Wednesday, February 24, 2010
noodles and loves
The other day I was in a generally grouchy mood. I seemed a hundred little things were determined not to go how I wanted them to. Then, as I was trying to get dinner ready I pulled to a box of lasagna noodles but someone had opened BOTH ENDS of the box and as I pulled all the noodles fell out and shattered all over the floor. I had had it, so I left the room (so I wouldn't have to look at it) and I sat on the couch trying not to lose it. A few minutes later Bryce came in with the box and said, "Here mom, I saw you were sad so I fixed it for you." He had taped the bottom of the box together (in the sweet, tangled way a six year old can tape) and had put the broken noodles all back in the box. In that moment I could see how much he was like his daddy and I loved him a little bit more than I ever have before. Who would have thought a grown woman would cry over a box of noodles.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
birthday cake
Good New: My photography business is going great
Bad News: My cleaning, cooking and blogging have gone to pot
For the boy's birthday they wanted a monster truck cake and this is the best I could do. We spent the day miniature golfing with Jacob's half brother and aunt and all the kids had a blast. I say we were minature golfing but that is using the term loosely. The kids really just liked picking up their balls and putting down the coolest traps.
We still can't put up pictures of Jacob. Two more months till the adoption is final!!
Bad News: My cleaning, cooking and blogging have gone to pot
For the boy's birthday they wanted a monster truck cake and this is the best I could do. We spent the day miniature golfing with Jacob's half brother and aunt and all the kids had a blast. I say we were minature golfing but that is using the term loosely. The kids really just liked picking up their balls and putting down the coolest traps.
We still can't put up pictures of Jacob. Two more months till the adoption is final!!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Quotes of the day
Bryce: Mom, why is it called a "booby" trap?
Paxton: I thought that was another name for a mamogram machine.
Daniel (Avery's friend): Avery, I know that's your dad and not my dad. My dad has hair.
Shaylee: She missed school today. I think she had a science infection.
Paxton: I thought that was another name for a mamogram machine.
Daniel (Avery's friend): Avery, I know that's your dad and not my dad. My dad has hair.
Shaylee: She missed school today. I think she had a science infection.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Idea!
OK ladies, my friend gave me a buisness idea I would like some HONEST feedback on. She thought it would be fun for me to do themed pictures for kids at a low cost once a month or so. For example, little princess, Halloween pumpkin, Christmas hat/stocking/tree pics, summer beach (ie all meet at Eagle island and get pics in the water and sand) etc. So, is this a good idea? If I charged $5-10 per kid (max $20) would it be worth it? My friend is a scrapbooker and thought that this would be a good way to get good pictures without breaking the bank.
Please also let me know if there is a "theme" that would be fun that I haven't included.
Please also let me know if there is a "theme" that would be fun that I haven't included.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Close to home
Carrie Underwood's new song really hit me hard today. It makes me so grateful.
http://www.cmt.com/videos/carrie-underwood/478351/temporary-home.jhtml?id=1631127
http://www.cmt.com/videos/carrie-underwood/478351/temporary-home.jhtml?id=1631127
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Jacob
So, Jacob and Bryce both had their birthday's this week. It has been fun to get to celebrate with them but it has been especially cool to have Jacob with us for all these holidays. I know that we have given out some details about Jacob's history but I am so proud of this little guy I wanted to share a bit of his history. I think it is the only way to really appreciate where he has come from.
Jake was the second son born to a woman that from what we know of her, was a good student in high school, in the National Honor Society, played volleyball and basketball and got good grades. After high school she started using drugs consistently and her life spiraled downward from there. She has been arrested several times and has become aggressive, aloof and unsociable. She lost custody of Jacob’s half brother after multiple calls about two boys roaming the neighborhood and after a final arrest she lost both boys. The older brother has been adopted by an aunt who is less than ten years older than himself.
Jacob was born and taken away from her while she was in the hospital. He was sent to his first foster home two days after he was born. A few months later he was placed with his father who later was arrested on drug-related charges and Jacob was passed on to his paternal grandparents. After a few more months, the grandparents were not able to take care of him and he was sent to live with his mother and brother. During this time, Jacob's brother (who is ten years older than him) was Jakes primary care giver. Jacob has told us then that he remembers eating cereal off the floor when he was hungry and that he never owned a tooth brush and that the thing he missed most from that house is his dog. A few years later after more than a few calls to health and welfare, Jacob was taken from his mother after she left him with a friend and didn't come back for several days. She showed up as the police and social workers were taking Jacob away and was immediately arrested for drug use and possession of drug paraphernalia. We have since found out that the social worker that picked up Jacob is a close family friend of ours who has been so excited to see Jacob placed in our home.
That night Jacob was taken to an emergency foster home where he spent three months. When it was time to find another home for him (these type of foster homes are meant to be very temporary), everyone was so sad to see him go. One of Jacob's pre-school teachers had been considering foster care and when she found out Jacob was leaving said that their family would be willing to take him in. This wonderful family worked so hard with Jacob, teaching him to dress himself, feed himself (was four and only ate with is hands), helped him through major oral surgery where every one of his baby teeth was either pulled, capped or had a cavity, and started getting him ready for Kindergarten. This family considered adopting Jacob but whenever they prayed about it, they got the impression that he was meant for another family. After that they started praying with him that his forever family would find him.
During all the time we were praying to find the right child to join our family, it hadn't occurred to me that that little boy could be praying for us too. Jacob is an amazing child that has come through his short and turbulent history with a heart full of kindness and love. He has a very natural understanding of right and wrong and is often a bit of a police man, telling his new little sister how to make right choices. He is doing wonderfully in school and has made good little friends in his Kindergarten class. He has adjusted remarkably to his new environment and is thriving here. We have had several comments from people who have known Jacob a while, that it seems that he has suddenly found confidence and independence now that he has a forever family.
As I look at Jacob and think of all the amazing pieces that have fallen together in the last year, I can't help but see God's hand in it. People say that we must be an amazing family, but that really isn't the case. It is so clear that he is meant to be a part of our family. There is no doubt about it. And I can't help but wonder what other amazing things this little boy is going to do in his life.
When we were saying prayers the other night, Jacob prayed that our family would always stay together. They seemed such simple words but with Jacobs background whey took on a whole new meaning for me and I cried through the rest of his prayer. Three months and counting till the adoption is final and then we get to be a real Forever Family.
Jake was the second son born to a woman that from what we know of her, was a good student in high school, in the National Honor Society, played volleyball and basketball and got good grades. After high school she started using drugs consistently and her life spiraled downward from there. She has been arrested several times and has become aggressive, aloof and unsociable. She lost custody of Jacob’s half brother after multiple calls about two boys roaming the neighborhood and after a final arrest she lost both boys. The older brother has been adopted by an aunt who is less than ten years older than himself.
Jacob was born and taken away from her while she was in the hospital. He was sent to his first foster home two days after he was born. A few months later he was placed with his father who later was arrested on drug-related charges and Jacob was passed on to his paternal grandparents. After a few more months, the grandparents were not able to take care of him and he was sent to live with his mother and brother. During this time, Jacob's brother (who is ten years older than him) was Jakes primary care giver. Jacob has told us then that he remembers eating cereal off the floor when he was hungry and that he never owned a tooth brush and that the thing he missed most from that house is his dog. A few years later after more than a few calls to health and welfare, Jacob was taken from his mother after she left him with a friend and didn't come back for several days. She showed up as the police and social workers were taking Jacob away and was immediately arrested for drug use and possession of drug paraphernalia. We have since found out that the social worker that picked up Jacob is a close family friend of ours who has been so excited to see Jacob placed in our home.
That night Jacob was taken to an emergency foster home where he spent three months. When it was time to find another home for him (these type of foster homes are meant to be very temporary), everyone was so sad to see him go. One of Jacob's pre-school teachers had been considering foster care and when she found out Jacob was leaving said that their family would be willing to take him in. This wonderful family worked so hard with Jacob, teaching him to dress himself, feed himself (was four and only ate with is hands), helped him through major oral surgery where every one of his baby teeth was either pulled, capped or had a cavity, and started getting him ready for Kindergarten. This family considered adopting Jacob but whenever they prayed about it, they got the impression that he was meant for another family. After that they started praying with him that his forever family would find him.
During all the time we were praying to find the right child to join our family, it hadn't occurred to me that that little boy could be praying for us too. Jacob is an amazing child that has come through his short and turbulent history with a heart full of kindness and love. He has a very natural understanding of right and wrong and is often a bit of a police man, telling his new little sister how to make right choices. He is doing wonderfully in school and has made good little friends in his Kindergarten class. He has adjusted remarkably to his new environment and is thriving here. We have had several comments from people who have known Jacob a while, that it seems that he has suddenly found confidence and independence now that he has a forever family.
As I look at Jacob and think of all the amazing pieces that have fallen together in the last year, I can't help but see God's hand in it. People say that we must be an amazing family, but that really isn't the case. It is so clear that he is meant to be a part of our family. There is no doubt about it. And I can't help but wonder what other amazing things this little boy is going to do in his life.
When we were saying prayers the other night, Jacob prayed that our family would always stay together. They seemed such simple words but with Jacobs background whey took on a whole new meaning for me and I cried through the rest of his prayer. Three months and counting till the adoption is final and then we get to be a real Forever Family.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Happy birthday boys!
I'm so excited, I get to say boy"S"! I still get a kick out of the plural. It was Bryce's birthday on Monday and Jacob's birthday yesterday. At the moment Shaylee has yet to have her birthday so she and Bryce are both seven for two weeks. So, to summarize the kids are now 7,7,6 and 4. We actually had to buy a present for Avery since everyone else gets parties and presents and she was feeling so left out. It is kind of fun having so many birthdays in February since it is a kind of blah month otherwise. I am so lucky to have two of the sweetest, kindhearted, adorable boys I have ever known.
I finally finished my edits for the my pageant shoot. It was for Miss Idaho and Miss Teen Idaho and I really wanted these to turn out nice. I have posted them on my photography blog. It is nice to have those done and in the mail. It is still hard to believe I have only had my buisness going for a month. So far so good though!
I finally finished my edits for the my pageant shoot. It was for Miss Idaho and Miss Teen Idaho and I really wanted these to turn out nice. I have posted them on my photography blog. It is nice to have those done and in the mail. It is still hard to believe I have only had my buisness going for a month. So far so good though!
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