Jenna - Something New

Trying something new is so scary sometimes.  It takes a lot for us to step out and do something that we might not be that great at. On the flip side there is a great possibility you could find a new talent or joy in your life. It takes a lot for us to do those kinds of things in public and in front of others but that's just what our girl did this year.  Last year when the Upwards program rolled around at our church Jenna went right to the cheerleading option.  We were happy to support her in that and she had a great time although it was really odd to cheer for a cheerleader.  Anyway, this year she talked about trying out basketball but was unsure and scared but with a little encouragement from us and a friend to take that leap with her she decided to give it a shot.

Here's a few photos of our basketball player

And just for fun - here is a short video of Jenna at practice running some drills.  Enjoy!

Jenna Bball Drills from Kim Gillman on Vimeo.

Birth Mothers

A couple of events that have popped up triggered my thoughts in a certain direction and I find myself wondering... about two very special women.    As AJ had his 4th bday I was excited that we had him in our lives and had the blessing of celebrating with him.  Yet I was sad.... sad for a mother who wasn't with her child on his birthday.  Sad she isn't seeing him grow each day or receive his hugs.  For those of you who have adopted you know this torn feeling.  This feeling of thankfulness and excitement that you have a new child of your very own, yet saddened that it took a loss for it to happen.  For those of you wondering it's not my intention to tell our kids stories - they are their stories to tell when they are ready to tell them but you all know they were without in order for us to have and it makes my heart sad at times. 

While I don't know either of these women I know them.  I see them in my kids faces.  I see a birth mother's eyes as I look at AJ's baby browns while getting his jammies on.  I see a birth mother's quiet personality as an Ethiopian girl crawls in my lap and giggles softly.   I often think about what they might want me to do in certain situations or how they might want me to react to their child when they disobey.  It's a strange place to be in.  I wish I could talk to them, show them pictures of their children - let them know that they are doing okay and are safe.  I wish I could tell them that I will make sure the kids remember them and not forget the gift of life they gave to them, that I would teach the kids about Ethiopia and will try with all I have to one day take them back to their homeland.  I wish I could take away worry they might have or had and simply extend a hug as one women to another letting them know life would be okay.  I wish I could hear special things like what their labor was like or their stories of my kids first years of life.  I wish I could ask what that scar is on AJ's nose or the one on Selam's side.  I wish many things and pray often God provides AJ and Selam's birthmothers with a peace about all these things. 

Birthmothers..... they've been on my mind.

Re-grouping Part Two

At the beginning of January I posted that our family was going to re-group.  We were going to get our house, our schedule and our lives in some sort of order - well as much order as possible with three kids.  I told you I was going to share some tips with you of things we are doing to manage daily life so below are several of those little things we're doing and I have to say they are truly making a difference.

Re-organizing the toys

Not all of the toys are here but for the most part they are.  AJ has a few still in his room such as big trucks and hotwheels, etc which are in baskets and a toybox.  Games that we all can play are also not here but on a shelf in a closit. And art materials are also up in a shelf. As you can see the baskets/buckets are labeled and we are firmly setting the rule of "you put it up before you get something else out."  The labled buckets seem to make it fun for the kids and we used one of those metal pantry shelves to hold them all.

Every night the kids have their very own checklist that has to get accomplished.  We usually hit this about 15 minutes before bedtime as it doens't take an overly long time to do.  Each kido has things on their list that are similar however some have more things they can do than others based on age and ability.  For example Jenna get's to pick out her own clothes while that is not something on AJ's list.  Having the kids lay out their clothes the night before is very helpful in warding off morning arguments about what to wear. In fact they are non-existant.

Probably the single best thing we put on this list was the "house sweep."  I can't take credit for it.  I found it on another blog that has some ideas about keeping the house clean.  The house sweep is a simple thing to help take care of all those little items laying around that everyone somehow forgot to put away.  For those of you who want to make your cleaning life a thousand times better have everyone go through the house one time a day and pick up every little thing they have laying out and put it in it's proper place - that's the house sweep my friends and it is amazing!  Every night I go to bed feeling like things are in some sort of order because of this little prize on the kids list.

Another Idea that I can't take credit or is our 5 finger morning routine.  I was getting incredibly annoyed at having to tell children to get their teeth brushed, get dressed, make their beds, etc.  Multiply each statement by three and well I was never able to really get myself ready in the mornings unless I got up at 4:30 and seriously people - mommy needs her sleep.  So we started this little routine.  It took 2 days for the kids to get down what was on the list and all I have to say is, "got your five fingers done?" then off they go.  Really!  And they all know that you can't watch TV or eat breakfast until your five fingers are done. 

And finally the girls are officially sharing a room.  The adjustment of having new siblings was pretty difficult upon arriving home for Jenna so up till now she needed some space and AJ and Selam shared rooms.  It was always our hope that the girls would share a room but it just took some time for everyone to feel comfortable with that.  In order to help that process one of the things we did was move all toys out of their room and while they play in there together at times for the most part it's simply a sleeping space or a place to play games that are not yet age appropriate for AJ.  The other thing I wanted to take care of was all those little things that girls collect that you have no idea what to do with.  If you have a girl you know what I am talking about.  It's crazy the little things they end up with... Anyway Selam and Jenna each have these corners in the room with their own basket.  The rule is you can keep all the little "things" as long as ultimately they are kept in the baskets and when the basket gets too full then it's up to them to decide what they need to get rid off. 

Well, there you have it.  Some of our re-grouping ideas.  It really is helping us to feel like we have some sense of order in our house right now.  Feel free to use any ideas you wish from our list or tell me I am overly nutty about organization :)

Blessings, Kim