Wow! what a gorgeous day we had today.  The kids and I played outside from 2:00-5:00.  And it was gorgeous.  I picked up the garbage in the yard.  And relocated some of the building material, so as to remove some of the poor white trash look.    It was so nice to putter out there.  I can't believe I have energy again. LOL.  Oh and btw I finished the sponge painting in the bathroom...I'll take pictures tomorrow when its more light & I have new batterys.  Here's a small part of my front yard.  I love Fall!

My kids were so funny this afternoon.  Kaylin has learned to growl.  So here's a pic of Zeria & Kaylin growling at me on the swing set.  Psst lets not discuss umm Kaylins color coordination.  It was warm

And oh Samuel was so sweet today--he played the part of the big brother well.  He caught Kaylin on the bottom of the slide multiple times.  And one time when she was climbing the ladder and started falling he grabbed her and held on until mommy rescued him.  I was so proud of him~~he just hasn't up until this point taken care of her~~but today he sure did. 

What a awesome day today!

Acts 5:19 Now turn from your sins and turn to God, so you can be cleansed of your sins. 20 Then wonderful times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will send Jesus your Messiah to you again.

I love the line wonderful times of refreshment.  In the above verses.  Because it describes it so well.  When I loose focus of God, and start doing things my own way~~and then come back its like drinking a big glass of ice water after working hard in the sun.  You feel refreshed all over   Thank you God for your refreshment.

Well we found a way to enjoy the beautiful day yesterday!  WE bundled the kids up in their snow suits and took them to the park.  The snow suits so we could be there more then 5 minutes   They had a lot of fun.  I took pictures, but my camera's out in the van, so I'll post later if they turned out.

Kaylin learned to REALLY enjoy the swing yesterday.  Before it was just something to do.  Yesterday it brought HUGE gigles on.  And she swang, and swang, and swang until mommy was exhausted LOL.  And she was sooooooo mad at mommy for declaring the game over.  We have a swing at our house if its nice today maybe I'll see if she likes it as much as the one at the park~~its one of the baby-safe ones. 

Went looking for a new coat for Rob, but CRINGED big time when I saw the prices of what he wants around here.  So, gonna surf the net for something similar with a MUCH smaller price tag.  I REFUSE REFUSE REFUSE to pay $140 for a water proof/breathable coat.  Which is what he prefers.  Seeings my clothing budget is $50 every two weeks I could be here awhile.  LOL  But he needs a new one so badly, and he's so picky.  So gonna surf. 

I have no plans for today.  I haven't decided if I'll finish the months overdue project of sponge painting my bathroom.  (Which would be nice)  or bundle my kids up & go somewhere.

Rob will be kicking me out of the house this afternoon to go play, so I hate to go where I want to go this morning (with kids) when I can do it without kids  

Father God, whatever I do today, let me have fun with my kids.  And let the kids enjoy their day.  I ask for Rob as he's at work, to stay calm when theirs tension, and to trust you for wisdom.  I pray for mom & dad & their financial difficulties that you would work miracles.  And I ask for me that you would enable me to stay calm when my kids mess up things.  In your sons name, Amen

Well I survived my bi-monthly grocery shopping trip.  The fridge stuff is put away--but oh dear at some point I have to put the rest away. *sigh*

Zeria had a meltdown when I came home because she didn't want to play she wanted to nap with mommy.  (Ok this one was VERY weird)  Samuel was sobbing 'cause he cut his finger in his window~~he was ummm supposed to be napping.  Kaylin was screaming because Samuel was sobbing.  Welcome home mommy!  didn't you miss us?

(Quick can I run away and leave them with dh for the rest of the day ROFL!)

My play dough I made 3 days ago is still lasting.  LOL  I made Mr. Rogers easy play dough.  2 cups of flour 1 cup of water.  Mix together store in fridge.  Yep thats definitely easy.  And man was it cheap entertainment.

Typo in yesterdays blog.  Going to McD's playland has turned into a Thursday night ritual~~not a every night ritual. (OOPS)

Shari had her baby!!!!  I'm so excited!!!

My asthma has kicked up big time.  UGH!  Being pregnant tends to help it along.  So I went & bought two more pillows to sit sleeping a little bit more up.  And hopefully with less of a backache.  I have the choice of sleeping comfortably and NOT hurting my neck, and being completely unable to breathe.  Or the choice of sleeping sitting up waking up with horrendous back ache & being able to breathe.  Which would you pick.  I know I know...I can't decide either.  LOL  At this stage I think I'll have to pick breathing.  YUCKY!

Its gorgeous today.  Does NOT feel like NOvember.   Blue sky not a cloud in the sky.  Oh I LOVE this kind of weather.  Makes me want to go burn brush on our property.  (My favorite November activity)  but I think I'll pass today~~I already did one major job.  thank you very much.

The adoption hearing for "James" is on Wednesday.  Please pray that it is quick & painless.  The theory is that 2 weeks after that hearing we can get him~~but I'm sure they'll be at least 6 more hang ups.  Praying so hard that we can have him by December 1st. 

Got a e-mail from the caseworker thats representing us at the hearing~~not the one that is in charge of "James"  He asked a bunch more questions, and startled me a bit over a couple of them.  I went back through my attitude adjustment process, of breathe in, breathe out, I can answer a few more nosey & intrusive questions.  Honest I can!  LOL. 

Its so hard to know that the child you already love is being held by people who are just doing a job.  *sigh*

Father God, the day is beautiful, and I'd ask for the energy to enjoy what is left of it.  And for happy kids to wake up from their nap, not the kids who went to sleep.  I ask that you would guide us where you would have us to go, and to cause us to trust you in all we do.  IN your sons name, Amen

Did you hear this last night.  Its incredible!!

Thanks Daylesmilk for finding it for me.

http://www.alanjackson.com/cma2001.html

Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)
By Alan Jackson

Verse:
Where were you when the world stop turning on that September day
Were you in the yard with your wife and children
Or working on some stage in L.A.
Did you stand there in shock at the sight of that black smoke
Rising against that blue sky
Did you shout out in anger, in fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry

Did you weep for the children who lost their dear loved ones
And pray for the ones who don't know
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below
Did you burst out in pride for the red, white and blue
And the heroes who died just doin' what they do
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself and what really matters

Chorus:
I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I could
Tell you the difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, hope and love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is love

Verse:
Where were you when the world stop turning on that September day
Teaching a class full of innocent children
Or driving down some cold interstate
Did you feel guilty 'cause you're a survivor
In a crowded room did you feel alone
Did you call up your mother and tell her you loved her
Did you dust off that bible at home

Did you open your eyes, hope it never happened
And you close your eyes and not go to sleep
Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages
Or speak to some stranger on the street
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow
Go out and buy you a gun
Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watchin'
And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns

Did you go to a church and hold hands with some strangers
Stand in line and give your own blood
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family
Thank God you had somebody to love

Repeat Chorus

©2001 EMI Music / Tri-Angels Music (ASCAP)

Good afternoon.  Didn't blog this morning because for unknown reasons Xanga wouldn't let me type.  UGH!

The kids bedroom--well lets say I couldn't find the floor.  Although I'm sure it was under there somewhere.  So after my very long day I spent an hour finding it.  And removing toys...

I put a bunch of them up--to be played with only when they've asked and only after all the other toys are picked up.  I'm sooooooooo mean

The kids & I went to McD's playland seems to be our evening ritual.

I typed up a HUGE blog last night--and it went bye-bye when I got disconnected from my server right at the wrong time.  *sigh*  Will try again some day maybe.  lol

Well I'm wiped so I guess I'll try thinking up something creative to say later.

WHY DID I WALK INTO MY KIDS BEDROOM???

ewwwwwwwwww!

What have I done since I wrote my what I did list?

~Fold another load of laundry

~Find 10 more matching socks

~Clean up the tupperware drawer after Kaylin played in it

~Clean up the matches Kaylin found in the tupperware drawer

~Clean up the tupperware drawer AGAIN

~Make mac& cheeze for dinner

~Clean up a full bowl of mac & cheeze that Samuel dumped on floor

~Eat 3 bites of my own mac & cheeze

~Go get Samuel more mac & cheeze

~call dh on phone

~cut call short--as battery is dead on phone

Can I be tired now???

What did I do today?

~sort a gazillion socks

~fold 10 loads of laundry

~make play dough for kids

~clean playdough off kids

~Clean ketchup off kaylin she forgot she was supposed to eat it

~Pick up raisins off the floor

~Fish cookie out of washing machine--after having been washed ewwwwww

~Make bed

~unbake bed so I can wash bedding

~Kick myself for not thinking that particular process threw

~Make lunch for kids

~IM a bit

~Surf the net

~Guess why Kaylin was crying (multiple times)

~Dream of Hawaii

Can I be tired now???

Good morning.  I had a lazy day yesterday.  Wasn't feeling good most of the day.  Kinda achey.  I think I've finally decided that for whatever reason my stomache absolutely will NOT tolerate pants.  And I wear light leggins.  So I wore a jumper last night & felt 98% better.  So I think I'm gonna switch to dresses/jumpers.  Which is a BIG change for me. LOL  See if I can pull this one off.   If I do that--gonna have to sew a couple more hehehe.  I have the material just been SUPER lazy about doing it.

We took the kids to Monsters Inc last night.  They jumped everytime a loud noise came off the screen but I think they enjoyed it.  Zeria & Samuel both bawled when Boo & Kitty were saying goodbye at the end of the movie.  I was having a horrible time not laughing at them.  But apparently it was veeeery sad.

Kaylin stayed at grandmas by herself.  The first time we've done that since she was about 3 months old--and she slept the whole time.  This time I knew she wouldn't sleep and was a little nervous--but I also knew I didn't want to fight her at the theatre.  So we left her.  And she got a good report.  She never cried once   And man did she trash grandmas living room there were legos eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeverywhere!!!!  She wasn't even that excited to see me (sniff sniff)  but I'm glad she had fun. 

I have been on the 'net very little the last couple days and thoroughly enjoyed it.   I will probably be on quite a bit more today though--as Rob will be at work, and the day gets a little long.  But we will see. 

My friend Shari is getting induced today.  She used to xanga--but its been a long time.  I'm sooooooooo waiting for the news!!!  We had a good chat late last night--and I enjoyed the good giggles!

Zeria informed me yesterday that the fork bit her tooth--could you tell me how that happened??

I've been researching how to make formula feeding as much like breastfeeding as possible for "James"  I'm seriously considering using a lactaide device.  Originally I was NOT gonna nurse him because I was nursing Kaylin so full time now..but now that she's down to only one--I know my midwife would not have any objections if I switched to James.  Rob will fully support me no matter what I decide...so thinking thinking thinking.  The only thing that slows me down is what "others" will think.

And the silly thing is my mom has already said it was too bad I was weaning or I should nurse him--so she probably wouldn't say anything negative.  Sooooooo who am I concerned about????

Father God, today is a new day without flaws.  I pray that as I go throughout it when--not if I blow it I will be quick to apologize and change.  I ask for Rob that you would give him a blessing at work today.  Its such a icky job, but I KNOW you gave it to him...so allow him to see you in a very real way today.  I ask for the kids, that they would get along, and enjoy each other today.  And that Kaylin would be more willing to entertain herself now that daddy isn't here to carry her 24/7. hehe  In your sons name, Amen

^{John 14;27}"I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn't like the peace the world gives. So don't be troubled or afraid. ²⁸Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really love me, you will be very happy for me, because now I can go to the Father, who is greater than I am. ²⁹I have told you these things before they happen so that you will believe when they do happen

The gift from Heaven.   peace of mind & heart, peace that isn't like the peace the world gives.

When we are focused on God that peace is so incredible.  Yesterday I was on the net very little.  And I enjoyed it.  Though I missed interacting with my friends.  I don't know how much I'll be on today--Rob will be cutting firewood, and the kids and I are gonna make cookies.  I haven't been brave enough to make cookies with them in a LOOOOOOOOONG time.  And I feel so bad realizing all the things that have slid while I sat at this computer. 

Now mind you I KNOW that for months I was just too tired to function.  The thyroid JUNK that I went through left me with little choice but to sit.  So I refuse to give into the guilt.  Sitting was what kept me enjoying my kids for the months I was essentially non-functioning.  But now that I have a little bit of energy I'm gonna start trying to use it. 

So how much courage do I have--and should I let them use the cookie cutters.  hehehehe

The adoption caseworker the one who is representing us at the adoption hearing next Wednesday is calling Rob & asking him questions this morning.  He talked to me yesterday morning, and Friday.  Now he wants to talk to Rob.  You know...the questions are getting old...and I'm struggling with resentment again as to this child sitting in a not-so-good home while we go through all this #$@*(#@#@*

I talked to the foster mom on Saturday. (finally)  It took me 3 weeks of calling at all kinds of different times, got the babysitter, the answering machine, the husband, etc, etc.  Anyhow I was grieved after talking to her.

I would ask questions about his development, etc.  And she'd say let me read through my paperwork.  #$@*(  You know this kid so little that all you can do is read your paperwork?  (Okay first pet peeve)  Then I asked about his reflux--which his caseworker had told me about.  She said they'd recently upped his med.   But he's still on a milk based formula. (Family history shows at least 3 kids with milk allergys)  #$@*(  (second irritation)  Then she mentions he falls asleep a lot.  And I'm thinking..hmmm he's a bit old for this.  And then she says.  Yes, I'll be watching him in the video monitor while he's playing in the play room and all of a sudden he's just asleep.  (VIDEO MONITOR) (see Tonia maintain her cool)  You leave a 9 month old in a room completely unattended and babysit him through a video monitor of course he's falling asleep--he's bored to death and has NO stimulation.  (Apparently she hasn't heard of AP) 

Okay...my heart is sad, and I just keep praying that God will protect him from this garbage until the government in its infinite wisdom decides to let us have him. 

Father God, I have a choice this morning, worry about something I have no control over or give it to you.  I'm laying it all back in your hands.  I give you the conversation Rob has with the caseworker.  The poor care of James, and the timing.  I want him by December so badly.  I keep seeing Christmas gifts to buy him...and then don't let myself in case I won't be able to give them to him.    I see outfits for him to where, and I can't buy them yet in case there too small.  And mostly I just want to snuggle him, and let him know--no more moving games.  So I give this all to you, and pray for you to speed up the process and miracles to happen.  And that we could have him ASAP.  I pray for my family here that we would have fun together, and honor you in all we do today.  In your sons name, Amen.