TWO YEARS ALREADY!

Two years ago today we brought our kids home to live!  It has been an amazing two years of delight and humility!  Who would have thought that two kids can make this much difference in two lives, a marriage, a house, a family.  We definitely have changed many things about the way we always did things.  One thing I notice more and more is how much like our own parents James and I have become.  I often see James' mom or dad coming out in him when he explains something.  I hear my mom coming through my voice nearly daily - scary, very scary!  The one thing I truly believed I would never do is say something like - "When I was a kid we didn't get to do this or that"  - how is it that those types of expression just come out without even thinking!!!! 

Enough of that - James had continuing education class in LA today so Justin, Andrea, and I  are on our way to meet Dad in Universal City tonight to spend the night at the Universal City Sheraton. We plan to go to Universal Studios tomorrow - the 13 loads of laundry at home can wait until next week! 

We are looking forward to many more celebrations of this special day!

Hooray! Summer is Finally OVER!

As denoted by my post title, and the absence of any postings for the past two months, it is fair to assume that we had a heckuva summer! (with a little good mixed in!)

The following is the GOOD, BAD, and the UGLY:

The GOOD:

Our adoption was finalized and celebrated on June 17, 2009. We feel blessed to be the parents of the two most wonderful kids in the world!

We enjoyed a trip to Maui, two getaways to San Diego ( different areas), a short stay at the Disney Resort area, swimming lessons, a week at day camp, mixed in with afternoons boogie boarding at the beach, dinners out with friends, a few backyard barbecues, Angels games, visits from friends and relatives, etc.

The BAD:


James came down with bronchitis in Maui, which as you know from previous blog turned into pneumonia and a 5 day hospital stay. Two weeks later we discovered that he had a complication due to the medication given for the pneumonia which then resulted in another hospital stay of 6 days. At home, two weeks later, the infection returned with threats of another hospital visit - fortunately James managed to beat it this time with another $400 prescription. (The first time I picked up one of those $400 prescription I thought the pharmacist had forgotten to run it through our insurance - after my inquiry she retorted that this WAS our cost - the prescription was actually $1100 - don't even get me started on how badly we need some kind of health care reform!) Anyway . . basically James was seriously ill most of the summer . . . and that was very BAD! Gratefully he is well, back to work full speed, and feeling better than ever!


The UGLY:

During the time that James was in the hospital my brother Jon was there, too. So, each day we would visit Jon in ICU, then on to James in isolation . . with a stop on the 2nd floor to check on a friend of many, many years who was diagnosed with lung cancer on June 17th. He was relatively young, appeared strong, had never smoked, but nevertheless diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. It was hard for his family and friends to fathom that this big, healthy fellow would decline so in just two months and join his mom who had just passed away last January. He was a special man of faith who helped others and led an exemplary life. We felt honored to have known him.


Then when we thought we were done with the UGLY for a while, our cat of 16 years, Tigger, died. We, including the kids, were heartbroken. We had gotten the news from the vet in July that Tigger had cancer, but we were not ready to say goodbye to our beloved Tigger, so we kept him comfortable and had hoped that the steroid shots that the vet administered would keep him with us a little longer . . .it did - but only two months - so last Sunday we had our first pet funeral in the part of the yard we now have labeled the Pet Cemetery (wasn't that a creepy movie a few years back? ?). Andrea read Ecc. 3 and Justin gave the Eulogy and prayer. We are now concentrating our love and devotion toward our little blue parakeet, Brodie, and our pet hamster, Sunshine.


Despite what was a pretty gruesome summer, we had many delightful times, also. We are back and the next post will be those depicting our most happy moments!

Our Little Bookworm!

This new mommy (old teacher) loves nothing more than a child who enjoys books and loves to read, so you can only imagine my delight when I went in to wake Andrea up this morning and found her hugging a pile of books. Some kids take their baby dolls or stuffed bears to bed to sleep with . . .mine takes a mini library! Atta girl, Andrea!

BABW

For those of you that don't know BABW stands for Build-A-Bear Workshop! Many times over the past few years children brought bears and other stuffed animals to my classroom which they proudly told me they had made at BABW! Taking a good look at these cute stuffed toys I began to assess that there must be major bucks associated with the creating of these prized possessions. The apparel had such detail and the accessories . . .went on and on.

Well, last Sunday evening as we were strolling around Downtown Disney trying to digest and wear off $60 worth of Buca di Beppo, we ended up in BABW creating two of our own Teddy Bears. James and I justified this national debt expenditure by calling it an early Easter gift! Truly the delight it brought ALL of us was worth it! First Justin and Andrea picked out Teddy Bear bodies, which then had hearts inserted (which were kissed and promised to love), stuffed with puffy, white batting, sewn together, fluffed and brushed, and then dressed and accessorized!

It was a delightful evening!

Fluffing Andrea's new bear. She named the bear Pinky for obvious reasons!

At the dressing table!

Dressing these bears was laborious and loads of fun!

Adoption Papers Are SIGNED!

Yes, that's right! We signed adoption papers on Monday, March 23rd. Whoopee! Now, we sit back, relax and wait for the judge to call us in to his chambers for the final event in this process. We have been told this has been amazingly fast and for that we are grateful! Protocol is that the kids have to be in our home 6 months before you can sign the adoption papers - but we got to sign exactly 1 month early! The court event should be in about 6 weeks!

The kids are happy!
Dad and Mom are happy!
We are one happy family!

BTW - Sweet comments followed . . .

Daily Justin tells us he is so happy that we found them and I tell him we feel so blessed to have been found! But Andrea is a little more reserved - so you can imagine how I felt when the evening of the adoption signing she said she wished her birth mom and dad could meet us so they would know what a great mom and dad she has. That comment brought tears to my eyes . . but as I relayed the comment to James a few minutes later Justin overheard and remarked, "I think she is getting the big picture!"

AT LAST!

This picture shows you where I would like to be - instead I am at my desk at the office during one of the biggest tax season's ever! It reminds me of a beautiful trip that James and I took to Ireland back in the summer of 2001. I can dream, can't I?


And now at last I can get some of you "off my back" (and you know who you are) . . . sorry for the huge delay in getting these pics up - but as you know it is TAX SEASON! We are amazingly busy! Can't complain I know! No time for chit chat - sorry!


Andrea in her cute dance outfit - she took a Ballet and Tap class which she loved!

Our last visit with Grandma David - just two days before she passed away. You can see how much the kids loved her!


Andrea's 8th birthday! She took goodies to school and that evening we went to Chili's for dinner and the unwrapping of too many gifts!

Of course brother thought it was quite funny - all of her girl gifts!

Our 8 year old sweetie!

Our trip to the happiest place on earth - Disneyland!

Justin as Benjamin Franklin for his oral book report. He got totally into character!

He is quite a little actor!

Andrea took a cheerleading class which she learned to dislike quickly when she discovered that doing cartwheels was part of the deal!

Justin has been taking Basketball since mid January. He loves it and makes a great guard! We love going to his games!

Alright Already!

I know that I am way past due with my postings . . .however who knew mothering was going to be full time job! It is by far the most fun, fulfilling, exciting, wonderful, tiring, and overwhelming job I've ever had!!!

Since our last post about 3 weeks ago we have:



Celebrated Andrea's 8th birthday - Happy Birthday, Sweetie!



Had our first Valentine's together as a family . . .love . . .love



Made a quick trip to Santa Maria to see James' mom in the hospital and as it turns out said "good bye" to her. Grandma David left this world on Feb. 13th - just 2 days after we saw her. Justin says he can see her going up an invisible escalator to meet God - he gets it! Ruth David was an amazing lady. She was the most gracious person I have ever met and I am sure she never uttered an unkind word about anyone. We certainly miss her! The kids only got to meet her twice - but fortunately both times she was "on top of her game" as James would say. (a little tough to be when you are 96 years old) She was happy to meet the kids and responded so lovingly towards them.

The rest of the past 3 weeks have been basketball, dance, skating, homework, school projects, etc., etc. and for James a great big giant TAX SEASON!

I promise I will add pics next time!

TAGGING??

Is tagging even legal???? Oh . . . not that kind I guess! My good friend, Nicole (the bow girl) tagged me ` so watch out you could be next!



The rules are:

1. Go to your fourth picture folder

2. Upload the fourth picture

3. Tell everyone about it

4. Tag four more friends!



Honestly, I think Nico tagged me just to see if I could accomplish this feat! Actually if it weren't for her I would still be trying to figure how to upload a picture on my blog - that is if I could even figure out how to create a blog in the first place. So here goes . . .



Now Nicole will never believe this . . . this a picture of Andrea singing in a church program a few weeks after we got her. I used this picture to show off the cute bow that Nicole made for her on another blog entry. (Honestly this is the fourth picture in my fourth picture folder, Nico) I loved how the bows all attach to the little stretchy headband and she is so pretty in pink and white! What is scary are the eyes on these poor kids - they look like they trying out for some horror flick instead of singing in a church program!!!! (That's what you get when a bad photographer enlarges the photos to the giant size uh hum Mom . . .Erin . . .Diana . . .)

So that is it!

You've been tagged . . .

Diana

Erin

Krysta

Linda

Have fun!

Not Big Enough!

My dear mom who can hardly use a computer has a complaint! On her birthday last October my brother, Jon gave her a very nice laptop computer. He set up an email account for her and gave her a quick how-to lesson!

The reason she wanted it was to keep up with my cousin, Erin's blog and see Grant in all of his cuteness. Then we got the kids and she started reading my blog and looking at our posted pics. Well, after spending about an hour putting many of our holiday pictures on our blog, etc. her remark was why don't you choose bigger pic size like Erin and Brett do?? You can always see Grant's face so well . . . and when are you going to put videos on like Erin and Brett?????

You give Grandma a computer and now I have to compete with my 30 something cousin?????
Well, she says, the pics just aren't big enough!

I Am Humbled!!

It was wild to say the least! Christmas and two weeks of vacations with a 7 and 9 year old! A fun kind of wild! Busy is a word I really had no comprehension of until the past 11 weeks! I used to think teaching and making a nice home for James and myself kept me busy . . .I had NO IDEA!!!!

As I mentioned to a friend recently over clothing choices of my new daughter - I apologize to all the mommys I silently criticized regarding such frivolous matters! I am learning a new sort of humbleness!

I am trying to be my very organized self and yet have fun and keep everyone happy - it a new assignment that I am enjoying and some days finding a real challenge. I have decided that it is okay if everything is not perfect and if our home is more "house functional" - rather than "house beautiful"!

Changes I have made to accomplish sanity in my new motherhood role and managing the house -

*I now use paper napkins

*I don't use every dish in the cupboard to make the table setting "look pretty"

*I dish up food from the stove more often

*I don't put mustard and mayo in those cute little condiment dishes - it's straight out of the bottle for us

*Sandwiches can be eaten off of a paper towel instead of a plate

*All t-shirts do not have to be ironed

*Most of the crystal now resides in the display cabinet - instead of on coffee and end tables - for it's own safety!

*We now own plastic drinking glasses

*We now buy Spray and Wash, paper towels, and toilet paper in the economy size

*We now allow eating in the living room

*We have art work "taped" on bedroom walls and stickers placed lovingly by a 7 year old on our mirrored closet doors

And at the end of the day it is all worth it - as well as the many changes to come. None of those things seem nearly as important as they did a few months ago!

More Sunshine At Our House!!!!!

Like it wasn't enough "sunshine" having two children join our household, but as you learned we had additional "sunshine" added with an adorable, little brown hamster just last week. You can only imagine our delight when we arrived home from our anniversary trip to find that Sunshine, the hamster, had delivered 5 more bundles of "sunshine"!

So . . .is their anyone out there that has been so inspired by our adoption story that you would like to adopt an adorable little hamster????? They will be ready for adoption next week around Monday, November 17th. No paperwork, blood tests, fingerprints, physicals or social workers required in this adoption. We will make it quite simple for you . . .

No excuses, please!
Do something for humanity and mom's sanity!!!!
Love to hear from you!!!!!

Anniversary Trip!

Most of you know that each year for our anniversary we take turns planning a little get-a-way. Knowing that we would have just gotten the children - we decided to make reservations at a beautiful resort that we had gone to last year - but was only about 45 minutes south of our home in Dana Point. This was only to be a 3 day adventure (and I do mean adventure) with 2 kids in tow.

Here's a recap . . .

Saturday "Little Miss Muffett" as we refer to Andrea and I went to the beauty shop for a little pampering - which included hair, nails, and toes! Feeling quite glamourous we headed home to join the boys for lunch and on to the St. Regis. After checking in we immediately headed for the pool (oh, well hairdo - thankfully the nails and toes were dry!) for a little swimming and splashing around. Then we went back to the room to get ready for dinner at the Five Crowns (or as Andrea now refers to it - The Five Queens). Andrea ordered the children's Prime Rib and was highly disappointed when she found out it was more like roast beef or steak rather than the bbqed ribs she was expecting. We did try to explain beforehand - honest we did! Justin kindly shared his Chicken tenders and Dad forced down the extra prime rib (haha)! The night was truly saved when the server showed up with two hefty portions of English trifle - declared yummy by all four of us!

Here's pics of the gorgeous young lady, handsome young man and hot Daddy! Remember I'm the one taking the pictures!

Sunday we spent most of the day swimming, relaxing, watching Milo and Otis and eating!

Then on Monday we went to LEGOLAND! It was the first time they had ever been there and their first roller coaster experience. They both LOVED it! I, myself do not do roller coasters - so James found this perfect - since he still loves them! I tried to take some pics while they were on them, but they went just to doggone fast!

Here are pics though of us at the hotel

Two Weeks Ago???????

I am kind of blog junkie - mostly because I love to know what my relatives and friends are up to. Prior to two years ago I'd never even looked at a blog and am not sure I even knew what one was.

Then my cousin in Indianapolis adopted their adorable little Grant and mentioned we could follow their adoption journey on their blog. One read and I was hooked. Where else can you practically get to read someone's diary without invading their privacy. Now I follow several - it is all I can keep up with!

We started this blog when we decided to adopt, just so the children would have a running journal of their adoption story. And now I notice upon reading my cousin's blog this morning that I have not posted anything for two weeks! Yikes . . . I tell you I am one busy mom! The following is evidence!

So here's the update :

We went to El Toritos for dinner the first night they moved in. The servers were so excited about the adoption that they gave the kids their own sombrero - so out came the camera!!!

The kids started school and are doing very well. Andrea is student of the month for November and Justin has a teacher whose children I taught beginning my first year of teaching! What a blessing!

We went to the pumpkin patch and had a fun Sunday afternoon. When I was a kid you either bought a pumpkin at the grocery store or you went to one of those patches that actually grew pumpkins and picked one right off the vine. Well now in So Cal you go to a lot (that will soon be a Christmas tree lot) and spend a fortune on carnival rides, bounce houses, etc. and then choose a pumpkin that you can barely lift into the trunk of the car. It was great fun!!!!!!!

!

HALLOWEEN'S cutest Barbie Princess and most handsome Star Wars Clone Trooper!

Halloween was a blast! Our good friends "Uncle" Cary and "Auntie"Shirley came over for dinner (bearing gifts and cupcakes - no less), then James took two very excited "trick or treaters" out for the candy run! (Thanks, Ashley for the cupcakes! They were declared yummy by all!) They had so much fun! As new parents we had that dilemma that many parents go through - just how much candy do you let the kids eat, keep, etc?????? I was so proud when Justin decided to give his candy to the poor children (they had a drive at the school) so that they could develop the cavities! Andrea couldn't bring herself to give it all up . . . but she did give up part of it and shared the rest with Justin. Fortunately the dentist told me that the cavities they had filled this week were not from this Halloween - but instead "sugar germs" that they had experienced some time ago! Whew . . . what a relief!

Last, but certainly not least . . .Justin got a hamster this past weekend. He named her Sunshine - like we don't already have enough sunshine in the house with these two sweeties?????? Anyway he is a proud owner and very responsible taking care of her! Andrea has Brodie, the parakeet, in her room and she loves taking care of him! She plans to be a vet when she grows up , although she calls it a vegetarian. The later I suspect she will never be because she is quite the carnivore!

I'll try not to wait so long to write my next post - this took forever!!

AT LAST!

Into our hearts and home
We welcome with love
Justin and Andrea

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

AT LAST WE HAVE OUR FOREVER FAMILY!

Thank you for all of your love and support!
James and Katherine

Halloween Costumes

Last night for our two hour visit we went to Andrea's pick for dinner - McDonalds (my favorite restaurant HaHa) and then on to buy Halloween costumes - before the stores ran out. James and I had already made a pact that Andrea would not get a "street walker" costume.

GOOD LUCK - is all I got to say about that.

Unless your child is 2yrs old the traditional princess costumes won't fit, so we began the long process of finding an outfit that fit, that she liked, that we approved of, etc., etc. After about an hour and a half of going through racks and racks of outfits we finally found 2 that were decent. (How is it that they think a seven year old should either be dressed like bartender, card dealer, or a sleezy walk down Harbor Blvd.?) Anyway . . . we ended up with a Barbie Princess dress, crown, earrings and a wand for Andrea and a Star Wars clone Trooper with lightsaber for Justin all for just under the national debt!

Next year we will make outfits!

Coming Home!

Blog posts have not been a high priority lately with all of the activity around getting the kids! We have just been incredibly busy. About every other day we pick them up after school and spend most of the evening with them, then back to the foster home. It's hard! Especially when they ask when they are coming to stay!

Then last weekend they stayed overnight - it was a blast. I checked on them five times in the night - they never moved an inch. Can't imagine how you mom's with newborns do it! This past Tuesday, they spent the night and we took them to school the next day - the school is about 35 minutes from our home - so we had to get up at "0 dark thirty" (as our friend Cary calls it when you have to get up super early) - but they did great - as two yawning, coffee toting parents loaded them in the car for the jaunt to their school. We met their current teachers and got great reports about them.
Tonight they come and spend the whole weekend - yeah!

And next Wednesday . . . they move in for good or at least until they go away to college - whichever comes first!

Two Precious Words . . .

There are some words you just don't realize have the impact that they do.

Yesterday Justin and Andrea got in the car all giddy - they had something exciting to tell me they said! So, naturally I waited for the exciting news . . . they informed me that they had decided to call us Mom and Dad.

We immediately called James on the bluetooth in the car and they told him - I'm glad I wasn't in the same room - it's hard to watch a grown man lose it!

Anyway when we did arrive at the office the two of them hurriedly went into our conference where the big whiteboard is and started writing us the sweetest love notes. About that time the social worker stopped by for a visit and was blown away by- in her words- they are claiming us!
James and I were next to tears!

Mom and Dad . . . two precious words from the two most precious kids!

Unbelievable - WE ARE IN LOVE!

Aren't they absolutely adorable???????????




She's a little beauty. . . joyful, and playful!

He's a little man. . . helpful and introspective.

Notice the kitchen towel on his arm -

he was helping me clean the kitchen!

Can you believe it - they couldn't be more perfect! Adorable, helpful, and sweet! There is so much to tell about them but . . . I think their pics sum them up perfectly! As James says . . . we might be a little bit prejudice - but we don't see how they could be any better!

Today is the day . . .

First of all, yesterday was the day when all of the social workers (all 5 of them) and James and I met together for what we referred to as the "BIG POWWOW"! It's when they tell you everything they can possibly think of ( I think they call it disclosure . . .) about the children. Well, nothing they could say could make us change our minds and there wasn't anything we hadn't known about already! At that point they are supposed to give us 24 hours to change our mind - the proverbial "cooling off period"? No 24 hour cooling off period for us!
I guess they had us figured out - so they suggested we meet the kids ASAP!

And that my friends is . . .TODAY! And that is why TODAY IS THE DAY!

We get to meet the kids at 1:00pm at Coldstone Creamery by our house, then across the street to the beach and playground on the sand . . .maybe a walk down the pier and then back to their foster home to meet their foster family.

WE CAN"T WAIT! Oh, no. . . there I go again with that waiting thing!

ADOPTION UPDATE!

Yes . . . everything is still moving forward. It just takes so much time! Of course we would have gone to get the kids the day we were matched - but social workers have their own time table - and it is none to speedy.
It seems that the children's social worker has had a family emergency and so the scheduled meetings have been delayed until next week. After those meetings we will begin frequent visits with the kids over a two to four week period. Depending on how comfortable they are determines when they come home!
They have been told that we are planning to adopt them -
Justin asked if we knew they had a young adult sister to which the social worker said yes and that we looked forward to meeting her and having her be a part of our extended family. He responded with "Good, I've been worried about that - now I am ready to be adopted!". Andrea just wanted to know how many pets we had- as she is an animal lover! Both of them are excited about being adopted!
I am so happy and already love them! James has been carrying their picture around in his briefcase and keeps talking about all of the places we can take them.
We'll keep you posted!