Parenting Lows

Warning:
Long post on a not-so-flattering day of parenthood. This is a no-judging zone. ;)

Halle Grace and Garrett had rough days today. We went to the Pope's for dinner last night (school night) and didn't get the kids to bed until nearly 10pm.
Paid for it all day.

Garrett wanted to bring his lunch today, so I pulled his lunchbox out of the pantry to pack it. Inside, I found an open container of yogurt (some of it spilled) from the last time he brought his lunch (about 2 weeks ago!!!). Totally grody gross gross!
So...Garrett had to bring an old lunchbox today.
He was not happy about this at all.
Still not sure why - it's just a plain dark blue lunch box - no Barney, no Batman.
Plain blue.
But I mean he was REALLY unhappy about it.
Garrett screamed all the way to school "I. DON'T. LIKE. THIS. LUNCHBOX!!!"
And he screamed it over and over and over. Finally, I just walked away as he stood in front of the school doors screaming.
I guess he got over it and went inside. Probably the second I walked away.
An hour later, I was in his classroom reading with the kids for my volunteer day. He was his normal sweet self. Go figure!

Then Halle Grace hit her low point after school. She asked me if she could move her funiture around in her room. I explained to her why we could not (many difficult things to move - both furniture and wall fixtures).
She proceeded to burst into tears asking why every time we move she always gets the smallest room.
"EVERY time we move?" I ask. We've moved one time since we brought her home.
I calmly explained that she was the only kid with her own room in our last house, that her current room was huge, that she is the only one who has her own bathroom, blah, blah, blah.
This did not work. She did not get this logic at all.
She bursts into tears again, proclaiming how her room is too small for her and that it's not fair.
Now I can let a lot of things roll off my back, but to hear my sweet little Ukrainian-American angel turn so quickly into an Americanized materialistic snot about sent me over the edge. What have we done to this girl???!!?? Yuck!
She is literally on the floor crying her eyes out that her room is too small for her.
I brought up all the children in Haiti that she is so passionate about, and how they are sleeping in tents or on the street - even how children in Fort Worth are homeless and on the streets. I reminded her how much God has blessed her and tht he wants her to be grateful for her blessings.
Nothing was getting through to her.
At this point, it's everything I have not to say, "How would you like to go back to your life in Ukraine for a day to remind you how good you have it here?!?!"
Don't worry - I didn't say it. But I wanted to. Really wanted to. Please tell me I'm not the only adoptive mom out there who has wanted to say those words?!

What did I do? I sent her to her room to take some time to think about all of her blessings and to thank God for them.
Peace resumed.

At bedtime tonight, she brought it up again - that her room just feels really small. I assure you, this is a completely rediculous statement.

I was done with this.
I gathered up her blankets, pillow, and bear and made her a bed in the closet under the stairs. I asked her to spend some time in there thinking about the millions of homeless children all over the world who would be thrilled to have a warm space under the stairs to sleep. I told her that I would be back in a while to hear what she wants to say.

Don't worry, I left the closet door wide open.
I didn't want to scare her. But I wanted her to gain a little perspective, if that's possible for a 7-year-old.

I came back about 20 minutes later to find that the tears had finally stopped. I just gave her a hug and she said, "Mommy, God told me that he wants me to be happy to have such a nice room and that I should remember to pray for all the children who don't have a home".
As I tucked her back into her own bed, she said that she really likes her room and that she was sorry.
Thank you, Lord.

I have to remind myself that most of her memories now are with us and not from Ukraine. She truly is comfortable with us as her family. If one of the boys cried about their room being too small, I am certain that I would not have reacted the same way (still would have been upset, but may not have felt the need to drive the point home the way I did).
This bugs me a lot.
Is this a girl thing? Am I holding her to a higher standard because she's a girl, or is it that I expect her to appreciate what she has more than the average kid because of where she came from? Ugh. The biggest struggle I have with parenting is finding a balance between controling my kiddos behavior and allowing them to make their own choices (often mistakes) and learn from them on their own.
I want to raise grateful, generous, compassionate children. So badly that I stuggle with wanting to somehow MAKE them have these qualities. But I know that I really just need to sit back and allow the Lord to build these qualities in them over time through their experiences and through prayer, as well as through our example.

So there you have it. A tough day of parenting at the Hinshaw house.
Did I mention Scott was at a meeting at church and missed all of this drama?

I would also like to mention that Grant was an absolute dream child today. :)

Tomorrow is new day!

February thoughts

It's a cold February day and I am not working! I've been subbing a LOT and it's so nice to have a relaxing day. My kitchen is totally clean for the first time in about 2 weeks (don't judge), and we're having dinner with friends tonight, so no cooking today. Just me on the couch with a Diet Coke and the computer.
Bliss.

I was reading a friend's blog and she announced that they are adopting a little boy from Ethiopia! As I read the story of how God led them to this decision, I couldn't help but think of our adoption journey. It was so filled with miracles at every turn - there is such a closeness with God you feel when he takes you on such a faith-building adventure. It made me wonder what the next adventure will be for our family and it got me longing for one. As we scurry along through our days - teaching, grocery store, cooking, cleaning, laundry, kids activities, homework, friends and family - I can't help but wonder if I'm not slowing down enough to listen to God's voice. Some days, he could be waving his hands and screaming something important, and I would have missed it. Had I not been in the word and seeking him diligently at the time, I would have quite possibly missed the call to adopt. I don't want to get so busy with routine that I miss another call for some other adventure.

We have been following the story of Jenny Bazaillion (a local young mother). She got sick with what they thought was the flu or Strep. It got out of hand and turned into Sepsis. After fighting for her life, having her legs amputated due to gangrene, and developing infection in her brain, she died this week. It's just one of those moments you see life so clearly - that we are not guaranteed tomorrow and that we have to make the most of every day we are given.
I don't want to miss anything God has for me.
The big things or the little things.
I am praying and seeking and asking God what is next. Can't wait to see what it will be!
But for now, I'm off to attempt to speed up Spring and plant a few primroses in my flower bed! There's not much prettier than a bright pink primrose, is there?

Halle Grace

This little wonder is a walking miracle. She came from a life of extreme neglect to an orphanage, and then to our family. She has caught up in almost every way - her English is so good that her 1st grade teacher cannot believe she is an ESL student. She is at the top of her class and is an excellent reader. She is often recognized for good behavior and is always looking out for others. We are still working on some coordination skills, but nothing major at all. She loves taking care of people (much to the annoyance of her bothers), playing outside, music, gymnastics, and she loves anything and everything girly. She is loving her gymnastics class and is doing so well. She's not headed to the olympics, but she sure has fun! :)
She has lost her 2 front teeth and got her hair cut into a cute little bob - such a little cutie! She had her first sleepover last month with a little girl down the street. Over Christmas, I took her to the American Girl store in Dallas for a girl night. We ate in the Bistro and she was in Heaven! It was so much fun and something that I have been waiting for her to do - I wanted her to be old enough to really enjoy and appreciate it. :) She still talks about it.
She loved the snow we have had this winter, but was quick to remind us that Ukraine gets WAY more snow than that. :) Looking forward to another great year with Halle Grace! This year, we are praying that her eyes will finally stabilize and that by this time next year, she will be finished with her tratment and working her way off of her glasses.

More pics of her coming later... I need to upload!

Garrett

Garrett has grown so much this year! 1st grade has been a great experience for him and he has just blossomed at school. He has come out of his shell and is making lots friends. He's come a long way from the kid who didn't say a word the whole first semester of his 4-year-old year of preschool! He loves playing outside - it's his favorite thing in the world right now. He is quite the pro bike-rider, scooter rider, roller blader, and even throws in a little skateboarding here and there. He has no fear (can't wait to get that kid on skis someday!). When he's inside, he loves Legos and video games.
Garrett is still playing soccer with the same team (I think this Spring is season 4). He loves it, but is ready to move on to football he says (this Fall).
This year, Garrett wants to go fishing more, learn to play golf, and go camping more. He is also turning into quite the little artist. He took art lessons after school for a little while last Fall and loved it. He is quite the "outside the box" kid and spends most of his time in left field (so to speak). :)
He is tough, yet tenderhearted. Often a walking paradox!

Grant

Over the last year, Grant has truly grown into a big kid! We are loving this age (9) and would love to freeze it! He is so much fun to talk with and is taking such an interest in the world, how things work, government, history, God, sports, and reading. He completed all 7 of the Harry Potter books this year, which was a huge acomplishment. I loved getting to talk with him about the books and hear his thoughts. He is currently reading the 39 Clues series, which are spy/adventure stories of travel all around the world. He's started quite a list of places he wants to visit! He is loving 3rd grade and doing well. We struggle with getting him to slow down and do his best work (his handwriting in particular suffers the consequences of his "race to be the first one finished"). His favorites are math and social studies. He's got his Daddy's math/analytical gene, but he's got some of his mama's creative genes, too. Can't wait to see where God will take him!
He played baseball for the first time last Fall and loved it so much he's back at it ths Spring. They started practice last week and start games in March. He says he wants to start playing baseball in the Springs and Football in the Falls. Sounds like a good plan to me.
His favorite things to do are play football outside with the neighbors, build legos, watch anything Star Wars, American Idol, or Survivor, ride his bike, and play the occasional video game.
Grant turns 10 this year and can't wait for that!

Grant made the 3rd grade Storytelling team for his school. Here he is with Daddy at the awards ceremony. He competed as an alternate, but had a great experience!


The kids worked much of the Christmas break on building a lego city. This is the office building that Grant build, complete with desks, chairs, and people. He also built a Chuy's restaurant, with included the "car" chip and salsa bar and everything!


Read wanted to read The Night Before Christmas on Christmas Eve this year. He did a great job!



Here is Grant in his school performance of the Nutcracker. So cute!

2010!

Is it really 2010? It's mid February, and I still can't get used to it. So long since I blogged - I see it's been Garrett's birthday for several months. :)
Life has sure been busy, and I don't think I'll be a regular blogger, but every once in a while I'll stop by to record a little of our daily family history in the making.
To back up a little, we had a wonderful holiday season - I think we had 4 different parties at our house, which was so much fun. On Christmas day we enjoyed fun with neighbor friends, snow, and good family time. This area had the first white Christmas in recent history and was it great gift from Heaven! The kids were outside all day long - all the neighbors were out and we enjoyed a nice relaxing Christmas day just hanging out at home. (We celebrated early with extended family).
We had a New Years' Eve party here at the house - lots of kids, lots of food, lots of fun!
2009 was an incredibly blessed year for our family. God had been so good to bless us with good health, good friends, a great family lifegroup, a new house, great new neighbors, and loving family. We are so grateful for his grace and his provision. We are excited about this new year and can't wait to see what God has in store.

Happy Birthday to Garrett!

My sweet baby is 7! I can't believe it. Where the time goes, I have no idea. Garrett wanted a Star Wars party at the park. There was no swaying him. Once Garrett gets his mind set on something, that's it. We've had TONS of rain, so we had to reschedule it once, but it turned out just great. A little cold, and dark, but the kids didn't seem to notice. They just ran wild in their Star Wars getup, lightsabers in tow. Every little boy's dream.

I have to say that this is the first time I have not made my kiddos birthday cake myself. We had flooring done in our house that week, and I hurt my back that week as well. I had to call in the big guns at Walmart. It turned out great and even tasted pretty good too. And Garrett, of course, could not have cared less! :)