And then there were 4

I have not written on here in forever and after much harrassment from my readers ( I love you guys) I figured I best update everyone. Well, first the BIG NEWS!!! After 13 years of being infertile and having almost adopted three children, I am NOW PREGNANT. I am still in major major shock of this and full of worry and such. I could really use your prayers. I am considered a high risk due to my age, weight and the fact that I have diabetes. I go for my first sonogram next thursday so I will find out more accurately how far along I am.
I have completed my first semester of College. I really enjoyed it and did really well grade wise. I am planning on still taking classes next semester but I am going to have to cut down on the number of classes.
The kids are extremely excited about Christmas. I am done shopping and just now need to get my house in order for company.
I pray all of you have a Beautiful Christmas and remember Jesus is the Reason for the season.

Thanksgiving

I havent written on here in forever. I thought I would take a moment and write down all of the things that I am thankful for.
My husband, who loves me unconditionally.
My children who are a gift from God.
A family that respects me.
Friends that are real and true and I can always count on them.
A loving GOD who loves me and is always there for me and always provides for me. He also dies for my sins. He is an awesome God.

Inspiring Heroes for Today's Youth

When I stop to think of all of the people in my life that have inspired me, I am quite shocked at how small the list really is. It takes a lot to ignite a passion in me. Those people that make it to my list are people who have made the difference in the lives of children. Children are my passion, and people that take the time in life to motivate and encourage them earn my respect.
One of the two people who inspires me is a man by the name of Dave Pelzer. He is the author of A Child Called It and several other books that give an account of the abuse that he endured in the hands of his unstable, alcoholic mother. His case was one of the most severe and gruesome cases of child abuse in California history. He suffered years of physical, mental and emotional abuse that I can not even fathom. His mother played such severe mind games with him and called him an “It.” He was sent to school in filthy clothing that didn’t even fit him and was fed scraps of food that even an animal wouldn’t touch. No one in the outside world knew the hell that he was living behind closed doors. Finally at the age of twelve, with the help of a teacher, he was rescued and removed from his home and went on to live a life where he circumvented the maze of the foster care system. When he got older he joined the armed forces. He is now a world recognized motivational speaker to teens and those in the human service professions. He tells his story and shows how you can make a difference in the world no matter what your background baggage may be. This is a man who has beaten the odds and has gone on to win many prestigious awards. Pelzer was honored as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Americans in 1993. I admire his strength and will to live. Without that he would have never made it through those hellish years alive.
The other person that inspires me is also a great motivator of today’s children. He is a young man named Ron Clark. Clark decided to leave his small town in North Carolina, live in Harlem, and teach some of the most challenging and troubled students. He was nominated Teacher of the Year in 2000, which was of no surprise to those whose lives have been affected by his teaching techniques. He has passion and huge amount of creativity to reach them. He uses his enthusiasm and love to encourage them. He shows the students that he cares about them and their success. Clark has written several bestsellers that are used to inspire teachers and parents alike. In the book Excellent 11, Clark shares the eleven qualities that he has seen in teachers that make a difference. These qualities are: enthusiasm, confidence, adventure, creativity, reflection, balance, compassion, humor, common sense, appreciation and resilience. I wish more teachers cared more about the lives they encounter everyday in their classrooms. Ron Clark is a teacher I wish I would have had in school.
These two men have been a strong example to me and have helped me to see the difference I have made as a foster parent. Many times I struggle with the feelings that I am not doing enough. I get called monthly to take in more foster children but I know my limits. There are so many children in this world that have never felt loved or like they are worth anything. When I look at my three children I remind myself where they might be if I had not taken them in. You can make a difference in the life of a child. All it takes is reaching one youngster at a time. I hope that I can inspire someone around me to reach out and make a difference.

Thank you for the Prayers

Thank goodness my sister did ok in her gallbladder surgery. I have been worried sick about her. The Dr. was able to remove it laproscopically. He said that he could tell that it had been giving her problems for a long while. I was giving myself an ulcer this morning because of worry and not being able to get in touch with any of my family to get an update.
Thank you for your prayers for her.

New Family Addition

Now that I have your attention!!!!!!!!We have a new addition to our family after much chiding from Reynaldo. Diego is Reynaldo's new hamster. I have to admit he is kind of cute but there ain't no way I am ever going to touch him. He gives me the heebie geebies. I have a fear of mice and he looks too much like one.
Reynaldo is besides himself with excitement. I love to see him so happy. He loves animals so much but is so allergic to everything. Jim thought we should name him MC Hamster. He is a dork. I like the Name Diego.

WIndy WIndy Day

What a windy day it is. Dominic was actually scared to be in a separate room then me because of the sound of it blowing at the house. He cracks me up because he can be so mature for his age and then there are times like this that he needs mommy.
We stayed home from church today unfortunately because Kiarrah is just not feeling well. She started an antibiotic yesterday for an upper respiratory infection. Poor thing has been pumped up with steroids and nebulizer treatments.
Yesterday was Dominic's 7th Birthday. Where has the time gone. I am just amazed at the fact that I have a 7 yr old. He has come so far. I remember when he was three and I was so worried about how he would be as he got older with his Aspergers. He is adjusting so well. We still need to work a little more on boundaries and social skills but wow. He has me amazed.
We went out for our traditional birthday breakfast with Grandma and Grandpa B. Dominic gorged himself in his favorite pancakes, french toast sticks, donuts and rolls. He is a major CARB JUNKIE. I don't know where he puts all of it. Actually I do. The kiddo gained 5 pounds in the past month due to his meds. We are in the process of switching the med now.
Last night we had a little get together with Dominics godparents. We enjoyed a football field cake and a few snacks. He was very happy with new games for his Playstation.
I was so relieved to be able to set my clock back an hour today.
This morning Dominic came in my room and told me that he would like to stay home with me and Kiarrah from church so that he can help take care of Kiarrah. I was onto him with this and asked him if he would still want to stay home if he couldn't play his play station. I got a scowl for that. He did stay home though. :)
I need to go get some homework done.

Long Weekend

It has been a long tiring weekend and I wish I could say tomorrow will be relaxing but it won't. Friday night I had English Class and the kids stayed with their "adoptive" grandma. She has been one of my bigger supporters in my life and I thank God for her all of the time. She always makes me feel so much better after I talk to her. She was so sweet. I came home to a nice quiet house with an empty kitchen sink. Jim was away singing in a concert in PA. She was like a proud mom because I came home with my first college Essay that had been graded and I had gotten an A. My parents and my my father in law has also been supportive of me going back to school. It has been such a scary step for me but people have been there to give me advice and encouragement when I needed it the most.
Saturday I got up early and went to a consignment sale at a church with my friend Chris. We were looking for items to buy at good prices to resell on eBay. That is how I make my Christmas money and just to help supplement our income. With my children I am not really able to work outside of the house. Now with school I can't really even do side jobs. It has been a pure faith way of living and God seems to always supply my families needs somehow. We never seem to go without when it is something we really need. You can check out my auctions here http://stores.ebay.com/Kiarrahs-Closet.
Today we had church and I have been studying off and on for a Huge Biology test tomorrow. I am really worried about it. It is so much information to try and absorb.
The kids have off tomorrow and my husband doesn't have to work. Maybe I will be able to sleep in a little. Jim is working security at our new church building tonight with Dominic until 11, so I know Dominic will be tired.
unfortunately, Kiarrah usually gets up early regardless of the time she goes to bed. Hopefully I can get her to play quietly in her room until at least 8am. Boy do I miss the days of sleeping in.
Back to the books I must go.

I'm leaving on a long bus.(sang to "I'm leaving on a Jet Plane")

While cleaning up my room yesterday, I noticed Kiarrah running through the hallway with her piggy bank. What gave it away? The jingle jangle of coinage in the plastic pig!! I asked her what she was doing and she said that Rey needed it for a bus. I figured they were pretending something which they do quite often. A few minutes later I go into Reynaldo's room to check on them and notice he is dressed like this and has a bad attitude. He was still pissed at me from something earlier in the day. I will blog on that later. I asked him what he was doing and he proceeded to tell me that he doesn't want to live here anymore and was leaving. I asked him where he was going and he said to MeMa's house and he was going to take a "big long people bus". Kiarrah piped up and said that was why she was giving him her money from her piggy bank. Why the need to be nice and share now my dear? I asked him how he was going to find a bus and he said He Would and He was getting out of here.
Please note what he is dressed in. There is no shirt under that jean jacket.
My husband came home a little while later and dealt with him. When I got home from school later that night I checked out his backpack to see what he had packed. He had all of his cars and motorcycles. The prized possessions. In the morning I told him that next time he decides to run away he really should wear sneakers, pack clothes and pack some food. He didn't like that too much. Notice the attitude in the picture. Today he loves living at home. I wonder why.

Spared me the clean up..

Today we had a birthday party for Reynaldo at a bowling alley. He had a few of his friends from church and school there along with his brother and sister. The kids really seemed to enjoy themselves while bowling. Kiarrah would throw the ball and then sit down to watch it slowly descend down the lane. Dominic was quite serious about his bowling and even got a spare. Reynaldo was just happy to be there. He is quite the social butterfly.
Grandma and Grandpa B came to join in the celebration. Grandpa B helped me tremendously by taking lots of pictures of the little ones. He is excellent in his picture taking skills. I can't wait to get the pictures and to scrap them.
We had a chocolate cake with the movie "CARS" theme.
I loved the fact that I didnt really have to do anything to prepare for this party. The bowling alley decorates the party room, provides the food, and even cleans up. Very stress free.
I think I got a Strike going this route for a party!!!!!!!!!!

Rage Triggers

I recently had to write on the essay "The Road Warrior" by Dave Barry and here is what came of it.

In the essay "The Road Warrior" , Dave Barry goes on a tangent explaining the cause and effects brought on by Road Rage. His comical viewpoints of life also enlighten us on other causes of rage.

While pondering my everyday life, as a full time mommy, I see many other trigger points for rage. How about public bathroom rage? It can be set off by a lone unflushed and clogged toilet, or a scarcity of "one-ply and it ain't Angel Soft" toilet paper in every stall.

There is also the Expresslane rage. Ten items or less is severely challenged when the old lady ahead of you has about 50 cans of cat food in her shopping cart(or buggy has my best friend from West Virginia calls it :) ). When this is brought to her attention, she says, "But they are all the same brand" This rage has caused customers to become hostile with their shopping carts and while throwing items on the conveyor belt.

The most recent rage trigger I have participated in is the TMX Elmo RAGE, AKA, Hottest Toy for Christmas Rage". Women and men alike abandon all niceties and race to the back of the store to the toy section. Children and old people become victims of hit and runs with shopping carts. As these parents scan the shelves in search of the red furry, top secret friend, a collision occurs that resembles a pileup on Interstate 80. The uncontrollable laughter that marketing claims Elmo will bring is null and void. The few lucky folks that have mastered their football skills leave with Elmo in hand unscathed. TMX Elmo Rage can be found at the store nearest you.

Everyday Life as a Mommy

The life of a parent is not an easy feat. I don’t think I was fully prepared for how my everyday life would change with being a parent, let alone a parent to special needs children. It can be extremely chaotic, demanding and there are days when I don’t know whether I am coming or going. As crazy as things can get though, I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
My oldest son, Dominic, has ADHD, Sensory Integration Disorder and Aspergers Syndrome. He is a child who thrives best when his life is highly structured, as do most Autistic children. He is rigid when it comes to his routines and he can be very demanding. He likes things to always be the same everyday. For example, I know when he gets home from school he will throw his stuff on the floor, have a huge glass of water and start on his homework. I wish I could tell him that he can always have things the same but that isn’t the way life is. He also enjoys spending time by himself. He will play for hours in his room. My day is spent helping him to cope with the slightest change in routine, fixing him his staple food of peanut butter and jelly and working with him on his social skills. Our conversations are usually very predictable because commonly most children with Aspergers become very fixed on one topic. For the past month our conversations have been about football. Like most 7 year olds, he enjoys playing his play station, playing catch in the yard with Daddy and fighting with his younger siblings. Although a day with Dominic can be very demanding, it is consistent.
My younger son, Reynaldo, is quite the opposite of Dominic. He is dramatic and his behavior is erratic. He has Bipolar Disorder and you never know what mood he will be in. There are days when you feel like you are standing in the path of a tornado, get hit by it and then have to deal with cleaning up the aftermath. He can also be very emotional and sensitive. He craves attention and needs to be reassured that I am here
for him and love him. He was placed in three other homes before we got him as a foster child at nine months old. Sometimes I pour so much love into him and he is like a sponge but it just doesn’t totally quench his thirst. My day with him is spent redirecting negative behavior, giving lots of hugs and kisses and cleaning up after his rages. It is emotionally draining being a parent to a child with a mood disorder. I have to constantly keep my mood in check because everyone knows that the mommy sets the mood for the day. He also has ADHD and Sensory Integration Disorder. Due to the sensory issues, Reynaldo, like his brother, has problems with his clothing feeling right, food choices due to texture issues and a need for sensory seeking activities to self regulate. It is a challenge parenting him and handling the moods and rages but he has taught me to be more passionate about life. He cares about the little things that others might not notice. He also is always looking out for the underdog.
My youngest child is very spirited, stubborn and bossy. She keeps me on my toes all day with her crayon wielding, swinging from the ceiling fan, getting into everything, ways. Impulse control is not a part of Kiarrah’s genetic makeup due to ADHD. I spend my day with her doing safety patrol, participating in tea parties and dress up and repeating to her that she needs to make good behavior choices. She is very headstrong in her actions and we clash often. I find myself arguing with her quite often and will end many conversations with,” You are not my boss. I am your mommy.” She has a love for mischief and has gotten into her share of baby powder, Vaseline and toothpaste. I do have to admit she is very artistic with these products. She is my only girl and even at the age of three I am getting a glimpse of the challenges that lie ahead with raising her.
I may end my day completely exhausted, emotionally drained, but there is one fact that remains. I love being a mommy to my three children. I know God knew what he was doing when he brought them into my life under unusual circumstances. My everyday life before having children was pretty boring compared to my adventurous life now.

Up Before the Birds

Why is it that when I get up extra early to take a shower and have some quiet time the kids all decide it is time to get up? Sure enough it happened this morning. I figured I would get up and do that so that way I could go participate in the TMX Elmo hunt when the stores opened.
I also have two papers I have to write today. Fun Fun Fun. Can you sense my enthusiasm?

Little White Lies

She is so cute isn't she? But don't let that look fool you. She has been giving me such a run for my money lately. She has discovered how to lie to mommy. Any advice?? She is so sneaky too. I sure love her a lot but boy is she tougher to raise then the boys have been.

Back to School Night

Last night was back to school night for the boy's school. My husband and I both went to it which was like a nice little free date. Just getting to spend time together without the kids is a treat. I really liked both of the teachers and I Love the new principal. She seems to really have a heart for the children and seems to focus more on the positives then the negatives. Be change from the previous principal.
This little Poem was in the packet from one of the teachers and I really liked it though I thought I would share.

The Unity Poem
( Author Unknown)
I dreamed I stood in a studio
And watched two sculptors there.
The clay they used was a young child's mind
And they fashioned it with care.
One was a teacher, the tools he used
were books and music and art.
The other was a parent with a guiding hand
and a gentle loving heart.
Day after day, the teacher toiled with touch
That was deft and sure.
While the parent labored by his side
And polished and smoothed it o'er.
And when at last their task was done,
They were proud of what they had wrought
For the things they had molded into the child
Could never be sold or bought.
And each agree they would have failed
If each had worked alone.
For behind the parent stood the school
And Behind the teacher, the home.

It all Adds Up

I am taking an online math class for College and I took my first test tonight. I am so excited. I scored a 97%. YEA!!!! I am going to have to still study because I struggled to get some of those answers especially dealing with Exponents and Order of Operations. While doing those I would hold my breath when I would submit my answer. It was a little nerve wracking.

Reynaldo is Another Year Older

On the 10th Reynaldo turned six. The boys really think that is cool because they are both six for 1 1/2 months. On that Saturday before we met good friends of ours at Jose Tejas to celebrate. That is Reynaldos favorite restaurant. It has become a tradition. We took a little cake and the waiters and waitresses sang Happy Birthday to him. He was thrilled with his new Soccer Ball that he received. After all he is going to be the Worlds Famous Soccer Player. My husband and I bought him clothes and a baseball mitt and ball.
On Sunday he spent some time with his godfather and his girlfriend. They went to the park and kicked the ball around. He loved the attention and it meant the world to him.
He is having abowling party at the end of the month with his friends from school and from church.

To blog or not to Blog

I love to blog but I am a little frustrated this morning. I am very happy that many people love to read my blog but sometimes I need to write and I just can't share what I want to get out because I don't want to offend people that read it. I need to get some stuff off of my chest but I don't want others to look at me different. It is such a tough thing because you would love some feedback but at the same time others might be involved. Know what I mean? Guess these posts will have to be ones for the good old Diary.

AHHHHH A Moment of Peace

Life is insanely busy right now and I have been horrible about writing on my blog. So much as been going on lately. School started for the kids and myself. The boys are adjusting. Reynaldo still hates school and we have nightly battles over homework. Papers get wadded up and pencils go flying. I just don't know how to make it better for Reynaldo. He seems so apprehensive while waiting for the bus in the morning. Dominic on the other hand loves school and comes in and starts his homework right away. He talks my ear off about everything he did that day and I love seeing him like this.
My classes are going really well. I am not to nervous about my English and Math class but I am worried about Biology. I am trying to get myself structured and getting used to studying. That part has been alittle difficult because I am also trying to keep my household in order.
There is a nice mix of people in my classes or varying ages which comforts me. I still get extremely nervous when I leave for class but I am able to calm down alittle. I am just so afraid of having a full blown panic attack. I have been spending a lot of time praying before class. :)
Kiarrah is having a hard time with me being gone more but that will take time. She begs me to take her and promises that she will be good. It is good for her and the boys to have some more time with daddy.
Back to the Books......

Back to School

The kids have started school this week and I am enjoying the little bit of free time to get things accomplished. Dominic loves school and comes home so happy and excited and talkative. If you know Dominic you will know that this is close to a miracle considering he has Aspergers and can be very closed up. He has come so far and I can say it is because of early intervention and therapy. He still has his times but loves to learn. He is like a sponge and learns so visually. He forgot one of the teachers names but could spell it.
Reynaldo on the other hand hates school with a passion. The first day he went back he was so anxious and couldn't sleep which is understandable. I remember feeling that way before school started when I was a child. He left with a smile and found a frown to bring home. Homework time is even worse. He is already struggling with remembering. We really need to have him tested for auditory processing.
He seems to be regulating his moods at school Thank goodness but seems to be very explosive when he comes home again. I need to take him to have his blood work done again to see if his meds for Bipolar are still at a therapeutic level.

The long Car Ride

The battles of getting Reynaldo to eat

Reynaldo is still not eating well for me and is still not putting on weight. Dominic has informed us why this is. He sure saved me a trip to the Dr. Dominic's theory is that Reynaldo is not hungry because he eats his finger nails!!! Why didn't I think of that.

What a Morning

Kiarrah threw a temper tantrum from the moment she woke up today. She wanted Fruit snacks and I would not give in. The deal lately has been if she stays dry at school with no accidents she can have a pack of fruit snacks as a reward. She screamed and kicked with real tears. I can't understand how the boys managed to sleep through it. No Dear Kiarrah, Mommy is not going to give in to you even though you are adorable.

Pictures from Trip

Dominic and Cousin Timmy



Aunt Jaimeers and Kiarrah







Rey Enjoying Aunt Mindi and Uncle Todd's Pool

Back from Vacation

We arrived back home Sunday night, late, after a wonderful vacation spent with family and friends in Indiana. The kids had a blast spending a lot of time outside swimming, playing ball and running with cousins. It was a very relaxing time and I dreaded come back to Jersey. I guess I am not such a city girl after all. I enjoyed sitting on my parents porch listening to the cicada's and watching cars and people walk by in slow motion. Heck people are just downright friendly. I walked into a store and asked where to find something and I was greeted with " Well, First of all Welcome honey and let me show you where to find that". Sales clerks actually offer to help you find something. Everything just seems so much more laid back. This whole visit made be want to "get the heck out of Dodge".
I got to see my sisters. All I can say is WOW about my sister Jaimee. She looks amazing. She had gastric bypass a year ago. She is less than half the person she was.
My grandparents have gotten so much older and that really saddened me. I spent some good quality time with them though.
My mom made some amazing meals as usual and we went to my Aunts for dinner one night for her wonderful lasagna.
The trip out was not a joy. Reynaldo and Kiarrah fought the whole way and we also hit so much construction. Also it was hard to find a hotel due to Little League world series being held. They jacked up all the prices at the ones that did have rooms available.
On the way back home we stopped in Ohio for a visit with Jim's Aunt and Uncle. We enjoyed a meal with them and visited for a few hours. Hi Aunt was another person who looked amazing. She had the surgery too. I didn't recognize her at all.
The trip home was uneventful. Same sibling fighting and construction but that is to be expected.
I will try to post some pictures later.

Bullies and Jesus

While sitting on the porch waiting for Kiarrah to get home from her program, Reynaldo asked me why we always talk about Jesus. After I gave him an explanation he then proceeded to ask me why Bullies don't talk about Jesus. He then said that they should. Out of the mouths of babes.

Aspergers

Dominic got in big trouble at camp yesterday. With everything that has been happening with him lately and his anger I am worried about what lies ahead. We had gone through such a wonderful lull.
I really need to work with him on his social skills. I will admit he has been dealing with a rough bunch of kids at camp and he wants to fit in so bad. There was a boy that kept cutting in line and Dominic had had enough and decided to spit in the boys face. I was shocked because he had never done that before. I tried to explain to him that he can't take matters into his own hands because then he is the one that will get into trouble. How do you teach a child to stand up for themselves but yet not hurt the other child? He doesn't read social cues very well like most children with Aspergers and I see how it can cause some problems for him. 1st grade should be interesting.

I hate Racism

You know, Some people just really irritate me. I took the kids to the park after church on Sunday to get all their hyperness out. While there the boys were playing with two other little boys, one of which was very aggressive. All of the boys were playing rough. One of them kept throwing the mulch at Dominic and he was getting very angry. Dominic started throwing stuff back at him and then Reynaldo stepped in because no matter how much Dom and him fight, Rey is very loyal and hates to see others being picked on. He decided to shove the boy. THEY WERE ALL GUILTY AS CHARGED. I headed over in that direction to intervene. ( I usually try to let the boys work things out on their own until it gets out of control)The mother of the other boys gets there first and starts yelling at MY children. I froze. I didn't even know what to do because she had a very strong attitude. I proceeded to pull the boys away from her and apologized and said that all of them were out of control and they need to keep their hands to themselves and stop throwing stuff. She gives me a dirty look when we walk away.
I proceeded to put the boys in a time out because of what they did. When I let them go play Dominic decided to go play ball with two little Polish kids. He was having a blast and my other two children were playing on the jungle gym.
The mother of the two boys from earlier comes over to me and says REALLY Loud with Attitude ( head bobbling finger waving) "You see your boy over there? You need to tell him to come back here on the equipment. Someone could take him. You need to watch him". I was shocked. First of all, He was close by. Anyone that knows me, knows that I am very overprotective of my kids and can be very neurotic while out in public with them. They have to be right by me. I know the dangers that lurk out there and I deal with anxiety daily over something happening to them. Dominic was not in any danger, He was close by, there were a lot of kids playing over there. After she said this to me she went back to her table of friends and proceeded to talk all loud and look at me. I didn't make Dominic come over to me. In fact the woman I was speaking to prior to her announcement rolled her eyes and was like " What's her problem?" Here is where the racism comes in. I am white, my kids are black and Hispanic and she was black. She obviously has a problem with me and my children. Why did she only say something to me about my child? Why didn't she go to the other parents whose children were farther away? She accomplished what she wanted. She upset me and it has bothered me for days. Why are people like this?

Peaceful Day

The kids and I had a pretty enjoyable day today. Kiarrah went to her program this morning and then the boys and I met her there for a visit with the psychiatrist. He went fairly well. He decided to add a medicine to help her sleep at night. She is always so wired in the evenings. It is like she held her hyperactivity in all day and needed to just let it all out at night. So she is hyper all evening and can't relax to fall asleep. After that, we went and say the movie Barnyard. We all really enjoyed it.Kiarrah decided that she wants a Branyard. Do I have a little farm girl on my hands? I met my friend Dawn and her daughter afterwards at the mall and we had an early dinner followed by a trip to the park that didn't last long due to RAIN!!! I could barely see the road coming home. All in all a pretty decent day with only a few battles of the Wills. Kiarrah threw a tantrum at bedtime with her usually " I hate my room, I hate my bed, I wanna sleep in your bed mommy. Needless to say she is sleeping on the floor in the boys nice and cool room. We have another storm coming through and I had to shut all the windows.

Blessings

" Those who have had the easiest of lives, have missed the Greatest of God's Blessings"
Charles Stanley

I heard this quote on the radio the other night and it really struck a cord with me.

Yes, God Does Plan Adoptions

I recently got a response to my post When God brings you to it, He will see you through it that really saddened me. The women felt that I was wrong in saying that God plans adoptions. In fact she finds it offensive when people say that. She compared saying that to saying God plans Rapes, Fires, murders, floods, dieases, cancers and many other horrible things. If you look at the top of my blog you will see that I have the verse Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Unforunately Bad things happen around us all the time. I don't beleive that God causes these things to happen whether it be something personal in our life like an illness or something devastating like 9-11. Man kind insists on self- destruction . "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" (Jeremiah 17:9) "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder,adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander". (Matthew 15:19) God might allow us to go through things. I feel that sometimes He allows these things so that we might see the true evilness of man. He wants us to change. He wants us to turn towards him and follow him. I beleive that there are a lot of things that God does protect us from that we never know about.
I do not place Adoption in the same category as a natural disaster as the writer of the comment did. I feel that my husband and I were used to bring my children out of their circumstances just like many other adoptive parents. God sees the big picture and knew the children I would adopt. As far as parents who must give up their children, no , it is not God's desire for them not to handle the task, but if they are not able to handle the task, someone else has to be raised up. God doesn't want us to go through the hurts. In fact in the beginning we were made perfect by God but our own desires and curiousity takes things in a different direction.
I praise God for the fact that some people have the discerment to recognize that they need to place their children elsewhere. I met the B mom of my middle son. She loved her son with her whole heart but was just not able to care for him and provide him with a safe and healthy home environment. She loved him so much that she did an identified surrender. She wanted us to adopt him. She knew we were a Christian home and wanted him with us. I know she felt pain to let him go but her child's deliverance was a gift. " All good and perfect gifts are from above" I don't feel that God's Plan was for that baby to be for us when he was placed in her womb but God knew that she would have a choice and knew this child would be adopted.
The author of the comment uses the word blame. Offering thanks and blaming are two different things. God is a Sovereign God but yet he doesn't force us to do as He wants us to do. We have that Free Will.
So Yes I do think God had a big part in adoption of my children. Look at all the children in the world that are orphans. Is this all part of God's perfect will? There are too many children in this world that are without families that just float around in the foster system. I know that there are people in this world that are going to choose the route of adoption. We are all given a free will to choose which path in life we are going to take. God knew I would be faced with infertility and He had another plan for my life. With his prodding I was able to see what He had planned for my family. He sees the big picture and has my whole life planned out. I give Him all the Praise and Glory.

Tea Time

I have a huge smile on my face. I received a wonderful surprise in the mail today. One of my best friends decided to surprise me with a box of assorted teas, a mug , tea bag plate and other accessories. She is too good to me and I am blessed to know her. The tea will really come in handy because of my cold. I am off to fix myself a nice cup of mango tea.

PCO's

I am so sick of my PCO's. Why do I have to lose hair on my head but have hair grow on my chin.?It is so darn frustrating. Why do I have to struggle so hard to drop some weight? It seems like everything is against me sometimes.

Berry Good Time

After vetoing our plan to go to the beach due to mine and Jim's cold, we decided to go to a farm in Princeton to do some berry picking. We soaked up some sunrays as we picked Blueberries and Blackberries. I was really hoping for Raspberries but they were extremely scarce. Kiarrah was an excellent blueberry picker and got very excited when she saw large ones.
We also visited the store for corn and peaches.
The kids moods were not the best today and it was a bit frustrating dealing with them on the ride out there. We just didn't want to stay home. The three of them have been fighting like cats and dogs. When does school start? I am counting down the days.

Personality test

After reading Kari's post this morning I decided to try the personality test myself. I really wasn't shocked by my results. It even confirms my desire to be a nurse.
Life as an INFJ
(Introvert, Intuitive, Feeler, Judger)

People of this type tend to be: creative, original, and independent; thoughtful, warm, and sensitive; global thinkers with great passion for their unique vision; cautious, deliberate, and planful; organized, productive, and decisive; reserved and polite.

The most important thing to INFJs is their ideas, and being faithful to their vision.

When God Brings you to it, He will see you through it

When my husband and I decided to adopt our children, we had so many people ask us if we were sure we wanted to and could handle adopting children that had special needs. At the time of adoption, Dominic was evaluated and we knew what his needs were. We knew from the first day of having him in our home that he was to be our child. I always told people "How could we not adopt him?" When you give birth to a child, you don't always know if that child is going to be 100% healthy and problem free.
When Reynaldo started to show signs of some major issues after adoption, I didn't question adopting him. I think real love is blind to those issues. I knew we could get through it. I also knew he was the child for me. God had blessed us with children in his way. For a long time when I prayed I wanted God to fill my womb with a child. I was so adamantly against fostercare because I love children so much and would get very attached. I couldn't handle the disappointment if the child would have to leave to go back to family.
While walking down the the long road of infertility, I was assaulted with Foster care everywhere I went. I couldn't get away from it. It was in articles I read in magazines, in novels I read and in conversations with people I met. What was God trying to tell me. There was a need so great out there. God gently prepared us for the road less traveled. He had a plan for us and we didn't even know it yet. I remember one Sunday in church during that time when the Pastor spoke about how God answers our prayers but not always the way that we want them answered. It hit me that God was going to bless us with a child. We had decided to take the classes and get licensed and work with boarder babies.
We were taught that most of these children do have some kind of physical or emotional problems. We knew that early intervention was key and we needed to be an advocate for the children. I can't even fathom the life that these children would have had if they were not taken in and adopted. We took each child in and loved them with our whole heart. You can't be a good foster parent in my opinion if you don't give your whole heart. These children need to know that they are safe, that they can attach and know you are there, and need to know you love them. I remember when we got Reynaldo. This child was so floppy and like a rag doll. He didn't cry. It was like he had never attached to anyone. It broke my heart. We had been his fourth placement during the first 9 months of his life. I will never forget when he first cried and the look of surprise on his face when I answered his cry. From that moment on we bonded. He clung to me and loved attention. I poured it on thick because he needed it. It was almost like he was a sponge. He couldn't get enough love. As he has grown I can see how , not getting that love and attention and special bonding during his first nine months of life has affected him. I know he is better than he could be but I see how that lack of love has changed him. Through therapy I have learned that I can't go back and change that fact in his life. I can't make up for it. Only through Gods help can that time in his life be healed. He is loved and nurtured now and we have made a difference in his life. See God had a plan. When Rey starting showing signs of his BiPolar I will admit I was very upset and having a pity party. I was angry at God. I questioned him. I didn't feel like I could handle two children with special needs. I was overwhelmed and feeling scared. Family members asked me if I was sure I would be able to handle him. At first I got so angry at them for even saying that but looking back I saw that they were concerned for me and my health with my stress level. Only with God's help have I made it over that hurdle of self-doubt.
When we got Kiarrah and she showed signs of Major ADHD I knew that we were in for it. She is a very strong willed child. I knew then that we had reached our cap on kids. Maybe in a few years when my children are in school we will be able to open our home back up to another child. Right now we feel like we have reached our limit. My husband and I have been able to love them and raise them with their disablities because we have a partnership. The main reason we have the strength to do it is because we rely on our faith in God. He helps us. When God brings you to it. He will see you through it.

Ravenous

My 5 year old is really driving me crazy these past few days. He has a tendency to talk me into cooking or preparing something for him to eat and then he doesn't want to eat. Or he will ask me for seconds and I will just give him alittle bit and he doesn't eat it. I will even ask him if he is sure he is still hungry before I give it to him. He will pull this a lot at suppertime and then wake up ravenous and demanding breakfast right then and there. Dear son let me wake up first.

Summer Cold

I am just downright miserable today. I have an awful summer cold and can't breathe through my nose.
Yesterday, I found someplace for all the kiddos to be and I took Jim out to dinner for his birthday. We had a gift certificate from Christmas that we had not used yet so we went there for lunch. I really did not want to go but I knew it isn't often I get a babysitter. His birthday is actually today but he is singing at a church all day today. He was there last night too.
He ordered a steak and was in pure heaven. I ordered a fancy tuscany turkey sandwich but I couldn't taste a single thing.
Today I am going to make Jim Spaghetti which he will be thrilled about.
I pray that the kids will behave today because I am feeling so worn out and short tempered.
I am off to find some kleenex.

It's a part of Life

My son Dominic asked me this morning if I was going to die when I get old. I said yes, and then he asked if Daddy was going to die too. I said " Yes everyone dies when they get old (not wanting to get into the fact that some people might even die when they are young)but he didn't need to worry about that right now because mommy and daddy aren't going anywhere right now and he will be a grown man with a family of his own when we die". He was very upset and started to cry. He had brought it up again later and it seems to really be bothering him. I would love some advice on this if anyone feels like sharing.

Wet Pants Story

I received this in an email today and it really touched me. I am not sure who the authors is. We could all learn a lesson from this.

WET PANTS STORY
Come with me to a third grade classroom....
There is a nine-year-old kid sitting at his desk
and all of a sudden
there is a puddle between his feet
and the front of his pants
are wet.
He thinks his heart is going to stop
because he cannot possibly imagine how this has happened.
It's never happened before,
and he knows that when the boys find out he will never hear the end of it.
When the girls find out,
they'll never speak to him again
as long as he
lives.
The boy believes his heart is going to stop,
he puts his head down and prays this prayer,
"Dear God, this is an emergency!
I need help now!
Five minutes from now I'm dead meat."
He looks up from his prayer and here comes the teacher
with a look in her eyes that says
he has been discovered.
As the teacher is walking toward him,
a classmate named Susie is carrying a goldfish bowl that is filled with water.
Susie trips in front of the teacher
and inexplicably dumps the bowl of water
in the boy's
lap.
The boy pretends to be angry,
but all the while is saying to himself,
"Thank you, Lord!
Thank you, Lord!"
Now all of a sudden, instead of being the object of ridicule,
the boy is the object of sympathy.
The teacher rushes him downstairs and gives him gym shorts to put on
while his pants dry out.
All the other children are on their hands and knees
cleaning up around his desk.
The sympathy is wonderful.
But
as life would have it,
the ridicule that should have been his
has been transferred to some one else -
Susie.
She tries to help, but they tell her to get out.
"You've done enough,
you klutz!"
Finally,
at the end of the day,
as they are waiting for the bus,
the boy walks over to Susie and whispers,
"You did that on purpose, didn't you?"
Susie whispers back, "I wet my pants once too."

My Son Dominic

I have had a few people ask me about my children and I thought I would share alittle bit of there story with you my readers.
Dominic was our first foster child back in 2000. We got him directly from the hospital at two months of age. He was born addicted to Crack Cocaine and Heroin and had to go through a rough withdrawal. He had almost died and had to be resuscitated. When we got him at 2 months he was pretty much over the withdrawal except for some minor tremors. He had hypertonic muscles especially in his hip region. We got him into early intervention and he started Physical therapy right away.
Dominic has always been a pretty happy child and was developing a little ahead of schedule, which was a blessings despite his challenges at birth. When he was around two he started to show a lot of aggression and a lot of repetitive behaviors. We was obsessed with light switches and shutting cabinet doors and drawers. He also started lining up cars and other toys. He would throw temper tantrums quite often and wanted this his way. At first we had thought it was because we had taken in another child who was younger than him and also the terrible twos. His aggression became very scary because it was all focused on our middle child, Reynaldo. We was hit and bit and almost pushed down the stairs. After going through some evals we were given a diagnosis on PDD-NOS which later was changed to Aspergers. Life was rough with him for a few years but after therapy with Dr.'s and through a preschool disabled program and many meds, he is doing wonderful. He is a lot more social then he was but still prefers to be by himself. He loves for things to be quiet and on his terms. He hates change and it is hard for him to have to change anything. He is an extremely picky eater and for a while there he was living on P,B&J only.
He started Kindergarten last fall in a mainstream class with a fulltime aid. After a few months of that we removed the aide. He was doing wonderful on is own. He is extremely bright and loves school. I am so proud of how far he has come. He also has issues with ADHD & sensory integration disorder and we do a brushing technique on him. I haven't done it that much this summer because he has been going to camp and gets a lot of sensory input from outside play.
I have seen some instances where his social skills are lacking. He has a hard time reading social cues from others and doesn't seem to notice when other children are mad at him. He likes things his way too so I am sure that doesn't help. We really need to work on those things more. My Dominic is now 6 1/2 and getting ready to start 1st grade. We had adopted him in Nov of 2003 along with our other son Reynaldo. His birthmother gave birth to him and walked out of the hospital and was never heard from or seen again. A birthfather was never named. The adoption had taken quite awhile because the caseworker had to keep searching for the birthmother. She never was located.

I am Crabby

I am soooo crabby. I can't stand this heat!! Ok now I feel better! I managed to clean my daughters toy chest and closet out today and have 1 bag of stuff to donate and I had a lot to throw out. I had to be slick though because she kept trying to look in the bag. I can't imagine how much worst this will get as she gets older.
I need to get some storage bins for the boys toys. All relatives reading this.. Please do not buy my kids toys for Christmas that have a zillion pieces. They are so hard to keep sorted.

I had thrown out a dirty old tennis ball that Reynaldo had found and he just about had a fit. He is a true pack rat. My mother would say he takes after me but I have changed my ways since I got my children. The less you have, the easier it is to keep your house clean.
Back to my cleaning I must go..

Can you feel the cool air?

AWWWWWW...... Air Conditioning! What would we do without it. I have been complaining lately that I wish we had central air. It has been so hot and the heat has really been getting to me. No wonder I love Fall and Winter. I guess I should be thankful and feel blessed for that fact that we own an air conditioner.
I decided to stay home from church today. It is going to be a scorcher of a day and I can't imagine being in a hot building, trying to keep my kids with me while I hobble on my leg and the driving there. I am really not supposed to be driving anyway.
I am going to clean my house. I need to give some stuff away and get organized. When my house is a mess, I feel so out of control. I am going to play some uplifting music and get to work.

My Life Group

I am so thankful for the ladies in my Wednesday night lifegroup. I look so forward to spending the evening with them studying God's Word and just getting to know each of them individually. We are each so different but yet we mesh together so well. God knew what he was doing when he put us together. When we had a tough situation regarding childcare and I was so worried about how we could handle this they all pulled together and came up with a solution. We are like a family. We love and care about each other and when someone is missing we aren't the same.
I just pray that we will continue to Grow in the Lord and closer to each other.
Sisters if you are reading this I love ya!!!

Night of Terrors.

My Little "World's famous Soccer Player" Reynaldo had a horrible night of night terrors last night. It had been awhile since he had last them. It bothers me that he is still having them but thank goodness they are not everynight like before. I made a bed for him on my floor and he laid there crying while I tried to "WAKE" him up. He would respond but it was like he was just not there. Nights like these always scare me. Finally he calmed down and drifted off to sleep. I awoke an hour later with him crying again and he looked like he was literally running on his side. Finally I had him just climb in bed with us so he would feel more secure and I could hold him. I couldn't keep getting up with my foot like it is.
All I could do was prayer for him and hold him and we went back to sleep.

A Big Flip and then Flop..

Call me a Klutz but I now have a possible torn ligament in my foot. I was trying to think of a creative reason for my mishap but the plain truth is quite cominical if the truth be told. My darling little girl loves to leave things laying around the house. While traveling through my house saturday night and flipping off lights on my way to my bedroom, I stumbled on something in the hallway and landed very wrong on my foot and heard a snap, crack, pop sound that puts Rice Krispies to shame. I also jarred my hip. The obstacle in my path was a lime green and purple Flip Flop Sandal that belongs to the little "Fashion Princess" herself. Sunday I took a trip to the Er with my husband ,after my children were in the care of my in laws, and went through X-Rays to my foot, ankle and hip. They drugged me with a pain pill, wrapped me up in an ace bandage and air cast and proceeded to give me a quick tutorial in Crutches 101. After making an attempt to walk with them without landing on my face they had me sign papers and sent me on my way. I was given strict instructions to ice it, keep it elevated and take the meds. How do you stay off your foot with three little monkeys running around who still "need" me for everything. Fat Chance at resting. I have been doing my best!! My darling husband has had to pick up the slack and take on my duties. Can you hear my little violins playing for him? Welcome to my World of Kids!!
Why couldn't I have least been trying a new dance move? Or skiing the French Alps ? Note to self.......Enforce a Zero tolerance for flip flop offenders.

" You Can't Marry Him"

It seems like forever since I have taken the time to Blog. I haven't even read the blogs that I usually read. I feel so out of touch with people's lives.

Saturday my daughter Kiarrah and I went to a Bridal Shower for "Auntie Frances" It was a nice little shower with Fran's close friends and family. Kiarrah got all dressed up in a party dress and lace socks and her church shoes. She even matched the party decorations with the colors she was wearing. Kiarrah is not very happy about Fran marrying Seth. She told Fran that she can't marry Seth because she wanted to marry him. She has a little crush on him. Fran's mom asked me if I though we could train Kiarrah to say that at the wedding when the minister asked if anyone objects. She is being serious. My son Dominic is going to be the ringbear at that wedding. I can't wait to see him all dressed up.

TGIF

I woke up this morning feeling like crap. I had one of my horrible migraines yesterday and it never totally went away. When I take the meds for it they make me very nauseous and give me an overall feeling of ugh. I am still not feeling great but I am trying to push myself.
My husband is in a big Challenge concert tonight at a neighboring church. I would really like to be there to show my support. I even have a sitter lined up so I have to go!!!!!! How often do we get a sitter?
I actually got my placement test scores back today. I was shocked at how fast I got them. I have to take basic math (BIG SHOCK THERE.... NOT). I did pretty well in English and I will be going right into a regular English class. Hopefully I can register for classes next week.
Tomorrow we are going to go up to a Lake. It is going to be really hot and humid this weekend. Nice cool water sounds good to me.

Random Pictures

Reynaldo with his pirate hat
They loved playing in this tunnel at the park
AAAyAy Matey
Brothers by chance, Friends by Choice

Wishing On Eyelashes

Dominic learned somewhere that if you have an eyelash that falls out you can make a wish on it. I think he learned it from his Godmother. Well, anyway he made a wish and later I saw him pulling out an eyelash or two and he was wishing on them. I told him to stop and that it doesn't work like that. He proceeded to tell me that he forgot to check his game box to see if his wish came true and he got new games for his playstation. He is too much!!!!

College here I come

I got wonderful news yesterday from the Financial aid Department at the college I will be going to in Sept. I qualified for a Pell Grant and it looks like it will cover everything. I just pray that my books aren't outrageously priced. I am going to buy used ones anyway. Today I am going to take my placement tests. I am actually quite nervous about it and I am trying to get the butterflies in my stomach calmed down.
After we get these results back I can then register for my first semester of classes.

A forever Family wanted

After a very rough night with my ReyRey and KiKi I decided to stay home from church today. Reynaldo cried all night off and on and even woke up crying. I am not sure what was bothering him. He had been doing so well on his meds and I am hoping that it was just due to being overtired. He just seemed so stressed. Kiarrah was up too asking for water, food and to be held. Gotta love those middle of the night huggie moments but I am so tired today. She didnt want to sleep in her own bed either which meant Jim didn' t sleep well either because she is a bed hog.
After breakfast I decided to take them to the park to run around and enjoy the beautiful weather. It was a gorgeous day. I sat and talked to the people around me and met a beautiful young girl named Amanda.
She had asked me if I was a foster parent. I think she had overheard a conversation I was having with a man next to me. He was there with his grandson. She went on to tell me that she is a foster child and had just gotten into an argument with her foster mother and had left the house. We sat and talked for awhile and I gave her an ear because she was really upset and seemed to really need to talk. I was amazed at how open she was. I told her that she needed to go home and let her foster mother know where she was because she would be worried. I even offered to use my phone and call the mom. After an hour of talking to her I took her home and guess what... No one was home. I didnt know what to do but I needed to get my kids home. I gave her my telephone number and told her to call me collect if her foster mother wasn't home after awhile. She called me two hours later and still no one was home. I drove back out to her house a little after I hung up with her because I was really worried about her. No one was in sight. I just pray that she is ok. I am hoping maybe the family came home and they went somewhere together. I really wish I had the room for her but we just can't do it. I don't even have room in my car. She had told me that she was hoping to be adopted soon. She was just a sweet sweet girl. She is just another child out there that wants a forever family.

Crystal Clear Water on a Hot Summer Day

We spent a nice relaxing day today at our town pool. The kids had a blast and loved every minute of it. I am so glad we went. We were originally going to go to the beach but we weren't sure if the one we wanted to go to would be open due to the government shut down. Plus the thought of coming home all sandy was not appealing.
This pool was nice. They have a baby wading pool and then a big one starting at 2 feet. Perfect for my little munchkins. Dominic was all over the place and can actually swim a little. He was even doing somersaults underwater. He really wanted to go jump off the diving board and got up there to try 4 times but he just got too scared, poor thing. We told him maybe next time. This was all his idea too btw. Reynaldo started off on the steps only but after about an hour he decided to join the fun. He was still a little cautious but went in more than I have seen him. Kiarrah is like Dominic and is part fish. She loves to stick her head under water.
We definitely plan on going back there. I know I could even take the kids there myself and be able to handle it. There are lifeguards everywhere and the way they have everything set up is just so accessible.

Race

I read an article today that really upset me. I have thinking a lot lately about my children and their different races and the difficulty we have in actually not knowing their birth fathers races. We do know that Dominic's birthmother is African American, Reynaldo's is Puerto Rican and Kiarrahs is African American. We have absolutely no clue what the fathers are. I don't think the birthmothers even know. What race are we supposed to check off for them? Why does it even have to be something that is checked off on all of these stupid forms I have to fill out everywhere I go? Does it really matter? Along with that thought is my fear of the children having a hard time as they get older with wondering what race they are and why are mommy and daddy and all of my other relatives white. Sometimes I think I have become colorblind. I have just forgotten that the kids are of a different race. I do get knocked back into reality when I get looks and stares and questions like " Is she yours?", to which I want to say " Yes" Don't we look alike? My boys get asked all the time if I am there mom. Dominic actually gets upset when kids will ask him and then look at him like he is lying. We have gotten much more insensitive remarks made and I simply choose to look at it as Stupidity.
This article that I mentioned earlier speaks about the fact that more ads are multiracial. The author seems to feel that is not the real world. He must not be from New Jersey. I see it everywhere. In my church, in my community etc. He feels that you aren't going to have two white children and two black children playing baseball together. It is becoming more of a common thing to see. There are so many different children out there and it is a beautiful thing. I attend a church that is very culturally diverse and everyone talks to everyone else. We worship together and go out to eat afterwards together.
I guess maybe it isn't the "norm and as acceptable" in lets say, maybe the Midwest.
I am happy to see multicultural ads. It might not be the real world for everyone but it should be. Didn't God create all of us? We are all his children. Why does race and color have to be such an issue? If anyone of us gets cut we all bleed red.

I love...

Babies, chocolate, lilacs, sound of the ocean, cool sand beneath my feet, oreos dipped in milk, being barefoot, feeding ducks, clean cotton, laundry flapping on the line, snow days, quiet time with God, Sound of Music, a good book, cool sheets, air conditioners, cooking, shower gel, pedicures, listening to music, buying clothes for my kids, writing all my feelings out, a good cry, a nice cold glass of Icetea, massages, kisses, being called mommy, being married, acting silly, movies that make me cry, sleeping in, breakfast in bed, my girlfriends, good conversation over a hot cup of tea, MAC makeup, the color pink, shabby chic, scrapbooking, yard sales, amish country, bed and Breakfasts, lots of pillows, email, freshly bathed children, tea parties, lace, roses, tulips, Ashleys brownies, dressing up, Children, supporting causes that make a difference and that I believe in, Swedish meatballs, pierogies, eggplant, Julia Roberts Movies, journals, being in love, having Faith, dreams.

Take Me Away...

I am just having one of those days today and it is only 9:17 am. I couldn't sleep and I was plagued with strange dreams all night. Couln't tell you what they were about though because I don't remember. I just dropped Dominic off at his camp and it looks like it is going to be another soggy day. He is going on a mini field trip to a magic show. Reynaldo was very happy to go to summer school. He was so happy to see some of his classmates from Kindergarten. Kiarrah is home today with a UTI. The Dr. seems to think she got it from when we went to the beach on Saturday. Poor thing was running a low grade fever last night. I hope the antibiotics will kick it out quickly. I am going to try and work on some paperwork today. I have to take Kiarrah for an appointment and then I am hoping she will take a little nap. Fat Chance Right? Maybe tonight I can get that bubble bath in.... Calgon Take Me Away!!!!!!!!!!

Crack, Bang ,Boom

We spent a fabulous day yesterday at a Pool/BBQ Party at Dominic's Godfathers house. The kids were a bit waterlogged after spending all afternoon in the pool. Kiarrah decided to jump right in with no one there to catch her. Talk about Faith! Luckily mommy saw her out of the corner of her eye and came to her rescue as she tried to surface. She had absolutely no fear and was quite the daredevil while using the swimming ring (aka tutu to all you prissy girls out there)to stay afloat. Reynaldo was a ladder hugger. He aint a fool. He knows he can't swim and isn't going to fake the part. Dominic is part fish and tried really hard to swim. He learned if you are starting to go under all you have to do it hold down the person next to you to stay a float. Note to Dominic: Do not do that to a pretty little girl who can't touch the bottom herself otherwise she turns into Ursula the seawitch.
Bob cooked quite the feast with your typical hot dogs hamburgers and corn on the cob. He topped that off with London broil, chicken skewers and wings. Everything was absolutely delicious and the company was entertaining.
We moved on to fireworks at dark and it was quite the show. We were armed with garbage can, hose, and police scanner and then began the festivities. After many oohs and aahs and wows, the children enjoyed sparklers while I watched on with fear. I was certain that someone was going to get hurt. Finally I had to look away and have daddy take guard while I willed away an ulcer.
We didn't get home until midnight and the poor kiddos had to go to school this morning. Bad Mommy, I know.

Fuel Injected Evening....

Last Night we decided to take the kids to see the movie " Cars". What a rip roaring movie it was. Mater has stolen our hearts with his witty hillbilly humor. My favorite line in it was when he said" I'm having more fun than a tornado in a trailer park". The movie is set in a world populated entirely with Cars. Even down to having car flys. The movie is filled with love, friendship and loyalty. I loved the whole lesson learned in the movie and I was really happy that my kids "got" it. I wish Disney would make more movies with a good set of values. Kiarrah was very vocal during the movie but got a little antsy towards the end and fell asleep for the last 1/2 hour. We all walked away with a smile.

Day at the Shore

We enjoyed a glorious Day at the Shore on Saturday. Traffic was a nightmare but our final destination was Island Beach State Park. The kids loved the water and playing in the sand. Kiarrah couldn't get enough of the water. Reynaldo would run in the water and then quickly run out. Then he decided Dominic and him should wrestle in it.
Dominic loved to be out in the water riding the waves. It was a wonderful Day for all.

Divine

I just read a really wonderful book called Divine by Karen Kingsbury . The author used a modern day character like Mary Magdalene in the story and spoke of the strongholds that we might face. What a powerful novel. I do hate when a book ends and need to find something new to read. Any suggestions?

I am a Mean Ol' Mom

Dominic is very upset with me today. He attends camp through the recreation dept at our local park. Once a week the kids go on trips to places that aren't exactly close. I just do not feel comfortable sending him on these trips. He is just too young. The first trip is to a water park in PA. He came home from camp the other day telling me that he gets to go to a water park. I had to turn around and tell him that he didnt get to go. I tried to explain that I didnt feel that there was enough supervision for him to go. I feel really bad for him but I am just not ready to let him go. He is only 6. I would go with him on a trip if I could but with my little ones schedule it just isnt possible. I hope he is finished sulking soon so I can see this smiley face.

Old Age Setting in

How is it that I graduated from high school but yet can't remember a lot of what I learned? I am getting ready to take my college placement tests next week and I am amazed at how much I have forgotten. It has been 17 years but still! I need to do some review so I don't totally bomb. Remedial Classes here I come!! I am so determined to do this and to fulfill my dreams. I am so afraid of failing. Worst case senario is that I don't do well in math and can't get into the nursing program. I do have a backup career. I at least want to try. Hopefully , now that I am older I can be more focused then I was in high school.
I can do ALLTHINGS through Christ who gives me strength!!!!

From Back Packs to Beach Bags

The start of summer is finally upon us. Dominic ended school last Wednesday and was very excited to graduate up to 1st grade. He did exceedingly abundantly better than I had expected. He loves school and that makes me so happy. He had started the year out with a full time aide and she was removed after the first month. Despite his disabilities he adapted to his environment and made many friends. He starts a summer day camp tomorrow that is through our town recreation department.
Reynaldo will be graduating from his partial hospitalization program on Friday. He is actually pretty sad that it will be ending. I think it feels very secure there. They have helped him so much and have held him account. We hope to carry that on at home. He is finally on a good dosage of medicine that agrees with him. I think sending him to this program is the best thing I could have done. The only thing that has been affected by this is his school work. The problem is that he only got two hours of academics at the program and most of the teaching that is done in kindergarten is manipulatives. Thank goodness he qualified for the summer program through the school and he will attend the program for the month of July. I hope they are able to do a lot of review with him and catch him up to par. He will be attending a self contained 1st grade class in the Fall.
Kiarrah is still in her therapeutic nursery program. We decided to start her on meds last week and it has made a huge difference. I was so adamantly against it in the beginning but she is just too hyper for her own good. Hopefully with the combination of the drugs and behavior program we can help her.
I have enrolled in college for the Fall. I am going to start part time for the first semester. I decided to go for the nursing program. The first year is probably going to be my remedial classes. I have been out of school so long so it is a little scary. I know I can do this though. I am just waiting to hear back from financial aid to see what I qualify for.
I am looking forward to going to the beach this summer. The kids would also like to go to the Bronx Zoo. We might take a few little day trips here and there. We are supposed to go to Indiana in August if the funds are there.
Off to my mommy duties.....

My little Sweeties

Kiarrah is a Princess I am absolutely certain