A Whole Lotta Nuttin'

So the week came and went without much info from anyone. The big 9-1-1 about the meeting happening asap was all for not. I did hear it's not even scheduled yet.

What the??

All we are asking for is some type of timeline to prepare our hearts but there just isn't one yet. We're all in total limbo. The upside is it means more time with the kiddos..

Stay tuned..

Table Talk

This morning.. Nantie & Jack:

N: How did you sleep, buddy?

J: Good. But my toe stayed up.

N: Your toe?

J: Yeah. It wouldn't go to sleep.

N: Why? Was it dancing a jig?

J: No. It just couldn't fall asleep..

N: Oh dear. I bet it's pretty tired now, huh?

J: Yeah.

Nothing worse that suffering from Tired Toe... hate when that happens..

Happy Anniversary, Honey!!

I can't imagine growing old with anyone else. You are amazing and I don't thank you nearly enough for all you do.**

I love you dearly.. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

**Thank you for scrubbing the bathroom on Sunday--YOU ROCK! :o)

Love Your Wife,

Scenes From The Zoo

With the crazy that has become our lives, I totally spaced sharing some memories from our trip to the zoo a couple weeks back. Uncle JoeJoe, Auntie D and Princess A had flown in that very day and we met up with them, Auntie MooMoo and GramPapa for a wonderful afternoon.

Jack only knew Uncle JoeJoe through pictures and stories but was his biggest fan just the same. He was on Uncle J like white on rice. This shot was taken within moments of meeting..

Jack and Jill both love (and look up to) their totally cool cousin, Princess A.

Melissa who?..

There were cool tigers..

Nosy neighbors..

And boy howdy, was it hot..

It was a most excellent day!

Jack and Jill might return home but no one can take away our good times. No way, no how.

The Calm Before The Storm

At the end of this coming week, the staffing meeting will take place and paperwork will be filed in court. The transition to return home will begin.

We have been advised not to say a word about it to Jack and Jill until everything is set in stone. Mom is obviously chatting up the move during visits because they keep bringing it up and their behaviours are starting to show signs of turmoil. Her nightmares have started up again and both are manic-hyper after visits. Jack keeps asking Nantie if she still loves him and, as you can imagine, the conversations bring her to tears.

We're going to start the packing process soon so we're not scrambling the night before the move. Nantie picked up brightly colored boxes that will work great for the tons of toys and clothes that will be going. The transport workers had better rent a Ryder truck for the load.

No joke.

Just Grieve

I liken this part of our journey to the death of a loved one. An emotional, exhausting roller coaster of loss, grief and even anger. It's much the same as when I lost Mama to cancer. Sometimes I can talk about it very matter of factly and other times the rush of tears comes from nowhere. Everything is out of our control and it's just a matter of time.

We knew this could happen from the get go and are very aware the county's number one priority is to reunite families. I can say without hesitation there is no amount of training that can prepare you fully for what is about to take place. We pray for their sakes mom will keep it together this time. We also cry a lot in private and keep the smiles-on for the kids.

No easy task.

A meeting will be held at the end of the month for all the workers assigned to our case. Social workers, the GAL and therapists. Jack and Jill's mom has done what has been asked by the court and there are no barriers to sending them home. All involved will be in agreement it's time.

The transition will begin.

Since they are so young things will happen rapidly. Longer visits, unsupervised visits, overnight visits then home. Two weeks tops. They will be gone forever as quickly as they came.

We will be asking mom for contact after the move and the ball will be in her court. We have no doubt she'll say no but will ask just the same.

Jill has more of a grasp of the impending change and showing signs of turmoil. Jack doesn't quite seem to get it. I'm still trying to wrap my mind around what lies ahead and pray with all my might it goes as smoothly as possible. It's going to rock their world.

Ours, too.

Surgeon General's Latest..

Warning: Be advised that overloading on hot dogs, chips, lemonade, cake and ice cream then bouncing like a maniac has been proven to be hazardous to your health. Side effects include (but are not limited to) googly eyes and puffy lips that whistle.



Participate at your own risk.

Perfect Moment Monday

One of the many Perfect Moments captured this weekend unfolded (literally) a couple hours before Jack and Jill's birthday party began. Some delivery guy showed up at the door.. What in the world was he putting up in the side yard??



Why, a Dalmatian Bounce house with a slide, of course! What you can't actually see are the 2 little Perfect Moments happening as they bounce (and slide and screetch in delight) inside the house.





And did I mention they were still in their jammies?

I Capture
Perfect Moments.

A Scene From Our Saturday

Squealing Twins & Their Dobersitter.

Under Where?

What happens when you don't use the laundry shoot and toss the dirties down from the second floor?



Hysterics ensue, of course.