For Votemon

~Because she needs a scare laugh right now.

I don't usually wear a ton of make-up. At least I don't think I do? I guess the amount has increased a bit over the years maybe? Anyway, the point of this post I guess is to fulfill one of Votemom's secret desires*. I laughed and laughed when I read that!

I have no idea why this might be one of her desires? Perhaps it's simply because she has never seen me without make-up? Perhaps it's because I talk about skincare so much? I long for porcelain, smooth, clear skin. Perhaps it's because I am a bit obnoxious about make-up? I have a full bottle of foundation in my make-up bag, an almost empty one in the kitchen, and one ALWAYS in my coat pocket. And I admit that I probably re-apply some foundation 2-3 times a day.

But I have uneven skin and breakouts. Even more breakouts now with H&G cuz I can't stop cuddling her and there is tons of lotion in her hair and grease on her face at all times. Lotion and grease don't sit well with sensitive skin. Cuddles, however, sit well with the soul so it's worth it.

And didn't you want to know all of this? :)

Well, I never planned on doing a post on make-up or my deep issues with it but since I love Votemom I figured I could sacrifice a bit for her. This is an older picture that Management snapped of me one morning. There you go, Votemom, you can check that off your secret list. :p Which now I'm very curious about! What else is on that list?

Hopefully this is good enough because I don't plan on making a habit of going without it unless we go on a girl's trip or something - now that would be really fun!



*Check comments below if you have absolutely no idea what in the world I'm talking about.

HomeAudio

I think it's been awhile since I've posted about HomeAudio!? I know that months/years from now I will read back and want to know what was going on in his life....so I'll start by saying that sometimes my breath catches as he walks into a room because he looks so grown up and teenagerish. It's so true that it happens in the blink of an eye!

He is definitely feeling that tension of wanting to grow up and have more responsibilities but realizing that he is in fact, still only 11 years old. He frequently tries things on for size (behaviorally) and some things stick, some things don't, and some things are ripped off quickly by mom and dad.

Some of his major struggles are organization, respect, and self-control (with speech and money). The good news is that he recognizes these weaknesses and we can work on them together.

Here is some of the latest~

-his braces are currently off but he wears a retainer and will get braces put back on soon. He still has a wire on the bottom teeth as well.
-he does his hair almost every morning - spiked in front.
-he is on the 5th grade basketball team.
-has high honors at school.
-still loves video games.
-enjoys the History Channel.
-is good at changing diapers.
-started babysitting once a week for our neighbors.
-has a girlfriend.

And let's stop here for a minute. I have to say that I disapprove of having said girlfriend but it has been very nice for us to be able to communicate about this and set some standards now while he is still young and impressionable. He truly values our opinion and so I guess I'd rather have these conversations now while it is safe and he is spilling all the beans rather than when he's 15 or older and more private and removed. Does that make sense? Also, I hope that our openness in dialogue is setting a precedent and pattern for his future relationships and issues. Also, it sounds like he is a very sweet guy and very honest and very compassionate and it's nice to hear how he treats others, particularly girls. It also sounds like he values this girl's humor more than anything so that is encouraging. But again, we are not encouraging a girlfriend relationship at all!

Overall, we have plenty of battles to fight and daily issues to deal with, but, it seems like HomeAudio is doing a pretty good job of coming into his own some more. He truly values researching thoughts, ideas, and beliefs. He values responsibility and takes it quite seriously (which can at times get him into trouble - like when he takes it too seriously with me or his sisters). Most importantly, he values his relationship with the Lord! He strives for alone time with God and is currently reading 2 different books with regards to discipleship - one of them is about joyful giving which is not HomeAudio's strongest attribute.

And I guess that's about it for now.

Stolen

10 years ago I was: mommy to a one year old & terrified of being home alone at night
5 years ago I was: mommy to 2 kids and settling into a new home
1 year ago I was: not sure what life had for me or where to "go" next
Yesterday I was: snuggling my 3rd child (a one year old) and savoring my alone time at night.

5 snacks that I enjoy:
1. Doritos!
2. chips and salsa
3. peanut butter granola bars
4. salty chips
5. goldfish crackers

5 songs I know all the words to:
1. Jesus Loves Me
2. Be Thou My Vision
3. Wonderful, Merciful Savior
4. IyIyI
5. Party in the USA

5 things I would do with a million dollars:
1. Tithe
2. Invest
3. Put some away for the kids
4. Give some to friends/family/organizations
5. Clothes shopping! :)

5 favorite TV shows:
1. Dr. Phil
2. Ace of Cakes
3. The Office
4. Ellen
5. Outsourced

5 things I am thankful for:
1. Family
2. Friends
3. God! So so much about Him!
4. Heat in my home and car
5. Coffee and coconut creamer :)

2 names I go by:
1. Mom
2. Boo

2 parts of your heritage
1. Native American
2. Irish

2 things that scare me:
1. Pitch dark
2. Snakes

2 of my every day essentials:
1. Coffee
2. Make-up

2 things I am wearing right now:
1. Scarf
2. Earings

2 of my favorite bands/musical artists (at the moment):
1. JJ Heller
2. Philips, Craig, and Dean

2 things I want in a relationship (other than real love):
1. Honesty
2. Laughter

2 truths: (stole answers from votemom)
1. No word from God will ever fail
2. Satan already lost

2 physical things that appeal to me in the opposite sex:
1. Muscles
2. Short hair/Bald

2 of my favorite hobbies:
1. Reading
2. Watching cake shows

2 things I want really badly:
1. For my children to have a personal, growing relationship with God
2. To be friends with my kids when they are adults

2 places I want to go on vacation:
1. Grand Canyon
2. Washington D.C.

2 ways I am stereotypically a chick:
1. I love chick flicks
2. I love talking, talking, and more talking. details!

2 things I normally wouldn't admit:
1. I only wash my hair twice a week in the winter
2. I spend a lot of time plucking

2 things I am thinking about right now:
1. I'm hungry!
2. I should go to sleep

2 stores you shop at:
1. Target!
2. Old Navy

2 people I would like to see taking this quiz:
1. HomeAudio
2. Gracee

2 people I haven't talked to in a while:
1. Angela
2. Angie

Picture (Not So) Perfect

I bought this shirt back in June soon after we met H&G and started the foster parenting process. I tucked it away and hoped that one day I could photograph her in this shirt and celebrate the fact that she was finally a LITTLE SISTER!

Seven months later....the day finally came! My dream was coming true as I dressed her up and grabbed my camera...

but then it turned into a nightmare...

a wiggly,
giggly,
can't-sit-still,
this-is-a-funny-game-mama,
nightmare.

Well, maybe not quite a nightmare but certainly not the happy, picture perfect, celebratory photo shoot that I had dreamed about...

NOTE: these pictures are NOT cropped or altered! She is just at an age that is a busy one and just as I clicked the shot she would turn or jump or twist or shout.







Oh well, picture perfect or not, if the shirt fits, wear it and it defintiely "fits"!

Snow Day

Recognize the curly haired girl in the picture above?
That's LittleMiss!
She's a big girl now!

So Bright

This little lady is getting some views of her immediate future and it's looking so bright! Who wouldn't love a life of bottles, blankets, toys, and endless cuddles!? But of course, those things are even better if they come from people you love and trust. H&G is learning more and more to trust and quite honestly, so am I.

I've shared with you before that it's hard for me to trust the Lord in the midst of blessing. To accept that He wants to give me undeserved blessings. I absolutely trust Him to care for us, to provide for us, to work miracles and move mountains but when it comes to blessings...well this could be an hour long conversation so I'll leave it for now. Especially because on the flip side of things, He is caring for and providing for and moving mountains for H&G...so it may not even be about me at all. But it is. Because I am definitely blessed beyond belief!! Bottom line is He is so patient and so kind and as I've said before, He is definitely working out one amazing story for us.

The adoption worker came last week and it seems like everything is in order for us to move forward with the adoption process. She will be giving us more paperwork, speaking with the kids, and waiting waiting waiting with us for things to come back from the state. It is about a 6 month process but of course with H&G in our home, that amount of time doesn't bother me.

Her lawyer also came for a visit and echoed our amazement in the way this situation has worked out. He is amazed at how seemless and good and happy the process has been for H&G to be in her permanent home. We are so thankful that we were able to get licensed as foster parents so that she could not only move into our home sooner but also have a little advantage in the adoption process. We are so excited and so thankful and so humbled and many many more emotions!

I just still can't believe this is really happening! :)

Crazy Week

We had a special playdate last week with two of my favorite little friends. TheShortOnes as you may remember them being called. They belong to Votemom but definitely have a piece of my heart too. Well, they did, until they went home and told their mama that they had burnt eggs for dinner. ;)

But other than me dropping back a few pages in their book due to my flawed cooking, I think we had fun and I'm pretty sure that they still love me! And I, of course, simply adore them!

They were great helpers with H&G and took turns reading her books, playing with her toys, and giving her a bottle.


Since then, this has just been the craziest, busiest week that I've had in a long time! We had two school board meetings this week (M and Th), a meeting at school for 5th and 6th grade parents (T) which actually I decided to miss due to the weather, my Wednesday night Bible Study, and I work tonight at the dance studio. It's just been ridiculously busy and on top of it all, Management is out of town. Needless to say I can NOT wait for the weekend and am thrilled that we get Monday off of school too.

When I post again I want to fill you in on our meetings Wednesday with H&G's lawyer and the adoption worker. Also, I want to write a little about HomeAudio and what he's been going through lately. I'm not trying to build suspense or trick you or anything - just writing this out so I remember when I come back.

Happy Friday to everyone! I'm praying for each of you as I know that many of you are walking very difficult roads and seeking the Lord for guidance, strength, healing, peace, and unity. I wish that I could share each of your stories so that we could all pray for each other but I would never do that. Please, if you feel led, look through my followers (there aren't many so it won't take but a minute :) ) and pray for my friends and some lurkers too. The Holy Spirit will direct and interpret your prayers as He knows each situation and exactly what the needs are for each of them. Thank you so much!

Watch Over Me

I clearly remember about 3 years ago when Votemom gave me the Aaron Shust CD. It was a very, very hard and trying time for me and Management. A time when we could do nothing else except cling to the goodness of God and worship Him for WHO He was and is, not so much WHAT was being done. We were clinging to His faithfulness and the promise of His provisions, though the valley seemed so wide and the night so long....

I think I wore out the CD on this song. I left it on Repeat and listened over and over and over again. It's a pretty song, easy to listen to and to sing along with, but more importantly it holds such great truth!

For you, Votemom....in a night so dark that one can't even imagine the morning will ever come....when it seems so long...He carries all your pain....He helps us to see...every prayer that we have spoken reaches His ears...Always faithful!



Lyrics:
"I was lonely
You came waltzing over to me
And Your eyes they saw right through me
And You heard each one of my cries for help
And You came to rescue me
I was broken
Every prayer that I had spoken
Reached Your ears and all my tears weren’t cried in vain
You carried all my pain
And put me back together again
You watch over me in the darkest valleys
You watch over me when the night seems long
You help me to see the way before me
You watch over me; You watch over me
Always faithful
To be leading, at this moment
Interceding for Your children
Though I’ve wandered astray from Your infinite ways
You’ve never left me alone -[to chorus]
Take my frozen heart; awaken me
Never once have You forsaken me
Even though I walk through this shadow of death
You will guide and defend me
You’ll guard and protect me
Even though I walk through this shadow of death
You will lead me home"

Laid to Rest

It was bitter cold.

We kept it short but very sweet.

Family only for this second memorial where we laid Grandma Kehoe to rest.

On her 83rd birthday.

Together singing How Great Thou Art.

He gives, He takes away.

But He is, in fact, always Great!

Random

~Can you all please please please pray for my dear friend Votemom and her family? I can't quite put into words the things to pray for yet but the Lord knows and I would appreciate you lifting them up to Him. Thank you so much!

~We got a phone call the other day from H&G's adoption worker. It seems that we may be able to begin the adoption process on Wednesday! We are so very excited! It truly is a dream come true. I read recently about a woman who adopted. She said something like I have 4 kids, 3 grew for 9 months in my stomach and 1 grew for 30 years in my heart. I know exactly what she means! I very clearly remember the first time I wanted to adopt a child...I don't quite remember my age but I think I was 8. I remember telling my parents but really, I was 8, what were they to say and what was I to do. I went on with life, got married, and again the desire to adopt arose. We had a baby biologically but then I still wanted to adopt...and on it went. It's been a lifelong dream. But H&G is just beyond what my dreams held! I just can not believe how blessed we are to have her here. I will never ever ever be able to express the joy and honor I feel in being a part of her life. She is simply wonderful. And I'm saying this after she forced me to flee from Walmart due to a huge screaming fit over wanting to eat yogurt right there in the aisle. I love her unconditionally and completely just as I do the 2 kids that grew 7 months in my womb.

~Tomorrow we are headed back up north to have a burial service for my grandma. It is also my grandma's birthday. It's very sad that we will be standing graveside sharing memories instead of standing around a table sharing cake.

~Tomorrow is also my baby boy's first basketball game. I am so excited for him and very bummed that I will miss the game but am also sure that if I was there I would embarrass him. I LOVE basketball and know I'll have a hard time keeping my mouth shut. Oh boy, talk about an exercise in self-control. But I'm so proud of him and all of his hard work!

Hilarious

Sisters

Getting in the Groove

Today was my first day alone with H&G and I LOVED it! LOVED it!

But there is so much to catch up on...

Management is going on a trip tomorrow so I'll have some more time to catch up this blog and post some special memories and pictures. But for now, here are a couple from baby's first time in the snow.

She hated getting dressed ~


But loved the snow!