TGIF

1.) Wednesday consisted of 3 things for the kids: Visit with their mom from 9am-11am (I pick up); meeting from 3-5pm with mom, social workers and therapists regarding the kids' ISSP; social worker's monthly home visit at 5:30pm.  Oh, and work in the middle. Thank you, Mom C, for picking up the kids at child care! She and Dodil (Dear Old Dad in Law) are truly godsends who have watched the kids for us and truly been grandparents to our twinkies.

2.) The last 6 weeks, I've been having some issues which have caused me to be really tired most of the time.  I did get a blood test and,  as a result, was prescribed some meds that are treating things, but I had just started them the day before.  So, my goal for Wednesday was to make it through.  Short term goals, right? There are bigger problems in the world, I know, but my husband, these kids, and my job ARE my world, and for the last 6 weeks, I have felt like I've been failing them due to my exhaustion, impatience from exhaustion and physical snafu.   Making a short story long, everything went well, and I'll have to do a post about Wednesday.  At 7:30pm, after the kids were tucked in, I was stretched out on the couch; we watched our favorite show, and I was in bed by 9:30.  The next morning, I felt like a new woman, and I'm finally in contact with my Creighton doctor who is about 4 hours' drive away.

2.) Cherub learned a new word tonight: cucumber.  Or Kyue-ma-ma, as he says. He was in the kitchen with me as I was cooking dinner, and he was eating the little survivor tomatoes from our garden.  I got it on video and wish I could post it, but with his status as a foster child, I can't. :( But, I did forward it to my family, so I hope they enjoy it.

3.) DQ called me "Mama" today! John said that she has called me that before, but this was the first time that, when John and our neighbor pointed to me and said, "Who is that?" she smiled and said in her tiny, high voice, "Mama". :) It's a new day in our relationship.

4.) Although I need to go into work tomorrow for a few hours, John and I are taking the kids to a local farm to get our pumpkin! He and I have been doing this every year for the last 3 or 4 years.  Each year we go, John and I have a contest.  We pick a large pumpkin to take home and guess the weight.  Whoever comes closest wins a coffee of his choice compliments of the other.   So far, I am undefeated.  Each year, John thinks he will win, the dear, sweet man.  I'm going to try to get the contest on video for your viewing enjoyment, plus photos of the kids. I don't think they've been to a pumpkin patch before.  I do think that they will be saying, "PUN-kin" the whole time, because they love saying it whenever a large, orange orb is in view.

5.)  Dog is my co-pilot.  Our dog, Jill,  (3/4 Golden Retriever, 1/4 English Mastiff) deserves and will receive a separate post.  She really is our dog-ter, and has been so good with the kids (5 so far) who have been in our home.  Each night she sleeps on our bed at our feet.  Last night, she wanted to sleep in the hall for a bit, which means that in the middle of the night, she'll either hear something and do her protective bark which sounds like "BOOF!" or she'll whine to come back in.  At 11:41, I heard her whining at the closed door.  With my eyes shut, I opened our bedroom door and let her back in.  This morning,  at the entry I found a baby toy which she brought to us as a 'gift.' Being the retriever that she is, she brings 'gifts' to anyone and everyone when they enter our house.  I love, love, love you, Jilly!

6.) This weekend in our parish ministry festival where all of the church's ministries have booths and sign people up.  The ministry that I'm involved with is "Martha Ministry" which my sister-in-law, Christina, started.  We make meals for maybe 1 or 2 weeks for families with new babies, illness, etc.  I love this much needed ministry.  So, after one of the Masses, I'll man our 'booth' with our current Martha Ministry leader and my close friend Erin, with whom the kids and I are going to the zoo on Sunday! She is a wonderful friend to me and her youngest daughter, Michaela, is our youngest goddaughter.  John will have a quiet house for part of Sunday to study. :)

7.) This week, we learned that my company is having our Christmas party at this really unique and fun place.  Each year, this is such a fun night for us.  My boss is great and so generous with his employees.  I'm looking forward to dancing with John to this band after dinner!