The twins are FIVE!!!

Where does the time go??? Seems like only yesterday they brought these beautiful newborn babies into our home and hearts... And yet when I look at the journey we have taken to get to this point it seems like an eternity! Words will never express how greatful and how lucky I am to be their momma.

They are getting SO big! Bari is so persistant... in good ways and in bad. He knows what buttons to press and just how to annoy every person in this house. LOL He also is so determined to master everything he tries. He is great with the video games, likes to color and really tries to stay in the lines, he still hasnt gotten it yet but he tries and tries to ride that bike with no training wheels. He doesn't want help. He has always been the kind of child that has to figure things out on his own. He is still very moody and the two faces of Bari are still very evident, however his tantrums are a lot less. He thrives on attention and loves to be praised. I don't think I have or ever will be as proud as I am of the progress my little boy has made... to think of the condition he was in just 3 years ago and to see the child he has become is just amazing.

Kari is a such a clown. He is always making jokes and teasing. He LOVES to make people laugh. He has mastered the art of flipping his eyelids and loves to show everyone *cringe*. He is just a FUNNY kid, even when he is not trying. He is also so so so sassy!!! He always has the last word, grunt, glare... He is such a smart child. His comprehension is unbelievable. When I can't get his brothers to understand what i am talking about he always seems to get it and explains it on their level. LOL He is my teddy bear. He loves his hugs and kisses and hugs. Kari is always complimenting me.. such a little flirt. Kari also shadows his Daddy. He wants to do everything just like him. He has to eat whatever his daddy is eating.. even the hot sauce.

My heart just overflows with the love I have for my little boys. Even on the most trying of days, I never forget how blessed I am to be their mommy. I thank God every single day for leading me down the right path to find my babies!

Parker Reid is 4

My baby boy is four.  Wow, I cannot believe how fast the time has flown since he was born.  He is such a character; witty, BRAVE, stubborn, so smart.  He is always into something and so dang sassy.  I have no idea where it gets that from :P  I think he makes up for what he is lacking in size with attitude.  He is also so affectionate.  Parker tells me he loves me and asks for his kisses and hugs a million times a day.  As much as he and his brothers fight he is also very loving to them.  If he hasn't seen one of them for a little while he is smothering them in kisses and hugs and will just talk their ears off.  He adores his daddy and wants to do everything like him.  He is such a blessing in our lives.

Little man, you will never know the happiness you bring to my life!  I wish I could keep you little forever.

Been a while!

Wow!  It has been a while since I have updated this thing.  Not too much new is going on.  The kids are growing more and more every day.  It amazes me the things they come up with!

A few days ago Parker broke a piece off of a wicker basket and shoved it in his ear.  I had to pull it out with tweesers and it was about an inch long.  The end had blood on it and Parker was screaming so I took him to the Dr. and thank god he cut his ear canal, not the ear drum.  They ended up doing his 4 yr checkup(my baby is FOUR!) and he got shots and blood work.  He thinks all of that was from putting the stick in his ear.  Hopefully it scared him enough to never do it again! It is kind of funny though.  Yesterday he was playing with some little men in the living room and I could hear him say "Oh no little brother, why you put that stick in your ear?" LMAO!  It amazes me how they "play" whatever is going on in their lives.  So I asked him uh oh Parker whats gonna happen to little brother?  He said "Now little brother has to go to the doctor and get lots of shots!"  Too cute!

We are leaving in exactly 2 weeks to go to Orange Beach, Al for a whole week!!!!  We cannot wait.  Everyday when the boys wake up they ask if we are going yet.  We haven't been to the beach in two years bc of having to take classes to get certified for foster care in TX last summer so it is going to be a much much needed vacation!

I got a new toy!!!  A Canon Rebel digital SLR camera.  I am excited to have a hobby and really enjoying practicing and learning.  It made me realize how I haven't had anything that I do just for my own enjoyment in a very long time.  I still really don't know what I am doing but I'm having fun taking pictures and learning how to edit them!  I am determined to be able to take professional quality pictures of my kids myself!  I am putting up a few of my favs so far :)

It is May already!  Time just flies.  May 6th will be 30 days since rights were terminated and then we will finally be moved in to adoptions!!!  Hoping things go quickly.  I will keep you updated!

Major Progress

We had our court date on April 6th and FINALLY terminated rights on the twins birth mother. although they are not adopted yet, this is such a HUGE step. We have been working towards this for almost 3 years. It is such a relief to know that they have no legal ties to our children anymore. Now we just need to focus on getting them adopted and legally a part of ours. I will be harrassing an adoption working like crazy to make sure this is taken care of ASAP! Thanks for all of the prayers and support. xoxo

Court

Well, we had court yesterday but I didn't update bc I was just too upset. We were hoping to terminate the twins birth mothers rights but because the childrens lawyer and her lawyer both did not show up, it is being continued. We will have court on either April 6 or May 14. I will try not to get my hopes up again. I was so sure yesterday was the day and it really hit me hard. I know that nothing with our case has gone as planned so I should have expected it. It is so hard to have to share our children and our lives with so many strangers and to always be looking forward to some court hearing or home visit. I cannot wait til the day that our children are legally OURS and we don't have all of this added stress to our lives. Hopefully we can have the boys adopted before they start school in September. The last thing they need is to be confused by a different last name from the rest of their family. We will just have to keep praying for our court date to come fast and things to go as planned. Wish us luck!

Funny things kids say:

My kids are just hallarious. I have to share a few things that Kari has said in the last week or so.

The other day we were sitting on the couch watching TV. Xavier was sitting by me and Kari next to him. Xavier started squirming and says "Ugh, moooommy, he's trying to put a booger on me!" Then Kari gets very defensive and Said "No I'm not! I just ate it already!" So I was like "Kari we don't eat boogers, that is disgusting. He says "Oh yes I do." *GAG* Disgusting but so funny!

Yesterday, Parker's tad pole died. So the kids watched me flush him down the toilet. A few hours later we sat down to have lunch and while I was serving their plates, Kari tells me "Hey mom, I don't think we need Xavier anymore. Lets just flush him down the toilet!"

I thought it was so funny that he was actually trying to be funny. A lot of times I catch them saying things and they don't realize that it is funny, like the booger thing. But he was saying this to pick at Xavier. There are so many other times they have just cracked me up that I have forgotten so I will start jotting them down in my blog and hope they make you smile as well!

Just a few pictures to go along with the update:

Loving life :D

I haven't posted in a while so I figured it was time for a little update.

First, the boys. They are growing like weeds!!!! Xavier lost his first tooth a few weeks ago! The older three are getting into video games. I have to limit them but I must say I feel a little guilty for LOVING this! When I need to get a little house work done or just for them to settle down for a while I can turn on that Wii and they are mesmorized. Parker is still obsessed with monster trucks and plays much better by himself bc he doesn't like to share.. sooo he loves when they play the games and he can veg out on the floor with his monster trucks! They are finally calming down and becoming big boys!

We have so much to look forward too in the next few months. First, we are finally going to court on March 25th to terminate the twins birth mother's rights. Hopefully there are no continuences and we can move strait into adoptions and finally be finished with all of this. Parker will be turning FOUR in April. I cannot believe my baby is going to be 4. Makes me feel very old ;) Then we are off to the beach May 17th-24th. A week in paradise!!! The boys ask almost every day when we are going! In June Kari and Bari will be FIVE! They have come so far and endured so much. In July, Adam and I will celebrate our 8 yr anniversary! I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful husband and marriage. Then end of Aug/beginning of Sept. all of my boys are going to SCHOOL!!! They are all really excited, none as excited as I am though! They really need this time out of the house and I really need it as well. We are hoping to have the boys adopted before they start school. Please pray that all goes well

Onto myself. I am feeling great! I am so excited that I went to Houston Weight loss and will finally shed all of this weight that has been depressing me for the last few years. I can't wait to look and feel good about myself again!

We have so much to look forward to and to be thankful for!

Sad

I know this is a controversial topic but it is my blog so I will write my views :) I am appalled at this months Glamour magazine and the way they make abortion out to be the next best thing to a condom. Seriously all of these women are telling their stories of their abortion experience and how they don't regret them and made the best decision.. some of them having more than one! I just don't understand how anyone, least of all a mother can think that it is okay to kill a baby. People using abortion as a way to correct a mistake.. how can a baby ever be a mistake? I have such strong views on this and there are so many people out there that would gladly take your baby if you can't raise it.. I don't understand how killing it is an option. I want to just go to an abortion clinic and slap those women and tell them how lucky and how selfish they are. I would have been ecstatic to get pregnant and now just as ecstatic to take that unwanted baby from them. I thank god that my boys birth mothers at least had enough sense not to kill them. They were by no means able to raise children but had they not made these beautiful boys, I would not have the joy and the honor of being their mother. It is a really sad time when murdering babies is being glorified in our society.

Great Day!

My newest godson was born today!!!! Tasha had him this morning. His name is Joseph Miles and he weighs 9 lbs! He is absolutely beautiful in pictures and I cannot wait to meet him and snuggle him!! Congratulations Tasha and Joey!!!

What a lucky boy to be born on such a historical day! Barack Obama was sworn into office today. I am so excited. I can't remember the last time if ever I had such a good feeling about a president. Our country is facing a lot of hard times right now and I know no one is a miracle worker but I hope he can push us in the right direction!

ARE YOU READY FOR MONSTER JAM?!?!?!

We took the boys to Monster Jam tonight and it was sooooooo awesome!!! The boys had a blast. The look on Parker's face when the trucks came out was priceless. He was actually trembling! Kari was really excited as well.. Xavier kept his hands on his ears for the entire race. Once the freestyle came up Bari and Xavier finally got into it. I know tonight is a night they will never forget! I love my kiddos :)

Happy New Year

I cannot believe 2008 is over already! We have been living in Katy for a whole year. It is amazing how time flies once you are grown up. This past year was a lot of good and not so good.

When 2008 first started out I was miserable. Adam was always gone for work and I knew no one. I missed home terribly and thought we made the biggest mistake ever by moving here. To top that off my kids couldn't go to school! Worst of all I was certain my boys would have been adopted before the years end. Well, the year is over and not much progress has been made on their case. It really depresses me to think that a whole year has passed and we are no further than we were this time last year.

A few good things happened this year too. The twins birth father signed his rights over. After a few months of living here I really fell in love with the area. I love the convenience of living near everything and the people here are so nice. I started making friends and doing more. My friends have really started to feel like family and makes this truely feel like home. Adam went back to work for Delta and now spends a lot more time at home with us. It is so good having him around again!

I have high hopes for 2009. I really hope that this is the year we will finally adopt our boys and legally be a family. I am always starting and then quiting diets. This time I am determined to stick to it. I want to feel good about myself again. I want to be a better mommy to my boys. They are the most amazing kids. I still can't believe how lucky I am to have them in my life. I feel like a lot of times I don't show them how much they mean to me. I want to spend more quality time with them and try not to nag about the little things and remember that they are just kids. My boys WILL start school this year and I know that will be good for them and for me. I also want to get them involved in sports because I know it is something they will love! I want to make a budget and stick to it. Most of all I just want to make myself and my family happy.