Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Missing You

Two years ago, we spent the day
together. We went to a museum,
bought grab bags, and
ate a picnic together.
Sometimes it feels like so
much more than two years.
Sometimes it feels like so much less
than two years.
I miss the normal things of life.
I miss the parks, museums, picnics.
I miss the kids yelling,
"Oma, Oma, watch this"
I miss you watching what they were doing.
I miss the joy on their faces as they
ran to you.
I miss the joy on your face as you saw them running
towards you.
I miss the little things. The days that were
special just because they were days
we spent together. I miss all of the days
that you won't spend with us.
I miss all of the parks that we'll visit
without you.
I miss all of the things that we'll do without you.
I wish that we could have done more.
I wish that you'd never gotten sick.
I wish the kids were saying,
"Oma guess what. Oma look at this.
Oma I love you."
I wish you were here to watch them grow up.
Mom, I miss you so much.

Monday, April 26, 2010

Trenton Falls

Three times a year, Trenton Falls is open to the
public.
Once a vacationing hot spot, the
falls is now part of a power company.
The hotel is long gone, and all that
remains of the family that ran this vacation destination
are some markers in a grave yard.
The falls are beautiful.
Despite the fact that we really needed to do some
work around the house, Jon and I loaded up
the kids to enjoy a Saturday hike.
It was a perfect day to explore, laugh,
and make memories together.
Our house, and the work that goes with it,
will be around forever. Our four children
will only be this age once.
What a fun day we shared together as a family.

Friday, April 23, 2010

A Magical Kingdom

My kids love playing outside.
Yesterday, I stepped out the back door
into their kingdom.
A Storm Trooper was climbing the tree
(with a helmet-hey you can never
be too safe).
A toddler was trying to ride a basset
hound, after slaying her with a
sword.
Megatron was in another tree, keeping
his eye on the Storm Trooper.
Also in a helmet-just in case of
a fall.
Then there was the leprechaun bride,
who married Megatron,
and was only a magical
leprechaun because
of her long socks. What a fun, and funny,
kingdom to visit. I hope to return soon.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Sweet Boy

Our older two children have terrible
sleep issues due to their multiple placements in
foster care. It is a rare thing for me to see this.
My sweet boy, tuckered out, and sleeping like
the little angel that he is.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Flowers

I don't think their are any flowers as
beautiful
as the first dandelions of
spring picked by
my four favorite children.
Their gifts of love melt my heart.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

One Step Closer

Last week, we celebrated some VERY
happy news.
Our family will be growing by two.
The boys' birth mother
decided that she wanted Jon and
me to adopt her boys.
A painful decision for her, became a
wonderful gift for us.
How exciting that these
two children,
who we love so very much,
will now become
our children legally.
What a night of celebrating our family did!!!

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Fun At Zoo Class

Today we enjoyed zoo class.
We learned about the rain forest,
how important it is, the
animals that live there,
and what happens
each time a tree is cut down.
Today, my sweet Doodles was the
teacher's helper.
This was an EXTRA big deal, because
Doodles is usually
super shy.
Today, she bravely held a cockroach,
and carried it around.
Her job was to let each of the kids
take a turn petting it.
I was such a proud Mommy.
My baby is growing up way too fast!

Monday, April 12, 2010

A Date With The Youngest

Each week, I try to take just one kid with me
to go grocery shopping. I didn't think Baby D.
would want to go, but he did.
He doesn't like to be left out
of anything.
His two favorite words yesterday:
"NO!" and "Why?"
His favorite phrase:
"Just me Mommy. This fun Mommy."
So thankful that Jon watches the
rest of the kids, so that I can go out and
have fun with just one.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

A Weekend Of Fun

Kids change EVERYTHING about
your life. They change the way
you look at life and the way you spend your time.
Gone are the days of sleeping in on
the weekends, going for a run together,
going out for breakfast, and then
doing anything we wanted for the rest of the time.
Instead, weekends become family time.
Time Daddy is home from work and we
get to do things as a family.
I miss the time before kids, when time was ours,
but I sure do love the time
we have with our kids.
On Saturday, we packed the whole group of kids up
and enjoyed some time at a local arts and
crafts kid expo.
There were all sorts of things
for the kids to see and do.
It was an activity that was
perfect for all of them.
The kids enjoyed having their
faces painted.
They spend a lot of their time during the days
thinking up various ways to
be a "gang".
Yesterday, they were "The Face
Paint Gang".
They also enjoyed making
pencil pompoms
and stringing bead
necklaces.
We spent our entire morning and part
of the afternoon at the arts
expo.
I think, if the activities had
gone on all day, the kids would
have staid forever.

We really did have a great time together.

Having kids is a TON of FUN!!

Friday, April 9, 2010

First Taste Of Summer

When the weather warms up,
the ice cream stands open up.
A good time,
was had
by all.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Roller Coaster Ride

For almost three years P. and Baby D. have
been in foster care.
Last month, a judge that had never met them, made
the decision to make their foster care stay four
years. He gave their mother another chance.
Jon and I love the boys' mother. We've prayed for
her, invited her to church, and tried to do all that we can
to welcome her into our family. We both believe that
when we help her, we are helping her boys.
Over the weekend, she messed up. She left
her supportive housing, started using drugs again,
and made the decision that she cannot raise her
boys. She wants them with us.
She feels they will have things with us that they will never have
with her. Older siblings, a father.
I can't imagine what her heart is going through. I know how
much she loves her boys. I know how much they
love her. Today, we went to court.
She was prepared to sign over her rights to them.
The judge asked her to wait until Monday. To make sure this
is what she wants. And so we wait with her.
We pray some more. We wonder about their future, our future, her
future. We pray for the Lord's will above all else.
We wait until Monday.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Just Another Morning

It started with this outfit. I laughed my
head off when I saw what she
slept in.
She kindly let me take her picture.
Baby D. forgot to wake up his listening ears,
so he spent some time naked in
the naughty corner.
He doesn't seem to realize he was being naughty,
notice his cheesy grin.
Meanwhile, they tried their best to take a test,
but really who could concentrate with
all of that noise?!
And sweet P., he decided to help me out
by making his brother's bed.
Notice what a great job he did.
No wonder the time goes so fast when
you have kids. There's just no time to sit down
and have a cup of coffee.
Hope you had a good morning.