Up and Playing...

So, we are almost totally done with the playset. We have moved it, fixed it up, and now all we have to do is finish putting it together. When I say "we", I actually mean Emory! :) He has donea great job getting this playset up for his kiddies! He is such a hardworker, and I know his kids really appreciate all the work he has done! Check it out so far:

Our Big Day Out...

We spent last Friday at the zoo. We had an absolute blast. Mina and Aidan have always loved going to the zoo, but I was unsure if Michel had ever been, and if he had then I wasn't sure if he was a fan or not. But, he was. They all had a blast, it was pretty dang cold outside, so not all of the animals were out on exhibit. But, we had a blast anyway. We spent about 4 hours there, and did several different things. Mina climbed the rock wall, which I have video of, I was so proud of her. She was not scared a bit. She's gonna be the adventurous one!! And we all rode the train together!!! Check out our pics. I'll include video of our close encounter with the panda bear!!!

Breast Cancer 3 Day

So, I have finally registered for the 3 Day, and now I am looking for donations! Sorry, I never wanted to be that person begging for money, but it is a great cause!!! Every little bit helps, so even if it is only a few dollars!! I will take it. You can go to the link to the right to access my page. There you can make online donations, or print off a form to send in a check! Either way, but if you send a check remember to put my name down!! I am so grateful for your help!


Update: I know several weeks ago I asked you to pray for our Aunt Barbara. Her surgery went as well as can be expected. She is still having some issues with drainage at the surgical site, so please pray for continued healing. She is a diabetic which can slow down the healing process. Please continue to pray for her as she starts 8 long months of aggressive chemotherapy. Pray that she will be able to continue her positive attitude, and that the chemo has the least number of side effects possible. Thank you for your prayers, your donations will go toward a cure for our Aunt!! Thank you for your donations!!

Tae Kwan Do....

Tae Kwan Do is going exceptionally well! The kids love it, and it teaches them discipline, respect, courtesy, etc. It's great. I would pay any amount of money for my kids to all have self-control. SO, many children are being raised without being taught respect, courtesy, manner, self control, discipline. SO, while they are 3,4 and 6 and they do have fun with it, they are learning some great principles. Here is a video of them in class. It's kinda long, Im not real sure how to edit it down, so feel free to stop it anytime! :)

I am a sucker..

The kids talked me into allowing them to take their afternoon nap on the sofas downstairs. I know full well, that they will play and talk and never nap, yet I allowed them to do it anyway, these are pics of the kids taking "naps" :) It's hard to say no when they are all so cute!!

Can't you tell they are totally faking it! Every time I walk in the room from the office, I hear "SHHHHHHH, she's coming!!" Then their little eyes squint so they can still see me, but maybe I will think they are asleep. Oh, to be that naive!!

Eventful Weekend...

So, we have had a very interesting week or so. It really all started last Thursday. Carlos decided it would be fun to use our hardwood stairs as a teether toy. He stands on the floor, and props himself against the stairs and chews on the stairs. This is bad on a number of levels. First of all, he is eating stain, second-he's ruining my stairs (well the dogs did that, but he's making it worse), and lastly-apparently it's dangerous. I came around the corner, b/c I realized he was being entirely to quiet, as I rounded the corner and caught him I quickly snapped "Carlos, No!" and I managed to startle him. So, in an effort to stop what he was doing, and probably pretend like he wasn't doing it, he twisted around, and fell to the floor, landing on his left leg. Well, immediately after the fall, he crawled to me, so I wasn't real worried. Hours later I noticed that I hadn't seen him pull up anymore that day, so I put him in a standing position and he would fall back down. Great, he's putting no weight on it. Perfect. So, still I am not super worried, but definitely getting there. Friday morning as i am changing his diaper I realized that he wasn't stiffening the left leg like he was the right, which he always does. So, I called the doctor. They fit him in at 12:45, and the doc sent us for an x-ray. Well, I expected to get results same day, but we didn't. I actually called them Monday afternoon. And yes, it's broken. He broke his left tibia. Its called a toddler fracture. Fun. So, Tuesday morning after spending the night with mom and dad, b/c it is closer to the doc, we headed to the orthopedic doc. He took a look at the rads, and informed us that Yes, it definitely is broken, but that it has been broken for 2-3 weeks. WHAT? I had no idea, I feel like an awful parent. But, he has not shown any signs up until last Thursday. The doc said he probably broke it 2-3 weeks ago, toughed it out, until BOOM he fell again! So, needless to say, I don't think i will be getting any mother of the year awards anytime soon. Poor Baby. So they slapped on a cast, and say in 2-4 weeks he will be good as new.
Our other adventures include, but are not limited to: Moving the swingset to our house, Oh how I wish I had pictures. That was an ordeal. Emory insisted on moving it 20 miles in only 2 pieces. All I can say is God answers prayers. I thought for sure one or both of us was going to die last Sunday. Also, we broke a window in the den, we broke the oven glass (you know in the door), don't even ask how we managed that one. The motorcycle broke down while Emory was riding it, and yesterday the jeep broke down! Super, huh? Oh, yeah and Mina who usually has an immune system of steel, is sick! 104 degree fever!!! Fun!! Anyway, I will post pics of fatso with his cast, he is adjusting really well. I feel so sorry for him, he looks pitiful!!!





















The bottom piece of the swingset is the pic of the part Emory insisted on moving in 1 piece in the back of Stuart's truck 20 miles to our home! We almost died. And the bottom pic, are the pieces to our trampoline enclosure system!! As you can see we have our work cut out for us this weekend. Also, I included a pic of the oven door, it didn't photograph great, but you can see what I mean, and I can't photograph the window in daylight because you can't see the break throught the sun.

Random Pics of the kiddos...

Fatbaby in the car, so serious!!

Apparently, he skipped his nap today!

Our new playground as of next weekend. We are buying it from our friends Sara and Chris, their kiddos have outgrown it!! My kiddos are beside themselves with excitement.

Fatbaby thinks he is on a rollercoaster. Anytime the windows are down in the car, he raises his hands up.

Our kiddos actin' crazy on the tramp.

They love the beds...

Here are a couple pics of the kiddos...they love their new beds. Michel was so pumped to be sleeping in his new room! I also attached some pics of Carlos' room...It is a work in progress. We haven't hung pics, and I think we need a rug, but otherwise it is coming together.

Bunk beds

After many hard working hours....the bunk beds are up. Emory and I have worked all night to get the boys room set-up for them. Aidan slept in our room tonight so we could finish up before a long day tomorrow. Check out their room...
I will post some pics in the morning of their expressions when they see their new room! They have been so excited about this and I can't wait to show them!! Tomorrow's adventure is Carlos' room!!

So funny...

This week has been a very exciting week here at The Lott Home. We decided to break down and buy bunk-beds for Michel and Aidan. Which means that Carlos will have his own room, the 2 boys will share and, of course, Mina has her own room! The boys are ecstatic. They've talked about it all week. We bought the beds on Tuesday night, and we told them we would put them up on Sat. We found this set on Craigslist, and it was a total steal. Twin bunk beds, plus a trundle. We got FREE twin mattresses for all 3, actually we got 5 mattresses for free and only need 3. So, we are pumped. We also got a free dresser off CL, and a Free kids table and chairs for Mina to do all of her artwork. Needless to say, God has totally provided us with all of our needs for the boys.

So, tonight we went to Target to do some shopping for sheets and such. We found 3 sets of twin sheets, sets mind you, for $10 each (450 thread count). Awesome!! So, then we thought we would look at quilts and comforters. So, naturally I am drawn to the pretty, traditional bedding and the kids are drawn to the character bedding. YUCK!! SO, Emory went down the aisle with them, pointing out the Spiderman, the Batman, the Cars bedding. And of course, the kids want it, they want it all, and Emory is totally egging it on. So, as we turn to leave the themed bedding aisle, Aidan shouts " Ooh, look at the naked man bedding?" He shouts it loud enough for all to hear. We were like WHAT? Then we turned and saw -WWE bedding. It was wrestlers with their shirts off, and he called it "naked man bedding." Luckily, he didn't shout "I LOVE the naked man bedding." So, needless to say, we ran out of the bedding section!!!! Here are some pics of the bedding choices I was just speaking of.

Prayers Needed...

So, today was the big court day for our 2 boys. We have really been dreading court, b/c we have no idea what to expect. Michel and Carlos have become our children, and we love them very much. While I was at work, I got a call from our social worker explaining that we may have to give visitation to a biological family member starting Monday. Yuck. I am so worried that if Michel sees these people that we are going to go backwards, with him. It really did take him a while to fully trust us, and I just don't want to go backwards. That really scares us. We want what is best for Michel and Carlos, if that is not with us, I am okay with that, I know God will give me peace about it, but I feel like we are their only true advocates. That the court system has no idea what is best or what is right for Michel and Carlos. That terrifies me. I have to really stop and remember that God is in control and that HE does have their best interest at heart. I am so thankful for a God that knows me, knows my weaknesses, and my worries. I am so grateful that I can pray for peace about this situation, and God will give me peace. I am so thankful that I serve a God that loves Michel and Carlos beyond belief, He knows the number of hairs on their heads, and He will protect them. Please pray for Michel and Carlos, please pray that God will give Emory and I a clear answer on whether or not we should adopt them if that is an option, if it is not an option, please pray that God will protect our hearts, and especially all 4 children's hearts that are involved. Please pray for Michel and Carlos as they begin visitation next week, this will be hard on everyone involved. Especially me!! :( I just want to protect them from harm, I love them! Thanks for your prayers. We will definitely have them until June 4th, that is the date of our next hearing!

Winston and Piper

This is what Winston and Piper do all day!! As Thor lies around and watches!!!

Winston always wins! :)

This is them after a long game of tug o'war!!

Piper likes to rest her head on Winston's paws!! So cute!!

Poor Poppa...

We ate with Nana and Poppa this weekend, and it turned out to be a very eventful meal. I promised Aunt Kim I would post these pictures so she could see Poppa's injuries. We were walking into the restaurant and Emory was in front holding Carlos, then me (holding noone, YEA!!) then Carol holding Michel's hand, then Randy carrying both Aidan and Mina. And as Poppa was about to step up on the curb, Mina shifted all her weight forward, and caused Poppa to catch his foot. Therefore causing Poppa to fall flat on the ground, but not before creating a domino effect. He knocked over Carol and Michel, and almost Emory and the baby. It was awful. He was hurt the worst, he softened the fall for both Aidan and Mina. Mina scratched her cheek, Aidan had no scratches (but he cried the most, scared me to death, I thought he had broken a bone.) Carol scraped up her wrist, and Michel I think was just scared. It was awful, people driving stopped to see if we were okay, people coming in and out of the restaurant stopped, in fact they were the ones that saw the whole fall, and told us that Aidan was fine, that he had fallen on Randy not the ground. So, that made me feel better. But, Poppa, as you can imagine, felt awful, so he rushed the crying Aidan to buy bandaids from Publix. He bought a box for each of the kids, very thoughtful!! Poppa ripped his pants, had a bloody knee, and really wrenched his back, and probably worsened his poor shoulder he is about to have surgery on. Better to mess it up before surgery, rather than after I guess. Anyway, I felt so bad for him, he really felt awful. But, he did a great job protecting the grandkids from injury! Way to go Poppa!!! Here's everyone sporting their Batman, Spiderman and Barbie Bandaids. And, yes Poppa has one of each!!!

Ava and Carlos

My best friend's little girl, Ava, came over for a visit last night. She actually came over to see the new puppy, but I think she was more interested in Carlos. She is about to be a big sister, Landry Kate will be here on April 30th, if not before. So, she is really into babies right now. She is a very smart little girl, she knows all my kids names, and that's pretty good since I add new kids to my brood all the time. I am impressed, she is not even 2. Anyway, she came over and loves to tackle Carlos, she is attempting to love on him, but it comes out as more of a tackle. Carlos is never to sure what to think about it. She gets so excited, that she gets a little rough. It is hysterical to watch. She and Carlos really entertained Stace, Brandon and I. We captured it on camera lst night so here is a pic or two.

Foster Care...

So, everyone that knows me, knows that I foster everything and everyone. So, many of you will not be surprised to hear that I have taken home a new pet. Yes, I am certifiably crazy. I know. However, I can't say no to a child or an animal. This is just the way God made me, and honestly, I am perfectly content with that. Anyway, I brought home an 11 week old deaf Old English Sheep Dog. We have named her Piper, she is as cute as a bug in a rug. But, before you go feeling sorry for her because she deaf, you should know she is a feisty little live wire. She can hold her own around here with 4 kids, and 2 other large dogs. She has done really well so far, no accidents in the house or in her crate. She will walk to the door and bark if she has to potty, or bark in her crate if she needs to go out. She really is very smart. She adores the kids, especially Aidan. But, Aidan is just like me and doesn't really give an animal the option of not liking him. I have already taught her the signs for sit, down and good girl. She knows by my facial expressions whether she is being praised or punished. She is very smart. She and Winston get along great, he really needed more of a playmate, so he enjoys their wild romps through both the yard and the house. It is really neat to watch her learn and to watch her compensate for her handicap. She knows she needs to watch the other dogs in order to know what to do. So, when she goes out if they pee, she pees, if they poop she poops, etc. That has really helped out in the front yard, b/c we let our dogs go potty without a leash, they know our boundaries, and hardly ever leave our yard. She has learned where to go, and where not to go, and when to come back in all from watching Winston and Thor. Anyway, she is really smart, and we are really enjoying her!! Here are a couple of pics:

I don't know if you can tell in the top picture, but her left eye is blue, and her right eye is brown. She is a really beautiful dog!!!