2008 will be missed...

This time last year we were meeting Moco for the first time. Wondering if we were going to make a good impression at our first meeting. Wondering if we were cut out to be the parents to a then 7-year-old boy who had lived in 13 foster homes since the age of 2. Wondering if he would love us the way we imagined he would. What a way to begin 2008.

As each month passed, we became more of a family. The hubby and I learned more about one another in a few months than in 9 years of marriage. It's amazing what the addition of a child will do to a couple. We became stronger and more unified in making decisions - heck, we had to back up whatever the other parent said/did. We truly began to value our time alone together...and still do. ;)

There was no greater joy than when the judge finalized our adoption of Moco by saying "from here and until the rest of this boy's life...you will be his forever parents. No matter what you go through together, [as she turns to look at the hubby] you will be his dad and you [as she turns her gaze to me] will be his mom until the end of time."

The rest of the year was filled with family and holiday experiences. From our first time trick-or-treating to seeing Moco open a multide of Christmas presents just for him, no event was ever done just for him. We finally saw him realize that we loved him more than he could imagine.

2008 will be one of the best years we've ever had. Yet, as I sit here remembering the past...I can only imagine how awesome 2009 will be. :)

Happy New Year everyone!

07.28.08

That is a day that we will all remember...for it was Moco's adoption day! We've been counting down until it actually happened. There were moments when we didn't think it was going to happen. Why? There was a scare the lawyer didn't file the correct documents. And after all, it is the addition of a little stranger to one's family. Yet, deep down...we knew Moco was meant for us. He knew it too.

So today is the 29th. It started early as Moco woke up at 3 a.m. We really don't know why except for the fact that Moco said "it's a new day." I went back to bed and he stayed up to just play in his room for a while. When I came back out at 7 a.m., he was serving himself breakfast and chatting it up with Grandma. He finished and asked if I had to go to work. I told him I did, but we would be able to play when I came home. That satisfied him. I walked with him to his room and much to my amazement it was super clean! I mean, everything was put back in it's proper place. The bed was done too! It's not everyday that your kid cleans his room without being told. I praised him for the surprise and that made him happy.

The hubby and I sat down towards the end of the day and talked. We talked about Moco and his new attitude. We've been through a lot with him...so we are not sure what to expect. We hope and pray that the tantrums and everything else will improve now that he is an official part of our family. We know our lives have.

3

This weekend I got to watch 3 movies in 3 days.

Three nights of "chick flicks". All by myself; with no one else in the room. Just me and my cat Zoe.

I must admit it was quite nice. I don't think I've been able to do that for a while now. It allowed me to relax ... to not think about the trials and tribulations of parenting an 8 year old.

;)

Edit: For those who asked, I watched the following: Juno, The Jane Austen Book Club & Lars and the Real Girl :)