Basketball

Friday morning.  A day of blessing. A reminder of what I am doing. My gift to Jesus. My family's gift. Todd & I headed to Ft Worth at 7 am to be there at 8:15 for the adoption of baby. He is now called Josiah. He'll forever be known in our house as "baby". He is 8 months old and perfectly precious. I got to hold him and sneak in a few kisses. My constant prayers over him when he was with us for a little over a month have been answered. He is healthy, happy, and has a warm, loving, family that loves the Lord. I am so thankful that we got to go witness his official  adoption. Definitely a day of celebration. So fortunate to get to stay in touch with him and his family.  Today was a day of basketball. Lucas's team had their first win of the season. He lands on the floor near where I'm sitting & I yell "Get up!". He looks over and grins at me with the smile that will forever melt my heart. Too bad that he couldn't hear BG echo my "Get up". Wasn't quite as audible but the infliction was dead on the same as mine. Todd & I had to laugh. A great ending to a winning day with Lucas throwing up a basket as the buzzer sounds. 2 points. Super Lucas.  Ballerina basketball was next or at least that's how I refer to Camille. Madeline watched her for the first time and says she is going to work with her on her running. She wants to know what kind of leaping that is as she goes down the court. Could be an interesting lesson. 2nd half, Camille guards the girl I've deemed as the pageant girl. Her hair is in perfect curls(which of course it is picture day) but she is even more fearful of the ball than Camille. A great learning experience for our ballerina Camille. So proud of her for trying something new.  The day ends with the hatched kids making an impromptu trip to watch the Globetrotters with their daddy. This is when I don't mind having the excuse of staying home with the little ones. Curled up under a blanket, catching up on my dvr, wishing for some hot cider. Allergies, cold, or another sinus infection. Whatever it is, I hope it goes away soon. 

Red Plastic Cups

I guess I'm so far removed from the days of seeing fraternity houses that the thought never crossed my mind that red plastic cups on my front lawn might make this look like a fraternity house.  My case manager who visited this week, who is in her early 20's, happened to mention the similarities.  Stanfield party house.  Actually I was thinking more luminaries of red cups lining my sidewalk, but actually it was probably more like tea party.  On the other hand, I wasn't home, Buddy was in charge when the red cups appeared so who knows what the actual scenario was.
My morning devotion this week read about giving gifts to Jesus.  My heart went to the foster children in my home and how I set out into this venture to do just that.  Give the gift of loving these children as a gift to Jesus.  It is in this week that I have struggled with this gift.  N has amped up his "power struggles" and I too easily butt heads with him.  He is testing my patience at every turn.  Its not that I don't recognize the signs or know what to do.  I'm a seasoned veteran at strong willed children.  I think that the concern lies in that this gift I'm suppose to be giving to Jesus isn't that easy, especially this week.  I know that my patience are low, that I am struggling for the positives.  I find little comfort in the counselor who politely grins as N refuses to put on his coat when we are leaving her office and when I ask him to stay behind the red line on the sidewalk so he doesn't get run over, he steps on top of the red line.  There are always hard days as parents even with the hatched kids, days when I really don't like my kids. I know this intellectually, I still must summon up strength to continue to give this gift to Jesus.  Prayers for strength, endurance, and of course, patience. 

Material Stuff

Usually when I don't write for awhile its because we are out of town or because I'm extremely busy or tired.  For MLK weekend, we headed to Taos.  Todd came home with a coat for me to take to Taos & I'm still perplexed about it.  It was an awesome snowboarder looking coat with cool Japanese graphics going up the body of it.  For those of you that don't know, I am not a snowboarder, I am not a skier.  I am a hot chocolate drinker.  I'm not sure if Todd thinks I'm that cool snowboarder, wishes I was, or was just generally confused. Anyways, cool coat went back and he brought me home a long, cover my hiney coat that is much better for someone that sits on their backside than takes the slopes.  We enjoyed our weekend in the 1300 sq foot house.  Supergram came and stayed with N & BG.  Uncle B & Sutton went with us.  It was a weekend of reflection for me in seeing how we were quite comfortable in the small house, conscious of conserving water, and keeping the wood fire burning to warm the family room.  Since I've been home, I've been doing a lot of thinking.  Second guessing any fluff that I might have otherwise bought.  Not sure where all of this is going or what God has in mind, but my mind is listening.
The night we got home, BG was up 3 times.  I wasn't sure if she was sick or just punishing me for leaving her behind.  Turns out she was sick.  I think she's probably not been feeling well for a couple of weeks and what I thought was the beginning of the terrible 2's was really just not feeling great.  Today she is back to her old self.  Thank goodness.
We slide back into life in the bubble with lacrosse practice beginning, middle school play tryouts for Fiddler on the Roof, and grade cards.  Cleaning out more clothes from the kids rooms.  Packing a box to sen dto A, KK, and Z.  Trying to sort thru the garage.  So thankful for all that we have, but wondering if there is more. More in store for us.  I can't wait to see what God's plan is. 

Thanks Girls

Its a really good thing that this is a licensed foster care home and that we do not believe in corporal punishment.  I had to have several deep breaths and remind myself of this when I walked into the kitchen midmorning and saw N's handiwork.  Crayon scribblings going from a mirror to a wall, to a door, skipped the oven, got the fridge, Buddy's coffee cabinet, and more storage.  Didn't notice until later the additional markings on the high chair and the sliding door.  Almost the whole circumference of the kitchen/eating area.  I didn't say that I spoke in a calm, controlled voice, but I did reign it in some.  Got him a rag and he got to scrubbing.  Not sure what the actual weapon was other than it wiped off super duper easy.  That saved him, too.  Anyway, not a bright spot in his behavior, nor in my parenting, but, hey, it could have been worse.
Walked into the kitchen later and BG had gotten the box of Rice Chex cereal out.  Spilled almost the entire box and she & Pixie were having a feast. 
Best part of the day was going out for lunch with my girls.  Didn't know it was going to be my belated birthday lunch.  Much better than my actual birthday filled with sick kids, fevers and throwing up.  So, although I was ready to put the birthday behind me, I couldn't have had sweeter friends to share it with.  Thanks for my gifts, girls.  Love all of you!
Home visit from the new cps case manager tomorrow.  Luckily the house is in pretty good shape and laundry finally is complete.  The snowy stuff that hung in the dining room is down but still sit in my bedroom.  Everything takes so long to complete.
BG was Camille's girl tonight.  She wouldn't let her put her down.  No afternoon nap makes for a cranky baby so I was relieved to turn her over to Camille. Lucas fed her the night night bottle.  He's good at balancing BG and the iPad at the same time so he can read the graphic novels he gets on there. 
A short week for the school kids.  Lots to get done.  Thanking God for the rain today and that my girls and I got out in it to have lunch together.

Headband

We raised the Kansas State flag from the ancient box but it didn't do any good.  I even wore a vintage sweatshirt of Todd's, but the Arkansas fans that came to stay sure had a great victory.  My brother & nephew came for the Cottonbowl, and lucky for us they brought my sister-in-law and niece.  We can always guarantee to have a great time.  Our families blend well together and if I ever had to pick another family that I could live with, they would be the ones.  We got a lil shopping in, the dresser in BG & N's room painted, a little decorating, watching Lucas & Camille's bball games, and some great barbecuing by Todd.  A great weekend.  Best of all, they are the guests that strip the sheets, take down beds, and leave us in good repair.  Camille is still angry that they left.  She loves spending time with her cousin, Emma.
I began the laundry battle.  Use to be that I could do laundry once a week, with a load of all the colors and different fabrics.  I've now resorted to twice a week and I have to run at least 2 if not 3 loads of darks.  Who would think that a 1 year old and 5 year old would add that much more.  Of course, add basketball clothes, running clothes, and an occasional workout clothes, and its a ton.  Did I mention, I hate doing laundry.  To be precise, I don't like folding it.  Luckily the big kids put their clothes away, sometimes Buddy even does, too.
Other things that remind me of change with having 2 little ones around is that now that Madeline is old enough to stay with Camille & Lucas, here are Todd & I making a Sunday run to Home Goods with a 1 & 5 year old in tow.  Just a small complaint. Or rather an annoyance.  Not that I could leave Madeline with all 4 of them if it were legal, but I might choose to take a kid that doesn't have to be strapped in the shopping cart.  To be fair, BG  is an awesome shopper.  Its just those little things that sometimes are annoying.
Madeline is still doing homework at 10:45 at night.  Procrastinator.  I went upstairs and noticed she is wearing an elastic headband to keep her hair back, me, too, and I asked her who else was wearing one. "daddy", she says with a smile.  I asked her if any of her friends dad's wear headbands, she smiles and says that she hopes not.  Unfortunately Todd discovered the convenience of wearing a headband to keep your hair out of your face.  I guess that all these years whenever I have short hair & can't pull my hair back into a ponytail that I've worn headbands to be glamorous.  Let me know if anyone sees him wearing one in public.  Yes, his hair is long, but hey, he's a snowboarder.

Ballet Leap

I've decided that I should add one thing to my New Year's resolutions.  Not to ever wash socks.  They can wear them until the stink is so bad they can't stand it or that they are so stiff that can't get them on their feet.  Then the socks shall be thrown away and new ones gotten out.  It is a terrible problem that not once that I can ever remember when I am sorting socks after washing that they all have a match.  An endless problem.  Thankfully, I've got my solution.
A trip to the counselor's today for N.  He has been going to play therapy for about a month.  Today I was the one who got counseled and I even had to watch a video.  N is exhibiting what the counselor calls "normal" in the field of foster care.  He is having power struggles.  Good thing is that this is healthy and part of the healing process.  All during the video where the topic is about giving kids choices to create responsibility, I'm thinking its the hatched kids who have power struggles.  Maybe they are just wearing on N and its really not a healing thing but a survivor thing.  Lots of strong willed minds in this house.  I'm sure they will be extra productive citizens one day. 
Parent visit tomorrow.  I got asked to supervise one of the visits, so I'll get to hang with N and his mommy.  Not a bad thing.  Tomorrow's topic will be education.  I want to push towards some kind of coursework for her.  We'll see how that goes.
Camille went willingly to basketball practice tonight.  Came home with her Baskin Robbins.  No wonder she prefers Daddy to take her.  She did mention getting hit in the head and on the shoulder during practice.  I also think there was something said about telling the coach she was quitting after the game on Saturday.  I'm holding out that the snacks after the game will keep her going.  She did really good at her first and only game.  Great defender with her arms all in the air.  Didn't lay a hand on the ball but I'm sure she was relieved about that.  She did make a great ballet leap when going from one end of the court to the other.  Yep, still the dancer.
Madeline is locked away doing homework.  Lucas can't fall asleep.  Football dominates my t.v..  Hoping the dryer is done soon so I can call my day complete.

Goodbye 2011, Hello 2012

Happy New Year! Or should I say, new years resolution.  I knew that I needed to start blogging again because one day I'm going to look back on this crazy, wonderful, tiring, period of blessings and try to remember some of the details.  So much happens every day that I sometimes feel overwhelmed.  Christmas break was a perfect example of that.  Left town on Wednesday and by the time we reached Grandma & Grandpa Stanfields, my voice was totally gone.  Blessing? Well maybe for those that I yell out but more a pain than anything.  A trip to urgent care and some antibiotics.  Next morning after a restless night of sleep cause I felt cruddy and so did BG, I took her to urgent care.  Hopefully the doctor knew I wasn't stalking him.  He did know Todd from high school.  BG had hand, foot, mouth, and an ear infection.  More antibiotics.  And did I mention that she didn't sleep but maybe on and off 5 minutes at a time on Friday night.  The entire household was feeling rather merry the next day.  Our first Christmas with Aunt Elia.  Poor girl.  I kept offering vitamin c supplements to everyone.  Left Missouri to go to Gram & Gramps.  Camille started running a fever on Christmas day. Pediatricians office called in a script for her sinus infection while making me promise I would bring her in.  The kid has a medical history log of sinus infections, a mile long.  Monday night, Madeline & Lucas complain of headaches.  Tuesday, my glorious birthday.  Thankfully it is N's birthday, too, so he gets a big "Cars" cake and I get a personal Cinderella cake.  Probably should have been the Cinderella before the ball cake.  Madeline & Lucas are both running fevers.  Lucas pukes in the hallway.  We eat pizza, have cake, and hit the road.  2 days earlier than expected but enough was enough.  Made it home without incident, thank you God!  Took Camille and Lucas to the doctor the next day and he felt it was probably the same virus strain as the hand, foot, and mouth that BG had.  We are all constantly kissing on her.  Her giving kisses is one of the most adorable things.
New Year's Eve came and all were actually healthy.  Loved having the kids with me in church on Saturday night.  Probably appreciate it more since they are all usually in their own progams.  BG & N still went to their kids programs.  BG stayed awake until 7:30, N made it to 9, C to 11, me to 11:30, and not sure what happened after that. 
Todd got back on the nice list after completing several projects around the house.  I swear I could have a handyman on staff for my household and we would keep him busy full time. Maybe that's what I'll ask for next Christmas. 
All in all a great end to our 2011.  2012 has begun.  BG has added the name "Buddy" to her vocabulary so we are off to a great start.  Can't wait to see what else the year brings.