Aiden has had one of his off weeks this past week.  Getting sent to the principal's office for spitting in a girl's face at school on Friday, several time-outs, do-overs, etc.  We usually go through this cycle.  We have a great few weeks and them BAM.  Terrible. 

Today he had a difficult time at church and continued to be disobedient at home.  He then pooped his pants, which was the last straw for me.  I told him that he was going to bed early and reminded him of his behavior over the last few days and his need of a heart change.

As I was bathing the younger two I hear Noah yell, "Mooom!  Aiden just said you were giving him away."  I called for Aiden to come into the bathroom.  He confirmed that he had said that to Noah.  I said, "Aiden, why would you say that we are giving you away?"  His response, "Because I do bad things." 

Yikes.
Big time.

My heart just broke.

I looked into his eyes and affirmed him, his place in our family, that we will always be his mommy and daddy, and all that stuff.  It seemed to assure him and comfort him. 

It blows my mind that even after over two years being in our home he STILL thinks that he can be bad enough that we would send him back to Africa.  I never realized that at the young age of 2 the loss and the pain would be so deep that it would still be ingrained in his mind and heart.

Lord, give me the wisdom, the patience and the grace to be the parent to all my boys, but especially in caring for these tender and wounded hearts.

An Ode to Asa

An Ode To Asa

The potty is the coolest place

I’m tellin ya, so you’ll you know

That if you would just poop in there

No tantrums would I throw

Why do you prefer your pants?

The kitchen floor or the yard?

And just yesterday the sandbox?

Child, is it really, seriously, this hard?

The underwear I always wash

They make my stomach churn

So we have tried everything,

Dear Child, when will you learn?

Just put your poop in the potty

Because that’s where it belongs you see

Now please repeat this simple phrase:

“The potty’s the place for me!”

“The potty’s the place for me!”

Aiden Goes to School

I know what you are thinking.  Cutest kid ever.  Yup.  Knew it.

Aiden has been pumped to go to 4K.  He has watched Noah go to school the past couple of weeks and he has been green with envy.  When I told him that his teacher was going to be Mrs. Mandy, Noah's teacher from last year, he was salivating with anticipation.  When I told him last week that he was finally going to get to go after Labor Day he got his backpack and almost refused to take it off.  

So, September 4 was the big day.  

The night before he gladly went to bed early, picked out his clothes, and put his backpack by the door.  He woke up in a great mood.

I was prepared for a terrible day to be honest.  Our last preschool experience was not so great for Aiden.  His teachers were out-of-this-world fantastic.  He loved them.  He loved his classmates.  He just wanted nothing to do with academic stuff.  He was having accidents, chewing and sucking on his shirt and ruining clothes by stretching them out at the bottom.  I warned his teacher about all of this.  I sent him in pull-ups.  I stashed mints in his backpack to suck on if he got nervous.  I put a coin in his pocket that he would rub if he needed to soothe himself.  

And he didn't need any of it.

He had a great day.

A great week!

And, come to find out, he recognized a whole mess of letters that I fought with him tooth and nail about this summer.  I think I am the most shocked person ever over this alone.

I am so proud of Aiden.  So proud.

I am thrilled that he had a great week and he is so excited to go back.

He is currently mad at me because tomorrow is Monday and his school week is only Tuesday through Friday.  He wants to go the whole week like Noah.  He wants more school!

Well, let's hope this lasts for the next 13 years.  

I doubt it.

But I am going to enjoy this ride while I can.