Chasing my tail...

Chasing my tail is all I feel like I've been doing lately.
As soon as I finish one task another is waiting right there in the wings for me to begin. Mostly this is at work: good things, but still lots of change and lots of new, and it's all just A LOT!

I wanted to stop long enough to share somethings I am thankful for even in the midst of crazy chaos:
1. Baby L
Just him in all of his precious, amazing, miraculous self. He is such an amazing blessing. He is saying SOOOO many new things these days, I haven't actually tried to count them up, but I think we are at 75-100 words he says now. At least 30 he uses all the time and has very solid meaning for/with.
He has even begun the slow path towards potty training byes not ready to be fully committees to training (he still can't tell us when he needs to go, and I think he is still working on figuring out that sensation is the need to go). But he has urinated in the potty at least 4 times now (just by luck when we sit him on it) and he has had a BM on the potty once because Steven realize he was trying to go, so he acted fast and put him on the toilet) an he is getting very comfortable being on the potty, all good signs!
2. For the Summit Church. We so love our church family, it's such a great place and I'm very happy we get to be a part of it. Also, our small group, great people and great fellowship on Sunday evenings.
3. This weekend Steven travels to Houston to compete in the Texas state Bodybuilding Championships. I'm proud of how dedicated he has been to this hobby, and that he gas seen it through to a competition. I am also very ready for this show to be over and behind us so we can get back to some semblance of a normal family life. This extreme dieting and crazy demanding training schedule has been hard on ALL of us.
4. Next weekend (10/29/10), my mom, both sisters and I are heading to Canton, TX to go to First Monday's trade Days. If you don't know what I'm referring to, google it. It will blow your mind, guaranteed! Best. Shopping. Ever!
5. Today I began a new bible study with my teacher bible study group. We are studying "Battlefield of the Mind". I think its going to be a great study, and a wonderful time of fellowship for us all. I love my girls at work!

Off the Hook

I'm off the hook, and 24 hours earlier than expected! Hallelujah!

If you haven't guessed, the "hook" I am referring to is having a teenager in my home...Teen A (since all the foster babies have been known online as "Baby" followed by their first initial, it seemed fitting that a teenager would be known as "teen _")was here from Friday afternoon, until about 4 pm today.

Honestly, Teen A didn't leave a moment too soon!
I can say, with out a shadow of a doubt, that we ARE NOT READY for teenagers! Babies, toddlers, preschoolers, yes, bring it on, teenagers, NO THANKS!

That's not to say that one day we won't want to foster teens, just not right now. Though I would take another teen in for respite care, like A was. I do not have any regrets about having her, I'm just glad its over, that's all I'm saying!

We had a nice time with Teen A though. Friday night I made Mexican Chicken and she and I went to Kroger and stocked up on food for the week, and rented a video to watch. Then Saturday she went to her bio mom's for a day long unsupervised visit (A is very close--within in a couple of months--of reunification). Saturday night we made tacos and watched another movie. Sunday morning we went to church (an affair that takes all morning--8:30am until around 12:45pm), then all napped and rested that afternoon, then A went with L to church for 'babysitting' while we went to Small Group. Monday, I took A to a visit with her siblings and mom at the DHS office in the morning, then we went to lunch and then to Lane Bryant. I needed some new bras, and I also bought a new bra and a blouse for A, after having her measured and fitted, so she could get a nice, well fitted bra (a important thing for a woman, especially a big busted woman). Then in was on to court. She sat in the lobby with me until mom got off work and came and got her for me, since I could tell court was going to take a while. Then after court we ALL (my whole immediate family) went to eat to celebrate the TPR. Tuesday A and I went to an early lunch, then to have manicures and pedicures. Wednesday, we went out to lunch once more, then shopping/errand running before we came home to meet her foster mom, who was back in town, and ready to retrieve her.
Like I said, we did some fun stuff, and I have no regrets, I'm just not ready to have a teen living in my home full time!

Weekend Review

We had a really great weekend, one we needed!
We spent lots of time together as a family, and even got some extra time with our good friends, Micah and Ellen who we haven't gotten to see much of over the last few months, so that was extra nice.
We all met for dinner Friday night and got caught up on each other lives. Then I shared our plans to go to the Pumpkin Patch on Saturday, and invited them along.
Steven got up with L and let me sleep in until 8:30 on Saturday (Gross! Whose life is this that 8:30 is sleeping in?...) which I really appreciated! We then lazed around the house for a few hours, playing, eating, and Baby L and I took a nap as well. Then around noon we got ready and went with the Edmond's (Micah and Ellen) to Conway to eat at a place I've been wanting to try. The food was good,and the company and conversation was excellent! Then we headed to Mayflower and out to the pumpkin patch, which is apparently where everybody and their mama' went as well! It was crowded!!! But we still managed to procure a wagon, and proceeded to visit the animals, look around an bit, then down to the business of picking out pumpkins! I bought 16 pumpkins, 4 large and medium ones for the front of the house, 12 small ones for display in my house. I love pumpkins! I love how they look, how they taste, how they smell...and that they indicate my favorite season, fall!
Then we spent that evening with the Edmond's as well, cooking out and visiting at their house. Baby L even went to bed at their house (because he such a good, easy baby! I love me a flexible kiddo!) and slept quietly so mom and dad could visit with the grown ups and feel like normal people with social lives again, even if just for a couple of nights!
Sunday was of course a morning full of worship, fellowship, and teaching toddlers about God's love at our fabulous church Summit.
Then Sunday afternoon we met all of my family out at the farm owned by the lady who did my wedding pictures (Gloria Townsend), and she did family portraits for us. I think they are going to turn out really good. The weather was beautiful, the scenery was great, everyone was in a great mood, and Baby L even smiled when we wanted him too (well, he did some, we also got a lot of serious face from him as well).
Can't wait to see how those turn out, and share they with you all as well!

To see more of this, with the handsome-little-man's face shown, go here.

Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art.... It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival. ~C.S. Lewis

Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one. ~Jane Howard

"Small" (Group) Praises

Wow...I don't know where to begin.
Steven & I just got home from our first small group meeting tonight. It wasn't a lesson/learning night, we just all got together with our whole families and fellowshiped, ate dinner, and spent sometime getting to know one another a little. I am practically euphoric (well, I'm actually pretty beat, I WAS up until 3am spending time with family in crisis, but that's another story...). My body and mind may be tired, but my spirit is jubilant; I am so excited that we decide to step out of our typical comfort zone and join a small group this semester at our church. I can already feel God blessing this group and our fellowship. We are being lead by a wonderful, Godly couple (Todd & Sarah) who have 3 kiddos and one more due to arrive in mid January. Todd is going to be leading us in a study and practical application class on prayer. Its called 'Praying Big: Praying for your marriage, kids, family, and community'. I KNOW we are going to learn so much.
There were things I discovered tonight though that I didn't KNOW or EXPECT. God has such a divine way of always putting us in just the place we need to be. In age and life experience I always feel like a beginner when I fellowship with other Christian adults. Tonight was no exception. Steven and I were defiantly the youngest couple there, most I would guess are in there mid thirties, one or two maybe a bit older than that. Everyone is in a similar place in raising their families though, no one has kids over 6, and many are still growing their families. (This part I also EXPECTED). I fully thought that Steven & I would join this group, and learn A LOT, but would be the dopey youngsters who didn't contribute much, just came to take the knowledge, and enjoy the fellowship...I never expected to be looked to like a leader, or to stand out for how I'm living my life for Christ; I mean honestly, I love God with all my heart and I truly desire to live my life so that others can see His love in me and through me. But, the reality is that though none of us is perfect, I often do feel inept at my role as a Christian. Like I said, I certainly feel more like a taker not a giver, a student not a teacher, a follower not a leader when it comes to worshiping God and studying Him. But, tonight, God very plainly showed Steven and I that he has put us in this group, with these people, studying this topic for a reason. Its no accident that this was the group we all chose from the small group catalogue at registration, God is going to teach us and grow us in this small group setting. Steven & I are going to learn so much from Todd, and all of the members of our small group, and I think we may help God plant, nurture and grow some seeds of change in some of the couples we will be studying with. I believe God is putting fostering and adoption on the hearts of defiantly 2, maybe 3 of the families we are getting to know, and I believe God has put Steven and I so directly into these families lives so we can put faces, feelings, and reality to the need that God maybe calling these couples to fill.
How cool is that? That God may use us to not only be His hands and feet as we minister directly to these kids in need, but that He might use our words, hearts, and lives to continue bringing in couples to do this great work in His name?
What a blessing this is going to be in our lives?!

Busy, but Oh So Blessed

We have had a fabulous weekend. We have been very busy, but also had a wonderful relaxing time. We started the weekend out with dinner out to eat with out best friends at Copeland's. The food was yummy, the company was great, and Baby L behaved him self like a perfect gentleman (except for all that drooling he does). He was officially sitting up by himself and staying up pretty steady on Friday. Then, we have spent the rest of our weekend waiting, encouraging, coaxing, and obsessing with his being on the cusp of another milestone: crawling. Go here if you want to see picture of him almost in action!

Saturday night I had a girls night with mom and Brooke, oh and Baby L tagged along too. We had dinner, then went to see The Time Travelers Wife. On this night the company was great, L was well behaved, but the movie was a bust...I do not recommend it! D-U-M-B, DUMB!

Church this morning was phenomenal. I feel so blessed that we get to be apart of a body of people loving and worshiping God so boldly. Summit is an amazing place, and I am so proud to be a member of this church. I love the people I go to church with, and the home we have in this place.

After church we came home and got our dogs, then went to join mom and Galen out at the dog park to let the dogs play and visit for a while. After being out there for a little over an hour we came back home, then Steven and L took a three hour nap while I graded a stack of papers. I got a lot of grading done, but not nearly all of it. Then this evening after dinner and putting Baby L down to bed, I went grocery shopping.

Like I said, busy weekend.

A little of this, and a little of that...

I have been so busy since the beginning of school, I have hardly had time to think about posting. I do have lots to share, like the beginning of what looks like a fabulous year in the making. My students seem really great, they are so engaged, I am really enjoying them so far (minus a couple of too silly, off task boys, but I think I'll be able to refocus them once our routine is well established). The days are flying by, I'm hardly making it through my lesson plans, but its always this way a the beginning...I just forget that year to year.

I left school by 3:15 today so I could run by the grocery store and pick up a few things, and still get Baby L home with plenty of time to play and enjoy. I made dinner this evening, and even whipped up some more baby food. Tonight I made Peach, Mango, Pineapple puree. Yum-O! L had some for dinner, and then I froze the rest in ice cube trays to store.

What a productive day I had...especially for a Monday!

This weekend was fabulous too. Saturday my wonderful husband let me sleep in, until 11 am! Hootey Hoo for a hubby who gets up with the baby and entertains him so mommy can catch up on her zzzzzs. Then Saturday we just lazed around the house and enjoyed all of each other company. Sunday was a busy day at church, as usual. We are so excited about the new chapter our wonderful church is about to embark on...and of course teaching our sweet toddlers Sunday School is a blessing as well. Then immediately following church, Mom and Galen came to pick up Baby L to babysit for the afternoon. Steven and I then went our to a leisurely lunch, then made a Sam's run. Then we went home and hit the ground running scrubbing. Our house was seriously getting pretty gross. Lack of time to clean, as well as having our arms full of a busy body baby has kept us from keeping up with the house keeping as well as usual. So we spent like 2 1/2 hours cleaning like mad people, cleansing our home of its filth. Now its so clean you could eat off the floor...well, not the kitchen floor, it was swept, but I ran out of time and haven't mopped it yet...but you get the idea, the house is nice and clean again, just the way I like it. I also did 4 loads of laundry this weekend, to completion, wash, dry, fold, put away. I wish I could say I was now fully caught up on laundry, but I am afraid that that is an impossibility. No matter how hard and fast I was, the dirty clothes, towels, blankies, etc just keep on coming!

Now, I wanted to share with you my favorite part of my day. Its each afternoon, after I have left school, crossed the river bridge, navigated the red lights on Maumelle Boulevard, and am turning into here:

Because this:

is where I go to get him.

Weekend in Review

We (Steven, myself, and Baby L) have had a very good, busy weekend. The big item on our agenda was my coordinating the PRIDE training that was held at our church this weekend. This is the class all perspective foster and adoptive families have to take. The CALL hosts it every month, and they condense the 30 hours of training, that is traditionally done over ten weeks, and cram it into two weekends. These are long weekends for those involved, Steven and I did this in February, but also very helpful to families for two reasons: its easier to schedule two weekends, as opposed to one night a week, for 10 weeks, and it also helps get the classes done more quickly.

Any who, so L and I were up at the church Friday, setting up, then there again Saturday morning to open things up and greet the participants. Then L went to Mom's to play, while Steven and I grilled burgers and took them back to the church for their lunch. Then back again in the evening to clean up and close up when they were done for the day. Then, today we hung out after church to greet them again, then this evening I went back to clean up and lock up again. I was at the Summit ALOT this weekend! Its a good thing I love that place so much!!! I also taught the one year old small group for the first time today. I am now officially the JV toddlers small group leader for the 11 o'clock service at The Summit Church. And Baby L was in the church nursery for the first time today, and he did great! He really seemed to like having all the other babies around; which made me more excited to take him for his first day of daycare tomorrow. I hope he likes it as much as E did, if he doesn't I'll feel really bad for having to take him!



Then, tonight, Brooke and Justin came over for dinner. We all got to visit, which was nice, I'm fairly sure its not why they really came though...having a baby around makes you very popular, babies attract people!


Highlight from the weekend:

Baby L loves bath time. We had been doing bathes in the sink, and he was having such a big time splashing that the floor was getting soaked! Saturday night I was going to take a bath myself, and I got to wondering...if he like bathes in his baby tub in the sink, he might LOVE a bath in a big tub with lots of water. Guess what? I was right! I had him in the bath with me and we had a big time!

If you want to see more of Baby L, go here.

Errands with Grammy

On Thursday, Baby L and I ran errands for most of the morning, but it was extra fun because Grammy joined us. We made a trip to the doctor, where we did get a prescription for some Zantac to try to treat this acid reflux. Two doses so far, and no help yet, but we will give it some time and see. Next we went to Brownings, Grammy's FAVORITE restaurant, and had lunch. Then, the most exciting part: we all made a trip to Babys'R Us, and Grammy bought us an ExoSaucer!This was such a great gift. Baby E would have loved it, and Baby L DOES love it! He had such a big time exploring all the toys on it, and stretching and practicing standing in it!If you want to see more of him enjoying his new toy, go here.
---------------------------------------------------
Baby L is taking a nap at the moment, but when he wakes up we are heading up to church so I can start getting things ready for the PRIDE classes I am in charge of coordinating at our church this weekend. We shall see how easy it is to complete this task with a baby in toe...maybe the church secretary will want to hold/play with him while I work for a few minutes?!.....

He never fails...

My Lord never fails to amaze me. He leaves me in wonder of His great grace on a daily basis...I have so many blessings to be thankful for, and among them is the road that God has taken me down these last few days. He is the ultimate healer, and He is so divine we can never truely know what great things He is working to make happen.

Baby E is no longer living with us, he is now living with a dear friend and mentor of mine, Christie. I found this out this morning, as I was calling around, preparing to go get in somebodies face about how I had been wronged. I was ready to battle to the end for Baby E trying to defend him and show everyboby involved how moving him was so detrimental to his wellbeing. Little did I know God was working in the background even in this instance. Christie is an awazing Christian, and has been a foster mom for years and years. She has so much experience, and is so fabulous at her role. She even has recently written a book about being a foster mom (http://www.TheMiddleMom.com go check it out, a truely fabulous read). I know that God has a reason for giving E to Christie and visversa. I also believe there was a reason He gave E to me for a while as well. I had lessons to learn in this. But God has a great work still to do in little E's life, and He needed one of His strongest, most fearless and experienced warriors foster moms to take up arms and fight for Baby E. I'm just honored that I was able to care for him for a small time in His great life.
Oh, and did I mention that Christie and her family go to church with us, so when I work in the children's area of our church, I will be able to occasionally sneak in snuggles from Baby E. That makes my heart feel so much better!

Congestion Confessions

Well, Baby E is officially sick...and we haven't even had him for a week. It all began Friday night, he was more wheezy than usual. And a little fussy, which he typically is not. Also, he spit up a bit, which is another thing he hadn't been doing. Friday night was a mess of up and down, try this, pat here, rub there, passy in, passy out, on the tummy, on the back, propped up, laying on us, on the side, etc...over and over again! We were both worn out by Saturday morning. But Saturday was pretty smooth, we ran errands and such and he seemed to do okay. Then, last night arrived...way too soon, Steven and I both said, "are we really going to start this again?" because it was obvious before we even laid Baby E down that he was feeling worse than the night before. So, last night was a repeat of the one before...needless to say, we all three played hooky from church today, because we were all exhausted, and Baby E is still pretty fussy, and discontent. I was really disappointed about this. I was supposed to work in the nursery for the first time this morning during the early service, then we were looking forward to introducing Baby E around to everyone at Summit.

Boo Hiss for sick babies!

Worst of all, not only is he fussy and uncomfortable, but his congestion is making it hard for him to sleep, and nearly impossible for him to take a bottle. I began getting worried about his fluid intake around 4 this afternoon, when I realized that he had only had a 4 oz bottle at like 7 in the morning, and nothing since...we had been trying to feed him, but he continually refused to take a bottle, or even eat any fruits or veggies! So, we went to Kroger later and got some pedialite...he sucked down 4 oz of that like a pro, then we played for a couple more hours, and he was getting fussy again, so Steven tried the bottle once more; though he initially fought it, he did eventually take 6 oz. And now he is down for the night hopefully at least a few hours!

Yea for Daddy's who help sooth a sick baby!

...and now exhale.

Teyerra just left our house. She was here for our Home Study for a little over three hours. Things went very well though. I really liked her, she seems so nice and genuine. She actually even invited Steven and I to join her small group at church! I feel really good about the visit. But we won't really know anything until she issues her final report, she said that should take her around two weeks. So, continue to pray for us, for peace of mind and trust in God's will as we wait to hear back. Hootie Hoo! Glad that's over with. I'm grinning from ear to ear though with enthusiasm about the experience!

I need a Lord

Last night I had the pleasure of having dinner with my 3rd grade teacher coworkers. We had to stay at school late for a PTA meeting in which our students performed several songs. They did great, and it was all very cute and fun. Since it was St. Patrick's day they had a 'Rainbow' theme to go with the "Dare to Dream" show. We all made sure we had on green too so no one got pinched, you see the pic of all four of us 3rd grade teachers in our green, taken by a parent.

Any who, we had the dinner as a sort of celebration for all of the exciting and wonderful things happening in Lori and Kevin (her fiances') lives right now. Kevin just got home on Sunday from being away for six months in a rehab of sorts. This particular program was very unique, and such a blessing in both of their lives. Its called John 3:16 Ministries, its in Batesville, AR, and its a spiritual "boot camp" for men with addictions. Kevin graduated from the program on Sunday, and is now back home with Lori. So he joined us for our dinner last night.

It was so interesting and inspirational to talk to Kevin, and listen to him share how God has made extreme changes, in each and every facet of his life. We got to ask questions about his experiences, and things he learned. He told us what a typical day was like at John 3:16 and such. He made such a strong, and meaningful statement though in his sharing, that I had to blog about it, to get it out there for others to see, and also, so I would have a record of this for myself to look back on, its a lesson I know I need to be reminded of often. Kevin was raised in a Christian home, and knew what good, Christians morals and values were and what they looked like. He also knew he needed a Savior in Jesus Christ (and I think that at some points in his life did try to live for Him), but his most profound statement was this:
I knew I needed a Savior for my life; I have learned I also need a Lord over my life.

That's pretty deep stuff. When I think about all I do to try to live my life for God, and then I think of how often and extreme I know I fall short of what He has intended for my life, I think reminding myself of my need for a LORD will guide me is crucial. God is supposed to be Lord (meaning in this instance, very literally boss or leader) over my life, and even when I say I am trying to live for Him, I know I too often forget or neglect to ASK HIM what it is He desires for me. Just knowing and trusting His plan and leadership over all of my life changes me from just being a "saved" Christian, to becoming a fully devoted servant and follower of God. Which is what I desire my life to be.

Thanks Kevin, for your insight, your heart, and your willingness to be vulnerable and so openly share your experiences with others.

Back to work

Today was the first day back to school after the Christmas break. It was actually a lot smoother than I anticipated, the kids are usually nuts on a day we get back, but they were really well behaved today. I lost one kids today, not literally, but one of my students moved to a new school. I am sad to see him go, but, with only 15 kids left in my room right now, what teacher wouldn't be doing the happy dance? I can actually work with them one on one when needed, and crowd control has never been easier.

I worked on my ESL project for about an hour this evening. I began work on my profile of the student I am concentrating my project around. So, resolution #3, off to a good start. And resolution #1, began with a bang yesterday with a great Church service to start off the year. The message was about getting out there and doing whatever it is that God has called you to do to serve HIM with your life. Steven and I both just felt like the message was speaking directly to us. It was so energizing in respect to this foster parenting venture we are about to embark on.

Also, concerning the foster parenting. I visited with an aunt for several hours one night not too long ago. And we discussed the foster parenting on end...she and my uncle are also pursuing this right now. We were talking about the different ways we feel God calling us to this purpose in our lives and the things we are praying for in regards to it. She shared with me some of what she had learned at her church about "Active Prayer" which is when you fully trust in God to deliver to you what he sees fit, and in an act of obedience and faith you begin preparing your life for his blessings and work, even before the prayers have come to fruition. Basically, I took this and decided I was ready to prepare a nursery in my house for the foster babies we are going to be blessed with and serving. So, I no longer have a guest room and office, I now have a guestroom/office and a nursery/children's room. It turned out so cute, and just makes me that much more anxious to begin this new endeavor. I promise to take pics and post them soon!

I have bible study tomorrow night and I can't wait!

New Years Resolutions

I'm not a big resolutions person, but there are several things I do want to focus on in 2009.

1. No excuses, Steven and I will attend church at least 49 out of 52 Sundays this year...Sunday mornings will no longer be an extra day to sleep in.

2. I want to have a child in my life to love and care for in this year, hopefully by no later than May if our Foster parenting progresses like we want.

3. I am going to try my hardest to have a rough draft of my ESL project done by the end of January, then I can polish it in February, then submit it and have it behind me by the time I leave for Hawaii.

4. Make a regular time for my Bible Study and prayer, to become a part of my daily routine

A concert and then church

The concert was great! It was different than any concert I've ever been to, Reba & Kelly actually shared the stage, the entire time, and they performed for two whole hours. They did some of each of their songs, and some stuff of other peoples. My favorite song of the night was their opening number, Sweet Dreams. I am most familiar with Marilyn Manson's version of this song, so it was a bit shocking to hear it at this concert, but they did it well (much better than Manson!)!!! This was my mom's main Christmas gift from me, so I'm going to make something out of these pics to wrap up for her for Christmas morning.





Then, this morning I went to visit a new church, with a friend and coworker, Lori. We actually went to hear a friend preach; Allen Morton substituted for Jill when she finished out her maternity leave earlier this school year. Allen is an associate pastor at Chenal Valley Baptist Church, and he was preaching this morning and invited us to come listen. Allen is a really neat guy, he is married to a first grade teacher at our school, and his mom is the curriculum specialist, Nancy, who is going to be leading the new Bible Study we are going to be having with several of the teachers at school.



Lastly, I am wanting to get a new bible before our Bible Study begins. Mine is fine, but I'm wanting one I will really like reading. I know I will go with an NIV, but there is still so much out there. My mom recently got a "The Message" bible, and Lori had a "Life Application Study Bible" at chirch this morning that looked neat. I'm open to ideas and suggestions from anyone.