We ventured out of the metro on Wednesday to enjoy a country Christmas with the Olson family followed by a country New Year with the Brandt's all in central Minnesota. We are blessed with parents who live on a farm and on a lake, so we get to enjoy the very best of rural Minnesota.
I love the country. Being in the country is healing to me - it's so quiet and peaceful. The amount of space and ability for the kids to safely explore is incredible. The fact that they can spread out and not be on top of each other and in each other's space is so helpful in dealing with their anxiety feeding off of one another. The benefits of our visit's to our parents' homes are sweet in so many ways. When I reflect on all of the benefits I start wondering why we are not considering moving back to rural MN. Of course, the job market, the housing market, and the unique support system we have found among families in the Twin Cities metro with a similar adoption focus and similar needs are all reasons that we stay where we are. Add to that the team of specialists we have spent the past two years searching out and establishing in the Twin Cities. Mostly, we stay because God has not made a way for us to move anywhere - metro, rural, or international, though we seek Him intently regarding the possibility of this decision.
For the next few days the kiddos are enjoying playing with their five Olson cousins, playing hide-and-seek in the barn loft, feeding the animals in the barn, singing Christmas carols for Great Grandma & Great Grandpa Olson, playing their Christmas recital songs for the extended family, and going sledding behind the tractor. Next week we'll enjoy some ice fishing with Grandpa, skating on the home made ice rink, snowmobile rides, and warming up with Nana's hot chocolate.
Having armed myself with a number of articles on helping special needs children through the anxiety of the holidays, and having prepared for meltdowns and extra neediness in our kids, I am really looking forward to this time of sharing the holidays with our extended families. We are praying that our children and extended families will be able to experience hope in Jesus this Christmas.
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