Pruning

Because I have not posted anything this month and because I probably will not do much blogging this month, I'm grateful to have come across this blog post today which rings so true for me. 

Mary, make my heart like yours---capable of loving.

Quote of the Day

This morning, I was teasing Cherub before we left for work/childcare and said that he looked like a ragamuffin.  In fact, he looked nothing like a ragamuffin--more like a fashionable hiker in a hoodie and vest.  And with his hair pulled back in a ponytail, he looked like the toddler version of this guy:

So when we got to school, he said, "Mommy, you know what I look like? A regular muffin!"  And then hopped out of the mini-van, "White Lightning."

Defeated

This year I was ousted as Pumpkin Champ. :(  My first mistake was letting John see my technique for guessing the weight of the pumpkin. My strategy was to have Cherub and Thumbelina sit like pumpkins and then pick them up which they thoroughly enjoyed.  The second mistake was not going with my gut instinct guess of 37.5 pounds, Cherub's weight.  John guessed 36.5 and I guessed 33.   The pumpkin weighs 38 pounds.

The victor was overjoyed as you can see from the photos.  I will rally again!!!!!
We've been making pumpkin spiced lattes using this recipe and saving lots of money from it.

Falling

Although we got gypped out of a summer here save for the last couple of weeks of August, I can't help being excited about Autumn.  The thought of cool evenings and changing leaves, piles of pumpkins and baking pumpkin bread and soup gets me in the mood for this fun season.  I've been thinking about Halloween costumes for the kids.  We don't dress the kids in witch, ghoulish or scary costumes, but there is a VERY cute witch costume that would be darling on Thumbelina, because, well sometimes, she's a bit of a witch.  Hey, I am, too, so I can't judge her harshly.

During this season, John and I compete for Pumpkin Guesser of the Weight Champ.  The prizes are a coffee of the winner's choice paid by the loser competitor and bragging rights.  Last year's champ was a charming and delightful (and humble) person, if I do say so myself.

So, it's time to push the '66 Valiant out of the garage so that I can climb into the attic and get out the fall decor. It's time to buy some pumpkins and make this delicious soup. It's time to post some photos and recipes on the new blog.  Since I'm the only sister in the Northern Hemisphere, I'll be posting autumn dishes, while Mary and Kate will most likely post summer dishes. Or maybe not. We haven't posted anything yet.  Either way, I hope you'll join us over there and send us your own favorite fall recipes.  We'll post them!

Photo taken at one of my favorite stores near work.  

Wordless Wednesday

Hoh Rain Forest and Ruby Beach

New Blog Coming!

Good morning! Bom Dia! G'day!

I'm very excited about a new fun project in the works with my sisters, Mary and Katie.  We are starting a blog about food, family and faith...oh, and about being on 3 different continents.


We hope to be up and running soon and look forward to your feedback and sharing our recipes and our lives across North America, South America and Australia!

Advice from Adoptive Parents

Dear Adoptive Parents out there in Blog-Land:

What can you tell me about the Adoption Home Study?

Many thanks,
J

Power of Prayer

Tonight the twins will attend a function with their mother, and I will drop them off.  Since it's been a long time since I've spoken with or had any contact with her (her choice, not mine), I'm starting to get a little nervous. Yesterday after court, I told John that sitting there hearing what the parents have done/not done made me think about my own final judgment.  Will my good works and faith plead my case before Our Lord?  The thought was very sobering.  I just emailed a coworker to ask her to pray for me regarding tonight.  The way she prays is very personal, and the way she words things really puts things in perspective for me.  This is what she emailed back to me:

"Lord, Jenny and I come before You and ask that You would remove fear that would only cause Jenny to be distracted from what you have prepared for her to experience when meeting with the kids' mom.  I ask that you would place Your peace that comes from Your heart of grace and mercy that You demonstrated for all of us on the cross.  May Jenny see S with eyes of love, mercy and grace.  There is a reason why You placed the vision of judgment on my sister's mind.  Help her to use that vision as a way she to interact with one that is facing impending judgment of her motherhood.  In Jesus' name we pray, AMEN. "

This is weird, but...

ever since I 'came down with' giardia this spring, I've only wanted iced drinks.  Since I have an addiction to coffee, iced coffee has been my drug of choice.  And since a grande iced coffee from the 'Bucks is $2.55 + tip, I  really should be making my own.

This recipe looks wonderful, and so do the photos.  Recently, I bought one of those 16 oz plastic Starbucks cups with the green straw.  I can pretend that a barista made my iced coffee, but it will come from the Kitchen of Jenny, who will not get a tip.  Just a good iced coffee.

My Daughter's Eyes

She's not my legal daughter. I have no real claim to her other than what the state has given me. But I don't think I could love her any more had I carried her for 9 months.  Many days, she drives me crazy.  Some days she seems to need holy water sprinkled on her, but every day she says something funny and I can't stop holding her and kissing her. 

Thumbelina calls me 'Mom' now, a change from the "Mommy" of the last year.  Since G-Force came, she's been imitating his baby talk and answering us with "uh! uh!" Then she'll launch into a regular conversation about her favorite topics: lawnmowers, planes and keeping her undies dry.  This girl is such a joy to us and her spunk and spirited ways are part of her charm and a challenge for us to channel and help her develop. 

There is a chance that we will be able to adopt her and her twin brother, but until things are set, I won't get my hopes up.  Losing them is something I can't wrap my mind around right now, so I won't.

Whenever I hear this song, I think of her and can't help but get watery eyes.  No matter what happens with the case, she'll always be our girl.

Time with Emily

Last weekend, my dear friend Emily, came to visit. She and I were roommates for 2 years in college along with two other friends, and Em was a bridesmaid in our wedding. She is one of the smartest, loveliest people I know, and having her to myself for a weekend meant the world to me. The kids loved her as well, and Em read many books to them and played with them. Cherub brought book after book out of his room, and she read every book deposited on her lap. She held G-Force at Mass for me and he happily slept on her shoulder.

The beautiful, sunny and 70s weather gave Emily a break from the triple digit temps of Kansas City, and her presence gave me a boost of joy and good conversation. Dang, she’s a thinker, and I’ve not kept up my brain. She made me want to get more learnin’ and read more!

Thumbelina, Em and I took the ferry to Seattle and enjoyed lunch and a trip to Pike Place Market. That evening, John made salmon on the grill and the three of us ate outside and enjoyed the sunlight til about 9:30pm when we lit candles and talked while sipping Riesling.

Sunday night, John and I took her to our favorite local restaurant on the water. Funny how I’d been daydreaming for months about taking her there, and it was so much fun to share the time with her.

Good friends truly are treasures, and I am so happy to know beautiful Emily.

Summer?

Summer has made its presence known here a couple of days at a time, mostly few and far between.  While the rest of the country is sweltering in 3 digit temps and humidity, we are tucked away in an early spring-like summer with glimpses of 79 degree weather here and there.  As much as I’ve complained about missing out on summer, I would prefer this to melting.  The twins and G-Force enjoyed an evening in Mere Mere and Pere Pere’s back yard eating white strawberries fresh from the garden and the wading pool. 

The Puget Sound area is enjoying a week of mostly sunny days in the 70s.  Not bad at all.

Lots

So much going on here, and I'm hoping to get a post up tonight or tomorrow. G-Force moved in on Saturday and started daycare on Monday.  The teachers love him as he is so happy and easygoing.  I felt bad that he had to be in daycare, but I trust the ladies there, and right now, while John is in school, I have to work.  The twins have been so good with the little guy, and Thumbelina is such a little mother to him.  She got him laughing very hard yesterday when she would sniff his hand and exclaim, "Pee-UUUUU!!!" Cherub has been trying to teach him the signs for 'more,' 'eat,' and 'please,' since G-Force doesn't use words yet.  So cute.

Thumbelina no longer calls me 'mommy.' I'm "Mom" now.  "Um, hey Mom? Um, I need my white flip flops." "Um, hey Mom? Look what I drew! It's a dinosaur foot." "Did you HEAR dat, Mom?! It's a airpwane!"

Cherub and I spent the morning together yesterday since he had to stay home from school.  It was really nice to have him with me and get to take him to my office when I picked up some work.  People who had not seen him for a long time were amazed at the changes in him.  We're really proud of the twins and what amazing and fun little people they have become...especially that they are nearly potty trained!

I'm back!

Hidden Fern had a little technical difficulty when the domain name expired and needed to get renewed. yada yada yada We're back! I have lots to post about the last few days. :)

We're expecting

a fifteen month old boy!

The opportunity to possibly foster to adopt a little boy came to us when the twins’ caseworker told us about him one day when we were at a court hearing.  His foster care case is possibly coming to an end, and his foster family (wonderful people) have decided that due to their age and the fact that they have three young adopted children who need a lot of attention, they cannot adopt G.  John and I met G and his foster siblings and parents at a park midway between our homes.  At once I was struck by their love for their children and the great care they take of G.  John and G’s foster father are about the same height and both have good senses of humor.  The foster parents’ children (9, 8 and 4) were very nice and adored G as much as he adored them.  This is very bittersweet for his foster family, especially “R” his foster mother, who had tears in her eyes when they arrived at the park, and when we were leaving.  She did, however, feel really good about where G is going, and saw that G liked us and was very comfortable. John was playing with and holding G about 2/3 of the time, and they seemed like old friends. 

The funny part:  His birth name begins with “J” but his birth mom wants him to be called by his third name which begins with “G” but sounds like “J.”  G’s caseworkers name also starts with “J” and is the same name as the twins’ caseworker! So, 2 more J names in the mix.  This is what I get for hating name patterns! 

To prepare for our new arrival, we are required to have an amended foster license.  Currently, we are licensed for two children.  The home office has been moved to the family room, which is now the media/family room. John and his dad painted G’s room and John’s mom and sister brought dinner and bought material we picked out to make curtains!  

For the last two weeks, we’ve talked to the twins about Baby G coming to visit and then coming to stay with us.  Every night, they pray, “God bwess Baby G.” 

He is not legally free for adoption yet, but we will be considered his permanent home when he is, and we will find out how this will go at the end of October at a hearing.  As this is foster care, anything can and does happen. Your prayers are appreciated not only for us and G –Force, but for his foster parents and siblings who have raised him since he was 4 days old.  R & R, the foster parents, will have broken hearts for a good while. 

We have received so much help and support from our families, especially our parents and John’s sister Miriam who have watched the kids for us, brought dinner, painted, made curtains, and countless other things.  In our case, and I think in most families, it does take a (family) village.

Announcement coming...

Stay tuned for Friday night or Saturday morning. Prayers please. :) Thanks in advance!

7 Quick Takes

1.)  John finished his first week of his last quarter of classes! After this, his third year of PT school is 9 months of internships.  We're entering the home stretch!

2.) I got my plane ticket to DC to visit my sister and her family one last time before they move to Brazil for 3 years.  Looking forward to seeing them, but already dreading the goodbye.  Also, it's been 2.5 years since I was on a plane.

3.)  The twins are doing well and blossoming.  They've had some funny conversations between the two of them, and John and I stifle laughs listening to them.  On June 21, it was the one year anniversary since they were placed with us.

4.)  We're reorganizing the pantry. Yep, we're wild ones. But it makes such a difference to have everything in its place and be able to use what we have.  These have been a great help. We bought a set of 5 at Target. Perhaps I'll post before and after photos. 

5.)  On his week off, John cleaned out the garage and set up a workout area for us.  He's doing P90X and I'm in there for Zumba.  We have our weights, yoga mats and mini bar.  What I do need to get are some simple curtains or blinds for the window and door.  I'd be a little embarrassed if our new neighbors saw me gettin' my Zumba on.

6.) Still need to post a Father's Day note.  There are wonderful men in my life who are great fathers and I'm sorry that I haven't posted about them yet!

7.)  Need your prayers for a special intention.  As things progress, I will post about it.  In the meantime, John and I are on Day 3 of the 54 Day Novena.  Not only is praying the Rosary together something we haven't done for a long time, it is giving us much needed quiet time and reflection as our lives get more hectic.  For those who aren't familiar with this novena, for the first 27 days, you pray special prayers along with a Rosary for your intention.  The next 27 days are in thanksgiving.  Thank you for praying for us!

Cranberry Coffee Cake

Last night, after the kids were in bed, I decided to bake something using what we had in the freezer/pantry. I've had 2 bags of cranberries in the freezer since November.  A couple of weeks ago I used some in muffins.  Coffee cake sounded good, so I googled 'cranberry coffee cake' and found a gem from Joy the Baker.

Shortly before starting, I realized that I had no brown sugar. Joy the Baker to the rescue again.  Homemade brown sugar is fluffy and delicious! I happened to have a bottle of molasses in the pantry for ginger biscotti that I never made.

The cake turned out well, and the strudel top is delicious.  If you have extra cranberries around Thanksgiving, or have a bag in the freezer like I did, give this recipe a try.

The F Files #1

This is a new blog category: The F(oster) Files.  The first entry is a funny tale about a well-meaning parishioner.  As many of you know, Cherub, (a boy) has beautiful curly, long hair that is up in a ponytail every day.  Add on his long eyelashes, big brown eyes and a beautiful face, he looks like a girl.  However, he is always dressed as a boy, in blues, oranges, greens, Toy Story stuff, dump truck stuff, and a suit and tie for Easter Mass.  No matter how masculine we dress him, people still think he is a girl.  I guess people must reason away the masculine clothes??

Anyway, I found out from our pastor that someone (his brother) told him about a couple who dresses their little girl like a boy.  Father started laughing because he knew  that we were ‘the couple.”  His brother earnestly said, “No, you don’t get it. They dress her in a suit and tie!”  Father and I were laughing so hard about it. 

What makes me wonder is how many other people who don’t know us think that?  I don’t really care, because there is nothing we can do about his hair other than keep it clean and out of his face.  This well meaning young dad was kindly concerned about Cherub and our judgment, but for Pete’s sake, we’re at Mass and going up to Communion, and still the suit and tie didn’t make one think, “Maybe it’s a boy with long hair.”  The conclusion was made that we were dressing a girl as a boy.  It is funny, a little frustrating at times, but not as frustrating as the situation with the kids’ case.  Your prayers are most welcome.

The next time I see the nice young dad, I will joke with him about it and introduce Cherub as “Our little tranny.” ;)

So What?

So what if I didn't get everything done on the list I made today at work?
So what if the twins went to bed an hour later if it meant taking Cherub in the jogging stroller for some QT with him and a family (foster though it may be) dinner with John and the twins, and they enjoyed a beautiful WA spring evening in the backyard with Jill while John grilled?
So what if I'm going to bed later than I planned if it meant watching "The Office" with John?

What matters is that we had a lovely evening with happy twins. Let the madness of their case swirl around us.  Their lives will be peaceful and happy.

"To love is to burn - to be on fire"

Tonight, I'm sitting at the kitchen table on John's mac and enjoying a glass of red wine while thinking about the events of the day.  John has just left with a gradeschool/highschool friend to see "Thor." Um, no thank you.  :)

We got the kids up 15 minutes early so that they could have breakfast before we got ready for their all day visit with their father.  Their daycare was closed today for a training session, so I asked both the caseworker and their father that if at all possible, could the visit be today since I had to be at work and child care was closed.  Both agreed.

Wouldn't you know it that 30 minutes before I drove 40 minutes to take the bubs to the ferry, I picked up my phone.  On it was a text from bio-dad from 4:25 am saying that his boss had a medical emergency and he was at the ER with him. "We may have to change plans."  I admit that I saw red.

He canceled last Friday because it was raining and he had planned all outdoor things. (The children may not go to his place until the caseworker approves it.)  So, he asked if Saturday would work.  Yes, that would be great. I could go to work to make up some time and get the house cleaned for the Mother's Day brunch we were hosting. Wouldn't you know that he called 20 minutes before the kids and I left for the ferry that his public transit card was empty because DSHS hadn't reloaded it.  This being the case, it cut too much into his visit budget to have the kids that day.


So, I should not have been surprised that a boss (whose health problems are bad) takes precedence over this birth father's own children.  Thank God for my mom (Mimi to her grand kids) and staying with them so that I could get to work.  The dad said he didn't remember my email saying that today the kids' daycare was closed because he had a 'busy week.'  Join the club, dude.


John and I were talking about the children's parents tonight. They love their children, but not like a parent should. It reminded us of that scene in "Sense and Sensibility" where Eleanor is comforting Marianne when Willoughby leaves her for a woman of fortune.  She tells her, "Whatever his past actions, whatever his present course... at least you may be certain that he loved you."  Marianne replies, "But not enough. Not enough."

Nie Nie on 20/20

If you read The Nie Nie Dialogues, you’ll want to tune into 20/20 Friday.  Elizabeth Vargas reports on Stephanie and her family since the plane crash which burned her over 80% of her body.  Stephanie’s story is one of hope, inspiration, the gift of family and the power of prayer.  Check your local listings and click here for a preview.

Giveaway!

My talented friend, Grace, is having a giveaway on her blog. Run over and check it out and leave a comment for a chance at winning this book!

Our Field of Little Flowers: Receive the Holy Spirit

Happy Mother's Day

To all mothers:
Biological mothers
Adoptive mothers
Foster Mothers
Future Mothers
Mothers who made a loving and sacrificial choice and placed their children with a forever family
Mothers whose children are in foster care
Mothers whose children have gone before them
Mothers of aborted children

God bless you and give you peace on Mother's Day!
May the Blessed Mother be your guide and comfort.

7 Quick Takes

1.  For the last several weeks, I've felt really awful.  Vomiting, runs, stomach pain, no appetite.  On my second visit to my primary, he ordered a blood draw and stool collection.  This is even less glamorous than it sounds. :)  I wasn't sure what to expect as far as results, but what I DIDN'T expect was the actual result: giardia.  So, after 3 of 10 days on anti-biotics, I'm on the mend.

2.  The twins have had two all day visits with their father. Today they were supposed to have one, but it was switched to tomorrow due to the rain, and the fact that his plan was a park and a picnic. The kids can’t go to his house yet, because the case worker needs to approve it first. This works out well for me that the kids will be gone all day Saturday, since it means I can go into work to catch up a little and then get the house cleaned for Mother’s Day. What stinks is that John has a long drive tomorrow starting at 5:30am for a PT student volunteer day way out in No Man’s Land, Washington.


3.  We’ll have a Mother’s Day Brunch at our house this Sunday. John’s Dad, my dad and John will provide the food. I would like to make cinnamon rolls, since I’ve never made them before.

4.  Cherub is fighting the potty training much less and has actually pee-peed standing up a few times recently. WOO-HOO!! He gets half a cupcake which is a wonderful reward to him. His sister, who uses the big toilet all the time (but is still not fully potty-trained), said she wanted a cupcake. I told her that she needed to do something special on there like #2. I think it fell on deaf ears, but we negotiated down to a little cookie.

5.  Since my sister and her family are moving to Brasilia in August, I am trying to plan a short trip to the DC area to visit them. The last time I got on a plane was 2.5 years ago for my bro’s wedding in Dallas. Not looking forward to the body scan. Hmm, that reminds me that I should bust out the Zumba DVDs.

6.  Our beautiful niece and my goddaughter, Lili, could use your prayers. She has a more serious form of epilepsy than originally thought. She and my sister are spending four days in the hospital to monitor any and all seizures. Right now, my brother and sister-in-law are in Melbourne visiting Kate and her family, and I’m glad they are there for moral support.

7. We had a photo session for the twins in honor of their third birthday! I wish I could post photos which really show their faces, because they are such beautiful children. Our talented and creative friend, Krystal, spent about 2 hours with us at a local park and ran around capturing very active moments and quiet moments of the kids. She did a superb job.

Easter 2011

Twins

Some facts about the twins:

They are fraternal.

Cherub is a boy. Thumbelina is a girl.

Cherub's hair is thick, light brown with blond highlights, long and very curly.

Thumbelina's hair is fine, straight and blond.

Cherub has big brown eyes.

Thumbelina has big blue eyes.

Cherub is a sturdily built little boy who weighs about 10 pounds more than his sister and at least 3 inches taller

Thumbelina is very petite.

And still, I have been asked if they are identical or fraternal.

So, this video that my sister-in-law, E, sent me, made me laugh out loud.

March Madness

Lest March pass with no post, here are a few things going on in our lives.

1.)   John had a week and a half off between quarters.  That means that the kitchen is clean, weeding has started and the kids get to play “Daddy Monster” with him when we get home from work and school.  He has gotten them ready in the morning for me as well which has been such a big help.  Oh, and he makes me a coffee in a travel mug. I will miss this when he goes back to his school schedule.

2.) Each morning and evening, I put ‘lotion’ on the kids’ cheeks and lips. It’s Vaseline, but they call it wo-shun.  And they tell me where to apply it:  “And on my foah-head? And on the cheek? And on duh uddah cheek? And on my wip?”  This morning, Thumbelina added one, “And on  my boogers?” 

3.) On March 14, we had a permanency plan hearing for the twins.  Along with the caseworkers and the parents’ lawyers,  the kids’ teacher and the director of the center they attend were there.  It was really nice of them to go.  The judge went along with the DSHS plan of ‘return to parent’ in this case the father.  We, along with one of the case workers, have concerns and worries about him being a good choice, but we’ll see. We just don’t want the case be rushed and the kids given to him and then he does something stupid. Prayers, please.

4.) The twins will turn 3 next month! We’re having a little family party, and we’ll take treats to child care and playgroup.  They finish their therapeutic playgroup the week they turn three.  Seeing the progress they’ve made has been amazing.  I really wish I’d videotaped them when they first came to us.  What a difference!  They are so much fun, so funny and drive us crazy at the same time. But we would not trade any of it if it meant never having met them.  Thumbelina has been saying “My Mommy!! My Mommy!” whenever she wants me to hold her or she thinks I’m leaving.  Cherub has been saying, “My two Daddies!” since he has John and bio-dad.  If reminds me of the line, “Rhapsody has two mommies…” from Best in Show.
 

5.) For the first time in 9 months (since the twins arrived), we have been working on the yard again.  The weekend was gorgeous, so we got a lot of weeding done, and I bought some more spring flowers.  The kids picked out a primrose each. Thumbelina chose a red one with a yellow center, and Cherub picked a purply-blue one.  I think it would be nice to plant a primrose for each child who comes to our home.  They are hardy little flowers who bloom under less than ideal circumstances.

6.) We had a surprise visit from the kids’ case worker who lives one street over from us.  She had gotten a phone message from us that Cherub had bonked his nose earlier in the day, so she stopped by to see how he was doing.  The CW has a female pit bull who is very laid back and friendly.  Well, the CW was out walking her when she stopped by the house.  The dog poked her head in the house and we invited the CW in.  Thank God Jill was in the back yard! That could have been an ugly confrontation.  Both dogs are very friendly, but if Jill would have seen a strange dog in her home I think it would not have been good at all.  Long story short, the house was clean, the kitchen spotless (thanks to John) and the kids were happy and getting PJs on.  Nothing like a drop in from a CW to make you thank your lucky stars that the CW saw happy children and a pleasant home.

7.) The twins may be leaving us within 6 months or earlier depending on how things go with their father’s progress.  Most days I don’t want to think about that and just focus on the present.  But we must prepare them and ourselves for it.  We are trying to establish a good relationship with the father as well, and hope that if the kids do go to him that he would allow us to be in their lives in some way.   This Lent is a good time to take a step back and reflect on all of this.  Hope you all are having a good Lent!

Quick Takes

1.)       We had a week of sickness in the house last week.  Thank God for Mere Mere and Mimi, who took care of the kids and brought meals when I needed to get to work and then got sick myself along with John.  After 20 minutes at work last Wednesday, I knew that I couldn’t stay a minute longer and drove home to capitulate to the 24 hour bug.  Had to pull over on the highway and again at a church parking lot to gracefully puke, if one can do that.

      2.)   Yesterday, the permanency plan meeting for the kids’ case took place.  Because of confidentiality, we can’t talk about anything that was said in the room.  However, the father (who is snowed in somewhere on a job site) and his lawyer did not answer their phones for this meeting. Everyone else managed to participate. I hope he has a very good reason for missing the call.  Please keep this in your prayers. We want the best for the kids, and we don’t think the best thing is what the CW is recommending.  We pray every night that the judge make a wise decision on 3/14 at the court hearing.

     3.)  Our niece, Maddy, is in Madama Butterfly at Kennedy Center in DC!  She auditioned with other 4 and 5 year olds for the non-speaking part of “Trouble,” Butterfly’s child.  They were looking for kids who are good listeners and who can ‘sleep’ on stage for 8 minutes or so—not easy for little kids! We are so proud of her and excited for her.  Sure wish we could see her onstage.  After her wig fitting, she looked like a little boy in a kimono.  Amazing.  Love you, Madge! 
      
     4.)  For months and months, I’ve neglected to exercise. L No more! I have to get back into running shape for a ½ marathon in June, and just for my health and sanity.  A few days of running, a few days of Zumba, and a few days of some good lifting will get me back to where I need to be.

      5.) John has finals in 2 weeks.  I cannot believe he is halfway through grad school! He does an awesome job both at school and at home.

      6.) My next home project is our small bathroom.  It really needs an update. The medicine cabinet is huge and covers part of an outlet.  There’s no good storage, and we need it in that small space. That reminds me that I never posted after photos of the main bathroom.


      7.)   I’m hoping to catch up on work this weekend.  Thank God for the VPN.  With all that’s going on, I got behind on year end reports.  It’ll all get done!

I Do, February 10, 2001: A Decade Later

Ten years married today.  10 years. Married. Today.  How in the world did John C. ever convince himself to marry Jenny M?? I sometimes still marvel at that. Most days I marvel at that.

We became friends in one of the the most romantic cities in the world-Rome during our semester abroad.  A year later in February 1997, we started dating.  A couple of break ups, a vocation search, a move to DC and the best proposal at the Lincoln Memorial later, and here we are: in WA state, a career change, some infertility, a foster parent license, and a set of twins later, in our own piece of heaven on earth.

Thank you, my dearest friend and husband, for gently nudging me towards striving to be my best, for your patience, for your humor, for your being just you who I met in a state called Texas and fell head over heels in love with 14 years ago in a country called Italy.

You are the best thing that has happened to this Florissant girl, to Little Man, Cherub and Thumbelina and Jill.  Please, don't ever change.

To paraphrase a line from "Sense and Sensibility" (John and I do not share a love of Jane Austen :) ): May I endeavor to deserve you.

Happy 10th, dearest John.

A Tale of Two Cities and Two Sacraments

Our family has been blessed to have celebrated two sacraments within a week of each other. First was Zelie who is the newest member of our family and is now a member of the family of God.  She was baptized at her new home parish on January 30! John was able to be present as her godfather.   From the photos I’ve seen it looked like such a happy and peaceful event.  I’ve been showing the twins the photos from that weekend, and every time I point to the baby, they say, “Bay-bee SAY-lee!”  She looked so sweet and beautiful in her baptismal gown, quietly sleeping as her happy parents, friends and relatives gazed down upon the little girl who has brought such joy to us all since we learned of her existence and the possibility of her joining our family.  God bless you, Zelie Yvonne.

                          Newly baptized Zelie with Mommy and Daddy.

            Zelie with Uncle Jeff, Uncle John, Mommy and Daddy (Missing are Aunt Miriam and Uncle Joe)

         Pere Pere (pronounced "Pay Pay") with his youngest granddaughter.

                        Mere Mere (pronounced "May May")

A week or so later, John’s sister, Miriam (Confirmation name Gianna) was confirmed at our beautiful parish by Bishop Eusebio Elizondo along with several other teenagers and a few adults.  Her sister Ellen, was her sponsor, but due to her new status as mom of a newborn in another state,  I honored to be Miriam’s proxy sponsor.  Miriam’s mom stood in for me at the baptism since I was home with the twins.  The family that proxies together….

Standing behind Miriam and seeing the young woman she has become made it difficult for me not to tear up. Where have the years gone?? She is a lovely, responsible, talented, fun person much beloved by her nieces and nephews, especially by two of them who melted down an hour and fifteen minutes into the confirmation Mass. Thank you, Mere Mere and Pere Pere for helping Daddy so much with the kids!

"Gianna" and the Confirmati.  She is on the far left standing next to our pastor.

                              "Gianna" (middle) and friends.

Our family now has a baby Catholic and a fully adult Catholic.  God is good.

Pampered Chef!

I don't usually post about things I'm hosting, but thought I would today.  If any readers love The Pampered Chef like I do, I'm hosting a catalog show that is open until January 31.  My close friend, Erin, is a consultant with 3 young daughters and another child on the way this summer.  So, if you'd like to add to your PC collection, go to Erin's personal website and enter my name as the host.  If you don't know my last name, comment or leave me a message and I will send it to you.

Happy MLK Day!

All Done with M.aybe Days

This morning as we were getting ready for the day, from the bathroom I spied Thumbelina in her room.  She was picking up a book and sitting down on the red toy box (of John's childhood) which is now their shoe box.  She was dressed in her little purple skirt, off white tights and brown boots with the flowers on them.  As she maneuvered herself to sit down on the red box, she picked up a book and said, "I read "M.aybe Days."

This is a book written for children in foster care.  Our twinks are only 2.5, and don't understand the gist of the book.  They enjoy the pictures and being read to.  But the book is geared toward school age kids whose questions  to their foster parents are often answered with "Maybe."

-Will I go back to my parents?
-Maybe.
-Will I stay with my foster parents?
-Maybe.


However, John and I find ourselves using the word "maybe" in our own conversations with each other.  
Maybe if the kids are still with us in March, we can get their 3 year portraits done."  
Maybe if they are with us in April, we can have their birthday party.
Maybe if we can adopt them, we should move.

So many maybes. All of these thoughts passed through my head as I finished cleaning up the bathroom and focused on the day about to start.  In my heart, I don't want their parents to fail, but also in my heart, I don't want our dearests to leave.

Then I heard Thumbelina say out loud to herself as she stood up, "All done with M.aybe Days."

Baby Girl, we are, too.

Oh Happy Day!

E & K's baby was born this morning! They are on their way to the baby's birth state right now. Please pray for their safe arrival, and please join me in giving thanks for the baby's safe arrival.  Birth mom and baby are doing well.  Little girl, we can't wait to see your beautiful face.

Precious one,

So small,

So sweet

Dancing in

on angel feet

Straight from Heaven's 

brightest star

What a miracle

you are!