Aidan loves to sing...

He came home from Cubbies on Wed. night, and he has been singing, I mean reciting this song.

Mina's 1st Project

Mina had her very first project this week. I am so proud of her. Like Carlos, she has been a little behind. She didn't have the headstart that most kids have. Aidan has been read to, taught, recited abcs, numbers, etc since he was born. Mina didn't get that kind of attention until she met us, and she was almost 4. But, she has come along way. She is doing really well with her counting, with her sight words, simple math, and the list goes on and on. She is even reading a little bit. We are so proud of her. Anyway, her project was for the 100th day of school. She had to make a project with 100 objects. So, being the very eccentric, colorful child that she is, she chose neon colored puff balls. She counted 100 of them out, and then spelled out her name on a piece of poster board. She did a great job, I even let her hot glue them on. She was super excited about that. She loves to do everything by herself, I guess that's the age. Anyway, here are some pics of her beautiful project.

Fatbaby is graduating...

Finally, Carlos is graduating to a sippy cup. You have no idea how excited I am about this. In a lot of ways, he is behind in development. Not far behind, but further behind than I would like him to be. SO, you can imagine my excitement when I handed the sippy cup to him, I just wanted to see what he would do, and he did exactly what he was suppose to.

YEA, Carlos!!!!

Truth...Spoken through a child

*NOTE*

Before you play the video, make sure to pause the music at the bottom of my page!!!

This weekend, my sister and I had a little fight. We didn't speak to each other for 2 days. We finally talked today and made up, apologies were made on both sides, and things are great now. But, before the make-up session, Aidan realized we were fighting. He tried to talk to his Auntie A at church yesterday, and he thought that since she didn't hug him that she was mad at him. She said hello, and her hands were full, so she couldn't really give him a hug, but he's 4 and that doesn't make any sense to him. So after he told me that she was mad at him, I explained (not knowing the whole situation, I only had his side.) that she was mad at me, and me at her and sometimes that gets taken out on other people. So, he broke out into song....

I told Alexandra after we talked today about the song, and she requested that I video tape it and put it up here for her to see. So here you go, Auntie A.

Breast Cancer 3 Day

SO, I have decided to walk the Breast Cancer 3 Day in Atlanta. I have wanted to do this forever, and have never had the willpower to walk 60 miles. But, this year is different. I had decided originally to walk it because I am dieting and exercising (New Year's Resolution, of course), and I thought this was a goal that might actually keep me on target. So, I went and found all the necessary information online. It is $90 to register, and you have to raise $2300 to walk. The $90 was actually scarier than the $2300. Emory just found a job, and our funds have been more than limited the past 6 months. Still, even with his new job, he hasn't gotten consistent pay. Not his fault. He is working his tail off, his company can't seem to get his paychecks right! Anyway, sorry for the sidenote. So, I wasn't sure we could afford the $90. Then, 2 weeks ago, our aunt Barbara was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Breast Cancer is scary, but when it hits closer to home like this does, it is even scarier. She was told that she has a very fast growing cancer, and that she would need a mastectomy, chemo and radiation. I can't imagine being told that you are very, very sick, you will lose a breast and your hair. I know the latter two sound very minimal to the 1st, but you know every woman thinks like that. Our appearance means so much to us, and losing our hair tells everyone we are sick. I talked to Barbara last week and her spirits were great, she is ready to hit this head-on. She actually said that my mother-in-law is taking it the worst. I can imagine that is true. I can't imagine Alexandra being diagnosed with breast cancer, or any illness for that matter. I love her so much and I wouldn't ever want to see her experience the things that Barbara is about to. Physically, emotionally, mentally, etc. So, now you can see that I have a much greater reason to walk the 3 day. I am walking for Barbara. I know that knowing what she is about to go through will only push me as I train for this walk. I am very excited. Barbara will be having her surgery this Thursday. I know she is scared, and she will need a lot of prayers through the next several months, please pray for her specifically on Thursday, that her surgery will go well, and that her recovery will be fast. PLease continue to pray past Thursday as she battles the chemo and radiation. Pray for her to be a fighter, and to hit this head-on, fearlessly. THank you for your prayers in advance. In the next few days I will be adding an option to my blog where you can sponsor me in my walk, it will allow you to make a donation in support of me using your credit card. PLease help us Fight for the Cure. Every dollar counts!!!

By the way: My sweet in-laws paid my $90 registration fee! I am so grateful for that.

The kids big weekend out...

Well, Emory and I had a fantastic weekend, and it's not even over yet. On Friday afternoon, we dropped of Michel, Aidan and Mina at Carol and Randy's. They had a big slumber party, and then they took them to see a movie "Tale of Despereaux" The kids had a blast. And WE had even more of a blast than them. Emory, Carlos and I went to Pappasitos, which is one of my all-time faves. Then we rented a coupole of movies, put the baby to bed, and hung out just the two of us. We had no pausing of the movie, b/c one of our unruly children had escaped, no crying, no whining. It was fantastic. We got up Saturday morning and ate breakfast with Stuart, Steph and Mimi V. WE ate a Goldberg's, a first for us, but apparently Stu and Steph eat there at least once a week. Everyone staff member knows them, and definitely knows Mimi V. It was fun, then we headed home to put the baby down for a nap, and watch another movie. We didn't pick the kids up til' 5ish, and then they took a late nap as soon as we got home. It was fabulous. We loved having the night off. Now, I am about to meet my parents at the movie theatre to see Hotel for Dogs. I was just gonna send the kids, but you know me and dogs, I really wanted to see it, and that way I can spend time with my littlest bro JI and oldest nephew "Ficken" that's what Aidan calls him. Anyway, we all had a really fun weekend, and we are kinda sad to see Monday come!!!

Miralax...The Best Thing Ever

SO....I had never even heard of Miralax before my two foster kiddos. We had never needed it before. Aidan had loose stools from the minute that he popped out. Constipation was not even in our vocabulary. Then we met Carlos. And that changed everything. WHen we got Mr. Carlos he was dehydrated, and we were unsure when the last time he had eaten was. He was only 7 months old when he came to live with us. Well, when we took him to the doctor for the dehydration they informed us that sometimes after dehydration that children can become "CONSTIPATED" I didn't think too much about it, I figured he might become constipated, but not every dehydrated child does. Well, Carlos did and is. He goes 5-7 days before having a bowel movement. Even with Miralax. But, I have found that if I give Miralax in every bottle, he will have a bowel movement once daily at least. HUGE IMPROVEMENT. However, we should buy stock in Miralax because we are going through it.
Well, now Mr. Loose Stools Aidan is haveing not so loose stools. A couple of months ago, he was complaining of back pain, and we took him to the ER. After having X-rays done they decided he was impacted. They gave him an enema, and that fixed everything. Since then he will occasionally complain of back pain. So, we started giving him Miralax. It seems to work okay on him. THe other day I was at work, and our super nanny Blair called and informed me that Aidan was crying, his back was hurting. I instructed her to give him 1/2 a cup of apple juice mixed with Miralax. Well it worked. I am not sure what she told him the concoction was b/c 2-3 days later, he came down from his nap crying. He said "mommy, please give me those grannies that Miss Blaira gives me?" I looked at him, trying to understand what "grannies" were. I had no idea. SO, after an hour of crying, and then him finally saying his back hurt, I made him some apple juice and Miralax. He said "thanks, mommy for the grannies!" I guess maybe Blair referred to it as granules. I have no idea, but he thinks that apple juice and grannies are the cure for anything and everything!! He also thinks Blair is a super genius doctor!!!

My plans vs. God's plans

So, I had my whole life planned out by the time I was 16. I knew where I would go to college, who I would marry, how many kids I planned on having, my career was figured out, I even figured out who I would hire when I owned my own veterinary practice. I know God must get a real kick out my plans. I can imagine him laughing as I often reminded him of the way things were going to go, the way things were suppose to go. It's funny how things never turn out like we plan, and how at first we might be devestated because OUR plans were great, I even thought mine were perfect. And yet, my life is not at all what I had imagined. It is so much greater. I did not marry the person I thought I would when I was 16, BIG SHOCK, I know. I married someone way better, someone PERFECT for me. I didn't become a veterinarian, I must say this one shocks me a little. Instead I am a vet tech, much more hands on! I do have 4 kids, but not the way I planned on having them. I never imagined that I would experience infertility. Actually, I don't think it's infertility, I can get pregnant, I get pregnant 3-5 times a year, but they always end in miscarriage. I never imagined that. I assumed that I wanted 4 kids, and that I would be able to have them. But instead, God gave me 1 biological child, 1 through adoption, and 2 through foster care. I am so blessed. and so thankful for unanswered prayers. It's funny how different our lives turn out, good thing God has a much bigger canvas than me. I can't wait to see what else HE has in store!!

An afternoon with fatbaby!

Today was a semi-busy day, and usually I don't have time to just enjoy each minute I have with my kiddos. But, today I got to spend extra time with just Carlos. It was great. All the other kids were napping and he and I just played and talked (well more cooing from him, and talking from me.) It was great. He learned how to "love" today. When I say love the dog, he goes and gives him this big ol' hug, and now he's finding his teddy bear is great to love on as well. He and Michel both got teddy bears from DFCS, and you would think these were the greatest teddy bears on earth. All 4 kids love them, but these are Michel and Carlos' special toys. Michel takes his everywhere, even straps it into the car with him, so that Teddy will be safe. It's really sweet! Anyway, here are a few pics of fatbaby!!

Comments...

So, I copied my sister and added this new feedjit thing to my blog. It is very interesting. I love to see how many different people are reading my blog and where they are coming from. I only wish that I knew who these people were. So, if you visit my blog frequently would you please leave me a comment, I just like to know who you are and how you got to my blog!!

Random Pictures of the kiddos

Mina and Great Grandad.

yes, he is feeding the baby on top of the table!!

Isn't he cute!

Michel's self portrait!

My 2 big boys!

Mina, being MINA!!!

My sweet baby Annalee!

Daddy and Aidan!

Almost all the Babies on Emory's moms side!!

We are missing Miss Maddie!

Doesn't she just look smart, with her book and her coffee! :)

Karate Kids

So, I forgot to mention one other gift that Nana and Poppa bought for the kiddos. They enrolled them in Karate. They start this Thursday, I will be sure to take lots of pics and video. Until then, here are some cute pics of them trying on their uniforms.

A day at the Jump Place...

Auntie A, Poppa and I took all the kids to a jump house the other day, they had a blast. This particular place has the inflatables, and a huge indoor playground and sandbox. The kids love this place, and it's really not that expensive. We had a good time!!