Emotional Rollercoaster

It happens every year. Everything hits at once. The last week of July and the first week of August is always a crazy and emotional time of year for our family.

The last week of July, we try to squeeze in the last carefree days of summer, prepare for and stress over school starting, celebrate my dad's birthday and commemorate Bri's gotcha day anniversary. This year ~ we also had soccer camp for Bri's new soccer team.

The first week of August, we experience the first day/week of school, adjust to waking up early again, prepare lunches, celebrate Bri's birthday and throw Bri's birthday party. Bri was supposed to have two soccer practices with her new team the first week of August and we had miss them. It was just too much to add to Bri's already super full week. And I had a bloggy friend come into town that I had never met. I met up with her for an hour because I wasn't going to miss the chance to meet her, so I squeezed that in on the first day of school too (and I'm very glad I did).

Because Bri's gotcha anniversary and her birthday land just one week apart, there are lots of mixed emotions. Lots of highs and lows. We are all elated that we became a family and overjoyed that Bri is in this world and in our lives. But as with any adopted child, there are many unanswered questions that loom. We don't have the luxury of knowing what time Bri was born, where exactly she was born and we aren't even 100% sure on what day she was born. All we have is what we were told ~ and we hope it is the truth. Bri asked questions this year. Not in an upset way but more in a curious way. I don't have lots of answers. I do the best I can to be honest with her.

When you throw in the new routine of school to all of that ~ new teachers, new classroom, new grade, new classmates and two projects/assignments due the second week of school (which are completed now) ~ it's all really overwhelming. Bri came home with a very easy and short assignment the first day of school. She didn't read the directions carefully and didn't write her answers in complete sentences. I told her she had to fix her work and you would have thought it was the end of the world. She acted badly and then I reacted badly. Meltdowns ensued. We were both on edge - emotions at the surface. Just too much of everything all at one time.

I haven't finished blogging about the last weeks of summer vacation because these past two weeks have been a whirlwind and I haven't had a chance to blog all that much. Bri's birthday party was held on Saturday, and once it was over, I was able to catch my breath again. Of course, in my usual worrisome fashion, I always ponder over whether everyone had a good time or not. I think to myself "oh maybe this particular part could have possibly gone smoother" ~ blah blah blah. And it is really silly because the party went very smoothly and it seemed like the girls all had a blast ~ especially Briana. I am ridiculously hard on myself.

So that's it. Here we are. We made it to the second week of school. And we are still smiling...

As emotional and crazy those two weeks always are, I wouldn't have it any other way. It's what I signed up for when I became a parent. It's that whole "my heart walking outside of my body" thing. I'd do anything for her even when she drives me crazy. She gives my life meaning and purpose. So it's all ok.

My next few blog posts will be all catch up. So stay tuned...