Back to School: Photo Style

 Leah journaling before her 1st day of 5th grade!

 Porter wanted a goofy picture and spiked hair before starting 3rd grade.

 Girl knows what she wants!

Josie insisted on this outfit from Ginni and her hair in braids for Kindergarten.

 I LOVE this picture of the girls.

It is rare that they all are looking at the camera with all eyes open.

So how do I feel about the bus taking off 3 of our 5 kids?...

I am so happy that they love school.

I love our schools.

I only wish I could decide which 3 that they would take each day (hehe).

Happy Back to School, y'all.

I'm Gonna Make This Place Your Home

Anyone that has been a foster or adoptive parent knows that it does 

not come without special struggles.

There are questions that are hard to answer,

 grief and loss issues, 

special attachments and bonding to develop,

and sadly,

milestones that you just weren't there for.

Julia is at the magical stage of questioning.

She wants to know things about when she was a baby.

Things I didn't witness.

I have only been able to imagine what my newest "baby" looked like when she was a baby.

The other night, we were given a gift.

A wonderful surprise.

We ran into someone who knew Julia before I did.

She smiled and told us how amazed she was at how big Julia had gotten.

Then she gave me this...

 I know that I am biased, but she's so cute she makes my eyes hurt.

So far, this is the only baby picture that we have of our Julia.

She asked if I'd like to keep it.

I responded as tears filled up my eyes, "More than anything."

I smiled and Julia's face lit up with pride!

 She showed anyone who would look.

Our other kids, one by one, studied the picture and told Julia how beautiful she was.

I couldn't have paid them to have more perfect reactions.

This one little picture is so precious to her and to us.

This new home is so good for us too.

This house is all of OURS since we all came to it together at the same time.

I hadn't thought about how nice it would be for her to 

have a fresh start and not have to "come late to the party", so to speak.

As we approach one year of living together, we still work on establishing a bond
that will 

leave her feeling secure and forever loved.

We build new memories with her everyday.
Each hug and kiss and laugh do this.

On the radio or while watching the Olympics,
 you might have heard this song by Phillip Phillips.

"Home"

I couldn't help but think about my Julia.

I also thought about all of the kids needing to

know that they are home, forever.

Take a look at the lyrics HERE.

You can listen to a sample of the song HERE.

She knows that it is "her song" and it offers one more connection,
and  puts us one step closer to making this place her "home."

Who Thought This Was a Good Idea?

Yesterday, I ran around this town like a UPS driver,

delivering children and things to each

corner of this town.

It was a Monday my friends.

Darn you, Mondays.

In the middle of our very tight schedule, I had to go to the bathroom so badly.

I head into therapy and find the nearest restroom.

"Great! This stall has one of those toddler seats in it.  Maryn will love it and not try to escape." 

I thought to myself.

There was just one major problem...

 Yep!  The dang seat is within arms length of the door lock and handle.

Who thought this was a good idea?

Not me!

That kid opened the door on me 4 times and I wasn't in there very long.

Look how happy she is though.

(And, yes, I did take an extra minute to photograph it.  Don't judge.)

Despite my embarrassment, we had a great therapy session 

which included a great dress up game.

Maryn refused to let us adjust her sunglasses.

She loved them just the way they are.

Pretty cute, don't you think?