Another day under my belt, adjusting to life with two girls. My husband is on a business trip and Dora has repeatedly expressed her anticipation of his return. Beth is stressed dealing with piles of homework as her fifth grade teacher sets the bar high. Swimming starts next week … not sure when that is going to fit in?


Dora played dumb on schoolwork yesterday, and as a result spent a fair amount of time staring at a very simple math paper. It was there for her again today, and the prospect of another boring day as well as the possibility of missing a horseback ride tonight motivated her to complete the paper.


As promised, we did ride tonight. It was therapeutic for all of us. Dora loves it, and Beth told me tonight that quite often Dora turned around and looked with longing at Beth riding her own horse.


Both girls revisited the conversation that started at the dinner table last night, where Beth informed me I was a great mom. Obviously, I enjoy the positive feedback, but additionally it has been quite interesting hearing Dora’s perspective on the subject. At one point today, she and Beth were romping with the dogs. Suddenly, with great enthusiasm, Dora proclaims:


“You’re a great mom because you have great dogs and you train them well and you LOVE people and you LOVE people you don’t even know!!!”


Dora is very observant. She has noticed I have a picture of her and Beth on my cell phone, and the caption reads I love my kids. She noticed my kid earrings today (a boy on one side and a girl on the other.) She noticed my desktop PC wallpaper that is a picture of her, Beth and Stephanie. She listened to my conversation today with an ATN staff member as we discussed our troubled kids, other people’s troubled kids, and ATN’s efforts to help those kids and families. Dora misses nothing.


After she announced her view that I “love people you don’t even know”, I gathered her up for a hug and said, “How are you feeling now?”


She replied, “I’m feeling SUPER DOOPER happy!”


I do think we are in for an emotional roller coaster as she accesses and addresses deep emotions, but I also think she is feeling good here. I asked her if she had ever met anyone who understood her or knew what she was thinking like I do, and with wide eyes, she shook her head “No.”


So far, so good.