer. She just doesn't have the money. Apparently all she has to do is show up, sign in and pay them each week. The class is not required. Really?

I really want to root for her. I really do. But she is not starting off on the right foot here. A jail-house roommate. Lost her job. Not motivated to actually learn something from classes, just to pay until she's done.

During her first visit last night it went pretty well. The boys were definitely happy to see her. M was clinging to her - broke my heart how much he wanted to hold on to her. I was expecting them to revert to their past behavior with her (chaos) but they did well.

All inidications are that we will have them at least until summer. I hope they look back on this time as a positive part of their little lives.