The "Mama Chart" is indicating that the end is near

We have a chart hanging in our dining room, called "The Mamma Chart." G named it. It is a count down from when we first heard that there would be a court date..... to the court date.....and finally when the boys can return home.

Today: We are at 12 more days. I feel like it it more like one. Tomorrow Mom goes to court. Friday-Sunday the boys will be with mom, then it is one busy school day and the boys will be home forever (hopefully) next Friday.

To say we are ready is one of the largest understatements we could make. This has been quite a journey. 7 months of hard.

In the past seven months, I have learned:

- 9 year olds are difficult. Give me terrible two any day.

-I love my little Caleb boy fiercely, and my "mama-bearness" reared its head...A LOT

-I am incredibly selfish and stubborn. They say when you get married, you learn how selfish you are. Then they say when you have kids you learn how selfish you still are. Let me tell you...raise someone else's kids, while they tell you how you are doing it all wrong....and you will truly see how selfish you are. Or its just me. I'm ok with admitting that I am not yet fully redeemed.

-I love the teachers in our elementary school. I have worked with them closely in the last 6 months. They deserve so much more praise, support and pay that they get. Thanks APS!

-I live in a great community, a community of parents willing to help out and love us.

-I can survive on very little sleep.

-Unless I spend time with Jesus in the morning, my day is going no where.

-Saturday afternoon naps are a must.

-It is necessary to sneak away with my hubby, even if it is a late night conversation on the couch with a glass of wine in hand.

-God is so good.

-God answers prayers.

-The system can work. God can work. People can change. I have seen a hard, stone cold, mean, angry woman, turn into a fabulous mom. It has been so good to grow this relationship with the boys mom, learning how she works, learning how to communicate and do what is best for her kids.

-My identity is found in Jesus only. Not in a 9 year old boy. Not in his mom. Not in the 7 month old who hates me. Not in our case workers. All I need to do is to follow Jesus. I don't need to please everyone, or anyone for that matter.

-I like sleep. Oh wait....I didn't learn that. I totally knew that about myself:)

It has been quite the process. It has been the hardest season of my life. The most exhausting, that's for sure. I am excited to see it end. I am excited to see a woman get her children back. I am excited to know that she has really changed. I am excited to spend some time as a family of three. I am excited to sleep again.

And.... I am excited for what God will do next.

Just in case you were wondering: In the last week, we had a baby girl for 2 days and were called to take a sibling group, one and two year old brothers. We probably won't be taking them. BUT...just wanted to keep you posted.

Romans 8

Since January, I have been trying to memorize Romans 8. Guess what? I need some accountability. It is hard work. And I think it would be fun to do it with people.

So my plan:
1. Work on memorization 5 days a week.
2. Report on the blog, video recording what I have learned this week.
3. Having friends keep me accountable.
4. I will also be using this blog talking about some memorization tips.

Anyone want to join me? Please!!! Let this be the year of Bible Memorization!

Puppy Snuggles

I saw this beautiful sight on the couch. I ran and got my camera, because I am that kind of mom. Caleb thought something was up. He asked: "Mom, is it ok for boys to snuggle with their puppies?" When I said yes, after a chuckle, he then said, "Good, I just wuv her."

At least two of the humans in this house love this dog:)

The Mighty Mega Monster Trucks

If you have been around our house at all, chances are, you have seen "Hard Hat Harry" and his show on monster trucks. Caleb has every word memorized and is in love with monster trucks.

Daddy was very excited when he found out there was a monster truck show close by. Mommy was excited that her boys were able to have some  bonding time and create good memories, and she didn't have to go see those loud and crazy machines.

But Jon just loves me so much and knows me so well that he took pictures so I can document this special day for a special boy. I think this will be one of many trips to the Monster Truck Shows.

My little nervous, cautious boy....

Happy (Un)Birthday to My Three Year Old!

Happy Birthday to my sweet sweet boy!!! Ok, so I totally know that it is not your birthday today, or that we are really anywhere near your birthday (cough, cough, Dec. 27)....I didn't forget. I promise. Just didn't write out a blog post and I didn't want to forget...so here we go my sweet son. 

I cannot believe how much I love 3! I think I say that about every age, but it is so incredibly adorable, and cuddly and funny. Throw in a few tantrums and that is your life little buddy. 

I could easily see your transition from 2-3. I hated two. I am sorry, I love you sweet boy, but man, you had me going at two. Especially this summer. OH. MY. WORD. Terrible twos cannot even describe what you put us through little dude. 

The transition from 2-3 was BEAUTIFUL. You started communicating in a deeper way with multiple sentences, asking lots of questions. You are a huge help to baby J, one of the foster kids in our house right now, which helps out your mamma a ton! 

You are a mamma's boy right now. That was not true at 2. I really believe then that you hated me. It's a nice change around here. 

You are a terrible eater. I don't know how you will ever grow, because you don't eat child! Unless it's crackers, especially cheezits. 

You love monster trucks, trains, Thomas and Buzz LightYear. 

I am really excited to what this third year of life will bring to us buddy. I love you more today than when I first met you. You captivate my heart in ways I didn't think possible. And, I love that you are a mamma's boy:) 

We'll work on that. Dad says you can't live with us when you are 35.  

Happy Birthday Cupcake!

Raggie Roo celebrated her first birthday last week!! Happy Birthday to my sweet niece. (Note: I am fully aware, that I am posting a Happy Birthday Post for my niece before a birthday post for my son-- Rae's bday: Feb, Caleb's: Dec. I am trying to get back into the blogging world!) 

I don't really call her cupcake, but she had the most adorable cupcake and pink themed birthday. I LOVED it. So fun. It was a perfect day. 

Aunt Jalissa and the birthday girl

I made sure that I was actually in a picture...doesn't happen very much around here:) 

I'm ONE!

Cupcake Cake

Raegan's Cupcake

Mamma and Birthday Girl 

My baby boy and Joshy Boy (my sister's boyfriend) 

I guess it's time.....

Some of my readers (all 2 of you) have been asking about why I haven't been blogging lately. I am actually really shocked, didn't know people actually read this thing. I do enjoy blogging, it is really helpful for me to document life's events and to remember all that we are doing.

A new month is starting tomorrow, and well....I would like to get back into blogging.  I am going to start tonight...by giving quick bullet points on life.

• We are stinkin tired at this house. Jon and I are not sleeping. The boys are taking turns staying up all night, as well as home life, work life etc....sleep is so not happening. I am so sick of it. I hit my wall this week. I was up with a crying baby around 1:30am one night and Jon had to take over. I felt bad because he had to wake up at 3am, but I was done. One can only live on no sleep for so long. 
• I am dying to put some huge effort and time into building this photography business. It is going to take work...and well, I am too tired:) 
• A new semester has started! I love my job and love my student leaders. 
• We are praying and seeking adoption again. When we ask Caleb if he wants a brother or a sister, he says he wants a chicken. We have moved on. Now he wants a sister and wants to name her chicken. 
• I haven't scrap booked in a year, but I did some with a student last weekend and it was amazing. That is definitely going to have to happen again. 
• Being a foster parent is the single most character shaping thing that I have ever done. I only wish that my character was what I wanted it to be. Lord, change me! 
• My niece, my beautiful one and only niece is turning one this week. AH! 
• I want to move. Still not sure what the Lord wants on this, but I want a different house. 
• We have a new minivan. I LOVE it. I never thought I would love being a minivan mom, but those designers knew what they were doing. Except that my doors don't open sometimes. That makes me crazy insane. I mean, seriously. I have two kids in car seats. Do you know HOW HARD it is to get two kids in car seats through the drivers seat? Man, I need a nap just thinking about it.
• I have a three year old now. A three year old! 

So my friends and blog readers....what do you want to read about?