Quick Update

Not much going on here except work, school and getting ready for John's month long clinical rotation which is very near my office. I'm looking forward to a lunch date here and there.  We thought we'd be able to commute together, but he has to start work earlier and leave later, so no dice.

We had a lovely Sunday dinner at our place with John's parents and sister.  They are the best of people and so nice to sit and talk with. John's mom teaches NFP at our parish and recently attended an NFP conference in Marquette, WI.  She also got to spend time with her daughter and son-in-law in Madison.

On Saturday, we took the twins and three of the nephews to Emerald Downs to see the horse races and weiner dog races.  The dog races made standing in the heat with 5 kids worth it, as they were hilarious! The dogs had to run 100 feet and were cheered and coaxed at the finish line by their owners who madly squeaked rubber chickens and such trying to get them to cross.  A couple of dogs didn't get the memo that it was a competition and instead did the doggy meet and greet that is butt-sniffing.  The crowd roared seeing these tiny in body but big in spirit dogs run as fast as their stubby legs could carry them. It was really nice to spend time with our nephews for the day (their other two siblings were camping), since we don't get to see them much due to work/school, etc.

The twins are doing well despite getting sick AGAIN.  It's a cold-ish thing plus some runs, but they are eating and sleeping well and seem to be on the mend.  John and I are trying to stay healthy, especially John since he cannot be sick at his internship.  Here's to health! 

Cherub is making gains and surprised me when he both signed and said: "Cookie? More? Eat?" I wanted to give him a cookie just for verbalizing everything.  Thumbelina is getting some help building up her strength and coordination from Daddy John.  He makes a game of having her step up and over the little red footstool.  Speaking of footstools, if you haven't seen the footstool scene in "Waiting for Guffman," you're missing out.  She's getting better and stronger.  Most times, it's her stubborness that holds her back if she thinks something is going to be difficult.  She's learning that we can wait out her tantrums, and that she'll still have to do the task we asked her to do.  She's a trooper, though, and such a fun personality.

I have been thinking about my prayer buddy and wondering how she's doing.  I'm off to check on her blog.

Have a great week!

You and Me

A couple of weeks ago, I was driving over the bridge connecting one side of our city to the other. It was a perfect weather day here—sun, no clouds, no humidity, breezy and 75, Mount Rainier on the left, the Olympics on the right, windows open, kids in the car seats watching the water and birds go by.

“You and Me” was playing on the radio. I hadn’t listened to the lyrics before, but now I heard and loved it. This is the song for John and me these days. Things have been a bit overwhelming and very busy with John's classes, my job, and the kids' various foster care appointments, but with God’s help, we’re doin’ the damn thing.

So, enjoy the song and maybe play it thinking of your sweetheart when you feel down or overwhelmed.

You and me together, we can do anything, baby. You and me together, yeah, yeah.

Baby Cal and the Big Sissies

Here are the big sisters and their new little bro! More photos are here.

Novena to St. Anne

Thank you to TCIE for reminding me to start the Novena to St. Anne. I am late in starting! :(  I have it on my calendar at home, but promptly forgot over the weekend.  This novena will be offered for my Prayer Buddy's intentions, in thanksgiving for the safe arrival of my new nephew, and for some things I've been worried and thinking about a lot.

Please join me in praying and asking Jesus' grandma to help us all.

Novena To St. Anne

Welcome, Baby Caleb!

This morning at 9:33am EDT, Caleb, Jr. arrived! He is 6 pounds, 14 ounces and 20 inches long.  He's the third child and first son of my sister Mary and her husband, Caleb.  We're so happy you got here safely and can't wait to meet you. God bless you, Little Mister.

Bryce Daniel

A friend had this posted on her Facebook page, and I watched it tonight.  Beautiful, amazing, will make you cry with joy.  Please watch.

In Defense of Daycare

I never thought I'd be writing a post about defending daycare. That was before I was dealing with the reality that I cannot be a stay at home for another couple of years.  Before, I was very judgmental about putting children in daycare for any reason.  Too much listening to Dr. Laura, perhaps. But that naivete has passed. 

While I still think that two parents working to maintain a certain lifestyle and putting their kids in daycare is not good, I see that child care is necessary for some parents, John and I being some of them.
John is in school full time for the next two years (He is nearing the end of his first year).  That means someone has to earn a living to pay the mortgage, bills, etc.  That's me. 

However, we did not want to put off being foster parents for another three years. Kids need homes now.  The children who are currently in our home attend day care full time very near my office.  For many kids in foster care, the structure and social time with teachers and other children is necessary and a very important aspect in their development.  That is the case with the kids with us. 

The ladies at the daycare are godsends, because they care deeply for these children and have been instrumental in their healing and growth and development.  Because of what they do, it allows me to do what I do and need to do: be a foster mom and work full time to take care of our family. 

Not everyone can stay home with their kids. I will when we are able to, but in the mean time, the children we foster are in a safe, happy and stable world--something they didn't have before.

There are no perfect families, no matter how perfect some seem on the outside.  We're striving for perfection. 

7 Quick Takes

I haven't done these before, but I need to do a summary of things going on here.
1.) We've had the children for 17 days now.  Cherub ran a fever on Tuesday, so he couldn't go back to daycare on Wednesday, which meant I couldn't go to work.  However, we had a nice day at home and the kids visited with their mom.  She gave me their car seats, lots of diapers, some clothes and shoes, and toys to use.

2.) I joined the summer Prayer Buddy list.  You can read about it here. I am inspired by these ladies whose blogs I read daily and learn from, identify with, and laugh with via cyberspace. Thank you to my prayer buddy.  Your prayers are greatly appreciated!!!  I had planned to do a Holy Hour for my prayer buddy while the kids were at visitation, but got called by the social worker about 10 minutes in.  So, I had to leave, but I did get to do 10 holy minutes for my summer prayer friend. 

3.) Miracle of miracles--it is HOT here! As 50 Cent says, "It's gettin' hot in hurrr so take off..." Well, nevermind what he says.  The kids went in the sprinkler yesterday and the house stayed cool till about 6pm, thanks to our attic fan.  It has been a godsend during the summer, since most homes here do not have AC.

4.)  Cherub and Thumbelina are blossoming.  We're seeing such progress, especially in Thumbelina.  She's gaining weight, chatting up a storm, is hilarious, eating a lot, and getting tons of veggies in, although she doesn't realize it.  I bought a Juicer at Good Will for $8 and have been juicing her greens.  She gulps them down and gets mad when I don't bring her sippy cup to her fast enough.  Cherub was singing "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" and doing the hand motions as well.  He will need additional help, because a lot of the time he's in his own little world, but my gosh, he's doing well. 

5.) We spent Independence Day weekend around home and had a bbq at both John's parents' house and my parents' house on Sat/Sunday.  They have been wonderful at stepping in as grandparents to the kids and have helped us out immensely.

6.) On June 26, John, our friend, Jason and I ran the Rock and Roll Half Marathon.  It was Jason's first one, John's second and my third--it was also my slowest time.  But, I had two bum feet and was hobbling after crossing the finish line.  We've all agreed to do a few a year so that we'll stay in running form. John had an awesome time--1:45.  I hope to break 2 hours at the next one, but that wasn't in the cards this time around.  Because we needed to be on the road to Seattle at 3:30am, John's mom (God love her) was at our house at 3am.  His dad and sister also came over to help watch the kids and gave up most of their Saturday to do so.  John's dad also fixed the light over the oven and repaired some blinds. After the 1/2 mary, John and I got to meet Meb Keflezighi, perseverance personified. He was so nice and took time to speak to everyone in line.  We hadn't ever planned to do a full marathon, but Meb suggested that we run one at least once in our lifetime.  So, now we say, "Well, Meb said we should."

7.) John has a few more weeks of school in his fourth quarter and first year of PT school and then an internship all of August.  Best part of this news is that his assignment is down the road from my office! We all can commute to work, internship and daycare together! And John and I can meet for lunch.  This is such a treat, because he's usually in Seattle all day everyday.  August will be nice. :)

Happy 4th birthday, Lili Girl!!

My niece, Lili Pea, is 4 on the 4th! She is way over in Australia and celebrated her birthday with family and friends.  She is a doll and a tomboy wrapped in one cute package. I remember getting the call from her mom, Kate, and telling me that a Yankee Doodle baby had arrived.  A week or so later, I was flying to Australia to meet you.

 I love you so much, Liliana, and wish we could be there to celebrate with you and give you big hugs and kisses.  Aunty Lou and Uncle Third send our love and prayers for a wonderful year and life for you.

Happy birthday, Peach!!

Today my niece, Pita, (aka Peach, birthname Guadalupe) is 2 years old! Even though you're on the other side of the country, you are in my heart and thoughts, little girl. You are such a fun, goofy, sweet kiddo and I love how you march to the beat of your own drum. And now you're a big sister to your little brother who is arriving in a couple of weeks!

We hope that you have a wonderful new year of life and know that you are loved beyond measure.

Aunty Lou and Uncle Third love you bundles and bundles! (and we're sorry that you're gift is late!) :)