Little Teddy Bear

I have to hand it to Jeremy. He did a great job while the girls and I were in Florida. He took the boys to the office a couple times, but made sure they had fun stuff to do. He also took them to Kings Island, a fall festival, and trick-or-treating. He even took the boys shopping for their costumes.

Jake was a dragon based off the movie "How to Train Your Dragon" and B was an adorable teddy bear. I just love this picture of him with my Grandma. So sweet. I wish that I could take the cover off his adorable little face.

Cara's Fun Times at Kindergarten

About a month into the school year, Cara had a tree-planting ceremony. This is a new tradition her school started last year. The Seniors and the Kindergartners plant a tree together. It is her class tree. She also got to spend some time talking to a couple seniors, which I think she thought was pretty exciting.



She also had a "Vowel Party" and I was able to go! I really enjoy going to school as much as I can. I love to do all the parties and anything else. It sometimes requires two different babysitters for A and B, but it is so worth it!

She's the one on the left talking to her friend. It is so funny to listen in on their conversations. This was an octopus we made for the vowel O :)!

We are excited about Harvest parties on Tuesday. I am going to Jake's and Jeremy is going to Cara's. Should be a fun time celebrating Thanksgiving.

Separation Anxiety

I have never been so excited over separation anxiety as I am today. I took B in today because he's been throwing up off and on for a few days. He seems to be at the end of a stomach bug. Towards the end of the visit we were talking about some things that I had questions about like the fact that he still hasn't popped out a tooth. As we were wrapping up the doctor said, "He sure is one sweet, sweet baby. Even H (his assistant) came out and said he just melts her heart." I agreed and told him that it is neat to see him starting to really prefer me in public. He has always been an affectionate, loving little guy and happy to go with anyone, but he is starting to not be quite as trusting and doesn't always offer them a smile if he's not sure. He seems to be starting to have a little bit of separation anxiety and has been just a little more clingy to me lately, which I love. Dr. D said, "that is such a good thing. after all he's already been through it is such a good sign of how he will do later in life to see that he is trusting YOU as his MOMMY." I know this, but there's something about a professional telling you that they see it too. He knows he is loved. He knows he can trust us.

People say he doesn't know not too accept us as his family, and that is true. We have had him since he was sooooo tiny, and he really hasn't had much interaction with his birth family. Not nearly enough for him to think of them as significant people in his life. I think about what is was like early on. He spent a little time in the NICU. I wonder who held him? I am so thankful that he was given good care. One of the things on my list to do as we get ready to celebrate Thanksgiving is to write a "real" thank you letter to those kind nurses who cared for him. I am thankful for C and H, his first foster family, because I KNOW they loved on him for the entire time they had with him. I just remember when I delivered my babies and held them almost the entire time we were in the hospital and hours during the days right after. It is sad to think he missed out on that, but I am so thankful that he has it now.

As the doctor and I finished up our conversation (because I had a huge lump in my throat which prevented me from talking anymore!) we both agreed that even if he goes home, this time is so valuable to him. It is so important for babies to attach to someone.

So, with that said, it makes me smile when someone else is holding him and he wants me! Hooray for bonding :)!

But really, who couldn't bond with this cutie??

November is National Adoption Month so my next post is one I've been working on for awhile called, "Why we chose foster". We get lots of questions and emails. I thought this would be a good way to answer them all at once.

So we had a fire...

Yesterday we were going about our day. I ran downstairs to switch out a load of laundry and about maybe 3 minutes later I hear Cara screaming and crying. Not her fake scream and cry...a "I'm hurt or someone else is cry." So I RUN up the stairs and she yells, "there's a fire in the microwave." I grab the baby, hand him to Cara and tell her to take him and Abby outside. I grabbed my fire extinguisher and get ready to use it, but instead I grab the pizza that is on fire out of the microwave and throw it into the sink. I honestly thought this fire extinguisher is going to make a mess that I don't want to clean up. Looking back, I now wish I had taken the whole microwave and thrown it outside because as soon as I opened the door to put the fire out a huge cloud of smoke rushed out and filled our ENTIRE HOUSE. ALL OF IT fast. I was running around opening windows and doors. I didn't have time to get all the doors open and unfortunately I didn't get the outside playroom doors open. The smoke went all through the garage and into the basement.

So, we are staying at my parents house while it airs out. It is still very stinky. There is no fire damage at all, just smoke. All of the clothes, linens, stuffed animals etc... are smoky. I took Abby to Target for clothes this morning because I doubt we will be able to get hers clean enough. Her asthma doesn't mix with smoke.

Just wanted to "get this out there". Here's my thoughts. The more people in a house the more likely for crazy things to happen. Sometimes I feel like it's one thing after another around here. I was just telling someone yesterday that sometimes I feel like I have to appear like I "have it together" to avoid comments from friends/family and complete strangers about how I "have my hands full." Some days I do, other days I don't. She had just told me that she felt this way too. I look at her life sometimes and really do think she has it all together, so to hear her say that she has these same struggles was ... encouraging. I do my best, but seriously, I need the Lord everyday.

Just a funny sidenote. Today when we got home from school I ran by the house to grab a thermometer because I felt like B had a fever and to check out the stink level. I told the kids I would take them for a frosty today because of some good reports they had gotten at school. So we are pulling out of the driveway when two of the neighbor kids run down to the edge of their yard and want to know where we are going. I told them we were going to Wendy's and then, because I am a sucker for little kids begging for a frosty, I let them come. I know...crazy! I did tell them that I was dropping them off right after and no one could come over today. We pull into Wendy's and I've got all these kids and I say to myself loud enough for Blake (7 year old ) to hear, "I need Jesus today." He says, "What??" I said, "I need Jesus today...in a big way." He says, "Right now?" I said, "Yes" and I think he thought I had lost my marbles. That's okay though...I'm glad my kids know that I NEED Jesus everyday. We actually went in because I wasn't about to let 5 kids have frosties in the van sitting that close to each other. I got distracted because on the little paper on the tray it said something about Foster and Adoption and that made me happy! So, of course, I told the Wendy's cashier that I was so glad to see that they do so much for kids in foster care and that I was a foster mom. They were super nice...I think they thought all of the kids were foster children :).

Oh my...what a day!!

Oh, and if you are wondering, B does have a fever. I got him home and was getting him some tylenol when he puked all over my smoke-free clothes! All over. I'm telling you what...Satan is a joy robber and as cheesy as it sounds, I wasn't about to let him ruin my day and steal my joy. I just had to laugh it off. I sent a friend a text that said, "baby just puked on my only clean outfit. I'm going to laugh...or I might cry."

AND...one last funny moment. Funny now, not at the time. Here is the text I sent Jeremy at work when I couldn't get ahold of him.

We will be out and wwill prob hvve to astay at moms
Abby fire. No one hurt. House full of smoke. Can't see.

A Quick Jake Funny

Jake was upstairs in the bathroom working on his hair after his bath tonight. He came down and had it all combed over nicely and he said, "Mom, do you think if I ever am in a wedding, I should fix my hair like this?" I wasn't sure I heard him right. I said, "what" and he repeated the same phrase. I said, "Sure, it looks so nice." He said, "Yes, I look like a gentleman." He did look really cute. Maybe the faux hawk days are coming to an end :).

Catch Up

So behind on blogging... I don't know why I am behind, but sometimes when I get this behind I get discouraged and it's a cycle! So....here's an attempt to get back on schedule.

Since I last blogged we have -

-been to Florida for a girls trip-

We actually enjoyed going trick - or- treat at the shopping circle in
Sarasota! It was tons of fun for the girls. Cara was a cowgirl and
Abby is Sleeping Beauty. For some reason I think she may have been
Sleeping Beauty last year?!

The girls in their new shades looking good.

It was a great time to be with my Mom, Aunt, cousin and of course my two girls! It was relaxing and fun. We ate lots of delicious food, read some books, played at the pool and beach and soaked up a little sunshine. It was fantastic!! Thanks to my Dad for bailing on my Mom...which made this trip possible :)! Just kidding, Dad...kinda. XOXO

Jake's b-day post coming tomorrow!

8!!??!!

Last week we celebrated Jake!! Jeremy and I are so thankful that God gave him to us on November 4, 2002!! That day changed us forever and taught us about a whole new kind of love.


Jake is such a great big brother. He is super protective of Abby. He is sweet to Cara at school when she needs help or doesn't want to walk to in alone. He's not a fan of random hugs in the cafeteria though. One day Cara said, "Jake will you PLEASE hug me if I see you at lunch." He said, "how about a high five?"

I feel like the above picture was yesterday! He was four. I miss him being little and staying home with me even though he LOVES to go to school!

I can't believe that my firstborn is eight.

My little boy has grown and matured so much over the last year.

He is feeling better all around and is a kind little guy. He treasures his friendships.
He makes lists that crack me up. He gave me one yesterday with all six of us listed
by age...you know in case I forget :).

Jake loves school and enjoys learning new things. He really likes to read encyclopedia type books. His favorites are about animals. He is very into learning facts about animals and says
he wants to be a vet. I wonder what he will be when he grows up?? I think he will be a boss of something...just sayin'. He likes to be in charge.

We are so thankful for Jake and his part in our family. Sometimes I feel bad for him because he is the firstborn and everything he does is new to us. We sometimes mess up and over react and other times we under react. It's too bad we have to make the majority of our
mistakes on him. Thankful that he forgives freely and loves fully!

Jake, you are a blessing and a special treasure. You are my favorite 8 year old in the whole world!!

XOXOX,
Mom