This year we signed our two oldest sons, Adam and Caleb up for baseball. This is a first for us. We had considered it last year, but none of us were ready to make the commitment. They are on the Reds and play their first official game tomorrow. GO REDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It is has been really good for the boys in more ways than one.
Ever since we adopted, I had had the attitude that we don't have time for sports. I felt like I wasn't getting enough quality time with my boys as it is, let alone having to compete with baseball. I guess you can say most of the hesitation was coming from me. So as a result, I hadn't let them try out for baseball. But after talking with another adoptive Mom, I realized that I was not being fair. After much prayer and consideration, I let them try out. And they made it!
Sure, baseball does take a lot of time what with practice every day but you know what? I am getting to spend more quality time with them in spite of the long practices. When I take them out shopping for gear, we make the most of it by going out to dinner too. Just the three of us. Also, every night after the rest of the kids are asleep we get to talk about practice and what happened at school as we eat bowls of ice-cream and watch Full House reruns.
God is good.
Friday, March 30, 2007
Sveta's choice
Most of the kids are having Easter parties at school today. I almost forgot that they are having their annual jog-a-thon today too. The girls made sure they wore tennis shoes and shorts so they could all do their best! So I'm sure you can imagine how excited the kids were as they walked out the front door.
Too bad it didn't last long. As the kids were getting in the car so Dad could drive them to school, Adam quite meanly told Sveta to get in the back seat of the car. In response to her bossy, big brother, Sveta proceeded to kick his violin case a couple of times in which he responded by hitting her leg. Of course that sent Sveta into a "poor, little, ol' me" cry as she came bawling to John and I. Naturally, Adam followed to defend himself and we quickly wanted to resolve it so John could go to work and take the kids to school. Everything would have been fine except that Sveta reverted back to head down, no eye contact because we equally were holding her accountable for her actions and expected her to apologize. Finally, John asked her if she just preferred to walk rather than look at us or apologize and she very stubbornly answered, "Yes!"
So John let her walk a couple of houses down before picking her up (we won't really let her walk alone) and drove the kids to school. He brought Sveta back home to talk to both of us without the other children around. By this time she had calmed down some, and we were able to get her to look at us and apologize after I demonstrated what two choices she had to decide from. On one hand she could continue to be a good girl who gets to stay up later, chew gum, and go to the park.
Making this choice means that she realizes that not saying sorry and not looking at us is not what good girls do and would mean that she apologize for this kind of bad behavior. On the other hand, she could loose all of her big girl privileges and not apologize nor look at us and basically go back to her old ways. I told her that these were the only two choices and you know what? Our smart Sveta chose to look at us and apologize for her behavior.
She then smiled as John invited her to sit up front with him and listen to music as he drove her to school. I didn't think her smile could any bigger but it did after he told her that.
And as I write this, I reflect upon where we were a year ago verses now and I am amazed how much our daughter Sveta has changed for the better. Though she is still stubborn to some extent, that is not what first comes to mind when I think of her. To me Sveta is remarkable, ever changing for the better, constantly learning new things, and full of life! She is so much more confident in herself and her compassion for those who are hurting sets her apart from everyone else.
Too bad it didn't last long. As the kids were getting in the car so Dad could drive them to school, Adam quite meanly told Sveta to get in the back seat of the car. In response to her bossy, big brother, Sveta proceeded to kick his violin case a couple of times in which he responded by hitting her leg. Of course that sent Sveta into a "poor, little, ol' me" cry as she came bawling to John and I. Naturally, Adam followed to defend himself and we quickly wanted to resolve it so John could go to work and take the kids to school. Everything would have been fine except that Sveta reverted back to head down, no eye contact because we equally were holding her accountable for her actions and expected her to apologize. Finally, John asked her if she just preferred to walk rather than look at us or apologize and she very stubbornly answered, "Yes!"
So John let her walk a couple of houses down before picking her up (we won't really let her walk alone) and drove the kids to school. He brought Sveta back home to talk to both of us without the other children around. By this time she had calmed down some, and we were able to get her to look at us and apologize after I demonstrated what two choices she had to decide from. On one hand she could continue to be a good girl who gets to stay up later, chew gum, and go to the park.
Making this choice means that she realizes that not saying sorry and not looking at us is not what good girls do and would mean that she apologize for this kind of bad behavior. On the other hand, she could loose all of her big girl privileges and not apologize nor look at us and basically go back to her old ways. I told her that these were the only two choices and you know what? Our smart Sveta chose to look at us and apologize for her behavior.
She then smiled as John invited her to sit up front with him and listen to music as he drove her to school. I didn't think her smile could any bigger but it did after he told her that.
And as I write this, I reflect upon where we were a year ago verses now and I am amazed how much our daughter Sveta has changed for the better. Though she is still stubborn to some extent, that is not what first comes to mind when I think of her. To me Sveta is remarkable, ever changing for the better, constantly learning new things, and full of life! She is so much more confident in herself and her compassion for those who are hurting sets her apart from everyone else.
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