Smoothing the Edges

Our first week with Jared has gone surprisingly well. The first part of the week was a little frustrating, only because the routine was interrupted a few times. On Tuesday, I had to wake him at 4:30 for a doctor's appointment in Memphis and he had a visit with his mother on Wednesday. This was the first time I experienced any sort of defiance from Jared. I waited until about 2 hours before his scheduled visit with his mom to tell him, I didn't want to get his hopes up and then something happen and the visit not take place. As soon as I told him, he blurted out "I don't want to go visit my mom!" I asked him why and all he would say is I don't want to go! I told him that his mama would be sad if he didn't go to see her, that it would be just a few hours, and that I would take him and pick him up if he wanted me to. Thankfully, he got showered, dressed and I took him to meet his case worker. After his visit, I expected him to be upset, but he happily bounced into the van! He was completely fine! My heart melted Wednesday night while out eating before Bible study, he asked that now since he was living with us could he call me mom and Kelly dad! Honestly, it took my breath away, and I really didn't know how to respond. I did tell him it would be okay, if that is what he wanted. I know he is so confused, bless his sweet heart. He told Carson one day that he was living here forever! I am so afraid to even think about if and when he has to leave! Parker and Carson have been extremely helpful in showing Jared the ropes. Parker is really enjoying his role as the oldest, I have seen some maturity out of him this week that I didn't know existed. He is growing up way too fast! The first few days Carson and Jared bonded the most, Carson played every single thing that Jared's heart desired. Unfortunately, that only lasted a short time, until Carson started teaching him how to take turns with certain toys and choice of activity. Carson is my very obsessive and literal child, he has been very consistent in reminding Jared to say please, thank-you, you're welcome, yes ma'am, talk quieter, etc..... Jared doesn't respond as well to him as he does Kelly and me. Avery and Jared have a ball. They play and play, giggling and laughing together, such a sweet sound to my ears! Thanksgiving, our families were able to meet Jared, again he just fit right it. He has no trouble adapting, which has been a wonderful blessing for us! Honestly, I don't know how I would have handled it if he didn't! This is our last week of school and then we will be off until the first week in January. The children are getting so excited about Christmas, I am sure it will be one etched in all of our hearts and minds forever.
On Thanksgiving, Kelly took the boys down to the railroad tracks behind his parents' house. They had a great time collecting rocks and exploring the woods.
Avery and Jared sliding and posing in front of the tree! So cute!

Happy Thanksgiving

On the eve of Thanksgiving, I am pondering what I am most thankful. The mental list is forever long, endless almost, but there are a few that stand out the most. I am thankful for God and all the ways he touches my life, I am thankful for a wonderful husband who loves me and cares for me unconditionally, I am thankful for my children and all the joys they have brought to me, I am thankful for my family and all the love they have shown me over the years, I am thankful for my friends who are such a huge support and encouragement to me, I am thankful for our health, I am thankful for the courage God has given me to take someones precious child into my home to care for, I am thankful that he is here with us, but most of all I am thankful for the opportunity to have an eternal home in Heaven one day - what an amazing blessing! I hope that you are all blessed with a wonderful Thanksgiving full of love, laughter, and, of course, turkey and all the yummy trimmings!

Maybe.....

This was our first full day with Jared, and things were pretty much uneventful! We had breakfast, did a few chores, and then started school. I must say that Parker, Carson and Avery did wonderfully, I am sure they were all trying to set a good example, I am just praying that it doesn't wear off after the new of having Jared here is gone! LOL! I found a little Kindergarten workbook and writing tablet for him. He breezed through all his work and practiced writing his name! Funny story, I won't post what his last name is, but he doesn't spell it correctly, he leaves out one letter. I tried to show him how to spell it at church last night on his notebook, but he said no that was wrong. My mom suggested that I try showing him his medicine bottle with the correct spelling. Nope, not a chance, he insists that he is right. Sooooooo.... we only practiced his first name, and he wrote it flawlessly! After school and lunch we all went to Tupelo to take Parker to piano and Jared to my salon to get his hair trimmed. The case worker came by for a visit tonight. It looks like he will be with us for at least three months and possibly more, all depending on how things progress with his mom. Tonight, I am tired! Today I have been more attentive to everything and everyone, maybe that is why Jared is here with us, maybe this is God's way of telling me to remember the important stuff, maybe this is an answer to my prayers in being a better mama, maybe......

Bringing Jared Home!

My heart is full! Today has been pretty amazing, in some ways like a dream. God is so good! As we rang the bell, and waited for someone to answer the door, my stomach was in complete knots. We were greeted by one of the volunteers, who Jared calls "Uncle Rob." He told us that Jared was packed, ready and very excited to be coming home with us today! We all waited in the front living room while someone went to get him. He came around the corner all smiles ready to go! After hugging the ladies and telling them good-bye he was out the door with Kelly following, carrying his small red suitcase and bag filled with his only possessions, a few clothes and his one favorite toy! When we arrived home, Parker, Carson and Avery carried him upstairs to his room. He was so excited! They showed him his bed and all the Power Rangers they had set up for him on the headboard. He was like a kid at Christmas. We unpacked his things and put them in their "home." After that, they played dress-up, Power Rangers, went out and walked the trail, played in the tree house, chased dogs... you name it and it was packed into about 2 full hours of non-stop entertainment. It was time to get ready for church. I showed Jared all the things he would need to shower and dress for church. Twenty minutes later, he was coming down the stairs dressed and all smiles! He did really well in worship services- I didn't know what to expect, but he drew in his new notebook and sat still for the most part. He did get antsy towards the end of service and leaned over a few times to ask if it was almost time to go home! He was worn out and sleepy. We ate dinner at my parent's house and then came home and got ready for bed. I am so thankful that today went as well as it did, really it couldn't have been any better. He seems to be very well adjusted, despite the circumstances of his situation. Jared is funny, sweet, precious, adorable, a little rough around the edges, but nothing that a little love and encouragement can't smooth out, and did I mention that his SMILE lights up the room!

...And Then There Were 4!

Tomorrow is the first day of a new life around here for us. Tomorrow, I will no longer be the mama of three, but four. Many of you know that Kelly and I were licensed as foster parents in early August, and we are excited that we will be taking in a precious, little 5 year old boy. His name is Jared, and his smile is infectious! Our whole family went to meet him and spend some time with him yesterday afternoon at his temporary placement. While talking to Jared's case worker, he and the children played outside on the playground. They were all running and playing together like that had been friends forever! We spent last night setting up another bed in the boys' room, getting clothes out and washed, and the boys gathered several toys together for him. We will be picking him up tomorrow afternoon. Please pray for our whole family as we transition into this new chapter of our lives. Pray that we will be a blessing to Jared, and he to us!

Making a List... Checking it Twice!

Only 34 days till Christmas!!!

Christmas Cards - Check
Christmas Blog Background - work in progress
Christmas Shopping - Check
Decorations - almost Check!
Wrapping Gifts - started
Baking goodies with kiddos -

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around our house!! Busy, busy time of the year, but so much fun!! I have enjoyed reading all Roan's Christmas tips that she has been posting. I am so glad that I got a jump start on Christmas, because we have all been under the weather for over a month now! Hopefully, that is soon to be behind us, so that we can enjoy the holidays healthy and happy!!! I will post pictures of my decorations when all done and the house cleaned! If you haven't made your list, better get started so you can start checking it twice!!!!!

Tagged!

Leisa, so sorry it took me so long to do this tag! Here goes!

Here is what I am suppose to do: go to page 56 of the book that is nearest to me, go to the 5th sentence and copy the next few sentences:

Sometimes we feel frightened by the darkness of depression, a marital challenge, or an impending move to another part of the country. Calling out and reaching out for our heavenly father is the best thing we can do. Even when we can't feel him, he is there. And he promises us that someday the darkness will be gone and we will live with him in brilliant light forever, because he is the light.

Psalm 18:28 Lord you have brought light to my life; my God you light up my darkness.

Kim, Emily and Dana you're tagged!!!

Company Going... Christmas Coming!

13 days since I last posted! I can't believe that it is the middle of November already! Life has been incredibly busy! We have all over the past month been visited by an unwelcome guest named "Mr. Stomach Bug!" He first visited Carson and stayed way too long and a few weeks later he paid Kelly a visit, then me, Avery and as of today he came knocking on Parker's door! This bug has most certainly worn out his welcome in our home and I hope tomorrow he is gone to stay!!!!! I have been Christmas shopping like a mad woman for the past few weeks and am proud to say that I am almost finished! Yea! I usually wait until Thanksgiving night to drag down all of our decorations, because Kelly says "I'm robbing the Pilgrims," if I do it any sooner. Well, this year I am sorry to say that the Pilgrims are getting robbed, because my decorations are coming down this week!!! One of my biggest obsessions is Christmas decorations and wrapping paper. I promised myself that I wasn't going to buy either this year, because we have plenty. Ohh..... but they really do seem to call my name. I can't even tell you how many rolls of wrapping paper I have had in my hand and put back over the past few weeks. Well, I fell off the bandwagon and bought just ONE roll of paper at TJ Maxx tonight, and at Sam's I just had to have this very cute, whimsical stocking! No more..... I promise!!!! Just a quick little update on my running.... there has been very LITTLE of it since the race I am sad to say! I ran two days the week after, and last week only one, but I was sick! Good excuse right?! This week I have run 2 days and plan on 2 more before Sunday. Yesterday, while running I was keeping my pace to I hate this... I hate this.... I hate this.... repeatedly. LOL! No, really, I may dread the run, but afterward I feel great for accomplishing the task!