Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Happy Birthday Baby Bird!!!!


Happy Birthday my little baby bird...I love you so much!!!  
You are so sweet! I love how much you love babies. How you love to "tittle' tickle us and play peek-a-boo. I love it when I am rocking you to sleep and you look into my eyes or brush my check and say "mama." Sometimes you even sing the little lullaby back to me... You are so sweet! I love you so much. 


I am so proud of you! 

When you first came home:

You toddled & fell~ now you run! 
You barely ate~ now you eat "shishkin" all by yourself. 
You cried a lot~ now you smile and laugh! 
You needed to be held~ now you love to play!

I see you growing everyday, but it is okay if you want to be my baby a little longer...how does till you are 40 sound?!? 
I love you baby girl...
Mommy.

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Jars...Balls...And Perfect Children

Jars...Balls...And Perfect Children~ Well 2 out of 3 isn't bad! Right?!?

We have 3 amazing little girls that we love sooo much! They are beautiful & talented & came with their own personalities and set of challenges. These many times show themselves as behaviors...oh my word do they!?!

 When you chose to Foster-Adopt you chose to take it all...you take the past hurts - fears - anger- you live with the aftermath and sometimes it is hard to take. Really hard to take, but you take it~ because you can...it is a burden that those little shoulders shouldn't have to carry alone.

You also know that your life and home will never be the same.

You have to find special ways of doing things even face being judged by others...they just don't get it, but how can they??

I don't want to make them sound pitiful, but that simply I chose to take in all of the information and address certain things in a way I see fit just as their new mother. Just as any mother would... I want to help them to grow and heal.

I am so thankful that we have a great support system! We try to surround ourselves with those that have been there...and still going through it that we can get ideas from when we just don't know what to try next.

One of the ideas to come our way is the behavior jars. 
The other side has their picture but they would also be able to tell from the lid color that they painted and the sticker selection! 

The idea (which I think I also saw on a nanny show) is that you catch them being good and put in a ball. 
On the show they could also lose one, but for children already dealing with a lot of loss that seems counter productive. 
When all of the jars are full (thus older sibling encourage good behaviors in younger siblings) we have a family activity. 
Also, to increase expectations we will later make the balls smaller and the jars larger, but the idea is to go slow.
I write about my kids because they are what I know...they are my life! I am sure they would work with just about any kid that loves bright colorful balls and fun!
I am not if this will work forever, but for now I'll just stuff a little hope in these jars along with the little paper balls. 

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Because We All Need A Little Calm...On This Journey!

Yes I am talking about the calming jars! If you have spent any time on Pinterest (my new fave!!!) you have seen these little jars. I loved the idea! Umm...HELLO?!?!?!? G-L-I-T-T-E-R!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love the stuff!!! Yes, I love that is sticks to everything, too!

Okay calming down...that IS what this post is all about right?!? So I knew for my girls we would need to use the plastic ones and that I would need some REALLY good glue to keep those suckers closed!

I made them in my girl's favorite colors: Blue for my beautiful 6 year-old, Purple for bubbly 3 year-old, and pink for my baby girl who is nearing the terrific 2s!!
This is them all shaken up!!! 
I wish I had made the middle one a little smaller..

About half way...

All calm and hopefully the child as well... 

These pretty little jars or bottles are mostly used for time out, but we use a modified time out for our girls ranging from special needs to "high" needs so I knew this would not work for that so we just use them for calming moments. They are great for in the car although after having one flung at my face...we may be making some a little smaller for the car.

 I needed a calming jar after that!!! 

Monday, June 18, 2012

~Our New Entryway~

Now we just need something for shoes! Maybe a little fabric for the board...
Getting it all put together in time for back-to-school!

Sunday, June 17, 2012

My Hubby's First Father's Day

Well, we were all under the weather and so tired from being up with sickies the night before...he is so sweet and stayed home from the Father's Day Service to help me with the kids. He is such husband & daddy!

We had made him some gifts and the girls brought him in breakfast in bed. I honestly think that was the best part of the weekend.
A nice shirt!  

 Something for his desk!

Something for his pens at work!

Very artistic! 

We finally got rested up and started feeling a little better so we went to eat...he was sweet to pick  low key place which is also one of new favorites! Dickey's BBQ!!! It is so family friendly and they have amazing food! 

We had such a great day!!!! I am so thankful to be married to such a wonderful man and that my kids have such a great daddy!

Saturday, June 16, 2012

~My Birthday Girl~



Happy Birthday Bunny!!! 
  
I love you so much!! I remember when we first met you...you came running to the door screaming my name in Spanish with your little arm opened wide. As I knelt in the doorway hugging you I knew you were home. I fell in love with you in that moment and have loved you everyday since a little more.


 You are my Beauty~ my princess. You twirl and spin... You sing & you dance... 


I love your heart! You are such a good big sister~ you are so strong deep inside yet so sweet. You always seem to think of others before yourself. We have yet to go in a store where you haven't seen the perfect gift to give some else...rarely asking for one for yourself. I must say that I do love when you ask (just don't make it a habit, okay.) <3


You are so smart! I am so proud of you! I love watching you learn to read.... 


I am not sure if you have noticed yet~ you are the most like me...my water child. You seem to easily flow through life but are easily troubled. You are creative & a bit of a drama queen. You are funny & love to make people laugh...you are you...you are so special! You are the most amazing little girl and I am so proud to be your mommy. 


Most of all I just want to say I love you! 
Mommy~

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Just A Little Reminder~

Life & family seems to take up my time these days! I came along this beautiful poem and wanted to share..

Enjoy~ 

Author: peppercma
We weren't there for your first tears,
but we're here to dry the rest.

We weren't there for your first steps,
but we're here to guide the rest.

We weren't there for your first words,
but we're here to build the rest.

We weren't there to see your milestones,
but we're here to set the cornerstones.