Nurse Conversation

Today I had a doctor's appointment.  After waiting in the exam room for more than 30 minutes, a nurse came in and started some small talk.  It quickly came out that the doctor had been held up by an earlier off-site appointment and would be further delayed.  I jokingly made some comment like "there goes the dinner plans".  She immediately apologized, and I quickly told her it was not a big deal but just mentioned my need to be home for an appointment that evening.

Trying to change the subject, I said that I think I found someone as crazy as me.  I had just read a magazine article about Diane Keaton and how she had adopted, as a single parent, an infant at age 50 followed by another infant five years later.  She is now 66 with a teen girl and a pre-teen boy.  I commented that at least I'll be younger than that when my adoption is finalized. 

From there, the conversation turned to my family and ultimately foster care and adoption.  This young nurse was very pleasant and had genuine questions about adoption and then about foster care.  We talked for about a half an hour before the doctor finally arrived.  I told her the good, the bad, and even some ugly.  I stressed that the need for foster parents is extremely high in our area, as the number of kids entering foster care has skyrocketed in the last year and there are not enough foster homes.  She commented that she was a Christian and yet she doesn't hear a lot about foster care and adoption; she wondered why more people don't investigate being foster parents.

I think that is an excellent question.  I think there are two main reasons: 1) myths about foster care and foster kids, many of which are not completely true, and 2) desire not to have one's life inconvenienced or to experience emotional pain if/when foster children leave. 

The nurse seemed genuinely interested in our conversation.  Who knows where this discussion will lead?  Maybe it was God's plan to have me in that office to talk with this nurse on the day when she was bored and the doctor was late.  Let's hope I glorified Him and planted a seed that may grow into something to benefit some child down the road!

50 Years

My parents are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary!

 

 

CONGRATULATIONS!

 

They are such a shining example of love

 

and devotion to one another.

 

I am blessed to have them as my parents!

Before and After

BB has an amazing head of hair!

Can you believe his hair grew out so much in about 5-6 weeks?

Isn't he just the cutest?  I love you, BB!

Great Report

Today was Buddy's parent-teacher conference.  He is lucky enough to have the same wonderful male teacher for 4th grade as he did in 1st grade.  This teacher is a fabulous teacher and a fantastic role model as well.  But he is also fairly quiet and reserved, so I wasn't quite sure how Buddy was really doing because I usually received little information when I asked any general question in passing.

It turns out Buddy got all A's except for one B+.  He made the honor role for the first quarter and is doing very well.  Buddy led the conference and told about all the work they are doing.  He showed off his projects and accomplishments.  When I asked about his behavior, his teacher said Buddy has only needed to be corrected three times during the entire quarter for minor things like talking when he shouldn't.  The teacher said that Buddy was one of his favorite students (but asked Buddy not to repeat that) and a pleasure to have in his class again.

Really, what more could a mom ask for?  I am so proud of Buddy. 

I am amazed at the level of work they are doing.  When there are only fourteen kids in a class and the teacher enjoys what he is doing, positive things happen.  Praise God for such a thriving educational environment for Buddy!

Newest Game

BB's newest game is to push Precious around in her high chair.

They go all around the kitchen and back and forth down the hall.

He thinks he is in charge; she loves the ride!

Kumbayah My Lord

BB broke out singing Kumbayah My Lord!

 

I knew I had sung it to him a few nights at bedtime,

but I couldn't believe he picked it up from that.

 

Apparently, a movie that was on also sang the song.

 

BB recognized it and sang along.

 

Later he sang it on his own.

 

It might be his new favorite song,

bypassing

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

and

Row, Row, Row Your Boat!

Peanut Butter?

Last night I organized for today's lunches since we had to get moving early this morning.  Miss M is sick, so I was on my own to drop of May at 6:40, Buddy at 7:45, and BB and Precious with a friend about 30 minutes away before starting my day at the court. In preparation for the lunches, I set out peanut butter by the bread to make a sandwich in the moring.

Well, BB usually migrates to my bed somewhere between 4am and 6am, sometimes earlier.  When I'm lucky, he climbs in and goes back to sleep.  This morning he came in a little after 4am.  As I gave him a hug and covered him up, I smelled peanut butter.  I asked him, "Did you eat peanut butter?"  He replied that he ate a sandwich, very proud of himself.  When I surveyed the kitchen later, I don't think he actually had a sandwich, because the bread was still closed, but it had been moved.  He did definitely clean up the almost empty peanut butter jar!   It's lid was perched sideways on top of the jar. 

Pretty resourceful two year old!  Plenty of independence showing already!

Wow, What a Couple of Weeks

CRAZY!

That about sums it up.  Somehow I managed to survive the insanity of the last two weeks. 

Sweets is here for her extended fall break.  She came on Friday two weeks ago and is staying through Sunday, except for the first Thursday night after choir until that Friday afternoon when I picked her back up.  She had her annual doctor's appointment, got her flu vaccine, and had a dentist appointment. 

BB also had a dentist appointment and a doctor's appointment where he got his flu vaccine.  He is learning new ways to get into things every day!  He loves to climb and can remember where he saw things to go back later and find them again.  His latest trick is to get a pen or crayon and write on everything!

May has taken on a true teen personality, moods and all.  She can be ever so helpful, but she can also give you the evil eye and show lots of attitude.  She had half days both Fridays and went to the high school homecoming game tonight.  She claims she is getting her homework done, but I am not riding her like I was before.  Next week is parent-teacher conferences - we'll see!

Buddy is doing well, but he is short on sleep.  He has managed to get his homework done, but too many times, it is late Thursday night before the last computer entry is made.  Cub Scouts has been a positive influence on him, and he really enjoys it.  This week marked the end of Lego Club after school on Wednesdays until January.  That has been a lot of fun for him.

Sweets and Buddy swing 180 degrees constantly in how they get along.  One minute they are fighting like cats and dogs; the next minute they are playing famously together.  They are both jealous of the other for things beyond their control.  Since Sweets has been here longer this time, their routine has been a little better.

Yesterday I updated on Precious.  She is growing up so fast!  She definitely wants personal attention and makes sure she doesn't miss anything happening around her.  She has her nine month checkup at the end of the month.

Flu shots and dentist appointments are coming up for May and Buddy next week.  They get next Thursday and Friday off for a short fall break.  They have their Children's Chorus rehearsals on Tuesday nights (where I have been volunteering on the uniform committee to help outfit 300 kids) while Sweets has her rehearsals on the other side of town on Thursday nights.  Next Saturday is their monthly combined rehearsal.

I've had three doctor's appointments over the last two weeks, and I have three more before the end of the month.  I should fit in a dentist appointment somewhere, but that will probably end up waiting.  I can expect a visit from Precious' case worker, my licensing worker, and a child therapist assigned to Precious before the end of the month as well.  I finally have my taxes for last year ready to mail (nothing like procrastinating until the last minute), and I need to complete my foster care renewal paperwork in the next week or so. 

Miss M was out of town for a family emergency most of last week, so our Friday babysitter and our former nanny from four years ago were able to fill in.  This week Miss M has not been feeling well, but she is a trooper and still managed to be here most of the time.  I am so thankful for her dedication to our family.  She makes things run so much more smoothly, and there is no doubt about how much she loves the kids!

Tomorrow we go to a birthday party for a one of my former foster daughters who is turning eight nine (boy, time goes fast!).  She was adopted by her grandma, and we see her several times a year.  The kids enjoyed picking out some gifts for her and are excited about the party. 

There is more, related to work, my externship for school, and my extended family.  Suffice it to say that I could really use a few more hours in each day.  I keep thinking that I am on the verge of things slowing down.  Let's hope!

For now, I need to finish my list of the things I must accomplish tomorrow...

Precious Update

Precious has developed many new skills in the last couple of weeks.  She can pull herself up to a standing position, especially next to the couch.  She also immediately learned to walk a few steps along the couch.  This all happened virtually right after learning to crawl.  She is definitely mobile!

It looks like Precious is also going to have a rather independent personality.  She knows what she wants and when she wants it.  If she wants up, wants food, or doesn't like her diaper, we definitely hear about it!  She is also starting to rebel about going into the carseat!

Precious is a great eater.  She really likes her finger foods.  She also chows on the stage 2 baby food.  I'm thinking stage 3 really soon!  She still likes her bottles, but milk is second to actual food. 

BB and Precious are interacting a lot more.  He can be so sweet and loving.  But, unfortunately, he can turn on a dime and start hitting, pinching, or being rough with her.  They definitely have a bond.  Precious responds well to all of us.  Her smile is adorable and her giggle infectious!

On the adoption front, there is still no good news about my adoption certification.  It's been over seven weeks since it was submitted.  Found out last Friday it was just passed to a new judge for approval?!  I'm really hoping he reads it and signs it soon!  I am so hoping to finalize this year.