As discussed previously, the church family here had “doin’s” for us after services yesterday. Most of the congregations stayed, and I cannot count the number of people who came up to us to say how much they will truly miss the children. It was heartwarming to know how much love they have been lavished with these past two years!

During services yesterday, before the “doin’s,” my soon-to-be youngest son turned to my oldest son and said, “You’re my best friend” and it melted my heart!

After services and the potluck, we went to the kids’ former home to pick up the last of their things. Then we swung by the flower shop the family owns to say goodbye to some of the staff there. Though the kids will see their foster mom (and, if he can get away from work, their foster dad) at the court proceedings tomorrow, there was a tone of finality to things – of one chapter leading to another.

Because of the newness of their surroundings, night time has continued to be a difficult time for the kids. So, we’ve been experimenting with different approaches. One, because we’ve had so much to do, is skip afternoon naps, so that they will feel their tiredness at the appropriate time. So, during early evening services at church, both kids fell asleep! Not for long, and clearly not a good approach, because bedtime last night was still pretty rough. Our new buzz-word with the kids to encourage them is, “Success!” They’ve picked up on the battle cry, and I do think they are trying in earnest, so they will chant, “Success!” with both arms up in a victory pose. Though we’re still working on actual success, it’s good to know they are thinking that way!

This bedtime battle has been such an issue, that it led, tonight, to The (Adoptive) Mother of All Tantrums!