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….

Two.

All of a sudden 2 entire years have gone by since our little amazing Nolie bear joined our "little" family.   I am not sure exactly how that has happened…time flies when you are having fun?  And really that's what I feel when I think about my days at home with this little guy…Fun.    Sure, sure they aren't always and days when I have pulled him off the counter for the 323th time or taken the bottle of spray cleaner away 97 times don't feel like fun but at the very same time they are kinda funny because you just can't help but laugh….eventually.

At 2, Nolan is talking A LOT.  He still isn't completely talking in full sentences but is so close and certainly knows how to get his point across.  Instead of saying "I want to go play outside here are my shoes."  He will say "shoes n socks.outside. play. me."    He likes to walk in a room and said proudly "Hi Mommy, It's me!"   He loves watching "Little Einsteins" aka "rocky" and "Bubble Guppies".   He can walk up and down stairs and jump.  He can ride his little scoot "bikes" and drink out of a big cup with out spilling---until he then just dumps it out.  He loves spray bottles and any sort of bottle with a pump…he loves to just pump soap out and "wash hans" forever.  He will pump an entire bottle of conditioner all over the bath tub with no problem.   He may or may not have ruined 2 pairs of pants the other day by spraying bleach water all over them…I obviously didn't realize it was left out oops!  (also I hate bleach and try to never use it so him getting it was a double whammy!)
He cracks us up all day long with his cute little voice and the little way he says things.  He says "tank oo" so sweet and always says "Your welck" in response to thank you's.  He now says "bless you" and "excuse me" when he burps.  Basically he talks a lot…and is constantly chattering all day long.   He loves playing with cars and trains and out side.  He had a firetruck party for his birthday and loves firetrucks.   He loves playing outside in the back yard, this summer he loved swimming at the pool and was able to go under off the steps and "swim" to us.  He is a busy on the go little go and his curiosity is wonderful.  Watching him learn and discover new things is just fun.
At 2 he still is not sleeping thru the night but is sleeping so very much better.   He still wakes up to get in our bed but most nights sleeps pretty well.  In bed around 8-8:30 and sleeps til around 7.   He naps usually around 1 for about an hr sometimes less sometimes more.  His eating has gotten so much better as well…he still doesn't eat a lot and still spits quite a bit out but is slowly but surely eating better.  He loves to tell us "ewwww" and not trying things haha.  It's frustrating but also pretty darn cute.  He is showing his temper more lately but it still just makes us giggle most of the time…he gets so mad and just yells whatever or whoever he is made at so loudly.  
At 2 he is a very easy guy to travel around with…he naps well in the car or in the stroller or wherever he needs to…I dare say he actually sleeps better on the go.    He loves his brothers and has special names for each of them that we love…Jakeb is "dohbay" Zachary is "Zachary" and Gavin is "Guy Guy".  He is crazy about his cousin Reagan and they are so super cute playing and giggling with each other.
At 2 he is loved so very much.  We all really enjoy him so much and are so blessed and lucky to have this joyful little boy in our lives.  He brings so much happy and joy to our lives.   Happy 2nd birthday Nolan!

Twelve on Tuesday.

1.  I have 2 kids home "sick" today…for the 2nd and 3rd day in a row.   One should be at school and one should have been at school the other 2 days but should be home today.   Go figure.   It's that time of year….JOY.

2.  I say it roughly every other post but HOW is it that time of year already?

3.  My house smells delish…made pumpkin muffins this morning YUM.

4.  I was looking at some pictures of Zachary yesterday…recent pictures actual and I just can't believe he is going to be TEN.

5.  I have been tossing and good willing like crazy this week.   I think I probably do this as every season changes…I need stuff GONE.  

6.  We are still obviously in limbo land with the foster care…

7.  While waiting for Nolan to be older (sleeping thru the night…even?) Is better it's been a process…

8.   Nope…he still isn't sleeping thru the night.   Occasionally but even then it's not a full 10-12 hours of sleep.   His longest stretch without a peep is 10-7/7:30 and that has happened a small handful of times.

9.  I boxed up lego's the other day….Jakeb is kinda over them and Zachary and Gavin were never really that into them.  We have an entire plastic storage box full of them.  

10.  I told the cleaning people to not come this week…come in 2 weeks.  Not ready to completely say no more but it's really an expense we don't need to spend.  PLUS now that things feel a little more "under control" I am wanting to do it myself…they really don't do that fantastic of a job anyway, so I find myself doing some of it over again.   But if they would just come mop that would be great..because they do a rock star job on the floors.

11.  The boys did AWESOME on their report cards for the first 9 weeks.  Super proud of them.

12.  Jakeb has his first swim meet on Saturday…very excited for him!

Hello.

Did I mention that the hard drive on my computer died?   I feel like I did…no worries it was promptly fixed the very same day and due to my mad backing up skills I am fairly confident I didn't lose a thing.  I have spent much of today working on restoring my photo editing software and also trying to track down the product key to "Office".  I would like to also make it known that the customer service for both Adobe and Microsoft is junk.  Both got me no where and I was able to work out the issues on my own with less then zero help from either company.  I may have moderately ranted at both and then finally gave up and thanks to my friend google we fixed it.
I spent some time going thru some pictures the other day looking for something and realized that I haven't taken a picture with my "big camera" in months so I actually brought it along for our "pumpkin farm" adventure on Sunday.  Hence the sudden need to get my photo software up and running.
Nolan is all about animals…and was super excited to see them and watch them…his brothers were equally as excited about HIS excitement so capturing all of that was good to do with the "mama camera".
I have SO many pictures of Nolan and right now it's no big deal he's cute, he's right next to me all day…and his brothers are less "hey take my picture" so he gets more camera time.   But I know in a couple years I will be looking for pictures of the big guys and be kicking myself that there aren't as many.   So I am working on making sure to bust out the camera for their cuteness….despite that attention stealing baby I certainly DO want to remember all the cute and funny and silly things they do just as much.   And being that my memory is for the birds on every day events…pictures are how it's done.  And also this here blog….Baseball season is done so I am working my way back to some semblance of sanity.  At least for the next couple months.
Speaking of baseball the boys rocked out an awesome season.  Zachary's fall team brought in the championship for their league so that's TWO championship teams for Zman.  Awesomeness!   Gavin's team did great as well and they were so fun to watch and cheer on…Gavin could really take or leave baseball but at 7 I think that's allowable!
Nolan's 2nd birthday is so very soon and we are so very unprepared for the shindig we have planned.   As in I sent out evites and may or may not actually get paper invites sent.   For many many birthday's now invitations have been "painstakingly" tackled via my elementary photoshop skills…this year it may be a mad dash to Target to get something cute and call it a day.   Or it may not happen at all.   Tomorrow we will find out!  Somehow I let this one sneak way up on me….maybe it was denial that he is going to be 2?

Um yeah.

I know I say this all the time but I want to write here so much more often then I do but I sit down to type and "write" and my thoughts just float right out the window next to me.  I get so discouraged that I just don't "write" and wait until I can hammer out a "12" or a slap some pictures up and call it a day.  We are quickly approaching our 4th year here and while it feels right....it feels wrong.  Nolan was our first baby born "out of TN" and that's so strange....we are TN folks.   Goodness all 3 of the big boys were born in the very same building I was.  And wow apparently I care about that....and really?  I would never have thought that mattered and it doesn't but it does and doesn't.  I still feel like I blog about this move so much.  The changes and the new stuff and the differences and the sameness and how this is home but not.   How we love it here but.....
And we do love it here but 30ish years in the same place is a long time and adjusting takes a long time and soon I will think....TN is always home but GA is too.  In the meantime we fumble around trying to make this home and it's happening but 30 years is a long time in one place.  We sure love it here and the people we have met and, and, and....but, but, but.....  Exactly.
It's nearly midnight and today I watched a football game where TN vs GA on my own.  For the first time.  I don't watch football but lately anything TN I want to grab and squeeze and make my very own like it's mine and mine only.  But yet...I love being here and this life.  Still I miss so much of before though so much of what I miss is stuff that I would miss TN or not.   But GA brought Nolan and I would never ever want to change or take that back.   And so I will root for Ga and for TN and love them both...but always TN more.
So....Georgia is home and it feels just like that....a new home....a new home to learn and to love.  Even 3+ years later.
I am not sure my point here....just rambling like always and like normal.  Talk to me on the phone and you get much the same.  Jumbled thoughts and run on sentences and I am learning to love and to like that too.  It's me...always and forever.  Something I have been learning to like and love for a long LONG time.  Somedays it works and somedays it doesn't.  I think that's the norm for most....though they wouldn't say that but also they wouldn't say otherwise either.
That's kinda funny really if you think about it...this facade we lead others to believe and see.  One of happiness and "having it all together" but really...REALLY no one I ever talk to feels that way.  Except those that feel that way but really don't but just can't say it to themselves and god forbid anyone else.  And one time not too long ago that was me and now most days that isn't anymore.  And that's ok.  I am so glad...I hate the self imposed pressure.   Goodness like the last run on sentence or two.  I don't even like the pressure of trying to write properly...so I don't.  Rebel like that.   Or something like that.
ANYWAY.
Have a great weekend!

Sunshiney Sunday

It's starting to get cool at nights, we have had windows open for weeks now and my goal is to hold out as long as possible before cranking on the heat.   The daytime temps get us toasty in the afternoon but chilly in the early mornings.  But I am dreaming of that lower electric bill and vowing to hold out.  We currently have 4 kids in 4 different locations.  I am home while Nolan squeezes in a nap.  Sweet boy is such a trooper and just rolls with all of the busy-ness that we have, so I try to get naps in at home as much as we can.   Robert just left with Gavin for baseball pictures and a game.  Zachary is at a birthday party down the street and Jakeb is at a friends house. Yesterday we enjoyed a day mostly at home and enjoyed the fall weather rolling in.   Today is sunny and breezy  with just enough sun to be warm.   A great day for baseball.
I haven't written much lately...not for any reason other than I sit down to type and my thoughts don't really flow.  Driving in the car, taking a shower, sipping my coffee in the morning those are my thoughtful moments, well my most thoughtful.  We moved furniture around in the boys rooms this morning.  Nothing major...unbunked the beds and are shifting toys and what not again to the basement. Slowly but surely getting the basement back into a "hang out" room of sorts for the kids and for us.  
Our laundry list of things that need to be done in the house continues to grow but I still feel content here.  It's nice to have that feeling.  I didn't feel it in our other homes as much...I knew they were stepping stones of sorts.   I don't think we will be here forever but at the same time can almost see and feel that.  This house isn't all that I dream and envision but it's close...the big yard with a creek and room to grow.  The fixing of things and the lay out a resounding NO.   But we will get there one step at a time.   The boys are happy here.  It's home for sure.
The burst of energy I get at season change is always nice to get things done and shuffle things right out the door.   We always talk about garage sales and consignment sales and while I know the money is there to earn back...the work is just not worth it right now.  So out they go to good will or to new homes.  The ever growing mound of clothes I have needs to shrink some how.  Now with the foster care adventure fast approaching I need the extra clothes but the "for who" part is tough.   So I have to hold onto some and some things go.   So season changes are good for me, a clean out is always good.
Enjoy the day friends!

Twelve on Tuesday

1.  Not sure what is up with the giant pictures on the previous post...

2.  Nolan is fast approaching 2...crazy!

3.  It is also fast approaching winter...also crazy.  Today is for sure jean/long pants weather.  It's a bit chilly out!

4.  We had a break last week from school...we didn't go anywhere but it was VERY nice to get a few things finished around the house.

5.  We are STILL waiting on our approval...frustrating to say the least but um we REALLY need to get used to that...pretty sure that is par for the course for nearly every part of foster care.  

6.  Not too very long after Nolan turns 2...Zachary will be 10.  We will have 2 kids in double digits.  Wow.

7.  I went shopping with Jakeb the other day at the mall and it was very strange to be walking thru the mall on a Saturday night looking at all the teens and here I am walking with my Preteen...how did he get that old and also wasn't I just strolling thru the mall on a Saturday night with my friends?!  Weird.

8.  I also have a dr appt tomorrow about my hip pain....clearly I wasn't JUST a teen.   I have hip pain.  Awesome.

9.  I also have a dr appt on Friday about my foot pain...because I can't walk and fell down the stairs (that I have yet to finish) nearly a year ago and jacked my foot all up.   So that's also awesome.  But it kinda is because um a year ago?  and I am just now making myself go...yeah so it IS awesome actually.

10.  I love the cool weather but am not really ready for COLD weather.   I need a state that has 3 1/2 seasons.  I just want like a week of cold and snow....the dreary months of winter are just blah.

11.  Our pup Lucy is awesome but also a puppy and I am kinda over her chewing on things.

12.  Loving having the windows open!