October 2011 Update

Enough time has gone by that I feel like I actually have some things to write about in a general update post.  I am happy to report that we still have our two, two year old foster daughters (M will be turning three in January!) A.J. is in 5th grade and is doing fantastic! 
As if life wasn't busy enough with the three kids, Cody's work, and my extremely busy school schedule this year, we decided to buy an "investment property" which is really just a  house in our neighborhood that was foreclosed on and sold in an auction.  It needs A LOT of work, but is in a great location and has some nice basic features -  not the least of which is its size - it is more than double the size of our house now.  It is a huge project that Cody is doing an awesome job of managing. It will be great when its all done (at least more or less) and we do hope to move there when it is.  With all the kids we no longer have an office in our house and let me tell you - I am really missing that this semester!   There is still no telling if we will get to adopt the girls or not, but it does seem possible - maybe even likely at this point so that is pretty cool.  We'll have to wait to see how it goes!  In any case we know our family size will continue to fluctuate so it will be nice to have a bigger house to accommodate everyone!  The more the merrier :) 

Letters from the Heart: Dear A.J.

This will be the first of probably many letters that I will write to you.   First, let me just say that I am so very proud of you! You are almost 11 and I am truly AMAZED at what a cool young man you are becomming.  You are smart ( I love that you are having so much fun in 5th grade), you are funny (your sense of humor is really blossoming), you are kind, and you are responsible. 
We are so happy that you go elected to student council this year!  When you were younger you were so shy about speaking in front of other people and it really tickled me that you got up in front of your whole class and deleviered your speech.  It was so cool to hear you analyze your classmates and think about why they may have voted for you. You are really getting good at paying attention to what works and what doesnt work when speaking out loud and understanding what people like. 
It also warms dad's and my hearts that you are so good with all your sisters.  Someday when you look back on your childhood, I hope you still appreciate those relationships and the experience of being a brother.  You are being pushed to grow and change because you have siblings now, but you are also giving each of them a great gift in your love and affection.  You may not see it now, but you are part of something really special and, just by being you, you are making the world a little better. 
Our lives are busy and we don't always to take the time to say it, but I hope you know that Dad and I love you so very much and we are so happy that you are our son!   

"Mommy Moments"

So this past Saturday the kids competed in the Destination Imagination regional tournament. I was one of their team coaches and I was REALLY proud of them. It was so fun seeing them showing off all their hard work. The challenge that they completed was really tough and it was so awesome that they pulled it all together. I love seeing the serious looks on their faces, the effort and concentration, the joy, the pride, - one of the joys of parenthood is experiencing the world through the eyes of your children. Frequently, when I watch them doing something new or really rising above the every day, I get tears in my eyes - my friends and I often refer to these special times as a "mommy moment" - but I know daddies have these experiences too!

Patience

It is hard to be patient sometimes. I love being a mother and I have always wanted to have many children in my life... but dang! Sometimes it is hard to be patient!  Since my hubby and I will most likey not have any more biological children I sometimes find myself feeling very antsy about adoption.  We love our foster children, but have no way of knowing whether or not we will have the opportunity to adopt them.  I guess the one thing that I always go back to is that our family is what it is and it will be what it will be - the right children are coming in and out of our lives and we are having the best experiences- thanks to them.  While I do hope to adopt, I also love being a foster parent! 

 

Letters from the Heart- Introduction

I have decided to write a series of letters – this series will be called "Letters from the Heart." We are told so many times not to leave important things unsaid, yet often don't take the time to say some of the deepest and most personal things until someone we love has left us. I know I have written to lost loved ones in the past and wished that I could have told them more when they were still living. In this series I will write to my children – "Letters to the Future" and to other important family members and friends. Stay tuned!

Top Five

Here is a list of the top ten reasons why I love parenting two year olds (girl version):
5) Pretty, baby soft hair - hair ties, hair bows, adorable piggy tails!
4) Baby hands holding yours, reaching out to you with love and trust 
3) New adventures - the whole world seems new again in their eyes and things you've done before become fresh and fun
2) Babies are smart, funny, and they grow and learn so fast - it is so fun teaching them new things, silly things, jokes, and more and having them mimic you with their cute little faces and cute little gesture and cute little voices
1) The pitter patter of little feet. To me there is no cuter sound then that of little toddler feet running up and down the halls - usually accompanied by the sound of giggling and the kind of exuberant laughter that makes your heart melt. 

Dirty Little Secret

I want to keep these girls...even if it means that they don't get to be back with their parents. Being a foster parent is so weird and offers such unique life experiences.  No other parents willingly give up their children so frequently and with such grace (usually) as foster parents.  The kids come into one's life and they just become "yours" so quickly.  Your heart leaps out of your chest and starts walking around in them before you know it!   So there it is - the secret that Cody and I usually only talk about when we are alone - we want these girls and sometimes we wish we could keep them, even if it means a loss for their parents.  We know it might not work out that way - it may not even be "meant to be" but man oh man - we sure do love them.