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."

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. 

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.

PJ Bliss

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

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.

Wordless Wednesday

Hoh Rain Forest and Ruby Beach

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. "

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.

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!

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.

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."

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.

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!

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.

November

Wow, November posting is all but non-existent.  To be honest, between my job, the kids' appointments and life in general, November kind of kicked my butt.  Here are some highlights:

-November 2: Cherub had a fever, and had to spend a day at home. My mom came over to watch him so I could get to work.  John's mom took Thumbelina to school for me.  I, on my way to work being distracted and frazzled, got pulled over for the first time in my life for failing to make a full stop at a stop sign.  $124 later,  I make full stops no matter how frazzled I am.  What about a friggin' warning?!  I've been driving for nearly 20 years with no traffic offenses. How's about cutting a sister a break?

--My brother and sister-in-law from Dallas and my sister, brother-in-law and their 3 children from the DC area came to town for Thanksgiving! It was the first time I got to hold our new baby nephew.  So cute and so sweet as all babies are.  Cherub and Thumbelina got to meet their aunts and uncles and cousins on my side and had a wonderful time.  The only ones missing were my sissy, Kate and her husband, Matt and two children, Nick and Lili.  Only downside to the family visit last week was that our area got hit by a snow storm and the roads were too icy to travel the 16 miles to my parents' house to see my sibs. :( They did get to our house for dinner on Wednesday, and then we went to my parents' house for Thanksgiving.

                 (Cherub and Thumbelina awaiting Thanksgiving dinner)

--John's brother and sister-in-law and their 5 children are moving to Chandler, AZ right after Christmas. Boo! Hiss!  But, we're happy for them, since John's brother's job is based there and our sister-in-law's family is there. Thankfully, they will be here in the summer for an extended visit.

--My sister and brother-in-law, nieces and nephew are moving to Brasilia next August. Double boo! Hiss! Sometimes I wish we still lived in times where you all lived 'round each other and your kids got to play with their cousins.  But I am glad for all the technological advances, vaccines and health care that make our lives longer and for the most part better!

--John's sister and brother-in-law were chosen by a birth mother to be the Mommy and Daddy for her daughter due in January.  O happy day when we can officially call her our niece and all the papers have been signed and she is home with two of the finest people around.  Many things can happen in the mean time, so your prayers are appreciated.

--Cherub tripped over his own two feet at school today and fell face first into a step stool.  His nose is swollen, scraped and bruised and just in time for his visit with his mother tomorrow and his visit with his father the next day!

--Advent has begun and we are enjoying sharing our faith traditions with the twins.  Happy Advent. everyone!

December will be wonderful. I just know it will. :)

Wordless Wednesday (even though it's Thursday)

I forgot to post this yesterday.

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!