THOMAS CLAN: June 2010

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Its a pirate's life for me!

We finished the night at basha's pool....he loved it!

Pirate Party

Complete with a ship wrecked cake!

The kids table was so cute they were all in their own little world.

All about the hair

She is all into flowers, bows, and headbands....this is my favorite one!

Mother's Day and Father's Day Celebration

So I am done with school, my two year enlightening, life changing, at times torturous journey is finally over. I went in to grad school in the professional counseling program because I felt called to have some tools on my tool belt; I knew it was where God wanted me. And I thought to myself “this is good I will go to school while the kids are little, get equip, be a therapist and finally feel like I am contributing to the kingdom in my own little way.” Well, while I still think grad school was EXACTLY where I was suppose to be I had no idea on the impact it would have on my life, good and bad. I remember new student orientation when the program director said “Kiss your family goodbye and tell your friends you will see them in 2 yrs.” I sat there thinking “Yeah right, I am the master at multitasking, I can totally balance all areas of my life.” Well, for my friends out there who are reading this you know I failed miserably at balancing it ALL. About 6 months in to my program I had to make a choice, a choice that I never thought I would have to make…. I had to let my social life go. My spare time was spent with my kiddos and Scott, trying to make those relationships thrive or at last be stable. All and all it went ok, but there were many difficult and lonely moments moments I seriously questioned why the heck I was doing this to myself and my family, and why I felt so strongly that God wanted me to enter into this self inflicted torture. The lesson I walked away with, the lesson I needed was that God way is not always the easiest way. I had forgotten that somewhere along the way and He took the last 2 years to repeatedly beat me over the head with it.

All of that to say this, I learned a lot, I made some amazing new friends and old friendships were renewed. I also realized the value of the friendships that I had to for lack of better words “put on hold.” I am excited to reconnect and really dive into being part of a community again. I have never felt so lost and yet so convicted at the same time. Basically the last two years was a whirlwind of emotions. I am so excited to be done…but now I need to figure out where He wants me, I am grateful for the break but I feel lost all over again…I keep thinking “now what….” I know that I am suppose to do therapy in some capacity but at this point I have know idea what that looks like, and I still feel pulled toward Africa and I have no idea what that looks like. For now I feel grateful to have survived, that my family although a little battered and slightly worse for the ware is doing well and will recover with some quality mommy/wife time. I am grateful for my extended family and friends who were so helpful and understanding over the last few years….I promise to not cancel on you last minute or take 3 weeks to schedule a coffee date!

To my wonderful husband:

Thank you for cooking, cleaning, and being so supportive and loving. For the countless hours I had to be away I am so grateful for your presence to fill the void that I left in our home, I love you! I really could not have done any of this with out you!

To: Yaya, Papa, Nonna, and Grandpa:

Thanks for the hundreds of hours you loved and cared for my babies when I couldn’t….it made leaving them a little easier. I am so grateful that our kids have grandparents like you in their lives!

To: Cara, David, Les and cousins….

Thank you so much for watching and entertaining the kiddos, they were always so excited to spend time with you it made me so at ease knowing they were playing and having fun with family!

Our family is blessed because of the people in our lives!

Thank you!

Thomas Clan

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Sometimes other people can say it better than you!

Here is an article that I read on Erin's blog, this mom spoke so well on so many of the issues that we constantly wrestle with as both adoptive and biological parents....it is a good read here is the link!

Rage against the minivan

I hope it touches you as much as it did me :)