So this last friday a couple of friends of mine and their kids came over for a water/activity day. It was lots of fun. While the kids played outside with the water stuff, the adults (and the 12-year-old) were inside making taffy - which was super yummy! Here's a couple of pictures. And the baby is Matthew.
So our adventures in the foster-adopt program has definately been an educating and exhausting one. For a couple of weeks we were visiting a 9-year-old african american. She was nice and there was really no reason to not adopt her - except one. Ever since day one of meeting her I could not get rid of this "feeling" of restlessness and confusion. I eventually relented to the spirit and we had to pass on the 9 year old. And boy did i feel tons better after i did that. Now we are doing an emergency foster situation. We are fostering a 9-month old cutie. His name is Matthew and he is just a delight to have in our home. I now understand what everyone has talked about when they warn "don't get attached!" Too late! He hardly cries (unless you try to put him to sleep without a bottle). Pictures to come! I am a little disappointed in the child protective services though. He just had his first visit with his parents and it went fine. I did find out, however, that the mom has a chance to get him back if she passes 3 random drug tests this next week. The thing I am frustrated about is this.....What the heck is 3 drug tests going to tell you?!? I strongly believe that if there is a drug abuse history, a parent should have to go through a rigorous drug rehabilitation before allowing to have their children back...especially infants. Infants can be frustrating, tiring, and it takes more than a strong will for a drug addict to get through something like that without going back to the drugs. I don't think I would have such a big problem giving him up if i new that he was going to a good home....but I'm not so confident. So I am a little scared for the little guy, hoping and praying that his mom either shapes up (for real) or we get to keep him. UGH! What a crazy and sad world we live in! Keep little Matthew in your prayers!
So my camera broke and I haven't been able to take a lot of pictures this summer. We have been doing a lot of water activities because it's been soooo hot (over 100 degrees everyday). We have found (thanks to some friends) quite a few "water parks" (playground with sprinkler areas). So here's some pictures.
I have lost my USB cord for my camera, so I have not been able to post pictures as of late. And they don't have it in the stores. I have to order it from the manufacturer. How stupid is that? So no pictures this time.
So we are experiencing the "is it summer yet?" jitters with Jacob. He is getting very ansy and bored in school. He's getting into a lot of trouble at school (more so than usual) and I am actually fed up with the public school system. So consider this my venting. So all of you know how much energy Jacob has. if you have forgotten, if we could put a plug on him and hook it up to a power plant, he could probably power a small country with all that energy. The only activity that wears him out is swimming. So we have been struggling with this at school.
He started Kindergarten knowing almost everything he needed to know by the end of the year. So he has been bored all year. I have tried talking to his teacher about it, but I just don't think she has the time to give Jacob that much individual attention. There's too many kids that need help making the testing standards. And now his last report card reported that he is at a first grade level. So needless to say, he is bored. (I'm getting off subject).
Another things that drives me insane is running is not allowed during recess. WHAT?!?!?! I'm sure it's so the kids don't get hurt, but come one. And if you get in trouble at school they take away recess. Kind of defeats the purpose...don't you think?
Well, I am not alone in my frustrations. A lot of moms with boys (specifically energetic boys) share in my frustrations with the public school system.
My solution:
I am signing Jacob up for swimming lessons all this summer. If he can swim a length of the pool once using front crawl and once backstroke, then I am signing him up for a local swim team.
Also, i found a charter school that I am going to give a try. They will be more willing to work at jacob's pace. Also, hopefully I can request a male teacher. He seems to do better with male teachers. (his primary teacher is male and he responds well to him).
Thank you for listening. Maybe one day I will look back on this and wonder why I made such a big deal out of it, but I guess right now it's important.
