Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Hard things

I'm discouraged tonight. Noah was supposed to have his Christmas visit with his mom and she didn't come.  His grandma was there, and lavished him with gifts. But he told me that he cried that his mom wasn't there. Yesterday he asked me why he doesn't live with her. I told him that she's working on being a better mom and hopefully he can live with her again.

Tonight, after all the new toys were played with, Noah told Caden that his momma doesn't like white people.  "She doesn't like you, but I do", he said.

Why does this make me feel so ill?  This woman doesn't personally dislike me for who I am. She doesn't even know me. Perhaps she really does hate all white people. Perhaps she dislikes me because I'm getting some of Noah's affection right now and she wants it. Perhaps she feels that because I'm white, I can't properly care for a little black boy.  Maybe she's annoyed that he likes us.  If I were in her shoes, I might feel quite resentful of whoever had my kids. But I'm super annoyed that she's pouring her hate and bitterness into her 4 year-old son, who didn't realize we were white and he was black until she pointed it out. Or that this is supposed to be a big deal.

Poor confused baby boy.  One day he tells me he wants to live with us forever, and then the next day he wants to go back to his momma.  God heal us all.

5 stockings


Shoppin helpers


Williamsburg and Great Wolf

 A fun place to sleep for all!


 Great Wolf Lodge..

a 9 year old's desk


Merck Christmas party



Not a great picture, but...


Mom and Dad visit

 Applesauce making!!
 
 Caden loves the process.

 
 Treating our hands later...
 Gingerbread house more fun with Grandma!
 The beginning of the season right here:
 

Thanksgiving



Uncle Shann working hard to help Blake finish


Reid has a clean plate!
 


Girls love each other!
 

Update from a picture taken about 7 1/2 years ago


Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Found in Noah's cubbie at preschool


Noah-isms

Mr. Shann , you funny!
You my best friend, Miss Sarah.
I don't like this food (before trying)
Is we almost home? I wanna go home and play with toys.
I know you not leaving me, Miss Sarah. I don't need to be scared.
God, thanks for helping me not whine, and thanks for letting me live with miss Sarah. 
I love you Miss Sarah. 
God, help us be kind to each other (we pray for this a lot).
Caden, you my best friend. 
Its gonna take too long (when laying down for a nap).
I am so glad we are home. This house is my best friend.
I miss my momma.
God, help Bobby not to touch my hair.  And help me not to spit in his face, or hit him on the back or even on the belly.
This nasty!
 Miss Sarah, I want to live with you every day. You do, Noah. I mean, I don't wanna go back and live with my momma.

North Carolina State FAIR

escape from friendly dinosaur!
shrunken girls, Avery and Alyssa
 the tree man is a bit scary
Ben and Caden in a hamster wheel on water.  They think this is fun.
 
Add caption