Our 2nd Halloween together......

J's 3rd costume of the weekend! Dark Knight Batman!

The Jack-o-lantern J designed all by himself [but, I carved it and I am not a good carver!]

Trick or Treat!

Handing out candy after he was done his trick or treating!

Today was our 2nd Halloween with J in our home.... Wow! Now instead of all firsts we are starting our seconds with him! As I stated in an earlier post the *original* costume of Spiderman ended up being a little snug on him so, we went and got a new one and I think it's just as cute as the other one! He loves to dress up as his super heroes so, they will get much use I know so, I didn't mind! He got tired out easily [probably doesn't help that our neighborhood doesn't have a lot of participation so, you have to walk several houses to get one or two that have their light on....] So, when he was done we went home where he helped give out the treats! Such a big boy!

Hope everyone had a very HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Itsy Bitchy Spider & YMCA Halloween Party!

Today was J's school's *costume event*.... His school encourages his age group to wear a *homemade* nursery rhyme/storybook character costume. They do a parade around the school, Trick or Treat in the elementary school & wave to cars passing by from the front lawn... I am not a crafty person and talked to one of the teachers at the school [who is a friend of mine too from when I worked at this same daycare/school 9 yrs ago] and she suggested making an 'Itsy Bitsy Spider' costume... I looked up the directions and it seemed easy enough... So, we talked to J about it and decided to do it..... Yesterday when I picked him up J's teacher told me he told someone he was going to be the 'Itsy Bitchy Spider' by mistake-- Oops! We practiced and now he can say it right... But, it is a cute story to tell! He was a cute little Itsy Bitchy-- I mean Bitsy Spider if I do say so myself!

Ready for the YMCA Halloween party!


He loved Pumpkin Bowling!

He also loved the bouncy and sliding down the slide!

Craft time w/ Aunt Kerri!

Tonight we went to the YMCA Halloween party.... It was fun w/ several activities for the kids to do and lots of treats to take home! My sister was in town so she came with us and got to spend time with J. She moved away to go to Graduate school and although she is only 2 1/2 hrs away we haven't been able to go up and see her yet but, she has been back a couple times to visit...

When I bought J's costume 3 weeks ago, it fit perfect but, now, it was a little small on him... But, he still wanted to wear it... It got ripped during tonight's festivities and I am not sure if it's fixable so, I went out tonight to get him another one... Something different but, I will keep it a surprise until tomorrow or Halloween....

*****Ps. This is my 100th post! Wow! It's been a little over 2 yrs since I started this and finally got to 100! Thanks for following my story!******

A *change in plans*....

We went back to court today and I was super nervous that something was going to go wrong like last week.... Court proceeded and all the lawyers questioned our caseworker making their arguments.... For a few minutes I thought BM's lawyer was going to get more time but, in the end the judge granted a *change in plan* for all 3 children. It's still a long process to get through but, within the next 30 days a TPR petition will be filed. Then 30-60 days after that, a TPR hearing will be done. If TPR is granted then we go back to court in April when DSS has guardianship of the children and then adoptions can be set..... So, still looks like 6 mos or more before any finalization will happen but, it's another step up from where we were a week ago!

My emotions ran high today as I had to hold my self together when the caseworker stated she received a message from BM after last weeks court date basically sounding like she is giving up.... My heart really went out to her because I think she finally realizes it's best for the children... Maybe now she can concentrate on the newborn who she still has in her care.... I hope for her sake she does! Then I was filled with pride as the caseworker spoke about J and how well he is doing in our home because of us and how we are doing everything possible to help him.... Sometimes being a foster parent is a hard and thankless job but, to hear someone speak of you in that setting in front of all those important people-- it really makes you feel good! Finally I was filled with relief. Relief that this day actually came and now we have a new goal in our sights... Real relief will come when things are finalized but, for now I can relax and enjoy a bit more!

My hubby & I went to get J from school together and then we went out to dinner. J doesn't know what is going on right now but, for my hubby & I it was our *secret* little celebration dinner....

I know that the process is long and that anything can still happen but, we took another step in our lives today... even if for now it was a *baby step* in the end, it's an important step!

Making more Autumn memories.....

"How big am I this year?"

Picking the *biggest* pumpkin!

Hitching a ride w/ our pumpkins!

Last year the day after J was placed with us, we took him to a local farm to do the play area/mazes and pick pumpkins.... We didn't know how long he would be with us but, I wanted him to have some fun memories of us.... I wanted to take him back to the same farm this year-- exactly a year since the last trip... And for as long as he is with us, I will make it our annual tradition.... He remembered it when we pulled up and seemed happy to be coming back.... We did the mazes, climbed on hay stacks, and other play area activities.... Then we each picked our pumpkin... Of course J had to pick the *biggest* pumpkin! It was a nice time... I took a pic of him by the measuring thing again and want to compare them to see how much he has grown.... I still can't believe it's been a year....

We go back to court this Wednesday and I am hoping for more this time than a postponement! 3 more days.....

1 year......

A year ago tonight J came into our home, lives and heart.... At the beginning of the day we were a childless couple and by the evening we were instant [foster] parents to a 4 1/2 yr old boy.

I remember that evening like it was yesterday.... I was driving home from work and my cell phone rang. The number was the DSS main number.... My stomach went crazy! We were done our licensing so, why would they be calling ME on a Friday @ 4:10pm? I had just turned onto our street when it rang and answered. It was the resource worker supervisor. After giving me the info and asking a few questions I called my hubby.... We quickly chatted/decided that sure we could keep him for the weekend..... We had a few things to prepare around the house and I got to work immediately [making the bed w/ fresh sheets, etc...]. My hubby got home and we anxiously waited. We weren't sure what time they would be here.... A little before 7pm the caseworker called. She was on our street. I went outside to wait for them. When they pulled up a shy, adorable little boy came out. The caseworker introduced me to him and we went into the house to give him the tour. She gave us some more info about him and a car seat then left. We were on our own. I remember he came with just a few items of clothes and 2 little toys... Now if you look in his room you would never believe that to be true! My hubby had to run out that night while I got J settled in with a bath and snack to get a tooth brush, juice and cereal.... It was an exciting night. I don't even think my hubby & I ate dinner that night we were so nervous.... What a difference a year makes!

We have been through a whole year of firsts-- first holiday's, birthdays, anniversaries, ups & downs.... It's amazing that sometimes it seems like J has been here just a few weeks and others it seems like he has *always* been here....

We didn't make a *big deal* about today because I was afraid it might make J sad and miss his *real* family [his words] even more than I know he does. We had a good day though... We hung out in our PJ's this morning and then had a lazy afternoon at home... My hubby made us our favorite dinner tonight Steak, hand cut FF & steamed shrimp.... It was just a *family relax day* @ our house... We are planning to take J to the pumpkin patch we took him to a year ago tomorrow.... I want to take pics and compare them from last yr to this year... If he stays I want to make it our little family tradition since it was the first place we took him!

I don't know exactly what the next year holds for us but, for now J is our little boy and we love him very much..... My life will never be the same no matter what happens to our little family in the future.... And my heart melts whenever J asks: "Do you love me?" "Do you ALWAYS love me?" or "You are the BEST Mommy!"


I love you Little Monkey! I am so glad you came into my life!

Field trip to the pumpkin patch/farm!

J & a classmate trying to figure out the answer to the question to find out which way to go!

J feeding a goat!

Looking for the *perfect* pumpkin.....

J decorating his very own pumpkin!

Today I had my first experience of being a Mommy accompanying her child on a field trip. J's class went to a local farm today.... Other than being a bit windy/cool it was a BEAUTIFUL Fall day for the trip! Our group did the hay ride first around the farm and learned some interesting facts. Then we did the corn maze, hay maze, fed goats & saw a big bull. Then they took the children to the pumpkin patch and they all got to pick their own! They had to get one that the child could carry by themselves with no parents helping. J looked hard and finally found his perfect pumpkin. Then we went into the greenhouse where they let the children decorate their pumpkins with puffy sticker shapes. It was a fun and educational morning!

After J got back on the bus to go back to school I met my hubby for lunch then ran errands until it was time to pick J up from school for the day. It was a fun but, exhausting day! I loved it! I told J I would be meeting them there but, to have him run off the bus into my arms and say 'I knew you would come Mommy!' melted my heart! I can't wait until the next field trip!

Tomorrow is the *big* day... 1 yr! Can't believe it!

What a day....

Today was a busy mixed up day.... First, let me share with you a song a fellow foster parent shared with me today-- grab a tissue first! Here it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLjwczYafVE [I have never did a link in my post so I hope it works!] After the past few days I really, really needed to hear this song tonight! Hope you enjoy it too!

We had to have a meeting w/ J's new school because he has been having some issues again and they wanted to meet and discuss ideas with us.... I think it went well and we have somethings to try to work on but, hopefully we can get him back on track again....

Today we also had court for J's case. All 3 foster families showed up and we chatted as we waited. There were not many cases on for today and about 1 hr later we were called in. Due to a technicality the did a postponement until next Wednesday. So, we wait again [I keep telling myself to feel lucky that it's only a week and not weeks or months] to see what will happen next week.... UGH! My stomach will be in knots for another few days but, hopefully we will get some answers next week.

The plus side of today is my hubby & I did enjoy a nice lunch together in between the school meeting and court.... We got a little much needed *adult* time -- even if we did have other things in the back of our minds such as how would court go.....

October again.....

J sure does love sandboxes-- especially ones with the claw type toy attached!

Taking a spin!

An awesome [if I may say so myself] in-the-air shot of J shooting hoops!

11 years ago next month I met my hubby.... We were connected from the begining..... The month of November has never been the same ever since.... For 11 years November has meant another year that my hubby & I have been together....

6 years ago next month I married my best friend.... 5 years & 2 days after meeting him..... Again, November took on a new meaning..... Each November we celebrate the month we met & married....

1 yr ago right now we were newly licensed foster parents and wondering when we would get *the call*. I would get excited nerves each time the phone would ring hoping it was *the call* on the other end....


In 19 days, we will celebrate the 1 year anniversary of when J came into our lives.... we got the call a little after 4pm, made a decision to have him stay *for the weekend-- maybe a little longer* and by 6:45pm he was walking into our house and our lives.....


Wow! I can't believe it's almost been a year since J came to stay with us.... We go to court on the 20th and 3 days later will celebrate J being here 1 yr....


Maybe, just maybe the month of October may never be the same.......

****Above some pics of J playing on the playground while he & I enjoyed the beautiful Fall day we had this past Saturday. We stopped by a car show that my hubby was at w/ our Nova and of course we couldn't leave w/o making a visit to the playground! By the way-- our Nova won 2 prizes this day! The Sponsors Choice [the big award!] and one of the several Participants Choice awards! Congrats Babe!****