She was my friend. She was stubborn and opinionated and I loved that in her. I will not post a picture, cause that would royally piss her off. She let me take a photo of her a few months back, with her son. I will print it and give to Orlando.
Jeanne was always trying to get me to be less loud. She was a punk and I loved her. The last few days, I prayed and cried out to God for her to be healed completely and nothing less. Jeanne is a proud (in a good way) woman, and it would kill her slowly to be a burden to anyone.
I am sitting here, all the kids in bed, and finally can let the tears flow. Sad to not see her tomorrow, sad for her dear son, who I believe is gonna need more prayer than I did for his momma. He is a good man, a husband and father. He is Jeanne's only child, and she loved him and taught him right. He is serving God and I believe will see destiny and become stronger through Jeanne passing.
I met Jeanne when her son was young, very young, like running in the church young. She was in Roswell, in one of our baby churches. She gave her life to Jesus and never ever looked back. When the church in Roswell began to sputter and grow smaller, she moved her life to Alamogordo. She was a blessing as a single mom and worked hard her whole time.
Dang it woman, I miss you already!
The winds howled all day today, moving the desert up and into the air. My chest aches from the dirt and from the emotion that won't release right. I think perhaps I am waiting to see my friends tomorrow in church, the family that loved Jeanne also.
I close, and am just tired this evening. I still hold my Joy and with that Joy, knowing how much Jeanne loved and served Jesus Christ.
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Friday, April 13, 2012
thumbp thump themp
I am sitting at the puter, enjoying cool breeze and keep hearing the thump thump in the hall? What? Tiny thumps, but lots of them and rather quick ones too? I forgot I had a 3 year old in the house that went to bed 30 minutes ago. I go down the hall and a half naked little boy that has my heart is dancing in the hall. Come on little man, you blew it, bed for you. I put him in the bed he wanted. Tears! Oh the dear drama of exhaustion and being 3. Come here little man, do you wanna be with sister? I could see the blankets nod in affirmative. Come here hon, I will carry you, take your pillow, I have the frog blankie.
Yeah, almost 50, and I am calling it a blankie!
I poured a very happy little boy into a mutually happy sisters bed and all is well!
On a good note also, I ate food this morning and had coffee...let all the family rejoice! I was so mad this morning, I am in the bathroom doing dry heave retching and stomped out of the room. I put a piece of toast in the toaster, and pulled a cup out of the cupboard. I ate the toast and drank the coffee and got all indignant and said, "you stinking devil, you make me nauseous and I don't eat, so I get dry heaves, I am gonna fill my tummy with food, and puke in your nasty face!"
I ate, drank and was merry!
We had our social worker visit and it was grand, the kids were so curious and just loving! She was a bit blown away after the reports on how detached they were and how hard it was for them to come around to people. J3 spent the visit, placing slobbery kisses on everyone, W5 kept sharing his ear bud from the radio Bubba Eric got him, and being amazed that his mom knew the words to Lady Gaga, and I think I hit a good note, in "I don't wanna be friends" bhhhaaaa, even D7 came in and talked about school and laughed with us. It was such a great visit, and Eric can drive one at a time with him, until they are legally family. Plus I can now go to appointments or run to the store and leave kids with the kids for a bit. That is a huge help to me, and the kids (all of them) like to hang at the house. Shopping is a bit boring most times.
We ate gruel for dinner (aka hamburger helper) and spinach. Then to the park for a run run run. We had this great idea for Frosty's from Wendy's. They are now exhausted totally, full of ice cream! woot!! Yep, home and pj's (well not completely) teeth brushed, prayers said, and in bed.
Hence the beginning of the story. thumbp thump themp! A great noise to hear in the house. Sleep will come again tonight with a smile!
Yeah, almost 50, and I am calling it a blankie!
I poured a very happy little boy into a mutually happy sisters bed and all is well!
On a good note also, I ate food this morning and had coffee...let all the family rejoice! I was so mad this morning, I am in the bathroom doing dry heave retching and stomped out of the room. I put a piece of toast in the toaster, and pulled a cup out of the cupboard. I ate the toast and drank the coffee and got all indignant and said, "you stinking devil, you make me nauseous and I don't eat, so I get dry heaves, I am gonna fill my tummy with food, and puke in your nasty face!"
I ate, drank and was merry!
We had our social worker visit and it was grand, the kids were so curious and just loving! She was a bit blown away after the reports on how detached they were and how hard it was for them to come around to people. J3 spent the visit, placing slobbery kisses on everyone, W5 kept sharing his ear bud from the radio Bubba Eric got him, and being amazed that his mom knew the words to Lady Gaga, and I think I hit a good note, in "I don't wanna be friends" bhhhaaaa, even D7 came in and talked about school and laughed with us. It was such a great visit, and Eric can drive one at a time with him, until they are legally family. Plus I can now go to appointments or run to the store and leave kids with the kids for a bit. That is a huge help to me, and the kids (all of them) like to hang at the house. Shopping is a bit boring most times.
We ate gruel for dinner (aka hamburger helper) and spinach. Then to the park for a run run run. We had this great idea for Frosty's from Wendy's. They are now exhausted totally, full of ice cream! woot!! Yep, home and pj's (well not completely) teeth brushed, prayers said, and in bed.
Hence the beginning of the story. thumbp thump themp! A great noise to hear in the house. Sleep will come again tonight with a smile!
Just a day!
Woke up this morning to a text of a dear, dear lady friend is in hospital with heart problems. I hit the couch and just started praying and contending for her! The text messages were coming fast and furious regarding her updates. Life and Death over and over. Pray, pray and pray some more.
The kids all up and the routines of morning are going grand. J3 and W5 love sleeping in with their sisters. They are so snuggled and comfy and D7 is just as happy up on the top bunk in the Boy room. He is like a cement block to wake in the morning. But this smile that comes is worth the trouble!
Each boy has a sibling to help them dress, eat, teeth and hook up with for chores in the morning. They do great at it. D7 and W5 were secretly making Abby's bed while she was helping J3 brush his teeth. They were giggling with such delight to bless their sister. I took a million pictures and giggled with them!
We all drove to bring D7 to school, and Eric walked him in. Then to a park to play for about 30 minutes. The me the task master, have to walk. We all took off for a brisk walk around the park, and J and W ran up and then down the hill, over and over, as I smiled knowing the exhaustion I was creating! hahaha evil woman I am!
Home to go thru the many boxes of clothes, shoes and other things to begin getting the garage prepared for moving and packing.
**side note** with our other children, Eric came with a walmart bag of dirty clothes, and Gman and the twins about 6 boxes and 3 bags of clothes, these boys came with so much we had to rent a U-haul. They have been in the system, but loved and cared for by some amazing people! We are beyond grateful!
J3 and W5 helped and played hard in back yard. It was 2 hours of hard work! We came in and ate, and J3 knows that after his belly is full, it is time to lay on mom's bed and "sneeze" (which is snore) in Mom's ear. He falls asleep in under 5 minutes and goes out for 2 full hours of peace. J3 mouth moves on a constant motion! He talks so much I feel for my mom again and again.
The 4 older kids took off to library, and other errands, so W5 and I had computer time. He learned the rules of computer. He built roads, and building s with TONKA! He totally concentrated! His right hand is in a little cast so he has to use his left to do the mouse. He did so good. Here is a picture of him from behind. I plan on doing some layouts, but will blur the faces until the adoption is complete. **pray for October please**
My phone has been vibrating like mad thru this whole thing, my friend is Stable, she is in surgery, she is doing well. I know there are hundreds of people praying for her, and I am so amazed again by the power of prayer and my God.
I close this post with a plea for prayer for my friend Jeanne. Please pray for a complete recovery! Thank you my friends!
The kids all up and the routines of morning are going grand. J3 and W5 love sleeping in with their sisters. They are so snuggled and comfy and D7 is just as happy up on the top bunk in the Boy room. He is like a cement block to wake in the morning. But this smile that comes is worth the trouble!
Each boy has a sibling to help them dress, eat, teeth and hook up with for chores in the morning. They do great at it. D7 and W5 were secretly making Abby's bed while she was helping J3 brush his teeth. They were giggling with such delight to bless their sister. I took a million pictures and giggled with them!
We all drove to bring D7 to school, and Eric walked him in. Then to a park to play for about 30 minutes. The me the task master, have to walk. We all took off for a brisk walk around the park, and J and W ran up and then down the hill, over and over, as I smiled knowing the exhaustion I was creating! hahaha evil woman I am!
Home to go thru the many boxes of clothes, shoes and other things to begin getting the garage prepared for moving and packing.
**side note** with our other children, Eric came with a walmart bag of dirty clothes, and Gman and the twins about 6 boxes and 3 bags of clothes, these boys came with so much we had to rent a U-haul. They have been in the system, but loved and cared for by some amazing people! We are beyond grateful!
J3 and W5 helped and played hard in back yard. It was 2 hours of hard work! We came in and ate, and J3 knows that after his belly is full, it is time to lay on mom's bed and "sneeze" (which is snore) in Mom's ear. He falls asleep in under 5 minutes and goes out for 2 full hours of peace. J3 mouth moves on a constant motion! He talks so much I feel for my mom again and again.
My phone has been vibrating like mad thru this whole thing, my friend is Stable, she is in surgery, she is doing well. I know there are hundreds of people praying for her, and I am so amazed again by the power of prayer and my God.
I close this post with a plea for prayer for my friend Jeanne. Please pray for a complete recovery! Thank you my friends!
Thursday, April 12, 2012
The Power of a Shower
Evening update:
Today was D7 first day of school. He is a bit behind and will probably redo 1st grade, but the teacher is going to have him "help" the kinder class when they do reading. Then he will meet all the kids there that pour into her class, and take him on again. She is totally smitten with him. The teacher sent home some books for D7 to read and told me he was having issues with letters, sounds and blends.
Tonight, only D7 had a bath, because I wanted to give him a bit more responsibility as the oldest and teach him how to shower. I filled up the tub and he soaked in there; with me, sitting on the floor, I scrubbed his back, and legs and then he stood up and washed. He talked non stop to me about school, the kids in the class, the life book we sent to him to learn about our family. It was beyond awesome!
We used a small bucket to rinse yesterday for bathes, so I said, "Would you like to try a shower?"
oh, my mind will hold that smile in my head forever. He is such the little man, he wants to be the little kid, but yearns to be mature. I explained that Gman did not like showers at first, that he didn't like the water on his face. D7 nodded with such a grown up face and said, "I don't like my face to get splashed, but I want to try this."
I have to say, that the adventure spirit in these boys can lift one up. They try food and new things with such excitement and wonder! Okay, some times, food they are a bit wary, but oh if they like it, they are so happy!
Anyway, we (D7 and I) got the water temperature just right, and then I turned the shower head so it would spray the wall. Oh my, it was cold. D7 got laughing and fixed the handles and got the temp just perfect. I have always been bad on which one is cold and hot. He did it like a pro. Then said, "Go ahead, and move it over, I can tell it is gonna be good."
I moved it onto his back and he was so happy! Our water bill will probably go sky high, but it is so worth the time spent, laughing with him.
After the bath, I cut his toenails, and lathered him up with some cocoa butter. Oh my goodness, but this lotion is like the best! His skin positively glows! We also got some olive oil lotion for their hair, and it has made the hair soft and shiny. I had a pick and got a brush from the Ethnic section, and D7 brushes his hair all the time!
I went in to turn off the light and had to tell him to put away his brush! Hilarious! He picks it, then brushes, then picks and then walks around so we can all touch it! It is so soft!
After the other two were snuggled in bed each with a "sister". I had D7 sit and read with me. I think my jaw fell open and hit the ground. He did awesome! Way better than I expected! I mean, he is struggling with blends, but he has the sight words down, and most of the sounds. I don't know if the meds for the AD/HD affect his reading. He is so lethargic on the meds. I am going to test this theory tomorrow morning before school. To see what happens when he reads to me then. I know that about 4:30pm, the little boy that is there is just precious and very alert and attentive.
Today was D7 first day of school. He is a bit behind and will probably redo 1st grade, but the teacher is going to have him "help" the kinder class when they do reading. Then he will meet all the kids there that pour into her class, and take him on again. She is totally smitten with him. The teacher sent home some books for D7 to read and told me he was having issues with letters, sounds and blends.
Tonight, only D7 had a bath, because I wanted to give him a bit more responsibility as the oldest and teach him how to shower. I filled up the tub and he soaked in there; with me, sitting on the floor, I scrubbed his back, and legs and then he stood up and washed. He talked non stop to me about school, the kids in the class, the life book we sent to him to learn about our family. It was beyond awesome!
We used a small bucket to rinse yesterday for bathes, so I said, "Would you like to try a shower?"
oh, my mind will hold that smile in my head forever. He is such the little man, he wants to be the little kid, but yearns to be mature. I explained that Gman did not like showers at first, that he didn't like the water on his face. D7 nodded with such a grown up face and said, "I don't like my face to get splashed, but I want to try this."
I have to say, that the adventure spirit in these boys can lift one up. They try food and new things with such excitement and wonder! Okay, some times, food they are a bit wary, but oh if they like it, they are so happy!
Anyway, we (D7 and I) got the water temperature just right, and then I turned the shower head so it would spray the wall. Oh my, it was cold. D7 got laughing and fixed the handles and got the temp just perfect. I have always been bad on which one is cold and hot. He did it like a pro. Then said, "Go ahead, and move it over, I can tell it is gonna be good."
I moved it onto his back and he was so happy! Our water bill will probably go sky high, but it is so worth the time spent, laughing with him.
After the bath, I cut his toenails, and lathered him up with some cocoa butter. Oh my goodness, but this lotion is like the best! His skin positively glows! We also got some olive oil lotion for their hair, and it has made the hair soft and shiny. I had a pick and got a brush from the Ethnic section, and D7 brushes his hair all the time!
I went in to turn off the light and had to tell him to put away his brush! Hilarious! He picks it, then brushes, then picks and then walks around so we can all touch it! It is so soft!
After the other two were snuggled in bed each with a "sister". I had D7 sit and read with me. I think my jaw fell open and hit the ground. He did awesome! Way better than I expected! I mean, he is struggling with blends, but he has the sight words down, and most of the sounds. I don't know if the meds for the AD/HD affect his reading. He is so lethargic on the meds. I am going to test this theory tomorrow morning before school. To see what happens when he reads to me then. I know that about 4:30pm, the little boy that is there is just precious and very alert and attentive.
Morning Sickness!?!?! With ADoption?
I thought I was gonna be able to slide out of it this adoption...but dry heaves all morning, clammy shaky. Darn it! I haven't eaten in the morning, or lunch since Tuesday, cause of nausea! It is very funny to write this, but darn if I can control it!
D7 started school this morning, and he was so nervous, til he got there, then all the boys in the class were so happy to see him! He smiled that smile that will just make you want to hang the moon for him. I stayed for about 30 minutes with him and he waved and let me kiss him. I drove off, and made it about one block and had to pull over...ugh...
Don't go on Aspen behind the doctor's office. Egads!
I got home, and prayed again, had Tony pray with me, and we talked and I began all over again. Getting mad at myself for it! Tony says it is because I am so organized and like a schedule and we have been on, no schedule, just insanity for a bit!
We loaded everyone into the Beast (our van) and went to park. I had paper and plans in my head. Tony took the day off, since I was a dry heaving basket case!
These boys are beyond good, I mean, really, it is just I need to structure to help them. That is slow going. But it is getting better.
J3 is sleeping now, W5 is with Eric and Dad looking for boxes so we can start packing. More insanity. I am going to fight these nerves, I don't like them, and I am done with it! lol
**adding to let everyone know, I am a spaz and my body does this, but I fight it, and am still laughing**
D7 started school this morning, and he was so nervous, til he got there, then all the boys in the class were so happy to see him! He smiled that smile that will just make you want to hang the moon for him. I stayed for about 30 minutes with him and he waved and let me kiss him. I drove off, and made it about one block and had to pull over...ugh...
Don't go on Aspen behind the doctor's office. Egads!
I got home, and prayed again, had Tony pray with me, and we talked and I began all over again. Getting mad at myself for it! Tony says it is because I am so organized and like a schedule and we have been on, no schedule, just insanity for a bit!
We loaded everyone into the Beast (our van) and went to park. I had paper and plans in my head. Tony took the day off, since I was a dry heaving basket case!
These boys are beyond good, I mean, really, it is just I need to structure to help them. That is slow going. But it is getting better.
J3 is sleeping now, W5 is with Eric and Dad looking for boxes so we can start packing. More insanity. I am going to fight these nerves, I don't like them, and I am done with it! lol
**adding to let everyone know, I am a spaz and my body does this, but I fight it, and am still laughing**
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Off to meet the boys.
**due to privacy the boys names will be initials D-age 7, W-age 5 and J- age3.
Friday morning. Wait back up. Wednesday afternoon, Tony calls and says I got a van. A 15-passenger van. The bunk beds are set up. The drawers are empty and ready. I am ready, I think. Boy did I think weird!
Back to Friday morning:
We had to go to a calendar meeting, this is a meeting to figure out when we can meet the boys, when we can bring them home etc. Social services and all really believed that D7 needed to say good bye to his teacher. This was mucho important. I had talked with her on the phone and she loved D7 and his brothers so much. The talk was us to drive 7 hours on Friday, meet the boys, and spend Saturday with them, and then return home Sunday evening.
The foster mom, my hero, and I will be doing a whole blog on her fabulousness; Renee, came up with the idea of us staying til Monday, so we could go to school, say goodbye and get home. My tummy almost flipped, excited and scared.
It was settled, we drove out and off to the 4 corners area to meet our boys. The drive is long, and boring. We were all so excited and totally unprepared for what could, would or should happen.
Arriving at the hotel, about 6pm, we called and set up to go to the Foster Families home to meet. I was shaking with I don't even know how to explain it. Fear, crazed and oh my goodness, Anne Marie, can you do this? for reals?? We all ate subway, splitting 6 inch subs, cause our tummies were so tight. We got some ice cream drumsticks and proceeded to their home.
Now the foster family, I will call the Hutch's live in a outrageously beautiful house. It is huge and sprawling and just wow!! We pull up, well, after I flew by it one time. FosterDad(Rod) was outside, and then Renee came out. Big breath and we walked to the back yard. Renee had talked with them, and explained everything. But the fear on their eyes, I could cry right now thinking about D7 standing there looking at me and his arms around his little brothers. They were petrified, but still curious and had this adventure look in their eyes.
We babbled for a bit, then all the kids, went outside, each having a partner, and went on a walk. That was what I needed, cause I was so tired physically from the ride, and emotions were just raw.
They are so not like their picture. The photo had been stretched out, and they are just tiny little men.
We stayed for a few hours, then went back to the hotel, just shell shocked but so encouraged. W5 snuggled with me, D7 hugged me and talked a bit, and little J3, is a ham, and hugged everybody, and kept saying it's gonna be okay.
Sleep came fast and furious that night. Our boys knew us and we met them.
More to come when I can sneak in time!
Friday morning. Wait back up. Wednesday afternoon, Tony calls and says I got a van. A 15-passenger van. The bunk beds are set up. The drawers are empty and ready. I am ready, I think. Boy did I think weird!
Back to Friday morning:
We had to go to a calendar meeting, this is a meeting to figure out when we can meet the boys, when we can bring them home etc. Social services and all really believed that D7 needed to say good bye to his teacher. This was mucho important. I had talked with her on the phone and she loved D7 and his brothers so much. The talk was us to drive 7 hours on Friday, meet the boys, and spend Saturday with them, and then return home Sunday evening.
The foster mom, my hero, and I will be doing a whole blog on her fabulousness; Renee, came up with the idea of us staying til Monday, so we could go to school, say goodbye and get home. My tummy almost flipped, excited and scared.
It was settled, we drove out and off to the 4 corners area to meet our boys. The drive is long, and boring. We were all so excited and totally unprepared for what could, would or should happen.
Arriving at the hotel, about 6pm, we called and set up to go to the Foster Families home to meet. I was shaking with I don't even know how to explain it. Fear, crazed and oh my goodness, Anne Marie, can you do this? for reals?? We all ate subway, splitting 6 inch subs, cause our tummies were so tight. We got some ice cream drumsticks and proceeded to their home.
Now the foster family, I will call the Hutch's live in a outrageously beautiful house. It is huge and sprawling and just wow!! We pull up, well, after I flew by it one time. FosterDad(Rod) was outside, and then Renee came out. Big breath and we walked to the back yard. Renee had talked with them, and explained everything. But the fear on their eyes, I could cry right now thinking about D7 standing there looking at me and his arms around his little brothers. They were petrified, but still curious and had this adventure look in their eyes.
We babbled for a bit, then all the kids, went outside, each having a partner, and went on a walk. That was what I needed, cause I was so tired physically from the ride, and emotions were just raw.
They are so not like their picture. The photo had been stretched out, and they are just tiny little men.
We stayed for a few hours, then went back to the hotel, just shell shocked but so encouraged. W5 snuggled with me, D7 hugged me and talked a bit, and little J3, is a ham, and hugged everybody, and kept saying it's gonna be okay.
Sleep came fast and furious that night. Our boys knew us and we met them.
More to come when I can sneak in time!
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Come on in.
Now turn into what is the formal living room, and will be a homeschool/office kinda thing. The room is bright and cheery and has the most gorgeous light.
Tomorrow, the living room, kitchen and bits of here and there!
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