What We've Been Up To: Part 2 - Vacations and Saying Yes

Part two of what we've been up to...

Vacation

In June, we were able to go on the annual beach vacation with Todd's family to Ocean Isle Beach, NC. We thought we wouldn't be able to do it this year, but it worked out that we were able to go. It was nice to have the time away and now that the kids are older, a beach vacation is actually relaxing! It was nice to have the time with Miles and Ella and do some of our traditional beach things (mini-golf, ice cream, souvenir shopping) with them one more time before adding other children into the mix. We were also there for Todd's birthday and went to Broadway at the Beach and rode a high-speed "jet boat." It's basically a high-powered speed boat that goes fast and spins around. I wasn't sure what to expect, but it was really fun. I highly recommend it!

Saying 'Yes' to M and E

I don't know if there is really a way to prepare any of us for the next few months of life. When R and S come home, it's going to be really hard. That's all there is to it. They will miss their foster families, have to deal with new sights, sounds, smells, and tastes, and won't understand our language and how we do things. 

All that is to say that we will likely be telling M and E 'no' a lot - no, we can't go out to eat; no, we can't go shopping; no, you can't play video games or watch TV right now. So, for the last few months, we've been trying to say 'yes' a lot. We haven't changed any rules about acceptable behavior or let them run wild, or lay in bed all day, but we've made a conscious effort to say yes to their requests instead of saying no.

They are both going to be great older siblings and talk about R and S a lot. They have also gotten out of bed at 7 a.m. on Thursdays to Skype with them - in the summer, that is nice to see!