What's the hold up???

So, I was promised that our license would be in hand by mid January.
Nope!
I contacted my placement social worker, and she has yet to finish typing up our home study report.
My Gosh!
We have finished our part in the process, mid November.
We wait. And wait. And wait.
Will it ever come to pass? Will we ever have our ending?

The Crazy Kids

Here they are!
Two crazy cats.
Fallon got a new digital camera for her birthday. She is quite talented, I must say. Here is one of my favorite candids. Gabrielle has discovered a new kind of relationship with her oldest sister! It is nice to see. Fallon is warm and loving. Gabrielle goes to her for honest answers. Fallon treats her like a bigger kid.
She seems to get certain things from the kids.
Harrison is her playmate. He has tea, and plays barbies with her.
Alyssa is her 2nd mother. Snuggles, rocks, and kisses her boo-boo's.
Ty is her wrestling partner. He tickles her. Makes her scream with delight!
I am always amazed at the love ALL the kids have for both her and Griffin. They are incredibly lucky to have such a great support system in their older siblings. They will always be taken care of. I know that these children will whole heartedly welcome another child.
Maybe "M".

THANKS!

PHEW!
We made it through the weekend from hell. Pipes are fixed, water is restored, furnace is fixed.
Waa Hoo!!!
Thanks to my princes...John D, Bonda-Boo, and my hubby...Andy-the- great!
I appreciate all of your hard work, ALL WEEKEND LONG!
Just another Monday morning in Buckfield. Daycare is open today. However, I only have 5 cherubs (and NOT complaining). A lot of clean-up left to do.

I am hoping to hear some good news this week. Our license arriving in the mail, perhaps. Maybe "M's" social worker calling. I have all but stopped hoping for that to happen. Let the chips fall where they may, so to speak. But, I have to admit...I have become a little attached to this soul. I have followed him with hopes of adding him to our family for 5 months. I have become quite concerned with his well-being. And will remain so.

All of our other kiddos are well. Griffin is now waiving, Gabrielle all potty trained, Ty gaining in the basketball fundamentals, Alyssa got the lead (almost unheard of for an underclassmen) in her school's one Act show, Harrison has been scoring a lot of points and starting on his basket ball team, and Fallon just turned 17!!! A lot to keep us busy.
A lot to make us content.
A lot to be thankful for. And I am.

I am thankful for my heat. My family. The love of my life that sleeps next to me (though not nearly enough). My beautifully wonderful children. Help that we receive from others. Kisses. Cake. And sunshine!

Happy Birthday Fallon!

So, today is our 16 (no 17) year old's birthday.
Many of you also follow my husband's blog (andrewscottturner), so none of this will be a surprise...BUT
We had decided to sleep on a mattress on the living room floor last night. Our furnace has been kicking off, so in order to guarantee warmth of the fire place, we camped out!
At 3:30 a.m, the fire alarm went off...apparently the batteries were dead. So up we got.
Stoked the fires, checked the water for freezing. All was well.
Griffin woke up at 4:45. Needed to eat.
Up we went. Stoked the fires...heat had shut off. Cold, but warm in the living room. Checked the water. Frozen.
Frozen in the bathroom.
Andy proceeded to get the heat gun out to thaw them.
The damn pipe BURST!!!!
Water was spewing all over our bathroom floor.
Long story short, it took 20 minutes to find the shut off valves. Standing water was in the bathroom.
Water had to be shut off to THE WHOLE HOUSE!
Still no furnace.
The bathroom floor will need to be replaced.
Insulation re-done.
Who knows about the other pipes that are sure to be frozen at this point!
Sometimes you just need a little break.
A small victory.
We are waiting......

Weight Loss Woe's

So, I have decided I HAVE GOT TO LOSE a little of my weight. I gained a bit with the last pregnancy, and just kept it on after. In my previous life (that is what I call my first marriage), I had gained a BIG amount. With unhappiness came a whole lot of Devil Dogs and a big ol' butt!
I decided that I didn't want to look like that anymore. Walked, kick boxed and lost 69 3/4 pounds!!! You betcha!
So, I know that I can do it!
The difference now, in this life, is that Andy doesn't care about my weight. His version of what I look like, is different than mine. He, after all, is the one who sees me naked. That makes it a little difficult to PUT THE TWINKIE DOWN!
I will be looking into joining our local fitness center. This will also help me to work out the aggression that I have built up. Rid the DHHS stresses. Eliminate the laundry back-up tension. Help me deal.
No, I have no intention of walking away from the Ring-Dings. I will never abandon my Funny Bones. I am committed to my relationship with Ben & Jerry. I just want to partake in them...with a smaller ass. Burn up those guilty calories.
Lay in bed, with my honey bun (Andy, not the cake) and eat a strawberry shortcake!

ANOTHER Tuesday update...

Finally heard from "M's" caseworker. It seems that they are now, seriously, considering placement for him. WITH HIS BIO-Aunt & Uncle. If you have read any of my previous blogs, you know that she has had custody of him before, and returned him. There has also been numerous red flags with her home study, which will be addressed and corrected. I am told.
The state has a policy of kinship placement...unless absolutely impossible. I understand that. Really, I do.
Soooo, now we wait for another "match".
I am glad that "M" will continue a relationship with his bio-fam. It is important he know where is came from. Who he came from.
My heart is broken, just the same.
I am convinced that the perfect little somebody will come along for our family.
Just don't feel real hopeful right now.

Tuesday's update on "M"

I call "M's" social worker every Tuesday. Every Tuesday morning.
Every Tuesday Morning at 10:00 a.m.
Rain or shine...hot or cold...in sickness and in health.
I call to touch base with her. Find out about any progress that we/they are making, and generally how "M's" week has been.
I called today, SHE WAS NOT IN!
Can you believe that? Not in.

So, I called at 12:00, and 2:00, and will call again at 4:00.
Yes, I am a bit neurotic. Can't help it. It is my only connection with him right now.
I am also afraid that if I fail to connect with her, just once...they will forget that we are here.
Here waiting.
For a word of hope.

Lovely Days

I love days like these.
I woke up at 5:00 a.m to start a fire in the fireplace. Usually Andy takes care of this. I thought that he may appreciate the extra minutes of sleep. The Little's woke up at 5:45, and so did the hubby.
He finished my start (he is better at it than I), and made coffee.
I lay down with Gabrielle to watch Charlie and Lola. She watched the program, I dozed of. I woke up at 8:15. Andy was watching the cherubs and let me nap.
THANK YOU, BABE!
After breakfast, I sat my bum on the couch. Decided to look at some pictures to get ideas for my next painting. I drank 2 cups of coffee with little disruption...THANKS BABE!
Bathed Gabrielle and Griffin...made lunch...did 2 loads of laundry...got the Little's to nap...and fully intend on taking advantage of the quiet with a nap myself!
It's rough!
It is nice and toasty in here with the fires going, and my belly is full. The man of my dreams is laying on the couch, (Yes, honey. You do snore.) and I will join him shortly.
Could there be anything to make you more happy?
A warm home.
Sleeping babies.
True love.
Aaaaaaaaaa! Contentment!

Welcome New Year!

Hello 2009!
I DEMAND that you are good to us.
We have worked hard at being good people. Good parents and partners. Good citizens in our little community. Good children to our parents. We have tried!

My goal for you, 2009, is simple. Besides the routine resolutions of losing 10 pounds, being a more patient parent, and a supportive spouse... I have made a unique (to me anyway) one. One simple and random act of kindness a week. I had intended to do an act EVERY DAY, but thought that I may need to start sort of smaller. I am not even sure what to do or where to start. I DO know that it will come to me. It always does.

Of course, I do also hope that you bring us "M". Or if he's not meant for us, I hope that he finds his forever home. A Mommy and Daddy to call his own. Brothers and sisters, perhaps. A love like he has never known. Unconditional and true.


p.s. One more selfish request for you, 2009...Space Cadet!
: )