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!