The tree has been up since before Thanksgiving. This is typically not a tradition for the Thomas Family but our new additions would not leave me alone until decorations were out!! We have a few gifts under the tree now and Jayson comes home from school and checks to make sure nothing is there for him. Yesterday I wrapped a present from us and put it under there. The expression on his face when he seen it was priceless!! Christmas will be such a joyful occassion for two children who only recieved a piece of candy on Christmas morning. Now on another note! Adoption is not an easy thing to do. I think people have a picture in their head that you adopt and the kids will be so appreciative and loving. Truth is that is NOT the truth. They do not know love and have no clue how to appreciate. This has to be taught. I am here to tell you that it is exausting and wears you down. There are days that you want to run away and never return. It tests your marriage and your faith. Make sure both of those things are very strong and that you have lots of support before making the decision to adopt older children!! Your life will never be the same again! So be prepared for that. Some days are really good and some are really bad. I am not saying this to scare away someone from adoption. It is a wonderful thing. But I do not want you to go in thinking things will be wonderful and then be blindsided by the truth. Also, make sure you have an adoption agency that will support you after the adoption process is OVER! I feel very blessed to have these two beautiful children in my life and would not change my decision to adopt, but I don't feel that I was prepared for what was in store after adoption. It just felt that once we returned home, the agency we used had no use for us anymore. There were no phone calls to check in on us and we have been home for nine months now and we still have had no communication from them. Thankfully we stay in touch with the other families that traveled with us to Ukraine and get together often to share stories and de-stress!!! Thank you Peters, Alderinks, Campbells and Helton's for always being their for us!! Love you guys!! MERRY CHRISTMAS~~
