A Very Special Gift

(It's nearly impossible to get a picture around here of "just our kids"...we always have extras these days- - and we like it that way)

We are all super...duper...excited!!

The piano I learned to play on as a little girl!


Thank you Thank you Thank you, Grandma S. and Aunt Joyce

Love you!!

Looks like a couple kiddos will be taking piano lessons!!

For Grandma D

Abby wore this necklace to church today. She looked so cute in it. Thanks for bringing the girls these fun treasures.

Some Pictures

This is our newest family picture. It was taken by Jake's friend, Collin!! I think he did pretty good.

Here's one that Cara took with Collin in it...he wanted to be in our family pic. He is like family so I guess that will work :).


Below is Gramma D serving up her famous chocolate cake. I let the kids go ask the neighbor kids over for a treat. It was lots of fun and all enjoyed it!! You can see the paint samples on the wall. This is my new attempt at making better paint decisions.

We chose a color that is supposed to be a cranberry...we really like it. My friend, Cara, got me this chandelier from Pier 1. I love it. She got one for herself too...a fun surprise. I am eager to get a new dining room table, but will wait and save up. I want one that seats 8.



Above is Abby's new friend, also named Abby! She is the neighbor boy's little sister. Very sweet and so nice for Abby to have her very own friend as opposed to sharing Cara's.

Below was our attempt at a Mother's Day photo of me with my kiddos. Jake was excited about the Root Beer my Dad had given him (obviously) and Abby was NOT excited about picture time.


And here is one of my sweet little buddy. He always holds onto my hand, hair or shirt while he is eating.

ISSUES

This post might be offensive to some, but it is so funny to me and means a lot to me so I'm putting it up anyways!

Everywhere I go with the baby boy, people say things if they find out he's a foster baby. Family, friends, strangers...everyone. It's okay and doesn't bother me too much because I get that people just want to know stuff. They are typically not trying to be rude, but sometimes they are. Sometimes unintentionally and other times very much intentionally.

Our most common question is...

So, does he have issues...

When I hesitate to answer this, they tend to elaborate...you know, like from his Mom?? or maybe they will say, "is he sick?" or "why doesn't she want him."

Here's the thing. I know that when you ask this, you don't know that I'm really not allowed to answer these questions. His story is his story. I signed a confidentiality agreement. I get that people aren't trying to put me in a tough spot. No biggie...really. I do think it is odd that since everyone is so concerned about us getting attached that they don't think it might be a tad bit hurtful to ask intrusive questions about his condition or to tell us why we shouldn't want him if he has this or that...

Here's the other thing...
Babies in foster care are not "given up". They are removed. Babies who are being placed for adoption by their birthparents are typically not involved with a county agency, but are placed through a private agency. So, they have gone through something to get there. We can't tell you what.

I was telling my Dad about the well-intentioned lady who caught me off guard today who asked "Does he have issues??"

You have to know my Dad to understand how funny this is to me. My Dad is a wonderful man...both my parents are great and have fully and completely loved on this little guy just like they have with J, C and A. He is a kind man, a generous man and everyone who meets him likes him. He's just a nice guy.

He walks out a while later to the dining room and says, "Jeni, next time somebody asks if he has issues, you should say, he wouldn't be in foster care if he didn't have issues dumb a--..." Cracked me up!! I mean really...isn't it an issue that your parent can't have you?! Could we leave it at that or maybe not ask me in front of a crowd of people? Just sayin :).

Oh, and one other thing...I have issues...don't we all??

Hooray for MAY

May is turning out to be a great month!! It is a busy one, but good. Lots going on at school for Jake and Cara as we wrap up another year.

Jake just had Grandparents Day and his Spring program at school on Friday. It was a fun day with most of the grandparents and a three of the great grandparents. My children are so fortunate to have 5 great-grandparents and all 4 grandparents. What a blessing!! Jeremy's grandparents actually won the award for being married the longest - - 60 years!!

Cara is practicing for her Pre-school graduation program. It should be a fun time. She memorized her line and says it for us often and is super excited. We are so happy with how well she has done at adjusting to going to school...who would have thought she'd be eager to say a line in front of all those people a few months ago???

Abby is just being Abby...busy and also working on something. Making messes just so she can clean them up! She can drive me a little nutty with her shenanigans, but she's a sweetheart and makes us laugh out loud all the time.