March Equals Busy!

The month of March flew by before I knew it. So much happened, and I didn't have time to write one thing. Ugh!

During spring break, I took May, Sweets, Buddy, BB, and two of my friend's kids to Disneyland. My friend watched Precious and Miracle, who also enjoyed their "vacation". We had four day park hopper passes and took full advantage of them. We stayed at a hotel across the street from the entrance to Disneyland, right next to Mickey D's. Our room was great with beds for all. It was right down the breezeway from the pool, which the kids also enjoyed.

BB had a great first time to Disneyland! He loved all the sensory input of the rides and all around him. He rode every fast ride he was tall enough for. He really liked the roller coasters. The only ride he didn't like was Star Tours (simulator), because of the asteroids that "crash" into the ship. He said, "The robot hurt me!"

We also celebrated birthdays for Miracle (now 1), BB (now 4), and Buddy (now 11). We had a family birthday honoring them and my sister who also has a birthday within the two week span.

The last weekend in March was the big fundraising gala for the Children's Chorus. That kept the oldest three (and me) busy that week, culminating in rehearsal and performance on Saturday. The gala was beautiful and the kids all did great!

Tickets

We have a trip to Disneyland planned in the not too distant future.  Recently I was trying to calm BB down one evening, so I started talking to him about the different rides and things to see at Disneyland.  Since then, he asks every morning and every day when I get home, "Are we going to Disneyland now?"  I answer "later" or "soon" but that does not satisfy him.  I learned my lesson: don't tell him until a couple days before we leave.

One time I told him that I still had to work a few more days and wait to get paid so I could buy the tickets for Disneyland.  A few minutes later, he comes back with a penny in each hand, exclaiming "I have tickets!" I told him that was a good idea but the tickets are pieces of paper with everyone's name on them.  He then proceeded to tell me one penny had his name on it and the other one had Buddy's name.  He is one smart little boy!

Half Done

I'm half done with the final paperwork for Miracle.  Friday I went to the Office of Vital Records to get her new birth certificate.  When I walked in, I saw 90% of the seats taken and a line about ten long at the starting window.  My initial thoughts were "Uh Oh".  But I waited.

I ended up with #15 as they called #3 - not too bad.  In reality, the entire process took a little over thirty minutes.  Once I made it to the first window, the rest went reasonably fast.  I walked out with two certified birth certificates with Miracle's new name and my name as her mother.

Next I thought I would try the Social Security Administration office.  I should have been clued in when it took two long drives around the parking lot to even find a place to park. The place was an absolute zoo.  I got my ticket with #580.  Then they called #452.  Are you serious?  Yes, there was one set of sequential numbers.  I think there were about fifteen open seats out of almost two hundred seats in the room.  There were 18 windows, but initially only five were open.  After about twenty minutes, they had ten windows open.

Finally, after waiting over an hour and a half, they called #527.  I was over half way there, but I really had to leave to get to another appointment.  This was the fifth time I have been through this exercise.  I have always gone on Fridays.  By far, this was the busiest and longest wait time ever.  Note to self: don't go during tax season to get a social security card.  Oh wait, I need that card to finish my taxes.  Guess I will have to go hang out at SSA on another Friday morning soon!

Miracle Update

Miracle has changed so much during her tenth month. It's hard to believe all of these changes have occurred in less than four weeks:

• Five new teeth, making a total of six
• Walking, yes all by herself, across the room
• Sleeping through the night every night, instead of just some
• Eating table food almost exclusively - one bite of baby food and she is done!
• Drinking through a straw and with a sippy cup
• Outgrowing her 6 mo clothes, in length only
• Babbling on her own, not all the time, but more than not at all

She definitely has her own dainty personality, and she is fully aware of her surroundings. Miracle loves to be with people and to be held, but she also plays well on her own.  

I can't wait to see what the next month or two brings! Good job, Miracle!

Three Little Sweethearts

Three Little Cherubs

Playing in the tub,

Not too fond of pictures,

But bonding in their club.

I love these three little ones,

all unexpected additions to our family.

I ache for their birth mom;

she's missing so much.

Thank you, God,

for your infinite wisdom and grace.

Thank you for our family.

Please give me the strength and patience

to raise all my children

in a way pleasing to you.

Amen.

Career Day

Today was Career Day at school,

and the kids were to dress up for their chosen career.

May wants to be a nurse (or maybe a doctor).

Buddy wants to go to West Point and be in the Army.

Keep up the hard work!

Very Nice Visit

This weekend we had lunch with May's bio dad.  We see him two or three times a year.  The last few times have been when he has attended one of her concerts.  This time we had a leisurely lunch at a serve yourself soup and salad buffet restaurant.

May always enjoys seeing him, and I know he absolutely cherishes the time he spends with her.  He is also very glad to see the rest of the kids as well.  I had asked him if he would prefer to have lunch with just May and me or with everyone.  His reply was that he wanted to see "his entire family".

He can make May laugh out loud as he tells her stories about her first few months of life.  May did not come into foster care until she was just about a year old.  He told her how she took her first few steps in front of everyone at a family gathering and everyone rushed to find the elusive camera.  He also shared how she always had a pacifier in her mouth but once they forgot it and she did just fine.

May catches him up on what she is doing.  He then recounts all the things she has done: dance, gymnastics, violin, choir, basketball, volleyball...  She told him she is planning to throw discus and shot put in track and field and he was thrilled.  He said he always loved track.

He tells May about the rest of his family.  There are so many, we can't keep most of them straight, but she knows she has two other adult half siblings and several nieces and nephews.  May likes to tell her friends that she is the oldest and the youngest in her two different families.

The connection that May and her dad share is special.  I'm so glad she has that bond that I could never provide.  Her bio mom has been out of the picture since before she was adopted.  Her dad has turned his life around and is stable on his own.  It took him years to get there, but he hasn't relapsed in over five years and seems to be making a difference through the VA by helping homeless veterans and teaching law enforcement agencies about dealing with mentally ill individuals they encounter.

May's dad is thrilled with the life May has and with the ability to be part of her life.  He thanks me over and over.  I told him that I was so blessed that God chose me to call her my daughter.  This visit was very special for everyone.