Since becoming a parent, I've never been a fan of the First Day of School. As much as I love the smell of a new box of crayons, it has never outweighed the part of saying good-bye to the kids, good-bye to our relaxed schedule and good-bye to another summer spent together. This year, as the first day approached, it felt even heavier. Levi and Jake are entering the last year attending the school where they started Three School, Josie is entering her last year of elementary school and Tiza and I, well, Tiza and I are entering unmarked territory.
Upon bringing home our Tiz on June 15, Levi, Jake and Josie have helped me love Tiza into our family and into our life. Repeatedly I told Marc that I could not, would not want to do this without the big kids. They were my default when Tiza was tired of me, they were entertainment when Tiza was bored with me and they were support and encouragement to me. We approached Tiza as a team and my team was leaving.
A friend asked if I hadn't updated Tiza's Blog in the past month because things were not going well. Not the case, things have gone beyond our wildest dreams. Today, we had our first post-adoption visit and were asked what Tiza does now that she was unable to do when she arrived in our home. I really needed to think on that for a bit. It seemed that when Tiza arrived, she could do everything. We watched her in awe. Today, she still does everything, a little smoother, a little better, but still everything. I never fully answered the question because I don't believe Tiza is the one that is doing things she was unable to do before arriving home, I think we are.
Ten weeks ago, we were unable to imagine a love as big as the one we know today. Ten weeks ago, we didn't have "Team Tiza." Ten weeks ago, we were scared and apprehensive, afraid our actions or words might turn Tiza away from loving us. So I think in answering the question, I should have said, the one thing Tiza does that she didn't do when she arrived in our home is she stretches us. She pulls in ways that go unnoticed until you take the time to look back at your before and your after. Her squeaky voice, bright eyes and infectious smile simply make you want to do more and be better then you were the day before.
We made it through our first day of school. The big kids did great and were happy to reconnect with friends and teachers they love. Tiza randomly called throughout the house for one of her brothers or her sister, but we too had a great day. On the way to pick up the kids, I said, "Tiz, I think we can do this!" She looked at me with her "wise beyond her years look" that communicates, "what took you so long to catch on?" I think we have a lot to figure out and I'd still rather do it with "Team Tiza", but in the end, I can't wait to see what Tiz and I can do at the end of the school year that we are unable to do on the First Day of School!
Upon bringing home our Tiz on June 15, Levi, Jake and Josie have helped me love Tiza into our family and into our life. Repeatedly I told Marc that I could not, would not want to do this without the big kids. They were my default when Tiza was tired of me, they were entertainment when Tiza was bored with me and they were support and encouragement to me. We approached Tiza as a team and my team was leaving.
A friend asked if I hadn't updated Tiza's Blog in the past month because things were not going well. Not the case, things have gone beyond our wildest dreams. Today, we had our first post-adoption visit and were asked what Tiza does now that she was unable to do when she arrived in our home. I really needed to think on that for a bit. It seemed that when Tiza arrived, she could do everything. We watched her in awe. Today, she still does everything, a little smoother, a little better, but still everything. I never fully answered the question because I don't believe Tiza is the one that is doing things she was unable to do before arriving home, I think we are.
Ten weeks ago, we were unable to imagine a love as big as the one we know today. Ten weeks ago, we didn't have "Team Tiza." Ten weeks ago, we were scared and apprehensive, afraid our actions or words might turn Tiza away from loving us. So I think in answering the question, I should have said, the one thing Tiza does that she didn't do when she arrived in our home is she stretches us. She pulls in ways that go unnoticed until you take the time to look back at your before and your after. Her squeaky voice, bright eyes and infectious smile simply make you want to do more and be better then you were the day before.
We made it through our first day of school. The big kids did great and were happy to reconnect with friends and teachers they love. Tiza randomly called throughout the house for one of her brothers or her sister, but we too had a great day. On the way to pick up the kids, I said, "Tiz, I think we can do this!" She looked at me with her "wise beyond her years look" that communicates, "what took you so long to catch on?" I think we have a lot to figure out and I'd still rather do it with "Team Tiza", but in the end, I can't wait to see what Tiz and I can do at the end of the school year that we are unable to do on the First Day of School!
