Not feeling accomplished relating to the foster/adoption things as what was done didn't really affect that work, but feeling great none-the-less. I signed up for Weight Watchers and did pretty well today. I went over my points (used weeklies), but given that we had a surprise night out with my brother and sis-in-law, I still think that is pretty good.
Overall we had a pretty chill weekend. We added some decor to our living room that I'm pretty excited about, played games, caught up on laundry, read my scuba chapters, and then hung out with folks today. We also got a new BBQ as our old one died. The new one we got at a pretty good deal and are glad it has doors for the tank area so we can lock it and keep the kids safe.
We also went and saw Meet the Millers today, which was pretty hilarious. :) I feel like everything is coming together and the end is in sight. We are thinking we might be licensed in the next month or two (which would be awesome), and the house is staying clean.
I have to say, hiring people to take care of some stuff (cleaning lady and gardener) has been one of the best investments ever! It has reduced stress for both Tom and I, and given us some more downtime back. I am so grateful!
We continue our Foster Care PRIDE class tomorrow (3 of 9). Neither of us is too excited, but glad that it means the end to a very long process!
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Frustrations
This process is full of frustrations (if you couldn't already tell by my last post). There are so many hoops and blocks you have to navigate over and around; with very little help in said navigation. One of these hoops: 27 hours of PRIDE Foster Care training. Three hours a night for 9 evenings after work. The training, which is not nearly as dreadful as I originally imagined, is still far from entertaining.
The information is semi-interesting, but mostly not really new or helpful to anyone with any experience with children, the government, or common sense (there are exceptions, but the majority of the 3 hours require some effort to make it through). I thought this in and of itself would be bad, but I learned tonight how to make it worse. Add in a husband who rather than just grin and bearing it like most people, has to make snide/sarcastic remarks at every opportunity and clearly lets his negative attitude show with every response.
Don't get me wrong. It really isn't that I think this training will be very helpful to us or purposeful. But, like many things in this process, it is just part of the process (or the game if you will). It is one of the rules you have to follow. A means to an end. I don't understand how letting it upset you and making everyone else uncomfortable and miserable helps anything at all.
I'll bet 90%+ of the class feels the same way we do, but that doesn't mean it is time to act immaturely and show exactly how you feel. It is time to put on your big kid pants and pretend it is all just fine and dandy. In a couple weeks, this course will be over and assuming we don't let our license lapse, we'll never have to take it again!
In the meantime, I now need to figure out a way to try and help my husband realize that his behavior is making it worse and this already difficult process more difficult. Ugh! I guess worst case, it is only 7 more evenings and then it will be done. I just hope I get my supportive partner back. This process is hard enough on its own.
UPDATE: Tom came home and without any prompting apologized and we talked through it. I'm sure he'll (we'll) still get frustrated at the unnecessary and wasteful steps we take. But at least we've realigned and reminded ourselves of the reason it is all worth it!
The information is semi-interesting, but mostly not really new or helpful to anyone with any experience with children, the government, or common sense (there are exceptions, but the majority of the 3 hours require some effort to make it through). I thought this in and of itself would be bad, but I learned tonight how to make it worse. Add in a husband who rather than just grin and bearing it like most people, has to make snide/sarcastic remarks at every opportunity and clearly lets his negative attitude show with every response.
Don't get me wrong. It really isn't that I think this training will be very helpful to us or purposeful. But, like many things in this process, it is just part of the process (or the game if you will). It is one of the rules you have to follow. A means to an end. I don't understand how letting it upset you and making everyone else uncomfortable and miserable helps anything at all.
I'll bet 90%+ of the class feels the same way we do, but that doesn't mean it is time to act immaturely and show exactly how you feel. It is time to put on your big kid pants and pretend it is all just fine and dandy. In a couple weeks, this course will be over and assuming we don't let our license lapse, we'll never have to take it again!
In the meantime, I now need to figure out a way to try and help my husband realize that his behavior is making it worse and this already difficult process more difficult. Ugh! I guess worst case, it is only 7 more evenings and then it will be done. I just hope I get my supportive partner back. This process is hard enough on its own.
UPDATE: Tom came home and without any prompting apologized and we talked through it. I'm sure he'll (we'll) still get frustrated at the unnecessary and wasteful steps we take. But at least we've realigned and reminded ourselves of the reason it is all worth it!
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