We filled out the placement paperwork and picked up Jenna-Kay and Sebastian on May25^th. No returns!

I was able to take two weeks off to spend time with them. We spent the first one camping at the lake. It was rainy but we still had fun. The second week we just tried to settle into some kind of routine. I think everyone is adjusting well. As expected there have been a couple very minor bumps. I think Jenna is still afraid something will happen and we will change our mind. We are working to relieve her fears about this but I expect they will linger until the ink is dry and the names are changed on the birth certificates. Until then we will just keep talking and learning how to build our new family.

I truly feel like I have a purpose in life again. I never really thought I would retire and empty nesting really didn’t appeal to me either. My favorite job was Military Training Leader (surrogate parent, counselor, and trainer) when I was in the Air Force. Lisa has always said I should have been a teacher. Politics and bureaucracy pushed me away from the first and prevented me from attempting the second. I love working with young people but not administrators.

I’m no spring chicken but this old bird still has a lot to offer these kids as we provide them with an opportunity to start over. We can’t erase the past but we can provide a loving, stable future and pray they take full advantage of it. All early indications say they are very receptive to being parented. Parenting in the Social Media age is going to be a challenge but we’ll get through that as well.

Life is good.