Even in Australia

Andrew had a hard week last week.  It was so bad we had to read about Alexander's bad day more than once.  I once had a little friend tell me when he was about 10 that he really wished he could go back to being six because it was the best.  And while there are lots of amazing things about being six, sometimes being six can be really hard.  Last week was one of those weeks, man.  School was hard, brother and sister were hard, Mom and Dad's expectations were hard, missing Uncle Adam was hard.  Thanks to all that hard stuff, by Thursday we had all just about had it.

That Friday, my mom and dad called to see if they could check him out of school a little early and have him for the night.  Um, yes.

They farmed and kayaked and ate pumpkin muffins.  Basically, they filled him up after a week that emptied him out.

Then Sunday, Josh's Uncle James and Aunt Ann were in for a visit, and Ann asked us if they could sneak Andrew out of church early to spend some time with him.  Yes again.  While they got lunch ready for the crowd coming home, they talked about hard things and how to work hard at them.  And they made a lot of silly jokes because, as I am often told, Uncle James is "like, so hilarious." 

What?  We let our kid leave school early and get out of Sunday School?  Totally.  Any time trusted adults in our kids' lives want to take time to encourage our kid, our answer is yes, no matter what they miss.  This is what makes their lives so phenomenal.  And it's what helps Josh and I survive and thrive as parents.  Our amazing parents, grandparents, siblings, and friends fill in all our gaps and amplify our message of God's love to our kids.   

This is why we want to adopt.  We wish every kid could hear the message of love, security, and faithfulness that our kids get from their amazing support system.  So we will make sure one more does.  

Andrew had a much better week this week.  He worked hard to make it so (as did his awesome teacher).  And Josh and I have been problem-solving it out behind the scenes for him.  But enough credit can't be given to having precious adults tell him that he is awesome and brave and strong and loved.  Nana, Papa, Grama, Pagra, and dozens others, thank you.