Thankful.....

Today is Thanksgiving... I am ALWAYS thankful but, wanted to take a few moments to mention them here. I am thankful for....

My husband
My family
My friends
My job
My home
My cats
My health
My blog readers
For EVERYTHING!

But, what I am most thankful for this year is that I don't have to EVER worry if my son J will be leaving.... I am thankful for 2 birth families that finally put their children first and wanted them to grow up in a stable loving home.... I am thankful that I am a FOREVER Mommy because of them.... Without adoption, I would not be a Mom....

Happy Thanksgiving!!! Hope you have a great day with your family & friends today!

Trick or Treat Street 2011!

Trick or Treat @ the mall!

Black suited Spiderman has arrived!

**** Wow! 3 posts in one day! I'm on a roll now!!!!********

Pumpkin picking & playing @ the farm......

Proud of his pumpkins....

The apple [or worm depending on how you look at the picture] of our eye!

Rope climbing!

Daddy & Farmer Jeffrey!

Today we took our family trip to the farm to play & pick our pumpkins! We had a great time! I love our tradition of going the anniversary of the weekend J came to live with us.... This same farm was the first place we ever took J. I love that we come back here!

2 years today.....

Two years ago today a little boy walked into our home and lives and stole our hearts.... I can't belive it's been 2 years since J came to live with us.... Such a handsome little boy that has come so far....

He asks me quite often the same question & I have to give the same answer:

J: Mommy, why do you love me?
Me: Because you are my son, my wish come true & my best friend.

I started asking him this question and requiring an answer after he asks me. This is what I got:

Me: Why do YOU love ME?
J: Because you adopted me!

Good answer son, good answer! Yes, 2 years ago today our lives changed and I wouldn't have it any other way!

I love you JTD!

A tale of two fishies....

*new* fish on the left-- Redy Bluey & *old* fish on the right-- Chaser Blue

Before school started last week, J said he wanted another Betta fish. We made a deal. If he had a good first week of school we would grant his wish.... He had a great first week of school [with a few minor bumps in the road but, much better than we expected] so, today we paid up. Above on the left side of the fish bowl I introduce you to Redy Bluey! He now joins Chaser Blue [you know, the replacement fish for Nemo the one who came up *missing*].... Now I am glad I bought the bowl w/a divider so we can have 2 beautiful fish to watch swim around!

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.