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Friday, August 12, 2011

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.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

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.

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

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.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

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!

Saturday, July 16, 2011

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. :)

Friday, July 8, 2011

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.





Monday, July 4, 2011

Announcement coming...

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