March Madness

Lest March pass with no post, here are a few things going on in our lives.

1.)   John had a week and a half off between quarters.  That means that the kitchen is clean, weeding has started and the kids get to play “Daddy Monster” with him when we get home from work and school.  He has gotten them ready in the morning for me as well which has been such a big help.  Oh, and he makes me a coffee in a travel mug. I will miss this when he goes back to his school schedule.

2.) Each morning and evening, I put ‘lotion’ on the kids’ cheeks and lips. It’s Vaseline, but they call it wo-shun.  And they tell me where to apply it:  “And on my foah-head? And on the cheek? And on duh uddah cheek? And on my wip?”  This morning, Thumbelina added one, “And on  my boogers?” 

3.) On March 14, we had a permanency plan hearing for the twins.  Along with the caseworkers and the parents’ lawyers,  the kids’ teacher and the director of the center they attend were there.  It was really nice of them to go.  The judge went along with the DSHS plan of ‘return to parent’ in this case the father.  We, along with one of the case workers, have concerns and worries about him being a good choice, but we’ll see. We just don’t want the case be rushed and the kids given to him and then he does something stupid. Prayers, please.

4.) The twins will turn 3 next month! We’re having a little family party, and we’ll take treats to child care and playgroup.  They finish their therapeutic playgroup the week they turn three.  Seeing the progress they’ve made has been amazing.  I really wish I’d videotaped them when they first came to us.  What a difference!  They are so much fun, so funny and drive us crazy at the same time. But we would not trade any of it if it meant never having met them.  Thumbelina has been saying “My Mommy!! My Mommy!” whenever she wants me to hold her or she thinks I’m leaving.  Cherub has been saying, “My two Daddies!” since he has John and bio-dad.  If reminds me of the line, “Rhapsody has two mommies…” from Best in Show.
 

5.) For the first time in 9 months (since the twins arrived), we have been working on the yard again.  The weekend was gorgeous, so we got a lot of weeding done, and I bought some more spring flowers.  The kids picked out a primrose each. Thumbelina chose a red one with a yellow center, and Cherub picked a purply-blue one.  I think it would be nice to plant a primrose for each child who comes to our home.  They are hardy little flowers who bloom under less than ideal circumstances.

6.) We had a surprise visit from the kids’ case worker who lives one street over from us.  She had gotten a phone message from us that Cherub had bonked his nose earlier in the day, so she stopped by to see how he was doing.  The CW has a female pit bull who is very laid back and friendly.  Well, the CW was out walking her when she stopped by the house.  The dog poked her head in the house and we invited the CW in.  Thank God Jill was in the back yard! That could have been an ugly confrontation.  Both dogs are very friendly, but if Jill would have seen a strange dog in her home I think it would not have been good at all.  Long story short, the house was clean, the kitchen spotless (thanks to John) and the kids were happy and getting PJs on.  Nothing like a drop in from a CW to make you thank your lucky stars that the CW saw happy children and a pleasant home.

7.) The twins may be leaving us within 6 months or earlier depending on how things go with their father’s progress.  Most days I don’t want to think about that and just focus on the present.  But we must prepare them and ourselves for it.  We are trying to establish a good relationship with the father as well, and hope that if the kids do go to him that he would allow us to be in their lives in some way.   This Lent is a good time to take a step back and reflect on all of this.  Hope you all are having a good Lent!