September in My Sights

July is coming to a close and I find myself wishing we could just skip August altogether. Never thought I'd wish for that being the summer loving type. But this summer hasn't quite met my expectations. There have been some great moments, but mainly I have too many babies to go to the pool without help, it's been as hot as Hades, and aside from a 5 minute downpour last week there hasn't been a speck of rain.
So in September we have great things to look forward to. First, our little guy "I" who has been here the last couple months will be gone. I know that shouldn't be something to look forward to, but he is a diffucult boy and limits what we can do, because of his reactions.
Second is VACATION!! I seriously can't wait! This is the family vacation I've been waiting for since we had kids. We are heading to the Outer Banks in NC. We got this fabulous house just off the beach and we plan to have a lot of fun just relaxing, splashing in the waves, and even squeezing in a date night or 2!
And then after we get back... school starts. I'm actually excited about it. We are going a totally new route with homeschooling and I think it will be exactly what Avery needs to get excited about learning. So here's to not burning out and loving school even after October! (fingers crossed)

As for my babies. Well, we are still waiting. There will be a lot of court appointments over the next month or two. It is going to make our forever picture a lot clearer. Some things are still up in the air. With A it's pretty certain she will be a Stevens by 2013. We just really are going through the motions, and praying no one comes forward who would trump our adoption of her. And C, well that is still a big question mark that we are hoping will be answered sooner than later.

We are taking a little break after I leaves. Our hope is to focus on the 3 kids we have now and come down from the whirlwind of the revolving door of kids. We will get back to fostering once we are home from vacation and have our first week of school wrapped up. And I'm sure by then I will be more than excited to see who needs us next!

Beyond the Highlights

Ok, so now that I got the Clif Note version out of the way and you all know how intense the last few months have been I can dive into the good stuff.
Let me tell you, aside from the luggage that comes along with fostering, life is GOOD! I feel like Im in this euphoric place of the bliss I've been chasing for so many years. We don't live in forever land right now, we haven't reached that point, but for today I'm the mommy that they look to and the one they chase from room to room for just one little hug onto my legs. THIS is the life! I look into each one of their faces and my heart swells like the Grinch after he saves Christmas.
So I'm going to take a few minutes and brag on my kids.
I'll start with Avery. On June 4th she turned EIGHT! I just really don't know how she grew up, but she keeps doing it. She is the best big sister. She's incredibly helpful and compassionate. We still have our moments of meltdown, but even those are more manageable and she is using her toolbox to make better choices. She is a dream! Beautiful, smart, creative, artistic, and I am so proud of the person she is becoming.
Then there is C - from the day he entered our home 15 months ago he was just the most laid back and sweet little baby. Although he is testing the waters of toddler terror and dare devil, he is still that sweet and laid back boy. Not so much baby anymore. His smile lights a room and he loves to cuddle! There isn't much that he wont try, but he is quick to listen when I say stop. That is a breath of fresh air! He is looking more like a little boy and less like a baby all the time. He's running and climbing, dancing, and talking up a storm. He adores the babies and is in awe of Avery. He loves going to the zoo and playing in the pool. C is such a blessing. I am grateful that he is in my life!
And baby A - PURE JOY! She is just the happiest little girl around. Her smile is a ear to ear silly girl, giggly grin. I love it! She has some definite limitations, but she is so determined and focused that she amazes me every day. I've seen her overcome huge obstacles and work really hard with that sweet grin on her face the whole time. She is crawling and starting to babble. She says mama, dada, hi, and signs yes. She loves yogurt and gargling her bottles. She has 4 teeth now and her hair is really coming in. There is a little chub on her legs. And she claps her hands for everything from diaper changes to getting a bottle. Did I mention she is pure joy! I love her to the moon!
We also have little I - he is one to keeps me on my toes. Right now he can't do much and he gets frustrated with that. He would love nothing more than to keep up with the other babies. I'm sure it won't be long before he is. Although I think he will be going home around the time that happens. He is smiley and playful. And a total TANK! Honestly, I'm working my muscles with that kiddo.

So that is my brag! I adore my kids. I love my life! And couldn't be happier that it is summer and we get to spend time doing some fun stuff and just hanging out together!

One Big Update... The Highlight Reel

OK, so lots has happened since I posted last. So hang onto your laptops, this will be a whirlwind of an update.

First, we moved into our new house at the end of April. We are loving the new space. Of course with the revolving door of kids we've had lately I'm already dreaming of our dream house we are wanting to build. Rooms, rooms, rooms! Never enough around here!

So about all of those kids. We have been really busy around here. The weekend after we moved in we had a newborn who left after 3 days. A few days later we did respite for another foster family. The day she left we got a call for twin girls that stayed for a couple weeks. When the twins went home we got our little "I" who will probably be here through the summer. He is a 9 month old sumo baby. And totally adorable. On Memorial Day we got another newborn who was here only overnight. Then 2 brothers came for almost a week.

In all of that time C has some pretty serious stuff happen in his case. At one point it looked like he might be moved to another home, but thankfully the judge saw how tough that would be for him and he stayed. Right now things are really up in the air and we aren't sure what direction his case will take.
Then there is baby A. Her case has also taken a huge turn. It seems like her mother is wanting to sign consent to adopt. Im trying to not get my hopes up. And I feel really bad for her mom who feels like she can't  give A what she needs. Like everything else in foster care we just have to see where this road takes us.