The Greatest Show on Earth

Ringling Bros & Barnum & Bailey knows our economy is bad. But don't we all need a break from real life for just a few hours? They are running a promotion to help us bring some great memories to our kids at a pretty good price.
44.00 isn't bad for a family of 4, for some great fun & lasting memories. Be sure to use the promo code: MOM to get the discount. Below are just some of the places they will be.
Go to their website to see if they will be in your area for this great deal! A link to http://www.ringling.com/
The discount code for Ringling Bros. Circus. Code: MOM
*Offer #1: Get 4 tickets for just $44 by entering the code "MOM" at select ticketing channels**. Offer good on all performances, minimum purchase of 4 tickets required; additional tickets above 4 can be purchased at $11 each. Offer not valid on Circus Celebrity Seating, Front Row and VIP seating or combinable with other offers. Other Restrictions May Apply.
*Offer #2: 4.00 off all weekend performances


“I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Feld Entertainment. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

Disney On Ice

As you all can tell, we love Disney. I think my count down to our Disney cruise has been up for 2 years or it seems like it anyway. Needless to say, we can't wait til November.
I love Disney on Ice. Like all things Disney, it's magical. I love to see the look on the kid's faces.
It's time for the Disney on Ice tour in our neck of the woods. Is it in yours? Go look:

http://disney.go.com/disneyonice/

Here is some really great deals that you can get on a family package too.


Mom Central is excited to extend the following special family offers; look for the box marked "MC Promotion" when purchasing tickets:
*Offer #1: Get 4 tickets for just $44 by entering the code "MOM" at select ticketing channels. Offer good on all weekday performances, which includes all weekday evening and Friday matinee performances; minimum purchase of 4 tickets required; additional tickets above 4 can be purchased at $11 each.
*Offer #2: All weekend performance tickets will be $4 off the original price
Offer #3: Get the best Front Row and VIP seats available – We have reserved seats in the Front Row and VIP sections just for you! No discounts available on these seats. Use the code MOM. “I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Feld Entertainment. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

Tonight...he cried

I can count on 1 hand the number of times/reasons why my husband has cried in 21 years...and I'd have fingers left over too.
A Marine with 18 yrs under his belt and a trained counselor who knows how to deal with his emotions.
He cried tonight when we went to The Boy's open house for preschool. (in the car)
I swear to you a chubby cheeked, baseball shaped head baby boy who was 7 1/2 months old just came to live with us (for a little while) like last week! Is it even possible that little boy will start preschool in a week and a half?? Will he really be 4 in a few months?
Where does the time go? But a 56 yr old man is crying because his little boy is growing up way too fast.
***I went back thru my blog to find a very old picture of The Boy, before he was The Boy.
Here is what I found. http://blakesmeme.blogspot.com/2007/02/if-your-thinking-of-becoming-foster.html
I used to tell my husband he was ugly! I know, I know. I was building a wall, so as not to fall in love with him. We all know how that turned out.
I remember exactly the day that picture was taken, and trust me...it was yesterday.

No More

The Boy said he is tired of having his picture taken.

Might I suggest he stop doing stuff like this.

Summer Fun

Our summer has been nice and lazy. Which is good.

-First we have the swimming lessons that were not to be. He went 2 days and said he was not getting in the water with a stranger. What's a mom to say to that. We didn't go back.

-He decided playing in the sprinkler with goggles on, was alot more fun.

-He's future is so bright, he has to wear sunglasses inside.

-We learned the hard way this summer that The Boy does not digest dye. I have stayed away from giving him food/drink with dyes, but the time must come when big sister gives you gross colored candy...and it comes out the other end the exact same color...yuk

-The time also came when mommy went to the Dr and big sister watched The Boy and showed him how to play computer games on her computer. Now he drives mommy crazy with his new ability to play on the computer.

- Every boy being potty trained must wear a cowboy hat while waiting for the next go at the potty.

What a busy summer we've had around here.

Virus' & Bacteria..oh MY

If you have kids in school or day care, you KNOW.
It seems like they are a breeding ground for all things virus or bacteria.
I call daycare the "boiling cauldron of virus' "
After I started doing foster care and my kids went to daycare I learned very quickly I had to do
something to keep all the mystery virus' and yuck at bay. Or I would never be able to work.
http://www.momcentral.com/ asked me to participate in their blog campaign for Clorox.
Which I was more than happy to do. Because without Clorox, we would be the "house of sick" alll the time.
Here are a few things I do around here to keep the virus' down that are carried home on a regular basis.
-I fill the sink with hot water & add 2 cups of Clorox (which cleans & sanitize my sinks) while that sits there, I wet a cloth in that water and:
-I wipe down all the high chairs
-put toys in there that can go in water
-wipe down the surfaces of jumpers, walkers, bumbo seats, ect.
-wipe down all the door knobs & door jams that little hands touch
-wipe down my dining room table and counters
-one of my best secrets...(nothing to do with virus') while away on vacation or just a weekend away I put about a cup of Clorox in each toilet bowl to keep anything from growing in there while away. You'll come home to a nice clean toilet bowl!

You can go here:
http://www.clorox.com/healthier_lives/article.php?subsection=new_moms&article_id=what_to_expect.

to find out more ways to keep your house yuck free. And of course just plain clean.


"I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Clorox and the What to Expect Guide and received a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate."

PERFECT

I could not have ripped from my very soul and put this into more perfect words.

As a matter of fact...I think she did rip it from my soul. Truth be told, from anybody
that's ever done foster care and put their whole LIFE into it.

You must read this:
http://itspewsforth.blogspot.com/

Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred ...

WILL kick your butt! Forrr Real, it will.
The weight will leave you, just so it doesn't have to stay around to sweat & hurt so much. It is only 20 minutes of workout. But I tell you, I thought I would surly kill over before the end of that 20 minutes.
I couldn't do it 3 days in a row. I did it 2 days in a row and was seriously exhausted the third day and had to rest. My muscles were screaming. I can tell a difference already after one week. My endurance & tone have changed noticeably.
I decided to buy the dvd after reading several blogs talking about the huge difference it had made in a very short period of time. I go to the gym to use the tread mill, but rather do my real sweating in private. So I bought it. I didn't even know who Jillian Michaels was/is. Still don't really. I guess she does Biggest Loser. My reality show tastes run more toward Big Brother & Survivor.
If you want to try this all you will need is hand weights, 2 or 3 # ones...and a towel to wipe the sweat.
The Boy does it with me. I'll have to take pictures one day. (it's hard to breath,sweat & use a camera all at once) He says "are we gonna do our exercises today?" I think he's trying to get even with me for sending him to preschool a year early.

20 years ago today...well actually July 29th....

Ahhhh, 20 years ago and 40 pounds ago I married the man of my dreams. Actually I never dreamed they came as great as this man did.

I married a Sgt in the Marine Corps, who was soon to be promoted to SSgt. He was 36 and never been married, I just turned 24 and didn't have the sense God gave a gnat. Plus 2 little girls, he loved as his own.

Ohh, let the poor delusional women talk of their romantic proposals...poor things. They don't know romantic. Forget proposals on live TV or the big screen at the football game. Fancy dinners with large diamond rings. I poo poo the very thought!

Who among us, neigh...in all the world, can say they were proposed to in the Walk In Beer Cooler at the E-Club in 29 Palms, Ca??? And right before he had to get up and call bingo for all the little old ladies on a Tuesday night. Huummm, does it get any better than that? Do you know how cold a walk in beer cooler is, while on one knee?

You may ask why a Marine was working in the enlisted club. Well, this man I trapped, umm, I mean fell head over hills in love with, worked a second job as an "A-Duty" (asst, duty manager) because he was bored and had nothing better to do. And I worked there because it was FUN! Where else is the ratio of single men 1000 to every 1 female? Talk about having your pick! So I went for the very best one.

We were married in the Joshua Tree National Monument at sunset on a very hot desert evening.

I love this man. I can only hope for 40 more years.

HAPPY DANCE HAPPY DANCE

(I'm the Tiger, The Boy is ...well the Boy)

Why am I sooooo happy?

The Boy has gone TWO (2) whole days without any "potty accidents".

With the girls, it was no big deal. At age 2, I said "here's a potty, now you pee & poop in it"
And they did.

We've been at this for at least 6 months and he just wasn't interested. Buying big boy underwear with a "hole" in the front seems to have captured his attention. Being a boy ( I guess) it is cause to pee out of the hole at any and all times. Sometimes he has a dry run, just because he wants to use the hole. I'm sure 90% of it was he just got it. But I'm sure those alligator underwear with the hole played a good 10% of it. I will buy 10 more pairs of alligator underwear with a hole in the front, if it means this Boy will be fully potty trained by the time he starts Pre-K in Sept & most importantly for the Disney cruise (kidding...I'm tired of buying pull ups and diapers)
We go through hundreds of diapers a month when you throw in 2 foster babies. $$$$$
For the record, we look just like those two at the top of the page every time he goes potty.
I have no shame.

WHY?...Has begun

I don't remember my girls starting this early. But you know how the mind fades with time.
On Thursday, July 9th 2009, The Boy being 3 yrs & 7 months old ask his first WHY question. We were in the van last night going out to dinner, (which happens once in a blue moon) In the second row of the van, out of nowhere the Boy said," Why is this car so big?" I said, "So we can have enough room for the baby's carseats.". And that was it. On the way home, he said, "Why are we going this way?" I said, " This is the way to go home." We get out of the car and he says,"Why are the clouds up in the sky?" And I say,"ummm, because that's where God put them".
I have a feeling that will be my fall back answer for a few years.

Wow! I need a tea bag, all I have is loose leaf

As Alan Jackson says, " I'm not a very political person, I couldn't tell you the difference between Iraq & Iran." But I was married to a Marine for 18 years. (I'm still married to him,he's just retired now:) So I do understand the cost of freedom and every nuance of the sacrifices made by all military families. And I've lived in enough different countries to tell you we live in the best nation on earth. If we don't politically correct ourselves to death.
Go listen to this. It may be the best 6 minutes of your life. The guy is amazing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeYscnFpEyA

My Thoughts Exactly

Do you read Antique Mommy? You should.
As a very young mommy, I thought the time would never end. As an older mommy, I'm afraid
the time is slipping by way too fast.

http://antiquemommy.com/2009/07/03/the-view-master/

She put it into words perfectly.

Are You Kidding Me??

Today at visitation Cry Baby's mom said:
She would like the clothes I bought for CB when he out grows them,to give to her nephew! Because she "knows" I get paid back for the clothes I buy!!! NOT LADY!
ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Where do these people get their information?? From LK?
No, lady. This is what happens. I get reimbursed for 50.00 worth of clothing (that takes 6-8 weeks for that to happen) But since he was placed with us when his foster home was closed we don't even get that, because the original foster placement used that. Now, what ever he needs comes out of my pocket and guess what? You'd be surprised how fast they grow, and how much clothes cost. Now in the fall, I will get a whole 'nuther 50.00 for clothing, but of course he'll need to wear those. And shoes must come out of that too. So just how many outfits, shoes, socks, ect do you think you can get for that? NOT much.
Just when you think you've heard it all...
**LK, I give you NO credit at all, other than your ignorance of the other side of the coin. Which by the way, never ceases to amaze me. You do know there are people out there who can not and will not take care of their kids. Meth addicts and crack addicts don't pay taxes, I find. So let's not say they contribute via their tax paying.
I dare you to raise an infant/Toddler on 250.00 a month. Please include in your calculations: FORMULA, bottles, clothes,(not dollar store or Goodwill) DIAPERS, wipes, daycare (because someone has to work to pay for this) older babies & toddlers need baby food, age proper snacks, sippy cups, more clothes, shoes, transportation to see the parents, your time and gas to do so. Taking time off work for multiple Dr visits, because they are always sick & never up to date on anything. Of course you'll need time and gas for that too. There is so much more, but I'll let you do the calculations for just these "few" things for now. Please do, get back to me on how your budget comes out. By my calculations over the years it comes out that I pay about 150.00 per month to be able to be a foster parent to children who have NO parents or relatives who can or will take them in.
By the way, the children leave my house with more than they ever came here with. If you don't count the health, love and stable home they have while here.

HOT! HOT!

*UPDATE: We'll switch off days, you get a day of 100 degree temps and we get a day of rain. It sounds fair!

Whew! Its HOT out there!
YOU KNOW YOU ARE IN South WHEN. .. .
When birds have to use potholders to pull worms out of the ground.
The best parking place is determined by shade instead of distance. (who wants to go anywhere? It's too hot to breath.
Hot water now comes out of both taps. (honest, it does)
You can make sun tea instantly.
You learn that a seat belt buckle makes a pretty good branding iron.
The temperature drops below 95 and you feel a little chilly.
You discover that in JUNE it only takes 2 fingers to steer your car.
You discover that you can get sunburned through your car window.
You actually burn your hand opening the car door.
You break into a sweat the instant you step outside at 7:30 a.m. (It was 85 at 7:30 this morning)
Your biggest bicycle wreck fear is, "What if I get knocked out and end up lying on the pavement and cook to death?"
You realize that asphalt has a liquid state.
The potatoes cook underground, so all you have to do is pull one out and add butter, salt and pepper.
Farmers are feeding their chickens crushed ice to keep them from layingboiled eggs.
The cows are giving evaporated milk.
Ah, what a place to call home. . . God Bless the South

Did you know she was adopted?

I overheard a conversation of two teachers discussing a student.
Evidently the child wasn't the smartest kid in the class. One finished talking about how "not very smart" the child was. The other leaned in and said, in the only way a southern lady can. " Did you know she was adopted?" Adopted is said in a low whisper, like it's an ugly word, you don't want God knowing you said. (Only southern women can do this effectively.)
Ohhhhhhh, the other one said. Like that explained any and everything the kid ever did or didn't do.
This isn't the first time I've heard or been apart of, one version or another of this conversation.
I just wonder ...what's that supposed to mean? Are adopted kids assumed to be "not very smart"? Act out? Be angry?

I Have A Huge Pet Peeve...

I know you're all surprised by that.
Why? Why? why? Do Bparents pick one thing to harp on?
Every one's choice around here seems to be diaper rash.
This new baby ( the 16 month old) We'll call him
Cry Baby, came to us with a small diaper rash. He is VERY fair skinned.
If he goes outside he turns bright red. That's just from the house to the car. That's how bad it is.
So needless to say, he has sensitive skin.
The Bparents visit him 3 times a week. They saw him yesterday(didn't say anything about a rash) and then again tonight. Transport brought him back & said bparent was upset because he had a terrible rash "all over, even his butt".
So I thought good grief what's happened in the last 2 hours. He was fine when he left here. The very small rash he came with, was clearing up. So I take him to change him and see what's going on. NOTHING, same healing rash, barely visible, but his butt was red from sitting in the car seat, even had the "wrinkle" print on there from the where the diaper bunched up. So my guess is he had that same print from the car ride to see them too.
But it was very evident it was not a rash, but where he had been sitting in the carseat.
This never ceases to make me blow a gasket. Because I know she will call the SW & make a huge to do about it. Then I will insist she come out and look at this "terrible" rash.
I know it's a control issue with the bparents. But it drives in crazy!

Tip Junkies Birthday Giveaway!

You're going to love this.
Tip Junkie is having a huge giveaway on her blog.
She is giving away the cutest stuff.
You must go over and see everything.
At: www.tipjunkie.com

They're dropping like flies

I got another call this week for a 16 month old. Yet another home in our county has closed it's doors, so to speak. So those children in that home had to have somewhere to go. This makes more than a few closures of foster homes in a very short period of time.
For those of you just starting...please know this will take some kind of toll on you, your spouse, children, way of life, your marriage and all the relationships you have. You will not come out the other side unscathed. Yes, you can and I can stop at any time. But the need is great. But know there is a price to be paid. That price is different for each family.
-
Now to address a question I received:
Foster Care has it's detractors (and we know who some of them are) I have my issues with it too. Take away the "baby stealing issues" that some have, but there is still the very real issue of pure abandonment on the part of birth parents. You know, the ones who choose drugs & alcohol or who simply do not want the child and walk away never to be seen again. And relatives want no part of taking the child/ren. I've had 5 of those cases.
WHAT would you have happen to those children? No one stole those babies.
THEY WERE THROWN AWAY LIKE YESTERDAY'S TRASH. Yes, I'm yelling. Because it happens everyday, and I know it's not just where I live, it's everywhere.
No one will ever walk away from these children again. Because they have parents now. PARENTS who love them as though they were their very own. Guess what? and they are their very own. Don't ever tell me, my child is not mine. I will laugh at you and ignore your ignorant butt...and my 3 yr old will push you and tell you to leave his mama alone.

This & That...but all cuteness!

The first picture is of my grandaughter and the Boy after a quick swim. She's the cutest thing in the whole world, but mean as a snake!

In photo #2, he came to me with my head band and said, "Look mommy, I'm Dr David!"

The other 2 are from a really cool wooden "castle" park we found the next county over. Where Lord help me, he will be taking swim lessons next month. (not in the castle, but down the road in a pool :))