Half way done

Well tonight was our second adoption class and even though we finished completing our paperwork 30 minutes before class tonight we still managed to get that binder full of paperwork done:)Tonight's class was very interesting we discussed the different ways that trauma affects children. I learned today that trauma can even happen during utero and at birth. Due to domestic violence, malnutrition, difficult birth and preterm labor. This trauma affects the children and causes changes in their brains which creates problems for the children. I also learned that certain emotions are triggered by the 5 senses. If a child had a certain bad memory in a room that was red, the child would associate the color red with the bad experience therefore triggering negative emotions. This was fascinating to me because I could see myself doing the same things. I often connect smells with the loss of my babies and when I smell those smells an emotional trigger goes off causing me to become sad. How much more difficult must this be for a child who has gone through bad experiences. They don't even understand it! Today's class was very informative and I feel like we learned a lot of information that will be helpful to us. I feel that even with getting a younger child we may have to deal with some trauma from birth and utero. We are now half way through the adoption classes and I love the fact that we chose to have an accelerated class. Next week one of our instructors will be visiting our home to help us prepare for the home study. It is all happening so fast and we are getting very excited. Gods blessing is truly evident in the process so far. We are continuing to pray that God send us the right child that will bless our lives. There is still a long way to go in the process and we can't wait to be holding a sweet baby in our arms. God has truly blessed us with a great opportunity. We left tonight with a lot of knowledge and a lot less homework. LOL:) we are clinging to Gods word where it says "thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path", my favorite scripture that is tatooed on my foot, trusting that he will light our path through this journey through the adoption process.