7 Quick Takes

1. It's not a bad way to end the week with a retirement party for a coworker. He is the first employee to retire from our company, and we had a lunch, slideshow and gag gifts for him. The glass of Pinot Grigio wasn't bad etiher.


2. This weekend is fairly busy for the Campbell Fam. We are doing respite for two sisters (4 and 19 months) for the weekend. I'll pick them up after work. They've been described as delightful which is a welcome thing after Mr. V who kept screaming at a park that I was choking him. Oy vey. We still haven't received the respite check for that weekend, and I totally earned that check! :)

3. John works on Sunday, and he's also been asked to play St. Joseph in the living Nativity scene at work one day in December. Would it be bad of me to try to make St. Joseph laugh? I'll give it my best shot.

4. Thumbelina and Cherub beging 6 hour visits on Sunday with their mother. They'll leave our house at 7:45am, be transported to the visit, have breakfast, lunch and a nap there, and then be driven 45 minutes back to our house. This will be the first time in 2.5 years they've spent this much time with their mother. I’m curious to see what their behavior will be like after a long visit. We are, sadly, in the beginning stages of the long and yet terribly short road back to unification. In many cases reunification is a good thing, as it was with G-Force. In this case, it will be a tragedy.

5. We're taking the kids to see "The Nutcracker" on 11/24. We'll get dressed up, see the afternoon show , and get a treat afterwards. I have to say that they've been exposed to some good culture in the last 2.5 years with us.


6. Can you believe that Thanksgiving is less than a week away? John's parents and G-Force and his mom will join us. I LOVE cooking the turkey and hosting, so I'm pretty excited to get everything ready. This may be the kids' last holiday season with us, and I want it to be homey, peaceful and fun.

7. Dates for the twins' case: 11/27-Permanent plan staffing (meeting where all parties attend to go over what will happen at court). 12/10: Permanent plan review hearing. We anticipate the permanent plan changing from adoption back to 'return home.' Please pray that if it is God's will that we can adopt them. Overall, please pray that the twins will know, love, and serve God in all they do in their lives. That is the most any parent can pray for.

Checking in

The month of October has sped by with lightning speed.  We had our trip to the pumpkin patch and our annual "Guess the Pumpkin's Weight" contest.  Pictures will be up this week. 

Some things going on here:  John and I have a big decision to make and will speak to a caseworker and a GAL this Friday.  We need wisdom to figure out what we are supposed to do.  Please pray for us.  A novena to St. Jude is going on right now which we're praying.  If you need reminders about novenas, Pray More Novenas is great and sends the prayers to you daily. 

The kids moved up to the next level of swimming and are in the 4th of a 5 week session.  I think we'll hold off until the holidays are over before signing up again.

My friend Erin organized a casual book club over the summer.  We started up again and discussed the first two chapters of Style, Sex, and Substance.  The essays are informative, funny, and give glimpses into the lives of normal Catholic women who struggle along with us in life and our journey of faith. I'm hoping to get my book signed by Jennifer Fulwiler at the Frassati Conference being held at our parish.

I'm excited to see "The Capitol Steps" on my birthday weekend.  Since we lived near DC, I had wanted to see their show, but never did it.  I'd be lying if I said I was excited about my birthday, but I am grateful for my life. :)

On November 27, we have a permanent plan staffing for the twins' case.  This is a meeting that the birth parents, their lawyers, the foster parents, the case workers and the GAL attend.  The purpose is to discuss what the state's plan is for the children at the next permanent plan hearing (December 10).  We expect the twins to leave us in the next six months.  It's something we're dreading, but we must prepare ourselves and them when the time comes.  We're working on our homestudy paperwork with an adoption agency and have to stay focused on that.

As always, your prayers are appreciated!

“Nothing great is ever achieved without much enduring.”


― St. Catherine of Siena

Proud to be a Dolan!

Never before have I been so proud to be a Dolan!
Go St. Louis Dolans! All hands on board for our Pre-born brothers and sisters!

Mr. President, are you listening?   Mrs. Obama?  Any of the Democrats???  My 'open minded' friends? You have had the chance to breathe and live.  Is your heart open to these poorest and littlest?

_________________________________________________________________

I didn't think so.

7 Quick Takes

Wow, two months have gone by without a single post.  That's what laziness and a bit of depression can do to a blog.

1.) John passed his board exams and started his new job! He is officially a licensed PT! Way to go, John!

2.)  For 10 days, my sister Mary, her husband Caleb and their four children (3 born and 1 unborn) visited from Brazil. It was awesome to have them here and to spend time together.  The twins loved playing with their cousins, especially in the wading pool at Mimi and Papa's house.  We miss them so much now and look forward to seeing them again.

3.) The twins' case is progressing more towards reunification.  This really stinks to put it mildly.  This is where the depression comes in to play.  After more than 2  years, the parents start getting things together. Everyone involved thinks they will keep it together until the state is no longer involved.  I truly believe that the best interest of foster children is not taken into account--the birth parents' interest trumps.

4.)  Cherub and Thumbelina start their final week of swimming lessons next week.  They love it and have become very comfortable in the water.  Cherub had some trepidation at the beginning which seems to have disappeared.  They wear their swim caps and goggles every chance they get!

5.)  Next weekend, John, the kids and I are going camping at the Hoh Rainforest! We took them (along with G-Force) there last year and thoroughly enjoyed it.  The kids love to hike and are especially looking forward to the s'mores.

6.)  John and I are actively pursuing adoption.  It is something we should have done much sooner, but got sidetracked not only with this case but with foster parenting in general.  Next week, I head to Tacoma to meet with an agency. Although it can be pricey to adopt this way, we have budgeted well to do it--this includes selling things (garage sale, Craigslist, consigning kids' clothes through JBF), putting a certain amount aside each month from our paychecks, etc.

7.)  I'd gotten off the Paleo wagon and am seeing the bad results of doing that. We're back at it! Since I injured my foot last month, there has been no exercise done.  So, that's why I'm ending here and heading outside for a short walk.  Happy weekend!

7 Quick Takes-Late Edition

1. G-Force left on April 4.  I took him to the CCS office that day.  I cried, kissed him goodbye, and drove home. Or was it back to work? I don't remember.  Since then, things have been ok.  We turned his room into the twins' play room.  I've been in contact a little bit with his mother, but we haven't gotten together yet.

2. The twins turned 4 on April 12!  They had a very fun birthday party with family and friends: PaPa (Mimi was working), Mere Mere, Pere Pere, and Aunt Miriam , Mr. Jason and Miss Erin and their kids, Angelica, Emma, Michaela and Brendan, and our neighbors, Miss Joyce and Mr. Bill.  These kids are so loved, and we thank those family and friends who acknowledged them on their birthday.

3. After 2 years (part time school, part time work) of pre-requisites for grad school, 3 years of graduate school in the Physical Therapy at U Dub, John will be graduating next weekend!!!!  He has worked so very hard these last years to accomplish his much planned out dream and on June 8 will officially be D.PT.  He'll take the boards on July 31 (please pray he passes. I know he will).  On August 13, he'll start his new job where 5 years  ago he worked part time as an aid.

4.  We're going to Maui!!!  This will be the first time we've ever left the twins for days.  Since they came to us, they've never gone to respite care.  We couldn't bear sending them to strangers for a weekend.  Thankfully, we have an awesome family who will care for them and jumped through the hoops to be able to have them stay.  Our parents have done background checks, fingerprints, CPR/First Aid classes, TB tests, and had their driving records sent to CCS.  It will be AWESOME to be able to relax in paradise for a week to reconnect, swim, snorkel, hike, relax and have one or three Tropical Itches.

5.  We go to court regarding the twins' case on August 6.  Your fervent prayers are very needed.  This court date may be extended to August 20, but in any event, it will decide if custody is restored to their mother.  They've been in foster care for 2 years as of June 10.  We fear for their safety and future should they go back to their mother.  Please, please pray.

6.  My sister, her husband and children (a fourth is due October 17) are visiting in August!  We cannot wait to see them!!! They moved to Brazil last September, and they'll be in the States for a family wedding and to visit.  We're planning fun activities but also down time to spend together.  The twins are really excited to finally meet their cousins that they've spoken to on the phone and seen in pictures. I think for them, it will be like meeting Prince William and Kate!

7.  John and I decided to get pretty healthy and eat Paleo.  It hasn't been hard at all.  Actually, it's been rather liberating, as I know exactly what to eat.  It's good stuff, too, and I feel a lot better. The only obstacle has been myself and not working out as I need to.  Since I heart lifting weights, it should be a fun and very challenging journey.  I will be posting some of the recipes we've been using on the Three Sisters blog.

PS-The kids went to a Family Appreciation Day hosted by their dental office. It was awesome! Here is a photo of Thumbelina on her pony "Sunny."

Happy Easter and Lenten Prayer Buddy Reveal

Happy Easter! Alleluia!!  We had a beautiful Easter Sunday with the twins and spent the evening at John's parents' home.  The photo below was taken on Holy Saturday.  The book is "The Easter Story" and is told from the perspective of the little donkey who carried Jesus into Jerusalem and then follows Him through the Passion and Death.  When our Lord is taken down from the cross, the little donkey carries Him to the tomb.  Beautiful artwork and a beautiful story. 

This Lent, I was honored to pray for Polkadot over at Making God Laugh. Holy Week this year was more poignant with G-Force leaving, and being able to offer up any and all suffering for my Prayer Buddy was wonderful and so helpful.  God bless you, Polkadot!

7 Quick Takes

1.) Yesterday, I went to a HUGE consigment sale. If I'd prepared better, I would have been one of the many consigners there, but I'll plan to do that at the October sale.  It's called "Just Between Friends."  After spending about two hours there, I left with tons of spring/summer clothes and shoes for the twins as well as summer clothes for my nieces living in Brazil. They, their little brother and my sister and brother-in-law will visit in August.

2.) On my way back home from the sale, our car broke down.  I got stuck in traffic on the west side of town.  A nice young auto student appeared seemingly out of nowhere right after I hung up with AAA.  The van broke down down the street from the community college auto school, and he said it could be the battery or alternator.  He got it to turn over, and I barely made it to our mechanic just across the bridge.  The whole time I was begging, "Please, Jesus, Mary and Joseph, don't let me break down on the bridge."  As I was nearing the auto shop, the wipers stopped, the lights turned off, and I couldn't really see where the driveway was.  Good news is that the car will be fixed today, and we have an emergency fund to cover the cost.  Grateful!!!

3.) Tonight, a group of moms is coming to our home to discuss the first two chapters of "Th 10 Habits of Happy Mothers."  Before the car broke down, I planned to clean in the afternoon, and make pumpkin muffins.  Instead, I didn't get home till 6:30pm with the twins, and realized too late that I was out of flour.  So, the scone mix from a care package that John's sister and brother-in-law sent us, came to the rescue!

4.) John started his last rotation for PT school. Each morning he takes the 4:50am ferry over to Seattle.  He'll work some weekends, but will have a few days off at a time.  This and his case study presentation are the last hurdles!!

5.) John and I will spend Tuesday with G-Force before he leaves our home on Wednesday for good. It will be strange to have that empty bedroom and still see the crib and the handmade cowboy curtains in the window.  We'll keep the space open for him the next few months in case he needs to come back into care.  In the meantime, it will become the twins' playroom, and the all the toys can go in there.  We had his second birthday party last Sunday and his CASA and first foster family came.  It was wonderful to see them!

6.)  We're planning a vacation to Maui in June after John graduates.  Eating well and exercise are getting me excited to go and enjoy a new swimsuit.  Can't wait for John to have a break.

7.)  My parents-in-law, for the record, are wonderful. John's mom picked me up so I could get our other car and race up to daycare to get the twins.  John's dad picked him up at 4:30am this morning to get him to the ferry so that we wouldn't have to put the kids in the car at that hour for me to take him. 

First Post by the Last Sister

Several months ago, my two sisters and I thought it would be fun to start a blog together that combined the 3 Fs: Faith, Family and Food.  My middle sister lives in Australia, and the youngest sister lives in Brazil.  She got the blog going with her first post here.    She has inspired me to get going on a post as well.

Enjoy!

A Lot

Much time has passed since I did an actual post about our goings on.  In a nutshell, we had an interesting Thanksgiving because all three kids got Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease (it's not very serious, but very contagious).  Christmas was lovely for all of us with lots of celebrating and firsts. 

The biggest and saddest news for us now is that G-Force will be leaving us.  He is being returned to his mother. It's something that many involved in the case are mixed about, but under the law, that's what has to be done.  We are grateful to have had him with us for over 7 months.  If my Lenten Prayer Buddy reads this, would you please pray for him and his mom? We would appreciate a prayer as well.  This is something I hope to write more about later when the emotions are not so raw.

Happy Birthday, John!!

Today is my dear husband's birthday!! He is a wonderful husband to me and a loving father to the three children in our home.  Sometimes I'm gobsmacked as to how I got so lucky to have such a wonderful person as a husband and best friend. 

We're so grateful for his life and hard work!  The kids said they would like to have party hats and wanted to eat birthday cake on the way to childcare.  Looks like we'll have a snowy evening when we celebrate tonight!

PJ Bliss

Here is my darling girl at Mere Mere and Pere Pere's house on Christmas night.  She loved her new pjs.

New Year

We had a quiet New Year's Eve at home and the next day picked our Patron Saints for the year:

John:  St. John of Parma
Jenny: St. Cecilia
Cherub-St. John of Damascus
Thumbelina-St. Bernadine of Siena
G-Force-St. Patrick

We look forward to a bright year and wish you all a very happy 2012.