Yumm! #BurgerJoint #HolyMess (at HEY HO Garage Burgers)

I cannot tell you how many people told me this would not happen. I was told me this would not happen now. I was told this would not happen yet. I was told this would not happen this way. God had other plans. Watching Miracles Unfold #miracles #faith #believe #ontheblog #amwriting #write31days #holymess #parenting #adoption #fostercare #hope

I 💗 Zack's #fall picture! Except...only apple picking we've done is picking up bags at the grocery store. #holymess #lifewithboys #keepingitreal #real #apples

Every test in your life makes you bitter or better. Which will you choose? #quote #instaquote #write31days #attachment #parenting #parents #kids #fostercare #adopt #adoption #challenge #faith #courage #hope #motivation #motivated #holymess

Aaron, our son’s attachment therapist, is here at the house with us. He notices it takes quite a bit of cuing and direction from me for our son to get through his afternoon routine. “Have you considered creating a visual schedule?” Aaron asks me. Yes, we’ve done those in the past,” I answer while internally sighing and rolling my eyes. Not that I don’t respect Aaron and his advice, or have any problem with creating a visual schedule. We've had the big evaluations, know the labels and read the books. We used a book to create a checklist on a clipboard, so instead of reminding him to do things, like “Have you brushed your teeth?” and “Have you brushed your teeth?” and “Child, BRUSH YOUR TEETH.” and “FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS GOOD AND HOLY BRUSH YOUR FREAKIN’ TEETH” (Would I ever say that? Sweet little me? Oh heck yes, I would. I just wouldn’t be that nice.) Instead, a parent is supposed to say, “Check your list.” and “Check your list.” and “Child, check your list.”and “FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS GOOD AND HOLY, CHECK YOUR FREAKIN’ LIST!” See how much better that is? Just, so, so, so much better. Don’t you love experts? So I told Aaron, yes, oh yes. We have done visual schedules, yes. I know he could see my burning enthusiasm. “It’s a dodge and weave with these kids, is what it is,” Aaron told me. “You have to try something for awhile, and then you have to shake it up and try something else. Nothing works for very long. You always have to be one step ahead of them.” No wonder I’m so blasted tired all the time. So much dodging and weaving. I really should be thinner. #adoption #parents #moms #fostercare #write31days #kids #foster #adopt #love #holymess

I write because I cannot NOT write. I write because I cannot sleep until the words are in print. I write to connect. Why do you write? #write31days #whyiwrite #amwriting #writersofinstagram #writers #write #holymess

Tonight, when my son cries for his birth mom, my heart breaks. He throws himself on the bed in his room and bursts into tears. “I miss my birth mom.” He often talks about his birth mom but hasn’t for awhile. “I miss her so much and I just wish I could spend one day with her. I love you and I love our family, but Mom, I don’t want to hurt your feelings, because I really love you, but I love her just a little more. Does that hurt your feelings, Mom? Because I love her just a tiny bit more. Just a little.” Are you allowed to lie to your own kid in these situations? I know the “right” answer, and then there is the truth. I think for a moment and then respond to him... See more @sara_borgstede #ontheblog #write31days #adoption #fostercare #faith #love #holymess #amwriting #mentalhealth #therapy #attachment #parenting #moms #parents

We are shocked when one of the first things our attachment therapist does is have us give our son more freedom, especially because our son has run away several times, but our new therapist teaches us how to do it the right way. Parenting is a balance of giving structure and freedom. He Goes to the Park. #write31days #love #parenting #ontheblog #amwriting #holymess #adoption #kids #lettinggo