Adoption Update

Hmm where to start...this all gets so confusing about what kids I've written about and what kids are no longer on "our list" and which ones we are still looking into!

Okay so the sibling group of four from far away state are already matched with a family.

We inquired and submitted our homestudy today for two brothers (almost 3, 3 months) from nearby state.

AND...

Our adoption worker finally got word that she can work with us to submit our homestudy to the far away agency (NY) that does special needs infant adoptions.  So Mike and I sat down tonight and submitted our client application and homestudy to the agency.

So as of right now we have homestudies submitted for...

Sib set of 3 (b-3, g-2, b-8mos) from our state
Sib set of 2 girls (7, 1) from nearby state
Sib set of 2 boys (almost 3, 3 months) from nearby state
Special needs infant adoption agency

Happy New Year 2011

After toasting in 2011 with sparkling apple juice, we sat and talked about the fact that while 2010 was a good year for our family, we are anticipating a GREAT year for 2011 :-)

Last year after deciding to come up with a "word to live by" for the new year instead of a resolution, I wrote...

"My word for the New Year is Believe...believe that anything is possible, believe that things happen for a reason, believe that stepping out of our comfort zone will lead us to our next child(ren), believe that we can take on the responsibilities of our new child(ren) and will be given the resources we need!"

While Believe was a good choice for the year and truly helped me keep my head in a good place, I've decided to go a little stronger with my word this year.
 
My Word to Live By for 2011 is DETERMINATION.
 
Determination to make things happen.  I WILL have the drive, dedication, nerve and persistance to do what I need to do.  I WILL NOT rely on someone else to make it happen, wait for a "better time", accept less than I expect, feel powerless.
 
There are several areas in my life that DETERMINATION is needed, a few of them are...
 
Adoption....I will actively look for "our children", I will do what I need to do to open new doors, I will not let anyone (adoption workers) make me feel like I'm asking too much of them/too many questions.
 
Weight/Health...I will do what I know I need to do to be healthier, I will not wait for a better time, I will focus on being healthier everyday.
 
Home...I will work on not procrastinating (making more time for doing fun things with/for my family), I will work on being a more patient mom and wife, I will work on focusing on the positive.

**Determination**

Christmas Day 2010

We spent Christmas morning as we usually do.  Brooke & Lexy woke us up about 8am and we all headed out to see what Santa left.  After looking at their gifts from Santa and their stockings, we took turns opening the other presents.  After everything was open Daddy started taking things out of packages and putting them together while Mommy made breakfast for everyone.  Our tradition is that we each choose what we like best for breakfast and we have a little of everything, this year it was blueberry muffins, sausage, hashbrowns, pancakes and bacon.  After breakfast Grandpa Tom and Mammaw came over with great presents and they got to have the tour of gifts from the girls :-)

This year Lexy asked Santa for and received a Squinkies playhouse and Brooke wanted makeup.  For their big gifts from us, Brooke asked for a TV for her room and Lexy asked for Pembo (a talking/walking penguin)...they received those and many more!

Christmas Eve

As per tradition, we went up to Papa & Grammy's house to celebrate Christmas Eve.  While there Brooke and Lexy received many great gifts from Papa & Grammy and their traditional pajamas, book and slippers from Mike and I.  When we got back home, the girls sprinkled "reindeer food" on the lawn and Lexy fixed some cookies and milk for Santa.  Before bed Daddy read "T'was the Night Before Christmas" to Lexy. :-)

Merry Christmas!

There's a lot to catch up on here but for now I'm enjoying my wonderful family!

Cousins Day

Instead of adding to the chaos of toys at my brother and sister-in-laws house this year I decided to do something different for Christmas.  I took my sister-in-law, Brooke, Lexy and my nieces and nephew (Ashley, Tori, Sheila and Toby) out for lunch and to a place called Jumping Jax that has bounce houses and slides and a zipline.  I already knew my girls loved the jump place so it would be a gift to them to.  The kids all had a great time playing with their cousins for the day!  I think we might make Cousin Day an annual tradition!!

Winter Party

I was in charge of Lexy's 1st grade class winter party this year.  We played pin the nose on the snowman and then a game where they filled a snowman container with marshmallows (what a mess!).  And then they received WAY to much candy and goodies as usual :)  The kids had a great time and were completely filled with sugar by the end of the party!