things that have helped...

as i mentioned in the previous post, Cree is adjusting to the school groove and settling in a little bit more each week.  some days he still struggles, but overall the trend is positive.  i've noticed a few things have helped him regulate. 

a friend had a great idea of a calendar to help Cree visualize the days of the week~ school days, the weekends, the holidays and special occasions.  i found this one on Amazon.  he's been all over it.  he can even pick the weather and his feelings~ he ranges between worried and sad to ecstatic, ;) and  flipping the days over has given him a much clearer visual idea of where he's at during the week.

Jessie insists on walking across it at least once each morning while we change it.

another thing that's helped him transition has been this sweet pup of ours.  she walks out to the bus with us and greets him when he gets home. 

on the warmer days, Cree's bike has been a nice distraction, especially when he felt pretty nervous early on in the first couple weeks.  

his bus driver, Mr. Frank, has been so kind as well.  

when Cree gets home he seems to do best when he can unwind with a snack, a snuggle in his bed with Jessie and i, and a chance to chat about the day's events.  

   i wish i had blogged all six of the other kid's earliest school experiences.  i think he'll enjoy looking back on this season of life one day.

school bookends

 hard to believe we're just over a month and a half now into the new school year.  this post comes a bit late, but hey, at least i'm predictable :)

bookend years for these two boys.  AJ starting grade 12 while Cree just begins his school journey in JK...crazy, we know.  i love these two so very much.  and i remember well AJ heading off to school at Cree's age.  a bright eyed, affectionate and social little guy who i remember feeling reluctant to send, as i'd already missed out on so much time with him prior to his adoption, and i hated that school came so quickly...he, of course, was more than ready.  he couldn't wait to be going to the same place his older siblings were off to every day.  he was super excited.  some of that school excitement might have waned a bit since then, which is entirely normal too i'd say...

AJ isn't sure what comes next for him beyond highschool, but for now he's enjoying a busy football season with the senior team.  there have been some close games, an exciting upset, and playoffs are upon us.  

Cree is settling in so well.  we still have the expected after-school fatigue and resulting meltdowns from time to time, but just the last two weeks been much better and there is definite improvement.  it's understandable really, he's been immersed in a full French classroom, which on its own must be tiring.  as it turns out, his French abilities are strong.  he's picking up so much vocabulary already.  his teacher reports that he's doing very well and saving the less than perfect behaviour for us at home.  i'm glad about that, i think...  

he's making friends and constantly singing songs and saying prayers in French.  we are brushing up on our own limited French abilities now too.  very soon he'll surpass us in his ability to be conversational with this second language.  amazing what young brains are capable of.

i know his face so well...the moment above required such courage on his part.  he bravely moved on to the school doors, to be welcomed warmly by support staff and teachers, with such visible trepidation apparent to me, that i struggled to hold it together.  honestly, i felt his discomfort.  we hugged and said goodbye and i assured him i'd be back in the afternoon, and that i'd be excited to hear about his day...he is a such a brave little soul.  i walked to the van and did the ugly-faced cry.  thankfully, we are both adjusting.

i'm so grateful we live in a country where school attendance is accessible for my kids and education is a basic right for all.  i hope and pray it's a great year for them!

Cleveland

 a fun little vacation with dear friends as summer came to a close.  a great time over a long weekend~ exploring, eating, walking, people watching, catching up and laughing.  a change of scenery and welcomed change of pace.  grateful for days like these.

Cleveland 2024

a moment

 just a precious moment in time.  it came up recently when browsing through the actual photo albums.  feels like forever ago.  only four kiddos then.  looks like it might have been around Easter time with the Sunday dresses on the girls.  front step at Howston Ave.

how i love those sweet faces.

our artist

 the girl is talented.  and i am sooo thrilled to see her using her gifts.  Layla spent the second half of her summer prepping for a pretty big adventure.  she leaves later today for an almost six month mission through YWAM (youth with a mission).  

people so generously supported her journey and many bought tickets for her raffle, and these two paintings were a couple of the prizes.  

more to come on her adventures.  praying her time away is amazing, life-changing and difference-making, for her and the many she will meet and serve.  of course we will miss her loads, but couldn't be more grateful for the gift of this opportunity in her life, and who knows where it will take her next.  

fly Layla, fly! ❤