Day 28

I am absolutely exhausted; we all are! 

We just had a fun-filled and highly energetic week with my husband's mom.  We were "on the go" every day and trying to make the most of every second she was here.
A week just goes by so quickly! 

Everyone was so happy to see her arrive, and so sad to see her go.  My son said, "Grandma, do you have to go already?"  It broke my heart. 

My husband has adjusted very well.  My daughter has began meeting friends, is having fun, and adjusting well.  I am doing fine.  If my family is happy, then I tend to be happy.  My son is happy and is adjusting, but I still see him struggling at times, and it breaks my heart.

All of the sudden, I'll notice his behavior change.  He doesn't listen and just acts in ways that he knows he shouldn't.  When I discuss it with him he'll get frustrated and say, "I miss Decatur.  I miss my family."  I began to ache, literally.

I sought professional help before we moved on how to deal with not only my own adjustment, but also my children's.  I was told that they will grieve.  They will cry.  They will grieve in "bursts."  It's just how children do it.  My son has proved that to be true.  He will have a "burst" of sadness, and then he runs off to play.  I was told to acknowledge the sadness, talk about it, tell them that I understand, and just let them "talk." 
That's what I have been doing with my son.  I say, "I know you miss everyone.  I do too.  They miss you too.  Even though we don't live close together anymore, we still love each other the same and we are all still family.  We will cherish the time we get to visit in Illinois and when they visit here."  He usually just listens and seems to feel better after we talk.
It usually happens when he is overly tired. 

When this happens, you might as well just stick a dagger through my heart.  We moved only one week after school ended for the summer. He was used to such structure.  After school, sometimes we'd go play with his cousin or the kids in the neighborhood.  We moved, the structure was gone, and so were the friends and his cousin.  I can't imagine how hard all of that must be for a six-year-old. 

Tuesday he begins summer camp every day for six weeks.  He'll be in a class with all the kids in the area going into his grade.  He will meet so many friends.  I get excited just thinking about it.  I try to tell him how awesome it'll be and about all the friends he'll have, but I think he's just going to have to see for himself. 

He is usually the happiest kid.  He loves going to all of the new places we've been going.  Then, he'll get tired and have his "I miss home" cry.  During that moment, as his mom who loves him more than words, I just want a "magic" airplane to put him in, fly him to Illniois in 30 seconds or less, let him play with his cousin and see his aunts and uncles and grandparents, and then fly him right back to me. 
Life certainly doesn't work that way.

One day soon, once he's settled into summer camp and then into school in the fall, the tears will end.  He'll look forward to our visitors, and be excited about going back to Illinois to visit, but he'll be completely content here. 

Until then, I'll pray with him, play with him, listen to him, and do everything in my power to make this adjustment as smooth as possible. 

He's such a sweet boy.  He's my little comedian.  He'll be just fine.  He is strong and so smart.  The Lord will give him every tool he needs to get through these changes and thrive.