A New Year is Coming.......

Oh the things I have planned for 2010!

The never ending goal of losing weight. I HAVE to! After my ankle incident my weight just up and up and up. I am the heaviest I have EVER been including being pregnant. It is so sad....it makes me just sick to look in the mirror somedays. I need some good motivation. Kristine....is there another go at Stones anytime soon? I could so use it. I know I should do it just for ME...but I feel like I need to be held accountable.

My adoption job was just kind of put on hold for the holidays. I hope to hit it fast and furious this next month or two. I just don't know if the interest is there with the economy. I know we would adopt again in a second if our finances were concrete. If there is little to no interest by March, I will just go back to helping where I can with the agency we used instead of working for them.
(Sigh....I guess my redo my kitchen fund will have to come from somewhere else).

I will work full time for a few months at my day job helping out while a coworker is out. I am really looking forward to it and I feel like I will learn a ton while I am there.

Well...Christmas is over. I, for one, am glad. I was kind of Christmas'ed out by the last gathering. It is a nice night to be home watching a football game with just us in our messy house. Cleaning can wait for another day I guess.

BREATHE..............

Okay.....that was a reminder for me.
All the shopping is done. Now I just have to sort and wrap them all...LOL!
We have visited Santa this year and so, check...that is out of the way.
Right now Ryan is playing with his toys talking to them about Santa coming. Is it possible to use that as an excuse for the entire year?? I am loving it. "You better not be naughty....Santa is coming!" "Okay mama!"
Merry Christmas to all of you......

The official Christmas Picture!

Some pictures

Reading with my Aunt Brenda

I love rides with my daddy!

So....who is having more fun on this ride??

Led Zepplin ROCKS!!

Now it IS December!

And here in lovely MN, it is about 54 degrees. I am just waiting for Ryan to get up and outside we will go.

Thanks for all the advice about Ryan's 2 year old attitude. It for sure is a 2 year old thing. What I did realize is that I need to make sure with all the craziness (3 kids, 2 teens, each of us with 2 jobs) that I remember to 1. make time with my hubby and 2. take time for me. And NOT just with the meetings that I am involved with the groups that I take part in (which is 2, but still) but just time to go hang with a friend and have fun. I need to let the teenagers babysit Ryan and be comfortable with that. I will get there...they keep asking, I keep saying soon. Why is it that I am fine with them baby sitting other's kids, but not their own sibling.

My hubby needs to get a life outside of working as well. Both of us have made the committment to get fit now that I am all healed up. I don't expect to look like a supermodel, but it would sure be nice to feel like I look nice in my clothes again.

Ahhh...I hear a "MOM" coming from upstairs. Outside we go!!!!!!!!!

Hello December!

Man....is it just me or did this year go FAST! I can't believe tomorrow is the last day of November.
Ryan has been a bit challenging of late, especially to his dad. He just wants Aaron's constant love and attention and Aaron is feeling a little smothered I think. He feels very secure when I tell him a reason and explain the plan to him, but with Aaron he just wants what he wants when he wants it. Aaron thinks that he should be able to reason with a 2 year old. Yeah....that will work. I keep hoping it will get better with time, but it really isn't. I am wondering about spreading out the time spent with him. Aaron doing a drop off or pick up from daycare, me going and doing something so that he is with him for longer periods of time, etc. Any suggestions would be helpful.

I am getting ready to set up my first informational meeting for my new job and I am ready to start helping clients. If you know anyone in MN who is looking to adopt internationally, send them my way. I am ready!

Worth a try

After consulting with many friends and family, I made the decision that I would try out the adoption for 3 months. I have asked to only work with SE MN clients so that I am not traveling all over the state. I am nervous and a little overwhelmed at having to juggle all these things, not to mention I am working full time again for a couple of months after Christmas. Oy Vey. I may have just lost my mind. :-)
The money I do make from this job is my redo my kitchen fund. First comes painting, then new counter tops, then refaced cabinets. The back splash I have picked out is so nice!

Still haven't made up my mind

You think with all the time I have had to mull over this job offer, I would have made a decision. Not yet. I was leaning toward no, but now I am meeting with someone who could change my mind on Friday.
I did email the president of the agency and let her know what steps I had taken, my results and about my meeting on Friday. I would be willing to do it for sure if it could be a local (SE MN) job, but it may be a whole MN thing. I am awaiting an answer on that as well.
GRRR... I can be so indecisive.

I have off today and Ryan is at daycare again, so I am getting lots done. I could get used to this.

Halloween, A trip to Mall of America and a job offer..........

Been quite a week at our house. We are finally feeling good and not coughing all the time. Ryan had a great Halloween and looked pretty darn cute if you ask me.
We took him to MOA yesterday and he got to go on rides for the first time and LOVED it! We were up there for an adoption agency meeting (the agency we used to adopt Ryan through). As we were leaving the meeting, the president asked if we were staying in the cities for a while. We met her after the meeting privately and I was offered a job. GULP. I like the job that I have and this one would not replace this one right now, but if it picked up it could. I have alot to think about right now, how this could work, how it will affect my family, etc.........

Yep...that was me

I was SO that mother in the mall today chasing down my 2 year old (who now refuses to use a stroller) saying to myself, “When I catch you, you little turkey you are done for”, all while recieving glares from old ladys and me actually rolling my eyes at them. Can you believe I did that? Not to mention my parents were sitting on a bench watching the whole circus cracking up. My dad did some chasing earlier as he played with Ryan at the playplace while my mom and I shopped for a little bit. It is so awesome to have help close by. I can't imagine doing it with out both sets of parents.

YAWN............

Someone is not sleeping again. 3 times a night this boy is up. It could be his cold, but it seems like it is becoming a habit. We have tried crying it out, staying in the room with him, etc...but he just SCREAMS at night when he wakes up. This has gone on for a couple of weeks on and off, but seems to be getting worse. Doesn't help that I am sick so I am getting NO sleep. GRRRRRRRRRRR.

Holy Snowstorm and Our Trip to the Pumpkin Patch

Yes....4.1 inches of snow on 10/23. Ryan thought maybe he should mow the snow.


A fun wagon ride with Bailey.

We went to the pumpkin patch the day after the snow. It didn't stick around long, but it sure made everything wet. Ryan had a great time at the pumpkin patch with his sister!
Today he is "practicing" trick or treat with candy.

Professional Pics

Aaron FINALLY let me go get pictures taken of Ryan. Aren't they CUTE?????

Picture update

Helping brother get ready for snowboarding season.
Here you can see Ryan in his camboot.
We have had snow most of last week, so it was time to get the warm clothes out. Snow isn't going to keep this little guy inside...maybe his mom, but not him. :)

Sometimes something just breaks your heart

I just got done reading the blog of a family who I started following during their Russian adoption. They were attempting to adopt from Pakistan. After spending almost a month bonding with their baby girl and away from their son, they went home empty handed. Sometimes IA can just break your heart................
Please pray for a miracle for them.

Howdy

Been some really interesting times here at our house. Last week Ryan fell down two steps at the bottom of the stairs and came up limping from the fall. He tried to run but it wasn't gonna happen. When he stops running we know we have a problem. So off we went to the doctor for x-rays to find out he has a broken foot. So he is in the cutest little walking cam boot. Hasn't slowed him down at all. :)

That was Thursday. Later that night I got up, slipped on something and went BOOM on the floor. So now I am down for the count. My foot is a beautiful color of black and blue, green and purple. So any chance I had to catch up with Ryan since he is a little slower is gone now. :)

MEA starts today and the kids are off and glad to be off of school. Bailey is off to go shopping with Aaron's mom and Chandler and I are going to hang out with Ryan and run some errands. AND go to the "pet store for fishers" as Ryan says.

Just some catching up

The top picture is from the adoption walk we took part in back in September. It was a great time!!
Ryan is doing pretty well these days. Just a bundle of energy, but sadly it has been raining day after day after day......giving us a taste of what we will have to do to keep him busy this winter.
I start back PT today and I am already doing well. Dishes are done, laundry started and I have been to the gym already. Ryan loves having me home and I will like being home 2 days during the week again.

She's here!!

Claire Marie arrived on Sunday after a few hours of labor to my brother and his wife. What a cute baby girl! Her big sister still thinks she is pretty great and hasn't asked for them to return her yet. YAY for being an auntie again.

Sorry I forgot to update. I am FINALLY going back to PT Monday. It is so needed. Ryan isn't happy in full time daycare. He is being a little terrorist every night. Aaron and I are so needing a big people's night it isn't funny. Maybe one day..........

Yay!!

My sister in law is in labor...baby should be here soon!
Must have been the stew we brought over last night.

Summer in September?

The weather here has been AWESOME!! In the 70's most days and no rain for weeks now. It is so weird to try and dress for fall without overheating.

Ryan has been having SO much fun at daycare. This week was A week. They had an apple tasting contest, went to the apple orchard, went on an ant hunt and looked for airplanes. Our daycare provider is so creative...we love her!

My sister in law had her baby shower yesterday and that was a BLAST! Hopefully she goes soon as I know she is pretty miserable. Will update with pictures soon.

Picking Apples

Hey buddy, lets look at the apples
This looks like a good one!
HEY MOM!! Look at my apple!!


MMM...what a good apple...right off the tree!!

Update

We had plans to dig out this holiday weekend and maybe get a fun trip in for Ryan (big kids are at their dads), but sadly, Aaron's grandma passed away suddenly last night. She was on hospice, so we knew it was coming, but it came much faster than any of us imagined. We are awaiting funeral arrangements.

Ryan is still sleeping pretty well. A couple of nights ago he had a bad night, but one out of quite a few isn't so bad.

We are on a roll!

4 nights in a row. He is MUCH happier getting good sleep. Even our daycare can notice the difference. We are still searching for a bed for us, although each night gets a little easier for us to not encroach on each others space. Ryan still seems happy in his crib, so we will stay there. We have a toddler bed just in case....but until he starts climbing out, he is staying in that crib. :)

Night 2 of CIO.....

We were in a bad rut...yes, I admit it. One of us always slept in Ryan's room in the big bed we put in there. Not only that, we rocked him to sleep EVERY night. Not putting him in his crib like we do at nap time. What did that wonderful plan get us?? A child who slept horribly for the first year home and parents who have been sleep deprived as well. So...after a stern talking to from our peds doc, we made the change. Amazingly, hubby was quite resistant. Probably because he did most of the rocking to sleep and really enjoys it and also, he and I are both used to sleeping in queen size beds alone.
2 nights ago a proclimation was made by the queen (that being moi) that I needed more sleep now that I am back to full time. So, the big switch began. Bailey became the new recipient of a nice beautiful bed in her room (which she loves and so needed now that she is getting bigger) and Ryan inherited a nice set of bunk beds in his room that noone is sleeping on unless we get a visitor.
Soooo...how goes it you ask? Ryan cried 4 minutes 2 nights ago before falling asleep for the WHOLE NIGHT and last night he made not a murmur and slept the whole night again. WOOHOO!! I know we will most likely have some rough nites, but this is very promising. Now, if Aaron and I could only learn to share a queen size bed again. I have been lobbying for a king size bed and I think after the last 2 nights I am getting somewhere with him. Ahhh...sleep is so awesome!

Some thoughts about this past summer...and random other stuff

I am taking a break from (ok....who am I kidding) I am procrastinating cleaning the house.
This summer has been kind of a blur. Between 1. full time work 2. big kids home alone 3. vacations 4. changing daycares 5. other crazy stuff - we are really behind in anything we ever wanted to accomplish this summer. And summer is almost is over.

I really was hoping to start back PT next week, but the economy put a hold on that. My family needs me to work FT, so that is what I will do. Sigh...I guess. How in the world am I going to keep all the kids on schedule, get them to and from their activities, keep dinner on the table, clean the house, have time to have ME time, get to the gym, do laundry, etc....
I know other people do it, but I can't see how it is all going to get fit in. I know I know...ask the big kids to pitch in more. Well, there is an old saying, if you want it done right....do it yourself. I will have to redo it anyway because I am particular. Lower your standards you say? Nope...I thrive on a clean house and my kids can't cook!!

Can you tell I am frustrated about taking this all on. I guess what is the most frustrating is I hear how I am too valuable at home to work full time, but when the times get tough...BAM...I take it on after I am asked.

Well...off to make schedules for kids, dinner menus, etc......

Well...back to reality...kind of

Here I thought I would go back to "real life" after vacation. Only to be asked to work FT again for the next 2 months. There is so much stuff at work to do, I can hardly say no. I did say no...kind of. I said only 4 days or maybe 3.5 depending on the day.
It has been an interesting summer to say the least. Vacations were fun, but here comes the school year. I started crying at Chandler's High School orientation. Thank goodness he wasn't there for me to embarress him. :)

Ryan's speech has really taken off. His new word is chip....which sounds like pip. :)

Our trip in pictures

Kisses.....

Getting the kids ready to attend Princeton.

On the carousel for the first time.

Digging in the sand on the Jersey shore.

Ryan has been to the Atlantic AND the Pacific Oceans in the same year. What a lucky kid!!

Bon Voyage!

Chandler and Bailey have left MN and are on their vacation with Nana and Papa. The house is already so quiet. They did an AWESOME job of cleaning their rooms spic and span before they left.
Ryan is down for a nap and I am going to catch up on cleaning the bathrooms. YAY...not!
Ryan and I leave Wednesday until Sunday, so I won't be blogging much while we are gone, probably not at all.
TTFN!!

Day 2 of less talking

She is doing pretty well. We have to remind her that if she doesn't stop talking they may have to wire her mouth shut.

I hope my post didn't come off too harsh, I do love the girl, just the teenage years could drive a person nuts very quickly.

The big kids leave for vacation in 4 days. They are going with my parents for a week. They will have a GREAT time! Ryan and I are going to visit some friends out east during that time as well. We leave a week from today. Ryan will be so excited to be on an airplane!!

This just in*********

My 13 year old daughter tore the tendon in her jaw! Other than a soft food diet do you know what this means???

SHE CAN'T TALK MUCH or risk having her jaw broken and wired shut to heal.

Am I a bad mom that thinks that this could be a little piece of heaven? Any mother of a 13 year girl will know JUST what I mean.

BWAAHHAAAAAA!!!!

This kid loves to ride!

We took the 4 wheeler out to my aunts farm and everyone had a great time on it. Especially Ryan!! My dad had never riden on one before and Ryan wanted a ride SO bad so my dad gave him one and I don't know who was smiling more!

I didn't get a picture of my brother and I as we zoomed off (him driving) and me holding on for dear life!! He hadn't riden one before either!!

My dinner with my FRUA friend

I got to meet up with my friend Tanya from FRUA. She was in my town visiting family and was so kind to invite me along to dinner. Our little guys are both 2 and they had a great time playing!! When I got to the place we were eating, the world became even smaller as her cousin was married to one of my classmates from high school. Too funny!!

Ryan's Birthday {Party

15 kids+1 bouncy house+a bunch of adults= one great birthday party

It was a blast!!!

Yesterday....

Was the one year anniversary of our court date and the judge telling us Ryan was ours forever. I remember not sleeping the night before I was so nervous (and it was so blasted hot in the apartment we were staying in.)

Ryan and I are going to visit the people we adopted with in 3 weeks. Anyone have any great ideas of how to take a car seat ON the plane with a stroller, carry on, diaper bag, purse AND a 2 year old?

I am amazed..................

I have made some friends online, and even met one before. (Well, that doesn't include my husband as we met online as well...hehe). But today, the world just got smaller.
I belong to a board of Russian families that have or are going to adopt. I have been friendly with several people on that board, especially a few families that adopted around the same time as I have and have boys of the same age. What happened today was next to just AMAZING!!!

I posted on my FB page about how cold it was at our baseball games tonight. (54 in July...HELLO!!) and a FB friend responded that we could keep it cold for when she comes. I told her to come visit me up here in MN. She responded that she had a relative in a nursing home in a particular town. Just happened to be the town I live in. Now really, it couldn't POSSIBLY be the same nursing home I happen to be a social worker at, could it??? (about 15 nursing homes in our town.)

Wait for it.......YES IT IS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Both of us were in tears. How could it possibly be that two women from 2 different states at the opposite end of the country, tied by 2 little Russian boys could possibly have another connection.

It feels like a God moment. I am not a church goer, but it still feels like that to me. As Ryan would say....AMEN!

Lots of smiles

Summer time really makes Ryan happy. He LOVES to be outside. He has lots of different toys to play with out there. We are starting to sort through toys that he doesn't use any longer to make room for more as his birthday is tomorrow!! Happy 2nd Birthday Ryan!! I remember so vividly being in MN last year while my baby was turning 1 without us. Court was a week away and it couldn't come soon enough. But here it is...a year later and we are doing it up BIG. His party is on the 25th of July and we have a bouncy house and a guest list that got a little out of control...LOL! Oh well...we didn't get to celebrate 1 with him, so we will just make up for it with this year.

Chandler is 1/2 done with his 2nd session of summer school. The good news is that once he is done...he will be 1 credit ahead of his peers starting high school. For him that will be HUGE!! Baseball is almost over, this weekend are playoffs. Lots of games in 2-3 days.

Bailey has decided to give up her paper route and just be a sub. Too much committment going into cross country season and she was tired of having it pushed on her at the last minute. She wasn't able to say no because it was in her name.....now she can say it doesn't work for her and it is someone else responsibility.

They are announcing today that they have hired a FT social worker for our facility. I am thrilled to be going back to part time and I am very happy with their choice. August can't come soon enough.