Let's talk Sinus'

My husband had sinus infections for years. He had one at least every other month.
Finally he had to have sinus surgery a few years ago. (it's a very miserable surgery, by the way) But lo & behold about a year after the surgery he started having them again. There was no way he was going to go through the surgery again. So the ENT dr said he needed to try a Neti-pot. He wasn't so sure to begin with, but would rather try that than have infections all the time or forbid, another surgery.
He has religiously used a neti-pot twice a day or at least once a day for years now.
He can't go without it. And I can tell you he only has about one sinus infection a year, if that. It really has made that much difference in the number of infections he has.
I asked the ENT why more people didn't use these and he said he always recommends them but most people are put off by putting water up their noses. Personally, I think I'd rather do that than feel like I'm dieing from a sinus infection or have sinus surgery.
He said it was also good for people with pollen allergies. You can wash all the wonderful pollen out, when our beautiful southern trees and flowers bloom.
I asked my husband if I could take a picture of him doing the neti-pot...he just looked at me like I'd lost my mind. After 22 years, I think that means NO!
So you get to look at the bottles instead. It really is easy and it really does make a difference.
WaterPic even has two different ways to do it.
Squeeze Bottle- allows you to customize the amount of water flow for a complete cleanse, simply with an easy squeeze. The SoftSeal™ nozzle maximizes comfort and the One-Way FlowControl™ valve prevents backflow to maintain solution purity.

Neti Bottle- a unique approach to the traditional neti pot; its ergonomic shape, SoftSeal™ nozzle and One-Touch FlowControl™ valve make the Neti Bottle easy to hold, comfortable against your nose and creates a controlled gravity-fed water flow that provides a gentle sinus cleansing.

Even better, all SinuSense™ products are BPA free, dishwasher and microwave safe and safe for everyday use, even for children ages 4 and up. Now everyone in your family can breathe easier- and cleaner!

My Baby My Baby

After 28 years of being a mommy, my last baby is starting his journey into education.
He is going to Pre-K this year. He has a late birthday, so he'll be one of the oldest in his class. There is no turning back now. Next year my baby boy will HAVE to go to school or I will have to homeschool him. In a few months he'll be 5! 5. Where has the time gone?
I think 5 is the "you can't even say he's a baby anymore cutoff". ~sigh~

Nothing like griping to make you feel better

(This one's mine by the way, not up for grabs. this was taken at a festival today)


I don't usually write in too much detail about the *foster children I have in my home. Oh, I know I do my fair share of griping. I just kind of generalize it.
But both of my boys will be leaving soon, I believe. It's not like it's not about time. I happen to believe a child should not be in *foster*care one minute longer than it takes the parents to get their crap together. I *foster the very young ones. Attachment issues are very real in this age group. One little one is the cutest thing you've ever seen. As a matter of fact one of the complete strangers who's lap he crawled up into said," Those eyes are so bright, you'd need to change the bulb in there every once in awhile." He knows no stranger. Which is terribly scary if you know anything about RAD%. He's been with us 18 mos. of his 30 mos. of life. I fear for his future and the perspective parents, who I doubt ever heard of RAD^, let alone know how to handle it or even know if this is something they can deal with. All they know is the superduper *SW says he is *healthy,white,male child. period. I will be sure to fill in all the very large gaps they fail/forget to tell them. Plus he's still a *legal risk. If I were them I would run and never look back. But I keep telling myself, who am I to judge. Maybe they can deal with it. But the first time they meet and he calls them mama & daddy, it will all be over, and they will hear nothing of my warning. People, love does not cure all things.
My other baby, has been with us 21 of his 24 months. His poor case has languished for far too long. One day he's going home & the next he's going to TPR*, staying in state or going out of state for *adoption. They don't have a clue. All the while this baby thinks this IS his home, the only home he's ever known. Why shouldn't he think that. It's the courts that should be ashamed of what they've done to this child's life. It doesn't take 2 years to figure out if mom's got what it takes to parent a child. Especially if you've had 2 more since the first came into care. Folks, this ain't rocket science. Foster*Care is a necessary evil, if you will. But it doesn't mean the state couldn't do a better job of taking into care the ones who need it and sending home the ones that need to go. Whether that be back to bparents or adoptive parents. Sitting in foster*care for years doesn't do anyone, on either side of the fight any good.
I've said my rambling piece for the night. I feel so much better.
I wonder why Juvenile court judges don't read foster blogs. Maybe they could learn the real truth.

You know it's September in the South

Beautiful, Beautiful Kudzu is in bloom. I wonder if most people know it actually
has a bloom? Zooming by on the highway, you'd never know.

(Actually late August, early September. But that wouldn't fit in the title.)

I love kudzu. It's like huge green leafy drapes everywhere you look.
The blooms smell like you walked into a giant piece of grape bubblegum.
My husband hates it and says it smells like deodorant cakes they put in men's urinals. I'm just going to have to take his word on that one. I don't want to know what they put in there.

For the love of Avocados & the South

I love avocados & there is a law in @lana that says if you are from the south you must love fresh sweet corn. Really, it's true. I've seen fights break out when the first crops of Silver Queen sweet corn starts to run low.
The combination of sweet corn & avocados are de-vine.
And with nutritional facts like this for avocados, why not :

At only 50 calories per ounce (around three slices), and sodium and cholesterol free, they make great additions to everyday salads and sandwiches. With nearly 20 different types of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients in a one ounce serving, avocados make a healthy ingredient in any dish.
So, while watching the Atlanta Braves in the play offs ;) you can make this dip and I promise you will not have any leftovers, so you may want to make it a double batch.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Ingredients:
4 ears Sweet Corn (only the real stuff will do,make sure you know it's sweet)
2 whole Very Firm Hass Avocados, Diced
1/2 Red Onion, Diced
1/2 Jalapeno, Seeded And Finely Diced
1/2 Hot Chili Pepper, Seeded And Finely Diced (optional, only if you're crazy about HOT)
1 whole Juice Of Lime (I like lime,so I use more)
Plenty Of Chopped Cilantro
Salt To Taste
1 Tablespoon Vinegar
1 teaspoon Sugar (optional)

Prep. Instructions
Slice kernels off the corn, and combine it with all remaining ingredients in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. Over night is best.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Do you have a favorite avocado recipe? You can go here:
any consumer can submit their avocado recipe and may be featured as an "all-star" recipe. All voting and recipe posting will take place at



“I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Mexican Hass Avocado Importers Association. Mom Central also sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

Just when I thought IT was over

I'm not real sure why I thought it would never happen again. I think I was prepared for people to think I was his grandma. I got that some when he was a baby. I was only 40 when he was born...not too old to have a baby, right? Although I am a *MeMe. My grandson is 6 months older than the Boy.
I guess I thought all ignorance was erased from the world or something. Evidently some assuming has been going on at the Boy's taekwondo* class. The parents kinda know we are foster parents, they've seen the babies that obviously are not of our genetics. So OK, no big deal.
Tonight, some lady I think I've said HI to twice sits down and says,"What's your son's name?" I said D@v!d. She said,"oh, is he yours or *adopted?" I was kind of dumb founded. Because believe it or not, I just think of him as my boy. When he runs to me and says I love you mommy. I don't think, oh wow, he's *adopted, I wish I were his mommy. Damn it, I am his mommy. Look up the definition of mother and I'm pretty sure you'll find me there. I looked at her and gave her my most deadpan look and said "both". The Boy's daddy was on the other side squeezing my hand, hoping like crazy that's all I'd say.
She went on to tell me, one of the older girls there was %adopted thru ^fostercare* and it was funny because everybody thought the man who brought her to taekwndo* was her dad, but was really only her ^foster dad who ^adopted her.
Need I say, that everyone who reads my blog knows I'm kinda straight forward, I don't beat around the bush. I say what I mean & mean what I say.
My husband was hanging onto my hand for dear life by this point.
BUT, people...I smiled and only said,"I bet she thinks he's her dad too".
And then she didn't say anything else to me.
I wonder if I offended her?
It's one thing if I share our story with you. It's not OK for you to start a conversation with your assumptions. If you're curious about @adoption, ask about @doption. Do not question if my son is my son.

Stack & Whack

I've been working on this quilt for what seems like forever.
I've never done this kind of quilt before and it turned out soooo nice.
It's called Stack and whack, using the wildest patterned material possible and when "pinned & cut" correctly will give you dozens of kaleidoscope images.
After each block was completed I was sure it was my favorite, until the next one was done.

I'm tired of Reality....

If Df@c& doesn't kill me first...

Wanna come with me?

GUESS WHAT?

I'm a B*t*h!
I'm sure plenty of people could have & would have told him that.
It seems one of the babies daddy stopped visiting because I had the audacity to tell him the baby could not ride a four wheeler with no helmet or other protection AND there could be no people at the visit who were not approved by the court. I am so mean, you just would not believe it. I've been known to kick dogs too. (who puts a baby on a 4 wheeler and says, "here, push this button"?)
He stopped showing up for visits about a month ago. Here, it's miss 3 visits and your out. When asked by the @birthmother why he stopped going, he told her I was, well, what I was. And that the courts were just going to take his rights away anyway, so he'd just get a head start on it.

I guess it would be fair if I called him an idiot.

My Boy...I'm not proud or anything, but

He tested for his yellow belt AND got a trophie for most respectful!
I'm not one to brag or anything, but I think he's a pretty great boy.
In the first picture when he first tied his yellow belt on, he's smiling so hard I thought his face would break in two!
When Master Bruce tied his yellow belt on, he ran over to us and almost yelled, "I got my yellow belt!!!" You sure did buddy and I'm sure it wont be your last.

ME & SAM-E

What is SAM-e?

SAM-e is a naturally occurring compound that is found in all living things. It’s distributed throughout the human body and it contributes to maintaining mood levels.

SAM-e levels tend to decline as people get older and certain groups of people, including those with low mood, tend to have lower levels of SAM-e in their bodies. When the body doesn’t make enough SAM-e on its own, taking a SAM-e supplement can support many important functions.

SAM-e Complete is a daily over-the counter dietary supplement available from retailers everywhere, as well as online. SAM-e is best known for restoring a healthy mood by promoting a balance of brain cell functions.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Clinical studies indicate that benefits are most likely evident after 7-14 days of supplementation.


I have taken Sam-E for years, how many I don't know. It was recommended by an Ortho. Dr I worked for, because I was always complaining of stiff joints (lots of tests done,nothing wrong) But I do know I can tell a difference when I don't take it.
And as for "brain cell functions" go, I don't know about you, but I can't afford to take any chances. And mood levels...when you do what I do, you need all the mood stability you can get!

**Would you like to try a 3 month trial of Sam-e?
The first to email me their snail mail address will get it.
Don't worry, your info will not show on the blog!


“I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Nature Made and received products necessary to facilitate my candid review.”

Pirate Flag

The Boy wanted a Pirate flag. So we dug out stuff from the bottom of my fabric pile.
And va-la. I pirate flag for the tree house. (click on the picture for the detailed view!)
That boy is spoiled rotten.

Why I'll never Win the Lottery

I love my husband, really I do. A true love.
For 21 years I've wondered what I could have ever done to deserve
such a man. I could lie and say I had always dreamed of marrying a man like him, but the truth is, I didn't know there was a man like him to marry.
We've had our hard time like most couples (Thank you Marine Corps)We may have been married for 21 years, but the Marine Corps made certain we've only spent half that time together.
Today is our anniversary. 21 years. We decided, unspoken of course, not to buy each other anything because we are going to the big city for the weekend & visit an aquarium. (That's what you do when you have a 4 yr old on your 21st anniversary, he had a ball on our 20th on a Disney cruise) anyway......
I get up this morning and stumble to the coffee maker for my morning I.V of coffee and there sits a card & little gift. You know you've been married awhile when he knows that will be the first place you go in the morning.
When I moved the card is when I saw the little gift, he wasn't supposed to buy. It was a Randy Travis CD. It's a little inside joke of sorts. I LOVE,LURV,LUV,HEART Randy Travis. So much so, that I used to tell my girls when they were little that I was engaged to Randy Travis...he just didn't know it. For some reason my girls always thought that was hilarious. Not long after we started dating I told my husband I was engaged to Randy Travis..he didn't know. But if Randy ever came back for me, I'd have to leave him and go with Randy.
After we got married I told my husband that the only man I would ever leave him for would be Randy Travis...if he ever came back for me. Well, I haven't heard from Randy in 25 years. How long is a woman to wait?
I think I'll go ahead and keep the one I have and buy Randy's Cd's. 'Cause really, I'm sure Randy's changed over the years & I would hardly know him. I'm sure he doesn't know the first place I head is the coffee maker. Or that I stood in the kitchen and cried and laughed like a fool.
So now you know why I'll never win the lottery. I've used up all my good luck on this man. He didn't really get very much in the deal, so there's still a chance HE could win the lottery.

P.S: if it wasn't enough crying & laughing in the kitchen, I checked my email and my friend sent a singing anniversary "email" that made me laugh & cry a little more. I have a good life, who needs the lottery?

Wanna Laugh until You totally cry like a fool?

Oh, don't be silly. OF COURSE you do!
I totally stole this site from Marcia


http://www.cakewrecks.blogspot.com/2010/02/cakes-only-mother-could-love.html

Be sure to look at the other catagories or just start at the top and work your way down. Be sure to have a few hours & some tissues. Oh, and be sure and go pee BEFORE you start reading.
Please, you don't have to thank me.

SUMMER

It sure is fun! Kinda. Not in 100 degree heat & 98% humidity. It doesn't make for much outside fun.
This Boy is driving me the rest of the way crazy. September sure is looking good.

Breyer's Smooth & Dreamy

Breyer's has a new Smooth & Dreamy ice cream bars and sandwiches.
First, what is there NOT to like about anything from Breyer's?
These new Smooth and Dreamy ice creams are just that...smooth & dreamy.
As you can see Daddy & The Boy loves them. The Boy especially like the triple chocolate bars.
You know it's good when you look like the second picture of the Boy!

*The good part is they gave me some to share. The first person to comment with their
snail mail address will get a coupon for a free box of your choice. Since the comments are moderated your info will only be visable to me, not on the blog*

http://www.smoothanddreamy.com Go learn more about the all natural ice cream and ENTER the company's sweepstakes. I love free stuff!


"I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Breyers and received products necessary to facilitate my review. In addition, I received a gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate."

Free Stuff and Cool Stuff

I love Tip Junkies website. I've followed her for years and love the Christmas in July she has.
There's going to be great giveaways over there this year.
Go take a look.

Blogging based on random pictures

It's either blog with these random pictures around the old home stead or completely blow up blogger with what's really going on in my house...when it comes to @foster/care.
I would write so fast & furious and at such great length, because there are 2 babies here.One has been here 17 mos & another 20 mos and NOTHING is being done to *reunify or *TPR. These babies need a permanent home. But the melting of blogger would come about when I wrote of the drama, both *birthparent & *dfac@.

So instead...for your viewing pleasure, I had a birdie visitor to my bird feeder a few days ago. I had heard of this bird "condition" but never seen it.
This male cardinal was completely bald. All his feather were gone, until it reached his neck and there was a perfect ring around his neck where the feathers picked back up. When I called my husband to explain this amazing sight, I asked him if he remembered why this kind of thing happened, he said," He's been defrocked".
Get it...A Cardinal...defrocked? It's ok, I didn't either at first. My husband, I married him for his sense of humor (and he looked good in Dress Blues)

CLICK on the picture, the bird on the right is the bird. His beak is so red and stands out.

MEET THE NEWEST MEMBER OF THE FAMILY

The Boy has been watching G-force a little too much. Like over and over and over.
He of course wanted a Guinea pig. I explained to him that reeeaaalll Guinea pigs didn't talk or pull off secret missions or any of the things the one's on G-force did. He informed me he knew that, his brain told him that already!!! (he's a smart boy) I'll have to watch for that later on.
Anyway, we went on a field trip to visit the real thing at a pet store. I thought if he actually saw one up close he'd change his mind. He didn't. He swore on a stack of Bibles he would feed it-water it-clean up after it-& love it forever, amen. Yeah right, this ain't my first rodeo. I've heard that like 9 million times.
Too bad for him three older sisters proceed him.
But I didn't cave this time...I let daddy do it. I told him if Daddy brought him back to the pet store and said he could have one, he could have it. Fortunate for him, I knew would Daddy fold like a cheap suit! So last night Daddy & Boy came home with a cute little guinea pig plus large cage. At first the Boy was inclined to go with the oh so original name: guinea pig. Then he wanted to watch G-force to see what the names of the guinea pigs were on there. He didn't like those either. Then we noticed a tiny white spot on top of his head (the guinea pig, not the Boy) He then proclaimed the guinea pig would be called...are you ready? Spot-Spot.
Not being inclined to watch G-force for umteenth time, we said that was the perfect name for our new family member.
I found him this morning with his hand in the cage. When I asked him what he was doing, he said, "I'm letting Spot-Spot smell my hand, that's how he knows we're his family and we love him".
Ummmmm, I don't know about you, but I'd rather find different ways to identify family members. I think I'd take hear-say over hand smelling. :)
You can click on the picture to get a better view of Spot-Spot!

My Boy Picasso & I hate dfac$

My Boy spent hours making this Lego "picture". He was very proud of it. And it is very good, if I do say so myself.

...and *dfc$...When is a law not a law??
When dfc$ decides not to follow the law. These babies are going to be here til they start college. They don't want to do *TPR, the parents aren't stable enough after 16 or 19 months to send home & nobody wants to make the move to place them in an *adoptive situation. It's like living in the Twilight Zone.

Way Totally Cool

Interesting Painting!

The painting itself is great but as you run your curser over the people it tells you who they are...BUT....(click on a person) and you obtain their life history. Fascinating!



http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=Bth8u&m=1ftEpj0jDZyANL&b=2RQaQbWFXP0PFj1s5qN6VA

Tae Kwon Do Boy

The Boy has started Tae Kwon Do. He absolutely loves it. He goes around punching the air saying TAE KWON DO all day long. So much so that the babies now go around with their own version. One say, "Iee-on-dowww" and the other "dow-dow-dow. It's quite funny. The Boy also learns Korean during his lessons, so at random times he'll come to me and ask what does, kiki ko mean? (of course you know I have no idea) But I love that he gets so much more out of it than "jumping around". He does love it.
This is a before class picture and an after class picture. I think the jumping around part does both of us some good too.

A History of *Foster Care

Have you ever wondered how *Foster Care as we know it (so to speak)
came to be?
I've often thought of how the *system came to be, what it was intended to be VS. what it is now.
Raising someone* else's *children is as old as time.
In my own family background, an uncle took in a dying brother's children to raise as his own. Nothing was ever thought about it, talked about & no one even realized for generations this is what happened.
I came upon an interesting site I thought I would share with you. I've not read it all, but so far there's some interesting facts/thoughts.

http://www.uoregon.edu/~adoption/topics/fostering.htm

tell me what you think

Apple Bottom winner

Mr number generator picked # 46
check your inbox Anonomous

The New Face of AppleBottoms for kids

You can't tell me this is not THE most gorgeous 3 yr old in THE world! I know she is.
Along with her mommy & her aunts.I'm only slightly bias.
She's not really the new face of Apple Bottoms, but she should be.
The Parigi focus group gave me a 3 piece set of Apple Bottoms for girls to try.
And as you can see the little princess loves them. Great quality & design. But most of all not too "grown up" like most clothing on the market for little girls these days. If you want to take a look at some of their stuff for the little girls or big girls you can take a look at their site: www.applebottoms.com
They have some really cute stuff.
Now the best part for you...They gave me 2 sets! One for me and one for YOU.
They have set aside the same set you see here in a 4T.
Want to win this too adorable set for your princess?
Answer this question. WHAT WOULD YOU BE IN LIFE IF THERE WERE NO OBSTACLES IN YOUR WAY?


WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON 6/30/10 & will be picked by random generator/ the smart person who leaves their email address so I can contact them.

LoOK At mE, Look At me!

I'm sooooooooo pretty
OHhhhhhhhh sooooooo preeetttyyyy.

I love Verna over at

http://nevertoomany.blogspot.com

She's fixed me up not once, but TWO times.
and yessss, I copied her. I'm not original or very decisive. But I know pretttyyy when I see it!
Her charges are not outrageous and go for a good cause too.

For whatever it's worth...

I dislike "*TheSystem" more than ever today.
I'm beginning to understand the frustration that *birthparents feel.What's right and/ or the rules today, can and probably will change tomorrow. Even if it is what they told you to do today.
I don't get it (on so many levels) I just don't.

Busy and it's HOT

I know this thing may not LOOK very big. But trust me when you're putting it together, it's HUGE. Each and every board had to be screwed/nailed or both together.
And hooking the swing part to the "tree house" part was no easy feat. I'm sure the neighbors got quite a show. The husband and me only using a house ladder to put the two pieces together. comical, I'm sure. Fun, NO, HOT YES! There's a picnic table underneath the slide part I don't think you can see. But it's there. I think it may have been worth it to sit in there with the Boy eating our McD's at the table and him saying "this is the best day in my WHOLE life". Good thing he's got plenty more years and try and top this.

P.S Did I mention the week before we had to level the ground and lay sod before building his treehouse? ...it was hot.

P.S.S Daddy says we're going to put plywood around the outside of it when he goes to college and tell him it's an apartment

Kung Zhu fighting

Remember the Zhu Zhu pets of Christmas past?
Not like when I was little.. past. But like last December. Seems like 10 years ago. But no, Only 6 months ago. Who knew those furry little critters were going to cause such a stir? Not me. They were pastel-y colors and cute. The Boy showed only slight interest in his neice's "pink princess" Zhu Zhu.
But lo and behold the folks at Zhu Zhu have come out with Kung Zhu. Geared more toward the boy crowd (in my opinion) I'm sure girls would love these too. They come with battle armor! And little armored cars to ride around in. They make "fighting" noises, and nonsensical noises, meowing,barking & other really funny sounds. It makes the Boy laugh. The Boy had 90 different kinds of fits before we even got them out of the box. His favorite is GREEN and named Sarge. Surly a Boy thing. After Daddy put the **"Han-som-er fighting house" together we didn't hear from the Boy for I know 2 hours. They have a fighting arena, where watching 2 Hansomers go at it can be entertaining for all of us for a good hour. He loves his Hansomers. He can't say Hamster. So at every opportunity I ask him what kind of animal they are, just to hear him say "A HanSOME-er mommy, why can't you remember?" Does that make me a bad mother?
Thank you Kung Zhu pets. We, I mean the Boy loves these and already wants more Hansomers, so they can all fight together.

I'm in really big trouble

Hanna Andersson has opened a store a mere 35 miles away from me. NOT good.
My boy wore these and these for the first 3 years of his life. He's gone onto their "big boy" stuff now. I always had to buy them off the internet, so I was somewhat limited in choice. But Lord help. It's a good thing I don't drive through atlant@. My pocketbook would be really hurtin'. I put a good dent in it today. I love Hanna clothes. Nothing wears,feels or looks like Hanna clothes. I can spot a Hanna Andersson outfit in a consignment store or Goodwill from the door.I wonder if 70 miles is too far to drive so I can work for clothes?
I guess it's just a good thing I have a phobia of driving through hell.


Hanna Andersson has no idea who I am. Just sharing my addiction with you!

Generations

Last month we visited my mother-in-law.
She still lives alone, has a "little" garden & mows her own very large lawn.
She is 94, her youngest grandson is 4.
Can you even comprehend what changes in this world she's seen in the 90 years before her last grandson was born? I can not. I think she is the strongest woman I know.

have you ever

showered, washed your hair,(rinsed) conditioned your hair and got out of the shower and tried to blow dry your hair as usual?
Only to realized you didn't rinse out the conditioner?
NO?... Me neither. I was just taking a poll.

Everyday Life

We are in a store buying gardening gloves.
Standing in a line. Of course you know people are in front of us and behind us.
Boy: Mommy, I need a tissue.
mommy: I'll get you one when we get to the car.
Boy: I blew my nose.
mommy: what, where?
Boy: I BLEW MY BOOGERS ON MY SHIRT. I TOLD YOU I NEEDED A TISSUE!
mommy: Go find your mommy little boy.

If I had All The Right Answers...They still wouldn't listen

Let's see if I can put this down so that this makes sense to more than just me.

This week I had a 8FamilyTeamMeeting for one of my babies.
A drastic change has taken place in a plan that should be well on it's way to 8TPR. 15 months in care is long enough. But mom & dad have not really bothered til now...Mom got the help she needed to have had 2 yrs ago. So she's in a *safehouse. Dad is a complete butthead & has anger issues out the wazoo. But now that mom has the new "*safety plan" things will probably start over for her, time wise.
In my mind, I find this "not fair" to the child. (After arguing with the dad in the *FTM) I kept thinking he deserves better than this. He deserves a chance at life. He doesn't deserve to be raised by ignorant people. What good will it do him to be with mom in a safehouse* What kind of life is that?
She still would not have finished her case plan if they put the child in there with her.
I fumed about the changes all the way home. It stewed in my brain for hours...still is.
Then it occurred to me. My "job" here is not to decide how or where he is to be raised.That right is only reserved for my own children. Heck, all parents are "ignorant" in some way while raising a child. I guess no one has that "book". I'd like to borrow it if you do.
I was thinking about all the things he would not have. The big play set outside, a wonderful daycare staff that loves him, his favorite foods, clean clothes ect,ect. Then I thought, "what will he have?" He will have a mother that really does love him.Just no idea how to parent very well. As a 17 yr old mother, trust me, I didn't know my butt from a hole in the ground. My 27 yr old had a far different mother than my 4 yr old. We learn, we grow, and hopefully change ourselves for the better over time. Maybe all this girl needs is time and practise and a little help.
*reunification is the goal....no one ever told me I got to set the terms.
It's not my business if she will give him koolaid instead of 100% juice or that she let's him have candy. Our mothering styles are different.
I have come to know there are NO right answers in this crazy thing we live in called foster*care. I have to take care of them while they are here & let God take care of the rest.

THEY GROW UP SO FAST

One minute you're young and carefree, riding your uncle's tractor. Then before you know it you've done gone and grown a mustache!
And then........you find yourself between two worlds. The world where your mustache gets in the way of sucking your pacifier. I guess that's when you know it's time to give it up for good.
(yes, I know. He only sucks it at night & then it falls out of his mouth. I've paid 3 orthodontic bills, what's one more)

I can't find my camera

I am LIVID.

Life's too short to fold fitted sheets


Without my camera...that's all I got for ya.

CAN YOU STAND THE HANDSOME-NESS ?

PHOTO #1 SPRING photo time at preschool

PHOTO #2 2 THUGS & 1 THUG-ETTE ready to hunt Easter eggs!

2 YEARS? IS THAT ALL??

It's only been two years today since we officially made the Boy ours. In reality he has been ours, since God deemed it so. (the courts always lag waaay behind :))
Thank you Rebecca, thank you

How to swaddle a 4 year old

Make sure you have a VERY large blanket.

My middle daughter decided to see what it was like to swaddle a 4 year old. She is convinced it's the only way she will ever be able to get our 4 month old grandson to sleep.
I told her to try it on her brother, to see how many very large swaddles she would be needing later on.
She decided it's alot of work and they just wont stay in the thing.
I guess she'll have to figure out another way to get him to sleep in the next few years.

Some *Adoption blogs -- updated

Make my eye twitch

Nope, it's none of you guys. I love your blogs they are honest, real life.
I don't want to say the name of the blog, it's pretty popular, I think.
See if you recognize any of the "headlines". You maybe able to guess which one it is.
This is how I would answer some of their "issues".

"MY *ADOPTED CHILD STUMPS A CLOWN"
MY TAKE: really, the one I pushed out after 21 hrs of labor, pulled a clown's nose off and called him a geek...at the age of 4. Kids are Kids.

NEXT...
IS A "MESSED UP" *ADOPTED CHILD WORTH THE INVESTMENT?
MY TAKE: first if you're asking this question DON'T *ADOPT.
SECOND, Is a "messed up" child born of your blood, sweat & tears & weight gain, worth the investment? You do what you have to do for your children.
"*ADOPTED IS A WORD WE STOP USING AFTER COMING OUT OF THE COURT HOUSE. After that, your just my kid.

Next...My wife and I are unable to become pregnant, and now she wants to *adopt a child. Is adoption the right thing to do?
My Take: If you have to ask this, then NO, it's not for you.

Next: How do I love and accept my *adopted child?
MY Take: You are kidding, right? Because I doubt you'll ever accept the child as YOUR child & are the kind of person who would introduce the child as your *adopted son/daughter.

I've got to stop now....my eye is twitching

Maybe you misunderstood me

Recently a local merchant gave gift certificates for some things for the *foster children in our county. Nice thing, right? It was very kind and much appreciated, with all the budget hacking going on.
It was a small business,few employees. So, they knew the children coming in with these certificates were *foster children.
You know there's a story coming, right?

So I haul my two in, along with the Boy. No one's in there but us. We pick out our things and go to check out. The nice lady having no other customers, feels free as a bird to talk...and ask plenty of questions.
She's so glad to be able to see the children they are helping, ect,ect.
She looks at the kids and goes on a tangent of pity. It went something like this:
"Oh,my look at those faces. They are the cutest things I've ever seen. How can someone just leave them on any ole doorstep. It's not fair what they have to go through in *foster care. God only knows what goes on in "those places". They don't deserve such things. Maybe they wont remember being in *foster care. It's a ugly situation, I can't even stand to think about it."

OK, there are some other things I can't remember or want to forget. But you get the idea.
All the while I'm standing there wondering WHO she thinks I am. Or what part I play in this atrocity.
I said the only thing I could think to say in the moment, short of just walking out.
I said,"They live in my home. I promise you they are not harmed in any way. Live a normal child's life as much as possible. Sleep in a nice crib and have everything they need, including love. I said they were in *Foster Care, NOT GOING TO THE ELECTRIC CHAIR. Please, tell Mr. #@%*&^, Thank You for the gift certificates."

I left her standing there with her mouth open.

Dear Census people

What does it matter if my children are *adopted or biological?
Where is the box that says "son" or "daughter" ?
I don't remember seeing this on other census'.
Why after the sixth "person" does it just say "check if person is related to 1st person"? Does it not matter after that many kids? Did you stop being nosey after the sixth kid?
Guess what? I'm not checking anything. You're welcome to call me.

IT'S A JOKE!

The boy! He is hilarious. It's so great to see a child develope their personalities.
The Boy has from somewhere (maybe preschool) learned about telling jokes. But it's still a little mixed up in his brain. He GETS simple jokes. But has a little problem pulling them off. Last night in the car on our way to a foster parent meeting, he said,"Daddy, I'm gonna tell you a joke." Daddy said, "OK, tell me". He said,"Why does grass grow?" I'm thinking, boy, this should be good. Daddy said," I don't know, D@vid, why DOES grass grow? The Boy said, "I don't know, I thought you knew."
OK, maybe you had to be there.
But it was hilarious. The Boy laughed and laughed, he thought he'd just told the greatest joke ever.
He's at the age where he loves knock, knock jokes. But comes up with some pretty outragous "things" behind the door like:
knock,knock
who's there?
a monkey
a monkey who?
a monkey in a tree with a banana!
He thinks he's so clever.
Then we all laugh and laugh like fools :)

Do You Remember??

Do you remember this post from almost exactly 2 years ago?

http://blakesmeme.blogspot.com/2008/04/goodbye.html

Of course you don't...go read it. Then come back.




OK, you back?
I nailed it 2 yrs ago. They were desperate to adopt. He was adorable & intelligent.
And LOVE conquers all. Right?
No, it doesn't. It doesn't cure RAD, ADHD, harm done by drugs in the womb. Or things that happened in his short life before coming into care.
I told the adoptive parents EVERY THING. EVERY behavior, things that were not in any report they'd ever see. They went ahead with the adoption.
I'd had no contact with them after the first month because they were across the state. I assumed their lives were good. I knew his behaviors, as bad as they were, so young, would not just stop. But they were beside themselves with idealism. How do you break through the euphoria of that? You don't.
Our county received a call for placement for a dissolved adoption...
All I do is scream into the wind, no one listens to what we know as foster parents.
I wish I'd have been wrong. very wrong.

1001 uses for white distilled vinegar

I've looked for this on the net without having to pay 15.99 for the book, LIKE FOREVER. I found it! Thought I'd share.

http://www.vinegartips.com/Scripts/pageViewSec.asp?id=7

Ok, I'm done messing with you

We went to Disney World! Like we didn't give the mouse enough of our money in November on the cruise. But trust me...I needed the time away.
**I know all the pictures are rotated wrong, just tilt your head.

PLEASE STOP

If the media doesn't stop referring to Marie Osmond's son, as her "*adopted" son, I SWEAR I'm gonna loose my mind.
Please take it from me, she doesn't think of him as her *ADOPTED SON!
STOP IT! He is her *SON. period.

Guess some more!