Words

With a nod to a friend of mine whose impressive list has inspired me… here I have listed significant things that I’ve accomplished or survived during the last 12 months.

Did a bake sale and henna table at a festival as an adoption fundraiser

Watched a solar eclipse

Canned peaches and salsa

Bought and sold a full size passenger van… then bought a new minivan

Completed a homeschool year for children in Kindergarten, 2nd and 5th grades including a daughter in ballet (twice weekly and a large recital)

Passed court and adopted a son! Passed court a second time in the United States and readopted him a few months later! (strange, but true)

Flew to Bulgaria, hugged my son’s Bulgarian mom as she cried, struggled through exit requirements for two weeks while keeping a tiny body alive, flew home (over 24 hours traveling) and stayed in the hospital for a third week.

Navigated insurance and disability programs to get a car harness for Jordan and a wheelchair for Daniel

Navigated a myriad of medical and therapeutic and surgical appointments with my new son, helped him through a double surgery, and developed a treatment plan.

Learned how to use two types of feeding tubes, how to puree table foods to fit through them, how to calculate (in depth) his food’s nutritional content, how to avoid constipation in a body with low muscle strength, and supplied my kitchen with all of the neccessary stuff.

Helped Jordan through the appointments required for minor surgery (new ear tubes) and changed Daniel’s ng tube in the waiting room to the stares of everybody else there. (a memory that makes me feel badass.) < -- I tried to find a synonym for badass that doesn't refer to the donkey's unfortunate archaic name, but there just wasn't any other word that worked.

Hired, lost, hired, lost, hired, lost, hired, lost, hired, lost and rehired a housekeeper for help every other week. (With thanks to my brother for the gift that got me started – it really has helped.)

Was reported to CPS by (formerly) trusted people in my life, subsequently had the case dismissed as unfounded, but developed PTSD as a result.

Hired a counselor for weekly support for one of my daughters for several months

Did all kinds of dentist and well appointments for the kids and myself

Broke my toe and lost the ability to exercise for about 6 months

Completed two post placement reports for Daniel (two down, two to go!)

Went to multiple psychiatric appointments with Jordan and worked through different medication trials to treat severe irritability and anxiety. Finally found a lot of relief following protocol for treating PANDAS (an autoimmune disorder).

Made it to 13 years of being married with the best man I’ve ever met.

Discovered hot yoga (heated room hatha style yoga) and began walking again!

Interviewed respite providers and finally hired a respite provider who helps with Jordan twice a week for eight hours!

Completed assessments and testing (multiple appointments!) and lots of paperwork until I finally got both Jordan and Daniel eligibile to recieve services through DDA (Developmental Disability Administration).

Did fun summer stuff like entering stuff in the fair, going to the fair, taking the girls to a day camp for a week, introducing Anna to her middle school youth group including an overnight camp, playing in the pool, having the cousin’s over for a big birthday bash, and playing in the river and the nearby lake.

Prepared a curriculum for the new school year

Did the regular housekeeping, cooking, grocery shopping, yardwork and blah blah blah.

Released expectations of: canning, cleaning, yardwork, planning ahead, organizing (except when it helps me function), attending functions, signing up for events and activities. I discovered which friends stuck close and which ones were absent.

I HIRED A COUNSELOR.

It’s been an epic year and I’m proud of myself.

My personal goals right now off the top of my head:
Increase personal health (physical strength, emotional and mental stability, peace/joy/satisfaction)
Be steadfast with providing both love and care to my children (including the special physical and emotional needs of my children)
Nurture the most important relationship in my life – the one with my husband

Wish list goals:
Deepen relationships with friends
Reconnect with my community in general