Tip Toe

Tippy Toeing back in here....It's now November and it's cold and also not...because we woke up to cold but as the sun warms up the day it will warm up quite nicely.

I guess the biggest thing I have to share is that we found out in July that we are expecting baby #5!  Right I know, I know...FIVE kids!  Wowza.   We also found out at the beginning and end of October that baby #5 is a GIRL.  So wow indeed.  I am cautiously excited because if you recall we were told Nolan was a girl for a few weeks until we had a better ultrasound that showed he was in fact a HE.  This time around we have had several now that say girl so I do believe it but also don't hardly believe that WE are having a girl.  Crazy!   Her name will be Anna.

We still have our 2 little girls--we think that one will likely go home sometime in December but not sure on the other.  They have been here 4 months and 8 months and for the most part all is going well....they are GOOD girls and we, other than just normally adjusting, have very little issues with them.

We just wrapped up Halloween and the kids had a good time...it was rainy but the little kids were just so darn cute that the rain was really no big deal.  

Now it's on to Thanksgiving!

School is going well for everyone.  Gavin was student of the Month for September and Zachary is involved in nearly every after school activity he can be.  They are both finished with baseball--well Zachary has one last game but then it's done for the winter.   Jakeb is still in swim, though begrudgingly so as he would prefer to quit and sit at home playing video games...but alas that's a NO.

They are all excited about the new baby and are enjoying the girls being here despite the bit of chaos it brings!

So that's the update for now...about all I have!


  

Night.

I am sitting here on a Saturday night at nearly 11pm in a hotel room not too far from our house....getting a much needed night away.  Mostly hoping for a full nights sleep something I haven't had in years.   Though at this point I imagine that won't happen but at least it will be quiet here and I can just be alone for a bit.  Alone longer than a quick trip to the store.   Sometimes alone is exactly what is needed.   It's funny how I can spend my days with little people and sometimes I crave some adult time but occasionally I just need ME time.  So for about 18 hours that's exactly what I am getting....and my husband Robert is super fantastic to be so crazy supportive and helpful for this to get to happen.  I am pretty sure I haven't been alone---all by myself in nearly 13 years, not that that is bad...because oh my gosh that's fantastic---I have people and my people and they are amazing.  

Will and a way?

I am really really wanting to start posting on here regularly again.  I think it's helpful and somewhat cathartic---granted I rarely write about much that is more than what our days consist of but it is still nice to sit and think back on the day or week or even month.   It helps slow time just a tad.
Since I last wrote we have upped our numbers and are now sitting at an even 6 kiddos.  Two girls and 4 boys....ages 12, 10, 8, 4, 3, 2.   We are busy and they are loud.   Typically noise doesn't bother me too bad,  I can goes days without having to fuss at someone for being too loud but lately that's not happening.   The 3 little ones get running and squealing and screaming and lordy lordy my patience for loud is gone.  That said they are good...really good kiddos.  We rarely have issues and rarely have prolonged fits or screaming and crying--especially for reasons that aren't warranted.   They play fantastically well together and for the most part listen pretty darn well.  When we sit back and look at them and the day we know that these little girls couldn't get much easier especially all things considered with their little worlds.  
Miss T goes to school very early at o'dark thirty Mon-Fri and gets home at the same time Gavin and Zachary do.   So Mon-Fri from about 8-2:30 it's just Nolan and GG (Reminder..we can't name the kiddo's online...so you just have to guess) and that is a nice little break.
We spend most days at home but I am trying to be better about venturing out...I am not sure why the task of leaving with the little ones has seemed so daunting--I mean other than the obvious of taking out multiple little people.  If we recall back 8 or so years ago I had 3 little ones...4, 2, and infant and was quite busy out and about with them nearly daily.   I am having to remind myself that I managed with them and to get some pep in my step with all the home body-ness.   Baby steps :)
The kids have now been back to school for 2 full weeks and all seems to be going well.  Jakeb is in 7th (WHAT?!)  Zachary in 5th (again what?!) and Gavin in 3rd (cray cray!)  They all do very well in school and seem to keep up with their responsibilities on their own quite well--very happy and proud of them for that.   We did have a cold try to roll thru last week and maybe it was mild enough that they kicked it out on their own OR maybe the new essential oils that we have been using helped give it an extra kick out the door.   Jakeb's tend to linger a little longer but we threw together a little concoction and within a few days it was better And didn't get worse like it normally does!    The only one who has gotten worse is Miss T---I didn't put the oils on her as diligently because she just didn't complain as much and now she is much more congested and coughing than they ever were.   Coincidence?  Maybe...maybe not!  We have tried them for a few other things and I really do think they help!   So I am jumping on the essential oil fad/train and saying YES...go for it.  I am so not one to hop on a band wagon but this one is a good one.
Zachary and Gavin are signed up and ready for baseball to get started again and Jakeb just started back with swim after a few weeks of break.  So back into routines we go...they are all still doing piano and Zachary has decided to drop Scouts from his activities--he just had a hard time staying motivated for it.  So while I would love for him to continue if he isn't wanting to we just can't force it and honestly one less thing off our plate both financially and time wise is just fine.
Still can't believe summer is over...it always goes by so very quickly.  I feel like we had a decent one...nothing exciting but lots of playing and just hanging out at home.  We hit up a few movies and a few fun things but for the most part we spent our days here at home and with trips to the pool.  It was good.
Alrighty well hopefully I will check back in sooner rather than later...afterall tomorrow is Tuesday and that "12 on Tuesday" isn't all that challenging.
Enjoy your day!

Eight.

My 3rd 8 year old to grace my life....Mr. Gavin turned 8 a couple months ago and I have to keep reminding myself that he is 8.   At 8 he is going into 3rd grade and holy wow...THIRD GRADE!  That seems so huge and so big and not so little and tiny and little like I have to keep remembering Gavin isn't.   He is 8!
At 8 Gavin is well he's Gavin...he's a stinker and he's so sweet...he's our funny guy with off the wall comments like "biscuits are my jam!"  He still says things that make us turn and look at him and say "What did you just say? and how did you know to say that clever thing?"   So he's clever and witty and funny in this unassuming not really trying way.   Because when he does try it just doesn't work....he's a little brother that likes to bounce and jump and poke and prod and aggravate his big brothers and he's a big brother that likes to aggravate his little brother (and currently sister).   But he loves to play with them all day long...he wants to be with them and hang with them.    At 8 he is loving baseball and does amazing at school.   At 8 Gavin is still a snuggler but he often has to be asked...he still loves to jump, jump, jump!   He loves to make a little nest in his bed with pillows and blankets and burrows his little self down into it--every night.  His hair is still as blonde as ever and he can swim like a fish.   His temper is still rocking but he is much better now at keeping that in check...he still has somewhat eclectic eating habits and is not a fan of fruit.  At 8 Gavin is loving and kind and considerate and smart and happy and silly and playful and grumpy and an early riser and a wonderful amazing kiddo!  Happy 8th Birthday my blonde awesome little Gavy Gav!

Thirteen on Thursday.

1.  Just popping in really quick to say hi.  I have brought the ipad up here several nights now and never manage to actually get it turned on....I even charged up the keyboard that goes with it so I could type out a post....it's taken a week to make it happen.

2.  Nolan basically sleeps in our bed every night...as in he never sleeps in his bed.  Ever.  He is now scared of monsters and thanks to a geotrax show "The Ghost Train"   whoops!   Fun phase.  That said he naps in our bed and instead of 30-45 min naps he often takes 2 hours naps....so in our bed is just fine!

3.  Sadly we are down to only 4 more weeks of break....it has flown by but it's been good.  

4.  We made a trip to TN to get Zachary dropped off at a stay away camp there and I decided that while he was there we would spend the week there.  I tried to hit up a few of our old favorites but quickly ran out of time.  Definitely will make stops on the next trip up.  

5.  Zachary enjoyed camp but got rained on a lot...even with that he said he had a lot of fun.  

6.  We still have our girly T but baby boy went to a new adoptive family mid May...we were super excited for him and for them.   It seemed like so long that he was here and now also so long that he's been gone but it's not even been 2 months since he left.   Thinking back to our first 2 placements seems like a lifetime ago.

7.  Miss T is doing great.....has adjusted very well to here and to us.  She's been here almost 4 months now...her and Nolan are bff's and love to play and play.   He will miss his playmate when she leaves :(

8.  Jakeb is still swimming and enjoying it....hoping to be better about getting him to practice though!

9.  Gavin turned 8 and I MUST blog about that soon...in fact that is why I did this particular post.   

10.  Miss T also had a birthday but I don't know if I can blog about that too much...we shall see.

11.  *I* also had a birthday but it seems weird to blog about all the things and what not I do at 34....especially since I kinda do that every time I blog.  

12.  The boys finished out their school year like rock stars....awards for everyone and I am super proud of their academics.  

13.  We are enjoying the sunshine and the pool a lot this year :)  Happy Summer!

Twelve.

So Jakeb turned 12 almost 2 months ago....in fact 2 months ago tomorrow.   And in that 2 months life has just kept on going and I haven't gotten a chance to talk about my 12 year old here until now.   Here we go....Jakeb is 12.  Wow.  TWELVE!
It feels that every age now is a big one...12 the last one before 13 and his official teenage status is among us.  12 while he is now in middle school and doing that "big kid" thing.   Like having a phone and talking about girls...old enough that I don't panic if he walks down the road or walks from one end of the store to another without me.   He's 12 and at 12 he is responsible and honest and helpful and pretty darn fantastic.  He is doing fabulous in 6th grade...we had a rocky patch for a bit but he has rebounded back with vengeance and is doing amazing.  Making new friends and great grades...he is still doing swim with his swim team...he has done a handful of meets and enjoys them.  He isn't the fastest on the team but enjoys being in the water and enjoys the feeling after a good practice.   And practice is 1hr straight of swimming laps in the pool....it's a workout and it's awesome that he goes and gets that opportunity.  And that he likes how he feels afterward and he has a way to unwind.
At 12 he loves his brothers and is usually very willing to help when asked and even often when not.  He is happy and silly, smart and friendly...shy but confident.   At 12 we are watching him blossom into the adult person he will be... seeing bits and pieces of the man he is becoming and we are very proud him.   Jakeb is kind, tender hearted, compassionate, rule follower, though often destructive, sometimes grumpy, sometimes sassy, all the time loving, all the time the best 12 year old kiddo I know.  Happy 12th birthday Jakeb we are so proud of you and all that you are and I hope you always always remember that!

Twelve on Tuesday

1.  Technically I should be writing up about Jakeb turning 12 or Gavin turning 8…or maybe even about the foster kiddos we now have but it occurred to me just a bit ago that it's Tuesday and maybe MAYBE I could squeeze in 12 things before people wake up or get off the bus.

2.  I have maybe 9 minutes before the bus gets here with either our girlie T or Gavin and Zachary.

3.  Nolan is snoozing on the couch and baby boy is chilling with Robert for just a few minutes.

4.  School is ALMOST over and not a moment too soon.

5.  Also so is baseball….also not a moment too soon.

6.  Nolan just woke up…however he seems a little dazed and confused--typical for just waking up Nolan.

7.  Bus 1 just went by and time is almost up!

8.  Zachary is on the All Star baseball team so technically it's not almost over but regular season is!

9.  The weather here has been fabulous.

10.  Did I mention I have a 12 year old??  Crazy!

11.  Foster care kiddos are doing great but we are most definitely busy!

12.  16 more days of school!

Ten.

How we have 2 kiddo's that are now into the double digits blows my mind.  Zman turned 10 well over a month ago now and is happily trucking along into his preteens.   As preteens do he is rocking the boat a wee bit…finding his place as he grows.  
At 10 Zachary is quite the fun loving little boy he always has been…he still loves to be busy and activities are a must.  Whether it be cooking, a craft, a video game, a sport, a board game, or some much more thrill seeking activity--basically he is a doer.  We certainly don't do as much cooking or crafting as one might like to do…he would much prefer video gaming his days away.  A battle we fight daily.
10 year old Zachary is a kind hearted kiddo--he is playful and silly, quick witted, funny, handsome.  He does marvelous at school…in fact he is student of the month this month!   He is well liked and makes friends easily.  He is now involved in Science Olympiad, Chorus, Baseball, Piano, and scouts.   Science Olympiad is coming to an end but I know he has enjoyed it!  
Zachary is a fantastic kiddo--I love his heart and his spunk.   I am excited to watch him grow and mature into the awesome guy I know he will be.   At 10 he lost his appendix shortly after his 10th birthday!   He did wonderful with the surgery and is moving on into the "recovered" part of that journey.  
He loves his brothers madly despite their more frequent bickering I know he would walk thru fire for them if need be…he is a great helper with Nolan and the other little ones around.  He loves to read and is still rocking straight A's!   We have always said he is always up for a good time and just loves to have fun….I think this is one of the sides of him we love the most.   We have been butting heads a lot more lately--this makes my heart a little sad!  I know a big reason is that we are so very similar but it's hard to be battling so often.   I miss my little sweet boy following me around calling me "wah wah".   Zachary has a huge heart and I hope that stays with him always.  So very proud of the boy he is and will become.

Happy 10th Birthday Zman!   I am so very proud of you.

Still truckin'

I need to do the big 10 birthday post for my Zman....but I would really like to do a birthday "questionnaire" and post that along with it.   I have wanted to do 20 birthday questions on the kiddo's birthdays for years now and somehow it just hasn't happened.   I will make it happen this year darnit!   

Well our first placement went to family at the end of January.  We all handled it just fine and while we certainly think about and wonder how they are doing we know that they are where they need to be.  Nolan talks about "Vdog" the most....says he does things around the house or that something his V's or often asks where he is. He was with me when they left and saw them leave so he knows where he went.   I think he misses him but never seems upset or troubled by it...just more in conversation.   I am happy for that.  

We have a new little guy now---yes another boy!   Apparently boys are us...for now.   He's 3 weeks old and we have had him for almost 2 weeks now, so he's a bitty guy.   Definitely easier than our previous placement...but the lack of sleep is a bit rough.   He is not doing as awesome as I would have hoped in that department.   I am hoping that comes soon though.   We have no idea how long this will be, his situation is a bit messy so it may be a longer one.  Time will tell!

We have had some very welcomed warmer weather---we have also had some very welcomed snow!  Zman had yet another snow filled birthday and spent the day sledding with friends and home from school....in fact almost the entire week they were home this after missing several days ago  not too long ago for the same reason.  I was thrilled to see some snow this year!   Though the cold can mosey on out now and I am ready for sunshine and warmth.  

We are entering into baseball season and while it is busy busy I am excited for it to get started, we have such a good time watching them play and enjoying the time outside.  

I hate seeing this blog fall by the wayside....I really enjoying writing and reminiscing here.  

Nolan is at such a fun age...you know the age where nearly everything they do and say is just so darn cute?   yep that age...the age I miss the most with the big boys--in fact I dare say it is the only age I miss...their voices and watching them learn and discover, my most favorite for sure.   At the same time the big boys are entering super fun ages too...despite the sassy and the often crudeness...I really am enjoying being able to have real conversations with them.  Joking and laughing around on a new level and again watching them grow and mature into older kids.   They are great boys with huge hearts and I am very proud of them.   

Thursday 13.

1.  Nolan is sleeping next to me with his new "poda bearw" jammies on....his little foot is propped directly to the right of my screen as I type.  So his cute little polar bear face foot is smiling at me.   It's funny and also a little creepy.

2.  I rotated our mattress a 1/4 turn the other day...holy crap is it so much more comfy.  Who knew?

3.  I was just rereading some of my past blog posts...a few observations.  I am redundant and seem to post the same topics throughout a year at the same times of year.  Also I am a bit wishy washy on my feelings for well just about everything...of course this I know.  One day I love all things purple and the next I am very eh about purple.  And as we know I really should proof read...but ugh what a pain.   Ain't got time for that.

4.  I love a clean house.  It helps me function--try as I may to relax and let things slide I eventually lose my brain and demand it to be picked up.  And snap about hand prints and dirt and why in the world is the toilet so NASTY.    That being said I have relaxed A LOT.

5.  Rumor flying around is that our first 2 foster kiddos will be going to family next Friday....rumor also is don't hold your breath about rumors.  SO that's the plan we are told but until it happens....

6.  We are ready--I will be anxious and sad the day they leave.  Anxious because these 2 babies we have had and cared for for over a month will be leaving and we likely won't see them again and will they be ok?   Sad for all the same reasons...BUT ready for some normalcy.   We signed up for this knowing this is the plan and this is how it goes.

7.  Jakeb is still loving swim...he had a meet this weekend at Auburn.   Little crazy but I just love watching him do his thing.  He isn't the fastest but he is loving it and that is awesome.

8.  Did I mention that all three had straight A's?   Yep...they did.  Rock stars.

9.  Robert is rocking in the new job world....adjusting and learnin the ins and outs of the new company.   He is so very close to finishing up his masters.  Super proud of him.

10.  I have a rockin' head ache this evening....

11.  Also it's COLD.  Like for real cold cold....Not my favorite, not even a little.

12.  I always get so antsy this time of year....to travel to move to something....if you have read here long I think I blog about that antsy'ness before.  I like to stay predictable.

13.  Going to snuggle with my warm little bear.   

Stay warm folks!

What day is it?

Right so....six kids?  No joke.   I feel like for the past month all I have done is talked about how HARD this is.   How we are doing it but holy cow...barely.  Tonight everyone was in bed by 8:30 and the house is so very picked up so that tomorrow we can ALL be dressed and out the door by 7:30 and then 8:30 so I can drop the 3 big ones off at school and then 2 little ones with a visit with their mom and while we are all gone the house will be being cleaned.   So tonight I feel like BAM!   Though Nolan techincally is leaning on my arm while I type this and is watching "rocket" aka Little Einsteins...because while Gavin was at his art class and we drove around aimlessly for an hour he took an extra nap.  But we are in bed....and I keep telling him shhh because um this is my time brotha.   

Here's the thing....we knew this would be an adventure and what not but holy head spinner.   I don't know if there is a time of year that is better to take 2 extra little ones into an already busy house but I would wager a guess that 5 days before a Christmas you aren't ready for as is isn't the best time.  But here we sit 3 weeks into the new year and I am wondering how we got here.   It's worked out and we are basically no worse for the wear...learning things about ourselves and yet feeling so much stronger as a marital/parental team.  Wasn't expecting that but how about that...I will certainly take it.  

The boys are taking this all in stride....2 little ones trashing your stuff isn't awesome.   But they are helping and we are trying to keep them out of their spaces and things.   I think we are all feeling a little shell shocked but are slowly coming back to.  

Having said all that...we are so GLAD to be at this point finally.   Foster parents....we have 2 foster sons.   And wow that's weird to say.   I like taking all 6 of these boys out and watching people A) count them and B) try to figure out the math and of course how it works because they don't exactly "match" The baby is the easiest baby I have ever met....I mean sleeps all night and takes long naps and is the smiliest little one.   2 year old....adorable...but BUSY.   Like Nolan busy...but louder and bigger and even busier.  

Despite my complaining and woe is me and sounding a little bit like I am questioning our decision and people asking if we will do this again...the answer is yes for sure.  I know and knew lt would be challlenging especially at first...granted you really just don't know HOW challenging until it's there.   But it's good challenging...most of the time.  

Wowza.

So hi there….nearly 2 months of no posting.  WHOOPS!   We have had a busy handful of weeks….We were finally approved as Foster Parents the first part of December.   Had 2 calls the following week but because we were heading out of town the following weekend we had to say no.   Then 3 weeks ago on a Wednesday we got a call for 2 little boys….2 and 3 months.   And here we are with 6 little boys running around the house.   They spent Christmas and New Year with us and we are slowly settling in with our new normal.   Which basically consists of us chasing 2 year olds all.day.long.   Changing lots of diapers and wiping up a lot of spit up.   So it's all good but it's no joke busy.
I actually started typing this post 2 days ago and got 4 sentences done and Nolan woke up…because getting them all down for naps take forever and just as soon as the last one falls asleep…one wakes.  SO busy yes.  
The big boys are adjusting and really just are doing their thing…we are trying very hard to not have them get lost in the shuffle.   Video gaming is happening a lot and regular showers are falling by the wayside…but it's been winter break so that may have happened some anyway.   Nolan struggled a bit at first but is adjusting to 2 new people in the house demanding our attention.  
The baby is easy peasy…sleeps thru the night most nights and is happy and smiley and is just fine to hang out "playing" with toys and smiling at shadows.
So that's a brief update…I am hoping I can update more soon…We had a great Christmas.   The boys were thoroughly thrilled with the day.  New Year was pretty uneventful and we just hung out at home with the kiddos…which is basically what we do every year.  
And with that very brief update I will have to catch up more later….