Perfect Moment Monday

Happiness Is...


Finding that Perfect spot.

The Ties That Bind...

A few weekends ago (before the RSV fiasco), we had a play date with Little Buddy's older 1/2 sibling. The boys have had a close relationship and let me tell ya, LB was over the moon excited to see him. SweetPea was just starting to get sick so she stayed at home. Their sib (I'll call him "Freckles") was recently adopted by one of his bio family members and they were there, as well (along with our social worker, of course). My intention was to hang out for a few minutes and take off to run errands... I didn't want to impose on their time together and these meetings can be awkward.

Shows what I know.. I ended up staying the entire time.

The family was absolutely lovely and we chatted like we've known each other for years. Much like when we met JuneBug's bio family, that feeling of familiarity and friendship was immediate. They are thrilled the kiddos are with us and pray we make it to adoption. There were tears and hugs.

Most importantly, the brothers got to hang out and play.

Since the beginning of this journey, we have said that we are absolutely open to keeping contact with bio family (or friends) that are healthy and appropriate. These relationships help heal and are about them, not us.

And this seems to be one of them.

Today LB and I are headed to a Cub Scout event that Freckle's troop is attending. They'll get to spend the better part of the day together and LB is thrilled. In my book, a great way to put a really rough week behind us.

And a tie we hope will remain intact...

Happy Birthday, Darling(s)...

This is "Birthday Week" in our little home~

SweetPea has celebrated The Big

whilst this fine day DH celebrates

;o)

I love you both dearly.. Happy Birthday!!

Tyson & Lefty

Some of you may remember the convo Little Buddy and I had recently regarding babies. In particular, me having one (ok, more like him saying I looked like I was going to have one). The topic came up again last night:

LB: Mommy, have you had any kids?

Moi: Yes, we've had several wonderful kiddos stay with us (read: 7 in the last 2 years).

LB: No, I mean have you grown any in your tummy?

M: No Honey.

LB: Well, I want one.. no two.. a boy and a girl... so SweetPea can be a big sister and I can be a big brother again.

M: You don't say.. Well, what would you name them?

(Laughing) LB: Little Buddy & Little Buddy

M: Sorry, we're not the Foreman household..

LB: Huh?

M: That would be weird and wrong. Really.. what would you name them?

LB: Tyson & Lefty

Now THAT's better! T&L it is!

Perfect Moment Monday

P is for ..

Perfect Puzzle Placement...

A Boogery Week In Review...

So Monday started off with a high fever, low oxygen levels, an RSV diagnosis and trip to the hospital. The upside? I do believe we have a future doctor on our hands:

Tuesday and Wednesday were a blur between doctor appointments, medicine taking and slimy nose wiping. The good news is SweetPea is on the mend and was back in daycare on Thursday. The bad news is DH and Little Buddy are both feeling crummy. I, too, have a sore throat (once again) but choose to pretend it's not there.

Ignorance is bliss, right?

Next week there are two big visits taking place.. one of which may cause some serious issues for LB. Our awesome social worker will be present and assures us if there is any sign of tension or discomfort on either child's part, she will stop it immediately. I have 100% confidence in her and we're bracing ourselves for the coming storm after the fact.

Sending up prayers for peace and comfort for both kiddos..

Say Hello To My Little Friend(s)

RSV ~ Without The "P" ...

That's right, RSV is our latest plague. SweetPea was under the weather yesterday and I told the gals at daycare they might want to keep an eye on her. Not surprisingly, they called later in the afternoon and told me she had a fever. DH was at his local office here in town and was able to pick her up lickity split.

He took her to Urgent Care where they quickly discovered her oxygen levels were dangerously low and she tested positive for RSV. Unable to maintain proper oxygen off the machine, they transported her (non emergency) to the hospital by ambulance. Apparently, she dug the drive and charmed the EMT's.. DH said one of them was looking here and there for a teddy bear to give to her before he left.

Trust me, it doesn't take long to fall in love with this little darling.

DH earned a few new DadBadges.. she threw up on him 3-4 times in the waiting room while checking in. He made balloons out of gloves, assisted when she struggled, kept her feeling safe and as comfortable as possible. All things considered (being almost 2, feeling crummy, etc) she did really well.. and so did he. They got home about 8:00pm.

Today she is a bit better.. not as lethargic but still has a ferocious cough and labored breathing. The fever is down for now. We have to do a follow up doctor visit and pick up a script later today. Hopefully we can blaze through all that so I can get her home and rested.

Poor Little Boo.

BoxBoy!

Thursday night, Daddy picked up some custom made cabinets. That in and of itself is only exciting to the two of us. However, the boxes were all the rage with the kidlets (of course). DH saw Little Buddy eyeballing one and quickly cut out arm holes and a circle to see out of. The wobbly marching began and only one picture got knocked off the wall. LB declared we would paint it yellow and he'll be Sponge Bob for Halloween. He decided what little sister would be, too.

Why Gary, of course...

MomTV's Adoption Angles ~ What's Up?

As many of you know, my show hasn't aired for the last few weeks. I've officially placed it on a temporary hiatus until our little village settles down. Between social workers running our lives, focusing on the kiddos and dealing with an array of issues, I've had to put some projects on the back burner.

Sadly, this is one of them.

MTVAA is my baby and I'm hoping to get back on asap. I want to thank the awesome Team at MomTV (Maria, Bob, ElizaBeth, Shellie and Clarissa) for their understanding and constant support (on so many levels). Also, a big shout out to my guests for being so understanding and, of course, my awesome viewers.

I appreciate you all so very much and hope to be back soon!

My Rad 4 Day Weekend...

Unable to schedule a doctor and dentist appointment on the same day for both kiddos, I made them back to back and took Monday and Tuesday off. Both went well.. paperwork was done fairly quickly and I thank the Good Lord above the actual waiting didn't take too long at either office. Little Buddy was given specific direction and clear expectations of his behaviour and did a good job. SweetPea is nearly 2.. that pretty much speaks for itself. Considering how things could've gone down, she did really well.

On Monday after dropping the kids back off at day care and school, I had a few hours to myself. Sweet Relief. We've been on quite a roller coaster these past few months and some quiet-me-time was just what I needed. An afternoon to catch up on laundry, cleaning.. basically get our home in order. Regroup and recharge. Me, my dogs and the ironing board.

Perfect.

Tuesday we were off and running again. We got great news (Little Buddy has no cavities and SweetPea's toofers are excellent, too) and that set the tone for a wonderful drive back (no hemming and hawing from youknowwho about having to go back to school). He can be a real Negative Nelly sometimes. My afternoon was spent in meetings with social workers.

Fun.

Not a vaycay to write home about. No poolside drinks with umbrellas or relaxing mani/pedis. But good therapy just the same.

Sunday Snow Day

Too cold and snowy to go out, Sunday was spent indoors doing activities like building forts and (the best part) knocking them down. What do you do with all the fallen materials?

Camp out, of course!

Perfect Moment Monday

Yes, it's as cold as it looks.. and twice as stunning!


Perfect Chill

Must They Be So Honest?

Scene: Saturday morning, standing in kitchen, rocking my comfy fleece jammies, morning sun streaming in, dogs quiet, coffee divine...

Enter Little Buddy...

LB: Mom, can I ask you a question?

Me: Sure.

LB: Are you growing a baby in your tummy?

Me: Wha?

LB: Are you growing a baby in your tummy? Am I going to have a little brother or sister?

Me: Huh?

LB: Your jammies look big in the front. So, are you?

Me: No.

LB: Are you sure because it's okay.

Me: Yes...

LB exits scene.. hanging head, seemingly bummed.

As does Mom.

Trying To Keep It Real...

One of the things I've tried to do here is be completely honest. This journey is a wild one.. taxing on the mind, body and soul. In the past 3 years we've experienced moments of utter joy and the lowest of lows. Mind numbing weeks without sleep, ferocious illness, jaw dropping tantrums, heartbreaking sadness.. contagious laughter, unconditional love and unforgettable breakthroughs.

Each case has been an important lesson learned (be it about the system itself, compassion or just acknowledging we're a small part of God's bigger plan). Each child a beautiful blessing in our lives.

This past week was long and emotional but ended happily on a good note.. Literally! Little Buddy got a note sent home by the Principal with an awesome attaboy! How cool is that? We celebrated last night by letting him stay up late and watching Toy Story.

We've had our struggles.. it's not always butterflies and bubbles. Not by a long shot. Our little guy is dealing with grief and loss (amongst other things) and the issues typically come out in behaviours. You know, those naughty ones. The good news is it's nothing off the charts, we're equipped to handle them and boy howdy, do we relish the good moments when they come along!

If we knew in 2007 what we know now (the trials and tribs that have been this journey) we still wouldn't have it any other way. I can't imagine not having the honor of knowing and loving Jack, Jill, Mannie, Little Miss Sunshine, JuneBug, Little Buddy or SweetPea. The memories we carry of them in our hearts and souls are irreplaceable and worth every tear shed.

For Real.

Don King Jr.

I have yet to capture the true essence of the crazayzy that is SweetPea's morning-hair. Adorable curly ringlets after bath time transform into a nest overnight. And it's birds gone wild, my friends.


Yes, I can poke fun.. mine does it, too.

1st Day of School ~ The Results Are In...

It was one of those perfect Colorado mornings.. brilliant blue sky, snow sparkling atop the mountains, a balmy 11 degrees. As we drove into the school parking lot, Little Buddy continued to insist he would be shy and I confided in him that (at his age) I was crazy-shy, too. That seemed to bring relief (it was either knowing that I understood or he was trying to wrap his mind around me ever being that young). Either way, it calmed his nerves.

Mission accomplished.

We entered the main office and the principal and secretaries greeted us warmly.. knowing him by name without us ever speaking. They told him how excited they were to finally meet him and the principal himself showed us to his new classroom. If there was any bit of anxiety rolling around inside him it was now completely gone.

He was feeling like a rock star.

I was stressing all day.. all those what-ifs. I prayed he would make friends and like his teacher. When I picked the kids up from day care, a proud Little Buddy announced, "I made 5 friends AND have a girlfriend!"

Prayers Answered.

First Day Of School...

None of the kiddos placed with us thus far have been old enough to go to school. The twins left weeks before starting Kindergarten and all the others have just attended day care. Today is a big day in our little household...

Little Buddy starts school today!

DH had yesterday off and went by the school's office to drop off the forms I had already filled out (picked up more for me to complete--homework? Really?!) and met some staff members. I told him I would be willing to bet money we're older than the principal.

I was right!

*Shaking Head*

Little B has been nervous and chatting up that he's going to be shy. We had this same conversation before starting day care and he did great his first day there. But this is the Big Leagues and I'm even nervous for him. I just want him to make some nice friends quickly and settle in. He has been through so much ... I'm just super proud at how courageous he has been thus far. Nervous? Yes. But he always faces his challenges head on.

And is the bravest of them all...

Perfect Moment Monday

Our vicious "Doverman" (as Jill used to say) is at it again...


Perfect Buddy.

That's My Boy!

*Grin*