Today Might Just Be the Day...

What happens in the daily life of the family.. the drama of foster care, the adventures of parenting, & pictures to share with everyone!

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Sigh.

It’s so calm right now.

Brian and all of the kids are sleeping. The only noise is Brian’s snore, my typing and the air conditioner.

My little brother has been returned safely to base. He works for a few days and then gets a couple more weeks off. It was *really* good to see him. I think he had fun. I know that the kids loved playing with him. And now that he knows how close we are, maybe we’ll see a little more of him.

We are still in CA. We spent the morning swimming.

School starts on Monday, but I’m hoping that this trip will make summer last just a little bit longer. I think the main reason that I’m longing for more summer is the fact that it’s cooler here! It’s only 100, rather than the 113 that we’ve been having at home. It’s also nice to be able to run the air conditioner all day long and not stress. And the pool is great. Almost makes me wish that we had one.

Our little guy still amazes me with how far he’s come with swimming since the summer started. Today there was another little boy in the pool and he was right where our little guy was at the beginning of summer. He liked the water, but wasn’t ready to make any sudden moves. Now our guy was swimming in circles around this kid. The cutest quote of the day (thus far) was from him. He’d just met the other little boy and he asks me, “Mom, can I invite my new best friend over to play?”

Too bad we don’t all think of total strangers as our new best friends.

Brian and I dined at one of his friend’s home last week. And I think that I may have met a new friend there. The meal was probably the best that I’d ever tasted. And the company was fun. This family welcomed us with open arms.

Anyhow, now I’m just rambling… I think I’m going to go see if I can sleep at all during this peaceful time.

https://www.momtomany.net/54/

All back together again…

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Finally!

We are home!

My little brother is home from Iraq 🙂 and staying with us for a few days. And my older boys are back home, too!

Such excitement.

Andrew just finished his second tour. Brian and the littles and I made the trip out to meet him in 29 Palms. He has his days and nights mixed up, but we love having him here and the kids adore their uncle Andrew. I just wish the dog didn’t think he was such a threat.

And only a few hours after we got home with Andrew, Daniel and David flew back from Colorado. They had such a good time with Grandma and Grandpa that I don’t think any of them wanted it to end. But, we are very happy to have them home.

I think that we are very lucky. We have great parents who play a big role in our kids’ lives even though they aren’t close.

I don’t have time to post much–Daniel goes to the dentist today for spacers and I need to get all the troops out the door soon… But, I will share just a photo or two from Colorado. One day when I figure out this blogging junk, the photos will be where I think they should go, but for now.. photos on top, then text.

Does Anyone Know What Time It Is?

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So, I’ve been wanting to post about this since I was going through it.. The concert on Friday was *amazing*! We went to see Earth, Wind & Fire along with Chicago.

Brian surprised me with tickets for the concert for my birthday. And the bigger part of the surprise came when we went to our seats. We were in the middle of the 3rd row! I am pretty sure that’s the closest that I’ve ever been other than standing room only shows. And near the end of the show we stood up and were close enough to touch the stage.

They opened the show with both bands playing together…

Then Earth, Wind & Fire played their set. Hearing the horns live and seeing all the energy is just so much fun.

We also had a great time people watching. There was a single woman in front of us who just rocked out the whole night. She looked to be around 60 & asked Brian how much a beer was. When he told her ($8) she responded, “Boy, you must be thirsty.” Ha! She had a very cute twang to it all as well. There were also a few couples who looked like they were wearing the same outfits that they wore to watch Earth, Wind & Fire some twenty odd years later.

Then Chicago took over for their set. I knew every.single.word by heart.

Then, they played together again. It was a two hour long show that went by in an instant. And we were both beat from singing and dancing the night away afterwards.

Here’s a little silent video.. we didn’t have the right camera for sound…

I know it’s not right to brag, but I need to just a bit. After the concert, Brian surprised me with a night at the Arizona Biltmore. The room was beautiful and the bed was so comfy. Then we slept in! And after all of that we had a couples massage. How did I get so lucky? I’d say that it was a great way to start this next year of my life. I feel like I’ve started my 30’s going strong!

Happy Birthday Team DuBose

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We are two!

It was two years ago today that Brian and I became parents, well in the eyes of the law anyhow. It’s odd. It doesn’t feel like two years have past, but it feels like they’ve been my boys forever. And I guess somehow they really have been. When I think of the chances and timing and luck that were involved in us becoming the family for those two boys, it blows my mind. And now, with our little guy… how can I imagine life without him?

I do need to put a huge thank you out there. I’m thankfully for our friends, family, and neighbors who welcomed these two little guys so willingly. I’m thankful for whomever it was who called CPS and let someone know that these children needed help (never an easy call to make, I’m sure). I’m thankful for their birth mother. I’m thankful for the judges and caseworkers who all work to do the right thing for our kids. Most of all, I’m thankful to Brian, for being willing to go along on this crazy journey with me and for being the best daddy possible to these boys.

It wasn’t long after the adoption that Daniel started school. I remember being so happy that I was able to change his name before school started. And he was so proud to be adopted! They made a book of why they are special and his page says, “I’m special because I’m adopted”. There are so many things that make him special, but the adoption part makes him ours!

On this date..

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31 years ago I was born (thanks Mom).
24 years ago I rode on part of RAGBRAI for the first time.
16 years ago I was in London and my friend gave me a Snicker’s bar with matches for candles in lieu of a cake.
15 years ago I got my first driver’s license.
13 years ago I was on a road trip with no parents and I bought my first beer.
10 years ago I bought my first *legal* beer.
7 years ago the love of my life asked if I would be his bride (thanks Brian).
5 years ago Brian and I decided that we wanted to grow our family.
4 years ago we were waiting to hear if we’d been approved as foster parents.
1 year ago I was helping a friend get ready to start her married life.

Today, that same friend gave birth to a beautiful baby girl! And I get to spend my day with the love of my life.

You came to learn something?

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Gosh, I really hope not!

I was just reading about a whole blog convention. Turns out I’m supposed to be making a change or influencing people or selling stuff. Eh, I’d rather not.

I really just hope that every now and then my family hops on to see what’s going on in our little world.

And this gives me a chance to get out all of the stuff that’s going on here, not only in my life, but in my mind.

Besides, it’s like a world wide brag book. I love my little cuties and I get to share them with everyone.

Today we went to the movies. It’s been our Tuesday tradition this summer. I’d like to say we’re getting good at it, but my little ones still can’t sit still. We had two potty breaks during Hotel for Dogs this morning. The movie was o.k. It was a bummer that they portrayed the foster parents as cold and heartless and only in it for the money. But, I know that there are some junky foster parents that are like that. I will admit to the two of you who will read this, I cried at the end. I guess I should say this is a spoiler, but really–are you going to go watch this flick? Anyhow, at the end the kids are adopted. I leaned over and told Vinny that they were being adopted, just like we are going to adopt him. I am so ready for that day to come!

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I’m stealing this from someone else who stole it…

The Things You Didn’t Know Before TTC

1 That unprotected sex doesn’t necessarily lead to pregnancy.
2 That your sex life would start to resemble a science experiment.
3 That the longer you TTC, the more PG women spring up around you.
4 That deep down inside, I can be a very jealous person.
5 That I would know more about the female reproductive system and menstrual cycle than most of the doctors I go to.
6 That living your life in 2 week increments would be the norm
7 That you never knew how much you wanted to see those 2 pink lines……until only one shows up every month
8 That simply relaxing will NOT get you pregnant.
9 That you have no control over some of the goals you set…
10 That wishing really hard for something doesn’t make it happen, and staring at your chart doesn’t make it change!
11 That a pregnancy doesn’t always equal a baby.
12 That miscarriage is so common.
13 That my friends’ pregnancies would start to make me sad instead of happy.
14 That I wasted A LOT of money on Birth control pills!!
15 That my DH is the most wonderful and caring man!
16 That it is insensitive to ask people when they are having a baby!
17 That I would be happy to see abundant cervical fluid and tell my DH about it.
18 That had I bought stock in Clearblue Easy I’d have my mansion on St. Pete’s Beach in FL by now.
19 That docs should prescribe Zoloft with Clomid.
20 That having AF show up makes you cry, no matter who’s bathroom you are in.
21 That it does not get easier, each cycle is harder than the last.
22 That I wouldn’t want to hold or see someone’s baby because it just hurts way too much.
23 That talking about sex with fellow TTCers would be so easy
24 That one day all of this will make us stronger.
25 That no one I know would have any understanding as to how I feel.
26 That my temper and patience are much shorter than I ever thought.
27 That I would find it extremely difficult to be happy for other people’s pregnancies and I would burst into tears upon hearing their news.
28 That I would make so many new, wonderful friends who totally get how I feel because we are all going through the same thing.
29 That I would know about other peoples’ BD, CP, CM but not know their real name, their DH’s name, or their occupation.
30 That I would become NUMB to the wonderful world around me that I already have (DH, family, friends, dogs, fun, etc)!
31 That I would become addicted to POAS and not sleep at night because I couldn’t wait to POAS in the morning!
32 That I would learn to speak in code Like I checked CM which was EWCM but when I will POAS who knows, DH won’t let me for fear of BFN
33 That you HAVE to have sex even though you don’t feel like it, but because your FM says high or peak.
34 That I would dream about taking my temperature and be disappointed if I woke up at 3am and it wasn’t time yet.
35 That I would buy herbs and otc creams like vitex and progest, use them for two days, and then chicken out.
36 That the two little words of “just relax” uttered by everyone I know would infuriate me beyond belief.
37 That it puts this much strain on a marriage
38 That I would have to listen to people complain about their children as if they were burdens while a child is the one thing in the world I want the most. Also, they sound as if they are trying to talk me out of having kids, like it is the absolute worst thing that could ever happen to me.
39 That you would tell everyone you’re not ready for a child when they ask what your waiting for.
40 That answering questions (and usually lying) about pregnancy or family plans would hurt so bad.

I’m sure that some of the lingo will be new to a few of you who don’t frequent message boards. But, the general message will still come through. I love, *love*, love my children. And I would love to have one biological child.

https://www.momtomany.net/47/

Preschool funnies..

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The other morning we were laying with Beth before the little guy woke up. She’s on her tummy between Brian and I. She reaches up and puts an arm around each of us and hugs us and tells us, “I really like you guys.”

My little guy’s funny is ongoing. His new thing to say is, “Let me tell you one more question.” And this statement is inevitably followed by another statement, no questions involved.

Just another day in paradise..

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More fun in the sun today!
At the beginning of the summer, the kids all took swim lessons. Daniel & David did great and are ready to move onto the next level. They can now safely swim without me worrying much about even knowing where they are 🙂

Our little guy, however, was a totally different story. Through the whole 2 week class, he cried every *single* day. He would bawl throughout the whole class. Even at the end of the class, he was still crying for the whole 45 min.

And our little princess took a Mom & Tot lesson with me. She would scream if we tried to get her to do anything she didn’t want to (shocker). She did well wall walking and practicing kicking, but she wouldn’t put her face in the water at all.

Now we’re nearly a month later and it’s like I have new kids!

Daddy & I took them to the pool this afternoon and I finally got the chance to get photographic proof of the huge progress they’ve made. However, it’s really hard to get a photo of them in motion. And, they make quite the splash.. so the best photos are blurry.. Oh, well. Hope you enjoy anyhow!