Working for Vacation

Reality Check Please!

2012-01-25T14:45:00.000-05:00

We've been focusing a lot on little man lately. He's been going through some stuff and we've been getting some testing and help and so on... and throughout it all, I've checked in with my daughter to make sure she doesn't feel like she's being forgotten or pushed aside.

She assures us she doesn't feel that way, that she's fine. And I'm relatively assured that she is. Still, I can't help but feel guilty that there's so much energy being directed at one child.

It seems that, thankfully, our little man is finally getting to that light at the end of the tunnel. I've been able to take a breath and turn our focus a bit more to my daughter.

And just when I feel I've reached the tippy-top of my guilt, I get an email from her teacher that says this:

I wanted to let you know how wonderful Jordan is doing and what a great person she is. She knows how to have fun while still staying focused on the work. Always positive, always energetic; helping everyone. I've never seen a hint of discouragement from her. She constantly sets a great example for her classmates, because everyone loves her and falls in line with her focus on the assignment. Please have her cloned as soon as you can. Nice work!

There are times in a parent's life when your heart swells and you feel such pride at something that you had NO IDEA you were even doing. The immense pressure and guilt I've put on myself feeling like I've been pushing my daughter off in an effort to deal with the load I've had with my little one has been notably self-inflicted. Why are we so hard on ourselves as parents? Why are we so self-flagellating, questioning and scolding ourselves when we don't feel like we have made the right choices? I try very hard to be a laid-back parent, letting my kids navigate their way through choices and being there as a gently guiding hand.

And when I get to see the positive fruits of my labor, it makes my day.

Be assured, parents. You're doing a good job.

Goodbye 2011! Hello 2012!

2011-12-29T19:25:00.001-05:00

2011 brought us a lot of ups and downs, triumphs and trials, laughter and tears.

As our family ends the year on a high note (our home in Oregon finally closed!!!), I am taking this time to wish you all a very happy New Year, and a 2012 full of love, happiness, and peace.

Top 10 Pros of Adopting Older Children

2011-12-29T19:22:00.001-05:00

Sometimes something will happen in the course of our normal day together that will immediately cause Chris and I to look at each other and simultaneously blurt out 'pro!'.

When we do this, it can be during a meal at a restaurant when our kids are sitting properly and engaging and one table over is a family of spider monkeys hopped up on mountain dew. Don't get me wrong, I'm not judging, I'm thankful. It's at that very moment when I think to myself 'thankful!'.

Or when we're traveling and our kids are keeping up while we expertly navigate the airport with our perfectly packed roller bags and get caught behind a family with two toddlers with a double stroller and all the accoutrements.

So with that background in mind, I (TIC) bring you the Top 10 Pros of Adopting Older Children. Here we go:

10: There is no need to wonder if you've packed enough diapers/wipes/snacks for the 3 minute drive to Target.

9: When trying to determine where to go for dinner, the restaurant that rhymes with 'Yucky Sneezes' never, ever gets a mention.

8: A trip to the zoo does not take 4 hours of prep work, three bottles, 6 bags of snacks, and a stroller.

7: Daycare costs are minimal if at all.

6: Guess who cleans their own room?

5: Four words: sleeping through the night.

4: The willingness to let mommy sleep in sometimes while they read or play quietly in their room.

3: Although not always properly, they always dress themselves.

2: I never fear turning my back and suddenly finding a ten pound bag of flour spread hither and yon across my living room.

And the number 1 pro of adopting older children? The absolute joy we all have in knowing we're a forever family.

Ok so that last one could be for all adoptive families.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T18:37:00.001-05:00

From my family to you and yours. Enjoy your day and may 2012 bring you the joys and blessings you so richly desire and deserve.

I'm Late. Shocker.

2011-12-22T17:06:00.001-05:00

I'm late on this post. Late, late, late.

You see, my kids came home on December 19th, 2010. So one year and three days ago, our family expanded by two.

And here we are, one year (and three days) later.

We've moved to another state. We've been on a family vacation. We've been through ups, downs, and in-betweens.

I've watched two children who wanted nothing more in this world than to have the security and love of a forever family grow, thrive and spread their wings. I've learned just as much from them as I am hoping that they are learning from us. I've seen miracles in bonding, trust, and confidence.

I've watched a little girl who had so much pressure to take care of her little brother, let go, and let us handle it. She still struggles with being a bossy one, but gentle (and sometimes not-so-gentle) reminders help us through that. I've watched her learn to trust us. I've watched her watch me, to see how I do things. And I'm seeing some of the habits I want her to have come shining through. She has a great sense of responsibility - both for herself and for her actions. She's an incredible artist, a voracious reader, and a great friend.

I've watched a little boy who was so unsure, who needed a father SO much, become so enamored by his daddy. I've seen him try so hard to be just like daddy. He's got a wicked sense of humor, his laugh is infectious, and his empathy is endless. He loves lego's and Angry Birds, soccer and Taekwondo, and jumping on dad and his big brother.

I've watched a big brother so easily step into a role he was made for. Such an accepting and nonchalant attitude about these two new siblings. I've seen him guide, and cajole, and tease, as any siblings will do.

I'm so proud of all of my kids. I'm so complete with my family. And I'm so blessed by God.

My kids were recently asked to be in a video for our adoption agency highlighting the need for families for older and special needs children. The final video came out yesterday. I tear up every time I watch it, so I am giving you a Kleenex warning NOW.

Enjoy. And have a very blessed Christmas!!

Be The Difference from Videos for AGCI on Vimeo.

I've Been Stalking

2011-11-27T22:37:00.001-05:00

Our adoption agency, All God's Children International, put out a call on Facebook a few months ago to share your blog with others who had gone through or are going through adoption. I threw my blog address in there and promptly forgot about it with all the hecticness (is that a word? It's red underlined, so I'm going to say no) of us getting the house ready for sale, Chris commuting, and the move.

I routinely peruse any new followers I have, and link back to their blogs to read them and see what they are about. I love reading other adoptive mom's writing. I love immersing myself in their feelings and thoughts while they are going through what we are going through. I love getting those moments where I realize I am nodding my head and agreeing with everything they are saying. I want to reach out to them, tell them that the other side is so close, and that when they are standing where I am standing, it will all be SO incredibly worth it.

And then I feel like a stalker. Thoughts race through my head, letting in self-doubt, and insecurity. What if they think I am crazy? What if they don't like me? It's my junior high insecure self popping up and whispering in my ear and I need to give her a stern look and tell her to take stock of everything that's happened. I want to tell her to look at my beautiful children: one by birth and two by adoption, and let her decide if my insecurity has a place in this world. Let her decide if my passion for domestic adoption - especially of older children in the foster care system - is insecurity. And I am not surprised when she sits down and shuts the hell up.

I'm a 'tell it like it is' girl. Sometimes it's gotten me in trouble; other times, it's lost me friends. More often than not, I've been told it's refreshing because my friends always know where they stand with me. In the grand scheme of things, I won't change who I am. I would rather slap you with honesty than kiss you with a lie. I believe a large part of who I am comes from having to be honest. Honest with myself, and honest with others. And I won't change that now. And I won't apologize for it.

And here I stand, one year and four days after learning that I would, indeed, be a mother again. On November 23rd of 2010, we received a phone call that changed our world forever. I couldn't have been more happy for that phone call and yet honestly, at the time it scared the crap out of me.

On the other side, looking back, I can smile at how far we've come. And I just want to reach out and share that with everyone who's blogs I am now stalking who are going through the same process.

Is that weird?

Time keeps on slippin.....

2011-11-23T14:38:00.000-05:00

I can't believe it's November 23rd already!

I also can't believe how busy I am being a temporary SAHM. I told my husband the other day that I needed to get a job, because I'm way busier now than I was when I went to work every day, which to me is unexplainable. He laughed. I think secretly he would like me to stay home. The house is clean, laundry is done, errands are run, kids are taken care of, and dinner is on the table most nights when he gets home. (Sometimes he pushes me out of the kitchen, because he likes to cook as well).

This morning after I took the kids to school, I ran to Starbucks for a Caramel Brulee latte (YUM) and then off to the grocery store. What. A. Nightmare. I'm just thankful that I was able to get out of there in under an hour. Came home, straightened up the house, did a few chores, got laundry done, made a few phone calls, and sat down for a minute and remembered I hadn't posted here in quite some time.

Things are going very well for us here in Northern California. We all love it: the weather is mild, the people are genuine, and the community we live in is amazing.

Wyatt is settling in with his Tae Kwon Do classes. Master Herb Perez, who owns the gym he attends, is the only American to ever bring home a gold medal in TKD from the Olympics! He's a Gold Medal Olympian. It's very inspiring. He's also a no-nonsense guy who commands - and receives - respect from his students. The other teachers are also very good. It's a fun environment, and I like the philosophy that they have of partnering with parents to help teach life skills.

Jordan is registered for Spring softball and can't wait! She's made a couple of close friends, and they are good girls from good families. She's enjoying school; her teacher is amazing.

Today my kids are being filmed to be featured in a video for our adoption agency. The video will focus on the need for families that are willing to adopt older children. So many stigmas exist that older children are a 'lost cause', when in fact they want what any child wants: a good, nurturing, loving home. Our children have acclimated wonderfully, and I like to think that it is because they have an amazing support system. They have grandparents that love them to pieces, aunts and uncles and cousins who all made them feel so welcome when we took them to Alton to introduce them. They have an older brother who thinks that they are awesome. And they have parents who love them fiercely, and who keep them in line.

This is not to say that every day in our house is puppies and rainbows. Oh no. Sometimes I joke that I wouldn't trade them for the world, but would sell them for a dollar. There are trials, and there are moments. At the end of the day, however, I look at those faces, and I know that they love us as much as we love them. I hear it in their prayers to God, I see it in their responses to us, and I feel it in the death-grip hugs and face-smooshing kisses that we receive.

Last night Wyatt said grace, and his prayer to God was 'thank you for my family, I love my family'.

Melt my heart why don't ya?? Happy Thanksgiving y'all!!

Outdoor Ed

2011-11-07T13:32:00.000-05:00

Today my baby girl left for Outdoor Ed along with 90 or so of her classmates! She is headed to the mountains for four days of learning about the environment, ecosystems, organisms, and the way life around her works. It's a great program, and I'm so excited for her, I can't wait to hear all about her experience.

Fall has made it's way to Northern California. The temps have been milder, chilly at night. The leaves are a beautiful red and yellow shade. People are bundled up more. The sun still shines most of the time, however, and that makes it quite bearable. Even when it rained the other day, it was still a beautiful day.

I'm learning my way around the peninsula. I've ventured further and further out, but there have been several days when I don't leave. There's no reason to! Foster City has the nickname of 'Wisteria Lane' for a reason. Everything is close, convenient, and safe. The longer I'm here, the more I like it!

Thanksgiving is approaching and I am so excited!! We're going to have a full house, and I can't wait!

The kids and I are going to make a countdown chain for our trip to Cabo in...33 days! We're all so excited and if there's anything we need, it's a vacation!! We're really excited to see some friends that are joining us as well. It should be a fantastic time.

What a Difference a Week Makes

2011-10-27T15:33:00.000-04:00

Last Tuesday, we were watching some able-bodied men load all of our earthly possessions onto a moving trailer. Attached to a very large truck that was driven by a super nice guy named Dennis. Last Friday, he arrived in Foster City, CA to deliver our earthly possessions. We lost track of a TV for a minute, but we found it. Thank goodness.

The weather is beautiful, the neighborhood is friendly, and the schools are fantastic. I'm so very impressed with the caliber of the school the kids are in here compared to what they were forced to attend in Oregon. I see homework every day for my second grader. I was lucky to pry out of him what he learned in Oregon. I see vocabulary words from my 5th grader. That didn't happen in Oregon. They have PE three days a week! Hello?!! I see the reason our school has an over 900 API score.

I've unpacked, managed to get a few things accomplished, and casually started looking for a job. I'm not in a huge hurry, but if something comes along that I can't pass up, I am for sure going to jump on it.

And that's my update for now!

Winding Down

2011-09-25T19:26:00.000-04:00

We got the kid's birth certificates in the mail and promptly headed off to City Hall to apply for their passports. They've cashed my check, so hopefully that means the passports are on their way!

In other news - we've decided on a date to move - October 18th! My last day of work will be October 14th. We've recruited and hired someone to replace me and she starts tomorrow. We leave Thursday for the annual family reunion in Illinois and we're all very excited to introduce the kids to the rest of the family! We'll be back late Monday.

We're having a small going away gathering on the 14th, Wyatt's 8th birthday party on the 15th, the packers come on the 17th and they load on the 18th. Once that last box/piece is loaded, we're on the road! We've found a fantastic townhome on the lake in Foster City to rent, and the school system is top-rated. The kids are excited to be finally all together with daddy again.

As is standard with a Type A personality, I have checklists and timelines of things that need to be done before we leave. I sometimes wish I could just hire someone to handle all of this; it seems so daunting at times. But it will get done, no matter what.

Almost home!

Birth Certificates!!

2011-09-13T17:13:00.002-04:00

Our birth certificates are finally on their way!! Our attorney emailed me a scanned copy and I'll be honest - they are the most beautiful pieces of paper I've seen since August 12th. ;-)

Oh California. I have missed you.

2011-09-12T17:24:00.000-04:00

The Mister and I used to live in San Diego. For 18 glorious months, we basked in the SoCal coast, breathing in the salty crisp morning air, feeling the spray on our faces, laying on the beach getting sand in our..wha? Not really, but sometimes.

Anytime we tell people where we've lived, their eyes just get wider and wider. To recap - Phoenix to San Diego, to Hartford CT, to Phoenix, to Portland and on our way (albeit not soon enough) to San Francisco. Being that the Mister is in the airline industry, we aren't long for staying in one spot. Although, who knows how this will end up? HQ is in Burlingame, and that may very well be his next step.

So we've set our sights on October 18th as our move day. It's quite a relief to have a solid date. I've given notice at work, signed a separation agreement, and started the process of cleaning out and cleaning up. Yesterday I dropped off a large haul at Goodwill. This week sometime I'm hoping to make a large trash run. I want to get some things photographed and on Craigslist, clean out our chest freezer (we aren't taking that with us - it's going to have a new home with some friends of ours), and do another cleanout of the kid's wardrobes.

While I do that here, the Mister is busy running all over the peninsula and east bay looking at housing. It works like this: I scour craigslist, send him links, and he either calls and makes an appointment or does a drive-by. Today he had two to go look at. The first was a solid "NO". I'm hoping the second won't be.

Today also marks what is promised as a cool-down for the PNW. It's been ridiculously hot and humid over the last couple of weeks and quite honestly, I'm over it. As a general rule, the PNW doesn't normally get this hot for this long of a spell, so most homes do not have A/C, ours included. It's been a lot of eating out and finding things to do outside the house and in someone else's A/C (movies, the mall, etc.). That's not really great for the budget, so that will come to a grinding halt today. Thank the Lord.

Wednesday marks my one-month countdown to leaving my job of three years. In all of the moving that the Mister and I have done over the past 7 years, this is the longest job I've held. I'm a bit sad over leaving, and I know that this is simply because I'm comfortable. I've told a few clients about my leaving and they've expressed sadness, but encouragement. That was nice. My boss wrote me a very impressive reference letter, and I've applied to a few jobs in SFO, but I'm not frantic. My main goal is to get through the next month, get my family relocated and situated, and then work on gainful employment.

One thing I have noticed is my anxiety about the change this time is not as high as it usually is. I usually have feelings of 'we can't leave! This is stupid! We're making a mistake!' a lot. This time, it's been there, but not so much at the forefront. I found a quote today, and I posted it on my Facebook, but I will requote it here:

When we make a change,

it's so easy to interpret our unsettledness as unhappiness,

and our unhappiness as a result of having made the wrong decision.

Our mental and emotional states fluctuate madly when we make big changes in our lives,

and somedays we could tightrope across Manhattan,

and other days we are too weary to brush our teeth.

This is normal, this is natural, this is change.

~Jeanette Winterson

Back to School: Week 1

2011-09-09T15:10:00.000-04:00

My kids went back to school this week. There was much nervousing and gnashing of teeth, but overall, I would say it was successful. Wyatt is learning sign language and Jordan is learning some espanol. I'm pretty proud of both of them.

And also - daddy came home after 12 days of being gone. I know, I have no right to whine when military families do it all the time. 12 days is nothing - and at least I got to talk to him every day. But it was still painful. I can't wait until this commute is OVER. Soon, baby. Soon.

Do Not Be Fooled. The Paperwork Still Comes. And about our weekend.

2011-08-23T18:20:00.001-04:00

Our Gotcha Day was almost two weeks ago and still, I deal with paperwork. Granted, this is the good stuff - getting the kids new social security cards, getting the new birth certificates, and finally, getting passports!! Have I mentioned that we've already booked our Mexico vacation in December? A combination 40th birthday fiestabration for me and a celebration of our family completion.

We took a short trip to San Francisco last weekend. Drove to Seattle, flew on Virgin to San Francisco on Thursday. Had dinner, took the kids swimming at the hotel, and then out! Friday we did the touristy thing and took the BART to the Embarcadero. Visited Pier 39 and ate at Bubba Gump Shrimp Company. Wandered through Fisherman's Wharf. Took a cab to Ghirardelli Square (they don't give tours anymore!). Then a trolley back to the BART and back to the hotel. The kids went swimming, and then we decided to walk over to Kincaids for a fabulous dinner.

Saturday we grabbed some breakfast and headed out to scope out some houses. Found a few that we liked up in Hayward Hills. Beautiful sweeping Canyon Views. Hopefully this house here sells SOONER rather than LATER. I just want to get down and get settled. At noon we went over to VX HQ and attended the company WOWBQ with Chris. The kids had a great time and all of his coworkers were amazingly nice. Later on, back to the hotel, took the kids swimming (are we seeing a pattern here?) and then early to bed.

Sunday we had to get up early, eat some breakfast, and head to the airport. Quick flight to Seattle. Had to sell a kidney to pay for parking, and then on to Tacoma where I met a couple of girlfriends for lunch! Yum! We got home around 4, tired, HOT (it was 89 in the house, yipes!) and just wanting to chill.

Yesterday it was back to the routine. Two more weeks until school starts. The kids didn't get back into the school they were in last year, so they have to go to our neighborhood school. No biggie, and actually it works out better with my work schedule.

Tonight - The Help with my BFF while her hubby watches The Heathens. And for that, I thank him. *wink*

Today was our GOTCHA day!

2011-08-12T18:04:00.000-04:00

We woke up early this morning. Got dressed, and headed down to Eugene. 16 months after we started this process, we found ourselves sitting in a courtroom, before a judge who took great delight in signing a piece of paper that would forever bind us with our kids, Jordan and Wyatt. Their names were legally changed, and from this day forward, we are legally a family.

There is much celebration in this house today. There is much rejoicing. A long road, from decision to completion.

Our heartfelt thanks goes out to everyone that has supported us on this journey. And to my friends who are going through this journey now, I say to you - keep going. When you are mired in paperwork, and home visits, and background checks, and sometimes disappointment, remember this: it's not the journey, it's the destination.

Ladies and gentlemen, we have arrived at ours. And now we begin a new journey. One of guidance, and discipline, teaching and encouragement, love and laughter.

Today, we are a complete family.

August 12, 2011. 11:00 a.m.

2011-08-05T17:35:00.000-04:00

That's our date. For court. To finalize the adoption. To grow our family by two. To give two awesome wonderful children who we have been lucky enough to be chosen as parents to, our last name.

It's all legality, because from the moment we saw those kids, they were ours.

I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him. ~ 1 Samuel 1:27

A Letter to my kids...

2011-08-01T00:20:00.002-04:00

Dear W & J:

Today I took you to sleep away camp. We packed your clothes, loaded up the truck, and away we went. We stopped for gas, drinks and snacks, because we had an hour drive to make. We sang songs and we were silly the whole way.

When we pulled into camp, you were both so excited! We unloaded the car and headed to registration. Along the way, every counselor welcomed you to camp.

After handing in the paperwork, and getting your cabin assignments, we were on our way. J, we took you to your cabin first, and I helped you unpack your sleeping bag and pillow, and set up your bunk. I met your counselor, and took a couple of photos. You were so confident standing outside that cabin. I was so proud of you. I hugged you tight and told you how much fun you would have. I reassured you that you would make TONS of friends, and that you were a great girl, so it wouldn't be hard. I talked to your counselor about how happy I was that you had this opportunity. You hugged your brother and I again, and we left you to get settled in.

After we left J, W and I made our way to his cabin. He skipped down the trail, so excited about finding out where he was staying. We came up to your cabin, W, and you picked out your bunk: top! We unpacked your sleeping bag and pillow, and carefully placed your clothes on your shelves. You went outside to make your bunk tag with your name on it. I talked to your counselor about what a wonderful little boy you are, and I went outside to check on you and get a picture. You hugged me tight, almost not wanting to let go. I told you how much fun you would have, and how daddy and I would be there on Saturday to pick you up. You hugged me even tighter.

I left quickly, trying hard not to cry at the fact that I was leaving my little ones for the first time. I looked back down the trail at you, and your little head was down, working hard on your bunk tag. I am so proud of you.

I drove home with moments of sadness, missing you both already. I've had to fight back tears a couple of times today, missing you SO much, yet knowing you are making memories that will last a lifetime.

I love you both so very much, and I am so happy that you have this amazing opportunity.

Can I call out sick this week and join you?

Love,
Mommy.

Please Review.

2011-07-26T20:45:00.000-04:00

Those are the two words that my attorney put in his email this afternoon. Please review. He also said, and I quote:

"Have fun. You have to mail the originals back to me, then I'll send them to Eugene & request a hearing date, OK? I'll coordinate all the way through to getting your birth certificates, but you have to go get the social security information changed after that. Heh."

Heh? WTF? Heh? OH! Cause he's talking about me having to deal with SS. Heh.

We are thisclose to being able to post pictures and introduce the world to our new littles.

As I was reviewing the paperwork, J came in crying about some tween angst. She's fighting with her BFF. *sigh* I told her to go back out there and figure it out, that life was too short. I got the eyeroll, which loosely translated means 'like you have ANY clue what the heck I'm going through right now, moooooooooom.' Depending on the day, my name either has one or eleventy syllables. Good times.

So the good news is that we are inching towards the finish line. I feel like those people who race in a triathlon and are totally not prepared and have to literally crawl across the finish line because their legs are all 'right. Not anymore' and their bodies are all 'kiss my ass with your 26.2 after the swim and the bike, jackass'. It's THERE, that finish line, I can see it. I just can't get my legs to cooperate.

In other news - my husband is coming home early this week! Yay!!

Your documents are in...

2011-07-21T13:29:00.000-04:00

I'm not going to lie, I haven't been getting my hopes up on the fastidious movement of the State when it comes to our adoption finalizing. It is what it is. Social Workers are overwhelmed, they're over budget, they take furlough days.

Today, however, I got an email from my attorney "I have your DHS documents in hand, and will be mailing them to you for signature!"

What the what? Today is July 21. You have our DHS docs? Are you kidding me?

Someone up above loves this family.

The Secret Is Out

2011-07-20T14:29:00.000-04:00

Now that we've informed everyone we need to about our Big! New! Adventure!, I can talk about it here.

In the immortal words of the late, great Notorious B.I.G., we're going (going) back (back) to Cali (Cali). (Please do not confuse this song with the one by LL Cool J.)

Chris has been offered an amazing opportunity with another airline - and since that's his passion and complete expertise, after much thought, talk, and prayer, we jumped on it.

This is so completely unlike any other move we've done in the past. Before, it was easy-breezy. We set a date, put the house up for sale, and moved. Now, we've got this little chapter in the 'Life Handbook' known as 'The Adoption is NOT Quite Final Yet'. So there's that.

Chris started his new job on the 11th, and will be commuting between San Francisco and Portland for a few months. We've met with a real estate agent and we'll be putting the house on the market on Saturday.

**Side note: Anyone interested in a completely remodeled gorgeous split-level in a quiet, established neighborhood that will be a freaking STEAL? Call me.**

Our kids are very excited for the new adventure, and mostly because it's close to Disneyland. But of course. And the fact that they will now have flight benefits - they think that's cool as all get out. Yeah, just wait until they get stuck at the Vegas airport because all of the hungover people missed their early flights and decided to roll. Not that I've ever had that happen. Twice.

So now I'm playing single mom five days a week, and running quite the tight ship. Menu plans, chore charts and a couple of pretty cooperative kids makes for a relatively easy go of it. Of course, they're 10 and 7, and of all the pros in THAT list, it's that they only mutiny every once in a great while. Usually it's the Boy.

I'm proud of my husband - he's making sacrifices of time right now with his children to provide them with a better opportunity in the future. And we both know that looking back on this when we are at Mile Marker 58, and living together daily again, we will see that this was a blip on the radar, a drop in the bucket, a molehill on a mountain. And any other metaphorical nonsense you can insert here.

To assist with the transition of daddy being gone, I've been taking two days off a week and will do so through the end of the month. The kids go to camp for a week the first of August, and then we're getting back to our routine. I want this to be as painless as possible for them, and so far they're on board and handling it like we always do - as a team.

6 Month Reports.

2011-07-07T15:24:00.000-04:00

We had our 6 month visit on June 17th. I just received our reports in my email - and they are also being sent to the kids' social worker.

I've read through them, and the best line in both of them, is this one:

This author recommends immediate finalization of the adoption of J&W by Christopher and Christina.

It doesn't get any better than that.

Hippo Birdie America!

2011-06-29T15:24:00.000-04:00

Our nation celebrates its 235th year of freedom this weekend. She keeps pretty good care of herself because she doesn't look a day over 200!

To celebrate, we commandeered two lovely campsites along the Oregon Coast and we are taking our very best friends and their kids with us to whoop it up! We're all so excited we can barely get through this week!!

Today my husband and the husband of the other couple went to Washington to buy some celebratory items. To commemorate our nation's independence. And such as.

And also, there will be a negative tide on Saturday morning - which means CLAMS!

Enjoy your weekend - and our freedom and independence.

Bass Ackwards.

2011-06-15T00:05:00.001-04:00

Captain Sassy Pants has a problem with wearing his clothes backwards. It doesn't matter what it is, he will inevitably put something on backwards. He doesn't care to look at the label. It's too much work.

Tonight at the dinner table I look over and he has his basketball shorts on backwards. I could only tell because I could see the pocket. Unless that kid was trying to store things in the pocket of his tutkus, he had them on backwards.

I sighed, and said "W! WHY do you have your shorts on backwards? You're a wreck!" He just smiles. I explain for the eleventieth time how he needs to look for the tag. "And where does the tag go?" He smiles an says "In FRONT! No, wait. In BACK!" It's always 'No, wait.' I say to him "Child. You test me. You exhaust me. You are a wreck!" He just grins and laughs.

So we're clearing the table and the kids are heading back outside to play some more (it's the last week of school and I am uber super relaxed about bedtime this week).

W tells dad "I fixed my shorts."

Dad tells W "Good job bud."

W tells dad "Yeah, I didn't want mom to go all 'Boom goes the dynamite' to me!"

HA! That kid.

It's All Coming Together...and I Can Hardly Stand It!

2011-06-08T16:51:00.000-04:00

For the past week, we've been receiving mail almost every day from DHS (Department of Human Services) here in Oregon. One day it's the kid's new medical cards (they are entitled to secondary insurance through the state - which is nice because it will back up our insurance). The next it's another agreement we need to sign and send back. Or some information. Or something! The good news is, it's all starting to flow. We're in the home stretch. Our adoption is coming down the straightaway - the white flag has been waved and we're putting pedal to the metal.

It's an amazing look back at what we've accomplished in these last 6 months. We brought home two children who had been through SO much. Who had been promised SO much in their short little lives. They had been ripped from their parents - the only people they ever felt truly loved them, through no fault of their own, and bounced around from place to place. They were summarily handed back to their bio-mom a few times, and when they were, she would pack them up and move them to another state, all with the intent of trying to hide them from the CPS in the previous state. And inevitably, the cycle would start all over again.

I am thankful that Washington and Oregon work together, and did work together to bring these children out of the unfortunate situation that they were in, and find them a family that would take care of them and love them the way they deserve to be loved.

I am thankful that my tough little nut, my 10 year old daughter, has softened. I am thankful that she has seen that we love her, fiercely, and that we will always be there to protect her and guide her. I am thankful that she has finally opened up, little by little, and allowed us to hold her heart, if even for a moment. I am thankful that she is honest, and accepts responsibility for her actions. I am thankful that she sends me little emails each day to tell me how much she loves me. I am thankful that she no longer feels the need to worry about or watch over her brother out of necessity, rather, she does it because she wants to. I am thankful that she has let go - and that she is able to be a child right now, when it's most important.

I am thankful that my sassy pants boy, my 7 year old, has matured and become comfortable. I am thankful that he doesn't keep his room clean with military precision anymore. I am happy when I see clothes strewn about and toys not put away. I am happy that I have to remind him to clean his room, and that he grunts about it. I am thankful that he no longer looks to his sister to provide him with answers, or guidance. I am thankful that he is blossoming on his own, and developing his own little sense of self. I am thankful that he is so helpful, and that he enjoys teasing mama about her love of the Yankees, all the while clinging to his papa and cheering for the Cardinals.

We have introduced them to sushi, late-night get togethers with great friends, independence, personal responsibility, Wii tournaments, Just Dance, rock music, Bon Jovi, family game nights, and road trips.

We have instilled in them that THIS.IS.IT. And I think they are finally getting it.

A Damn Good Cause

2011-06-01T23:39:00.000-04:00

I know someone who holds foster adoption as dear to her heart as I do. She's a foster mom, and also the adoptive mom of a foster child. She loves her son and is currently looking for a sibling for him.

Foster children have what are called 'Life Books' that contain stories and photographs of their lives as they go through the foster care system. Since their lives are so uprooted, it's a way for them to record their memories. This way, they have something that they can own, and be proud of, and look back on. It is usually passed on to the adoptive parents, or in some cases, back to the biological parents if it is deemed that they are to go back home.

Sometimes the children are so nomadic, living out of cardboard boxes, and constantly moving, that these Lifebooks are lost. Or they aren't kept up well by their foster parents. It's understandable, but not acceptable.

Enter Andrea. She has a plan to make these Life Books digital, so that all of their information is readily accessible and available, no matter where they go. This service is free to foster children and their families. It is in the upstart stages, but I see this idea taking off and becoming the new norm. How wonderful that these children always have access to their memories. How wonderful that no matter where they end up, they will always be able to look back on their lives, and never lose these memories.

Recently, Digital Lifebooks entered the Pepsi Refresh Everything contest to win a $50,00 grant towards the cost of implementing this idea. PLEASE, go to Digital LifeBooks - Pepsi Contest and vote for them to win!! You can vote once per day. It's a great cause, one that is near and dear to our hearts, and it would mean the world to a child.

Be the change - and vote!

Much Love!