Adoption

God is good all the time. All the time God is good.

One year ago today.
August 13, 2014
Our dreams, stuggles, fears, hopes, faith. It all came crashing together on this day.

Our adoption story. It hasn't ever really been written down. Not because we aren't super proud of it. More like because it's so full of raw emotion. It's personal. It's real. And I really don't know if I'm ready for all those details to be out there.

I want to give a blog hug to those that are in the process of adoption. To those in the midst of putting your autobiography together for the case study. To those in the midst of getting copies of seriously any piece of paper that has ever had any of your information on it. To those in the midst of getting your pet shot records together. To those in the midst of the home study. To those in the midst of finding that right lawyer. To those in the midst of getting all the funds together.
To you, I give you hope.

Our adoption was just as different as any other adoption. There isn't one adoption that is the same. Well... maybe very similar but even then there is a difference. A child.

It hurts. Every step of an adoption hurts. Wounds are opened. Wounds that you wanted to never think about. Wounds you wanted covered. Wounds that you never knew were really there. Wounds that you just can't fix.

Then. When it's done. When the adoption is done. It's done.

There's a famous movie that's quoted for saying, "Every time a bell rings, an angel gets it's wings". Maybe. Maybe that is true.

A year ago our fears and struggles were given wings.
Our three boys got to ring a bell when their adoption was finalized.
Our boys. Our angels. Ours.

The sound of that bell rang over the intercom. A courthouse where sorrow, grief and not always happy things happen. That sound resonated throughout that whole building. It's a reminder that there are happy beginings or endings.

To our Lawyer. To our Guardian Ad Litem. To our Mediator. To the Commissioner. To the Judge.
Thank you for making this our day.

Forever and Always.

The Launius Family

First day 2015

Well. It happened. Three of our boys piled out of the car and walked on up to the school doors today. I made it past waving goodbye and pulling out of the drive way, and then the tears came. Point for me today, I remembered to wear waterproof makeup.

Ms. G, Ms. B, Mrs. R and Mrs. D. I know these are just letters to you. To me they are teachers. They are investing time and love and so much effort to my little men. Thank you! They will all be in my heart this school year. I tweeted (that's the right lingo for twitter... right?) earlier. I truly am praying, sending good vibes and doing a happy dance for them.

There will be rough days. There will be worries. There will also be spectacular days. There will be beautiful days. There will be days that are just, days. Here's to all of these days!

Happy first day of school! 2015

 

 

School Year 2015

It's that time of year again. The boys are starting another year of school. The tears start to build up and my throat gets all hoarse. I'm proud of each of them. I know they are growing. It's the simple fact that this... this is a tangible way of seeing that growth. Knowing that yes, they will always be my babies but not, all at the same time.

I remember the first day of school. Every year my Mom would cry. She'd take us to the bus stop and cry and wave and hug herself. I was always so embarrassed, just like all the other kids with their mom. And now. Now friends, I am that Mom. I drive my kids to school and wave and hug myself. I high-fived myself mentally for making it out of the drop off line before the tears started streaming down last year. I also forgot to wear waterproof mascara. I definitely scared some of the kids waiting for the bus. That at the time, and a little now, made me laugh. Then I started crying more.

My hubby, told me that every year it would get a little bit easier. I'm totally throwing the BS flag on that. I know the boys are in good hands. I know that they can't really get that lost, yeah there is a story behind that. I know the littlest will have big brother(s) to protect and guide him. It's not any of that. It's the growing up. It's the letting go. It's the little baby that I still see being rocked to sleep. It's seeing my little boy by a hug building with a backpack on that weighs more than him waving goodbye to me.

Letting go of the most precious gift I have ever been given. Letting go of trying to protect them each from the fears and worries that they have for the year. Maybe I have been watching Disney movies to much, specifically 'Frozen'. Let It Go!

So this year. I will remember to wear waterproof everything, or maybe just ditch the makeup. I will smile and hug the day and put on that brave face for the boys. I will not call the school to find out if they are okay. The boys not the school. I will remember the struggles that I had and thank God I have boys and not girls. Girls are meeeean. I will say a prayer, send good vibes, do a happy dance for all those teachers that will play a part in our children's education.

Rian

My teacher’s name is:  Mrs. R

Grade:  Kindergarten

My school’s name is:  :)

My favorite color is: Black

My favorite food is:  Banana or watermelon

My favorite book is:  Toad and Frog

My favorite song is:  Let it Go

I want to be a: Doctor

Things I’d like to learn:  Math skills

My favorite subject is:  Art

My favorite movie is:  Frozen

I’m most excited about: That I got Mrs. R

My favorite sport is:  Baseball

Louis 

My teacher’s name is: Ms B

Grade:  3rd

My school’s name is: :)

My favorite color is: Green

My favorite food is:  That's a tough one... Spicy chicken

My favorite book is: One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish

My favorite song is: Cruise

I want to be a: Artist

Things I’d like to learn:  How to make a fortune cookie... like origami.

My favorite subject is: Art

My favorite movie is: Transformers

I’m most excited about: My new teacher and making new friends.

My favorite sport is:  Baseball

Samual

My teacher’s name is: Ms G

Grade: 4th

My school’s name is:  :)

My favorite color is: Orange

My favorite food is: Meatloaf

My favorite book is: Diary of a Wimpy Kid series

My favorite song is: My Ant Came Back

I want to be a: Farmer, Fire fighter, Yarn shop owner, Veterinarian

Things I’d like to learn: More information about animals and how to take care of them.

My favorite subject is: Art

My favorite movie is: Pokemon the movie

I’m most excited about: See my friends

My favorite sport is: Baseball