Our Field of Little Flowers: Receive the Holy Spirit
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
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
Our Field of Little Flowers: Receive the Holy Spirit
Sunday, May 8, 2011
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.
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.
Friday, May 6, 2011
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.
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.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 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.
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.
Friday, March 25, 2011
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!
Friday, February 25, 2011
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!
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!
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