Camille update

I must make a small confession that I might have turned into a small time dance mom over the course of 3 days when Camille decided to try out for the competitive team at dance.  I've always known the girl was a dancer, I just wasn't sure if she was going to go with that of not.  After watching here play basketball I was even more confident in my assessment.  She decided the week before recital that she wanted to tryout.  Go for it, we told her.  Went to the session to learn the jazz and ballet routines for the tryouts.  No way, was my initial thoughts when I saw how fast the jazz routine was.  Actually, I may have even said something to the affect of there's not a snowballs chance in hell.  Too bad Becky heard me say that.  Anyways, I recorded the routines and then became a dance mom.  Spent the next 2 days practicing with Camille.  Yep, I learned them too.  Laughter, tears, and we worked really hard.  Going into tryouts I was 50/50  about her success.  Or maybe of my success.  I knee I couldn't have pulled it off and remembered everything.  Watched her through the magic mirror and she was amazing.  Everything I'd known about here body moving like a dancer and her confidence was outstanding.  I was beyond proud of how she did.  She is now a member of the mini company and I have put away my dance mom suit.   She is also growing up so much.  She is still the best helpers for the little.  She will play N and take care of BG.  She is also a super helper st school.  Her teachers gave her the "teacher" award because of the way she is so helpful to anyone in her class that needs it. We survived her first birthday party sleepover.  5 precious friends who swam and played.  Only had one puke and one complain of her ear hurting.  All in all it confirmed my belief that I hate sleepovers. I can't believe that she will be in 3rd grade.  Seems like a lifetime ago that I taught third grade.   We continue to seek Dr E's help in building up Camille's resistance so that she doesn't get knocked down by so many sinus infections.  Bloodwork in May shows everything moving in a positive direction.  Still very hard to try and eliminate glutten and dairy from her diet.  She's very good about trying. She has been having a short fuse when dealing with N ever since school got out.  Probably too much togetherness.  She likes having a built in playmate when it is convenient for her but if her mood is off then he gets the brunt of it.  She is usually very patient when dealing with BG. She is going to love her week away with Gram & Gramps.  

Luckie update

"Uckie" is the absolute sweetest sound that you can hear coming from BG whenever Lucas is in the room.  He continued to have rock star status in here eyes.  When she wants him to hold here she rests her head on his shoulder like he's the greatest thing ever.  Of course, he is.  We all followed him around all spring watching him play lacrosse.  Gotta admit that I do like the sport and he is fun to watch play. I love to tease him about his lacrosse stick being like iphis blankie because he carries it around all the time.  As his body is growing we have been working on making some changes with his ADD.  Found a new doctor and definitely like his whole body approach.  Adjusting his me, adding some supplements, and trying to watch his protein and carb intake.  As I have said to a few moms lately who are struggling with sons diagnosed edith ADD, it would be such a travesty for Lucas to not have his treatment because of the huge difference in makes in him being highly successful.  He is so smart.  Can't believe that he is going to be in middle school.

Update about us & Madeline

Someday I am going to kick myself for letting these last few months go by without blogging.  It's been such a treat to go back and read over my earlier entries, because to be quite truthful, my memory usually stinks.  So to try and recap the past few months on a weekend short term memory but actually it's probably moved into the horrible long term memory.   Gotta begin with the amazing way out family just is.  After all this time with N and BG living with us, they are our family.  The stinky part of it is that we still have all these rules because of foster care.  The stupidest rule is that I can't use Madeline to babysit.  She is probably the best babysitter I've seen.  Never thought it would happen.  The girl who never played with dolls, who tortured her brother and sister for 12 years of here life.  But, she is growing up.  The torture part still goes on to some extent but with N and BG she is awesome.  That's been her saving grace this past week when here mouth runs on full throttle and she can't turn it off to be respectful, I will then witness her being so kind to the little.  We went to the Dallas World Aquarium and she was in charge of N the whole time.  Held his hand, pointed out everything, lifted him up, and smiled and laughed.  Over the weekend we were at the lake and she is is tender and concerned with N's safety.   He rides the tube with here and she holds on to him so protectively.  When N got on with Lucas and Camille, Lucas in one of his nonthinking moments, tips the tube.  I'm grabbing for my life jacket because I'm worried that N might freak out.  Before I can do anything, Madeline has jumped in and has N in her arms.  Atta girl.  As I said its a good thing for these moments because on the other hand, I 've been ready to take her out.  It was a crazy busy end of the school year for here with the production of Fiddler on the Roof.   She needed to have her hair darkened for her role of Chava.  We got the yucky rinse out mousse the first time but the girl has enough hair for entire family.  We tried a Demi product the second time and it looked good but the washes out in 4-6 shampoos was a joke.  Came back to bit me in the butt all the times I've changed my hair color, as I listened to here say she should just dye it dark, after all "it's just hair".  Don't know where she's heard that before.  Got her first hi lights this week so she is back to being a blonde and happy about it.  Can't believe that she is going to be in high school.  

Clothes

Clothes.  When you have 5 kids, there are a bunch of clothes.  And my least favorite chore in the world is laundry.  If I don't stay on top of things, all falls apart very quickly.  Changing of seasons is a big deal.  Sorting through everyone's clothes, finding what fits and what doesn't.  Easter outfits.  5 coordinating outfits.  When I go to Old Navy, I literally go into every section except for the men's.  I guess I could include Todd and get him something new but if you saw his closet, you would understand why I don't shop for him.  Usually just start back with BG clothes working my way up to Mad.  I'm on a no-shopping for Mad until she can show better responsibility for her clothes.  Did find a way to finally get her room cleaned, told her that if it wasn't picked up by Wednesday then I was going to do it for her.  Scared her and she did it.  Picked up, but not clean.  We are at least making progress.
Worst part about this warm weather is giving baths to the lil kids every night.  When I am tired at the end of the day thats one of the last things I want to do, and unfortunately no one else is really capable of helping.  I mean Todd could, but its not exactly his thing.
Had a little impromptu blessing when I suddenly decided to pop into a new salon for a pre Easter pedicure.  A few minutes after I sat down, in comes Lancine.  We got to spend almost an hour catching up.  We went through our initial foster care training together and both attend the same church just not the same service.  They have adopted a sweet little girl who was about 18 months old when they got her but is now around 3 1/2.  It hasn't been without some major battles, but prayers that all will go fabulously for that sweet child.

A Little Bit of Germs

I thought that I had forgotten my password since its been so long but my fingers typed it in without my deep thinking having to go into affect.  What a day.  What a time it has been since Christmas.  I think there has been maybe 2 weeks when someone around here hasn't been sick.  I'm thankful today for BG being on antibiotics.  Last week she had double ear infection and another bout of hand, foot, and mouth.  We were in my bathroom while I was putting winter clothes away.  She found 2 empty water bottles and was playing with them.  Guess she got thirsty cause next thing I know is the water bottles are dipping in the toilet and she is having herself a lil drink.  Gag.  Only thing that saved me from really getting grossed out is the fact she is taking antibiotics.  Building up her germ resistance.  Terrible 2's are fast approaching.  She emptied the tub of wipes, stood on N's bed & started peeling off his wall stickers, screamed when she had to get out of the tub, ran from me when she saw I was tucking N in bed.  Did I mention this was all this afternoon, of which she took an hour nap and Helen had her for 3 hours?  I've decided to start exercising again so that I can keep up with her.  That's the disadvantage of being an old mom.  Today she was entertained by my sweating in front of her while she ate her cereal.  We'll see how long it lasts.

As if its not bad enough to have a baby wearing me out, today I broke down and got a shocker thing for Pixie to set by the front door in hopes of keeping her from running for it every chance she gets.  Got the collar on her, set the little box by the front door.  Spent the morning watching her steer clear of it.  Just took a couple of times and she had it figured out.  Smart dog, I thought. So. . . I thought I'd do the real test.  I step outside and crack the door a little. She immediately hears the door open and comes racing through the tiny opening.  I grab her only to realize that we are within range of the shocker.  Its shocking her, its shocking me and all I can do is drop the dumb dog.  She races off.  I immediately call Nicki and tell her to be on lookout.  Don't care about the dog but want the $150 worth of new equipment she is wearing.  Dog comes back.  My arm tingles for at least 2 hours.  I can't stand d-dog.  Dumb dog.

N asked me about the men out on the golf course today.  He didn't know what that was.  I gave him my brief description and he says he would like to play when he is bigger.  I ask him if he will be living with mommy or Nina then.  He says Nina.  I ask if he would like to live with Mommy, and he says he likes it with Nina.  Breaks my heart.  He is doing so great. 

Camille can wrestle BG into her pj's, Madeline comes out of hibernating in her room only when BG is up from her nap, Lucas and N are having a giggle fest in the van on the dance drive tonight.  We are a family of 7. 7 months they have been with us.  Wow.  Life is good.

New Glasses

It is with mixed emotion that I say that I was right about N's vision.  Every time he runs into something I wondered if it was vision problems or just lack of coordination.  After 2 1/2 hours at a pretty lousy doctor's office, he now has new glasses.  Looks really cute in them.  Madeline says he looks smart.  He is a smart kid.  Not smart enough to know that throwing a fit will keep him from getting drops in his eyes for dilation, and thats another horrible sidenote that I don't want to have to go into.  Hope this keeps him from running into walls, but I hate it that he has to put up with the hassle of wearing glasses.  Too bad I was right. 
Little redeeming qualities for Madeline perk up every now and then.  I needed just a 15 minute shut eye in order to finish the evening.  She agreed to watch BG for me.  And, drum roll please, she changed a poopie diaper during that time.  Amazing.  Thanks, Madeline.  There is hope in your future.
Spent the evening at mini society for the elementary school.  Favorite thing about it is seeing all the neighborhood families come out and support the kids and the items they are selling.  Lucas had 38 bracelets he sold.  Notice I didn't say,"made", not exactly sure of how many he made but fairly certain that my percentage was higher than his. 
Case manager came by today and hung out with us.  She is a sweet, young woman.  Shared my concerns with her about N.  The big question was if she knew of how long the kiddos would be with us.  She's getting mixed feedback from her superiors.  I'm sure I gave mixed feedback, too.  I think I even confuse myself with the feedback I'm giving her.  I am worried about N.  Worried how his mom will handle him.  Worried that she doesn't have the sources to back her up if he gives her difficulties.  He is definitely making progress here.  I can honestly say that.  I think he benefits by being with us and that we can help him further by keeping him longer.  Wacko.  The kid that's driving me crazy, that I would say that.  It gets even wackier when I think of BG.  We are head over heels, 110%, in-love, smitten, and devoted to her.  I can say that for everyone in the house, everyone that she meets.  I know Helen will back me on this one.  She brings us so much joy every single second.  But. . . and there's my wackiness, I fear that the longer she is here the harder it will be for her to leave us.  We are all she knows.  The Stanfields with the Gilmartins are filling her life with constant love and learning.  I am very worried that she will be devastated when she doesn't have NiNi, Buddy, Nadaline, (can't say Lucas), Mil, di dog, and her beloved Helen in her life.  She is sung to, danced to, cuddled, cradled, held, swung, lifted high, strolled, and 1000 other things and that's just in one days time.  My heart aches thinking about how she will miss us.  And, yes, I will always miss her, but I still am confident that it is my job to be Jesus's hands and feet to care for this sweet BG while she needs us.  I know we are doing exactly what we are suppose to be doing in caring for her during this time of her life.  I am so thankful to be enjoying it so much but I think that it might be best for her to go home sooner rather than later.  Fortunately, I hold on to the power of Jesus and rely on his plan being far greater than mine.  Please join me in prayers for the judge and the other people involved in making the decisions about BG & N.  In the meantime,  I will love on BG & N as much as I can.  They are blessings to me.

No More Ba-Ba's

A week of healing, listening, growing, and of course, blessings.  Finally everyone in the house, including myself, surived sinus/allergy struggles.  Healing.  Being able to sleep makes the world so much nicer.  Listening.  Madeline learned a very valuable lesson about the necessity to communicate and listen to a very dear friend in order to mend hurt feelings.  Listening to the person face to face, not through text.  Listening to the person face to face and not listening to what others might think they are interpreting.  Wednesday was a very long day.  A lot of tears, but in the end, with listening, it was happy tears and hugs.  I hope it was a lesson learned.  All in all I can't believe that with Madeline being in 8th grade we have never encountered any problems with her and her friends until this week.  Very amazing.  Makes me concerned about Camille and her friends when she comes home talking about so and so being mad at her and not being her friend.  Not once did Madeline ever encounter this.  Madeline is blessed with wonderful friends.  So glad the friendship was restored this week. 
Growing.  Growing in faith as I watch God work in our home and our family.  BG growing up as I put the bottles away for good tonight.  I finally decided if she was going to be broken of bottles it had better be now or never.  We did it with very little struggle.  Her calcium intake has significantly decreased so my next goal is getting more milk in her.  She is amazing in all that she is learning and doing.  I will put items into the grocery cart and she tries to repeat every word that I say.  Helen has her singing hip hop songs while dancing in the car.  I don't think I would ever have pin pointed this as being a favorite age, but BG is making it so.  She brings delight to all of us.
N continues to struggle with behavior.  Gram said it best as describing his behavior as passive agressive.  The beginning of the week was tough but then the blessings began.  Becky &  Helen devised a plan that Becky picks up N from school on Tuesdays and returns him just before bedtime. Helen takes N & BG on Thursdays until bedtime.  The break for me and the extra positive attention for Nathan has helped tremendously. I am so thankful for my friends who heard my cries and didn't just listen, but took action.  What a blessing to have friends step in when family is not close by.  This is the longest we have had foster children in our home.  Before it was 4 months or less and I was able to re-energize between kids, get my house in order, or just take time to breath.  It has all caught up with me and while I wouldn't change the journey we are on, I have been tired.  With my friends help, BG taking a 2 hour nap Thursday morning, a girls day out with Nicki, and an all day outing with the hatched kids today, and I am hopeful for the week ahead.  I am at peace with N and can go into the week being hopeful that I will be a positive role model, and be patient in my dealings with his behavior. It's going to be a great week.