Goofy Grace

OK, just wanted to show y'all JUST HOW GOOFY Grace can be.....

She was rolling in the pile of clothes waiting to be washed, got wrapped up in my fleece pj pants and went running through the house like this for 30 minutes. The look on her face says it all.....

The eternal roller coaster ride that is adoption...

Warning: this is long....

I wanted to share what a day is like when you are trying to adopt.

You go through dry spells where you don't hear a word, you don't see a profile, you truly think you've been forgotten. It can be days, it can be months, but it cycles. Then you get bombarded....

Yesterday we had the situation presented to us about a 1 1/2 year old girl, blonde curly hair and blue eyes. This morning we were told we were the only family being considered. So naturally, I get all excited. Still all the while praying that His will be done. But still daydreaming about bows, and diapers, and the transition, and play dates with my best friend who has a girl the same age.... I think it is only natural to dream all that when you have waited so long and done so much hoop jumping for the state. I truly thought for a second, THIS COULD BE IT.

Then in a matter of minutes, I get a call from a CPS Caseworker from another region in our state. She got our homestudy from a close source (ok, a relative of mine that works for CPS). It is for a little boy, 3 years old, brown curly hair, blue eyes. She knows we want to adopt a girl, but liked the fact that we had 2 older boys he would have as role models, our boys are still young enough to interact with the little one, play soccer with the little one, etc. She said he was in a shelter, so she needed to move him quick. She would place him with us as a foster placement, we would have the option to adopt him or foster him until an adoptive placement was found. So I panic.... remember, I am still reeling from the conversation with my Caseworker about the little girl. So I call Robert, he says ok. I call our Caseworker to make sure this won't mess up our chances with the little girl that we are SURE to get.

Within a couple minutes, I get an email from our Adopt America Rep about a little girl that we were very interested in, private adoption. They lowered their fee, she was tested for Downs and the test was negative, but there is "something wrong" with her.

And then we get 2 other profiles to submit on.

Keep in mind this is all within a 20 minute time period, while I'm at work. Yea.... how is a girl supposed to WORK under these conditions? All I can do is daydream....visits to the park, play dates with Audrey, having a 3 year old boy and 1 1/2 year old girl, thinking MAYBE just MAYBE this is it, this is what we have been waiting for.

One would think after 2 plus years of this, I would learn to not get excited. That is something I have NOT been able to do. Every call could be THE call that changes your life, that answers your prayers, that makes your dreams come true. So everytime, I look like that cartoon character where their heart is pounding out of their chest. And my blood pressure soars, my neck gets all red and splotchy. (it's not a pretty sight! hehe)

So, on the little boy.... we are second in line for him. If the adoptive parents of his siblings don't want to take him. We should know on Monday if we are getting him. If so, she will go to San Antonio to get him and she will bring him to us on Friday.

On the little girl..... I later got an email forwarded by my Caseworker that CPS hasn't reviewed our homestudy but that they might be accepting other homestudies. Yep, same song and dance. I was totally bummed. Why do they tell us that we are the only ones, it is a done deal, and then SIKE....it is ego bursting to say the least! I am better now that I've had time to process it. I KNOW if God wants us to have this little girl, that God will give us this little girl, no matter what the obstacle. If he doesn't, then it wasn't His will.

And on top of all that, we are doing respite for 2 boys ages 12 and 7 through next week! For those that don't know, respite is temporary foster care. Basically we are babysitters for the foster parents(since we are licensed foster parents as well). They will be with us from today (Friday) through Wednesday at the earliest. My normal testosterone filled house is REALLY testosteroney this week!!!!!!

FIVE THINGS I AM THANKFUL FOR:
1. Kids that love breakfast for dinner.
2. Prayers.... I need all of them I can get!
3. That it is Friday!
4. That Garrett is such a big helper when we have kiddos over. He is going to make a fabulous big brother!
5. Diet Coke, dove chocolate and hot bubble baths. All of which I need after today! And yes, all at one time!

Not much new going on....

I haven't blogged in a while, don't have too much to say. I re-injured my shoulder last week, so any free time I have after working, carpooling, soccer, and just being a Mom.... I am zonked out from the muscle relaxers or in my homemade traction device. My friend, Amy, recommended some stuff called BioFreeze for my shoulder, so I got some of that today. So far so good. And I have been spending more time in prayer, more time doing a bible study, and working on that peace in my life that I sooooooo crave.

I'm sure I'll have lots to say soon, so hang in there with me.... I promise I'll be blabbing away before long. :-)

We did get another call for a placement today, this is an adoption placement within our agency. So I am keeping my fingers crossed and have prayed a ton today. I know if it is His will, then it will be done.

FIVE THINGS I AM THANKFUL FOR:
1. Biofreeze.... it smells so much better than Bengay!
2. Beautiful mid 80's weather. I had to turn on my a/c today!
3. Phone calls.
4. Springtime.... I am sooooo ready to be working out in the yard again!
5. Laughter. Have you ever noticed that when one person laughs it is almost always followed by someone else laughing? Laughter TRULY is contagious.

Peace

Well, we FINALLY made it to the new bible study tonight. I have wanted to go the last 2 weeks. The first week, I was tired, said I'd start next week. The next week we missed because of Garrett's xray appointment. This week, come hell or high water I was going. Well wouldn't you know it, my old shoulder injury flared up this week. I have been in tears all week long. I come home, take a muscle relaxer and go to bed. By the end of the day, I am just in tears from pain. But today.... I didn't care. I took it for what it was, an attack by the enemy. So we went to bible study. And now I see why the enemy was really trying to keep me away.

The bible study group is going over Joyce Meyer's "How to hear from God". And tonights lesson...... drumroll........ PEACE.

Anyone that knows me, KNOWS I struggle with finding peace. I live in total chaos most days. I get caught up in the stress of life, in the struggles, and when I am super busy (like I have been lately), little things just get me wound up. (well I am a pretty wound up person anyways). The more I have on my plate, the less I a able to find any peace in anything.

But tonight, I felt like God was talking DIRECTLY to me. Not just in the adoption process, but in life in general. I NEED to find PEACE. Everyone has stress, everyone is busy, but I let it BOTHER me, when some can just let it roll off their backs. THEY can find peace.... I need to be able to find peace. I need peace in the adoption process, I need peace in raising teenagers, I need peace in my marriage, I need peace in struggles, I need peace in EVERYTHING.

So... all that blabbing to say... I really enjoyed the bible study group, and I am so glad I finally went... even on the verge of tears from pain.... I didn't let the enemy win this one and I am so glad!

On the adoption journey..... We got a phone call today for a 1 week old baby girl in Minnesota. It is a private adoption, they are testing her for Down's, so the fee was "low", we would have to fly to Minnesota today to pick her up. We had to say no. I HATE that. With today's economy, Robert losing a huge amount of income, Garrett's broken foot, we just don't have the resources to pay $5,000 and airfare to Minnesota TODAY. I HATE that money had to be the determining factor (it seems it always is in my life no matter what the situation). But..... I know in my heart of hearts that if it were meant to be, it would have happened. (another fine example of PEACE at work).

FIVE THINGS I AM THANKFUL FOR:
1. That I didn't give in to the enemy and went to bible study.
2. That my kids seemed to enjoy the youth group.
3. Clarity.
4. My new shoes I got today. We received gift cards from one of our companies at work, so I got a pair of new shoes today. I have THE HARDEST time finding shoes I like, so having a new pair makes me so happy!
5. Good friends. Life wouldn't be the same without them!!!!

Broken foot and spring sports season

About a month ago, Garrett informed us that when he was in high school he wanted to:

Play soccer
Play football
Run track
Play basketball
AND stay in drama

As a Mom (aka TAXI DRIVER), I just sat there and smiled. I love that my little guy has some ambition (well he is 6' tall now, so he isn't so little). But the selfish part of me said "how in the world... I won't be able to keep up!"

So to help with those things in high school, we have to get started now to get him in full blown sports mode. Now that Garrett has broken his foot, most of those things have come to a halt.

Basketball season is over. He is still in drama. He went to his first soccer practice tonight. He can't play or practice, and is going to miss 2 games before he can play (if his foot heals properly). So he is still going to practice and helping the Coach. He is also helping the school Coaches after school with track.

So now Garrett has been dubbed "Garrett the gopher" in our household. :-) I guess he IS getting too old to be called "Gar Bear" anymore.... so Garrett the gopher is his new name!

FIVE THINGS I AM THANKFUL FOR:
1. The ability to keep my kids busy.
2. That Robert made dinner tonight while I was at practice.
3. That I have friends that "get" me, even as cooky as I am...
4. That spring is fast approaching. I am ready to start planting flowers!
5. That (knock on wood), it has been somewhat quiet at work so I can get caught up.

My how time flies

Today marks one year from the day that Troy and Tori left. My how time flies.... but yet it seems like just yesterday. I have spent a lot of today reflecting on the short time they were here, and how much I love them. These kids came in like a whirlwind and left the same way. I must say, when they left it was one of the saddest days of my life. The house never seemed so quiet.

It seems like just yesterday when I was driving Troy to school, I asked him what tomorrow is... he said "my balemtime's party". I smiled. I then asked, "would you like me to come to your party? I know other parents will be there". His little face just lit up. "Will you go? Puhleeeeeze?" I said "if you would like me to, OF COURSE I WILL"..... So last Friday, while all my co-workers were at their kids' Valentine's parties, I sat at work thinking about how much fun it was to be at that Valentine's party. How his face lit up when I walked in. How he introduced me to all his friends. How special he felt by me just being there.

I worry about them. I love them. I wonder about them. I miss them. They still have a huge place in my heart, and always will.

We have seen them a few times since they left. They remember us, even though they were only here for a little while. I think our visits with them are done though... Tori's birthday was in January and we weren't invited to a party for her. So I guess our job there is done.

So now we sit here, a year later.... and still haven't had any other placements. And quite frankly, TODAY, I could care less. I am soooooo over this whole adoption/foster process. I am now resigned to the fact that we will soon have an empty nest. And I imagine what that will be like... and am learning to accept it. It will be hard, because I need to be doing things for others. But I am kind of looking forward to doing things solely for my Husband. And I am sure he will appreciate that too!

FIVE THINGS I AM THANKFUL FOR:
1. Snuggling on the couch with my dogs
2. Cheeseburgers and onion rings.... there are some days those are totally necessary.
3. Slow days at work.
4. Comfy jeans and comfy tennis shoes. The wardrobe staple for a frumpy mom.
5. Dove chocolate. I could eat a whole bag right now.....

Faith

Faith is the rescue we've had the longest. We had gone to Tyler to see my Grandparents in the nursing home. When we got there, it was after lunch and my Pappaw was resting, so we had some time to waste before we could go see him. We went to a store, and next door they had an animal adoption going on. The boys wanted to go look, so we did. They had this litter of 6 puppies that were the cutest things ever. They were Chihuahua mixes, and every one of them looked like a mini version of the Chihuahua mix I had growing up. I fell in LOVE. I asked Robert if we could get one, my dog of 13 years had just passed away a few months before that. He of course said no.

So we went and visited my Grandparents and I silently pouted the whole time. Noone knew but Robert. So when we left, he drove over to the pet place. Said if there were any left, he "guessed" we could get one. They were wrapping up the adoption so I frantically ran over there to see if there were any puppies left. There was ONE. We went through the quick adoption process, were accepted, and I left with my teeny tiny Chihuahua mix puppy. Went straigt to the Pet store and bought her all the goodies, rhinestone collar, puppy food, piddle pads.

I thought we were going to get divorced over this dog. Robert HATED her. He didn't talk to me for a week after we got her. And everytime I looked at her, I just cried because I loved her so much.

Now, 5 years later... she is ROBERT'S GIRL. She is the most spoiled, high maintenance, neurotic dog I have ever seen. Her ears are high maintenance, her allergies are high maintenance. She trims her own claws. She scratches at you when she wants something. If she is out of water, she pushes the water bowl across the floor until you notice. She bangs the blinds on the door when she wants to go out and will keep doing it harder and harder until you get up. She is the Queen Bee around here. She is really smart, and full of bossy personality.

I don't have any puppy pics of her, because our hard drive crashed a while back and I lost all my pics. But here are some pics of her..

The earliest pic I have of her...

Faith and her Master...

And another... she can do no wrong in her Daddy's eyes.

Grace

Grace was my early Mother's Day present. She also came from Oklahome (and Petfinder.com), but she was just over the Texas border. Robert checked Blaine out of school early and they went and got her for me.

I don't know Grace's story before she got here, because she was a little puppy. She was absolutely adorable.

After we got her home, Grace got Parvo. As soon as I could tell she was sick, I took her to the vet. She stayed there on iv's for 3 days and thankfully pulled through.

Grace is my favorite. She has the GOOFIEST personality (kinda' like her Momma!). She is happy go lucky, energetic, snuggly, and she is the only dog we have that doesn't beg for food. She is just so fun to have. If I can't find one of the dogs, she goes looking for them. She wakes the boys up with me in the morning. She follows me everywhere I go. She is my best friend!

Here is a pic of her the day she got home from the vet with Parvo.

Here she is being her goofy self...

And here she is wondering why we are outside when it is so hot!?

Pixie

Pixie is our second most recent rescue. I found her online on Petfinder.com. I swear my computer should be blocked from Craig's List pet section and Petfinder.com!

I saw Pixie's picture and fell in love. Only problem was... she was over 4 hours away. After a little begging, Robert caved. So we loaded up the car and drove to the other side of Oklahoma to pick up this dog. Just made a family day out of it... (thank goodness for dvd players in the car!haha).

Pixie was a breeder rescue. Apparently they had shut down a bad breeder (don't even get me started on bad breeders). So when we got there, she was in an outdoor pen with about 20 other little Chihuahua's, Poms, etc. She was so scared, it took about 10 minutes for the rescue lady to get her out of the pen. I was a little nervous about her, she just didn't seem to have the personality to get along with Faith and Grace. And she was soooo little, I worried they would pick on her. But we had driven over 4 hours to get her, so we couldn't leave without her. Her teeth were rotted out, her "teets" hung to the ground from feeding litter after litter, her eyeball was scratched and blue. She stunk. Her paw pads were all swollen from being in a cage. Poor girl was in bad shape. And she didn't know how to be held, what a comfy blanket was, that food would always be there.

They estimated her to be 3 years old, but she had been bred so much, the vet really couldn't tell them how old she was. As soon as we got home, I took her to our vet and they estimated her to be 6 years old. But she was in such bad shape, they really couldn't tell. Got her on antibiotics for her teeth, antibiotic drops for her eyes.

She has been with us a little over a year now. She has come a long way. She is JUST NOW tolerating the boys, and goes to Robert for attention. She is TOTALLY a Momma's girl. Now that we have Zeus, she has really come out of her shell. I guess it helped her having someone little like her to feel comfortable. She runs, she plays, she smiles at me (with her toothless grin).

Here is a pic of her the day we brought her home...

And here she is trying to figure out simple things around the house, she messed with this mirror for an HOUR trying to figure out how to get to that dog on the other side...

Loved ones....

Since today is Valentine's Day, I thought I'd blog a bit on Love and those we love.

I have learned in life, that people come and go. People you love leave. People you love pass away. People you love grow apart from you. People you love stay as long as they can. Or as long as they are allowed. Whatever the reason may be. I have had people come in to my life that I loved dearly, to be taken away. Whether it be the loss of a loved one who has moved on to God's Paradise... or whether life just takes them away, to a new location, in a new direction in life.

Everyone that comes into your life has been put there for a reason. I truly believe this. Some stay a while. Some stay a short time. No matter the length of time, they make an impression just the same.

I have many people in my life that I love. God has blessed me with wonderful family, wonderful friends, and I am so thankful. It is always hard to say goodbye to the ones that have to leave. There are many people that I miss. There are many days that I remember them. There are certain people that I remember every day. There are days I can see why they were put into my life. There are days I wonder why they had to leave.

So in celebration of Valentine's Day, I wanted to pay tribute to all those I love and all those I have loved. We never know what may call them away... a new job, a new life somewhere else, a special spot reserved for them in God's Paradise... Whatever the reason. So I ask that you take time each and every day to show the people you love just how much you love them. You never know what tomorrow may hold.

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart".--Helen Keller

"Love is something eternal; the aspect may change, but not the essense."
--Vincent van Gogh

"Love doesn't make the world go round, love is what makes the ride worthwhile."
--Elizabeth Browning

"Dance like no one is watching, love like you'll never be hurt,sing like no one is listening,and live like it's heaven on earth."- William Purkey

Zeus

Ok, I am going to bore y'all to death by blogging about my dogs. :-) I blog about the kids all the time, and the dogs are my kids too. And I'm extremely bored, so.....

We got Zeus on Labor day 2008. He was a gift to Blaine for his 16th birthday. I found Zeus on Craig's List. Blaine was at football practice so as a surprise, Garrett and I drove to Sulphur Springs to get Zeus, once we were selected as the family. Zeus was rescued by the sweetest young couple. They don't have kids, so they spend their time and money rescuing dogs individually and finding them homes. Zeus was a dog that was kept outside in a 3x3 pen, mossy water bowl, left out in the elements. They found out about him, approached the owner and the owner agreed to let them find him a home. He had mange, worms, the poor little guy was in bad shape. They rescued him, got all the health things taken care of and had him neutered.

Now 5 months later, Zeus is so full of life. He is the alpha dog, but Faith will dispute that one. He is the smallest of the bunch, weighing in at a whopping 3 pounds. He is the caretaker, he grooms the girls' ears. He LOVES attention ALLLL THE TIME, and is a burrower. He loves to burrow in blankets. Right now he is sitting in my lap with his head resting on the laptop while I type. Just love this little man!

Here is a pic of him the day we brought him home. He was still recovering from mange, his hair had all fallen out and was just growing back.

And here he is a month or so after we got him. He had just claimed "the princess bed" and was feeling at home....

And here he is now.... long shaggy yorkie wirey hair and all.

Friday the 13th

I'm not in a chatty mood tonight... got some news today that blew my socks off. I am not at liberty to discuss it... but it sure did rock my world. And NO, Robert didn't leave me, he isn't having an affair and my boys didn't get anyone pregnant and they aren't gay! Nothing like that...

Tonight Garrett went to his 8th grade Valentine's dance. Broken foot and all. I just hope and pray he doesn't try any of his breakdance moves with that boot on! hehe Here's a pic of him before the dance....


And here he is this morning, taking a Valentine's present to his "friend". He was nervous, this is a first for him. But he called me after school to say that "like 10 girls came up to him and said he was so sweet". Yea, NOW the real motive is out there. It wasn't that he liked this girl so much, it was for all the other girls to see.


And here is my purse that I bought myself for Valentine's day.... Ali, you asked!



FIVE THINGS I AM THANKFUL FOR:
1. My purse. I know, it isn't THAT fabulous... but I sure love it!
2. My dogs. On those days that are really tough, I can come home... curl up on the couch... and snuggle and they KNOW I've had a rough day and love me just the same.
3. That it is Friday...
4. That I had lunch with my Mom today. I just LOVE that woman....
5. That Robert took Faith to the vet so that is one less thing I had to do this week.

Thankful it is Thursday

Are you proud of me, I remembered what day it is! :-)

Talked to the Dr. today and he said that Garrett's foot should be cast or put in a boot. My Mother (God love her) has broken her ankles a total of 4 times (I think it is 4) and has a plethora of boots. She just happened to bring me 2 of her boots yesterday. We tried it on for size and it fit. So we are booting Garrett's foot. He is in the boot for 6 weeks. I haven't told him yet how long.... because you see, that runs into soccer season. He is going to be devastated. I haven't removed him from the team, because he wants to play so bad. If all goes well, he can play 2 or 3 weeks into the season so he should still get in a few games. But I guess we will see how the foot heals and go from there.

I finally got everyone's Valentines stuff done. Went to 4 different stores today to get stuff for the girl that Garrett wants to get a Valentine's for. God love him, he is so clueless.... he gets that from his Daddy. haha He wanted to get her something but had no idea what, what color, what size, what anything..... so we went with a Teddy bear, holding a bag of chocolates and a rose.

Got progress reports today and both boys are passing. So Blaine is ungrounded from video games, I haven't seen him all night. I will let it slide tonight, I know he is going through video game withdrawal. Now he gets to earn back his car and his phone.

Blaine is volunteering for Habitat for Humanity on Saturday. I don't like much about the football program here in Royse City. But one thing I DO approve of is the Head Coach's approach to community involvement. The football team is working Saturday helping build a home here in Royse City. I think it is AWESOME to keep the kids active in the community, helping one another, and sets an awesome example for the guys. They have volunteered at the Kindergarten gingerbread house night, they have volunteered to "spot" for the weight training team, and now the Habitat for Humanity. I think it is truly awesome that he has the kids out, being active and teaching them to give of themselves. A lesson that all teenagers need to learn.

And while I was out shopping today, I bought myself my Valentine's day present. If I don't do it noone will! I saw this purse at TJ Maxx last week and FELL IN LOVE.... it was way more than I normally spend on a purse. And I have a real hard time buying myself ANYTHING... I feel guilty when I actually do buy myself something. But today I put that purse on my arm, paid for it, and walked out of the store like a little kid leaving a candy store. I didn't even wait to get home to switch out purses... I did it at work! I showed it to Robert and his response was "so I'm off the hook for Valentine's day?" ugh.... that's my romantic, thoughtful, sweetheart! :-)

The week is coming to a close and I am so glad. I sure could use a "sleep late day" Saturday!

FIVE THINGS I AM THANKFUL FOR:
1. That Garrett didn't need surgery on his foot.
2. That Robert grilled steaks for dinner tonight.
3. That my boys both have good grades.
4. For the beautiful day we had today. The weather was perfect, sun was shining.... one of those days where it was definitely too pretty to be at work!
5. For God's grace....... I sure don't deserve it most days.

What is today????

We went to the imaging place today and got confirmation that Garrett's foot IS broken. The Radiologist wanted us to know (normally the Radiologist doesn't say anything other than the Dr. will let you know) because the bone is cracked almost all the way through. One hair more and the bone will be entirley snapped in half. They recommended Garrett not even walk on his "dork shoe" until we talk to the Dr., and that the Dr. might not want to deal with the break, that we might HAVE to see an Ortho. So I will wait to her from the Dr. tomorrow to see what we need to do.

Ugh. I swear this week has been so crazy I don't know what day it is..... oh wait, it is Wednesday. We were supposed to start a new bible study tonight. We didn't get done at the imaging place in time, and I am so bummed about that. The enemy is always at work.....

And..... drumroll please..... I MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO GET MY HAIR CUT. No color, but at least my 80's "do" won't be looking like Shaka Khan after Saturday. :-)

We had some bad storms last night, but everything turned out ok. I know there were many not as fortunate, so I am thankful for the fact that we didn't have any tornadoes or major wind damage. And it SNOWED IN THE DESERT YESTERDAY. What is up with that? Global warming, the end times..... either way, that scares the tar out of me.

We had a HUGE milestone in our household last night. Garrett is a VERY private kid, meaning he doesn't share ANYTHING with me. (unlike Blaine that shares wayyyyyy too much!) Anyways, last night he told me that he likes a girl and who it was. I was so happy that he shared something personal with me. He is a daddy's boy, so it really was a huge milestone for him to discuss feelings and something personal. And today he asked me if he could get her a Valentine's present, and that he wanted to ask her to the dance on Friday. Not sure how he's going to dance with a cast/boot/crutches.... but I am THRILLED that he is sharing info with me, and that he is confident enough to ask a girl to the dance (he has been struggling socially for quite some time now). Now I am just praying that she doesn't hurt his feelings and say no.

I need to get to bed before I go off on a tangent talking about the government and their plans to stimulate the economy by spending more money on government. Unless they are spending money on our youth (the FUTURE leaders of our government), then I am not interested. And the elderly.....

FIVE THINGS I AM THANKFUL FOR:
1. To finally have an answer on Garrett's foot so we can proceed with treatment.
2. For our "milestone" last night.
3. That Blaine has been very pleasant while being grounded indefinitely from his phone, video games, internet and his car. (yea, it's been fun around here!)
4. That I heard the words "you were right Dear, I will never say another word" when I showed Robert the xrays of Gar's foot. (this is the 3rd broken bone we have dealt with between the 2 boys and EVERY time he says "it's ok, you are just being a worry wart, it isn't broken". And all 3 times I insisted we need to have it checked out).
5. That we were spared damage from last nights storm. Praying for those that were affected.

Being a Mom, poop, little girls and Cinderella

The first thought that comes to mind today is..... being a Mom is a POOPY job. I say this because I spent the afternoon picking up dog poop out of the yard (4 little dogs can poop A LOT over the winter). In doing so, I had much time to reflect lots of things.

I had time to reflect on all the poopy jobs Moms have. Poopy diapers, poopy dogs, poopy toilets, poopy underwear, poopy attitudes, poopy phone calls from the school, poopy grades. The plethera of poop that is being a Mom. I know, I signed on for this job.... and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I am more than glad I am a Mom. Poop and all. :-)

While picking up poop, I reflected on my weekend. I have spent the entire weekend doing back breaking chores. I must say, I feel a bit like Cinderella. This Cinderella has scrubbed showers, scrubbed tubs, scrubbed toilets, picked up poop, swept, mopped, sprayed down the front porch, along with the usual 10 loads of laundry, dishes, cooking..... I TRULY feel like Cinderella. But I have no ball to go to. And I am SURE that handsome man that Cinderella met... yea, I am CERTAIN he could afford a maid and her back breaking work days were over. THIS Cinderella would love a maid.... that is out of the question. Maybe a pedicure, IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK? Or maybe a haircut and color? Yea, THIS Cinderella is feeling sorry for herself.

While I was picking up poo in the yard, I listened to our neighbors backyard birthday party full of little girls. Yea... God has an AWESOME sense of humor doesn't he? So I am listening to these little girls shrieking, squeeling, laughing while they are bouncing in the bounce house. And I just smiled to myself. I had to smile at God's sense of humor. Little girls.... you all know how bad I want a little girl. So my mind wanders to what it would be like to actually HAVE a little girl. I listen to them laughing and playing and it is just music to my ears. I wonder if I will ever be able to experience the joys (and struggles) of raising a little girl. So I smile, imagining what it would be like and continue on with my exciting poo experience.

The whole time I'm doing my poo job, my dogs are sitting in the yard watching. They always have these looks on their faces, and I KNOW if they could bust out laughing, they would. I imagine it being the ultimate "doggy joke"... hey look at my master picking up MY poo! Who's the master now!!!!! I can almost see the delight in their eyes, knowing they will soon have a fresh yard to poo in.

So I finish my last poo job for the weekend. (I hope!) I am still smiling listening to the little girls out back playing and having a good time. And I am so thankful for the job that God has given me as a Mom.... poo, backbreaking chores, no money for a pedicure or haircut and all.

Have you EVER read a blog so full of poop????? :-)

FIVE THINGS I AM THANKFUL FOR:

1. Childrens laughter.... it can cure a broken heart.
2. Pooper scoopers (I just wish I could find one that isn't made for someone 2 foot tall).
3. The storm that is about to blow in.
4. The beautiful spring weather we have had all weekend. My wisteria is already starting to turn green and bud!
5. That God has entrusted me to raise 2 of HIS children. Thank you GOD!

ugh Garrett!!!! :-)

Well we went to the Dr today. He looked at his foot and said "it might be broken... come back on Wednesday for more xrays". I asked 2 or 3 times if he could xray again today, but they have to give it 7-10 days after the injury to see if any new bone growth has formed to tell if it is broken. I dunno.... all I heard was CHA-CHING CHA-CHING! :-) More money I don't have and more time off work. I have to take Faith back to the vet next week too.

We had a wonderful family night tonight. We went out to dinner (haven't done that in a LONG time, it costs soooo much when you have 2 teenage boys to feed!) and watched a movie when we got home. We had the best time, laughing, talking, cutting up, watching people sing karaoke.... and laughing hysterically at the little old lady with her cane shaking her butt to the music as she walked through the restaurant. It is moments like these that make all the struggles in life just disappear. I truly am blessed and am so thankful for the children that God has blessed me with!

FIVE THINGS I AM THANKFUL FOR:
1. Family time.... good, goofy, silly, laughing, family time.
2. Time alone with Garrett (he is such a Daddy's boy, it is nice when us 2 can spend time together).
3. That it is Friday!!!!!
4. Mexican food.
5. Friends....

Update on Garrett

Well finally heard back from his Pediatrician today, and he wants to see Garrett asap. He said that his foot should be better (as far as the swelling and numbness) by now, so he is concerned that it is broken. So we are going in tomorrow for more xrays.

This has been a tough week. I totally feel like the devil is attacking me, and he knows how to get to me..... through my kids, through finances, he is just working on my last nerve. And he IS NOT going to win.

Next week the boys and I are starting a new bible study on Wednesday. I am really looking forward to that.

We got another foster call last night, for a 2 day old infant boy, cocaine positive at birth. But CPS placed him with another family in Dallas Co. At least we got a call. And now that I think about it... I am glad we weren't selected (as awful as that sounds). The withdrawals, getting up every 2-4 hours and still having to work full time, finding daycare to keep a newborn... not to mention everything I have is PINK! I would have done it GLADLY but know there is a reason we weren't selected.

FIVE THINGS I AM THANKFUL FOR:
1. Co-workers that make me laugh so hard I cry for 30 minutes. I needed that today.
2. Bible study and prayer warriors.
3. That Robert cooked dinner tonight.
4. That I slept all night last night for the first time in months.
5. My boys... raising teenagers is definitely a challenge, but there are so many good times, silly times, times where I see true happiness in their eyes.

Our visit to the ER

Sunday we were at a friends for the Superbowl and they have a lot of land. The boys were playing out in the pasture.... Garrett jumped a ditch and hurt his foot. I thought it would be ok, so I sent him to school Monday. By the time I got home from work, his foot was swollen and numb and he couldn't walk on it. So we spent last night in the ER, had xrays done on his foot. Where he injured his foot is on the growth plate (don't even get me started on that, he is ALREADY in a size 13 mens shoe and he STILL has growing to do!?).... so the xrays don't always pick up a fracture on the growth plate. They put him in a hard soled shoe and we have to go see an orthopedic to see if it is truly broken. May have to have an MRI or Catscan done on his foot and compare it to his other foot to see if it is broken.

Garrett has been "injury free" for almost 2 years.... so I am thankful for that. He was on quite an injury full roll there for a while (broken wrist, sprained back, concussion, calcified hematoma in his "private area" from a bicycle injury all within a years' time). So I am VERY APPRECIATIVE of the break he has had thus far (no pun intended!).

And I am taking Faith to the vet today. She has really bad ears and they have gotten worse over the last few days and she is in miserable pain.

So Garrett and I are home today. Garrett has his foot propped up, he is on the couch watching movies taking FULL advantage of Mom waiting on him hand and foot (literally).

This is proving to be an expensive, CRAZY week!

FIVE THINGS I AM THANKFUL FOR:
1. A day at home with my Pookie (too bad he had to get hurt for us to have one)
2. Getting 2 adoption profiles to look at (the first since we got this CW in DECEMBER... but I had to email her and politely remind her that we hadn't received anything from her)
3. CPS CW's that acknowlege our existance. I submitted on 2 girls through the state website, sent our homestudy and she actually emailed back that she was reviewing our study. That's a first! Normally we don't hear a word back from them
4. A fun Superbowl get together with friends we haven't seen in ages
5. Tylenol pm. Haven't been sleeping at night, I took some last night and ONLY got up 4 times n the middle of the night