The Run-Down

So, we made it through our baby's first birthday! It went really well. A handful of friends and family came to celebrate with us at our local play ground. Griffin enjoyed his bull-dozer cake. But stayed surprisingly clean.

My husbands directorial debut with OHMPAA (Oxford Hills Music and Preforming Arts Association), in Never Too Late, also has wrapped up. The last show and cast party was Sunday. He had a terrific run, all shows were nearly full, or full. It was a great comedy, with some great first time talent and a few veterans. My daughter, Alyssa, had one of the leads. She continually blew my mind. The girls got mad skill! Look out Broadway!! Even still...I am glad to have my family back. It takes a lot of time from them, and a lot "alone" time for me. I miss dinners at the table ( I hate eating alone), and sitting on the couch with my man and a movie. Time with my favorite adult.

We are still waiting on carrot tops information packet to arrive. I have never done this before, BUT his social worker has told me now that it has been narrowed down to two, it goes something like this....
*We receive information to review.
*After reading, discussing, and thinking on it...We make a decision to continue or not.
* They then have 48 hours (or so) to make a choice between families.
*We then meet with his social worker to discuss transitioning.
*Transition begins.

Now, it was said that we should know in 7 days if were are the matched family. You and I know that means at least 2 weeks. I have watched his video and stared at his picture a million times. I am cautiously optimistic. Hopeful. This is as far as we have EVER gotten. Is it in the cards for us? We'll soon see.

Chicken are growing. Dumb creatures, and messy as hell. Cluck and peck. That's it.

We have had only 3 days of sun in nearly two weeks. I fear my veggie garden is rotting. Molding where they sit! All that time and effort. *SIGH*

I guess that's it. You are officially in the loop!

Happy Birthday Fiff!

Happy Birthday little man!

You are one today, and your Mama could not be happier. You are the light I have always searched for. The dream in my minds eye.

I watch you smile your toothy grin, and know that you were meant for me. Meant to be placed in my arms . Meant to be kissed by my lips. Meant to hear my lullaby.

I look forward to watching you grow. Watching you become a man. Always to remain my little boy!

Gonna be great!

I have been trying to think of something "blog-worthy". Something positive. Not a bitch or gripe.

AND THEN IT HAPPENED!

I got a call from a friend and former co-worker of Andy-the-Great. She invited me TO A MOVIE!
A chick flick. Like real adult women may do. We are even gonna visit our local Dollar Tree store. For candy to smuggle in (I know this is bad, but times are tough everywhere).

When we come out of the theatre...It may even have stopped raining.

Now that's a good day!

Mr. Sun

Have you ever tried keeping 10 children, and two infants inside for over a week?
OMG!
We have played board games, made play-dough, done word searches & mazes. Colored more pictures than I care to count. This morning, we are having donuts and a movie.

It is starting to get to us all. Tired of being cooped up inside. We want to play under the sprinkler. Walk to the park. Paint with spray bottles.

Thankfully my back is better. Or it would REALLY be bad!

OUCH!

Well, I've done it.
It am on my way to see my doc for a wrecked back/shoulder/head thing. I don't know what I have done. The pain is terrible. I am taking 4, 500 mg Tylenol every 4 hours, with very little releif.
Wish me luck.

p.s. I DON"T HAVE TIME FOR THIS!!!

Big Man Walkin'

Today's the day Griffin Allan Kent decided to BE A WALKER!
My baby boy is staggering around. Like a drunken sailor. My wonderful husband, posted the video..THE FIRST VIDEO...on his blog. I know that you all want to see it. Go ahead. Go see my baby walking to his Daddy (pay no attention to the lady in sweat pants with the crazy hair).

Come back and tell me how cute he is!!!

First full day update...

Well, here we are.

The first FULL summer vacation day. It has gone pretty well.

MINUS the few fights over fair calls in our wiffle ball game and the deliberate potty accident, we made it through unscathed.

Only 46 days until school starts!!

Last Day Blues...

No more teachers..
No more books..

Yes, today is the last day of school for our community. My life is going to officially suck!
I will have 12 cherubs here at Tee's House childcare. On top of my own spawn.

Our library program starts next week, and field trips the first of July. I am on vacation the second week of July!! WOOT!

Don't get me wrong...I have activities planned. Trips in the works.
But life is about to get a whole lot CRAZIER!!!

Here we go again...

OMG! I am so excited.
We got the call from carrot top's social worker....we have AGAIN made it down to the final two.

If you remember, we were there once. They posted his profile on A Family For Me, and spotlighted him on Thursday's Child (you can see that on WABI 5 Bangor). Well, literally hundreds of home studies poured in after that feature. I was told that we would be put "back in the pile" to be weeded through. 5-10 would be chosen from the vat. 2 would be selected from that bunch. A more detailed portfolio would be sent to the two possible matches. The social worker and her supervisor would then select the best fit. If they declined, the second family would then be chosen.

Hooray! We have again made it to the finals!

I watched his video profile on Saturday. I cried. Butterflies were in my belly. A lump in my throat. Could he be destined for us.

I am trying to be calm, and expect the worse. All the while hoping for the best.
A red-headed Turner.

Happy 50th Anniversary Art & Alice!

Yesterday we spent the day celebrating, with friends and family, my in-laws 50th wedding anniversary. We had a "traditional" New England clam bake.

It was a great time. All came off without a hitch.

I made the anniversary cake. A three teared lemon cake with French vanilla icing. Accented with gold ribbon, white roses, snowball hyacinth's, and sea shells. I had so many compliments. The best part, it tasted GREAT! Every last piece was eaten. It is always good when it looks pretty...but, pointless if it tastes like crap!

All of our children were there. Gabrielle spent an hour playing in a puddle. Got wet...but, was behaving. Both she and Griffin napped for an hour. Right in the middle of eating. So, I had my "monster" (that's what Gabi calls it) in piece. I even got to sit with my husband AND the older kids. UNHEARD OF!

We dipped our piggy toes in the Atlantic, found a few sea shells, visited with old friends, and laughed. The ex-wife was even in attendance. No dirty looks, even. WELL, just one. But, that's a record!!!

A bagpiper played while they renewed their vows. Something magical about the sounds of the ocean, the bag pipes, and sentiments of love. Andy and I hired a vocalist to sing a few songs that Alice and Art danced to..the grand finale of which was Etta James At Last. Flawless.

A well deserving couple, got a special tribute. 50 years!

WOW!

Foster This!

So, Andy and I received our license to Foster. We are hoping that this increases our exposure and chances to adopt. We also have a different case worker for this. SHE IS GREAT!!! She has emailed me twice this week. To see if I had questions or need any clarifications. AMAZING!!

I am told that we could get a call anytime. Today, tomorrow, three weeks. Who knows.
We have a room ready.

Waiting patiently...well, not really!

Griffin's first birthday is creeping up on me. 3 weeks left. It is an exciting time. So much happening, developmentally, so fast.

Griffin is....

Waving

Cutting 3 teeth (AT ONCE)

Almost walking

Talking (kitty, ball, stuck, Dora, hi)

He eats all solid foods. Anything we eat

Plays pat-a-cake & peek a boo

Dances like a mad man. Sings up a storm (even uses a microphone)

I can't believe how fast time flies. How fast they grow and change. What a blessing each minute is with them. HOWEVER,you may want to remind me of this the next time he wants to play at 3:28 a.m!

Lady of Wisdom

I went on a field trip today, with my son's 5th grade class.

We spent the day in our state's capital. It was so much fun. I have been there before, but never with Ty. I must say I was geared up for a day full of history and many yawns.

Surprisingly, NOT!

I spent the day with my 11 year old son, who was stuck to my hip like glue (smile). He ate lunch with me and put his arm around my waist when hearing a tour guide ramble on about bone needle embroidery (I guess he will never work in textiles).

I even learned a few things. For example...

There were 1200 females working in shoe shops in the 1950's. The tourmaline is the Maine state gem stone.Portland was the original capital of Maine. You can eat cattails and frog grapes. AND TY HAS A GIRLFRIEND. Her name is Mikayla, and she is sweet and pretty. He sat with me at lunch, however (smile).

Bright Sun Shiney Day

It's a beautiful day in Maine.

I woke up to the coo of the morning doves (and Griffin's stinky britches). The sun was shining on my face through my window. I decided that TODAY was going to be great!

I am spending a quiet day with my kids. Andy-the-great has some set work to do for a show he is directing. Our oldest cherubs are off doing other things. So, it is my 3 youngest. Ty, Gabi, and Griffin.

We are gonna dig in the dirt. Tend to my garden a little, and then off to the play ground.

Today I will let my laundry sit. My dishes can pile up. My floor will remain streaked with mud. I am thankful for the time that I am given with them. Before you know it...I will be begging them for a minute. THEY, also, will be off doing "better" things than digging with Mom.

One, measly, response!

I sent out the family bio info and inquiries to 22 Maine DHHS workers.

Yup!

22 social workers received our family spec's. Complete with photos of each, our house, and pets. Very informative, I must say. All in one easy-to-read page. Not an overload of info. Would take all of 5 minutes to read.

How many responses have I/we received?

ONE!!! ONE effing responses that said this...
"Wrong, Kathy Smith".

I am mad. Mad and extremely disappointed.

Maybe it's early yet.

Maybe there is a state wide, mandatory training for all adoptive case workers. One that takes them out of the office for the week, and doesn't allow email correspondence. Or maybe they are drivin crazy by email from buckfieldzmadmomma@yahoo.com.

Maybe I need to find something else to do.
*SIGH*

Meet the Turner's, again.

I spent all morning sending out our family bio sheet and profile summary. 12 social workers from Bangor to Presq Isle. Biddeford and Lewiston. Portland and Augusta. A sort of introduction to us. The Turners.

I also contacted our adoption case worker. Told her what I was doing, and asked for her suggestions. She quickly responded..."There is no mystery to this" and "Your floating around somewhere".

GRrrrrrr!
There is some parent advocacy, if I ever saw some. Thanks for your help!

I am anxious to see the response, if any.

Andy and I have decided AGAINST the Meet & Greet scheduled on Saturday. It is not our favorite activity. Wrestling with other potential families for a few minutes with child.

We will keep on the way we have been. Doing what we can to get our name out there. Without compromising what we deem important.

I guess that is the best anyone can do!

The question is this...

How do you go about finding these hundreds of children needing a family, in the state system?

Is it my responsibility to keep looking and asking for updates on new children available? How often should I send out our family bio, and inquiry? WHAT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF OUR ADOPTION CASE WORKER??

I call DHHS, our regional office, at least once a month. I email our adoption case worker every two weeks. I never speak with her personally (she never returns my call). When I email her, I get one lined responses..."That's to bad"..."Thank you"..."No new updates".

I would imagine that there is a fine line between advocating and driving everyone nuts.

I have been in contact with other case workers in other regions. I know that they have their own families to advocate for.

I guess I am just perplexed. I can't figure out how these children EVER get placed.

Any advice???

Picture This...

Hey, check out my hubby's blog,
longpatience.blogspot.com

It has really great pictures of my kiddos, and a bad one of me. I'd love to share them with you all. Andy is REALLY funny and I think you'll enjoy!!!