1st day of 1st grade!

It's going to be a Super[hero] school year!

Ready for 1st grade!!

My big boy getting on the bus!

One more pic for Mommy before heading off!

Finally home after his 1st day!

Today was Jeffrey's 1st day of 1st grade.... I have been both excited and anxious for this day to come.... The past 2 yrs he has not been successful in school settings.... Yes, I know we have an IEP in place now. Yes, I know it's a different year/school/teacher.... But, I can't help but to wonder how this year is going to be.... We've been talking about school. Jeffrey has been asking 'When am I going to school?' for several weeks now, so I am glad the day finally came! The school was very nice and let us *visit* one day last week by ourselves since he is new to the school. We got a private tour and we met the teacher & principal while we were there. On Thursday was the school sponsored open house & picnic. My hubby met J & I at the open house. We got to meet the teacher [again] and her 2 aides that are in the room too. We found out there are 5 kids in J's class-- ALL BOYS! We pointed out his name all around the room and showed him different things. Daddy had to go back to work but, J & I stayed for the picnic. It was nice but, we didn't know many people so, we just hung out and had a drink.... His teacher asked him what his favorite subject was... My son's answer-- RECESS! Yeah-- that is my boy!

This past weekend we had a hurricane in our area. Irene. I wasn't sure if school would start today or not. But, after a pre-recorded phone call from the school yesterday it was official.... My boy would start 1st grade tomorrow!

Jeffrey was excited to start school today.... He had a great day! He got all *smileys* which is a good thing! He was excited to talk about his day tonight.... His favorite part of his day? Recess! [imagine that]

When we told him he was going to 1st grade J argued w/ me for days that he was: 'Not smart enough for 1st grade!' I assured him he was and that if he wasn't ready they wouldn't pass him on to the next grade.... Tonight as he was going to bed my sweet, sweet boy said 'Mommy, you were right.... I am smart enough to go to 1st grade!' Yes you are my lil man! Yes you are!

I am excited to see how much he learns & grows this year!

Summer time fun... pics.....

Beach Day w/ Mommy & Aunt K 8.21.11
Inflatable slip & slide for a friend's 6th birthday party 8.20.11

State Park Waterpark 8.15.11

*Jawbone* Jeffrey on the Pirate Adventure Cruise 8.15.11

School is a week away and we have had a busy week trying to squeeze in some last minute summer time fun. On Monday a co-worker & I took J & her grandson that was in town for a visit on a Pirate Adventure cruise. It was so fun to see the kids have a great time! The place we went out of did an awesome job! After the pirate cruise we took the boys to a state park that had a small waterpark in it. Mother nature cooperated so we could have 2 1/2 hrs of fun in the sun before it stormed. We were leaving anyway when they announced they were closing the park for storms in the area. Yesterday we went to a farm/car show in the morning and to a birthday party for a friend's daughter who was turning 6. The rented a blow up slip & slide and the kids had a BLAST! Today my sister came in town for the day so we could take J to the beach. We had fun there then came home and relaxed, got crabs in the afternoon, made s'mores and watched our favorite TV program. J is in bed & she is on her way home but, it was an awesome day! This is J's last week before school. We are going to visit it 2x this week. I am hoping this year will be J's best year & with the special things we have in place he will be successful.

Wordless Wednesday [almost]

*that he is!*

A picture of J when we were @ the doctor's office a couple weeks ago [for a well check]... I love that I can still dress him in shirts like this & he doesn't care!

Ps. I know I have been neglecting my blog, and yes I know I have promised to do better... We have just been SO busy lately enjoying life as a FOREVER family & not worrying if J will ever leave... I will come back soon I promise! Thanks for hanging in there with me!

[birthday] Wishes Do Come True!!!!

Jeffrey & his *my dad is fly* shirt on Father's Day...

Fishing w/ Daddy on Father's Day....

Today is my birthday.... I am 35! For the past several years when my family & friends would sing 'Happy Birthday' to me, in my heart I was wishing [longing] to be a [forever] Mommy.... This year 20 days early my birthday wish for all these years FINALLY came true! I am now the FOREVER Mama to my lil man!

I am sorry I haven't had a chance to write our adoption day story but, my birthday also marks the end of the fiscal year @ work which is a busy time for us... So, we have been busy, busy and then when I get home by the time I get errands, dinner, bath, snack & bedtime done, I am ready to relax! I will try to do it soon [before Jeffrey turns 18!]... For now, here are some more pics of our lil man!

Thank you Jeffrey for making Mama's birthday wish come true this year!!! I love you!

Adoption Day-- Picture Post

[my new favorite quote! It was on our table @ the party DSS hosted after the adoptions]

Picture w/ the judge!

First official family photo!

Today we became a forever family.... I will be back later to post our adoption day story but, wanted to be sure to post the pics today since it might take a day or 2 to get to it.... It's been a WONDERFUL but, busy day.....

Welcome to the family-- Jeffrey! We love you so much!

1 year, 7 months, 2 weeks & 3 days.....

.... that is how long my hubby & I have been J's foster parents.... Tomorrow that will all change... We will be his FOREVER parents! We got a call this past Monday morning.... Finalization is on Friday! THIS FRIDAY I asked? Yes, THIS FRIDAY she said.... There were calls to make and I had to request the day off from work.... And I hadn't picked out what we would wear yet! It's been a whirlwind week..... Some of our family won't be able to attend due to the short notice and other prior commitments but, we know they will be there in our hearts.... We can celebrate later because we now know we have a LIFETIME ahead of us.... After tomorrow J will be FOREVER our son and NO ONE will be able to take him away!

I am so excited.... I feel like it's Christmas or my birthday [yes, I will be 35 in a few weeks and I STILL love my birthday!]....

Tomorrow my dear faithful friends & followers.... I will FINALLY be able to show you my sweet J's face and tell you his name! Thank you for your support and I am sorry I haven't been showing you much attention lately but, now, I will be able to share my family and our life to you fully and completely! Tomorrow.....

Today....

Dear J,

Today was a big day in court for our soon to be *forever family*.... Today I was both happy and yet sad & proud at the same time....

Pride and sadness because the woman who brought you into the world had to make the hardest decision I am sure in her whole life but, it was the best decision she could've made for YOU!

Happy because this means we are one step closer to you becoming our *forever Son*! I can't wait to get the magical day that I can FINALLY share you with the world and tell everyone you are FOREVER ours!

I love you Lil Monkey!