Foster Family Frenzy

10/11/12

September 20

Today was a busy day to say the least!

Renew for moms kicked off a new year this morning. I am so glad the get this back into our routine every other Thursday morning. And we made a fun craft this morning- a giant paperclip that stands up to hold pictures, notes, etc.

Our closing did happen today! After Renew I ran the boys to daycare to take naps there so Adam and I could go sign our paperwork and make this beautiful home officially ours!

After the closing, I ran by the house to drop a few things off and the wonderful family I mentioned yesterday left us this note, a beautiful yellow mum, and a laundry basket full of housewarming goodies! I cannot speak more highly of this family. God has truly blessed us in buying this house from them. And since they only moved 1.5 miles away, we may run into them periodically!

September 19

Closing day!!! Finally! Just kidding. Found out that our bank dropped the ball on our paperwork and the closing won't be happening today :( For sure tomorrow, though (we hope). After such a long, frustrating day, I received this text from the family we are buying the house from. They are the nicest family and we are so excited to move into the home they have created and make it ours.

September 18

There's nothing like two little boys who want to make their dinner all by themselves!

September 16

A certain little 3-yr-old may have killed my beloved point-and-shoot camera tonight. I've already learned the hard way that cameras don't mix well with water, but this may be my second drowned camera. But I don't know if the battery is just dead or if it's the whole camera. Can't find out until we move and I unpack the battery charger. GRRR. When will this mama learn :(

September 15

Garage sale day! We went shopping with the intent of buying some furniture for the new house, and this is all we came home with- a parachute, Elefun, and the Jungle Book DVD. No wonder the boys love garage sales so much!

September 14

This is always fun to get! Ended up being a little fender bender caused by Adam going 3 mph or less that sent the woman in front to the hospital on a stretcher!! Not a single dent in either car. Can we say insurance fraud?

Girl's Night Out tonight! Oh how I needed this!! We had our Renew steering retreat tonight as we gear up for another fun year in Renew, my mommy group.

September 12

Tonight was the big kick-off to the Christmas musical the kids ministry is going to do this year. It's going to be such a fun musical. And the new director this year. . . . :) I'm not exactly sure how I ended up in this role (but I think it has a lot to do with the person in charge of Wednesday night programming- Adam). I've never directed a musical before, let alone taught kids music or choreography. So, it should be interesting. Definitely a step out of my comfort zone. And tonight's attendance-- 100+ (gulp!) I can do this, I can do this!!

9/12/12

September 11

I will NOT take this personally- but, is my driving really that bad?!

September 10

The excitement continues! Grayson went to find his AWANA book and all of his papers from last night. We worked on his Bible verse today and he's getting better with it.

We also had the opportunity to take the boys to the new house tonight. We were able to show them their new rooms and all the fun new things about this house. Hoping this really helps the transition. Grayson brought Monkey along to make sure he approved!

Their new favorite space- the GINORMOUS tub! We could fit a few more kids in here

They also had fun with their dog and asked if he came with the house

Why, yes it did!!!

September 9

My baby is old enough now to start our AWANA program at church!! He started tonight and was excited to have his vest and his book. I am helping in his class this year. He will get patches to sew onto his vest for every Bible verse he memorizes. Hope the excitement continues!

September 8

Today was Family Fun Day at the farm for my work. They had a pancake breakfast, concert, and free admission. We took advantage of the great weather and headed out for the morning

Grayson was happy to run into friends there

Feeding the goats is still a scary thing at times, but I think we made great progress today

Today was also Adam's birthday and he wanted a cookie cake, so he went and picked out the one he wanted!

Grayson's friend Kaity came over for the party and a sleepover!!

September 7

Adam came home today with a bunch of homegrown apples that he was given. Oh, the possibilities are endless as to what they could be used for. Maybe a bunch of homemade applesauce?! Yum

9/10/12

September 6

This whole moving process has not been an easy one on a certain 3 year old. The tantrums, fits, and violent behaviors have gotten OUT. OF. CONTROL!! Poor little guy has lost all security and control of his environment and is lashing out on everyone. So, tonight we took a little trip to the store to buy stuff to make a calm down bottle. 1 TBSP glitter glue: 1 cup hot water. (I think it really needs more glue than this though) Add in a couple drops of food coloring and a small tub of glitter and shake it really well.

When a little meltdown starts the bottle can be used to redirect the kids' focus. They are supposed to watch the glitter settle while they collect their thoughts. Becuase of the glue inside, this should take 4-5 minutes. I bet we have to use it soon!

September 4

Had to pull out the allergy meds for all of us. Ughhh!!! Fall is coming!

9/6/12

September 3

Happy Labor Day!

We decided to go to the zoo today, even though it was supposed to be 99 degrees! But we had a little detour when we got a flat tire. It only slowed us down by 30-45 minutes.

This was the first time this year we have been to the zoo and we decided to buy a season pass so we can go back throughout the fall when it's cooler

Grayson really wanted to have his picture made with this sign so he patiently waited in line

the kangaroos are out hopping in the open and this one had her joey in her pouch. She was ready to go back through the gate and stop having her picture taken!

By 1:00, Grayson asked to go home because it was so hot and humid. We'll have to come back later when it's not so miserable

September 2

A lazy, hot Sunday evening spent at the pool

learning a few new tricks

and just having good family quality time!

September 1

Had dinner and banana splits with friends tonight

Approved!

The only moments of the night when all 6 kids were completely silent!

August 31

Tonight was TN's first football game of the season and Adam and a friend went to watch it at a restaurant while the other wife and I were left to entertain 5 kids! So, we took them to the community center to burn some energy. And that they did. Grayson and Neylan have started wrestling with each other, although it doesn't last long before someone is hurt and crying

August 30

After the buyers walk-through tonight, we still had a few things left to get out. So, we all went over to say goodbye to the house. The boys have been shuffled around so much in the last week that I don't really think they understand what is happening.

When we walked in the door, Grayson had some great expressions. "Where is everything"!

The sand table was one of our last minute things we had to take with us, so the boys played in the garage while we cleaned up a bit

Bye, bye house! We've had a lot of great memories here, but are ready to move on to bigger and better places!

August 29

Calling it a night! With our busy schedules, the only time I could find to clean our house before the walk-through tomorrow was tonight, starting at 10 pm. It is much easier to clean with nothing in it, but it still took a while. Hope they are satisfied!