tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70581613314432145372024-03-13T01:56:18.334-04:00Working toward a baseball team...toRoo2011http://www.blogger.com/profile/06482472261782522104noreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058161331443214537.post-72700217328303837552013-10-05T10:05:00.001-04:002013-10-05T10:05:55.778-04:00FAIL!Yep, that's me. I have said several times I need to update the blog...but it never seems to happen. But today, S is working, D, P & T are upstairs playing, Baby E is sleeping and HM is babbling away next to me, so now seems better time than any other. HM's speech has imploded, I am constantly amazed at the progress he has made. More people can understand him and he is using several work phrases. I haven't talked too much on here about some of the issues with HM's behavior, but there have been concerns. I am happy to say we are making progress in that as well. We have started some specialized "therapy" and we are seeing improvements everyday. HM and D are starting to play together more and more and it is so great to see their relationship grow. We celebrated HM's 1 year home with a trip to our favorite Korean restaurant with some of our family. And then a month later we celebrated his 3rd birthday. There has been a lot of changes in HM's short life and we are truly grateful for his willingness and ability to enjoy the ride! HM loves baby E and has quickly learned to make her smile and bring her a pacifier or blanket when she needs one. I feel we are complete right now as a huge family of 7, I couldn't be more thankful for all of my amazing blessings. <br />
About the rest of the brood. S is working a ton, he is teaching a class at the local university which he is loving. He is also working some overtime on Saturdays (like today). We had a wonderful summer/maternity leave hanging out together and with some friends on our street. I think I was probably the saddest that it had to end. T is in 3rd grade and P in 1st. Homework is no joke in 3rd grade, that is all I can say. Trying to juggle daycare for 3 little ones proved too stressful so we now have a nanny which is awesome! She is ahhhmazing (read: does laundry!) HM still attends preschool 2 days a week. That was the only bad part of moving to a nanny, I really did not want HM to have to adjust to anymore change. The compromise was part time and it seems to be working well, He loves our nanny, C, as do the other kids. HM is also getting speech services through the school one morning a week. He is a busy little guy! Baby E is settling in so well. She is such an easy going girl which definitely makes things easier. We assume she just knew there were 4 kids before her so she better be patient! T is playing soccer this fall too and I am proud to watch her get braver and braver about being an aggressive competitor.<br />
I hope that I will be better about posting, although there may not really be anyone who cares. I hope one day my kids will enjoy looking back and seeing our journey.<br />
<br />
Now the photo dump!! Which is really what everyone wants to see (ie the family)!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3G-DG0kHf1bOIwwrmVjVr-RCmOWatVmaLoW3Z_EX4ObOpIrLvNO7nt8R6lj-n9GPj1uxvxL16VopMu3Y_c8laSHcHnUFbbQmc8PIKxg5Sp_R9mkigQALTJAE2VLMegs_TWB7xjJt_dsTq/s1600/IMG_0734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3G-DG0kHf1bOIwwrmVjVr-RCmOWatVmaLoW3Z_EX4ObOpIrLvNO7nt8R6lj-n9GPj1uxvxL16VopMu3Y_c8laSHcHnUFbbQmc8PIKxg5Sp_R9mkigQALTJAE2VLMegs_TWB7xjJt_dsTq/s320/IMG_0734.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIgFc2VSgg_g7Na3RGr_bEmON3wS7Ov-_G6jozgoP0UDvNbdNIEaa2u4FEXmbcLVHBM77i8it0HHlj527vuljflXKGXBps9B9HjPzwdforLKAYqCEc8Vw3wrPVskgiP80Yxv-ktiA9uBVI/s1600/IMG_0765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIgFc2VSgg_g7Na3RGr_bEmON3wS7Ov-_G6jozgoP0UDvNbdNIEaa2u4FEXmbcLVHBM77i8it0HHlj527vuljflXKGXBps9B9HjPzwdforLKAYqCEc8Vw3wrPVskgiP80Yxv-ktiA9uBVI/s320/IMG_0765.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQyGiZ0DcjxzyKG2J45R6ML9MMzF_o_w22x9AW9uHJoDT4INZ3eNi8XIlkbfX4uNVyDcw5MXMUObUm5_bTzq4hy8dWIJ7BxdBBAbj1rLNs4HtqkHbOrGZkXdaANrhlSuFsM8KOh13dwmM/s1600/IMG_0781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQyGiZ0DcjxzyKG2J45R6ML9MMzF_o_w22x9AW9uHJoDT4INZ3eNi8XIlkbfX4uNVyDcw5MXMUObUm5_bTzq4hy8dWIJ7BxdBBAbj1rLNs4HtqkHbOrGZkXdaANrhlSuFsM8KOh13dwmM/s320/IMG_0781.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPoCqgYfYPhxmU_rzVg8abWBJpqYRsHMykKOhW14p5PtYY50ommKDP11HfH4Ybs9bcmPaTC-VKGFh7YqWVPYHUGkISHcK8RtagLGTeiCDYeoUvhB-LQiV3k7b1duj_sx4I9p4xsZVUXxb_/s1600/IMG_0872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPoCqgYfYPhxmU_rzVg8abWBJpqYRsHMykKOhW14p5PtYY50ommKDP11HfH4Ybs9bcmPaTC-VKGFh7YqWVPYHUGkISHcK8RtagLGTeiCDYeoUvhB-LQiV3k7b1duj_sx4I9p4xsZVUXxb_/s320/IMG_0872.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2BZXbv5ofu042ApvVuNFIvO4yHpRWYW_nO6m1WxIbXNeDDKdhAQXUudPKepguhQ12VDxISpDEwtKSJR_7Sm5Y9A4cy6GXSzf3NMjiPTXkObitR8dvfo202QjcYqQcTgYGzoPeumIuvQyt/s1600/IMG_0924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2BZXbv5ofu042ApvVuNFIvO4yHpRWYW_nO6m1WxIbXNeDDKdhAQXUudPKepguhQ12VDxISpDEwtKSJR_7Sm5Y9A4cy6GXSzf3NMjiPTXkObitR8dvfo202QjcYqQcTgYGzoPeumIuvQyt/s320/IMG_0924.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlCeDSePx-nXsPAEnC8O8VfRpv5J2vJ_rhy43kyE9uxb1oJOozToLMOsaOS0gOB2BLek_Z1u1NWvzF4Sv6RJCsRhHWaUmu3z1dC0xtQsE8EZPrhvYmcXeM6uSSdn1borCs9-WeQVQYUY2I/s1600/IMG_0972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlCeDSePx-nXsPAEnC8O8VfRpv5J2vJ_rhy43kyE9uxb1oJOozToLMOsaOS0gOB2BLek_Z1u1NWvzF4Sv6RJCsRhHWaUmu3z1dC0xtQsE8EZPrhvYmcXeM6uSSdn1borCs9-WeQVQYUY2I/s320/IMG_0972.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-baryCxAUHAowbh9h3dvkj4X1_bvtJ-5Kl4EMizYoQduFoXwTA9aIxrPZzvamIAS6ZwVRT6B3P3yqNo6kPjjMkhUgSfBEGMw82Uzcx-JVW0AgPyL3B01wa-3wbmSuZKzZMSuWiCEigr5L/s1600/IMG_1023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-baryCxAUHAowbh9h3dvkj4X1_bvtJ-5Kl4EMizYoQduFoXwTA9aIxrPZzvamIAS6ZwVRT6B3P3yqNo6kPjjMkhUgSfBEGMw82Uzcx-JVW0AgPyL3B01wa-3wbmSuZKzZMSuWiCEigr5L/s320/IMG_1023.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2SVvNmENkse6kuyAyR41bMJxg6LoCwIvfSqiuyTwkSdFlCq6SHedETkEGJDNSl0g2bwsTSOS8Z34ir0PadwEq9Xaah4f2Ha6NtqAlmOGIcHGcEwfzn7eysBA4fy_J3GoMhn2021Z0U_ul/s1600/IMG_1033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2SVvNmENkse6kuyAyR41bMJxg6LoCwIvfSqiuyTwkSdFlCq6SHedETkEGJDNSl0g2bwsTSOS8Z34ir0PadwEq9Xaah4f2Ha6NtqAlmOGIcHGcEwfzn7eysBA4fy_J3GoMhn2021Z0U_ul/s320/IMG_1033.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFFsKsVpFROXdXc_N9-BkpZkYS0SLxnMeZL3QQDbIFrQuvXn1HNV5WJE1xfvBzf49VjxYdnSZiH5d2a5glBkX-UJ8gTkyFtNp1FwWJm2OiAhT5Bh__ZZWSTzC6DRkYzeydm86BhQWo6pg9/s1600/IMG_1047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFFsKsVpFROXdXc_N9-BkpZkYS0SLxnMeZL3QQDbIFrQuvXn1HNV5WJE1xfvBzf49VjxYdnSZiH5d2a5glBkX-UJ8gTkyFtNp1FwWJm2OiAhT5Bh__ZZWSTzC6DRkYzeydm86BhQWo6pg9/s320/IMG_1047.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid8irxBBAatoSzZyrKVfGJIJq-OvYrpuuyQcfHwLY50L4o0mmyfoy_KYGtmqwYXFSIax1lT7TgOjjqzdYC4GCtNWsNu7T6SmSkJpQjLWTfi2Sho-ABB72SzEBlEEdTEi4hnwe5RU10TBex/s1600/IMG_1084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid8irxBBAatoSzZyrKVfGJIJq-OvYrpuuyQcfHwLY50L4o0mmyfoy_KYGtmqwYXFSIax1lT7TgOjjqzdYC4GCtNWsNu7T6SmSkJpQjLWTfi2Sho-ABB72SzEBlEEdTEi4hnwe5RU10TBex/s320/IMG_1084.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl7cwQw824a_ZKFQDiNM8bT-ambq9aQzsg2wEFYoOiNHhGZlImpTz4ct3T_WelGJyYD00OwpFOMzT-LyaH-08XT1azNSDDyNTfSvMGNdmXd_1NX4hBZXNfp-3PHt7Zh3PWfvXfkNHHJP0j/s1600/IMG_1131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl7cwQw824a_ZKFQDiNM8bT-ambq9aQzsg2wEFYoOiNHhGZlImpTz4ct3T_WelGJyYD00OwpFOMzT-LyaH-08XT1azNSDDyNTfSvMGNdmXd_1NX4hBZXNfp-3PHt7Zh3PWfvXfkNHHJP0j/s320/IMG_1131.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8VOj5yybggdomKRaTZv45BTvJqIPuiDXPa7Z97Gck9WY1s7bpov_MYSTXZal-Uj9nhnGZRiTN9Dep2apmwboq7HmrJzBKcxrKHHfnLxSHS5bAtCejbjOs6YsqDnPCxubSv6GU1AGnyEh8/s1600/IMG_1162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8VOj5yybggdomKRaTZv45BTvJqIPuiDXPa7Z97Gck9WY1s7bpov_MYSTXZal-Uj9nhnGZRiTN9Dep2apmwboq7HmrJzBKcxrKHHfnLxSHS5bAtCejbjOs6YsqDnPCxubSv6GU1AGnyEh8/s320/IMG_1162.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisptgKybWec449CIgA-wqKXCBaZJHqFZQSr8dbc7yZBmh1qJ35WzdvdG6aKTvjDCADAuCegtryb4gG483nl-cb8J-5oZURRGxhfojUgPPXlgyPobwHn8zcxhbTdXJeZqEUNXBglmeDvwxU/s1600/IMG_1216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisptgKybWec449CIgA-wqKXCBaZJHqFZQSr8dbc7yZBmh1qJ35WzdvdG6aKTvjDCADAuCegtryb4gG483nl-cb8J-5oZURRGxhfojUgPPXlgyPobwHn8zcxhbTdXJeZqEUNXBglmeDvwxU/s320/IMG_1216.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdim85qoyO1xYPJT0BxJgfl0AlDCSYnzl00iOoZ6iJe29wqxR-pbqQjkMJU7UF41ConLyVswm0WUALkRqBl4DEq69y4QPKtIqS4nxuNm-BOF8y0xCu-IheNpN0vIzsIXBPA_QQTQxg5NH0/s1600/IMG_1250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdim85qoyO1xYPJT0BxJgfl0AlDCSYnzl00iOoZ6iJe29wqxR-pbqQjkMJU7UF41ConLyVswm0WUALkRqBl4DEq69y4QPKtIqS4nxuNm-BOF8y0xCu-IheNpN0vIzsIXBPA_QQTQxg5NH0/s320/IMG_1250.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsjsleULfa2qj2URozkYJgzC8AAdtXF34fSfteciYqgZ_ijL20ArFrrEs1KD68AeYp31cLElSL_Ruk6WZNsFK58ty2M1-IDBLom6SlGhsnPq61dm1fGSnOwhGrj9xwOZDxt5xo0PQSiACA/s1600/IMG_1060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsjsleULfa2qj2URozkYJgzC8AAdtXF34fSfteciYqgZ_ijL20ArFrrEs1KD68AeYp31cLElSL_Ruk6WZNsFK58ty2M1-IDBLom6SlGhsnPq61dm1fGSnOwhGrj9xwOZDxt5xo0PQSiACA/s320/IMG_1060.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxfKWM_B7HbH32jmPzJKj1Hz_vTDn9eZ4ka46RJZCQcupq2PGmJwgJgpr0_nDl1iUiw9QdzXX_39jeJnX8PNB6Kf8vIrbSRlUeeNyvAsdQLZZmQxANeuoVkrzlh7VtXRvXPwSUdHd5iaL/s1600/IMG_1123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxfKWM_B7HbH32jmPzJKj1Hz_vTDn9eZ4ka46RJZCQcupq2PGmJwgJgpr0_nDl1iUiw9QdzXX_39jeJnX8PNB6Kf8vIrbSRlUeeNyvAsdQLZZmQxANeuoVkrzlh7VtXRvXPwSUdHd5iaL/s320/IMG_1123.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-KpmAEO2VHReck6gN6E7F6_o6jGUkLf22Xd2e7mIDzECNqoDI5_VPWM61B0tPTE-8v_OV2Kmfw6fVWPbavm0ItSU2eK0T3WJWAaS72ams7-6LGqnm2fOLIdPMNLzp8NB3ryH2NQjrPebq/s1600/IMG_1230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-KpmAEO2VHReck6gN6E7F6_o6jGUkLf22Xd2e7mIDzECNqoDI5_VPWM61B0tPTE-8v_OV2Kmfw6fVWPbavm0ItSU2eK0T3WJWAaS72ams7-6LGqnm2fOLIdPMNLzp8NB3ryH2NQjrPebq/s320/IMG_1230.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoUDK4KQskV6JXWd5uDueKDk6RDgMq2rhAr8t6jUcL-TY5t4595bbK74AB-bmxXqfsG6ujACNBxW8RfbCKlmhvIO8zfuzlZfW_Iw4vcMb_tOvqrjawjOa7ND1xW5qjxaHOsbhR5rxQbKRQ/s1600/IMG_1247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoUDK4KQskV6JXWd5uDueKDk6RDgMq2rhAr8t6jUcL-TY5t4595bbK74AB-bmxXqfsG6ujACNBxW8RfbCKlmhvIO8zfuzlZfW_Iw4vcMb_tOvqrjawjOa7ND1xW5qjxaHOsbhR5rxQbKRQ/s320/IMG_1247.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />toRoo2011http://www.blogger.com/profile/06482472261782522104noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058161331443214537.post-44288105893392671532013-06-18T16:47:00.000-04:002013-06-22T02:41:08.077-04:00The elephant in the room..7CsSo I have been meaning to post and just haven't taken the time to just down and do it. HM was evaluated for school services and I was very pleased to learn that he tested quite advanced in his comprehension. He is however still delayed in his expressive speech and qualifies for speech services through the school. I am excited for him to start this as he seemed to connect immediately with the teacher and I have heard fabulous things about her. He did not however qualify for the preschool program which is what we expected. We still have some work to do with HM's control issues and behaviors but he has come a really, really long way. I feel excited to see his language blossom and expect his behaviors to improve as he is better able to express himself.<br />
School has come to an end for T & P. P received an award for his character and we are quite proud of how well he did in his first year of school. He is a bright, sweet, sensitive boy and I am excited for him to take on 1st grade! T completed 2nd grade and it was no surprise that it was a great year for her as well. The only downfall she experienced was bullying. I must say that dealing with that was one of the hardest parenting things I have had to do. I admit, I wanted to go straight to the school and handle it myself, I tried to "it's not you, it's them" message but then one day she didn't want to go to school. In the end it was taken care of, but it is a struggle. How much do you point out the root of bullying and the shortcomings a bully is feeling and how much do you say "too bad, you can't take it out on my kid." I am still not sure of the answer to that. With a kid like T who is empathetic to a fault, trying to have sympathy for the bully then made her protective of them and even justifying the behaviors. So we did have to just say, enough is enough regardless of why they are doing it. I hope we don't deal with that again too soon.<br />
The whole C famly helped celebrate a dear friends' wedding at the end of May. While the bride was gorgeous, I must admit it was the flower girls and ring bearers that stole my eye. T, P, D, & HM along with the bride's nephew were part of the wedding party and were all quite adorable! Pictures below.<br />
But the biggest update of the C family came on June 7, 2013. I guess really I should back up, about 9 months! Last October, when my dear friend, C, asked me to be a bridesmaid in her wedding I gladly accepted. She had only one request of her bridesmaids...don't get pregnant until after November. Of Course this was of no concern or issue for me!! Sort of....little did I know it was a little late for that. Surprise the C family would be growing once again! I have always wanted 5 children and almost everyone I know said I was insane and would never want that many once I had a couple. Well, stubborn me. We were very excited and nervous at the same time. For as "free spirited" and schedule free as we are, we have planned each C family member, HM being Loooong planned and waited for. So this was a new scenario for us. I didn't tell many people. I felt nervous, afraid of what they would say. Not interested in the negative comments. We didn't tell our families until Christmas and even then I thought about waiting...until JUNE! But once we told the kids, that was that. They were excited and soon it became more real. Having had the blessing of 3 previous pregnancies with great outcomes, I was nervous about this one going smoothly. Plus, not any younger! It had been 4 years since I had been pregnant, by far the longest I had gone. Amazingly, this was the best, easiest pregnancy I ever had. Now by the end, I was sore and tired, but otherwise it was great. I cherished as much as I could because this.is.it! No more growing babies for me. 4 times, with 4 healthy babies is more than I can ask. This pregnancy I thought often of the many people I know of who have struggled to become pregnant or stay pregnant and didn't want to take for granted what a wonderful experience I have had. I certainly didn't want to flaunt in any of those people's faces that I had "accidentally" gotten pregnant. So anyway, got negative comments. I had lots of people ask if this was my first and when I said "no, I have 4 at home." UGH the responses. I was lucky to share this whole pregnancy with my neighbor who was also expecting her 5th and that certainly made it feel more normal. And many people did embrace us and shared in our joy. <br />
So I sit here home for the summer with my 5 kiddos. Actually, HM is going to preschool part time just to keep it as part of his routine. He loves it and I know readjusting at the end of the summer would be very hard if he were out of it for 3 months. Baby E came on June 7th. Somehow, she is just similar enough to T,P & D that I can't decide who she looks like. All of the kids love her. HM smiles and says baby and has even made a good attempt at pronouncing her name. We are tired and at times overwhelmed but happy. Glad that the C family has grown twice in the last year. So here are a couple of pictures and the promise that it will be awhile before I post again!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS0hoOvplolwLscL40EfzTyj05MvLYWirOAschE9HRn-998ZJ0cBXJ7zf5UFb98-wrrEW8L7jRAwe1ni0uy7xHFys1qWSNgdijhP33EB4tHmN7W5833vWBjWYJe6Eek-DNsrhyphenhyphenpJsOWCgC/s1600/IMG_5134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS0hoOvplolwLscL40EfzTyj05MvLYWirOAschE9HRn-998ZJ0cBXJ7zf5UFb98-wrrEW8L7jRAwe1ni0uy7xHFys1qWSNgdijhP33EB4tHmN7W5833vWBjWYJe6Eek-DNsrhyphenhyphenpJsOWCgC/s320/IMG_5134.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-u-yWQbqOuzeYPSo9zfpYQMX-tojw2Q-YgsYypivtmMZXIhvwbCvjTz4gpZr3JEeyZ0S0VXBafgvuvVSLIz7gPw40PT6FqZ8Ow8duy-FUQO50sDJS1Ny54_G-qnK18lMFFeSajegqNoB/s1600/IMG_5141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-u-yWQbqOuzeYPSo9zfpYQMX-tojw2Q-YgsYypivtmMZXIhvwbCvjTz4gpZr3JEeyZ0S0VXBafgvuvVSLIz7gPw40PT6FqZ8Ow8duy-FUQO50sDJS1Ny54_G-qnK18lMFFeSajegqNoB/s320/IMG_5141.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWZqooBM3FDV4u0g7XsHykMLwKiErnm53Ipu1heHd3AOMhLw_Sxl9O1BoSnitYymVwHhRJdVdARh4euZp_9mQ51y9kQJ4wadq1pMEhBR0e3Nup8nkAAqoH4Wyi9SwF9fn-7KiP8E_YRy2S/s1600/IMG_5146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWZqooBM3FDV4u0g7XsHykMLwKiErnm53Ipu1heHd3AOMhLw_Sxl9O1BoSnitYymVwHhRJdVdARh4euZp_9mQ51y9kQJ4wadq1pMEhBR0e3Nup8nkAAqoH4Wyi9SwF9fn-7KiP8E_YRy2S/s320/IMG_5146.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWlzgmMoaFnsGkj648MJX996suDq_cvwda2XL4fdeAG4cowf0ThG-yNx_qEjboRZh1rvbL8lLv28fYKaWJDwgk5BxriEIxY5IfMHiDeR9kannymCtDJ0Yybb0lxGv5zanUHdj8aa3O3NYI/s1600/IMG_5156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWlzgmMoaFnsGkj648MJX996suDq_cvwda2XL4fdeAG4cowf0ThG-yNx_qEjboRZh1rvbL8lLv28fYKaWJDwgk5BxriEIxY5IfMHiDeR9kannymCtDJ0Yybb0lxGv5zanUHdj8aa3O3NYI/s320/IMG_5156.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitBkSiO8_PcZSvVwDuxeZCCo1IpNgz_9Md_Bsd9QP3IyJN6MnAG1OoHgb4wrHbgXCO4nNlzY7aMO866kqs63o90GutCOcvfgqFNTLSf_uEjPlDXN1YhXcnQoaoriTKnjnZ5xsecp9zKEx7/s1600/IMG_5168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitBkSiO8_PcZSvVwDuxeZCCo1IpNgz_9Md_Bsd9QP3IyJN6MnAG1OoHgb4wrHbgXCO4nNlzY7aMO866kqs63o90GutCOcvfgqFNTLSf_uEjPlDXN1YhXcnQoaoriTKnjnZ5xsecp9zKEx7/s320/IMG_5168.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
toRoo2011http://www.blogger.com/profile/06482472261782522104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058161331443214537.post-57573685069666186712013-04-21T13:26:00.000-04:002013-04-21T13:26:09.437-04:00March, Spring and AprilWow I don't have time to post or apparently photograph my children. We have been busy, busy but at what I am not really sure. March was anti-climactic. HM has increased his speech services to once a week to see how that will impact him. While he is making huge improvements, he is still very difficult to understand. As he becomes more independent he has also started to really assert his strong will and temperament. It hasn't been easy. I am at a loss as to how to handle some of his behaviors. He definitely likes to be in charge and can really act out when not given his way. It isn't easy to talk about because these behaviors tend to show mostly when it is just mommy, daddy and the kids around. He is a hitter, stomper, thrower and screamer. Several of those being new to us as parents. It is also difficult as our other children have shown some of the ripple effect of HM joining our family. I feel it is important that everyone have consistent rules and aggressive behavior is not tolerated. We have seen many, many irrational meltdowns from P, who at 6, seems well beyond an age where that is an appropriate method of expression. D, like HM, is quite strong willed, and has her share of tantrums, hitting and stomping included. <br />
So suffice to say, it has been challenging a good bit around here. Warm weather certainly has helped, we can all use more time in the sun and fresh air to burn some energy and play with friends. I am constantly thinking about what other interventions or evaluations might be needed, all the while trying to remember that the "terrible 2s" is upon us as well. Nothing like questioning your every parenting decision still after 4 kids! I am not on my A game either and I have to remember that that may be the biggest cause of everyone's struggles. <br />
<br />
"baby D" celebrated her 4th birthday yesterday, even further proving that she is no longer a baby!! She has blossomed into a bright, brilliant, opinionated little girl. I love to see her find her own place in the family, although sometimes I think she might overthrown S and I. We celebrated with a "bounce house" birthday, and after her initial stubbornness I think she had a good time.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRNBH5Pj3zdSwgGWL2lW8Dycdo3b3Q5aLnelFxfy8ESNegiaB9MvyiM3Ejc5EKLHkQj9SXbmox8WHGC-tRw8FCrlfn2pT_9k4suk8b7xU07vOBmdsa8exfhDAHyvFXnTk1qfcKdPZmhmLI/s1600/IMG_8043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRNBH5Pj3zdSwgGWL2lW8Dycdo3b3Q5aLnelFxfy8ESNegiaB9MvyiM3Ejc5EKLHkQj9SXbmox8WHGC-tRw8FCrlfn2pT_9k4suk8b7xU07vOBmdsa8exfhDAHyvFXnTk1qfcKdPZmhmLI/s320/IMG_8043.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUvHsSle3ldtlJvZJXURx5Q-6GJPEaPU_-cr5sMDBhdyRH3o2bjEqYCjF2heI4Um2g-uK10gFC4UPDT8f7bgtFrkr8tIXFEKZvjRZa9HsOuP410lI5Y3LcMZhWtVB_6lhkxGFw7PltMOLS/s1600/IMG_8046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUvHsSle3ldtlJvZJXURx5Q-6GJPEaPU_-cr5sMDBhdyRH3o2bjEqYCjF2heI4Um2g-uK10gFC4UPDT8f7bgtFrkr8tIXFEKZvjRZa9HsOuP410lI5Y3LcMZhWtVB_6lhkxGFw7PltMOLS/s320/IMG_8046.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg74rYnqmb79UMzwe7tCq7z8gVWsmut2r2jIC8ttplmo21qW8zlcTxGRUhGD39KEkoJtIAktVF3iYfUQ1-ktaFuhUztBlMH2avtbQ07HV6w_98OKrcNb1UCRcf0WwOEnVZOg9osr08RW-Zm/s1600/IMG_8048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg74rYnqmb79UMzwe7tCq7z8gVWsmut2r2jIC8ttplmo21qW8zlcTxGRUhGD39KEkoJtIAktVF3iYfUQ1-ktaFuhUztBlMH2avtbQ07HV6w_98OKrcNb1UCRcf0WwOEnVZOg9osr08RW-Zm/s320/IMG_8048.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpsCIwscljraubrvLXnxB9egGAQedQ8t14DS7pQpH63MD6K-CAJSla5Q3Ur6L8gtO5JJ6rKbanfvhYKhnatnsTQ1cgxABrC-K1CNktgaJf28_a1MVKDCq5TFaGUNqfZ1i4zkMYyTejzpHo/s1600/IMG_8065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpsCIwscljraubrvLXnxB9egGAQedQ8t14DS7pQpH63MD6K-CAJSla5Q3Ur6L8gtO5JJ6rKbanfvhYKhnatnsTQ1cgxABrC-K1CNktgaJf28_a1MVKDCq5TFaGUNqfZ1i4zkMYyTejzpHo/s320/IMG_8065.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzOiLfkD0Zyc_hpl6mhwWWq3W26dNQVZY8GInHKVYeCdOgYx-tF9BbF2EqBzFFFBge7D98VHE5smoIYM7i1akLXVVrABcd8pMZgUjMu9TlZqCVR1jf6keTssgo_gD_Njz9sWJxUiD8MUTo/s1600/IMG_8071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzOiLfkD0Zyc_hpl6mhwWWq3W26dNQVZY8GInHKVYeCdOgYx-tF9BbF2EqBzFFFBge7D98VHE5smoIYM7i1akLXVVrABcd8pMZgUjMu9TlZqCVR1jf6keTssgo_gD_Njz9sWJxUiD8MUTo/s320/IMG_8071.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7LeH44EOdY_NQMJsFxjBc2RWdwxGRFZZR7Ue1xI9kSuI1UaG6Q0QbWWSxiW6qielGq2qCve6jqNo13EKI6nMHZBF878aH9AW1Y0IYRh38D5r_gTCE7-Q7eUhIAjVG0kp6RZIQQ9pMr81b/s1600/IMG_8111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7LeH44EOdY_NQMJsFxjBc2RWdwxGRFZZR7Ue1xI9kSuI1UaG6Q0QbWWSxiW6qielGq2qCve6jqNo13EKI6nMHZBF878aH9AW1Y0IYRh38D5r_gTCE7-Q7eUhIAjVG0kp6RZIQQ9pMr81b/s320/IMG_8111.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3_a6J2ZMzxq5lFMqOQBmo_9jQZpSCAmeO8KQhSO3Zn_6R216otXsMMLarhnqJ275Ie8pOVZaYmeI6kWpJhPBQAyw1a-ZfdR3CUnwW2c6SCg8q1etZwwavHUS8hpa_woG9DFPrpdAJwjpH/s1600/IMG_8116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3_a6J2ZMzxq5lFMqOQBmo_9jQZpSCAmeO8KQhSO3Zn_6R216otXsMMLarhnqJ275Ie8pOVZaYmeI6kWpJhPBQAyw1a-ZfdR3CUnwW2c6SCg8q1etZwwavHUS8hpa_woG9DFPrpdAJwjpH/s320/IMG_8116.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
toRoo2011http://www.blogger.com/profile/06482472261782522104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058161331443214537.post-62212228780489712232013-03-06T17:54:00.002-05:002013-03-06T17:54:39.005-05:00Our trip and updateSo we pulled it off and surprised our kids with a trip to Disney! S had been gone for work for a week, so the Saturday he got back we told the kids to pack a change of clothes we were going on a road trip. It worked. We just said we were going to drive through the night to the beach and spend a day. Totally bought it! It was a long drive but totally worth it. As we approached the big arching sign for Disney World S said to T, "I think we may have taken a wrong turn, T can you read that sign?" She did and was so confused. Not P though, he immediately started screaming, "thank you, thank you! We are Disney World!" D and HM seemed fully perplexed but that was ok. <br />
Next surprise was our close friends B&A met us there, and the kids grandparents later that day!! It was so much excitement and they all did so well. HM was so excited to see the HUGE "Nemo" pictures at the hotel and just pointed and screamed. All day at Magic Kingdom and everyone did awesome. I was so proud. We took almost 800 pics total, so I won't overwhelm, but I will add a couple of my favorites. We stayed until Friday and headed home around 1pm. That made for a torturous drive home and HM has become increasingly cranky, feverish and coughing. Poor guy! We learned he had another ear infection and more wheezing. So back on meds for him. <br />
That is the very abbreviated trip story.<br />
<br />
In other news, HM continues to receive speech services and has some of his own language, but nothing most people can understand. I am meeting with the Speech people next week to talk about what else we should be doing. Dr. also said that he may be developing asthma, so we are learning about all of that. <br />
<br />
Today, winter made her true presence and dumped more than a foot of snow on us. Everything came to a screeching halt around here. HM did get to hold a little snowball and it seemed to be his first experience with snow. It was fun to watch his fear turn to delight.<br />
<br />
So those are all of the positive updates. Some of the tougher stuff. Behavior has been an issue with HM as of late. We partly believe that recent illness may have something to do with it and of course being 2, but it is still challenging and can be very exhausting. Being that his is not an only child, it is important that our other kids don't think HM is allowed to "get away" with things that are not acceptable for them. At the same time, his story is different from theirs. They understand that to some degree, but it is still hard. We are trying different things, the language limitation of course adds to every one's frustration. So that is where we are, several steps forward and an occasional step back. <br />
<br />
Now pictures:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoQ0JnVix5cRpB9S1dIPqwQvOiLmX7bMDUCmvlI7WkxjDrRjQ6caNateElzcgzZd2A6ZiFKx2daYJ7jg5qCS9fqKft-UAHZ5guIgbuN7ZRwJU5hD29lne5JVa3jH0i6l6fGS2OE3c4SAvK/s1600/DSC02174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoQ0JnVix5cRpB9S1dIPqwQvOiLmX7bMDUCmvlI7WkxjDrRjQ6caNateElzcgzZd2A6ZiFKx2daYJ7jg5qCS9fqKft-UAHZ5guIgbuN7ZRwJU5hD29lne5JVa3jH0i6l6fGS2OE3c4SAvK/s320/DSC02174.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJJxui8JhxWqF69_yA1ShYmDdYEIx0FTsogkzT3eOUb63IJtwkoty7DIf6VK4m339afG62BVrNY4RcCg9kDPsWdxIoWafU0MRXk3l36ck6hGzlo4NhJ7_5nXj_Ziq1QA9LEUfvhnLiEaE/s1600/DSC02184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJJxui8JhxWqF69_yA1ShYmDdYEIx0FTsogkzT3eOUb63IJtwkoty7DIf6VK4m339afG62BVrNY4RcCg9kDPsWdxIoWafU0MRXk3l36ck6hGzlo4NhJ7_5nXj_Ziq1QA9LEUfvhnLiEaE/s320/DSC02184.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYY7mDcFvssAYxO_0HyKJ7Df1MCJ6xGJFMsWdZaZEZUoQCO0zhJai4PpiMY1cq_Kx4b5tWeV-jT2xBt1F6zsrbEoTMUfZJNvO8VYnbiKJVGzASfKEQzXAmmuexANR1Xfj6mIH-dv_T3uB0/s1600/DSC02212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYY7mDcFvssAYxO_0HyKJ7Df1MCJ6xGJFMsWdZaZEZUoQCO0zhJai4PpiMY1cq_Kx4b5tWeV-jT2xBt1F6zsrbEoTMUfZJNvO8VYnbiKJVGzASfKEQzXAmmuexANR1Xfj6mIH-dv_T3uB0/s320/DSC02212.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz_LrHL6NYDsjcykFr-dz4CEPiE4YHM7vJt7-jJCHq5OH5eyGLB3b2SW0qX6bK-PRdvcWTqQVzu5x6xICayxnOO0CUYQ_w-2hvgPIE8hlfn9BUR15BRfPeMoo5A2438MFGFvySzzvvUoRn/s1600/DSC02256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz_LrHL6NYDsjcykFr-dz4CEPiE4YHM7vJt7-jJCHq5OH5eyGLB3b2SW0qX6bK-PRdvcWTqQVzu5x6xICayxnOO0CUYQ_w-2hvgPIE8hlfn9BUR15BRfPeMoo5A2438MFGFvySzzvvUoRn/s320/DSC02256.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjja9SM4GeBrchtXAu5wF0Ay6u8yGOs6KgbFyvUin3ev-28IqXHV0ypuGfz87qFc10hgrlKLNGXPzOrsD3zF9NjREcbshMIh8ppAdELhCth3eP4bo36wk5jaAo8zBBYX5Qi86-KNX4-YGhs/s1600/DSC02198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjja9SM4GeBrchtXAu5wF0Ay6u8yGOs6KgbFyvUin3ev-28IqXHV0ypuGfz87qFc10hgrlKLNGXPzOrsD3zF9NjREcbshMIh8ppAdELhCth3eP4bo36wk5jaAo8zBBYX5Qi86-KNX4-YGhs/s320/DSC02198.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRamAJ9xofj2WOwbKR0rD_wT_hfUBXrmr5vGPvB9mhIiBjT-sZnQfA743jtgmatxU_aawSgiTtXrRjofMsFq4eMX4NItSZxcHxRf-_zvRodCFK2MzSvOuYDnfyy2ETHL866f5DCsEWFjxb/s1600/DSC02243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRamAJ9xofj2WOwbKR0rD_wT_hfUBXrmr5vGPvB9mhIiBjT-sZnQfA743jtgmatxU_aawSgiTtXrRjofMsFq4eMX4NItSZxcHxRf-_zvRodCFK2MzSvOuYDnfyy2ETHL866f5DCsEWFjxb/s320/DSC02243.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMFUmE7ox9vWLpLlKlotcQhYQ5mZru2x4MJ9uijGlkp0NQ9aMtlJInBTo__dXLploMhm-ozHOn2dbT2lscvhnSFuPQGkqJOqjRnfLJ5v9Y-RtGb4iwGvWyJ8SJC6haUsznt07LWZhZ7CQ/s1600/DSC02269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMFUmE7ox9vWLpLlKlotcQhYQ5mZru2x4MJ9uijGlkp0NQ9aMtlJInBTo__dXLploMhm-ozHOn2dbT2lscvhnSFuPQGkqJOqjRnfLJ5v9Y-RtGb4iwGvWyJ8SJC6haUsznt07LWZhZ7CQ/s320/DSC02269.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW_Ph88s6OYrAnCrpG0FBClOeCXCnBRSGyREspMITX_dlExtr6Z1BzbY2fI1AmpXjpPFrayZyT8dR_EG9D_LT-QmT4uXpTF4BjEM71bEgmSB2wkZq7-6M3PT2s7-47Ajc_HTC15Pyi7TOg/s1600/DSC02268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW_Ph88s6OYrAnCrpG0FBClOeCXCnBRSGyREspMITX_dlExtr6Z1BzbY2fI1AmpXjpPFrayZyT8dR_EG9D_LT-QmT4uXpTF4BjEM71bEgmSB2wkZq7-6M3PT2s7-47Ajc_HTC15Pyi7TOg/s320/DSC02268.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvlC2QjQqToyL3CUo8EyrhadfSp16eGpd6pvchOVC39MpfDk6_-2Trw6JB_880GchbygiDSvS0fVsA5Iygug68tO7gjIuBck2t6KXU2Onq46tNi2siz4BmQ_AY_jCz7cmXLwHuSZ2hXy0X/s1600/DSC02279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvlC2QjQqToyL3CUo8EyrhadfSp16eGpd6pvchOVC39MpfDk6_-2Trw6JB_880GchbygiDSvS0fVsA5Iygug68tO7gjIuBck2t6KXU2Onq46tNi2siz4BmQ_AY_jCz7cmXLwHuSZ2hXy0X/s320/DSC02279.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoLzxk1rK9mDjB8WDFkLVHUiRdKP634rHbBcukVnRhZVFjKHRwKpL-TJRKzNzN0Y3GrE5GLRbufIDLTPcWe74FPvKkjcYGGw1NWD8gGt_Pyez8bJ_G9vgaFxKOJSSgg1Zu3HFUfpIXdy0o/s1600/DSC02318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoLzxk1rK9mDjB8WDFkLVHUiRdKP634rHbBcukVnRhZVFjKHRwKpL-TJRKzNzN0Y3GrE5GLRbufIDLTPcWe74FPvKkjcYGGw1NWD8gGt_Pyez8bJ_G9vgaFxKOJSSgg1Zu3HFUfpIXdy0o/s320/DSC02318.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrI0gfhkexVYPQ_wQosTOra-WcXu63YIZvCq4XNHg0cr3w79IqVaiCswWxwWBuAx9xE9-glm5QCZk1Pk6KJFe5OdBZTYgtBSIVMOqfxOkNVHwksoaeoXzizL_pkq8aEfGt5fBAg15fyffM/s1600/DSC02339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrI0gfhkexVYPQ_wQosTOra-WcXu63YIZvCq4XNHg0cr3w79IqVaiCswWxwWBuAx9xE9-glm5QCZk1Pk6KJFe5OdBZTYgtBSIVMOqfxOkNVHwksoaeoXzizL_pkq8aEfGt5fBAg15fyffM/s320/DSC02339.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfWCWHv6APO3KKrIf7Ce3FTgOJdO7MAY02ondGJh2N6Wjerfdu122QDaZHrHkAF8fsd84-nphiRk8_YEsGq8nnyEzoHm4YZZtE4eBbkhJkmnAOUITwct1s4UAvZ3H96ukTJn_Isizrxg2s/s1600/DSC02337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfWCWHv6APO3KKrIf7Ce3FTgOJdO7MAY02ondGJh2N6Wjerfdu122QDaZHrHkAF8fsd84-nphiRk8_YEsGq8nnyEzoHm4YZZtE4eBbkhJkmnAOUITwct1s4UAvZ3H96ukTJn_Isizrxg2s/s320/DSC02337.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIT8YXuxEfFXcDn7gi9Ukhf5JD4g-QJUwGOOW5r1Pdor0IHYNDTObz_aiVpqeolrvcinTYuRmowz4Wo9byiERkhHj6mNp4aCEYqsnvXmz_Tv-YlOfQ5lO1auDDW2dCrpfffkdGIOU9J8RL/s1600/DSC02353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIT8YXuxEfFXcDn7gi9Ukhf5JD4g-QJUwGOOW5r1Pdor0IHYNDTObz_aiVpqeolrvcinTYuRmowz4Wo9byiERkhHj6mNp4aCEYqsnvXmz_Tv-YlOfQ5lO1auDDW2dCrpfffkdGIOU9J8RL/s320/DSC02353.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNGsCg2pq-RpTVSflgtX_LOdmCTgH7fzPj5wUbkuY8ZKQ-v-HBo4SMLJ2F9cDZSc8-aApZ6Iix-0k2tAyGui2nAFugwH_lN3FEkDB1NW7kA_AxP4gt-91q3as2OwXCaU5JZM2vdRQURbuV/s1600/DSC02357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNGsCg2pq-RpTVSflgtX_LOdmCTgH7fzPj5wUbkuY8ZKQ-v-HBo4SMLJ2F9cDZSc8-aApZ6Iix-0k2tAyGui2nAFugwH_lN3FEkDB1NW7kA_AxP4gt-91q3as2OwXCaU5JZM2vdRQURbuV/s320/DSC02357.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhARj4BVxsvcAb9im95WvRNNL6dqbhTWpXcA6XLceUETd7WzOxXft01NdTWYCEXYKkWdXvHszuDYrpElr3JqqpQd0OMtKDL8fmzo9YAVOV3oK-Tvdpvsb1hXsM-j9EO9Zck8y4YI1rjN1h3/s1600/DSC02359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhARj4BVxsvcAb9im95WvRNNL6dqbhTWpXcA6XLceUETd7WzOxXft01NdTWYCEXYKkWdXvHszuDYrpElr3JqqpQd0OMtKDL8fmzo9YAVOV3oK-Tvdpvsb1hXsM-j9EO9Zck8y4YI1rjN1h3/s320/DSC02359.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhVdSlHL2JDWr-nwqp4WRTHCXIJHFHBnZ_tUYmItquiPep50zTQL-MRWLiQXBCu5aSfYuI8xEzVOpGq5uq5r5ujo5RUdBqzRjG93IBi60gkOE4jOc0c55D-n97eWivTOfP5Tw5dcetHqn/s1600/DSC02435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhVdSlHL2JDWr-nwqp4WRTHCXIJHFHBnZ_tUYmItquiPep50zTQL-MRWLiQXBCu5aSfYuI8xEzVOpGq5uq5r5ujo5RUdBqzRjG93IBi60gkOE4jOc0c55D-n97eWivTOfP5Tw5dcetHqn/s320/DSC02435.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1jDU61zGRrEJpi4ie7En0lWubRTAxc6kuDKaY2397cicLSFwAoDIE50w0E99TUNeOvrogFRsVCMgQ72OgQlgO2RQd-OBl74MdXS30SPO4IrNc3nvvArNgn1SGBpfg7V72FJBNDoQn9DJT/s1600/DSC02424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1jDU61zGRrEJpi4ie7En0lWubRTAxc6kuDKaY2397cicLSFwAoDIE50w0E99TUNeOvrogFRsVCMgQ72OgQlgO2RQd-OBl74MdXS30SPO4IrNc3nvvArNgn1SGBpfg7V72FJBNDoQn9DJT/s320/DSC02424.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVvxTi0fRxMslnfow5PanIrvghyphenhyphenhE5xMpAaukrh3paa8bWRcZa_FXtzXwf_ndmTpraZdpWlPw_aJ-PA-kAuDJe2k0X9JijOrxj0NpIZlTV4ulADmgn-xgwy6bfqiVPgOXgKSZjFRCnEyRM/s1600/DSC02466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVvxTi0fRxMslnfow5PanIrvghyphenhyphenhE5xMpAaukrh3paa8bWRcZa_FXtzXwf_ndmTpraZdpWlPw_aJ-PA-kAuDJe2k0X9JijOrxj0NpIZlTV4ulADmgn-xgwy6bfqiVPgOXgKSZjFRCnEyRM/s320/DSC02466.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUYlKH4pCdn7LYLH_gDmHtgMivDaKANmidPe9yLiWIjes2RjgIHR-PaMjQZG1tPbxdQbORQcaAuyDGGSO4EryXgNiq1b0HofUaHnNIovje4kK66_psnaqJYTuu7HL6CnN3zWsZel0D2UJh/s1600/DSC02473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUYlKH4pCdn7LYLH_gDmHtgMivDaKANmidPe9yLiWIjes2RjgIHR-PaMjQZG1tPbxdQbORQcaAuyDGGSO4EryXgNiq1b0HofUaHnNIovje4kK66_psnaqJYTuu7HL6CnN3zWsZel0D2UJh/s320/DSC02473.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbbBWtQxrsx_2TJjeC9LqeIacdnT2tBjbYhU_iqwl9koWTB2-KqK6TUlUNuYUcCFwbr5Woxu1GYh-cjp-c2nZDUDdo6c3fiX8AhFmZho-CZjQv4K1XGi16kNJU60qBSXvG6S1OgeZ3RXTW/s1600/DSC02522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbbBWtQxrsx_2TJjeC9LqeIacdnT2tBjbYhU_iqwl9koWTB2-KqK6TUlUNuYUcCFwbr5Woxu1GYh-cjp-c2nZDUDdo6c3fiX8AhFmZho-CZjQv4K1XGi16kNJU60qBSXvG6S1OgeZ3RXTW/s320/DSC02522.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcmfckcWgGHT4S1voIpbmTHQMFcDowrjwRoNg7UKm0jq_XjfG5UG28p4bxw7ZbFTsZc6cglZb6dLddbg4yWk7HVTUJbWtATIh-1R_Fk1NDoVivhZYZAhyhO-7tyu6KDv4EQ3JzY5NuPqV2/s1600/DSC02538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcmfckcWgGHT4S1voIpbmTHQMFcDowrjwRoNg7UKm0jq_XjfG5UG28p4bxw7ZbFTsZc6cglZb6dLddbg4yWk7HVTUJbWtATIh-1R_Fk1NDoVivhZYZAhyhO-7tyu6KDv4EQ3JzY5NuPqV2/s320/DSC02538.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHlEYAF_3uoY0U07kIEYJdKkmYv4dGfnYvG0_RedMlPKoknNZFP8em0U9sO2NMFX_ZQi83lNoJYG7TkRu0ZcZbCo2k2CLLEHopsRwBu8Gu2l8enM5YA-3Cj-L1F5KJUcXi_6YJJNxbse6X/s1600/IMG_0041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHlEYAF_3uoY0U07kIEYJdKkmYv4dGfnYvG0_RedMlPKoknNZFP8em0U9sO2NMFX_ZQi83lNoJYG7TkRu0ZcZbCo2k2CLLEHopsRwBu8Gu2l8enM5YA-3Cj-L1F5KJUcXi_6YJJNxbse6X/s320/IMG_0041.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBal9wCbkbcaa4B1g0pBLFYSpPmtaTbTpd3BqR6SbKfMrY1Alg6o4KbHzxC0h8JZ4pfJuaHmzCFYXe6Qbwi1Z-3gJ4MBqua18Ks5OAWRWskBhO7vdUHfzKMPTK8FzAZdtmr8CderUxbAj/s1600/IMG_0202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBal9wCbkbcaa4B1g0pBLFYSpPmtaTbTpd3BqR6SbKfMrY1Alg6o4KbHzxC0h8JZ4pfJuaHmzCFYXe6Qbwi1Z-3gJ4MBqua18Ks5OAWRWskBhO7vdUHfzKMPTK8FzAZdtmr8CderUxbAj/s320/IMG_0202.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwyN3z49PiltqbOHg_CjPmfNPA3RUqAMPfCAZwnW8DPHSLrsmioM5dyIq0J6WQjdpsHETERncGfPdU_xIZ9_Nnl_HdmnVdv-heO1WADe6yqxNZvVlzurlsBPf1y2RaIcryvhFK-SCCLXqx/s1600/IMG_0241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwyN3z49PiltqbOHg_CjPmfNPA3RUqAMPfCAZwnW8DPHSLrsmioM5dyIq0J6WQjdpsHETERncGfPdU_xIZ9_Nnl_HdmnVdv-heO1WADe6yqxNZvVlzurlsBPf1y2RaIcryvhFK-SCCLXqx/s320/IMG_0241.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-h8-cDxSkaUUwSDDtKHtqXIYuBu60nnUCUUT6oivz6ukf5NBKh5tIqmi89HZALIhga3dnxOa4x240RVTYEblSCV7eyMudZLbAI5xvT9J_g1eg6pN-_BhCt-fkoGYLMENKTa4JYazTf2s/s1600/IMG_0252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-h8-cDxSkaUUwSDDtKHtqXIYuBu60nnUCUUT6oivz6ukf5NBKh5tIqmi89HZALIhga3dnxOa4x240RVTYEblSCV7eyMudZLbAI5xvT9J_g1eg6pN-_BhCt-fkoGYLMENKTa4JYazTf2s/s320/IMG_0252.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghx7aR0NJzCD5KIXAbg-33HLiD1Gr32f5rPHvoOWC30tA0hCHLBMPPhc2xhvc6bdMBUTseM0926ezn7XBkQwiSDe5CiWSBcPHKxLpeJ60bwP_zLQMMb4HYhxS-J61N9TOzkLC7KoRGnwVW/s1600/IMG_0279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghx7aR0NJzCD5KIXAbg-33HLiD1Gr32f5rPHvoOWC30tA0hCHLBMPPhc2xhvc6bdMBUTseM0926ezn7XBkQwiSDe5CiWSBcPHKxLpeJ60bwP_zLQMMb4HYhxS-J61N9TOzkLC7KoRGnwVW/s320/IMG_0279.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />toRoo2011http://www.blogger.com/profile/06482472261782522104noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058161331443214537.post-62845014695346592752013-02-22T20:47:00.001-05:002013-02-22T20:47:42.396-05:00I'm a slacker!I have not done well recently. I have lots of things I want to write but have just been too busy/lazy to actually post. Lots of things going on, but probably the most exciting....we leave tomorrow for a special place where Dreams come true! The kids know nothing, and that makes it that much more exciting!! I can't wait to get back and post some pics! I promise I will do better, I will catch everyone up and it will be wonderful!<br />
Til then...off to mouse land we go...toRoo2011http://www.blogger.com/profile/06482472261782522104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058161331443214537.post-21022690376574965392013-01-14T20:05:00.000-05:002013-01-14T20:34:51.508-05:00Whew...the holidaysEvery year I wonder how we get through the craziness that is the end of the year. Between Thanksgiving and New Years it is true chaos around here. I know you are all dying to hear about it, so just a brief recap (and by all I mean the 2 people who read this, and they really probably already know)!<br />
<br />
<br />
Christmas was a wonderful week of lovely celebration. The kids got gifts from our very close friends to start the holidays off right. B&A are usually the first gifts the kids get this time of year, it is kind of turning into a tradition. HM initially was TERRIFIED of the talking Nemo they had picked out, but is now quite in love. We travelled a couple hours away to see my dear friend, T, who was visiting from far away Texas. She is recently engaged and brought her adorable fiancee, who didn't seem at all phased by my 4 sweet rug rats. We visited with them at T's parent's house, which was great, because I got to see all of her family. I spent many a Christmas break at their house, and they will always be family to me. While in the area we visited with my parents and bestowed upon them a little C craziness to add to the holiday cheer. We also accomplished our first hotel stay/over night away from home since HM came home. I must say all seemed to go very smoothly. It is funny how routine and structured HM can be and at the same time just rolls with the flow of things. I think fun was had by all, I know my parents were happy to have us, and probably just as happy to see us head home. It's ok, I understand.<br />
I must add that while the holidays brings busyness and chaos to every one's home life, it also brings ABSOLUTE insanity to my work world. So while trying to squeeze in some Christmas cheer, my co-workers and I were busy, busy, BUSY little elves. Makes you appreciate your days off, and having people you really like to work with!<br />
Anywho, we spent Christmas Eve, just us, the 6 Cs. I must say it was quiet and relaxing, I mean as quiet and relaxing as it ever is here. The kids opened new jammies, or MeeMee's as HM calls them, and headed off to bed. Christmas, S's mother, stepfather, and brother came over to enjoy a little C chaos for themselves. The kids were adequately elated and overjoyed with all of their prizes. However, I must mention that Santa left them a note letting them know that he does watch all.the.way.until Christmas Eve! I see an elf reporter in our future. <br />
From Christmas Day until that following Friday, was pretty much a blur. Fevers somewhere in there, crazy work, RIDICULOUS snow, wait that might have been before Christmas...see BLUR. That Friday my mom came up to take P out for a birthday celebration. My sister and dad were unable to make it, but the 6 C's and GG make a party anyway. We ventured to a restaurant, which we never do. An interesting thing happened. While there, a lady at the table next to us was very interested in us and HM, his story, where he was from, how long he had been home. All kind, appropriate sweet questions. She complemented us on our beautiful family (I know) and then out of the blue came over and gave each kid a gift card to a local store. She said her family had been through a lot that year and had been blessed and she saw our kids and wanted to bless them. She told us to take them to the store and let them pick something out. I was shocked and touched, and probably didn't handle it well, because all I said was "Thank you!" I will pay it forward soon in honor of her. <br />
Anyway, Christmas Day for me is the one week mark to my FAVORITE holiday ever, at least since 2007.<br />
MY precious, sweet baby boy, P, entered this world on New Years Day 2007. He was in fact the "New Years Baby" of that year at our hospital, and he didn't show up until 5:25pm. We had been waiting for him at the hospital since the afternoon before. What he taught me that day, 1st was that you can't enter the world ear first and 2nd, having him would make New Years Day my new favorite holiday. He is 6, S-I-X people, I can't believe it! He is tall, has lost teeth, can read and constructs Legos like he was born to. He is a momma's boy, and I LOVE it. I have a sister....and 4 female cousins. Having P brought so many new things to my world. So, having babbled on about that, New Years Eve he set out to make it to watch the ball drop. Last year he tried and passed out on the floor in front of the couch at 11:30pm. Despite my best efforts he didn't make it then. But this year!!! He napped and was ready to go, and he made it! Not sure it was all he expected it to be but he did it. We have amazing, fabulous, patient, kind friends who are willing to hang out at our house on NYE even though they don't have kids and could easily be anywhere else having a great time. So P had a lot of Happy Birthdays as soon as the clock struck midnight. Then we all went o bed by 12:05.<br />
Cake the next day a couple presents and then back to work for the rest of the week. The end of our Holiday extravaganza comes at P's party, which was the following Saturday. This is the point where I wonder how we make it. 18, yes 1-8 kids came over for a Lego party. It was loud, really, really loud. And it was a BLAST. S made an amazing cake, and Lego head marshmallow things...he rocks. The kids built Legos and colored and screamed. We sugared them up and sent them home. Good times!<br />
Now we are back into the routine of life and it is all settling back down. We have some exciting things on the horizon...I am really looking forward to February....<br />
<br />
OK here are some pics...birthday pics coming soon.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvtxe7HBlVvyB6jY4UjZAIbCVBcnn2WZNKNNQW898xb8j_ZkJ-O1jAVs-MU5kVez8kYD7Zx-pAjjKE-9Iltvl2r4syr0VOda8ygmO6To7TKQhULj1W_jTFPmgJTano35xI5gl-CF4enulN/s1600/IMG_7853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvtxe7HBlVvyB6jY4UjZAIbCVBcnn2WZNKNNQW898xb8j_ZkJ-O1jAVs-MU5kVez8kYD7Zx-pAjjKE-9Iltvl2r4syr0VOda8ygmO6To7TKQhULj1W_jTFPmgJTano35xI5gl-CF4enulN/s320/IMG_7853.JPG" width="179" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifsI6yDKMbEevwlDeaKwQuuB4JU34Q5tBAYTqg503T9DJC2UVwxZOO-zk-vnszIE3CQYff133DuG1uAR32jj51yWJFYtxpYQnZyHIaCAQ-jrqJCRrQQ4XPRNXd3um5lKvvtMsSj0ROpoy_/s1600/IMG_7855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifsI6yDKMbEevwlDeaKwQuuB4JU34Q5tBAYTqg503T9DJC2UVwxZOO-zk-vnszIE3CQYff133DuG1uAR32jj51yWJFYtxpYQnZyHIaCAQ-jrqJCRrQQ4XPRNXd3um5lKvvtMsSj0ROpoy_/s320/IMG_7855.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ3LXEAzPbc-xkyv0SALP6mh5XAUCJHAQc9M3KvkEjDJu4AhEPNJdKHAvBUUUpG9h1r1yLAztQMqAYd7jSeEqZjB7PA1E3AgXp_Ap-26ZB3t1GePeAEQkrHr1khsBPJ56ENaa3MCMwCD_O/s1600/IMG_7857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ3LXEAzPbc-xkyv0SALP6mh5XAUCJHAQc9M3KvkEjDJu4AhEPNJdKHAvBUUUpG9h1r1yLAztQMqAYd7jSeEqZjB7PA1E3AgXp_Ap-26ZB3t1GePeAEQkrHr1khsBPJ56ENaa3MCMwCD_O/s320/IMG_7857.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHGdDDol-nkMIc0Us7htZvEaQAqJ3io1RucpTvfoDk5VAWFCF_UvHErnwbXAvAbahFCFhexLje90Tw-CeYtSIU7_eXWBtMGyF1mQKjL37GZ-XcKyeY-DwKE5GXJkHwJJl96h9PvS0EBCM/s1600/IMG_7878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHGdDDol-nkMIc0Us7htZvEaQAqJ3io1RucpTvfoDk5VAWFCF_UvHErnwbXAvAbahFCFhexLje90Tw-CeYtSIU7_eXWBtMGyF1mQKjL37GZ-XcKyeY-DwKE5GXJkHwJJl96h9PvS0EBCM/s320/IMG_7878.JPG" width="179" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejs1KoOavZ4cLPOBMElh3EQGz_ibPIP69YO8yHXRXBksZqBbD5fcpT6q4haTLmhEuJwuD85s2dPi55yW0EFGvQt4K_fECdIPgHepyTWmyEl6pypx61p6EwgmofmSWI8oRB6x5BYLo2cHm/s1600/IMG_7874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejs1KoOavZ4cLPOBMElh3EQGz_ibPIP69YO8yHXRXBksZqBbD5fcpT6q4haTLmhEuJwuD85s2dPi55yW0EFGvQt4K_fECdIPgHepyTWmyEl6pypx61p6EwgmofmSWI8oRB6x5BYLo2cHm/s320/IMG_7874.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHlds4HISAZvA8sIXtMIHPh9jI9vFBP-9aeu0Ahj5KrxuV56JEr8vjEic6omQb4QVLmX3rql7WAjfbbUm6jwvyRKqUUaGBnJ6mcuKdI-6q1ERuIKQ1Q8yxxq4uSm-vkOTOC5nSg95-NVVH/s1600/IMG_7910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHlds4HISAZvA8sIXtMIHPh9jI9vFBP-9aeu0Ahj5KrxuV56JEr8vjEic6omQb4QVLmX3rql7WAjfbbUm6jwvyRKqUUaGBnJ6mcuKdI-6q1ERuIKQ1Q8yxxq4uSm-vkOTOC5nSg95-NVVH/s320/IMG_7910.JPG" width="179" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0oJWcqqVUiGU2RGerNjkywV2FsoWhk2APcSneSaw12Kbs8iSlVuXq786mT_yyS6VdtHJOcccD2IK9KvHr3AXoVU-O0Lyh5QKXSeVKDjnr_NR9J6s9dfs6S2HAT9HChtgbEQXaNKgiPLtv/s1600/IMG_7887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0oJWcqqVUiGU2RGerNjkywV2FsoWhk2APcSneSaw12Kbs8iSlVuXq786mT_yyS6VdtHJOcccD2IK9KvHr3AXoVU-O0Lyh5QKXSeVKDjnr_NR9J6s9dfs6S2HAT9HChtgbEQXaNKgiPLtv/s320/IMG_7887.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx2THxUreWXwI1lQXZ2POVGzlHWCSjC5DP0oUG9R6_YddljJyp6zO_ATl8RQoLliQvxXGHJyCUrUftMGrtKQr8yxG244PtSwHw1ThLXvK2BdETAKjZ0PoHKi5h_QtJei277jfBBqAofoO5/s1600/IMG_7895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx2THxUreWXwI1lQXZ2POVGzlHWCSjC5DP0oUG9R6_YddljJyp6zO_ATl8RQoLliQvxXGHJyCUrUftMGrtKQr8yxG244PtSwHw1ThLXvK2BdETAKjZ0PoHKi5h_QtJei277jfBBqAofoO5/s320/IMG_7895.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYPP8Lflw72TT4Wt57tlMG7m7URtfEZX3_n6Hc4T3uZWVDtaQHux9ZP4w2IFvFpu4Aq7_3mDhyphenhyphenR62Dq38yF4SX3sT4qF19bWD2fR2walshmSJnNCThpVZV0KgL-zps9SHAs5EXUX5YnPGj/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYPP8Lflw72TT4Wt57tlMG7m7URtfEZX3_n6Hc4T3uZWVDtaQHux9ZP4w2IFvFpu4Aq7_3mDhyphenhyphenR62Dq38yF4SX3sT4qF19bWD2fR2walshmSJnNCThpVZV0KgL-zps9SHAs5EXUX5YnPGj/s400/010.JPG" width="223" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCXzAKtr0dWQRuL672DzuvWxH0skJ7DEO3M5At3HOOesKvM-0eEna5IqQm2nmpVhoaq1aR55rGTeQFymoMT5U8Pa-Daleo8KlwB2BVv3U2CRJbOnhL4a3-Q6G6MkNqIpOLqjFHQKb7-4IV/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCXzAKtr0dWQRuL672DzuvWxH0skJ7DEO3M5At3HOOesKvM-0eEna5IqQm2nmpVhoaq1aR55rGTeQFymoMT5U8Pa-Daleo8KlwB2BVv3U2CRJbOnhL4a3-Q6G6MkNqIpOLqjFHQKb7-4IV/s320/002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxf82HuJzcjNmRbTdN_bNitySgvztgueu0gkGuIkQ98Bu1_RX9VSdqteIRI3k1T-IycQvaHDJGNxFacyE-wuy4BMo_eHHo3k9kcQB4jOVHri4kcJWANcgexwkEr5gf9SQCssKQ0hd6QDkf/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxf82HuJzcjNmRbTdN_bNitySgvztgueu0gkGuIkQ98Bu1_RX9VSdqteIRI3k1T-IycQvaHDJGNxFacyE-wuy4BMo_eHHo3k9kcQB4jOVHri4kcJWANcgexwkEr5gf9SQCssKQ0hd6QDkf/s320/012.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbaaIRb5-E3z3VThnr4rZYZ8baDZgJS_VKnzW3EP1GJgVyTK9XqCzjlpZhvp08hz-wkjRH-ijltw2kUZAJA1O4oI1-rUsr7HYAyD3XbbOTDooig_Fks7syw320OcAr7aY5pVr6wMMPIK5O/s1600/034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbaaIRb5-E3z3VThnr4rZYZ8baDZgJS_VKnzW3EP1GJgVyTK9XqCzjlpZhvp08hz-wkjRH-ijltw2kUZAJA1O4oI1-rUsr7HYAyD3XbbOTDooig_Fks7syw320OcAr7aY5pVr6wMMPIK5O/s320/034.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQUKHSFJ44d3xqhsczX-LSTa7ZSGSBWhQfnZ-Qd_elwDZ3w8miF1POBMphPb9Wc2wuwJRGrDavugOmy0OT0n1Hwrl46e8mFdtARrNbzasd_lNgK_Ta0EYKH27Bgrwo7i77iNvPAdUSTKe/s1600/039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQUKHSFJ44d3xqhsczX-LSTa7ZSGSBWhQfnZ-Qd_elwDZ3w8miF1POBMphPb9Wc2wuwJRGrDavugOmy0OT0n1Hwrl46e8mFdtARrNbzasd_lNgK_Ta0EYKH27Bgrwo7i77iNvPAdUSTKe/s320/039.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIb-y2dCawDZMzh4pOwnl-T20Ivej7gRYydD-qaQK9rAaPEBx3jrdKmUti4Ow2ac8mn0Lvz2XqeUZJxtD8QuUlImMYqS3L5IhvOmxaMpN9jQHU6cfBT62xHxIkl64IgSH1y9xideGo7p9i/s1600/041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIb-y2dCawDZMzh4pOwnl-T20Ivej7gRYydD-qaQK9rAaPEBx3jrdKmUti4Ow2ac8mn0Lvz2XqeUZJxtD8QuUlImMYqS3L5IhvOmxaMpN9jQHU6cfBT62xHxIkl64IgSH1y9xideGo7p9i/s320/041.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBiLe04cAfWvpmERJyKm6swKIZYgdag6dVOWdllDcwZu91hiNXirLfN2EqeObzBxYsP8yEiEzwI8s9hXphukou60rhJwLaCozdguF9NYzJwcp5lJdJQYZY04gQttm7YAIwXT_vUF_RLIRv/s1600/049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBiLe04cAfWvpmERJyKm6swKIZYgdag6dVOWdllDcwZu91hiNXirLfN2EqeObzBxYsP8yEiEzwI8s9hXphukou60rhJwLaCozdguF9NYzJwcp5lJdJQYZY04gQttm7YAIwXT_vUF_RLIRv/s320/049.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiFZ-npDEi1RybO13lV693ou2-qzrUurFN8gu_OqprzNP24pbclK-2G6lctgUtYST7DXwu8DtSSnhjhfBstyWX-Wxpo97LITScOBaEXwUTulbkuKzSzNPfywNA-wsHCQcAPEPANuJlglk2/s1600/056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiFZ-npDEi1RybO13lV693ou2-qzrUurFN8gu_OqprzNP24pbclK-2G6lctgUtYST7DXwu8DtSSnhjhfBstyWX-Wxpo97LITScOBaEXwUTulbkuKzSzNPfywNA-wsHCQcAPEPANuJlglk2/s320/056.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJzaF5df9DRAyet762Qgm_e8Ufc1udPfhj8dieM15EWGy66o8mogMoEV25841A0ZM52P4eefNpLM4pVvyqxSQFGgkrVE3Ylns_AAjQcaHDTRlllpowqoJhnlcNbK0gcEpxVxLgBqjulSF/s1600/058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJzaF5df9DRAyet762Qgm_e8Ufc1udPfhj8dieM15EWGy66o8mogMoEV25841A0ZM52P4eefNpLM4pVvyqxSQFGgkrVE3Ylns_AAjQcaHDTRlllpowqoJhnlcNbK0gcEpxVxLgBqjulSF/s320/058.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />toRoo2011http://www.blogger.com/profile/06482472261782522104noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058161331443214537.post-47442744117129140692012-12-19T20:54:00.000-05:002012-12-19T20:54:12.051-05:00Naughty or NiceIt is that time of year, which list are you on??? Around our house, there are some of us that have not yet concreted a spot of the Nice list. T & P are of course highly motivated to remain in the good graces, as they can fully understand the expectation...be good= get presents. The little ones. Not.So.Much. HM definitely doesn't get it and I know Santa has no expectation that he be good all the time. As far as D goes, she is the wild card. I thinks she is old enough, and certainly smart enough, to understand that Santa wants you to be good and nice, especially to your mom and dad!!! Let's be honest, she's calling his bluff, and showing her stubbornness skills. I keep warning her that Santa is watching, but it hasn't yet stopped her from <strike>an occasional </strike>frequent meltdown, complete with feet stomping and yelling. Oh Santa, how you have met your match this year. What will you do??? Hold out...no gifts, or cave? That is the exciting question that will be answered Christmas morning.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmhbqvA7pqp8doy47awl3CZZ4ApibyWZzi0hj-vcZDYnNmYY63IdyokeSM4FDaEDYH9c3ugth_ywGG-llbdf9garTzgd7ApGT93HPmVYMRJ0VqQBAFE6edR0LJimdmBOXpPiwLG_tezd9/s1600/IMG_7829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmhbqvA7pqp8doy47awl3CZZ4ApibyWZzi0hj-vcZDYnNmYY63IdyokeSM4FDaEDYH9c3ugth_ywGG-llbdf9garTzgd7ApGT93HPmVYMRJ0VqQBAFE6edR0LJimdmBOXpPiwLG_tezd9/s320/IMG_7829.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG4GuGy8d2OBB4PsomimSgv5cgrmjmKrFjElFsMhYwaNVSQrH7a7Yjziahou6hctY_VK8Sb-YQXsXe2lJMKtv2fCurm3Xb7EAGou3HgjK8gRYslb6keYcq9NrteglwV0qe3NmzKms5mMDY/s1600/IMG_7775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG4GuGy8d2OBB4PsomimSgv5cgrmjmKrFjElFsMhYwaNVSQrH7a7Yjziahou6hctY_VK8Sb-YQXsXe2lJMKtv2fCurm3Xb7EAGou3HgjK8gRYslb6keYcq9NrteglwV0qe3NmzKms5mMDY/s320/IMG_7775.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzlD2YjUm7tuh6qiO_u76kS_pAWPScLxf_vzedKz2JsPebIPQQ6VLecqep6pLmjgIz9NUSM4Il-jvznjmjkAJkcI7y4I6Kk_OgoB-F0fPyJMRL_WgsbTpOgElw7NUZw2VKp4QsS4HzAds1/s1600/IMG_7845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<br />
<br />
Before we delve into where Mommy & Daddy are on the naughty/nice list, let's talk about other things that have been going on.<br />
First, we have had illness....lots of it. From right before Thanksgiving until well today, as I sit home with a feverish 2 year old, we have definitely had our share of cold weather yucks!<br />
One of my greatest friends, T, got engaged, and I am so excited for her. She lives too far away and I don't get to see her enough, but I can't wait for her big day! We have known each other way, way, WAY too long (like make you feel old, long) and I have waited for the perfect guy to come along for her, and she has definitely found him. So excited for them!<br />
HM is speaking more and more everyday. He understands so much, but still struggles with expressing his wants and needs. He is getting braver about trying to say new words and sounds. What a brave boy he has been to tackle a whole new world. We have a picture of him and his Omma on our fridge and for the first time the other day when looking at their picture, he said "Omma." YAY! Speaking of HM, this Saturday we will have our last, LAST, LAST, (got that), LAST post-placement appointment, before we can finalize! Yippee, that means this journey that we started in early 2010 will end and the rest of our lives will begin. Really, nothing will change in our day to day life, he is our son and very much a C, but with finalization comes the legal stuff that says what we already know and live every day.<br />
<br />
Now, the important part. Where do I fall on Santa's list???<br />
Well, I will tell you some of this things I have been up to and you tell me...<br />
good things first:<br />
<ul>
<li>I work in a noble field where I help people, the young kind, everyday. Hopefully I help improve their lives...that's a good thing right?</li>
<li>I perform random acts of kindness, not enough, but still. In November, I paid for the meals of an older couple behind me in the drive thru...not a huge thing, but it made my day!!! Just last week, I paid to for a tow truck to unlock a gentleman's car after he locked his keys in it. He had had some rough times, and well it was the right thing to do. </li>
<li>I say thank you to anyone who holds a door, serves me a meal or helps me in a store. </li>
<li>I/we sponsored 4 children for Christmas this year. </li>
<li>Saturday I helped give out gifts to several hundred children at a work event.</li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj23uBSZfW6aFO1aTbOwyN-c52tdkXNL_WbloY7Bo_hVTyHbVu__ai8mU1SH3xxZMoLsZzYq3TLLnphxjVN2DU5T4pjFc_ce6QMNQPKGDuhqvN6C5wina1el5ATiB2xbtNJu0xGG00lOtyz/s1600/famXmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj23uBSZfW6aFO1aTbOwyN-c52tdkXNL_WbloY7Bo_hVTyHbVu__ai8mU1SH3xxZMoLsZzYq3TLLnphxjVN2DU5T4pjFc_ce6QMNQPKGDuhqvN6C5wina1el5ATiB2xbtNJu0xGG00lOtyz/s320/famXmas.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1AzBdEtdXavA0N-Wn0bV39yqxn5GOl07a1v4spkIVJF5ctiRhGyzkBPqY6cgyn7bRVa33OWDCFmZ2kS0fnCQ106GA5EejlDtSasKwFj5kFWmv5gre2s-OG988_laSj9f8WIj6EmZfjYW/s1600/IMG_7791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1AzBdEtdXavA0N-Wn0bV39yqxn5GOl07a1v4spkIVJF5ctiRhGyzkBPqY6cgyn7bRVa33OWDCFmZ2kS0fnCQ106GA5EejlDtSasKwFj5kFWmv5gre2s-OG988_laSj9f8WIj6EmZfjYW/s320/IMG_7791.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<ul>
</ul>
<br />
Whew, that was really hard. It is much easier for me to highlight my naughty points:<br />
<ul>
<li>I have road rage. </li>
<li>I hate doing laundry especially putting it away. It often sits folded (usually) in the basket til a kid digs it out to wear.</li>
<li>I live for nap time!</li>
<li>I eat too much candy.</li>
<li>Sometimes, ok a lot of times, a raise my voice...ok, yell.</li>
<li>S says I am lazy and, well, he's right.</li>
<li>I hate doing dishes.</li>
<li>Let's be honest, I hate housework. thankfully my sweet, sweet husband is much more of a neat freak.</li>
<li>I am impatient. </li>
<li>I get frustrated easily with people's stupidity.</li>
<li>sometimes, I lie to my mom.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<ul>
</ul>
<br />toRoo2011http://www.blogger.com/profile/06482472261782522104noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058161331443214537.post-31760316928973095592012-11-21T14:53:00.000-05:002012-11-21T14:53:01.759-05:00Thanksgiving EveI promised I would do a Thanksgiving post, before Thanksgiving, and I will. There are so many things to be grateful for. From the tiny, tiny things, to the enormous and obvious ones. The C's have lots to be thankful for and I want to share. In no particular order, things I am thankful for:<br />
<ul>
<li>My husband, S. I cannot say enough how special he is. He is a goof ball, and he is stubborn and certainly many people don't see the same guy I do, but too bad for them. He puts up with me and that is no small feat.</li>
<li>T. She is such a joy to parent. (not always, but usually) T amazes me everyday with how bright she is. She has an insane thirst for knowledge and a heart as big as her brain. </li>
<li>P, my gentle soul. Right now, I am especially thankful he is feeling better after being under the weather. He has made us so proud as he has taken on Kindergarten and done so well. I was so proud to hear his teacher say he is patient and empathetic with his classmates. </li>
<li>D, the crazy Buggy. D provides our comic relief everyday around here. She also provides a good number of headaches, but they are totally worth it. She is getting to big and is certainly proving to be a very bright girl who will accomplish anything she puts her mind to.</li>
<li>H, I am especially thankful that the 6th C member, HM, is home to celebrate this holiday with us. This will be he first "big" American holiday that he will celebrate with us, and for that I am thankful. </li>
<li>I am thankful for H's amazing progress. He has been home 4 months and I see progress everyday. It isn't always easy and for that I am really thankful. To see H push limits and resist us...tells me that he feels comfortable with us. He isn't pretending to be perfect for our benefit. (not say I wouldn't love perfection from everyone one night a week!!!)</li>
<li>Definitely can't forget I am very thankful for a SPONTANEOUS hug from H the other day. It meant so much I don't think I will stop talking about it for awhile.</li>
<li>I am thankful for his birth mother who gave him the chance to be here and part of our family. </li>
<li>my friends. I feel like I have said this before, but I have the best friends a person could ask for. From far away, to right down the street, I have people who truly care about me and my family. </li>
<li>Along with that I am thankful for the fabulous friends that are growing their families. Friends that are getting married in the next 12 months (& have asked me to be part :)) and those welcoming new babies. I love to watch these great families grow. </li>
<li>a job that is crazy, overwhelming and even sometimes seems impossible, yet fulfilling, and amazing and a blessing.</li>
<li>my coworkers that go with that crazy job. They make it easier, fun and such a true adventure. </li>
<li>Blessed to live in my neighborhood. We had no idea when we settled (literally) on this house that we landed ourselves in the BEST neighborhood on EARTH. Amazing people that we have so much fun with and can borrow an egg from while still in our PJs. (I know, totally jealous).</li>
<li>My family, the ones that don't live under the same roof as I. (mom, is that proper? me or I, can't ever remember). I don't get to see my family that much, but I am grateful for each of them. Some via blood relation, some got stuck with me through marriage. </li>
<li>and not to get to global, but I am thankful to be American, to have the power to have an opinion (I have lots) and voice it. I appreciate that not everyone shares my opinions, but I am thankful we are afforded that voice. </li>
<li>Long weekends and the holidays. I am glad to have a little down time and to move into the Christmas season. I cannot believe how quickly this year has gone.</li>
</ul>
<br />
I did ask my kids what they were thankful for, to which they all replied "Mommy & Daddy." Of course they are!!! That itself is a reason to be thankful. My children are very thoughtful and kind and make me so proud. And well, the LOVE me....YAY.<br />
toRoo2011http://www.blogger.com/profile/06482472261782522104noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058161331443214537.post-34785467038873996912012-11-12T09:48:00.001-05:002012-11-12T09:48:18.449-05:00Halloween and other eventsOf course I mean to get to this much sooner than actually happens. I have good intention of writing a nice post about all the things I am thankful for. Many of my friends on FB have been posting their daily "thankfulness" and I decided that I would do just that, but not every day. So there I have set myself up for at least one more post in November.<br />
<br />
Now for a little recap of our comings and goings recently. Of course HM got to celebrate his first Halloween. I can't say it was his new favorite holiday but he didn't seem to loath it either. HM was a tiger, and quite an adorable one at that. S. Korea does not celebrate Halloween, so I wanted to be sure to give him a little space to figure out all these crazy kids in ridiculous costumes. As for the rest of the clan, T was "Elvira", P was Captain America and D was a butterfly. I must say I thought they were quite the adorable group of misfits. We did our dutiful trick or treating with almost all of the children on our street, which further proves my belief that I live on the best street in the world. More about that in the next post!!!<br />
<br />
We also had a kid Halloween party. This is something I have done several times over the last 8 Halloweens that I have been a parent. I always think it sounds like an easy task, then find my self exhausted when it is over. But I won't stop. I love to see the joy on my kids faces as they play games with their friends and all the costumed children running around. <br />
<br />
Cheerleading ended and my squad rocked their routine for the exhibition! I had had my doubts, but somehow the pressure of hundreds and hundreds people helped them pull it off. T really enjoyed cheerleading, and that both pained me and brought me such joy. She really is quite capable of learning a routine and hold a rhythm. I want her to pursue whatever she loves, and right now it appears to be cheerleading. <br />
<br />
In the HM department, language seems to be moving along. He is babbling a lot, which seems like the right direction. He has some new words and certainly seems interested in learning more. He is still receiving speech twice a month and I am seeing improvements. I am still surprised by how much he comprehends and at the same time, how much he can ignore that which he understands when he wants to. He definitely appreciates the duties of a 2 year old. We are still working on using "gentle hands" as daycare calls it.<br />
<br />
This weekend I was dusting and cleaning and trying to take advantage of the beautiful weather. HM got 2 photo albums from his foster family when we picked him up. I brought them down from the shelf and he began to look through them. He saw several pictures of his foster mom and immediately said "Mom Mommy" (what he calls me). I was glad to see how quickly he recognized her and remembered who she was in his life. He regularly sees her picture on our fridge but doesn't seem to pay that much attention. <br />
<br />
The other thing I found interesting with HM was his language shift. We try to use some Korean words yet we do speak English mostly (obviously). I said "An Nyoung" (hi) to him and he replied "HI!" Part of me felt sad that he doesn't say An Nyoung but knows it is HI. It certainly reminds me of the loss of culture that inherently happens with adoption. At the same time, I love that he can make the connection and know that they mean the same thing.<br />
<br />
WOW, lots of babbling. This year is flying by and I cannot believe Thanksgiving is merely weeks away. Ahh, soon we will bide a farewell to 2012 and hello to 2013. Crazy, time moves so fast!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo24WWnITrBukIz22FjZLQAlNudVW-2izJaOq5p692ExO5MC9gI0flfkKk1UEtLszawgBdrVbxysvujs44SFxcfwTxyfc3l3FQmcLXbId4JQ-cKiv819upgKZSiDAWd329xfMq3jlbtWNe/s1600/IMG_7763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo24WWnITrBukIz22FjZLQAlNudVW-2izJaOq5p692ExO5MC9gI0flfkKk1UEtLszawgBdrVbxysvujs44SFxcfwTxyfc3l3FQmcLXbId4JQ-cKiv819upgKZSiDAWd329xfMq3jlbtWNe/s320/IMG_7763.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNhVntPVhDVThE5yK1Vp978vNu1nF6WZWSIFac7HGDB50qEYAZ7RJVCXUSCuQB-JhCHQ0JjaF5H6WM1aHrEF4VmbNeovrpPvdC54qDv9oOtZPGWyijz_U9NYu6_hNTpOFGg3GQZbQQq-Jc/s1600/IMG_7722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNhVntPVhDVThE5yK1Vp978vNu1nF6WZWSIFac7HGDB50qEYAZ7RJVCXUSCuQB-JhCHQ0JjaF5H6WM1aHrEF4VmbNeovrpPvdC54qDv9oOtZPGWyijz_U9NYu6_hNTpOFGg3GQZbQQq-Jc/s320/IMG_7722.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV5JoDPM5-_p_ZuP5irHnQivS3idW_RJFC2EQbA4UtpeA9hAkyxQET5JeVXjn17b-g-eFUt-LavpZM2F69LXRLQ7C6Y-mh7_dY1Tb_tR2_TLBR4uKWsdbBCRC-_mOKatguNYCgR8s-9Kle/s1600/IMG_7761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV5JoDPM5-_p_ZuP5irHnQivS3idW_RJFC2EQbA4UtpeA9hAkyxQET5JeVXjn17b-g-eFUt-LavpZM2F69LXRLQ7C6Y-mh7_dY1Tb_tR2_TLBR4uKWsdbBCRC-_mOKatguNYCgR8s-9Kle/s320/IMG_7761.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG6EiIL27885sw3i2udP7m7j3B4u3Jpw7kC7M7EAhEA6Txmfsz6O9cfE_zDYBVmHlioJ6ictK3EVt3kwkgByBIS9sWMPYE84CVbRIHAjday_ML1t140_xF3q-446Zjtl7ddXs8Xagj7OHI/s1600/IMG_7770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG6EiIL27885sw3i2udP7m7j3B4u3Jpw7kC7M7EAhEA6Txmfsz6O9cfE_zDYBVmHlioJ6ictK3EVt3kwkgByBIS9sWMPYE84CVbRIHAjday_ML1t140_xF3q-446Zjtl7ddXs8Xagj7OHI/s320/IMG_7770.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
ok some pictures....the best part!toRoo2011http://www.blogger.com/profile/06482472261782522104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058161331443214537.post-68788442307507727012012-10-23T19:46:00.001-04:002012-10-23T19:46:32.269-04:00Several steps forward, and some back too.So I may have spoken just a little too soon last post. We had a couple of amazing weeks and then a slide back. HM has been showing his personality and I think trying to figure out where he fits into his new surroundings. With that there is a lot, I mean A LOT, of whining and stubbornness. Now, if you know me then you know those are 2 of my best talents. Whining and being stubborn. As you can imagine I am proud to see he will take after me on some ways. Of course it also makes for some intense standoffs...me vs. a 2 year old. <br />
All that being said, it is my favorite time of year and we have been enjoying it. HM is starting to say a couple more words and is settling nicely into preschool. The other kids still adore him and never seem to get frustrated by his intensity or rough hands. We have enjoyed apple picking, , pumpkin picking, baseball, cheer leading and soon Halloween. I am so happy to have these great chances to capture wonderful memories. It is so fun to watch all 4 kids outside enjoying the beautiful weather and each other. <br />
And now for the pics:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIeqwDvcq5saTUh47B6yfKSXirzUGMdG18X_DXbUsX4woJz82EW7FAJjZqHv70waWfMpC-6FWo5k9rG5nEf0o-__OzGgOkBNENhgso843XsRH_pX6d-6rO2iSCZUBjg1NXwWebPg91YcfW/s1600/IMG_7515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIeqwDvcq5saTUh47B6yfKSXirzUGMdG18X_DXbUsX4woJz82EW7FAJjZqHv70waWfMpC-6FWo5k9rG5nEf0o-__OzGgOkBNENhgso843XsRH_pX6d-6rO2iSCZUBjg1NXwWebPg91YcfW/s320/IMG_7515.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBVpqSh2vDJ3BSDYaMT9-jUtHSuvyxZJKOPLMUSu4Fa6HH8O1-p-hTZB95nxj4HY-PMn_mreWXrrNEXwXXsdPJQhz2__Jlyu5ghmyiYIJABJFnMC4ZB0IDL-FeJpgC8Pkaj6H50o83RDOD/s1600/IMG_7576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBVpqSh2vDJ3BSDYaMT9-jUtHSuvyxZJKOPLMUSu4Fa6HH8O1-p-hTZB95nxj4HY-PMn_mreWXrrNEXwXXsdPJQhz2__Jlyu5ghmyiYIJABJFnMC4ZB0IDL-FeJpgC8Pkaj6H50o83RDOD/s320/IMG_7576.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTN8DxjyUvg4azb8Lm3FXSuQUJGFh-CaWcC7Jme6A4WyEms1hS1qX2CGq4-HD9YUKFjpzm_FSz5JGjo9qVeh6g31GIVCt2NiJ5Ul5Q4eunVNyys8yrjhmqj1R5_A-DvTpTbUBcI4UAtucp/s1600/IMG_7599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTN8DxjyUvg4azb8Lm3FXSuQUJGFh-CaWcC7Jme6A4WyEms1hS1qX2CGq4-HD9YUKFjpzm_FSz5JGjo9qVeh6g31GIVCt2NiJ5Ul5Q4eunVNyys8yrjhmqj1R5_A-DvTpTbUBcI4UAtucp/s320/IMG_7599.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_K43Bpg14Nn20dNtreRziQftbufEooVCh0XSou34BR65JekCPdIf2YhXfuYuXBs4EmKMSjtsjQ9pSbzRa0QKu4VHE3LILqZDTE-WRtXD3GdPLNgq15X0prCLDFVdUMWlpoCmL3fc-N3M/s1600/IMG_7612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_K43Bpg14Nn20dNtreRziQftbufEooVCh0XSou34BR65JekCPdIf2YhXfuYuXBs4EmKMSjtsjQ9pSbzRa0QKu4VHE3LILqZDTE-WRtXD3GdPLNgq15X0prCLDFVdUMWlpoCmL3fc-N3M/s320/IMG_7612.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIQiePapAIwJan-xy6WPS4-A-rj0Kves_6PfG2XPPzTFrQ9zvNOnTEubqD1s0EkTUDpdHbH4GZUY4LcG2Ba2RXK5C4srHuYDaE5GHJhWJGoYlTLd4hSEkLwsSEE3ptLhL1uDYnc-b_QAlU/s1600/IMG_7614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIQiePapAIwJan-xy6WPS4-A-rj0Kves_6PfG2XPPzTFrQ9zvNOnTEubqD1s0EkTUDpdHbH4GZUY4LcG2Ba2RXK5C4srHuYDaE5GHJhWJGoYlTLd4hSEkLwsSEE3ptLhL1uDYnc-b_QAlU/s320/IMG_7614.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGYPt4tSBTs3HdEF2C3cNgKg3I-JXLmzg7cgpF1VB1aACTPCWj-mTKTsSc2WqpgIv1ZQaeWfMdPvLjgq8HnY2-Zp5IgTM7xbrd6YQ6mWoszXeHhPbnv4ZSdWOpO3ogJAv9iAwslIyMNSWd/s1600/IMG_7635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGYPt4tSBTs3HdEF2C3cNgKg3I-JXLmzg7cgpF1VB1aACTPCWj-mTKTsSc2WqpgIv1ZQaeWfMdPvLjgq8HnY2-Zp5IgTM7xbrd6YQ6mWoszXeHhPbnv4ZSdWOpO3ogJAv9iAwslIyMNSWd/s320/IMG_7635.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckEmQskbpemXN1bEIrPzRsrmoStU4ULaEjBZv2hdYzNm1dHriugWEcIulzAGS26i5-a8ykohZWsMsDgqfTJt8D7lWUDsI4wzJPBF6YpGzLyo9pSugUT9O2zI_9O1JmFTQot4oCPSsUIjF/s1600/IMG_7648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckEmQskbpemXN1bEIrPzRsrmoStU4ULaEjBZv2hdYzNm1dHriugWEcIulzAGS26i5-a8ykohZWsMsDgqfTJt8D7lWUDsI4wzJPBF6YpGzLyo9pSugUT9O2zI_9O1JmFTQot4oCPSsUIjF/s320/IMG_7648.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiK_osYbwnnoUAI4RkGpEnq_-BJL_bHGIUg0-RrCwrYDlEGw_616UkLgaAzmBIsL_k4yMqYho0UrDyH24rY2w4_2sNi9-_6iVhe6fTI-N3-xh-krvQl29ygC1BUqPzBb1tK0dHzU717a6L/s1600/IMG_7660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiK_osYbwnnoUAI4RkGpEnq_-BJL_bHGIUg0-RrCwrYDlEGw_616UkLgaAzmBIsL_k4yMqYho0UrDyH24rY2w4_2sNi9-_6iVhe6fTI-N3-xh-krvQl29ygC1BUqPzBb1tK0dHzU717a6L/s320/IMG_7660.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitraumX0uDOZPkqCgZeQy-14DBkZPAhtczKLsWeuYzZeka4-2Qevb17A40Eb_6fmwBXbI-rr6tUIm4VYp1itBh6WHnBa6sQSwdDoTrxa7huHieAmSrHOuSi0DmBLmRtkd-ia9IMkTmfj1m/s1600/IMG_7662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitraumX0uDOZPkqCgZeQy-14DBkZPAhtczKLsWeuYzZeka4-2Qevb17A40Eb_6fmwBXbI-rr6tUIm4VYp1itBh6WHnBa6sQSwdDoTrxa7huHieAmSrHOuSi0DmBLmRtkd-ia9IMkTmfj1m/s320/IMG_7662.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbngvwmppsa4KhwchWg2KhiyB4glT5pxZO_G0uq5BygPR9QaglILrmOvsZ_suqNLuf9U8lyghDY2Gjf-Sbn2EpursszkgvGhJ4Fmhj0Em4_6RA35iXSex0c0i4_dUbDZW4yJAtTsjEY7X2/s1600/IMG_7689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbngvwmppsa4KhwchWg2KhiyB4glT5pxZO_G0uq5BygPR9QaglILrmOvsZ_suqNLuf9U8lyghDY2Gjf-Sbn2EpursszkgvGhJ4Fmhj0Em4_6RA35iXSex0c0i4_dUbDZW4yJAtTsjEY7X2/s320/IMG_7689.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjREfcNwSH0FOJu66LoUsuhmVKhzFKvo3wwOY4weKEDvflAaNXZUEEBJJDAza_WuKF70v5j0L0UoVqGmE_GeXvDnx6vOF4es75DxMQQ_el0nl3CJgMFMcsOA1jDMdYxvcbpoVPZMJ8M4S8O/s1600/IMG_7716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjREfcNwSH0FOJu66LoUsuhmVKhzFKvo3wwOY4weKEDvflAaNXZUEEBJJDAza_WuKF70v5j0L0UoVqGmE_GeXvDnx6vOF4es75DxMQQ_el0nl3CJgMFMcsOA1jDMdYxvcbpoVPZMJ8M4S8O/s320/IMG_7716.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4LLga1LXmWmkO_47u6cYDoaO0NLuQpZc2GTKQWZHYyU16oZHaL_rO0OSZDP94EmIGQCPGRZhNNcA1ADZcuipgZKGs2H-ywmpTxuEb1LsIhTV1RjeEXobEHa7piTz47SXUGSkmmAlK8qfa/s1600/IMG_7717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4LLga1LXmWmkO_47u6cYDoaO0NLuQpZc2GTKQWZHYyU16oZHaL_rO0OSZDP94EmIGQCPGRZhNNcA1ADZcuipgZKGs2H-ywmpTxuEb1LsIhTV1RjeEXobEHa7piTz47SXUGSkmmAlK8qfa/s320/IMG_7717.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTRM6A3VFbFNapHAdnTCGo-nfqkcRqnl3e_PvfPzCmGT74erh6M7uXqFgEXgV9LbXpLFl4vEVFZIFVTdK6xhFeBGZG8N0exlhqK4ooDyz1WYuXUzioiNK_6mnn9HAlOm98_c32LBjA-Wk/s1600/IMG_7677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTRM6A3VFbFNapHAdnTCGo-nfqkcRqnl3e_PvfPzCmGT74erh6M7uXqFgEXgV9LbXpLFl4vEVFZIFVTdK6xhFeBGZG8N0exlhqK4ooDyz1WYuXUzioiNK_6mnn9HAlOm98_c32LBjA-Wk/s320/IMG_7677.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyEUKz_W9yJFI27xbmrnuPj7cxaYq6iiUDB67vxXFGwC52m-HQ0rFhIqkHAxdTAqm1nWDZsS6rLgxV_z7BqGSYscuUKD7iLDMwG41aONgCsV35-fv3VTq8Us_oTvssu6BlFnVwNnd-eb7F/s1600/IMG_7678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyEUKz_W9yJFI27xbmrnuPj7cxaYq6iiUDB67vxXFGwC52m-HQ0rFhIqkHAxdTAqm1nWDZsS6rLgxV_z7BqGSYscuUKD7iLDMwG41aONgCsV35-fv3VTq8Us_oTvssu6BlFnVwNnd-eb7F/s320/IMG_7678.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRCNCk_EG6JAMfbLS3THzTKQZdsehE291e7qlL-995zPsorCjqiI8Lsh2qx08c7SJWA9WHvno9fewNpZ1939iX_NrBxRY9mmIa_U28qWnj2gEtf8jJ1y1Jw9ShfZDsIejcfgj4vWqaknLd/s1600/IMG_7714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRCNCk_EG6JAMfbLS3THzTKQZdsehE291e7qlL-995zPsorCjqiI8Lsh2qx08c7SJWA9WHvno9fewNpZ1939iX_NrBxRY9mmIa_U28qWnj2gEtf8jJ1y1Jw9ShfZDsIejcfgj4vWqaknLd/s320/IMG_7714.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
toRoo2011http://www.blogger.com/profile/06482472261782522104noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058161331443214537.post-15486397494372802522012-09-30T09:05:00.000-04:002012-09-30T09:07:43.779-04:00on the corner, maybe even around itWe seemed to have almost "turned the corner." Things are settling in and starting to become mostly easy, at least in the HM department. He has been in preschool now for a week and a couple days. While he cries when he gets there, he seems to recover quickly. He is always excited to see whichever of us picks him up. His language also seems to me coming along. Most of what he tries to say is not understandable but we know he is trying to make the right sounds. He gives a verbal response for more, thank you, all done (or all gone), mommy, dada, hi and up. Pretty huge I think. He will begin receiving speech at preschool. HM loves a routine, so I think he will adjust quite well with preschool. Maybe the only thing we cannot get him to understand is "inside voice." He is one incredibly LOUD child, happy, sad or other, he is loud. Now, of course, our house with 4 kids is rarely quiet, so he may just think he needs to always raise his voice, but we are still going to try to teach him "quietly!"<br />
As far as the other C children, we are in the midst of baseball and cheerleading, yes CHEERLEADING...bleh. I somehow agreed to assist in coaching cheerleading even though I know.nothing.at.all about cheering. They are having fun and that is all that really matters. Kindergarten is going well, 2nd grade seems to be the same, so all is well there. D, or as she is better known Buggy, is still having a time. Of course, by nature, she is a strong willed, obstinate girl but we seem to be seeing much more recently. I hope it is her dealing with the adjustment and not a permanent shift in her temperament, but we are doing the best with what we got. I have thought of shipping her off to GGs sometimes!<br />
And now for some pictures:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7mbv5oFdojw1H9WzkiKk5XQTLi6v9qN8ZToqfaFV6y8n5OJ_L5IVEMaeaZZyM7vpq4YLAITapUZNZFlEBHsdE5PmtJwg-H9Emby4U5z9xRr5Dp0olOG9coW9YWHQ2_tGMVcMRr6t87Fc_/s1600/IMG_7468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7mbv5oFdojw1H9WzkiKk5XQTLi6v9qN8ZToqfaFV6y8n5OJ_L5IVEMaeaZZyM7vpq4YLAITapUZNZFlEBHsdE5PmtJwg-H9Emby4U5z9xRr5Dp0olOG9coW9YWHQ2_tGMVcMRr6t87Fc_/s320/IMG_7468.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjghTaV3eXhnh3R96h9l1hA4r7C8I86IiNv1V1czmT1buyqERBWhJpzC4H5ZuQupF5X-mm72njkUwBEzSizxbcB_bDkg6zIArrrLom84JAksrAge2vJyktA0f3H99VJUxY4YO79KmIxX83q/s1600/IMAG0711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjghTaV3eXhnh3R96h9l1hA4r7C8I86IiNv1V1czmT1buyqERBWhJpzC4H5ZuQupF5X-mm72njkUwBEzSizxbcB_bDkg6zIArrrLom84JAksrAge2vJyktA0f3H99VJUxY4YO79KmIxX83q/s320/IMAG0711.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQk2zp5f8TXsqVnUFpqYXD9llfxRPVNlaet0dqDZcalvF2gKfVO4n9chYe3kTx0y0WjhKxZVQYjoqi7ve57V8fw0KQv01d36w7iCeNXxM2boa556D01JlGM9nfNG1szzT1YUdflxQGaF7/s1600/IMAG0738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQk2zp5f8TXsqVnUFpqYXD9llfxRPVNlaet0dqDZcalvF2gKfVO4n9chYe3kTx0y0WjhKxZVQYjoqi7ve57V8fw0KQv01d36w7iCeNXxM2boa556D01JlGM9nfNG1szzT1YUdflxQGaF7/s320/IMAG0738.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNpuHm-dzzucB_aI8tvUSwRgE0ReFcNS1gsbXx1dn6mJcx_EFBOssT9SKImRVUfQvay4xEBeV4gkgKqZFtRnJyhz3ZihdrwS36vZHSwUIly5xa5zg-99ebn3U0vTxnUapDUf-F8uAYK_UO/s1600/IMAG0743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNpuHm-dzzucB_aI8tvUSwRgE0ReFcNS1gsbXx1dn6mJcx_EFBOssT9SKImRVUfQvay4xEBeV4gkgKqZFtRnJyhz3ZihdrwS36vZHSwUIly5xa5zg-99ebn3U0vTxnUapDUf-F8uAYK_UO/s320/IMAG0743.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS9QsdX7QfWMjGiJzpmoaQhhPBuebSgS6kS5vdneLaQtxFGTgLe9FigFzfA5dd4uM6HxBOJqobL4BhZlRQmrVMDH5QBiXmDqqBgcdiktFUMnUywiOs_wof-1ajj1BCsR7t-2sZwWX1PE6C/s1600/IMG_7445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS9QsdX7QfWMjGiJzpmoaQhhPBuebSgS6kS5vdneLaQtxFGTgLe9FigFzfA5dd4uM6HxBOJqobL4BhZlRQmrVMDH5QBiXmDqqBgcdiktFUMnUywiOs_wof-1ajj1BCsR7t-2sZwWX1PE6C/s320/IMG_7445.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkOsE97YZUxUgAKNM8Ce4kmUaFZPGqfbcG_E7CJk5HCv8ZxGvjMbuAK0MG78LKw4XCoIcsAWYsv-rTn0hLlxavbNCByPHzZRyUVFTHQnSPh-0bWXJK7MGv4mB2hvqYLgZooQHMT3el29B1/s1600/IMG_7488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkOsE97YZUxUgAKNM8Ce4kmUaFZPGqfbcG_E7CJk5HCv8ZxGvjMbuAK0MG78LKw4XCoIcsAWYsv-rTn0hLlxavbNCByPHzZRyUVFTHQnSPh-0bWXJK7MGv4mB2hvqYLgZooQHMT3el29B1/s320/IMG_7488.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZyYI6cEFhTXVCVGdli3wAuRHaTsD7JRnWAhUxALuZ3d4atDQS8lnExp3ilj1Y6bhr7LyE7CDM6j3N09UzUa803PvTkb9v75zIRICV1cfTHStivd_yV-BNpL9W3n7y9KtVNn9VDI8oKUWx/s1600/IMG_7479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZyYI6cEFhTXVCVGdli3wAuRHaTsD7JRnWAhUxALuZ3d4atDQS8lnExp3ilj1Y6bhr7LyE7CDM6j3N09UzUa803PvTkb9v75zIRICV1cfTHStivd_yV-BNpL9W3n7y9KtVNn9VDI8oKUWx/s320/IMG_7479.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgHEPmEU5hhQfen0vK8q0HxVd9EFD2CImQ1-rOECLpvmmvJOuO5oycTcSe_yy3_tmPw9N6k2EPtrip0LhW423M-aCVL_8nAs_-VUlm8uoK6g_J06PqW14RvCQOrTSZyVB0pl5VZuY7xqSY/s1600/IMG_7458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgHEPmEU5hhQfen0vK8q0HxVd9EFD2CImQ1-rOECLpvmmvJOuO5oycTcSe_yy3_tmPw9N6k2EPtrip0LhW423M-aCVL_8nAs_-VUlm8uoK6g_J06PqW14RvCQOrTSZyVB0pl5VZuY7xqSY/s320/IMG_7458.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNecwu8R1hPxEKYMQQb6z8gT-MvIEM1IhafVkk6pscH2xvTFqaueWWT34ghyphenhyphenaxB3-3PRAMbJVgotFrMSF1w4mU05Q2u-1B_vp1vJ9ZdhTIvqyPrk0GYgqRJMlhyNpAp5YKkXBUSLcFPhyphenhyphenN/s1600/IMG_7480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNecwu8R1hPxEKYMQQb6z8gT-MvIEM1IhafVkk6pscH2xvTFqaueWWT34ghyphenhyphenaxB3-3PRAMbJVgotFrMSF1w4mU05Q2u-1B_vp1vJ9ZdhTIvqyPrk0GYgqRJMlhyNpAp5YKkXBUSLcFPhyphenhyphenN/s320/IMG_7480.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfRxsFE9Ki3hsQ7wYU8u-ecrfcJla0m_RIOD1QzSFUVgdgpm9D1Erv3GTRaSAG1soRhNoASrfK7G-z3dffxiwy8TSNPG-1aHKT81cCx-T49fB7vC5k8eF67X0DXphWnC6zcexEGDYgqd9z/s1600/IMG_7494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfRxsFE9Ki3hsQ7wYU8u-ecrfcJla0m_RIOD1QzSFUVgdgpm9D1Erv3GTRaSAG1soRhNoASrfK7G-z3dffxiwy8TSNPG-1aHKT81cCx-T49fB7vC5k8eF67X0DXphWnC6zcexEGDYgqd9z/s320/IMG_7494.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98b2_UisXmN1ik34QpzRpXB_hNsR-e8kdN63V-jGPmud1VwApaTTtdCv0LH1u93mzT239x-DCDQV25Kzkekoc_kbDkncis3BIJuF96huUFBrvzqw3ORbUZogL0gfxRAv6QjZwgmlOvDkU/s1600/IMG_7502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98b2_UisXmN1ik34QpzRpXB_hNsR-e8kdN63V-jGPmud1VwApaTTtdCv0LH1u93mzT239x-DCDQV25Kzkekoc_kbDkncis3BIJuF96huUFBrvzqw3ORbUZogL0gfxRAv6QjZwgmlOvDkU/s320/IMG_7502.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwe5x_3nrM5vgZl2uMpubL5gYcac0co99fW2wK1wARXOZ5ur-gi2iDj6cx1g_N1dvvXMbPGBPSOnGOVGsJeHOGarO589NpH8gUlt7nELKlvd-DXj1wiB5bTEtMDJs1jYZF37NUbz-az3O1/s1600/IMG_7511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwe5x_3nrM5vgZl2uMpubL5gYcac0co99fW2wK1wARXOZ5ur-gi2iDj6cx1g_N1dvvXMbPGBPSOnGOVGsJeHOGarO589NpH8gUlt7nELKlvd-DXj1wiB5bTEtMDJs1jYZF37NUbz-az3O1/s320/IMG_7511.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
toRoo2011http://www.blogger.com/profile/06482472261782522104noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058161331443214537.post-27319037280556749612012-09-09T11:43:00.002-04:002012-09-09T11:58:44.068-04:00What we are up toSchool is back in, work is busy and life is settling into the "normal." <br />
T went into 2nd grade like it was her job. She loves school and is such a social butterfly. I barely worry about her...barely. <br />
P started Kindergarten!!!!!!!!!!! Not sure how that snuck up on me, but he did and is following in T's footsteps. He loves it and seems to be settling right into it. I catch myself looking at him sometime and being shocked that he is 5, not far from 6! Where did the time go? He is totally a big boy...no more baby P, makes me sad and proud. He is a sweet, pensive, wild, fierce boy. He thinks about things no 5 year old should worry about and yet melts down about sharing his Buzz Lightyear. Man, I love that kid!<br />
D, or the Buggy, as she is affectionately known, headed back to preschool. Not quite as smooth as her big sister and brother. I always describe Buggy as fierce...in all that she does. She has some serious stubbornness (um, not sure where she could have gotten that!) and really cannot be convinced to do anything she doesn't want to. She has no interest in bedtime. Yet, no desire to get up in the morning. She can throw her hands on her hips and cock her head to the side to deliver a good dose of attitude at every turn. Look out school when she does get there....<br />
HM-- Progress would be the word for him. He is so, so, SO smart. He understands almost everything we say. He CAN follow instructions, when he wants to. He loves routine. He still says almost nothing but the sounds are coming and he certainly gets his point across. So far he can say:<br />
up, GAGA (for Daddy), Meeee (for mommy) ahh un (for uh oh) and he has begun making l and b sounds. He knows what to do when you put him on the potty, which is wonderful!!<br />
He still struggles sometimes (a lot) with testing limits and being rough, but we are getting there. He will start preschool too here very soon and I hope that will be a great experience for him.<br />
And most important...this boy likes to DANCE. He hears music and just starts grooving...LOVE IT!<br />
<br />
S will be going back to work soon. HM going off to preschool and S starting back to work are the last things in the line of back to normal. I love the time they have had together at home, but know we will get in more settled when our schedule is finally the way it is suppose to be. S will be back working a normal schedule, which such a blessing.<br />
<br />
I have had a lot of interesting thoughts lately about the C family. We have our crazy yet we have so much fun. Lots of people think we are crazy, and well, we are! We always say it has nothing to di with our kids though :)<br />
<br />
and now pictures...the best part!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLBJpOGvXDHWsQESTWZGNxXumTQyHYiWA3KwFukn22LY3c_-gVhj14uZH5nI6e-zDg7GNSg2HcTTqSBjpEGuasrCZziP5uBlfDZbXaD2_V_xD16R2w_MGGcBvhigSURcsDdAOpW2wH-9ko/s1600/Aug+20+2012+download+046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLBJpOGvXDHWsQESTWZGNxXumTQyHYiWA3KwFukn22LY3c_-gVhj14uZH5nI6e-zDg7GNSg2HcTTqSBjpEGuasrCZziP5uBlfDZbXaD2_V_xD16R2w_MGGcBvhigSURcsDdAOpW2wH-9ko/s320/Aug+20+2012+download+046.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj94hvXMB4tCZDGO0Qh5EQHWZ-IR1x8rbjv0y6XNeO4d_UK2nrJBfPuj8D09ULwxWPrqerDH_VihiiJVR33SNRPEM-ZymXw1BuiRfkAsrz80CUj9VHlBVmI43EqoSfsq0Er1C2pGR52_TTd/s1600/bday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj94hvXMB4tCZDGO0Qh5EQHWZ-IR1x8rbjv0y6XNeO4d_UK2nrJBfPuj8D09ULwxWPrqerDH_VihiiJVR33SNRPEM-ZymXw1BuiRfkAsrz80CUj9VHlBVmI43EqoSfsq0Er1C2pGR52_TTd/s320/bday.jpg" width="297" /></a> Happy 2nd Bday!!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFr8DnSzZgpWP0vilqlrZzsY7-pNkqskKk-sXIzCm8C7rNA4nw3cC9gBnDxhMOxE_YbmI1RNhzLyBwR6Zw8vLeGVivydJMCf6pFOcJ8lJf-vW38c0EOKEuzaAx-jP93c_S7-QmIBYUaV0g/s1600/IMG_7390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFr8DnSzZgpWP0vilqlrZzsY7-pNkqskKk-sXIzCm8C7rNA4nw3cC9gBnDxhMOxE_YbmI1RNhzLyBwR6Zw8vLeGVivydJMCf6pFOcJ8lJf-vW38c0EOKEuzaAx-jP93c_S7-QmIBYUaV0g/s320/IMG_7390.JPG" width="179" /></a>off to school</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIbzHcTDbu-56Q7GXtE_2-aYk3scw8H0Cc4aaFxj7bnEIGORmbb0k9-hedAO6kexV_nfLk3bLn5KBxjSX1WoGJIjoK2BQqQnAVKQImn1L7C47Lt2tB8FuidL2LB2wtI6_Dmaw_2dOzH0mP/s1600/IMG_7405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIbzHcTDbu-56Q7GXtE_2-aYk3scw8H0Cc4aaFxj7bnEIGORmbb0k9-hedAO6kexV_nfLk3bLn5KBxjSX1WoGJIjoK2BQqQnAVKQImn1L7C47Lt2tB8FuidL2LB2wtI6_Dmaw_2dOzH0mP/s320/IMG_7405.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMuN_iKiezqWN4riCNiCaKS2cnyuyYfKOpnuoVfoekvQTC67fXcYVw-0sTEnSMZoi0ZrPTpfarLkLQlUXkdNQL5h_aaFAhmupq2Qe6aUC2fizdJhE8gRrNluxNfHYzmQQHfWAJuFAasm2T/s1600/IMG_7432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMuN_iKiezqWN4riCNiCaKS2cnyuyYfKOpnuoVfoekvQTC67fXcYVw-0sTEnSMZoi0ZrPTpfarLkLQlUXkdNQL5h_aaFAhmupq2Qe6aUC2fizdJhE8gRrNluxNfHYzmQQHfWAJuFAasm2T/s320/IMG_7432.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ktC_npS0dMv9hEvh1qf4cojkkcK5Qax0Zb3WIajdOMdFELR0CVQbzlnIA5HGMXsVtjrDE3ZDKhlhFemCx0RXtGJURB4ezlG-zQJosrOoY5TIl0dbyEUT7Mh-ChCZYrJy9xNuLtUxgV8w/s1600/IMG_7437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ktC_npS0dMv9hEvh1qf4cojkkcK5Qax0Zb3WIajdOMdFELR0CVQbzlnIA5HGMXsVtjrDE3ZDKhlhFemCx0RXtGJURB4ezlG-zQJosrOoY5TIl0dbyEUT7Mh-ChCZYrJy9xNuLtUxgV8w/s320/IMG_7437.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Off to our first college football game...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqsb7VDMIAGpyUmB1bfTsnpKVG2JTzswsS5HL-ZvU2TbSG3zhg0wWuSXwIcRbti9oC68rHNIkawOTMvkj5EHnFVM7JJfE-7fja0116NYHxNyA84HfELdLrBEK1HaW_oLwtdGhC9Qq7D-AC/s1600/IMG_7439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqsb7VDMIAGpyUmB1bfTsnpKVG2JTzswsS5HL-ZvU2TbSG3zhg0wWuSXwIcRbti9oC68rHNIkawOTMvkj5EHnFVM7JJfE-7fja0116NYHxNyA84HfELdLrBEK1HaW_oLwtdGhC9Qq7D-AC/s320/IMG_7439.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Buggy being a kitty!?!toRoo2011http://www.blogger.com/profile/06482472261782522104noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058161331443214537.post-59731370058755315882012-08-29T19:19:00.000-04:002012-08-29T19:19:13.708-04:006 weeks as a family of 6Whew! 6 weeks ago S and I were in Korea, rocking the world of one sweet, adorable, energetic world. And boy he has returned the favor. There have been times recently where I have felt like I am being drawn and quartered. 4 kids are so much fun and well, a lot of work too. It is hard sometimes to say that because I expect to hear the comments: "well, what did you expect?" and "you chose this." I know these things. And I know that it will all settle in. <br />
So what have the last 6 weeks looked like? Honestly, nothing like I expected. It never occurred to me that we would have the challenges we have had and have no issues with the things we prepared for. First, S is no longer a horrible being, and that has helped. We unfortunately and fortunately had to fix that in a "rip the band aid off" kind of way. I went back to work, so they just had to figure it out, and they did pretty quickly. HM, as he regularly responds to now, has a very different personality than the other C kids. His affect is different. He is not quite ready to let loose and laugh at silly daddy. Daddy around here tends to handle most things with a good sense of humor, so HM might just think S is a little insane still.<br />
There are so many things recommended for attachment that are somewhat challenging when you have 3 other kids, young ones, at home. Discipline is one of them. There are some rules, policies, ways of existing in the C household that are non-negotiable. No hitting is one of them. That includes hitting, siblings, parents, pets and glass things, like the fireplace glass. We wanted to give him some "passes" but couldn't on things that could hurt him or others. I think having to enforce some of that has been harder on all of us than we thought. We aren't sure he understands, we feel frustrated b/c he repeats the behavior and he feels frustrated because he cannot communicate. <br />
Communication has been hard. One thing we realized quickly is that communication seems to be one way you can see his grief. He has said almost nothing, Korean or English, after the reports indicated he said 20 Korean words. I would be lying if I said I wasn't somewhat worried. Had we caused so much trauma that he would become non-verbal? In fact, that and the numerous meltdowns are about all the signs of grief we do see. He has recently started waking up (not really awake) crying out at night, but that is only a couple day now. <br />
This is certainly a new experience in that we were pretty seasoned parents before he came home, at least at this age group. And now, I constantly question if I have any clue what I am doing. Are we equipped to give him the space he needs to grieve and grow with our family? Are we doing more damage than good to this sweet boy who never asked for all of this upheaval. <br />
And then this week arrived. Smiles and even some laughs. And evaluation by an expert to reaffirm what we were thinking. We will get there, it just will take time. I am not patient. The wait to bring him home was agonizing and we are still in a sort of waiting period. growing period. <br />
<br />
In other news, my office had a "Welcome" shower for HM and I was truly, utterly surprised (which is hard to pull off, as I am quite nosy!) I am so touched, they certainly didn't have to do that and it was such a sweet gesture that really meant so much. We got a whole fall/winter wardrobe THANK YOU and some gift cards THANK YOU THANK YOU and some sippy cups, EXTRA THANK YOU!!! Something interesting about sippy cups and other such things. HM has very few worldly possessions that truly just his. I have enjoyed giving him some of those things. His own sippy cups, with very much boy themed pictures. His own clothes, not hand me downs. His own ride on tools just for him. It might seem like much to us, but I think it is pretty important for him to have his own things. That is something we are trying to explain to the other kids. We are pro-sharing, but at the same time, some things are off limits, sacred lovies. HM doesn't have much established as those items yet, so we try to make most of his things all that way for now. Not every single thing, but lots. <br />
<br />
So thank you, sweet dysfunctional work family that no one else wants! I am grateful to be part of this group and appreciate how quickly you have brought me in!<br />
<br />
Now enough yakking....pictures....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxmF6bfFF1vp574iDl4Yl0A10YNeNnuGs64Lp4E-w8oENkMBZoz7G0PYD6Jo01VCYaIjWNRzqnAYflibqwvCsiWj5eoBQoMae7GB-z24esiphz30rg09abb8eJpVlnlyepsPdT1nivc4Dr/s1600/Aug+20+2012+download+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxmF6bfFF1vp574iDl4Yl0A10YNeNnuGs64Lp4E-w8oENkMBZoz7G0PYD6Jo01VCYaIjWNRzqnAYflibqwvCsiWj5eoBQoMae7GB-z24esiphz30rg09abb8eJpVlnlyepsPdT1nivc4Dr/s320/Aug+20+2012+download+020.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY3yqX015PYRqAG5Tp5h38wXcgbpZD_afA_BdQxLYgyjya2f77gyKdkonR2ZjcNq-WD0v_LihIcnzKb9x9nITmWHY7XFawRZSOzviPCMynH2Idv_9vM5HrGmVI87EfDQ-MgbLPZ1jE1UPY/s1600/Aug+20+2012+download+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY3yqX015PYRqAG5Tp5h38wXcgbpZD_afA_BdQxLYgyjya2f77gyKdkonR2ZjcNq-WD0v_LihIcnzKb9x9nITmWHY7XFawRZSOzviPCMynH2Idv_9vM5HrGmVI87EfDQ-MgbLPZ1jE1UPY/s320/Aug+20+2012+download+033.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgppbYKhrLJyHR1jiPA6a4PqhfwB85R_o4jOQs5o5ZKlDDpVkEbgPTyo7EZkL8xh16TutalD8E-070ynBn9kXNFESUlZ8wY8FB00C9r2H_xZ_jKVgmntrj0ihUNIW9zL5eBrRMkijx9DFHb/s1600/aug12+139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgppbYKhrLJyHR1jiPA6a4PqhfwB85R_o4jOQs5o5ZKlDDpVkEbgPTyo7EZkL8xh16TutalD8E-070ynBn9kXNFESUlZ8wY8FB00C9r2H_xZ_jKVgmntrj0ihUNIW9zL5eBrRMkijx9DFHb/s320/aug12+139.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0BG0BFxNwrMJl_CNx4Gyi3I3BHFvH1j1seEKn9XXa5TrQP6hDKTcnNN2V8g-EvH_VV3ppPNx9vvzMMSull32zg7j8VFnMBeybxQtVbFmsfPUu-MKZReC8fqX7qHP4W9gmtd_GaANB66Ds/s1600/IMG_7267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0BG0BFxNwrMJl_CNx4Gyi3I3BHFvH1j1seEKn9XXa5TrQP6hDKTcnNN2V8g-EvH_VV3ppPNx9vvzMMSull32zg7j8VFnMBeybxQtVbFmsfPUu-MKZReC8fqX7qHP4W9gmtd_GaANB66Ds/s320/IMG_7267.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdcIQ86U0u3GdnKAYHHoDZj_ZrD7nEmZFAXgeFqf3fXopEerqpWoq6SdmNg_BkkCFk47ysUNptMXXZhpwFGPQWyIq_HRWugzezFSVZSXiaXQvPwvBpSO4Nyg-5sYGnP_E-C8G7pm9yfl1/s1600/IMG_7399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdcIQ86U0u3GdnKAYHHoDZj_ZrD7nEmZFAXgeFqf3fXopEerqpWoq6SdmNg_BkkCFk47ysUNptMXXZhpwFGPQWyIq_HRWugzezFSVZSXiaXQvPwvBpSO4Nyg-5sYGnP_E-C8G7pm9yfl1/s320/IMG_7399.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioHZeDRZGl_hlUgHA6W15mKCEKq3YfqjZtk3NYlb9ADaJ5MymtdjiCwT6Kr3-VwYYJPXqlXC5-wvgR-eEJU8SqVbn30Z9jdHdTY9Q2a-blBVe1m-wQQTrffJEMTo1yOWnKVFxsYuEsp2Sl/s1600/IMG_7412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioHZeDRZGl_hlUgHA6W15mKCEKq3YfqjZtk3NYlb9ADaJ5MymtdjiCwT6Kr3-VwYYJPXqlXC5-wvgR-eEJU8SqVbn30Z9jdHdTY9Q2a-blBVe1m-wQQTrffJEMTo1yOWnKVFxsYuEsp2Sl/s320/IMG_7412.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU2Bpj37zT3meIw4DMQXFF-onhQ468-nkdK1eM0tH39IeTcT_ddrI_QtH5BZ5mF3VOqdgR9bdf3mYrjpnPXR3G9yaWh57x0z-YIaAMJZf8JTv2uTH4QcWc_LxfrQKTE-WR8jgQxka9KrMt/s1600/aug12+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU2Bpj37zT3meIw4DMQXFF-onhQ468-nkdK1eM0tH39IeTcT_ddrI_QtH5BZ5mF3VOqdgR9bdf3mYrjpnPXR3G9yaWh57x0z-YIaAMJZf8JTv2uTH4QcWc_LxfrQKTE-WR8jgQxka9KrMt/s320/aug12+010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoIT-jnODUTDHtA68tF2S54trG3hhrs6gwB5WjzGZgQjxugOpHmzCiC3LE9Xk1yfHQKataR-z94PR2EfAi240xDpfdB6aVSOFtgc0Cjww11YLefTVZ3F-6uwriIXr5cIzNjstYFUvIR4gH/s1600/Aug+20+2012+download+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoIT-jnODUTDHtA68tF2S54trG3hhrs6gwB5WjzGZgQjxugOpHmzCiC3LE9Xk1yfHQKataR-z94PR2EfAi240xDpfdB6aVSOFtgc0Cjww11YLefTVZ3F-6uwriIXr5cIzNjstYFUvIR4gH/s320/Aug+20+2012+download+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXeZQchiNG3uGyXvKImAByePfPU2KfXC25n_DoGW48t_2jWq8iv0enKrtsHzi2dFCgBEfdYYdOPSveg955bPhi6RlxBlfMadHpFtOSYGHk2oLrL1_BKpcdp8ZaSunss20zx9IjbijveuhJ/s1600/Aug+20+2012+download+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXeZQchiNG3uGyXvKImAByePfPU2KfXC25n_DoGW48t_2jWq8iv0enKrtsHzi2dFCgBEfdYYdOPSveg955bPhi6RlxBlfMadHpFtOSYGHk2oLrL1_BKpcdp8ZaSunss20zx9IjbijveuhJ/s320/Aug+20+2012+download+009.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgLYz8w2gMsonwKya71oluc3QUERAGdFi5QUvGIxwcHsSl11zvF8b98qHoL8IG0duKggoJu57-_2L6rUkZCQFBVZLvGelbNdHHIrDutAhdkmUp4II4Pa64uhIbdtDPUNg1a2slbZJLMaLG/s1600/aug12+099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgLYz8w2gMsonwKya71oluc3QUERAGdFi5QUvGIxwcHsSl11zvF8b98qHoL8IG0duKggoJu57-_2L6rUkZCQFBVZLvGelbNdHHIrDutAhdkmUp4II4Pa64uhIbdtDPUNg1a2slbZJLMaLG/s320/aug12+099.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
toRoo2011http://www.blogger.com/profile/06482472261782522104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058161331443214537.post-88668559501742448022012-08-24T22:07:00.000-04:002012-08-24T22:09:45.419-04:00Loss & peaceThere is lots I can say about HM's progress and such, but today my mind is elsewhere. <br />
<br />
Today, my uncle passed away. I struggle for the right words, because his battle was brief and lengthy. What is important for me to say here is that my uncle was a quiet man, who said little and stayed in the background, but for me he was a hero. I made a big mistake by not telling him that while I had the chance, I don't even know why. I even said a couple times recently that I should write him. Thank him. And I didn't, and now it is too late. So because I was hesitant to just say it to him. I will say it here for anyone to read and know.<br />
<br />
Uncle D,<br />
Thank you for who you were. I know many people didn't see the man I did, so I just want to share. When I was a young girl, I would go stay with him and his family. He wasn't perfect, but he would talk to me and we would have amazing conversations. He taught me to play Yatzhee, and how to make the dice roll just they I wanted them to. It worked, I don't know how, but still to this day I remember his tip. (no I won't share.). He helped me see that there are many layers to a person. My uncle had his struggles and many people only saw that part of him. But they were missing out. Fast forward a couple years and I was 13 and struggling with stuff going on in my life. It was Christmas time, things were hectic and I was sad, probably depressed. I had been hurt by someone I loved and uncle D saw me, he knew. He came to me, away from all the chaos of our family filled house and hugged me and he said the most important thing he could have. He said that loved one..."they love you, they have made a mistake, but they love you & everything will be ok.". Thank you, thank you uncle D, because I hung on your words and believed you because of all the long conversations we had had in the summers before. And he was right, it was ok. I never told anyone about that conversation and I never thanked him. Looking back, he was telling me to look beyond mistakes, love unconditionally sometimes. A great lesson, I cherish today. <br />
<br />
He wasn't perfect, he had struggles, he made mistakes. But he had a heart of gold and I regret not telling him how grateful I was, I am. <br />
<br />
All I can be left with is the hope that he felt peace, that he is no longer in pain. A small consolation. You can judge people by the mistakes they make, but for the effort they give.<br />
<br />
RIP Uncle Don and thank you.toRoo2011http://www.blogger.com/profile/06482472261782522104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058161331443214537.post-50422038671236290022012-08-15T22:01:00.001-04:002012-08-15T22:02:10.605-04:00Getting thereBack to being a bad blogger. I realize not many people read this but I still want to keep it up. Things are hectic and wonderful all at the same time. I was only able to be off work for a couple weeks, so S was on his own with 4 cuties!!! Fun times. Oh yeah and the newest cutie was still. It so sure S was worthy of his attention. But they are getting there. Sleep...getting theree. He is in a pack n play and no longer in our room. As far as other cute C children sleeping...not.so.much. But we are getting there. HM is learning to live kindly aside the furry members of household, he is signing and showing a little more patience in expressing his needs and demands. <br />
It is certainly different with an almost 2 year old. When someone else needs a little extra attention, you can't just lay him in a bouncy seat or bassinet. Nope, oh and he is possessive. Definitely not interested in sharing mommy and even daddy with those other kids. But tonight I picked up buggy and HM had no negative reaction, he just smiled at me. Getting there.<br />
He an say up, the first attempt at mimicking sounds we are making. Because of the language he is certainly behind a bit, he doesn't know animal sounds or colors or even animal names yet. He is bright though & I imagine he will catch up quickly. Monday he will be 2, and we will see the doctor for the 1st time (good news, no shots).<br />
It is funny that he is turning 2 and still feels so new. I know when each of my others hit that birthday I remember feeling like time had gone too fast. And in way it has for him too, we have missed a lot in 2 years, but in only 4 weeks we have experienced so many firsts and he is changing so quickly it seems like he has been here for much longer. We will cherish all the new "first" and every birthday to come. I bet next year I will saying it has flown by.<br />
<br />
<br />
In other C news, 1 week from today, T heads to 2nd grade!!! Talk about time flying! And P to Kindergarten! I can hardly write that without feeling the tears. T has always been a social, independent butterfly, but P...he was my 1st "momma's baby." hmmm, what to say, his milestones have always given me pause maybe because he was my littlest peanut. But this summer somehow it happened...he grew up. No more chubby legs, or baby hands, no more tiny baby voice. No more needing to climb in my lap. Nope. Lots of. Superhero being, 2 wheel bike riding, sleepovers with his best buddy. He has seriously taken the role of big brother to a brother VERY seriously. Now he is big boy, off to school, to conquer the world & beat the villains. But.....he will always be my baby.toRoo2011http://www.blogger.com/profile/06482472261782522104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058161331443214537.post-27040131913923978262012-08-02T18:04:00.000-04:002012-08-02T18:04:39.079-04:00HOME!So, Friday was looonnnnggg, and I really felt like because of the time difference it was actually 2 days. M did pretty well considering on the 2 flights we had. He stayed in the carrier for the majority and slept a good bit. When we got to Dulles, we moved quickly to get our luggage and get on the road. Another 2 hours to home. A storm also arrived about the time we did, so we had the luxury of driving home in pouring rain!! We didn't get home until around 10pm. We made a quick food stop, shared a french fry with M and switched driver's, as S was very sleepy. When we pulled onto our street I could see the twinkle of something reflective on the garage door. It was just in time for me to put the door back down. And...there they were, all my babies in ONE place! T,P & D were all on the front porch with glow sticks and signs eagerly awaiting our arrival. It was so late, but we were SO happy to see them. M immediately light up and smiled when he saw them, and well they were in love. It was such a shame that it wasn't very bright out there so not pictures. It was priceless! The kids really barely acknowledged S & I, just wanted to see their brother!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXpRyUEh8T60lZp7YuM5-olzl3ajlhf2OpuqB_aalaZvAvNoo9Oiq6-pY6etvlWpU1GuKW0j8sMetv70Y1fMYbpvBfQs8nQrPo0xF5rB4_WTGqWFTPC9YMuMxBu6Uvre1-s5cBHS7iSMSP/s1600/IMG_7113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXpRyUEh8T60lZp7YuM5-olzl3ajlhf2OpuqB_aalaZvAvNoo9Oiq6-pY6etvlWpU1GuKW0j8sMetv70Y1fMYbpvBfQs8nQrPo0xF5rB4_WTGqWFTPC9YMuMxBu6Uvre1-s5cBHS7iSMSP/s320/IMG_7113.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT50Vjq6SbY4iVhavKYqVxUQFrGMAWptW8FxtqoQTmlEvhloPwd8AoeEmrnWF87uiJ5L4E2iuAvK43aSgmUShYtjl69MOvuaPotmLXA3dBpPwavBy_VqSgXyfmXTQ7N72_9EmejAoq-y14/s1600/IMG_7142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRF-5oMfIOfhho71DAYFU7NER-ZdjRoM1EOA1aN-dVoBt7wybBgZXxhxNPV7Pb8TER2ZtaRmngGG-RX38gAMKfJ6VwhknfUbSb3KKWRYyirtilplKaREZ-qD6cS26pEWdSNbHJDQ_shGw4/s1600/IMG_7127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRF-5oMfIOfhho71DAYFU7NER-ZdjRoM1EOA1aN-dVoBt7wybBgZXxhxNPV7Pb8TER2ZtaRmngGG-RX38gAMKfJ6VwhknfUbSb3KKWRYyirtilplKaREZ-qD6cS26pEWdSNbHJDQ_shGw4/s320/IMG_7127.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtYDMcJANCzhrONZZEjPpQQJkZkN_-Glwc8jffm8JBxhlZEcIUt2KmTwbtAnJmuNcZc-LmD0kaALAo_YjVUq03nOmFxXjRWy0W9AhPAOblAuyRNplIEZC8LkKUjTTK7x6KFRwq7lQtqlgZ/s1600/IMG_7134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtYDMcJANCzhrONZZEjPpQQJkZkN_-Glwc8jffm8JBxhlZEcIUt2KmTwbtAnJmuNcZc-LmD0kaALAo_YjVUq03nOmFxXjRWy0W9AhPAOblAuyRNplIEZC8LkKUjTTK7x6KFRwq7lQtqlgZ/s320/IMG_7134.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGc4EBuUrbPc9LlYZw0owAg7SUvMSMCBEAd1NYQygahagI6GyidrNqycye4Vj7EmV3cV3Hk6StJl3xEC9ZR2E1w5AcT5EC_mMLACwqM6dE82hO9fo7NsJP8PL91rMGUcg87djN5nZqkB0z/s1600/IMG_7138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGc4EBuUrbPc9LlYZw0owAg7SUvMSMCBEAd1NYQygahagI6GyidrNqycye4Vj7EmV3cV3Hk6StJl3xEC9ZR2E1w5AcT5EC_mMLACwqM6dE82hO9fo7NsJP8PL91rMGUcg87djN5nZqkB0z/s320/IMG_7138.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<br />
So there we are, home! Things have gone pretty well over all. Sleep is happening and for that I am extremely thankful. Kids are still loving him after almost 2 weeks home, so that is a huge plus! We have had our first post placement and his green card arrived. So all in all, it has been a crazy couple weeks, but we are moving in the right direction. And because really, people are more interested in pictures than my babbling, here are more pics of the cuties...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT50Vjq6SbY4iVhavKYqVxUQFrGMAWptW8FxtqoQTmlEvhloPwd8AoeEmrnWF87uiJ5L4E2iuAvK43aSgmUShYtjl69MOvuaPotmLXA3dBpPwavBy_VqSgXyfmXTQ7N72_9EmejAoq-y14/s1600/IMG_7142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT50Vjq6SbY4iVhavKYqVxUQFrGMAWptW8FxtqoQTmlEvhloPwd8AoeEmrnWF87uiJ5L4E2iuAvK43aSgmUShYtjl69MOvuaPotmLXA3dBpPwavBy_VqSgXyfmXTQ7N72_9EmejAoq-y14/s320/IMG_7142.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiizawWbhwd12axbW2DLo8cZ6A-o2mDYM-YkOc_vr3fC1p4QDkpwhrqiFKFSjqW5TvotYge5dPNbXWqsoKJaj49iikEi4CWxwhDbTv3ajs0oH7cyScty2jAo2acufmkcjj0yInf9g4N5goJ/s1600/IMAG0631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiizawWbhwd12axbW2DLo8cZ6A-o2mDYM-YkOc_vr3fC1p4QDkpwhrqiFKFSjqW5TvotYge5dPNbXWqsoKJaj49iikEi4CWxwhDbTv3ajs0oH7cyScty2jAo2acufmkcjj0yInf9g4N5goJ/s320/IMAG0631.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9w3hRTk_fpsEOu8NEANi9QelqszmmoGsyVawuVOASVartmxsOl68fijw4IRBcXPM0411noaEzEJtTUgNNbOkjncWPdsvnAky82-9ctmjIzBuPmI90TUBGlomfCQk1IrsZGN5hUC21qH-8/s1600/IMAG0628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9w3hRTk_fpsEOu8NEANi9QelqszmmoGsyVawuVOASVartmxsOl68fijw4IRBcXPM0411noaEzEJtTUgNNbOkjncWPdsvnAky82-9ctmjIzBuPmI90TUBGlomfCQk1IrsZGN5hUC21qH-8/s320/IMAG0628.jpg" width="320" /></a> Ice Cream!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggIzS5TJH0-H0pDxXPROOyR5_2NiX24PIgHqKKR9OBi42Cld81gGf6KlbSPeuxRht7BnzbGvhDa083oaDkQfmtLNAD0KJie8i6cjgIifniVN3-vZ_vrU5d25k44qdTrwQlntIQFjLORVnY/s1600/IMAG0633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggIzS5TJH0-H0pDxXPROOyR5_2NiX24PIgHqKKR9OBi42Cld81gGf6KlbSPeuxRht7BnzbGvhDa083oaDkQfmtLNAD0KJie8i6cjgIifniVN3-vZ_vrU5d25k44qdTrwQlntIQFjLORVnY/s320/IMAG0633.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8C1PZi0bmLW6GB_n48e_2qCjNSB9UAJ0oZ0Tg3cs9hcCqlHiHAJp4ZlspqqmBkYNOm0Q-7MzqT9jaSDsxtmEj71nftKqq8as2D7I9sPT1HScrSndAX6AUOVqyZJMvLsJKYAxDvYwD4Iz-/s1600/IMAG0629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8C1PZi0bmLW6GB_n48e_2qCjNSB9UAJ0oZ0Tg3cs9hcCqlHiHAJp4ZlspqqmBkYNOm0Q-7MzqT9jaSDsxtmEj71nftKqq8as2D7I9sPT1HScrSndAX6AUOVqyZJMvLsJKYAxDvYwD4Iz-/s320/IMAG0629.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-LmeZjkq01z-0JA-zAd8NqxgzT7YBn9BEUSOf9ht5FMeJTB7g8YjyAADPqCxreUP_ggPL4oVP-u5DbjC0SIyxMNmYC8BFgts0elh6Llz6stc77n3ZpHfTyTkUu8R8mECWk-tTywNMXmDj/s1600/IMAG0622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-LmeZjkq01z-0JA-zAd8NqxgzT7YBn9BEUSOf9ht5FMeJTB7g8YjyAADPqCxreUP_ggPL4oVP-u5DbjC0SIyxMNmYC8BFgts0elh6Llz6stc77n3ZpHfTyTkUu8R8mECWk-tTywNMXmDj/s320/IMAG0622.jpg" width="191" /></a> 1st baseball game...unamused...</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmU2GMEP_3Nxv6kGdG4BB5u_FAJrn95TDjrQG97ttJmNheXEzjMRVCRF99fnumvCMRZ8R6LtN8ApPlzm8PIJqvBQ3C0smUEQlsuIcfjH0sVLo9-juep8ZNSe9gQJWnYQl23Nfq2l9EPa33/s1600/IMAG0623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmU2GMEP_3Nxv6kGdG4BB5u_FAJrn95TDjrQG97ttJmNheXEzjMRVCRF99fnumvCMRZ8R6LtN8ApPlzm8PIJqvBQ3C0smUEQlsuIcfjH0sVLo9-juep8ZNSe9gQJWnYQl23Nfq2l9EPa33/s320/IMAG0623.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-KlJuWDx__chyb2odhl7QKc2oGIGwYqcnBdCMdyIkcGUYDt1sSuV71ZXVtVbla7QeCJso74HKyNzkZKqQd0uBJLqOq_LLWqL1q9y9QEdIlH5gqWtV8KDi76dt6AIIuZf-D5U-Zr8fyGAf/s1600/IMAG0616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-KlJuWDx__chyb2odhl7QKc2oGIGwYqcnBdCMdyIkcGUYDt1sSuV71ZXVtVbla7QeCJso74HKyNzkZKqQd0uBJLqOq_LLWqL1q9y9QEdIlH5gqWtV8KDi76dt6AIIuZf-D5U-Zr8fyGAf/s320/IMAG0616.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRF-5oMfIOfhho71DAYFU7NER-ZdjRoM1EOA1aN-dVoBt7wybBgZXxhxNPV7Pb8TER2ZtaRmngGG-RX38gAMKfJ6VwhknfUbSb3KKWRYyirtilplKaREZ-qD6cS26pEWdSNbHJDQ_shGw4/s1600/IMG_7127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>toRoo2011http://www.blogger.com/profile/06482472261782522104noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058161331443214537.post-56774631979815876392012-07-29T17:23:00.000-04:002012-07-29T17:23:02.304-04:00Korea...part 3So there we were in the hotel the 3 of us. It was nap time according to our pre-flight report, so we decided to see about getting him to rest. Of course this was with the idea that the better rested he was the better it would be for his grieving. WELL, I forgot how they said he was independent and he was having no part in a nap. Commence the wailing and crying and standing at the door, begging the best he could to go out. Poor thing had realized that this was not just a fun playdate, and he wasn't happy. On top of the sadness, he is quite determined and was able to open the door to the room. Talk about panic, that's what we need...come here, traumatize this little guy, then have to chase him around the hotel.<br />
So we threw on the backpack and went for a walk. He liked the backpack, settled down and fell asleep. He fell asleep so we decided to walk some more so he could rest and find some lunch. Well, it started to rain! Of course it did. And not just sprinkle, really rain. I wussed out and got McDonalds, I really wanted some comfort of the known for what I knew was going to be a hard evening. So we trekked back in the rain, my soggy McDonalds, Stephen's noodles. When we got back to the room, we tried to lay him done, by all means, he was OUT. No dice, as soon as we laid him down, he started to cry and jumped up. So we decided to be grateful for the little rest he got and try something different...food. This boy likes some food, he will certainly fit right in with the C clan. His mood improved, he ate some food, turned his nose up at my french fries and began to show his personality again. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjfeJqyMfzJkNve7NrfEPSFD1F6dFotF5sEVCBXwFTVELjWqv6CjlODFNnuroB18-YrFGcbXi8o_aPfgs3ZS3lh4TXW9yGxZyr6FZpo6ChfNchhBprJtfyPhnW0wAnxJ7_fcZsB-dM__u-/s1600/IMG_7095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjfeJqyMfzJkNve7NrfEPSFD1F6dFotF5sEVCBXwFTVELjWqv6CjlODFNnuroB18-YrFGcbXi8o_aPfgs3ZS3lh4TXW9yGxZyr6FZpo6ChfNchhBprJtfyPhnW0wAnxJ7_fcZsB-dM__u-/s320/IMG_7095.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And he has some energy!!! He was climbing on the coffee table and running around. That lasted for a good while. Later that night, we joined another family in their room for a playdate. Their little girl is only a couple days younger than M and watching them play was very informative. When the little girl screamed, M ran to me and sat in my lap, WHEW!! reassuring. Now she still wasn't the fan of S, but we will get there. We headed back to our room to get to bed, and more grief...lots of it. Sobbing and crying and calling our to his foster family. I sat and rocked him and faced him away from me, until he fell asleep sitting up. I have to be honest, those moments make you wonder what you have done to this sweet boy. He didn't ask for this, he doesn't understand that his loving foster family, was just that, a foster family. We will be his forever family, we will love him and protect him. I had to keep reminding myself of that. He slept all night, with a couple whimpers here and there, but overall pretty restfully. S and I not so much. We got up early and he continued to sleep. This was our last full day in Korea. We realized that he had lots of wonderful things in his bag, but he didn't have a Hanbok. Now all the other kids did and he didn't. So we talked about heading out to get one. S volunteered to go alone. But honestly, that scared me on every level. He would be without any way to communicate and well M might not be so easy to entertain by myself. So we decided to venture back to the same market. It was a quick, easy trip, nothing too scary. We found a Hanbok for him and headed back. There was a tropical storm nearby, and I was NOT getting caught in the rain again with him.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The most important thing I haven't mentioned is how great his mood was when he woke up. He was definitely well rested and happier than the evening before. Naptime and bedtime went better Thursday. Friday we were heading home, so we tried to get our stuff together to make things easier. Unfortunately, neither of us slept, thinking about getting out on time and the flights in general, over 15 hours total!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We were up in the 4am hour, and started getting stuff organized. We hit the road (or bus really) before 6 and it was pretty smooth sailing to the airport!</div>toRoo2011http://www.blogger.com/profile/06482472261782522104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058161331443214537.post-89831652091703572792012-07-26T10:06:00.000-04:002012-07-26T10:06:13.361-04:00Korea pt. 2...the meetingSo, needless to say I found the Hanboks for the kids and we even easily found our way back to our hotel. We were pretty exhausted so the rest of the day was not that exciting. Wednesday morning we decided to get up early and head to another market within walking distance of the hotel to check it out. We got there early, like 6:30 and there were still people at the booths. We found a couple more things to purchase and then headed back to the hotel to get ready for our trip to Eastern. We had met another sweet mom and granddad there also heading to Eastern at the same time, so we planned to meet them and make the trek together. We were early, VERY early. We originally thought about taking the subway, but again the humidity made us decide otherwise. We were told to get there a little before 1pm, we arrived at about 11:30! There is a cafe setup there which benefits single mothers, so we had a seat and S ordered a smoothie and muffin. Soon another family came in that was also meeting their little one that day. We sat around and talked about our wait, the weather, colleges...pretty much anything to pass the time. I started to notice foster moms passing the window and wondered if any one's child had arrived. Then there HE was. Smooshed up against the glass door of the cafe. I was frozen, I just said "S, it's him." But I didn't want to want to do anything I wasn't suppose to, so we smiled and waved. His foster mom looked in and recognized us and smiled pointing to us and saying something to M. We eventually got called out of the cafe and well I think this is the funniest part of the story. Here we are in the cafe with another American family and no one else....and we get locked in! The people outside are pulling on the door and it is caught on something. We are tugging and still stuck. I can't believe I am merely feet from our little guy and we are locked in, just looking out this glass door. Finally, someone comes from the back and shows us the other way out, through the playroom. <br />
<br />
M's foster mom quickly comes over to us and tells us that she has M and of course we knew that. She tries to hand him to S, saying "appa, Appa" to M (that is daddy in Korean). He isn't really that impressed, nor is he interested in being held but strangers, or anyone really. We sat down at a table with them and he proceeded to be goofy and climb all over the table and throw the toys. Boy has some energy!! So for the first time on my blog....here he is (yes a blur)!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIAKEsT_FeQA4RvkWYfW1W8nCv6kGA1lPsR11hXpO7Fj4tWAd5Za24AO6wLgKVpWQebYhlfPd5KxdVBsENbH_1bFKwZ-QDx6Sh2VtfMYbhGR1249mEkCIL0xbqkC_UOEh6SWd1rRj5jUoN/s1600/IMG_7066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIAKEsT_FeQA4RvkWYfW1W8nCv6kGA1lPsR11hXpO7Fj4tWAd5Za24AO6wLgKVpWQebYhlfPd5KxdVBsENbH_1bFKwZ-QDx6Sh2VtfMYbhGR1249mEkCIL0xbqkC_UOEh6SWd1rRj5jUoN/s320/IMG_7066.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfM22QWqQp93vRokw3Wqed9WVYKpD4HhvBnnOyJZT1RoVfXsuzukNYHC_hyUKyLxmo_Mh7naWUdDvPyh0ZasAxG5lcTEy2zEuN7-6zfRnlD5Lr-X0xRcyJp-Q3hFhkqQoL4T6HFm8Lx-1N/s1600/IMG_7071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfM22QWqQp93vRokw3Wqed9WVYKpD4HhvBnnOyJZT1RoVfXsuzukNYHC_hyUKyLxmo_Mh7naWUdDvPyh0ZasAxG5lcTEy2zEuN7-6zfRnlD5Lr-X0xRcyJp-Q3hFhkqQoL4T6HFm8Lx-1N/s320/IMG_7071.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Eventually, we left him to meet with the Director of the agency, where she talked about the history of Eastern and about the culture changes in Korea. The meeting went a long time, and finally she said, "Oh right, your children! You want to meet them!" (We were the only lucky ones to get to see our boy before this meeting!) We headed into the playroom to learn more about M and his routine.<br />
<br />
More watching him play and be silly, he is a ham! The meeting was fast...and I couldn't think of what all to ask, how can you. It is pretty crazy, in 1 hour I am expected to ask and learn everything they have known about him for over a year. Plus, he is quite distracting, dancing and laughing. I did a pretty poor job of getting much info! But he is a cutie so here are more pictures:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3CX8qxmRSWo_nVq-uGC7htXvVN6RCLANVWOu2kLDMRlNpzWDiW2KE1qKLoLpvIT5C0aN-n1DWG5R-Nex2DJcOguGVHlqaGQp-fr7iZZkQQ4RR__peSUWcj44aXBYbefBiTYreQrqLrxaA/s1600/IMG_7079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3CX8qxmRSWo_nVq-uGC7htXvVN6RCLANVWOu2kLDMRlNpzWDiW2KE1qKLoLpvIT5C0aN-n1DWG5R-Nex2DJcOguGVHlqaGQp-fr7iZZkQQ4RR__peSUWcj44aXBYbefBiTYreQrqLrxaA/s320/IMG_7079.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDHXDX94TUmb1A4MbtYlObLvREUDpMyMnqbmiq2lcpKyN95naaQ_tOs2d2AYYUTtUQ8lQOJgUjIrcCNhz7Tk7v0A7QBjKW7cc7rZyZUJxgS-Uf9QljXU12OLczgQJnLtPmv_oLBxJHJbU3/s1600/IMG_7086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDHXDX94TUmb1A4MbtYlObLvREUDpMyMnqbmiq2lcpKyN95naaQ_tOs2d2AYYUTtUQ8lQOJgUjIrcCNhz7Tk7v0A7QBjKW7cc7rZyZUJxgS-Uf9QljXU12OLczgQJnLtPmv_oLBxJHJbU3/s320/IMG_7086.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I got a couple great pictures of his sweet foster family, but I didn't get their permission to plaster their face all over the blog world so I will refrain. We were lucky enough to remember to ask about signing a release in order to exchange info with his foster family, so hopefully they will check out our blog and see where M has come.<br />
<br />
The foster dad is a cab driver and during our playroom time, the social worker told us that he would be driving us back to the hotel. How kind! Normally, you take a van with the other families, but I found it very special that we would have this time and they could see him off. So we stepped out of the meeting for a quick prayer by the director, all the while M was wiggling around and running away from us and foster mom. When we finished, the social worker whisked us outside and into the cab. We got a glimpse of the other families loading into the van. I could see some sad foster moms and thought about the huge sacrifices they have made and how difficult this must be. I did note though, that M's foster family were all smiles. My perception was this was not the 1st time they have done this and they knew the best thing for M was to be excited and happy for all of us. It worked. When we got to the hotel, foster mom smiled, kissed M and handed him over. I was so grateful! Foster dad got the bag they had packed for M full of snacks, clothes, even gifts for our other kids!<br />
<br />
and there we were, just us and him....finally.toRoo2011http://www.blogger.com/profile/06482472261782522104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058161331443214537.post-19007889316790468832012-07-24T20:56:00.000-04:002012-07-24T20:56:25.625-04:00A Korea recapWhat a whirlwind trip that was. I have to say that we only experienced part of Seoul, and that part involved the subway and shopping. That was about it. Oh Yeah and the Humidity!! Wowzers, it is humid there right now. So where to start. There was a 14+ hour flight there. I do not enjoy flying, triggers some major (read MAJOR) anxiety. Not really sure why, but it does. Thanks to a prescription I was able to get through the flight. It certainly helped to have S with me (his hand is recovering). We left here at 8am, flight was at 1:35pm Sunday and we arrived at about 5pm Monday in Seoul. It was a little disorienting and I think being sleep deprived didn't help. We found our way, on the AREX train (grabbed a coke, of course) and away we went. When we got to Seoul Station (our stop) we had not yet learned the lesson about exits from Korean subways. That made our walk to the hotel about 20 minutes longer than necessary. Nonetheless, we made it. Did I mention it is humid there right now? Lugging 4 suitcase, I certainly got some exercise in!!<br />
<br />
We got to our room and it smelled like smoke, oh and we couldn't get the lights on. We figured out that you must insert your key into a slot to turn anything on in the place. The room was actually an 800sq foot apartment. So for energy conservation purposes I guess they had that key thing. Pretty interesting idea. S went to see about getting a non smoking room only to learn that they don't differentiate, so it is what it is. Oh well, we were tired. We didn't even eat dinner. Stopped at the 7-11 and grabbed a snack and crashed. S was up at about 4am, I pretended to to sleep longer. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnl6ppOAxmnicVxmDQ9ALOZDu10eXEdKFHWe8zvgOSMm2HsRzFj5wlKgPQVSe0getdkcsE669IBemQtaPzOwOobLwZ39eWHxb1NifKKpRWbt99QVwK49Yh4jTF_DGntTV70Ou4LRlclGhW/s1600/IMG_7102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnl6ppOAxmnicVxmDQ9ALOZDu10eXEdKFHWe8zvgOSMm2HsRzFj5wlKgPQVSe0getdkcsE669IBemQtaPzOwOobLwZ39eWHxb1NifKKpRWbt99QVwK49Yh4jTF_DGntTV70Ou4LRlclGhW/s200/IMG_7102.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsN3wNokI9h6lK0eWzh86w8Nzk-YKJwXu8HXtb3Z_9LqaxytALW4dGkOhUuQqR_UN19J5KzlhACKA6QVCzhqht6oUsKF3x6zPSKc4PXFtGhRruVj9JhTlrjQx4c-ZEM1ZAbwWDt6TNkmTe/s1600/IMG_7104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsN3wNokI9h6lK0eWzh86w8Nzk-YKJwXu8HXtb3Z_9LqaxytALW4dGkOhUuQqR_UN19J5KzlhACKA6QVCzhqht6oUsKF3x6zPSKc4PXFtGhRruVj9JhTlrjQx4c-ZEM1ZAbwWDt6TNkmTe/s200/IMG_7104.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUI_V0H-eDqW5DmfbgQVK_I1-1hB6HUYVHiKh_OfguwAJDUoCa4rlomKQBTuCT7mKRtyb8O_wLlSyIYW5929EN3q-1TrpMMAcc1GLKZyZcCi6SPmB4kM2WosXjDtOdxS5PiI3_Cyt2o_cW/s1600/IMG_7108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUI_V0H-eDqW5DmfbgQVK_I1-1hB6HUYVHiKh_OfguwAJDUoCa4rlomKQBTuCT7mKRtyb8O_wLlSyIYW5929EN3q-1TrpMMAcc1GLKZyZcCi6SPmB4kM2WosXjDtOdxS5PiI3_Cyt2o_cW/s200/IMG_7108.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Tuesday morning we decided to head out and explore and shop. We had learned we would be meeting and taking custody of M at 1:30 Wednesday so we wanted to get all our shopping done so we could just stay in and focus on him the rest of the trip. We headed to the subway and fumbled along. The subways are amazing. The important thing to know~?~? there are many exits and if you don't pick the right one then you end far from where you intended. We went to an amazing market with huge buildings, wall to wall merchandise. Like floors upon floors. It was like a maze. Shoes and purses...thousands of them. Each booth appeared to be individually owned, some maned with people who were sleeping or reading the paper, having breakfast. Some with no one there. All that merchandise just sitting there and it appeared totally safe. Very different than here. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUrRXOnGsVnhcxqcU_blU30oStorDC_upgvGeHv45fxb-TRLdkhdbgXz0i33znXnkfl-5_etGfnrXjd-RZLSeFHQ1SXrXUzFQ0Rt5VSsODA3uS5aOUGN637BZe6Z-J3UXHXLBCKpJOAYAr/s1600/IMG_7063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUrRXOnGsVnhcxqcU_blU30oStorDC_upgvGeHv45fxb-TRLdkhdbgXz0i33znXnkfl-5_etGfnrXjd-RZLSeFHQ1SXrXUzFQ0Rt5VSsODA3uS5aOUGN637BZe6Z-J3UXHXLBCKpJOAYAr/s320/IMG_7063.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
The advice we had gotten was don't stop at the first booth, because you may find a better price further in. So we explored, and explored and explored, until my feet hurt and I was sweaty. Air conditioning not nearly as readily used in Korea as the US. We found some souvenirs we had been searching for and gifts for the kind people who were watching over our other cherubs at home. Then we were in search of Hanboks, traditional Korean formal wear for the munchkins. We thought M would probably have one in his stuff he brought home, so I wanted to get them for everyone else. They are beautiful colorful satin outfits traditionally born for formal occasions like the 1st birthday and weddings. I felt these were true tokens of Korea for the kids to cherish. <br />
WE COULDN'T FIND THEM....ANYWHERE. I was pretty bummed. We decided to head to the COEX which is another, more "mall like" shopping venue in hopes of finding them there. So back to the subway and stare at the map. Thankfully a nice woman approached us and told us which train to take and where to go. At the Coex it was a completely different shopping experience. Indoor and air conditioned, designer stores. Crazy clean. We found a couple little toys for those kiddos at home, but no Hanboks! Again I was so disappointed, and exhausted. So we decided to give up for now, head back to the hotel, eat and maybe come go to a different market we had heard of later in the afternoon. Because we were out of hotel by 6:45am, it was now only a little after lunchtime. So...back to the subway. And again while staring cross eyed at the map a middle aged gentlemen asked, in very good English, where we were headed. We told him and he said after looking at his watch "I will take you, just stay with me." On the subway ride, the man (never got his name) told us all about how grateful Koreans are for the assistance America gave their country and what it is like to live in Korea. He had traveled the world and had even been to Virginia! He was so kind and proud and I really enjoyed all that he shared with us. I figured he would maybe know about Hanboks, so with renewed determination, I asked him where we might go. He asked "Do you have a guide to go with you?" No, I said. He again looked at his watch and said, ", I havew time, I can take you." As we exited at the SAME stop we had originally stopped at, he said we needed exit 14. AHH, the error, we had taken the wrong exit earlier. On the way through the hallway, he stopped and bought some Korean rice cakes to share with us. Now, these are NOTHING like what I think of when one says rice cake. For starters they are not crunchy, or flat, or any of that. they were green and looked a bit like the end of green pepper that had seen better times. They were sticky and sweet with a sugary icing in the middle. Yum, wish we could have brought some home for the little ones here to taste. He took us up the stairs and pointed to a large building. He said goodbye and headed back into the subway. One of the things he shared was that senior citizens can ride the subway for free, what a great thing to offer them. <br />
<br />
And in this building...HANBOKS!!!!!!! Gorgeous ones, beautiful colors in adult and kids sizes. <br />
<br />
OK, that is all I can fit in today...more soon. This post has already taken hours to write.<br />
toRoo2011http://www.blogger.com/profile/06482472261782522104noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058161331443214537.post-52000697750104450442012-07-17T03:59:00.001-04:002012-07-17T03:59:17.023-04:00We are hereAfter an incredibly long flight, we made it to Seoul. Such a difference from good ole VA, but the weather is similar...read:humid!!
We brought a wireless travel router so we would have Internet in the room, but alas it doesn't work. I'm sure everything things I'm quite odd wandering around with an iPad looking for wireless service. Found it in the lobby, so hear I sit while S is trying to rest. Neither of us have eaten today, time difference had him up at about 4am and me at 5. The good news is we were off to conquer the subway by 7. At first it was very confusing but I learned quickly if pulled out my paper map and stood still long enough, someone would stop and help! So grateful for that. We met the nicest man who bought us rice cakes (nothing like the dry ones in the US) and went out of his way to take us to the area of shopping we couldn't find on our own.
Tomorrow is the big day...still seems surreal. By this time tomorrow MR will be in my arms. Can't wait. Cannot.wait.
For now, food....it has to happen if we are going to make it til tomorrow. It is so hard, I don't eat spicy food, so I am terrified of what I will get. FYI, the outback in our hotel doesn't appear to serve outback food at all. Very interesting. We have seen: McDs, Burger King, Baskin Robbins, KFC, TGIF, Uno's, and about 3 trillion coffee shops!
So that's where we are...until my next lobby break....toRoo2011http://www.blogger.com/profile/06482472261782522104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058161331443214537.post-39685825130444535932012-07-13T18:56:00.001-04:002012-07-13T18:56:10.986-04:00It's go time...Well, we have arrived at that important moment...Travel Call!! We leave this weekend and will be back at the end of next week. Stress??? You betcha! T fell off of her bike earlier this week, biting through her upper lip. What, did it infected you asked? Well OF COURSE it did. Back to the doctor yesterday for antibiotics. Today, my last day of work, S has a horrible headache, something that never happens. He has been in bed basically all day. Nothing is helping and that is stressing me out and giving me a headache. My dog went stupid yesterday, giving me a bit more gray hair.
But we are almost there. We have some more things to grab, and that is on my agenda for tomorrow. Then we are out of time.
Did I mention my ridiculous.irrational. Insane freak of flying??? Oh no, well there is that too. So I am terrified, nervous, excited, thrilled, you name it. Most of all I am thankful. Thankful for this opportunity, thankful for the amazing support we have gotten from our friends, family, co workers, etc. REALLY THANKFUL for my neighbors who are entertaining my kids tonight so I can update my blog!!
I hope the next time I post we will be on the other side of the world meeting a sweet, sweet boy!toRoo2011http://www.blogger.com/profile/06482472261782522104noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058161331443214537.post-19866105243704798202012-06-30T15:24:00.000-04:002012-07-01T10:02:47.767-04:00APPROVAL!!!!!!!!!Aaaahhhhhhh!
We have approval! Approval, people! Know what that means? Well, probably not, so I will tell you. The K.orean gov't has given permission for M/H/#4/OUR SON, to leave the country. Now we need the US embassy to do their part and away we go. So we have been told to expect our travel call in 1-3 weeks!!
I am so excited. I can't stand it. We have brought the suitcase up, pulled out some clothes and today I bought DIAPERS!!!!!! Not sure I have been this excited for diapers since baby T came along.
Plus, I have posted more than once a month too!! Yay me!
We still have some things to buy, like a high chair (got rid of ours). And some gifts. But we are pretty ready.
So.excited.toRoo2011http://www.blogger.com/profile/06482472261782522104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058161331443214537.post-11907043030703453672012-06-27T08:06:00.001-04:002012-06-27T08:06:34.575-04:00Tick tock and travel plansI hate to rush time along, but I am super excited for July to get here. Time is moving faster than I expected, I'm sure it will slow down the closer we get. I <i>think</i> we are inside a month now...I hope. We have contacted a great booking agent and reserved a hotel for the anticipated dates. Lots of travel this time of year to Seoul, so hotels are often booked. Hoping to avoid some stress of trying to find a room last minute. Made the decision about airfare, so things are falling into place. S is gone for training the rest of this week and again Mid-July. Part of me wishes we would get our call and it lines up perfectly with the plans we have made, but truthfully the sooner the better for me!!!<br />
We finally started to actually take the paper links of the chain, and I think it is helping the kids see that we are getting there.<br />
Going to try to be better about my blog, I want to be able to look back and read this excitement and anticipation.toRoo2011http://www.blogger.com/profile/06482472261782522104noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058161331443214537.post-5409463737319142242012-06-21T20:10:00.001-04:002012-06-21T20:10:40.303-04:00I'm horrible at blogging...People who know me know I have a lot to say. My parents say I never stop talking! But the writing down my millions of thoughts seems to be where I shut up (hey, mom don't wish you knew that years ago??)
Anyway, on nights where S is working (like tonight) I often find myself sitting quietly with the tv off. I always plan to blog and instead get engrossed in other's blogs. I have been blessed with a talkative husband and not shockingly 3 very chatty cherub children! Now I often find that I have lots to say, but no time to say it. But a blog? I should be able to ramble on here and later go backand read my many thoughts. Plus, S could read them and then I wouldn't drive him crazy with my constant lost thoughts.
Ok, there was a sample of ramblings from my brain. Whats going on around here?? We are waiting. WAITING! Much like we have been doing for almost 2 1/2 years. Somehow this waiting is different, distracting, mind consuming. We are. SO.CLOSE. SO CLOSE. I almost can't stand it. I wish I could go back to being slightly distracted by the everyday, but no such luck. I have started buying gifts (thanks CraftyD) and even have a piece of jewelry being made by an amazing artist. I have his toothbrush and some new pjs for the flight home. I feel like I know all possible flight patterns from the us to S.Korea for July. I have even memorized a portion of the map of Seoul. WAITING, still waiting.
That paperchain we made over a year ago that was suppose to represent the next 56 weeks of waiting, well it is finally being taken apart, day by day. But the truth that makes me nervous, I don't want to jinx anything. I'd like to start getting some things into a suitcase but I just can't yet...too real, too scared something could happen, delay us more.
So we wait...and know that soon the wait wil be over.toRoo2011http://www.blogger.com/profile/06482472261782522104noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058161331443214537.post-28730969943793948532012-06-06T21:14:00.002-04:002012-06-06T21:14:23.361-04:00EP....submitted!!!!!It has happened, the event we have been waiting for since January of this year. Our boy's paperwork was submitted, which is the 1st step in the final steps to get him home!!!! I was sitting in training out of the are when I picked up my phone to see a message from S saying something about almost missing the phone b/c he was going to mow. I opened it and read backwards to the text that said "don't scream out loud in class....J called....he was SUBMITTED!!! AAHHHHHHHHHHHH. I almost did scream out loud, but refrained. A couple tears fell, but thanks to allergies, no one seemed to notice the difference.<br />
So now we wait some more. As I have told friends and family, now at least the wait is more finite. Anywhere from 8-12 weeks from approval to travel. <br />
Stay tuned for the our next news!<br />
I have felt so blessed at the response everyone has had when they got our text, or read my FB post. He is clearly loved by so many more people here than just the C clan, and it warms my heart that soon he will be here to feel all that love.toRoo2011http://www.blogger.com/profile/06482472261782522104noreply@blogger.com0