Monday, May 25, 2009

Remembering...

This is the kids' early birthday gift....I had been watching the ads and over this weekend, it went on sale, so off I went to get it. We had intended to store it somewhere with a blanket over it till their birthday, but after purchasing it, the box didn't fit in the van. We (me and the salesman) ended up taking all the pieces out of the box to get it to fit. Because of that, we didn't have a choice--once the kids were in bed, we had to put it together. We were putting it together last night at 11pm, in the garage. We put it in the backyard when we were done, and this morning, we told Bug, that we had a surprise for her, made her close her eyes, and led her to the backyard. DH videotaped it...it was so cute. She was so excited...seeing your kids' excitement is better than getting any gift!

We spent the entire weekend working on the house, inside and out to get it ready to be put on the market. We are so glad that 95% of it is done...the rest should be done by Wednesday night when the realtor comes over to take pictures.

On Sunday after church, we took the kids to the park (right next to church). A little friend of Bug's , "K" and his Dad came too. There was a funny conversation I overheard from our two kiddos who were, at the time, on a teeter-totter:
K: Are we done with the ride yet?
Bug: NO
K: Ok....
(enjoying the ride, then about 30 seconds later...) K: Are we done yet?
Bug: NO...I want to ride more!
K: Ok....
Bug: (5 seconds later...) Ok, now we are done. (off they run)

Amazing...she already has him wrapped around his finger. Later, when it was time to go, Bug ran up to him to say goodbye.

(hugging each other)
K: Can I kiss you?
Bug: Ok.... (kiss) Egggghhhhh, YUCK!!! (wiping the kiss off..)

That's my girl....and it better stay like that for at least 15 years!! It was just too cute, though. After the park, it was home to do some more work on the house.

Today, we got up and headed downtown for the Memorial Day parade. It was nice, but Bug decided to cry through pretty much the entire thing, because..."I don't like the drums, Mama!!" She hated the loudness of the marching bands...which is no surprise, she hates loud noises.
Here are some pictures from the weekend:
Bug enjoying her new playhouse
At the parade... A fly by... Bubby and Daddy When she was happy....before the parade started! Waiting for the parade to start
I can't help but remember those who gave their lives, so that we may live the life of freedom that we all do. They are all heroes in my eyes. To those we love, who have passed to a better place...We love you and will never forget you. My dear Grandma (2008), and her first husband, Leo (1962), picture taken on their wedding day in 1944. My dear Grandma (2008), and her second husband, my Grandpa George (1980). This picture was taken in April of 1980.
My husband's dear Grandfather--"Grandpap" (2006). This picture was taken in 2003.
We will never forget you....we love you all very much. Rest in Peace.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Going to the "house store"....

I last left off when we were going to take Bug to the hospital lab for a blood test. Well, on Friday May 8th, I took her up the street to the hospital for a blood draw. I wasn't so sure how that would go, but alas, my brave little girl did so well. She started to cry when they put the tourniquet on. When they actually took the blood, she had pretty much stopped crying by then. She was just so excited that she was going to get a Snoopy band-aid, and a Tinkerbell sticker. Good results too: Mono is negative, but her blood count was super low. Normal is between 8,000 and 10,000, and hers was 5,000. The doctor said also, that 71% of her cells were viral cells. Layman's terms: she has a nasty virus. As of today, her glands are STILL badly swollen. Not sure what is still going on with those...

Sunday brought Mother's Day. Every Mother's Day, we are greeters at church. DH got me a corsage, and of course made me a nice card. I thought for sure LM would tear the heck out of the corsage, but I only lost one petal on my rose, so not so bad. I always look forward to his handmade cards. Sunday night we had a yummy dinner at TGI Friday's.
Later in the week, we decided that we are going to buy a bigger house. Yes, just like that. Not "shall we go out for dinner tonight?", or "I think I need to buy a new pair of shoes..", but "I think we are going to buy a bigger house". We had actually been throwing around the idea, but nothing ever came of it. Well, we decided it made money sense, as the mortgage rates will probably be sky high next summer (when we originally had planned to move), so we might as well go for it, right?? We have met with two realtors, and have chosen one to work with. We have some things to do to the house (very minor), but our hope is to have it listed by the end of the month. So, on Saturday we decided to go "house shopping" and drive past some we had found that we liked. As we were getting ready to go, Bug asked where we were going, and I told her "house shopping". I proceeded to run around the house getting things ready, and I hear Bug yell..."Cmon Daddy, we are going to the house store!!!!" Too cute.

Next on the agenda was going to the pottery store to paint a plate for our Mom's for Mother's Day. We had an idea to hand print both of the kids on a heart shaped plate, then DH would take them home. It worked out ok...I was there for about four hours though--after DH left with the kids. I was exhausted by the end. Since I was there, I also painted a cake plate for LM for his first birthday. The plates turned out pretty good I thought.
LM didn't want to let go of the paint brush when his kind young lady helped us. She gave me a real cute idea for his cake plate too! Thanks kind lady!

Here is a cute picture of my curious LM....He realized that when he gets into the cereal cabinet, that tasty things are in there. He would eat some Lucky Charms, and then clap his hands.On Friday, we had some new friends over. They are a couple from our church who has also adopted transracially, a little girl. We had a great time chatting and letting the kids play. Holding their daughter, really made me want to adopt again. She was so precious. Saturday night, we headed to some friends' of ours, "Uncle" Dave and "Aunt" Jen. We had a yummy dinner, then just chatted and got caught up. It had been so long since we had seen them....I am pretty sure the longest span of time ever. I think it had been since February...we promised not to do that again!! We were there till about 11:30pm...and the kids didn't actually get into bed till after midnight. Bad parents... Cuddlin' with "Uncle" Dave"Aunt" Jen and Bug

Sunday brought me and the kiddos piling in the car and heading to DH's parent's house. We got to spend some time with the family, and my Mom actually came up for the day on Monday, so the kids got to see both of their Grandma's at the same time. We had a good time seeing everyone, and doing some relaxing. At home, DH was going to get some painting done in the house, and we thought it would just be much easier with no kids (and wife!). Not much ended up getting done in the house, as DH had to work alot more than expected. O-well...guess we will be getting it done this weekend. LM at the park...I kept saying his name to get him to look at the camera, but he refused. He was smilin' like crazy, but didn't want to look at me. Little stinker! My little Bug Aunt Kim and LM Swinging with Aunt Kim Snuggling with Aunt Tracy Bug being a goofball... My Mom, LM, DH's Mom and Bug, with the Mother's Day gifts. The plates read: "Grandma (Grammy) holds our hands for a short time, but our hearts forever". Both our Mom's loved them. Bug and her cousins at the park... My cute nephew....and I WILL be saving this picture for his first girlfriend!!
This morning, I took the kids and met with two other adoptive moms for a play date. We finally got to have our first Transracial Playgroup meeting. Yay! We had a great time, and was blessed with an awesome, hot day! It was so exciting to meet other Moms who have been down our road, to develop the support system, and of course to make new friendships too! We are planning on going to the zoo for our next outing. Tonight, I am off to a "preview" garage sale. This garage sale is a woman who has, literally, sales racks full of barely used or new kids clothes from Gymboree. Ummm, yeah, I will be taking some cash with me.

Have a good week!

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Ummmm, YUCK!

Any guesses as to what this is??? Your guess is as good as mine! I was cleaning out an old diaper bag, and found this baggie tucked in a pocket. I am guessing at some time, it was some kind of food product. I actually tried to figure out what it was, but it was 100% mold. Lovely. For the record, that isn't a testament as to what the inside of our house looks like. Honestly.

Well, our little Bubby is so close to walking. While I was at bible study the other night, he took 6 or 7 steps. He is such a little tester lately too. He will go to something he knows is a "no-no" and looks back at me and smiles. I will tell him no, and he "yells" at me and clinches his fists, then laughs at me. What a stinker. When Bug was that age, and I told her "no", she would cry. I guess that is the difference between boys and girls. I think Bubby will be quite the talker too. He can say "Mama", "up", and I swear I heard him say "no" the other day. I guess that isn't too surprising, since that is about 97% of what he hears from my mouth daily! He also can clap his hands if you ask him (without actually clapping yourself!).

Bug is just loving the nice weather. Most everyday, we are outside playing (as long as it isn't raining). She loves riding her tricycle, blowing bubbles, sidewalk-chalking, and pushing her bubble lawn mower. Right now, though, she is dealing with another sickness. Last Friday, she mentioned to me that her throat hurt. I checked her throat, and it was red, with white spots on her tonsils. We went to the doctor that day, and did a strep test, which was negative. The doctor said though, that her glands we very swollen, so to call back on Tuesday if there was no change. Tuesday, there was no change, and I called the doctor. He gave her a prescription of antibiotics, and said if there is still no change in the size of her glands, to come in on Friday for a blood draw. So we will see. I am sure it is nothing, but swollen glands with no other symptoms bother me. She has had swollen glands many times before, but always when she was sick. Now, you wouldn't know she was even "sick". She is her normal self. THAT is what bothers me a bit...since you can look at her neck and see the size of her glands.

We have enjoyed relaxing and spending alot of time outside. Today, I ran an errand with the kids, and I didn't have to put jackets on. I was so excited!! I didn't even put socks and shoes on LM. Ahhhh, summer is almost here.

Well, I am scarily organized for the kids' birthday in June. I have all their gifts wrapped already, and am visiting the bakery tonight to plan the cakes. All the party favors and flatware are bought. I am thinking of getting a pinata too...

Here are a few pictures from our day outside this morning: Cute picture...Man, she needs her bangs cut!!
Bubby ALWAYS has this look on his face...What a goof!! See the face? I told ya... Grandma Polly gave this to her last year for her birthday...it has gotten so much use! I can't believe my baby will be one soon....time flies so fast!
That is all for now...looking forward to a relaxing weekend at home. Happy Mother's Day to both my Mom's!!