Definately a Monday....

This image sums up my day. I normally take my kids to daycare on Monday's for a few hours to have some much needed "me" time(although I normally do my grocery shopping, errands and any appt's I need to do without kids on these days, so it's not really "me" time per se). But the last three Monday's my daycare ladies kiddo's have been sick. So I have not had my down time that I so greatly enjoy. And today, I really, really need it. Oh well, there's always the hope for next week right?

Is it just my kids or is there something in the air today?? My oldest has been bouncing off the walls. He normally naps for a couple of hours in the afternoon, but today he was having none of it. Therefore the other two weren't getting much of one either, as he is unable to be quite. I have transformed into my mother today and used each and every threat in my books and let me tell ya, this kid is tough. I am finally throwing in the towel for today and just going to roll with it.

He is currently running wild in the backyard and has mud caked up to his knee's, but at least he is not screaming like a mad man in the house. Thank goodness for the 65 degree weather we have today, cause tomorrow we have snow forcast and a high of 30. Welcome to Kansas, the only thing you can rely on, is that the weather can change in the blink of an eye.

So here's to opening a stiff drink of Dr. Pepper and lots of ice and kicking back and watching the mud wrestling that has bestowed itself on my backyard. Hope your having a lovely day!

Beautiful weather

 

We spent a lot of time outside today as it is 52 degrees here. After having highs in the upper teens and lower twenties the last couple of weeks, it felt like summer.

The kids had a blast. As you can see there is still some snow on the ground. I am getting spring fever so badly and am ready for winter to be done and over with.

Hope it's a beautiful day where you are today!!

Going to get busier...

Get ready for a book...I apologize ahead of time for this long post.

We just found out that my youngest, Isaiah, is going to have surgery on his shoulder next month. We will be going to Children's Mercy in Kansas City to have it done.

Let me tell ya, this poor child has been through so much in his short little life it is unreal. But I keep telling myself this, "If he brings you to it, he will bring you through it" I heard this quote somewhere one time and it has really stuck with me. Let me back up a little and tell you what my little guy has been through, not for sympathy by any means, but to elaborate on the surgery why's.

Isaiah is a half sibling to my other two adopted children and when we found out the birth mom was pregnant again, we were called upon to make a decision whether or not we were going to accept another child under the circumstances that she chose to live her life under, being that she is a drug user and didn't get any prenatal care, and we already had a one and two year old with problems from her bad life choices. Needless to say, we opted to not accept this little blessing and deal with the issues that were presenting themselves to us from our other little ones. This was the hardest decision I had EVER had to make in my life, I was so torn in my decision and when it was all said and done, I was pleased with it, having just found out that my oldest was more than likely ADHD along with other issues with him, I won't bore you with details on.

Anyhow..back to Isaiah, when he was born they took him at birth from the mother and once again asked if we were interested in taking him. We once again pondered and prayed over the decision and I was leaning more toward taking him, but my hubby thought it would be to overwhelming for our family. So we opted for the last time not to accept him. He was placed in foster care and the foster parents who had him wanted to adopt him. We met them and did some sibling visits with him and I was so at peace with the family he was placed in and very happy for them, then it all came to screeching halt..

In the early summer of 06 they were on their way to Colorado for a family vacation when they were involved in a terrible car accident, both foster parents were killed and he was critically injured. He was life watched to a hospital in Wichita and we were notified of what had happened to him and they had thought he wouldn't make it through the night. I called my parents and immediatley rushed to his bedside and saw that fragile little body lying there all banged up and my heart wept. He had a closed head injury(subarrachnoid hemorrage.Sp?) was the exact term for it, along with several broken bones and cuts. They had put him into a drug induced coma to keep him still until they could control the brain bleed. He had a bolt put into his head to relieve pressure and was in a neck brace in case he had any neck or spine injuries..oh how terrible I felt for that poor little soul. Lots and lots of praying later he survived that first night, then the next and so on, until they finally got him stabilized and his bleeding and swelling stopped. He is a little miracle..he was in PICU for a little over a week and then placed in a normal room for 4 days before being released.

While he was fighting and defying all odds, we were praying and finding strength in ourselves to prepare for the only thing we felt was right for him, bringing him home with us. And 12 days after his fateful day, we did exactly that. I went alone while my hubby stayed here with the other two kids, drove the 2 hours there that I had been doing a lot of, and brought that fragile little guy home with me. Oh what a glorious day(See why I believe so firmly that to everything there is a reason?). He had a good prognosis, his MRI's and CAT scans came back fine on his brain function, he had a broken Clavicle(collar bone) Broken left femur(thigh bone) and Broken left Humerus(upper arm bone) which in turn severed his nerves in that arm, but that is all we were dealing with miraculously. So fast forward to today...sorry this has been such a long post..

His severed nerves(brachial plexus injury) in his arm caused him to not be able to use his arm fully and his left shoulder grew backward out of it's socket from lack of use, so now they have to go in and fix it to try and get as much range back in his shoulder as they can. Right now he can't raise his arm much past the shoulder and he can't rotate it externally. So this surgery should help him get some of that back, although he will probably never have full range in it again, but you know, we can live with that, because it sure beats what he could have been left with, and a year and half after his accident, he is doing wonderful, besides some developmental delays caused, most likely, from the drug abuse while in-uterine. So however difficult, we will deal with this, and we will get him through this and he will be fine and I know he wasn't brought to us to leave us again. So I am so grateful and blessed with my little family. Despite all the circumstances that brought them to us. I am truly blessed beyond my imagination.

Whew..if your still here, your a real trooper, I really didn't intend to have such a long post, but wanted to explain it fully.

Answers..

Here are the answers to my questions..thanks ladies for asking!

From Jori,

Have you always lived in KS? Born and raised here, I did a short stint in Missouri for a couple of years but it was just over the border in the Kansas City area. I have lived in several towns in Kansas though. Rebel aren't I? Haha. I live such an exciting existance.ha.

If not were else have you lived? See above
What is your favorite movie? I have so many, but would have to say my all time favorite would have to be Grease or Dirty Dancing, I can watch them over and over and over again.

Favorite T.V. Show? I don't watch a lot of TV, but my favorite would have to be John and Kate Plus 8, and gasp...The Real Housewives of Orange County. It's like a train wreck I can't pull myself away.

Favorite Restaurant? Los Potrillo's a Mexican resteraunt near here. Although if I were back in Kansas City it would be the Cheesecake Factory.

How did you meet your husband? We met while we were attending community college in my hometown.

What would your dream job be? Actually, I am currently doing my dream job. I ALWAYS wanted to be a stay at home mom, as far back in life as I can remember. Although I never realized how difficult it could be at times. It is still the most rewarding job ever. If it were a job outside my home, it would probably be a Registered Nurse. I kick myself daily for not going to nursing school like I had once wanted to do.

How many siblings? I have one brother who is 2 years younger than me

When is your birthday? my birthday is fast approaching. It is March 7th. I will be 37...eegads..I am getting OOOOLLLDDDD.

Favorite Disney Princess? awwww..I love Ariel. I love her red hair and that she is a mermaid. I love love love water.

Favorite Band? Nickelback, John Mayer and Rascal Flatts without a doubt. But I love so many others also.

Most Embarassing Moment? Would have to be when I walked out of a bathroom at a concert when I was a teenager and had toilet paper flapping from the back of my shoe about 6ft long. I couldn't figure out what people were staring at. If that wasn't about the coolest thing a kid who "thought" they were cool could have done. haha.

Favorite Book? Anything by Nora Roberts

Most Vivid Childhood Memory? Spending Sunday afternoons with my Grandma listening to her stories of her childhood and her rocking me softly brushing my hair. Oh how I miss my Grandma.

From Natalie...

where did you grow up? Hutchinson, Kansas

how long have you been married? Will be 15 years in July

what superpower would you like to have? I would love to have super speed, so I could keep up with my kids who are always going in three different directions at one time.

if you could go back and change one mistake you made in your life, would you do it? I don't believe there are mistakes in life, I feel like they are trials and lessons, and we learn from each experience whether it be something good or bad. But I have made some decisions in my life I wish I hadn't. The biggest one being that I didn't finish college or go to Nursing School. And if given the chance to go back and change it, I probably would. But then my life would have probably turned out differently now and I wouldn't have wanted a different life. So..maybe not. Boy that's a tough one...lol.

are you religious? I have a very strong belief in God and the Bible. But I do not regularly attend church(which really bugs me). And the reason behind that is I am still trying to find my way and the religion that fits me best. My dad was Catholic, my mom Baptist and neither one really practiced their religion until recently, my mom went through Catacism and became a member of the Catholic church, and I married my husband in his church which is Methodist, but I am having a really hard time trying to sort out my thoughts on religion and find one that I feel is my "calling". I want my kids to be believers and live a life through Christ, so I need to figure it out quickly. I really hate how clickish the churches around here are. And how people judge you by what religion or church you belong to. That is part of my indecisiveness, I feel very strongly that if you believe in the Lord and do things right by him and live your life honestly he is the only one who can judge you. In my opinion, if your a real christian, it shouldn't matter what church you belong to. When I find my religion...look out. I am going to throw myself into it 100%. Wow..I really went on and on there. I had started a post a few days ago about religion and I have it saved as a draft..when I get around to finishing it I will post more on this.

Wow..those were great questions. Thanks ladies for taking the time to get to know me. I really really enjoyed reading your Q&A's also.

Inquiring minds want to know...

So I am totally liking the question and answer blogs of Natalie and Jori, so am going to ask if you have anything you would like to know about me or my life? Ask away..

Fun in the snow

So I totally stole the collage idea from Natalie and Jori...thanks ladies. What a fun way to put a group of pictures on. Hope you don't mind!!

The kids had a blast playing in the snow. Seems like we keep getting pounded with the winter weather. Once one batch is almost gone..bam..here comes the next round. Guess that's why they call it winter huh? I can deal with the snow, just so the ice stays away the rest of the winter. Don't want to go through that nightmare again. And it could get a little warmer also, it has been near zero at night and in the teens and lower twenties for highs. Burrr...anyone wanna come visit? ;)

So True...

I saw this and it really hit me in the heart..wanted to share.

"Life is a miracle, don't let it slip away.
Open your heart to others
Give to yourself each day
See the beauty in everyone
Regardless of where they've been
Some have a difficult journey
And really need a friend!"

This message really got to me, we are so quick to judge and close our hearts to people we don't know. And we can be even harder on ourselves and those we love.

We need to always be kind and see the good in everyone, because even if we don't like something about them, we don't know what situations in life they have been through that could have contributed to their personalities and they may just need someone to show compassion to get them through their trials in life.

To all my new bloggin buddies, I thank you for opening your hearts and letting me be a part of your lives and share mine with you. Because we can all use some new friends. I am so glad our paths crossed.

Flashback!

I got this from Jori's site and thought it was fun to go and see what kind of music was popular on my special days! Here are my results.

My birthday, One Bad Apple by the Osmands (never heard it)

Hubby's bday, You've Got a friend, by James Taylor

Our anniversary, Can't Help Falling in Love, UB40

Trev's Bday, 21 Questions, 50 Cent featuring Nate Dogg

Kaylee's Bday, Burn, By Usher

Isaiah's Bday, Gold Digger, By Kayne West featuring Jamie Foxx

Trev's adoption date, Hey Yah, by Outkast

Kay's adoption date, Sexy Back, by Justin Timberlake

Isaiah's adoption date, Low, by Flo Rida featuring T Pain

This was fun. Of course not all my taste in music, but fun!

Great Quotes from Great Leaders!

I got these in an email and wanted to share a few of my favorites.

"An investment in knowledge pays the best interest." Benjamin Franklin

"If you can dream it, you can do it" Walt Disney

"The worst prison would be a closed heart" Pope John Paul II

"The best and most beautiful things in life cannot be seen, not touched, but are felt in the heart" Helen Kellar

"Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again more intelligently" Henry Ford

"The best thing about the future is that it comes only one day at a time" Abraham Lincoln

"As we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same" Nelson Mandela

"In life we cannot always do great things, but we can do small things with great love" Mother Teresa

"There are two ways of exerting one's strength; one is pushing down, the other is pulling up" Booker T Washington

"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are" Theodore Roosevelt

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts" Winston Churchill

"Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy to a friend" Martin Luther King Jr.

Thought some of these were really great! Have heard some of them before but love to read them and think how I can incorporate them into my life!

Ummmmm..

No explanation needed!

Back Boobies...

Pardon the reference to female parts..

Kaylee walks up to me tonight and lifts her shirt and says..."Look mommy, I have back boobies"..oh boy. That child says the darndest things.

New found treasures...

I found this table and chairs for a steal today and couldn't pass up the bargain. I even ordered two extra chairs and it didn't come close to what they had originally wanted for it..love it. Great timing also as we are down to two chairs that haven't lost a leg..I detest..my kids are so darned hard on furniture for such little things. I have often thought of Velcro'ing their bottoms to a chair to keep em still, wouldn't sound to good for me if they went to preschool and told them I tied them to their chairs..haha.

Any of the rest of you have trouble keeping your kids seated during mealtime? If you have any suggestions to help me keep mine planted in their seats please share!

On my mind....

I am forever grateful for all the blessings in my life and especially for my three beautiful healthy children. Without faith in God and him sending me my three little angels, I fear I would never have known the love of being a mother.

Last night I had a very vivid dream, in which I was pregnant and getting ready to give birth. I was scared to death but yet very happy and pleased to be having a baby. Of course I woke up before I gave birth and got to see what my little bundle of joy was. But it has been on my mind since I woke. I have to live and deal with the fact everyday that I will never be able to feel a baby growing inside me, never have a chance to bring a little miracle into the world, never know what my own birth children would have looked like. Never have the chance to hold a brand new baby in my arms that I brought into the world.

I truly believe that everything in life happens for a reason, and I know in my heart that I was not blessed with birth children because I was meant to give a home to kids who needed a chance at life that they wouldn't have gotten otherwise. But it doesn't stop the longing for the experience of having a baby! Sorry to get so deep and emotional today. Just pondering what my dream meant....

Out of the mouths of babes......

Kids say the funniest things...

Thursday while we were at the pediatricians office waiting for my youngest to get chest and nasal xrays, Kaylee asked to look at a magazine...there were four choices for her to choose from, US News weekly and three magazines about pregnancy..she opted for the one with a well posed (as not to show any essentials), naked pregnant lady on the front. To which she stated "mommy, that lady has a really big belly", I then explained to her that she was having a baby and that was a baby in her belly, to which she then replied "Did she have to eat that baby to get it in there??". I thought the older lady sitting across from us was going to choke on her Coffee she was juggin. How do you explain how a baby gets in a mommy's belly to a three year old?

Oh my..the things yet to come.....

Love this Ring!!!

If I had a big wad of money laying around that I could blow on one special thing, this is what I would get for myself. The Takhol Treasure Ring, I absolutely love the concept and designs of these rings. Dang..wish they weren't so darned expensive..someday..someday..one will be mine. :o)

Wow..not liking lack of blog time!

Yeah, I know it has been almost a month since I blogged. Have not had the time as of late to get one in. I have been trying to keep up on reading my favorite blogs though.

Wanted to post a few pics of Christmas before next Christmas arrives..lol. At this rate it might be that long before I can post again.

So much is going on in our lives right now that I will post about it when I have a little more time.

Just wanted to let ya know I am still kicking and enjoying some much needed time with the family. This is going to be a wonderful New Year! Wishing great times and a year filled with wonderful memories for all your families as well! Until next time....