My girls

Because I feel that it needs to be said...

We started this current adoption journey because we felt that God was asking us to be open to adding to our family. We have embraced that request and we would be overjoyed to welcome more children into our home and family. BUT if, for whatever reason, that doesn't happen we will be okay with that too...we feel blessed just as we are.

I don't want to forget to be truly grateful for what God has given us.  I have the two most wonderful, beautiful, smart, sweet daughters in the world.  I love EVERY SINGLE THING about them...yes even the sass, whine and stubbornness.  :)  Those two girls make my life complete.  I love that I am the one person in this world that they both feel most comfortable to talk to, to cuddle with and to show their true selves.  I am so blessed to be the one they call Mom/Mommy.

Love For My Daughters

My beautiful daughters, I was blessed with two of you...

You will never know how proud I am of all the things you do.

You came into my world, so tiny and so small...

And I was in awe at the wonder of it all.

Then you placed your little hand in mine...

There was no denying, my heart was yours 'til the end of time.

I have watched you both through out the years, laugh, cry and grow...

And it is difficult to know, that someday I will have to let you go.

I just can't imagine, a day of my life without you...

Because you're a part of me and my love for you is true.

So just remember, no matter how old you are or where you may be...

There's someone who needs you and loves you and that someone is me!

by Debra L. Cash

Court Update

So I guess there was a 4th option for an outcome yesterday that I didn't consider.  The hearing took ALL day 8:30am to 5:00pm and they did not get finished.  There is another hearing set for 2/17 to finish up testimony.  Nobody is sure if there will be a decision made that day or if the judge will then set another date to reveal his decision.

Another month of stress just plain SUCKS!!!

No update

Sadly we don't know what the outcome is.  I talked with our worker at 2pm today and she said she had e-mailed and left a message with the worker but hadn't received a reply.  She promised that she would call as soon as she heard back...it is now 8:15pm...I don't think we'll know anything tonight :(

Court

I've been battling stress the past few days as we got closer to today.  Today is the court date to determine if we will be adopting the three kids that we were choosen for or if they will stay where they are.  I am so ready for this to be over (three months of wondering and worrying, emotions up and down, stress at every turn).  I think I am prepared for whatever the outcome is...I think...

Court started at 8:30 am this morning, we were not invited.  How long it takes all depends on how much testimony everyone gives.  Then the judge will do one of three things today...1. rule for the foster mom and the children will be placed in her custody for adoption.  2. rule against the foster mom and the kids will be placed for adoption with us.  3.  say that he needs more time to decide his outcome and will set a later date for his decision to be revealed.

IF the decision is #2 (judge rules against the foster mom) then we are not sure what the process will look like yet.  We could be asked to pick the kids up for placement today, tomorrow, next week, etc. etc. etc.  Our worker just told us to be prepared to scramble if necessary.

My stomach is in knots :(

Lexy & Mommy Day

The girls were out of school today. 

Mike was off of work but was on call so couldn't do anything. 

Brooke had plans with Lindsey to go shopping for things for their formal dance. 

SO...

Lexy and I had a Mommy & Me Day!

We ate lunch at Lexy's choice (McD's)

We went shopping at Lexy's favorite stores - American Girl, Build A Bear and Target

We bought a skateboard (for her Koala) and Legos

We DID NOT shop for clothes b/c that's what Lexy wanted)

We talked

We laughed

We snacked on ice cream (belgian chocolate YUM)

I'm so glad that God made me her Mommy!

Before & After

For our Family Fun time over the weekend we headed up to Nebraska Furniture Mart to find an entertainment center to go with our new tv (Mike & I's Christmas gifts).  We also went shopping at the outdoor mall since it was so nice out and then we headed to Culver's for dinner and ice cream.

Sunday Mike and I spent a good part of the day setting up the new stand and tv (yes we are finally joining the 21st century!)...

I can't express how much I like the new set up!   Do you see that clutter in the before picture??  Over the years that cabinet had become the catch all for everything and it DROVE ME CRAZY!  So my family has been properly warned that there is to be NOTHING placed on our new cabinet! :)

Red Plate-Lexy (Student of the Month)

We've started a new tradition...the "I am special red plate".  I've been reading about this tradition for awhile now and just picked up a red plate to start it up about a week ago.  The thought behind it is anytime someone in the family does something special, receives a special award/honor or has a special day (b-days, etc.) then that person gets to be honored by using the special red plate.

I got our red plate just in time because on Tuesday Lexy brought home a letter that she had been chosen (by the teachers) as the Student of the Month for the entire 2nd grade!!  So Lexy got to start up our red plate tradition at dinner!

She also got a certificate and a trip to Pizza Hut for lunch with the principal and the other students of the month!

Happy girl = Scared momma

Lexy asked Santa for a skateboard this year...after I said I wouldn't buy something so dangerous! :)

I've put her off every time she has asked to take it outside since Christmas.  Yesterday, after school, it was in the 60's and Lexy asked again to try out her new skateboard.  After several attempts to distract her and making her put on jeans, tennis shoes, helmet, elbow/knee and wrist pads...I finally let her do it.

She actually kinda knew what to do and is pretty good :)

So then she asked if she could work on balancing on her bike again (she's trying to learn to ride w/o training wheels) and she got it this time!  She could push herself with her feet and then balance all the way down the sidewalk!  Crud now real "riding" will be coming soon.

I love that Lexy has no fear of trying new things and she tries and tries again until she gets good at it.  I just wish her "new things" weren't so scary to a momma!  I can so see that girl bungee jumping and sky diving when she's older!

I'm thinking I'm just going to invest in bubble wrap to help keep her safe...or maybe a bubble! :)

New Year

My word to live by for 2012 will be...GRATEFUL.

Some of my other words in past years have been BELIEVE (that all things will work out as they should) and DETERMINATION (to do everything I could do to MAKE things work out the way they should).

While I still believe that all things will work out the way they are meant to and I will do everything that I personally need to do to help make those things happen...I need to be GRATEFUL for the right now, for the little things, for all that I have AT THIS MOMENT!

I will be GRATEFUL for what I have TODAY instead of focusing on what could/should/might happen tomorrow.  I will live IN THE MOMENT, and be grateful for that moment...appreciating the wonderful life that I have been given every single day!

I will be GRATEFUL for the love, health, safety and happiness of my family and friends. 

New Years Eve

As per tradition, we stayed home for New Year's Eve and Papa & Grammy came to spend the evening with us.  Sadly there was a change this year...for the first time ever Brooke had her own party to attend (at Taryn's).  Makes me sad to see her growing up!

We had lots of snack food for the evening.
I made sacks for Lexy and Avree to open each hour with hats, horns, etc. in them.
We put money and glow bracelets in balloons and blew them up for popping later.
Lexy and Avree played the Wii, did crafts and played all evening (easily staying up until midnight!).
The adults played penny poker.
We toasted in the new year with sparkling apple juice.
Lexy and Avree went outside to pop their poppers.
Before going to bed, Lexy and Avree performed a routine (w/the glow sticks) that they had made up.