Graco Guest Post ~ Part 2

My wonderful friends at Graco were kind enough to ask me to do a few guest posts about our fost/adopt journey. When you have a moment, surf on over and take a walk down memory lane with me. I have had a wonderful time reminiscing (okay I admit it, I've shed some tears.. happy and sad).

Last Week's Post: CLICK HERE

The Latest Post: CLICK HERE

As always, comment love is very appreciated!

Boy Time...

Little Buddy and his "fierce" bestie hanging out.


What are LB and Casanova watching on TV? Why the Cesar, of course...

Perfect Moment Monday

With a business trip and snowmobile excursion back to back, DH was gone for nearly a week. The kids both missed him, especially SweetPea. She kept an eye out for him and was over the moon when he arrived home yesterday.

Daddy's (Perfect) Little Girl...

The Tweet Says It All...

My Murphy's Law week summed up last night in less than 140 characters:

In all the crazy that has gone down these past few days, I've gotta admit my angels were there for me quicker than quick. I have to thank Gramsie, GramPapa, Missy, My Kiwi and Mr. Al for all their help, patience (and spare vehicles). As much as I've grumbled over the past few days, I truly was blessed.. It could've been worse.

The upside? The ice cream was gooood!

Blind Side The Movie .. & Conversation Starter..

Little Buddy crawled up on my lap as I was Tweeting a thank you note to Leigh Anne Tuohy for some guidance she had given me (follow her, my Tweeps, she's a hoot: @LeighAnneTuohy). He asked who the pretty lady was and that got the whole "Blindside" conversation started. He was intrigued and asked if we could watch the movie.

And so this past weekend we did...

One of the issues he struggles with is loving his mom and loving me. How can he care for me and not betray her? It's a very difficult feeling to navigate and most of our kiddos have a hard time with it at first. The movie showed him it's possible to love (and allow in) as many people as you choose.

And it's okay to accept the love back in return.

During the more intense scenes, I made sure to engage him in conversation and distract. We actually talked a lot that morning... about everything. It was quite therapeutic for both of us, really.

Little Buddy came to us a self-proclaimed Raider fan (it's a Denver Broncos household, y'all.. oy!). During this past football season, he and I actually agreed the Ravens are cool and rooted for them together. You can imagine his surprise and delight when he realized he had been cheering on Michael's team all season.

So I now have a boy's #74 jersey on order (and happy to report there will be no silver and black represented in our home next fall). :)

I'm officially a Bro-Raven fan.

Graco Guest Post

My friends at Graco were kind enough to give me the opportunity to write a few guest posts on their blog.

Here's the first

Please check it out..

------> CLICK HERE <------

And feel free to leave some comment love (or Stumble It, Digg It, Tweet It, Facebook It or...)

:)

Hands In The Air.. Eyes Closed..

I've likened this journey to a roller coaster ride. It's a combination of being scared out of your mind, pure joy .. and a bit of nausea.

This case has been unlike the others. We've been in the dark about nearly everything and that's not a bad thing. Our focus needs to be 100% on the children, especially Little Buddy as he deals with his trauma. Our plates are full and much more drama would surely send me over the edge. I think our workers know that, as well. Things have been quiet lately (no emails or calls between visits) and that is typically an indication something big is brewing.

No lie.

We've been around the foster block several times and know full well that anything can happen in a blink of an eye. I have learned to be guarded and not get all wrapped up in the good or bad news. We just ride the roller coaster for all it's worth (and try not to hurl). Bottom Line? When we get big news, it is taken with a grain of salt.

This week we needed a salt shaker.

Our Lucky Charm

Happy St. Pat's Day!

Perfect Moment Monday

After two months of crazy weekends, we finally had a break. No visits mandated by the county, obligations or training. I officially declared Sunday PJ Day and we chilled.


And yes, those gargantuan feet are those of Little Buddy.

Looming Clouds...

Confident it would be warm all day on Saturday, I promised Little Buddy we would go for a bike ride in the afternoon. The morning was nice, but when the kids went down for quiet time, the clouds were spilling over the foothills.

Big, grey, rain filled clouds.

Determined to keep my word, we bundled up and headed out. Although our excursion was cut short (LB decided to turn around when it started to rain) we had a great time. He got to blow off steam, show off on his bike and (for the FIRST time all year) we all enjoyed FRESH air and the great outdoors.

My mind was spinning the adventures we'll have when the weather gets nice. More biking, ball play, afternoons at Gramsie and GramPaPa's lake. But I stop short and try not to get too far ahead of myself. Questions loom much like those clouds:

Where will they be by then?

A Full Circle Reminder ...

Sweet Pea and Little Buddy's interpretation of "Springing Forward" ..



Set them clocks, y'all!

Future Social Media Maven..

In the middle of a conversation, she had to stop and take a call.

Then Tweet..

And update her Facebook status...


One.Proud.Nerd.Mama.

10 Second Update...

This morning Little Buddy declared he is no longer in a sad or bad mood. He is slowing coming back around after his hellacious week. I even heard his sweet giggle in the car on the way to day care.

That alone made me tear all up.

A One-Two Punch Of A Week

Prior to last week we were seeing great progress. LB's fits were fewer and farther between and not lasting nearly as long. He was much more relaxed .. his whole demeanour was quite peaceful.

Then that went out the window.

Between last Monday and this past weekend he had not one but two visits that threw him for a loop. One was with a family member that causes great anxiety and another with a family friend.. in his old neighborhood. All in the name of "seeing how he processes..."

Total overload.

I get where the county is coming from, however, I am in total disagreement in the timing. It was way too much for him to handle in such a short period of time. I tried to make the rest of the weekend as calm and relaxing as possible (and family came by.. he loves that) but it's still an open wound that needs to heal. We've just taken five steps back.

Our poor Little Buddy.. sigh..

Travel ~ Full Circle Style...

The kids and I spent the morning at the beach. With sugar sand between our toes we enjoyed warm sunshine, trade winds gently blowing through the palms and watched a boat sail across the ocean blue.


No Passport Required.

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!

Today Little Buddy's elementary school is celebrating Dr. Seuss' birthday by wearing silly hats and bringing books from home for extra reading. He is hoping there will be cake, too.

Our boy is rocking it Irish style...


“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.” ~ Dr. Seuss

Is There Anything Sweeter..

Than a sleepy, snugly little girl?