Finalized!!!

Well the adoption is finalized.  It was the most amazing day of my life to become a mom to 2 teenagers.  There were lots of smiles and lots of tears, but of course all happy ones.  So world meet Dakota and Tristan! 

Photo credits to Artie Guerrero Photography. 

4 days!

I can't believe it, but our adoption is already here!!!   Adoption day is Friday!  It has been a crazy 8 months, but I would not change it for the world!

This weekend it really hit me!  I cried a lot out of fear and prayed.  I am terrified of being a single mom to teens.  Who would have ever thought this would be my life, God is the only one!  I mean, I did not know the will for my life, it sure has not gone the way I had planned it from the beginning, but God was in control and for that I am thankful!

I will love on these kids to the best of my ability, but I know I cannot do it alone I need God and family and friends to encourage me and lift me up when I fall.  Knowing that I have people who are always there to encourage me is amazing and so helpful. 

So pray for our family as Friday approaches, that everything will go smoothly and there will be no fear.

Adoption Day

Adoption day has been set!  It will be on National Adoption Day, November 15.  We are very excited, now just trying to get all the paperwork done and appointments set. 

The kids are excited about the adoption.  It is so crazy how life has changed in such a short amount of time.  Adoption day will be 8 months I have had these two children.  We have had tough days and great days, but I wouldn't change it for anything.  God is teaching me so much through these 2.

Continue to pray that everything will be ready for November 15th.  Pray for school as both kids are really struggling through the new model of teaching, which is expected, but has made school very aggravating for them.

I still can't believe that adoption day is less than a month away. 

Crazyness of parenting and sports...

It has been a long time since my last update!  Since school has started so has practice, Volleyball games, and so much other stuff.  It keeps us super busy. 

Since my last post we celebrated T's 14th birthday, with cookie monster cupcakes and family over for dinner.  He also had a friend spend the weekend at the house. 

D is really loving volleyball and is a great player.  She has at least one game a week and a few tournaments through out the season. 

Neither kid is fond of school right now, but change is hard.  Our district is moving towards a PBL model and this is not easy for anyone. 

We have an adoption day set!  November 15th!  National Adoption Day in Brazos County.  It will be a wonderful day!  Can't wait to get all this finalized.  We have done the home study, now just have a few paperwork pieces to finish and we will be on our way to adoption. 

It is hard to believe that 6 months ago my world was turned upside down.  I would not change it for anything, love these 2 kids that God has given me.  We never know God's plans, this is for sure a testimony to that.  I never dreamed of having 2 teenagers before I turned 31! 

November 15th will make 8 months from our 'Gotcha Day'!  Perfect Day to celebrate!

Keep praying for us as we transition into life together still.  There are days that are super tough on all of us, and days that are just wonderful for all.  

Survived first day of school...

I survived the first day of school not only as a teacher this year, but as a parent to 2 teenagers!  You never understand what a parent goes through the first days of school, until you have them.  I mean the endless paperwork, I may have began misspelling my name and mixed up birthdays by the end of the mountain.  

My classes are going good, got a few tough cookies, but we will get that fixed quick I am sure.  They all liked to test the water you know!

D and T both had a good first day.  T was nervous, being at high school and all, but he survived and came home with a smile on his face.  T's favorite classes so far are his morning classes.  D loves school.  She of course loved seeing her friends and talking to them.  She has just about every class with at least 2-3 friends!  Hope this doesn't get her in trouble talking.   I have D in class this year, it is a little different knowing that I am the parent and teacher. 

T's 14th birthday is Saturday!  We are having dinner at the house with some family.  He does not like much attention in that aspect and just likes to be home.  I have tried figuring out what to do, but he is not easy to discuss this with.  I think he may invite one of his friends over also. 

Ways you can pray for us:

1. D's attitude, she is sassy and such a drama queen!
2. T's attitude toward school, he likes it and thinks it is important, but would rather not put much effort into it if he doesn't have to.
3. Me being patient and learning how to deal with the attitudes.
4. That they will have a desire to get involved at church.  I never know how much to push and how much to allow them to chose.  I want them involved, but at first they didn't even want to go to church.  We now don't have problems going to church (even if it is not their favorite), but getting involved is taking time.
5. Also with disciplining.  I am not much of a "yeller" but they do not want to take me serious because I say it more in a calm manner.  I am guessing that maybe yelling was how it was before and so they are just adjusting to even though I am not yelling at you, I am serious and need you to fix your behavior.  

Thanks to you all for support and prayer!  

We are all moved in!!!

I guess it has been a really long time since I have updated this!  Well we got all moved in a settled in the house.  We all enjoy the extra space, it has become the perfect place for D to work on tumbling.  We had a 2 gentlemen come help us move out of the kindness of their hearts!  They will never know what they did for us!

So I have to share how God showed himself to me tonight.  I was really struggling with feeling worthless.  I mean T does not want to be seen with me at ALL and I was feeling that for D I was just a location for her to stay so she can stay in contact with friends and family.  I mean will they ever love me, I don't care if they appreciate what has been done or anything, but will I ever be more then Ms. Moreland to them.  (Yes! They still call me that!). I started reading scripture, I needed something.  I was reading James 1 and came to the last verse and it says 

"Religion that God our Father accepts aspire and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world".

These 2 are not orphans, however, to me it is the same. They have parents who are alive,  but cannot take care of them.  So even though some days are tough, it is my job to take care of these precious children (who some days, don't seem so precious).  I do love them, and enjoy getting to spend time with them.  They are your normal teenagers, I can rest assure of that!  Parenting is just still not normal to me.  :-). One day it will be, but today was not my shining moment.  I am sure I will have plenty more of those days to come.  

One thing I can always be sure of and we all can is God's love, his will, and that his scripture is always there and full of truths.  

Understanding Teens

It is a good no GREAT thing I have taught teenagers for the last 8 years.  It means that I knew that no one ever understands this crazy breed of people!  Yep, I don't understand these kids, especially D!  D might stand for her name, but it also stands for DRAMA QUEEN!!!  Goodness we can be happy playing, then angry mad, then throwing a tantrum, all with in 2 minutes.  We can go from hating someone, to wanting to stay at their house everyday in 2.5 seconds.  If I really thought I could understand teenagers coming into this chapter of life, I would be in for a rude awakening! 

On another note, I got in a package that had so much paperwork in it, it cost $5.32 to mail!  Yep that would be the beginning of adoption process.  The beginning of a home study.  I will look at those papers when we get into the house, I mean I can't do them all right now anyways, I have to draw a floor plan of the house or something.  We have 2 months left before I can officially adopt them.  Now we all know it can take longer, but the faster it gets done the better for all of us.  The kids have been in this process now for over 3 years, they are beyond ready. 

Overall it has been a week of getting ready to move.  BOXES BOXES and MORE BOXES!  We are taking a break tomorrow and going skating with the cousins (my sister-in-law and nieces).

Now to share a few moments that made me feel like a mother ( I mean this feeling is very new to me) :

1. Getting a text from D because she hurt herself at her grandparents house wanting to know what to do.  She needed me :)
2. T texting me the day they came back WE ARE COMING HOME TODAY!!!
3. Today T says "we have not spent quality family time together lately, I think we need to" 

Thanks to everyone who has passed on encouragement to me personally or through other people.  You will never know how much it has helped me get through this process of shock and feeling like a failure and moving forward and trying to create a feeling of family with the 2 kids God has trusted to me.  

Quiet

So not much to update here, the kids are at their Grandfather's house for the week.  I have been busy doing things that I want to do, so I have not done anything on my to do list for this week, but that is okay.  I am just enjoying some time without kids, this does not mean I do not miss them by any means.  T kept telling me I would be so lonely sitting here all by myself LOL!  I have not be lonely yet :) 

They come back Saturday and then we get keys to our new place the following Friday.  I am not sure which of the 3 of us are the most excited to move.  I mean I am really excited, but I do believe they may be way more excited then me! 

Blessed

I can't even begin to describe how blessed I feel right now.  My phone rings off the wall some days, is blown up with text, or Facebook messages, all of which are people offering to help, have something they are getting rid of or know someone is getting rid of something and just wondering if I need it.  God uses all kinds of people to provide for his children. 

God is amazing. He has shown me how he takes care of his children through the last 4 months, how no matter what he is always there for you (yes, even when I mess up all the time).

This verse has really stood out the last 4 months, when we really did not know what the future held for us. I mean, I still don't really, but some of it is more clear, I at least know I am adopting.  When and all of that I do not know!

This is the verse we have clung to:
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

I have known and heard this verse for a very long time.  One night when D was really struggling with the future for her, and the possibility of moving away, I shared it with her.  She has taught me how to cling because as much as I was worried about the future, it would not affect me like it would her.  I mean, I would of course miss my two brats so much, but I would still be able to contact them.  I would go back to being a single woman, living alone.  They would go to a far away place where they knew no one, and their life would change. 

I sit hear with tears, just thinking about what we have been through.  In a short 4 months, but how much God has been there with us.  The 15th will make exactly 4 months since I got these two, that I have learned to love so much. 

Okay, I have to end this blog, so I can get myself together before they wake up! 

Summer boredom...

Nothing new going on here.  Just some summer boredom.  Of course the kids have nothing to do, but nothing I think of is "fun" in their eyes.  Fun for them is staying up all night and sleeping all day.  That is just crazy to me!  Why fight sleep when you are yawning, just go to sleep :-)

We are working on packing up the house and getting ready for the move.  The kids are super excited about the move, and D has been helping pack up the house.  I can't believe that we are actually moving in approximately 20 days!  The last 4 months have been so insane!  I know I just keep repeating myself, but this day 4 months ago, I was preparing the house for the kids.  Just 3 days prior to that, I was a single woman with no worries but me.  Now I am a single mom of 2 teenagers.  God, amazes me everyday.  He has blown my mind at how much peace he has given me on this and how no matter what the need, he fulfills it. 

Obedience is not always something I am good at, let just be honest.  I know that I could be disobedient and say no, but God could not be more clear on this had he spoke through a burning bush.  I know this is what I am to do. 

Being too prideful to ask for help (besides my mom of course) is something I have struggled with for, well as long as I can remember.  I have prayed a lot about it, and spoke with some close friends about it before.  Man, God put 2 kids in my life, and there goes pride.  I mean you just gotta ask for stuff when you need it.  Something simple like boxes or prayer for attitudes. 

Well the kids are spending next week with their grandfather, what am I going to do kid free?!?!? 

Ways you can pray for us:

• pray for the move to go smoothly
• pray for us to get the home study process going and over quickly
• pray for answers for me on this adoption (I mean I have NEVER done this before!  I have to have a lawyer, I have NEVER EVER had one for anything)
• pray that I will not be fearful of being obedient, that I will trust him to provide and know that he is faithful
• pray that the kids will see Christ through everything, and how God answers our prayers and provides.
• start praying for school, that the adjustment into high school and a busy schedule with two kids in sports will go well.

Thanks for everyone's support and encouragement!  I know I could not do it without all of you!

Moving!!!

Yes!  I have finally found a 3/2 house to rent!  This allows the adoption process to get started :)  

Of course, I am staying in Navasota where my job is and the kids go to school.  We are all 3 so active with NISD that it makes the most sense to stay in the town.  Plus, why would we want to move out of it, when we all 3 love living here.  I mean, this is how I got them in the beginning.  We will be moving at the end of the month, for the most part we have all the furniture we will need.  When we get to move in, we will need to clean at the new place a little (like wiping down counter-tops).  We will have a LOT of cleaning at the current location and lots of packing to do.

Things are going very well for the summer.  Staying busy and always looking for free things to do :)

This week D and I went to the movies with my SIL and niece, we also went to Blue Bell and did the tour, then spent time at Blue Bell Aquatic Center where the girls had fun playing in the pool.

My SIL took the kids to the movies another day, while I spent time looking for a house (and found one :).  We spent July 4th, doing all the free stuff in Navasota, like swimming and lots of activities like rock climbing and some spinning thing.  Then we went to Washington on the Brazos for the fireworks and of course free Blue Bell and free Coke.

Well I had planned to end with a picture from fireworks, but every time I try to upload Firefox crashes, so I will try later. 

Fellowship

Tonight we got to hang with some pretty awesome people,from church! We had Koinonia (sp?) which means fellowship.  There were lots of teens there!  I was so excited so the kids would be able to get to know other teens from church.  They will not go to youth group, but I know with time that will change.  I have faith in our Mighty God!  

Other than that things are going well.  They fight like all siblings do, they are conceded like most 12-13 year olds are.  T would rather stay home than go anywhere, especially if he thinks it will be boring. They are both so much into social networking,that they literally will stay up all night.  The summer of a teenager now a days!  

However, they have decided I now should meet someone to marry, but I "already have 2 kids, so no more, just them".  Direct orders from them!  

Our biggest challenge right now is them calling me Ms. Moreland still... So we need a nickname and I am open to any.  Please share, we tried them calling me Cara and they will not. So give me your suggestions PLEASE!!!

Thanks for all your prayers , love, and support I feel it 

Friends

As a kid I always loved having friends over.  My two are no different!  However, as a parent, I am not always ready for this.  The kids just don't understand why and I never did either, but I do now! 

My mom sends me a picture of her hotel room, my response.  "Jealous!  I have 5 kids at home right now."  Man how my summers have changed.  Long gone are the days of always traveling, shopping, and eating out.  Now it is days of cooking, cleaning, and entertaining bored teens.  However, I wouldn't change it!  It brings joy seeing the kids so happy and having others even comment about how much happier they are.  Seeing them laugh with each other and their friends. 

Surrendering...

Parenting is the most challenging thing I have ever done in my life!  I teach kids this age, why is parenting them so much harder?  I don't know the answer to that question, but can testify it is.  I mean you only have a class for 50 minutes, you have kids for a life time. 

Parenting is challenging because I simply don't always know what to do.  I don't know what is best for these 2 children God has trusted to me.  I know that I want them to one day fall in love with Christ and have a relationship with him.  I want them to strive to do great things in life, I want them to be productive citizens, I want them to be kind, considerate, caring, and loving people.   As I was reminded in church today, I am not a perfect parent and they are not perfect children, nor will any of us every be.  It is my job, to demonstrate a life that is surrendered to Christ. 

Surrendering everything to Christ, is not easy for me, I would like to assume it is not easy for anyone but who knows.  I don't know why it is not easy, I mean how many times does God have to show me how much he loves me, and how his will for my life is more than my little will, will ever be.  He is King of Kings, the Great I Am.   I am simply Cara, the imperfect Cara. 

Things have gotten so much better here at the house, not that we will not have our rough days, or that they will never test me, but it just has simply been better. 

D (the girl) is into her Kindle and texting, but she is caring, loving, and just wants to know that she is loved and treasured.  T (the boy) well he is all boy, he loves music, picking on his sister, but so protective of her.  He can also be caring, but in his "manly" way, he also wants to get connected and feel loved.  He however is afraid because as soon as they do, they normally get taken away.  He has let some of his guards down, and is allowing himself to get closer to others.  They both love to sit right on top of you and be right beside you at all times. 

I will never understand how people can allow worldly things to come in the way of their family.  It amazes me and makes me so angry.  People allow their selfish ways to effect other people. 

OMG!!! Is this for real, am I becoming a MOTHER!

Wow! One day I will get better at updating this!  How my life has changed since March 7th.  On that Thursday morning, I was asked if I would be the guardian of 2 students, a brother (13) and a sister (12).  Some days I question if I have done the right thing, actually many times I have.  My life has changed, for at least 2.5 months, or so I thought.  After about 2 months, so the middle of May, CPS is revisiting their case, and looking at the upcoming move.  That is when I was approached to adopt them, to give them their forever home.

My first thought was yes, then I am crazy!  I am 31 and taking care of 2 teenagers, what do I know about parenting.  I mean I was raised by 2 great people, and have more support then anyone could ask for, but I know this is not easy.  After lots of prayer, discussion with my mom, and lots of tears.  I decided this is what God's will is for my life. 

Now don't get me wrong, there are days where I question myself multiple times.  I mean I knew it would not be easy, but I did not know how HARD and CHALLENGING it would really be.  There are days they test me so much, that I believe I need to be admitted into an institution.  

The girl is excited about staying with me, her brother, well he wants to stay, but not necessarily with me.  He is not sure what he wants.  Well he does want a home that lets him do whatever, and well, that simply is not here. 

Many times, I just think, God you are giving me kids, can't you give me a husband to be the leader of the house.  I don't know if I can do this.  It would be awesome for the boy to have a role model here, something he does not normally see.  Someone to encourage him and teach him about being a leader and a gentleman.  I know God will provide all of these through his own means.  I know he will never give me more than I can handle, even if handling it means that I learn to get on my knees and come to him, which I have learned a lot these last 2.5 months.  I have to learn to trust him and he will do all the work.  No matter what God loves me and will get us through this chapter of life.

So with all that being said, I am becoming a mom to 2 teenagers this year!  I need lots of prayers :) 


So I have prayer request:
1. That the kids will adjust well here and that the walls that have been built from their past will be lowered.
2. That we can find a place to live.  This place is simply to small and I cannot go through with adoption until I have a bigger place.
3.  That I will make good parenting choices, but more importantly that I will always rely on God for these decisions.  That he will always be the head of this household. 
4. That I will trust God for all decisions!
5. That we will enjoy our summer and get rest.
6. That I will not be prideful and allow others to help me and pray for me (God has already begun teaching me this)


PS:  I am accepting all parenting advice!

Obedience

So I am currently parenting 2 junior high kids for the next 2.5 months.  My first answer was YES!  My first thought was, how am I going to afford this?  Am I going to go into extreme debt or what?    Since I have had the kids I was reminded of a $500 visa card I had that I had earned last semester, my mother was telling someone about the situation and she gave me $100, and then a sweet couple gave me a $200 HEB gift card.  I have been reminded through all this that if you are obedient to God, he will provide.  There is no need in me worrying about where the money will come, I know I am doing what he wants and he will provide for me.  Step out in obedience to God, there are no what ifs with him.

4 days and the Parenting I have learned!

Parenting is new for me.  I like to jump right in so I currently am caring for two Jr. High aged children.  They are a joy to be around.  Here are some lessons I have already learned:

1. Bed time is never easy!
2. Siblings will argue ALL THE TIME!
3. It is the small thank you's that mean a lot.
4. They will always try to talk you out of what they do not want to do.
5. Silence is AMAZING!
6. There are no early bedtimes for the "Parent".
7. If practice starts at 6, you will be there for at least 2 hours.  Plan dinner wisely.
8. Having a plan of what to cook for the whole week is GREAT!  No one ever ask, what's for dinner and I always know what to cook when I get home.
9. Even as teenagers, they have a secret desire to learn.  I don't even believe they realize this ;)
10. I love hearing laughter coming from their room.

I know there is so much more, but right now I am just tired.   I will take all the advice I can get on this new adventure God has put me in. 

Single

Being single can have its benefits, but of course it can have its down falls.  Like today!!!  My dryer needs to be reconnected and I have to do, I need a man to do this job!  Okay that is all for right now LOL!!!