Saturday, May 31, 2008

Favorite Moment

Well.... we have survived the first week of foster parenting, it wasn't pretty but we are all here - tears, laughter and *hopefully* living lice-free. FYI... regarding lice - a natural homeopathic remedy for lice removal is Tea Tree Oil.

Yesterday, we went to Chuck E Cheese after the girls visit with the birth parents. Chuck E came out to greet the kids and Big Girl ran up to hug him, little girl followed and as soon as they were about 2 feet away from each other she let out a blood curdling scream and ran right into my arms. Duane and I were half laughing and half crying because of the meaning of the situation. I'm lucky/happy to know she trusts me enough to protect her. On the way home we did our little family tradition of favorite moment of the day. When asked, Big Girl stated that being at Chuck E Cheese and meeting him in person was her favorite moment. This kid is brutally honest and I think she is finally starting to attach to us. Little girl is two. Nothing.More.To.Say.

Duane woke up really early today to attach a tetherball to a pole for big girl and spent the day off an on- Don't forget we had our pretty dress with flowers in our hair picnic today. This evening while they were playing, we encountered some problems. First, Big Girl accused Duane of cheating, which he handled really well and then she got sassy and made a comment about her parents being better at tetherball and that Duane is *just* a foster parent. We spoke with Big Girl this evening regarding the matter after her bath, while we cleaned under her toenails that I don't think have been cleaned for about a year. We reminded Big Girl about how lucky she is to have so many parents in her life caring for her and how we need to think about words, how they are connected to our feelings and how Duane and I plan to take really good care of both her an little girl while they are in our care - whether it be a month or a lifetime. Duane will be fine; his wounds will heal, he is a sensitive soul.

Words cannot express the support I feel from the blog community, I thank you all for being here and commenting!

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sounds like big girl is trying to test her boundaries but you guys handled it sooooooo well. I can never think about how to handle situations like that and I think you are amazing!

Amanda said...

I can't even imagine that kind of comparison to the biofamily.... makes me glad that Bebe was so laid back and our other two were too little to come up with stuff like that.

Unknown said...

Glad you survived! I think you handled the situation with the mean comments really well by the way!

Hoping it gets easier and easier every day!

Alyssa said...

Oh, Kara, I'm so out of the loop. I haven't congratulated you on the arrival of your children! So, first things first-CONGRATULATIONS! Secondly, you and Duane sound like such amazing people-you are handling yourselves and this situation with such grace, love, and caring. The girls are so very, very lucky to have landed in your home and in your arms.

Barb said...

It's really wonderful to read this and to see what awesome parents you are. You really are an inspiration.

Io said...

I love reading this and just thinking -wow, what great parent they are.

SO happy for you.

Unknown said...

Man, I am soooo just catching up here and I feel your pain. I am hurting with biomom making comments, i couldn't even begin to imagine the wounds left by a child's remarks.
I agree she's testing boundaries. Most kids know these comments hit home, which is their point. Instead of dealing with their emotions, they lash out the best way they know how.
Easy for me to analyze, eh?? (0:

It's harder then we thought, isn't it.

Emily (Apron Strings) said...

Kara ... you and Duane sound like you're doing a great job with the girls! You guys are so lucky. So. Happy. For you ...