So much for the "spill proof" snack cup....

.... and I don't care.  She had fun.  That's all that matters.  My baby genius figured it out.  I guess you could say that I've become more easy going now by kids #5 and #6.  I sure hope so.  If they remember anything about their time with us, I'd want it to be that they were loved beyond measure, safe, and they had fun, while still learning to be kind, loving people.  They are AH-MAZING!

We're preparing for baby pumpkin's birthday party.  It's very soon!  It's such an honor to be doing this for her.  It will be pink and princess and cupcake-y!  I hope that she'll surprise everyone and walk while she's there.  We're SO close.  ,

Big-ger pumpkin is taking his nap.  How he needs his rest!  It's been an emotional few days.  I have to acknowledge that while this has been one of the most rewarding things we've ever done, it's also been one of THE hardest thing we've ever done.  You have to do it with your whole heart.  You owe that to them.  We l-o-v-e them.  Big time.  We know that it will most likely come to an end someday.  We will try to prepare for that....  How do you ever prepare for that?!  I recently asked another seasoned foster parent how you get through it....  She said it's awful, it's horrible, it never gets easier, but you just move forward and you do it for the kids.  I know that's what we'll do.  Having been a surrogate mother twice, having carried other peoples' children in my body and then proudly sent them home, we somehow thought that it would make all of this "fostering stuff" easier.  It doesn't.  It's so different when you are actually parenting the children.  The bond is much more different and much more intense.  I felt protective of those babies while they were in my body and would do anything for them....  This feeling is different.  They are more real, looking into their little faces every day.  

We'll do whatever it takes.....  with unconditional love, kindness, empathy, devotion, grace, understanding, and patience....

Something Beautiful 3.29

I absolutely adore these Cadbury Mini Eggs.  They even come in dark chocolate.  Divine!

Something Beautiful 3.28.11

Linking up with my friend,  Sabrina , for Something Beautiful .... 

Onward and Upwards....

I did it!  I set up my surgery consult.  I'm going to get myself put back together.   This hasn't been an easy decision...  Doing something this big for yourself, this costly, this time consuming... But, I do believe that it will do wonders for how I feel and I'm sure my husband will enjoy it as well.  Ha!  I'm excited, yet very nervous.  The unknown, the pain that is bound to be there... *EEEK!*  But, we'll get through it.

Baby pumpkin has lots of teeth, is very mobile and I think she'll walk soon!  We'll be celebrating her 1st birthday in a few weeks.  Bigger pumpkin is becoming his own little person... speaking more clearly, doing well with therapy, and finding his voice and personality.  Challenges come and we rise to them together.  They are happy, healthy, gaining weight, and look like different little people!  I am so happy that we decided to be foster parents.  We are so blessed.  This has changed all of our lives, in many ways... and the lives of those around us.  It's exciting to see others growing and being inspired. 

My children...  They continue to inspire us as well.  They continue to amaze us with their kindness, adaptability, their love.  We are just so very proud of our little not so little family. 

More later....  I need to start some dinner.  :) 

Xo

Rising up from the ashes!

This girl is going to be a phoenix! 

I don't know if this is going to be a complete post, as I am feeling pretty tired tonight.  Tired is a welcomed gift.  I'm struggling with sleeping and have for years.

 My food "hoarding" is as bad as ever.  We have food everywhere!  My son said to me the other day, "Mom, people could come to our house to go grocery shopping!"  Son, oh, my sweet, smart son, I sure know it.  I believe this stems from growing up with a parent with a gambling addiction, so badly that, sometimes, we didn't even have food.  Thank the universe that Grandma lived next door and her home was always open to us.  So now we have so much that a lot of it ends up getting thrown out due to it expiring.  I have challenged myself to put an end to this insanity.... starting 1/1/11.  It's been 2 days and I have not been to the grocery store.  Of course, we will have to get bread, milk, fruit, etc., but I AM going to use up our food stores if it kills me!  Pictures will follow so that I can have a measurable goal and also see my progress.  You would think that this should be simple... I am a great cook, if I do say so myself, but as much as I use up, I just go buy more.  We could probably survive Armageddon! 

Another thing that we need to deal with is some of the clutter around here.  I always want to save everything "for later - in case we need it."  I'm coming to the conclusion that, if we haven't needed it in the 6 or so years we've been in this house, then we are not going to need it. 

Maybe simplifying is exactly what we all need to achieve the calm serenity that I crave.  Out with the old and in with the new in so many ways!  How rejuvenating this will be for everyone.

We are *loving* being foster parents.  The pumpkins are wonderful!  It has been challenging having two little ones around again, but we are loving every minute.  We are so glad that we decided to do this.  I believe that our own children will learn and grow so much from this experience as well.  I could go on about this all night, but we'll save some things for later. 

..... and my weight.  I have taken off 28 lbs.  Things have been very difficult ever since my 1st gallbladder attack (June) up until now.  Now that it's been removed, I have entirely different digestive issues, but the new medicine seems to be helping (Cholestyramine).  I definitely need to do the best that I can to be successful in this challenge while also keeping it healthful and delicious.  I have about 40-50 more pounds to go.   We shall see.  I have completely wasted the year-long gym membership that I bought almost a year ago.  I've probably been there about 12-15x...  That really stinks!  Like flushing $500 down the toilet.    I got an invite from one of my best friends today to join a support group they are putting together.  It may be just what I need.  It's going to be difficult to do anything like a weekly "appointment" now that I have the pumpkins who have their own schedule.  We will see how it works out.  I'm so happy to have her looking out for me.  Love you, Erin! 

Big changes around here...  Most very exciting, some very sad (which I'm not going to go into).  If you are close to me, you know already.  I am so much in need of change.  It'll be difficult at times, but there's no better time to start than 1/1/11....  And that's how it happened. 

Almost 3 months later....

I've been so bad about blogging lately! It's been almost 3 months.  

I finally had my gallbladder out.  They made me wait two months.  I was in the ER twice with unbelieveable pain.  It was definitely worse than childbirth.  I kid you not!

Partly because of this, I am now down nearly 30 pounds!  Crazy enough, I can still wear the same clothing.  It is just loose on me.  I don't get it.  I'm having that mind-over-mirror distortion of how I see myself... but I've had 5 different people tell me this week that I look great.  :)  That is so good to hear!  I need to take some new pictures and get this updated.  I promise that I will try to be better. 

It seems that my intestines are still drowsy from my surgery.  It's been a week and they are not working.  I don't see the dr til Monday, so I am going to call tomorrow just to see what he says.  I was so afraid that this was going to be the opposite.  I'm not pleasantly surprised.  ugh!

We went to the Jonas Brothers/ Demi Lovado concert last night with friends.  The girls REALLY enjoyed themselves.

Tonight, I laid out in our front yard and watched the ah-mazing meteor shower with the boys.  Dave and the girls came out for a few short minutes... too impatient to wait.  It was so worth it.  We saw a giant one that lasted a good 2 seconds.  We made a wonderful memory!  Hoping to watch again tomorrow as well.  Things like this are priceless!

My husband had a spontaneous tearing of his Achille's tendon.  He's going to be off of work for a few weeks, at least.  I thought that he had a blood clot based on the symptoms.  We are blessed! 

Anyways, that's about it for now....  We are still working on our fostering home study and I really am not ready for the kids to go back to school :( 

xo - Christina

Lyndsie's Give aways!

Lyndsie has some amazing give aways going on over at Lyndsie's Giveaways!   Please go over and pay her a visit and sign up.  I've loved following her.  :)