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October Update

I am so sorry that I have not been on here in forever to update everyone on our family. Thank you for all the emails and the love :)

We are doing really well. I am starting to get some sleep and jealousy issues are finally diminishing. The gears are greased and we have finally fallen into a pattern for school, homework and chores. It was a bumpy ride there for awhile.

Dominic is enjoying school but not as much as last year. I am not quite sure why. It might be because of the heavier work load. He has made quite a few friends in his class ad I love to see him interact with them. This child has come so far from the way he used to be. To think that when he was three we could only picture him having to go to a group home. Now the Aspergers is so easy to overlook unless you have a trained eye for it. Dominic is also enjoying his Art classes over at The Hope Centers Art Academy. They are working on drawing still life though and he doesn't care for that. He would rather create something in his mind. He doesn't like to have rules put on what he draws. That is something that he is going to have to get used too. That is life. Little man will be turning 8 this month.

Reynaldo is actually liking school this year. For him it is a social function. He does have his days where he doesn't want any help and wants to goof off. Can you say Class Clown with me?? I think he takes after his father. He is finally starting to get the hang of reading. We just completed some testing for Auditory Processing at the Children's hospital and he definitely has it. I am waiting for the report to come back from the Audiologist and then I need to approach the child study team and ask for some more services. At school all the little girls seem to like him and of course he eats the attention up. Boy am I in trouble with him. He is also enjoying his hip hop classes at the Academy.

Kiarrah still loves her school. She is learning so much. She has been coming home reciting the Bible memory verses. I could learn a thing or two from her. She loves to learn. She is adjusting to rules and boundaries and I have seen such an improvement at home. I kept her home last Friday so that we could spend sometime together and she was such a little helper with Gracie and we had a lot of fun. She loves her Dance Class. She is in her element when it comes to tap dancing. There is no need for her to be graceful and she is able to be herself and let her personality shine. Look out Ethel Merman!!! She also sings all of the time. She turns everything into a song.

Gracie is doing really well. It has been a little bumpy lately though because she suffers from severe reflux. After 5 different formulas and two meds, I think we are finally on the right path. She will be going for more testing in the next week. She is starting to sleep better. I think it is because she is starting to keep down more food. She weighs 9lbs 5 oz now. She is starting to smile and coo a little. She wants to talk so bad LOL. She has her own little personality already. She is such a doll baby.

Jim and I have been very busy and active in church. Jim is on the Worship team and also leading a boys life group. He also has the honor of being our Pastor's Armor bearer. I am working with the Sunday school department as the Crafts coordinator. I am loving it. I am also part of the writing ministry. I love my church!!!

I am getting ready for a trip home to see my family. Gracie and I will be flying out for a week. My family is so anxious to meet her. I wish we could all go as a family but we are planning that for the spring.

Anyways, that is our update. I need to work on my blog when I get a chance. Somehow I managed to lose all of my links and stuff. I can't even find all of the blogs that I normally read.

Christmas Toy Rage

Christmas 2006

How many of you get into the Holiday toy rage? Are you always scoping out the must have toy?These are some of the toys that are hot commodities this Christmas. Every year it is something, isn't it? I think we are gonna just buy the kids one big toy they want and then they will get clothing and other stuff they need. We also always try to buy a new family Christmas movie to add to our collection. I just don't want my kids wrapped totally in the commercialism. In fact everything Kiarrah sees on Tv she wants. Doesn't even matter what it is. How do you all handle Christmas?

I Love My Big Brother

Reynaldo is still very very protective of Gracie. He will do anything that needs to be done for her and is always right there when she cries. Is is not at all annoyed with her when she cries but insists on holding her. Gracie always reacts when she hears his voice too. If he is holding her she relaxes and just looks up at him. In fact the other day he was laying in the chair with her and they both fell asleep. Unfortunately I didn't have any batteries for my camera. Their bond is amazing. I really wish that he was like that with Kiarrah. When I say something like that to him he gets upset and says " But MOM she is too bossy". I think he is trying harder though to be more patient with her.

Art Academy

The children are really enjoying their classes at our Church's Art Academy. Dominic is taking Art and is very good at it. I have included a few pictures of some of his work. Not bad for a almost 8 year old. Kiarrah is taking Ballet and Tap. She is loving the movement and is far from shy with her show skills LOL. Reynaldo is taking a Hip Hop Dance class. He loves it but is alittle shy. We are working on that though. These classes are such a good outlet for all of them.

Gracie Girl is 2 Months

Hair Today Braids Torrow

Kiarrah got braids put in her hair yesterday and she loves them. I just hope that I can learn how to do them. Her hair has just gotten so unmanageable. I have had a very difficult time finding the right products to use on her. Something will work for awhile and then it just stops working. I had to share this picture with you.

Grow Baby Grow

Gracie turned 7 weeks old today. She is really a good baby. I was blessed with a child that is calm and very happy. She loves to snuggle and lately EAT!! I think she is going through a growth spurt. The Dr. has me putting a little rice cereal in her bottle of formula to thicken it up a little because she is spitting up too much. She loves those bottles and can't get the nipple into her mouth fast enough.

She is in her crib now and is sleeping a lot better. She usually will sleep for 4 hours at a time. We are still trying to help her get her days and night sorted out.

Another Year Older

My baby boy turned 7 yesterday. Where has the time gone? This is always a fun time because Rey and Dom are the same age for almost 2 months. He woke up so excited and was happy to take cupcakes to school for all of his friends. Mema and Pop Pop bought him pants for school and jammies and Aunt Jaimeers got him a cool sweatshirt. From his great grandparent's he got money to buy some new shoes. Mommy and Daddy got him some transformer and spider man toys ,a Dinosaur book and an animal magazine subscription. He is always so thankful with whatever gifts he gets.

Anchors Away

Saturday we went to Liberty State Park and took the Ferry over to the Statue of Liberty and then to Ellis Island. My parents had never been there. The kids loved the Ferry ride and enjoyed using Pop Pop's binoculars. We spent the whole afternoon walking around and exploring. The kids were a little bummed about not being able to go up in the Statue. You have to make reservations way in advance.

Amazingly everyone was on their best behavior.

Great Outdoors

While my parents were here we spent a lot of time outside sitting on the porch while the kids played. It was so beautiful out all week and we enjoyed relaxing in the great outdoors. The kids rode their scooters and played with the neighbor kids.

Does She Look Like Mommy or Daddy?

I really loved these pictures and just had to share. I have come to the conclusion that she just looks like both of us.

Gift from God

On Sunday we had Gracie Dedicated at our Church. It was a beautiful presentation before the Lord. I Thank God for her and realize what a miracle she truly is. She wore an adorable pink and chocolate brown dress from her " Auntie Desiree" and she had on fancy socks and shoes and a hair band that her Nana in Georgia got for her. It was so wonderful having my parents out for a special day. They were not able to be around for the other children's dedications and adoptions so it was nice to have them there on that day.

Visitors

Life is crazy busy right now. I have my parents in town for a visit over a long weekend. We are having a blast and I am taking a ton of pictures so get ready to have a lot to look at after I get them all uploaded to my computer in a couple of days. You are all gonna beg me to stop with the pictures.
Today we went out for an awesome breakfast. It was one of those stick to the ribs kind of breakfast where you could go the rest of the day without eating. Even the boys ate a lot. Dominic enjoyed Peanut butter and chocolate pancakes. Reynaldo had his usual French toast. I had an awesome California Omelet with avocado in it and I had grits. Jim had waffles and my parents had an egg and meat meal. Miss Kiarrah had FRENCH FRIES. She has gotten to be a pretty picky eater lately.
Later we headed over to Liberty State Park and took the ferry to Ellis Island and to the Statue of Liberty. It was a gorgeous day.
I will try to post again soon

Showers of Blessings

It was a really nice day on Saturday. They had a baby shower for me at my old church and I got to spend a nice afternoon with people I haven't been able to see in a long time. . I feel so blessed to have the people I do in my life. Everyone was so excited to see Gracie and the other kids. It was like we never left. I love this picture of Dominic and me.

Show and Tell Friday

I thought I would do my own little show and tell. The butterfly got this as an adoption day gift from some good friends of ours. I thought it was so cute and I love the color combination. It is something she will always treasure. I am so happy that she is finally ours for good. We finally closed our home down to foster care and as much as I was ready to be done with it, I was sad about it. There are so many children out there that need a forever home.

One Month Already??

Where has time gone? My little sweet potato is one month old today. The kids adore her and love to smother her with love. It is a daily fight over who gets to hold her. Kiarrah is adjusting to not being the baby anymore and only girl. The green eyed monster comes out once and awhile but it is getting much better. We spend a lot of time with her alone doing big girl things and involve her in helping take care of Gracie. Thought I would share some pictures for all you out their begging me for more.

Pictures, Pictures and more Pictures