Approaching One Year Mark

Well, this time last year Todd and I were getting very excited about our departure to Ukraine to get two children with the names Oleksiy and Iryna. Unbelievable that a year has already passed and now these two children only answer to Jayson and Alison! Christmas was a great success. The kids seemed very pleased with the American Christmas Tradition of spoiling your kids!!! Alison also celebrated her 12th birthday and they have changed so very much. They finally understand what "family" means and also what having a mom & dad is all about. Sometimes they don't like that part much (lol). Still are struggling at school but their confindence levels are increasing everyday. I find them absolutly amazing!! Now don't get me wrong, there has been some REALLY HARD TIMES as well. It takes alot of hard work to get to this point. Adopting an older child is simple not easy!! The first 6 months sometimes were unbearable!! Somehow, with God's help, we got through it though and we now feel like a complete family!

Almost Christmas

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~~

October is my favorite month!

We have been pumping the kids up for Halloween festivities and they are excited. They cannot believe that people will just give them candy for no reason!! Alison is going to be a vampire and Jayson a Zombie. I have decorated our front porch and we have been to several Halloween stores so we are ready! Carved our pumpkins Sunday and Alison's wanted her's to look like a vampire! She is obsessed with VAMPIRES! Things are going really well around here. I am TIRED! Jayson wears me out with his constant chatter and need to be busy. Alison still spends alot of time by herself which concerns me but she seems to be happy. We talk often about their feelings and I reassure them that they can tell me anything. It has been a little over seven months since we came home. The English is improving daily but I will be so happy when they can speak fluently. The following are some pictures that my son Trents girlfriend took at the park this weekend.

If you want to follow the adoption from the beginning, go to August 2009 postings!

Six Months...REALLY!

We have now been the parents of Alison and Jayson for six months! Half a year!!! This is crazy! It seemed like it would take forever this time last year to get them home. Things are going well. Jayson still is very jealous of Alison. If she shows us something, he has to as well. If I correct him for something, he always says, "what about Alison" SO ANNOYING! But he is my cuddle bug and is such a loving little guy. Last night, Alison was on the trampoline doing some tricks. When I went to get her for supper I noticed she was crying. So my big fat body climbed up in the trampoline and layed beside her. She said she was stupid! Everyone in Ukraine told her she was! I told her God made no stupid people! You might not be very good at something,but you are not stupid. Then of course I started crying and she said, "Mommy, why are you crying" I said, "because I love you so much that I hurt when you hurt" She jumped in my arms and we just had a really good cry!! Not every day is easy, but days like last night just melt your heart and I realize what a blessing these children are to me! God knows what he is doing.....TRUST HIM!!

Back to School!

Today the kids boarded the bus @ 7:00 a.m. for the first day in 5th grade! Both kids set their alarms at 6:00 a.m., ate breakfast, got dressed and was ready to go! Ali was alot scared she said. Jayson seemed fine. I pray that their day goes well! I was blessed with wonderful children. Alison is getting so pretty! Her tooth is almost completely in. Her confidence is soaring and she smiles so much! She is also moody at times so not every day is she "miss sunshine" but for the most part she is a great daughter. Jayson is starting to put on a little weight and he is understanding and speaking English alot better than Ali is at this time. I am hoping for a great school year. I am sure we will be adding some after school activities to our schedules this year!! I will keep you posted and hopefully add more pictures soon.

God Bless!

4 Months down....but who's counting!

Hello All,

I am not sure if anyone is actually still reading this blog but I thought I would catch up those who still do.

We are on our 4 month mark now and it seems like we have been a family forever! I wish that I had the memories of Ali and Jayse when they were infants, toddlers and young elementary children, but I don't so I have to just focus on the time we will have together which is FOREVER (WOW! That's a little scary)!!! We still have a few bad days but most days are wonderful. We are truly blessed to have great children. They are eleven and can be challenging at times. There are days I wish that I could tape Jayson's mouth shut so that he would stop saying MOMMY for the one billionth time. Days when I wish that Ali could stay "happy" the entire day. These are things that can be annoying at times but nothing different than my two American-biological children were when they were growing up. Alison is such a beautiful girl. Everyday she gets even prettier!! Of course I am just her mommy and every mom thinks their daughter is beautiful, right?? She is so loving and trusting now. At first she was very gaurded (sp) with her emotions. She still is like that with her Daddy at times but I know that will change soon. Jayson practiced soccer with my nephew this week. Luke's travel coach was nice enough to allow him to practice with them. He seems to know the game but will need work with the skills. I know one thing though...he is FAST!! He is so "spanking" cute!! He is just like my son Trent in so many ways. He comes over at night and lays on my lap and says "Mommy please give me a message" It took me a few nights to realize he wanted a massage (lol). So now this is a every night routine. Okay, so he is a little spoiled!! I am sorry I have not posted pics but our computer is still on the blink! I will post some as soon as I am able! Until next blog...