Welcome Fall!

This is absolutely my favorite time of year! I love FALL, and the season it brings. I am a little disappointed that Christmas trees are already up in stores... I just think they should not be out until after Thanksgiving! I remember as a child that was the "BIG" deal the Friday after Thanksgiving to go and look at all the Christmas stuff! It was so neat-- magically done overnight. I had the Little J with me in Kohl's last week and we were trying to explain Christmas trees to him, and all he wanted to do was touch the lights! It will be a fun time this year. I think for the first time ever we are going to get a ...... fake.....(YIKES, I said it!) tree. The little J's asthma may not withstand a live fir... so, his doctor suggested and this is one suggestion we will follow through on... HOWEVER, it will be a really nice FAKE tree with lots of lights!
Friday's have turned into football games galore! WHS is a young team (code for - not doing too well!) , but the Big J (#30) is still having lots of fun. It really makes me nervous, I can't tell you how happy I will be when we trade those uniforms for some basketball uniforms. B & the Little J love the games! Well, maybe the food, the snacks, the cheerleaders, and the big bands! It is a lot of entertainment for a small amount of money! Of course we like it better when they are home games, but we have traveled twice :-)

This was actually an away game and they were serving these really yummy blue shaved ice drinks. That would be Derek who let them get blue drinks at 9:15 on a Friday night! But hey, you only live once!

This was right before .... notice no blue!

This is the Big J's friend "N". Both B & M love her to death. She always lets them hang out with her for a little bit, and believe me that just makes their day! She is a very sweet girl!

Thursday we went to the MSC- an all day field trip! A perk of having M in my class is that we get to go together! It was quite a bit of fun. High tide made shelling hard, but we did get to see a turtle's nest, and a sea turtles rib bone (too bad for the turtle!). It was hot! Nothing like going to the beach and not being able to get your feet wet!

It was truly a perfect day!

If I had time, I could have just walked around all day shooting some great pictures. The beach is so relaxing, and the sun is just vibrant there!

The kids were amazed at the groves that separated the beach from the road. Some of my kids had never been to this particular beach... it is really a great place to visit! They even have showers!

We are finally hitting our groove. It has taken about six weeks to get schedules worked out and find out what works best for us. We are all doing well... we were a bit under the weather for a few days (we just all sort of passed it around) but after a thorough bleaching things seem to be getting back to normal. The weather is still really hot during the day, but we have been going out after 4 and it is somewhat cooler. The Little J loves to be outside!

Fall brings lots of lists... today we started on our Halloween lists, and that got us thinking about our Thanksgiving list... I think know we are staying home this year so we need to figure out what we are cooking and what we will be doing that weekend. My goal is to have most of the shopping done before that week. We have scheduled the Little J to have (minor) surgery that Tuesday, so we can be home with him for the rest of the week. I am sure that is what he is thinking too!

We are 2/3 through the first 9 weeks of school. If this pace keeps up, we will be finished before we even start. Talk about pulling up the brakes! Geesh... we have not had many "normal" weeks this year and we are cramming to get everything that we need done completed!

Strength will rise... we still keep singing that song! We are at peace with waiting for the brothers and feel like we will have some resolution once we close the Little J's adoption. I can deal with a plan, it is the unknowing that drives me a little stir crazy!

I am still reading Crazy Love and I tell you this book is such a good book for me right now. Doesn't it just work like that for you... when you need to hear or see God's amazing gifts to you he literally just lays them out! We are blessed!

If I haven't emailed you in awhile Mrs. P-- know that I am thinking about you! It is neat that the B is in 2nd grade so when I do read your school blog I can see what you are talking about! I know you are great over there. As it cools off even more we need to plan a Sunday afternoon picnic!

Have a great week!

Crazy Love, Fall, Upcoming Holiday Fun

They were so happy to do this ..... NOT!

J and M both have to wear blue and khaki on Fridays.. I could not resist taking this picture! Three head shots in one night... Just in case you forgot what they look like! I am good :-) And of course, all the children had great smiles....and they wanted to make sure that they all had equal space on the blog~ and they all SMILED!

and then, they wanted to play around....

So you think you can dance? Really......

Rhythm? the jury is still out on that one! J was dancing tonight while we were waiting for M to get home... It was as funny as it looks! Wow! Can you believe we started the 5th week of school this week? It just does not seem possible. We are 1/2 way through the first 9 weeks. It is amazing how time flies! We are very busy with school, dance, and church activities. My parents are home for awhile and it seems we have landed smack in the middle of the high school football season! The Big J has had some ups and downs with that! The last game was a complete blow-out, but I still think he has a good time out on that field. The little J loves it too! Especially if it is a home game and he gets clear access to the entire football field after the game :-) M & B were at the dance studio all weekend working on their opening number. I think everybody is anxiously awaiting the new weekend with NOTHING planned so we can all just chill! (Of course there is the Arkansas vs. Alabama game! Go BAMA!)

I started reading a book called Crazy Love, Overwhelmed By A Relentless God, by Francis Chan. It is probably one of the best books I have read in awhile. My favorite line so far has been "Frankly, you need to get over yourself!" and the remainder of the chapter talks about our responsibility to bring glory to God - not the other way around which is the way we first think so much of the time. I don't ever really remember not believing in God - I have spent my entire life in and around churches... Baptist and Methodist mostly, but I have never known what it feels like to not know God. I have raised all of my children the same way. I can really thank my mom and grandparents for that- at the time you think maybe you don't want to be at church, but the relationship that builds from a young age has the ability to carry you through many of life's ups and downs. It may be of some surprise.. it was to me, that our current culture severely lacks the fear of God. And many people never know that their very existence was not random or an accident. .. Anyway if you need a good read that will cause you to reflect on your own personal relationship with God I highly suggest getting the book :-) Even if you are not a big reader... they have video clips on the Internet of each chapter you can watch. Summer is great! There is time for the pool, outside play, the beach, travel, and lots of vacation. However, this by far is my favorite time of the year. Probably because we have kids, and probably because there are so many great ways to celebrate the Fall. We have quite a few good festivals around here, and several local churches have really big pumpkin patches that we visit every year! This year is especially sweet because the Little J is at the very tender age of loving all the activities! We purchased a Halloween Flag for the front of the house and he was so excited to see the pumpkins! Thanksgiving and the Christmas season will be even more special this year as we share in the excitement of Little J with family and friends. It will be cookie time before you know it, and I know that everyone will enjoy making and eating cookies this year!Anybody work with Photoshop? That is my new quest... we will see where it gets us! HA! That would be if I ever have time to sit down and actually play with it! We are scheduled to close J's adoption in October- that will lead the way for our pursuit of his siblings. The GAL's office, as well as our workers here believe that the judge will rule in our favor once our case is heard. It is a really big mess right now with a huge personality conflict with us and the tri-county region. We would just continue to ask for prayers on this situation. We firmly believe that God knows the resolution on this case and that in His time it will be revealed. We are so happy to have J and his transition to our family has been perfect.

That's a little bit of what we have been up to for now.. I have papers to grade and books to read! Sleep well friends!

Ping Pong Anyone...

Ping... the ball is again in our COURT! crazy... I'd say...

The Guardian Ad Litem in Ocala Rocks... especially JF! She is a wonderful angel that God sends to us when we hit our lowest points! He also sent us LM yesterday from the boys home... He has us- and we will leave the rest to him!

God is good all the time, All the time God is Good!

Mr. Pumpkin, Mr. Pumpkin... Where are YOU?

Fall is coming, and so are pumpkins, squash, and great Fall decor! Fun times ahead!

Fall is coming....

we can feel it in the air. Tonight the sun went away quietly and it was dark by 7:30. Cool weather, falling leaves, pumpkins, caramel apple cider from Starbucks, costumes, trick-or-treating, Thanksgiving, shopping, Christmas trees, lights, and colors! The Children's Christmas musical, Christmas Eve Service.... Santa, the new year.. 2010... those things will be here before you know it and we are ready! We are planning early so that this holiday season there is no stress, only good times creating memories that will last a life-time!
M is having a blast in 5th grade! Not sure why this starts to underline and in blue! She loves it! Having your mom for your teacher is not so bad after all! And she loves Mrs. Yadon just as much! I must say we are an awesome pair!

This is how you will find J most days... no, silly, not strapped in- but smiling and playing and just so happy-go-lucky! He loves outside, inside, anywhere he can play.

Friday night was the Big J's big debut on the Varsity team! He played quite a bit and scored his first (67 yard) touchdown! We were screaming and yelling! Gosh we were so proud of him! We were also praying... please don't drop the ball, please don't fall down! It was fantastic, and when we got home it was all worth hearing how HE felt when he saw the ball coming, and when he took off running!

Little J even got to run on the field after the game! He was so excited.

I taught Adam in 3rd grade (he is now a freshman!), and J just loves him!! He came to the Parker game with us and was J's buddy the entire game!

Can you find B? We were outside for our school's first Reading Celebration kick-off! It was great! Doesn't everyone eat cheerios and watermelon for breakfast?

Sometimes when things don't work out the way we planned we often become frustrated, depressed, moody, angry... get the picture??? This week we learned that "as of right now" we will not be getting J's siblings... At first I was so angry .. at several people in no particular order.. the social workers (AC and LO in Citrus County), the State, God, just to name a few.. It really knocked the wind out of our sails. I mean really do you tell someone when they are driving down the road, oh by the way... right now there will be no movement of the siblings, and did I forget to tell you there was a petition against the adoption... REALLY?????? The petition was a non-issue from what we understand, the non-placement of the siblings UGGHHHHH... It was totally defeating to say the least. A lot of tears and anger... but then just as the sun sets, it also rises. We really prayed that night that God would give us peace, that he would allow us to let go of those boys for now, and that we would be able to trust that he knows their placement. It is certainly not what we wanted, and it is certainly not something that we are able to clearly understand, but we have been given that peace over their well being, and we know that God knows exactly what he is doing. We never wanted J to come back to us and ask us why we didn't take his brothers. Thursday was a much better day. It allowed us time to see and be thankful for what we do have. J is absolutely perfect, he fits into our family as if he has never not been here. We love him, and he loves us :-) It makes sense to question God, and it also makes sense to us that he knows what our life plan is. He gives, and he takes away. We are confident that what he has in store for us is more than we ever could have imagined.

We start our 4th week of school tomorrow. Where does the time go? It is crazy jam packed every week! Football season is in full swing at the high school, so games are every Thursday and Friday. The girls are dancing every night except Friday, and M is getting to participate in choir and Club 56 this year! Yeah...

Enjoy your week.. it's late, we are tired, and school comes early on Mondays!

A day of Labor???? and a ramble of a post!

not hardly... more like a great day of fun! kohl's, outlet malls, st. augustine, town center-- we did it all and with smiles on our face! well,.... most of our faces. the new smile!

first... the walking tour...

Special... spur of the moment treat.... carriage ride through St. Augustine! All three had a blast! And so the fun continues.... have you ever seen the green pastures around the Fort? They are simply the best! You must stop, run, and exhale..... It is a sight unlike no other!

there is something mildly refreshing and amusing watching kids play with no toys, just imaginations! so innocent, and yet so much fun!

It is just a field of soft green grass! I think I am just going to sit here and rest a minute! And yes... that would be no shoes AGAIN!

Seriously... this place is the best for just playing around!

Where did everybody go?.

Ready,,,, Set..... Go!!!!!

Total motion for about 30 minutes! What a blast just to be outside and feel the breeze!

B loved playing airplane! Wide-open spaces I tell you!

A quick picture for mom... quick catch your breath!

The Little J just simply could not take anymore this Labor Day! He was slap worn out on our way back from St. Augustine. We are going back for sure, packing a lunch, and taking them in the fort! The grasslands in front of the fort have to be the best place to run, roll, and play for miles around! Plus, right at the parking garage there is also a fabulous play park.

I did let the Little J stand on the kitchen table so you could see how big this arrangement was. Boy, did he get a kick out of that! We always tell him ... No, you cannot stand on the table, and then I purposefully put him up there! go figure...

These are the flowers that Channel 4 gave to me from their Kudos from Kuhns program. They really took my breath away Friday. I just could not believe how big they were. I had to have Derek come to school and transport them home! It is a good thing we both have big cars! It was amazing! One of my former parents nominated me, and they picked her letter! Great family!

Where does the time go seriously? It seems like I just sat down to post and already it has been another week. We are busy needless to say. Between the two girls they both have dance three nights a week, so that puts us there EVERY night M-T, and then football started last week for the Big J- that was a lot of fun. We have not been to a high school game since Elisha was at WHS, so it is great to be back and see the Mighty Wolfpack play again! They didn't do so hot Friday, but there are many games left to play. The Little J just loved it. I think he ran around for 3 quarters with Derek. He was just so excited to be outside and to watch the game. Have I mentioned before how much he loves balls? Any kind, it really does not matter, and he loves to try and get the Big J's attention by whatever means necessary! I mean he screams and waves his arms... if only he would look!The girls are loving dance this year. Our studio moved to a new location and it is now much like the studio we were at that closed. It has bright colors, and large rooms so it feels like a studio. They are just enjoying their classes and dreaming about all the costumes they are getting this year! They crack us up on a daily basis. They both love school and their teachers. Even M who has her mom! We have 38 kids this year, so she just blends right in, and I have forgotten that she is even in my room a few times! B learned how to roller skate on Saturday. She spent about an hour going around with her dad, and then she just took off. We are going to try and teach M next weekend, she went to the library with me instead, and then did not want to try. She picked up a new series and wanted to go home and read, so that is what we did. The little J is doing great too! He loves Sunday School and his Preschool. Although when we walked into SS there were toys all over the floor and he took the opportunity to act as if they were there to be kicked! Boys are certainly different! Seriously though... maybe I am just a little sensitive when it comes to J... the nursery staff informed me that was perfectly normal for boys (and they would explain toys are not to be kicked) as was building with the cardboard blocks and then knocking it down! And I will be the first to admit I am still learning when it comes to raising boys!

We are still in a season of holding... we get bits and pieces of good news.. they are working on reunification with the boys.. it can be a long process... J's adoption is going great... we are moving to place with you... aaahhhhhh... if I think about it long enough I can really work myself into crazy! J's placement with us happened so perfect. It was quick, painless, and a perfect match! We were naive to believe it would be that way again. While we didn't think it would be as easy, we certainly did not think it would be this long. It makes me wonder... why oh why is it taking so long! I know that everything God does is good and wonderfully perfect but the waiting thing has never been easy for me. I try not to think about it, although we do pray for those brothers everyday, and the girls talk about "when they come" or "what we will do" so they are so much a part of us, and yet they are not. Could it be that they never will be? It can drive me to a dark place thinking about it... why wouldn't the State (or more or less the caseworker) want sibling reunifcation, especially when there have been cases right here in our very own State where siblings have sued and won because they were separated. So, if you sense my frustration, well yes it is still there just bubbling at the surface. and so We pray, we pray for peace over this situation, and we pray for resolution... court dates keeping coming, and we know the Guardians are doing everything in their power to make this move along.... but it is not in OUR time, and we know that! So really the busy weeks are a nice distraction. But the quiet times, or the phone calls make it all so real again. How long will it be? Will the baby see a 2nd birthday with us, will they all be home for the Holidays? Will their be a hole if they never come????? And so we PRAY! We pray for wisdom in understanding a system that seems so unfair, and we pray for peace that would comfort us and allow us not to grow weary or angry. Does it make it easier... sometimes, most of the time just manageable.

Is Fall here yet? If you have been in Kohls you would certainly think so! We live in a climate that lets you appreciate the mild change of seasons, so to get a full breath of a new season one must visit a Kohls! Does it ever look like Fall in there. Halloween and Thanksgiving stuff line the aisles. It was a welcome sight today. Maybe cooler weather could be on the way, and the winds will blow and the seasons will change (and I am talking about THE season!!!!).

Not to worry because the Big J is no where to be seen in this post... he had football practice this morning and then spent the day with his family! he will be back tomorrow after school. he actually called and reminded us that he needs his backpack and a snack.... cracks me up!

absent... who us????

what a busy first week of school.... we are well into the second week and still going strong. these were a few first day pics.... i am sure the big "j" was thrilled that we all rode together to take him to his first day of school!

he was a little nervous (even if he wouldn't admit it!) when we got there he immediately started calling to "find a friend"

and once he had their location, he was off.....

and he has not looked back. it has been a great few days of school... great classes and football practice everyday.

this was the first morning as i was trying to snap pictures on the way to the car....

yes, b was helping the little j look straight.

B in front of her new 2nd grade class....she was so excited :-)

playing around the house on an oh-so rainy day.

the benefit of being the younger brother of 2 girls.... PINK robes....

j's face says it all.....

trying to wake-up for school.

we have been busy. the first week of school zoomed by. no major problems, everyone made it where they needed to be. we are well into the second week, and have added dance back. it is all good. we are still waiting to hear about the boys... not really going to say much about that except i have completely turned that over to God-- he can handle that situation so much better than i can, so why not just give it to him and make our thoughts on the matter made known to him?

it has been raining here a lot... well just about every afternoon, and really all day, but i just love the rain. it can keep on raining because our yard is looking super fantastic! and so are the flowers which is unusual at this time. it will be turning cooler soon.... (we hope) and that means that fall is just around the corner, and my favorite time of the year... thanksgiving and christmas holidays! it is going to be great this year! derek and m want to head north, but alas we will see. as always we have a lot going on all the time, but hey who doesn't with kids? and we are surely blessed to be apart of this great thing they call family.