Violet after 1 week

Violet is such a sweet little 3 year old!  She loves music and is singing all of the time. she certainly puts a song in my heart!

I am struggling with the people in my life who aren't feeling the love the way I do...It is hard to understand how they can't understand why we are so happy about having her back in our lives! How it is really meant to be...

I undrstand how it is a crazy thing and maybe not the wisest thing for us to do but you know what? It is but that doesn't make it wrong.

We have been the ones who have been the most constant in her life. I am sad that we had the 6 months apart but, God knows why this was...

I know that the road isn't gonna be easy but we will take it 1 mile at a time.

Our girl Violet!

Today was a lovely day...Day one with our Violet after over 6 months without her...

It is really hard to be so happy when we have family members who aren't happy for us.

I have come to realize that we have forced our decisions on them and hopefully they will come around and realize that this is what we are supposed to do.  We didn't choose to fall in love with this little girl...but, it is what God wants for us.  I recognize that it will be hard at times and it will be wonderful too!!! Teen years scare me to death!!!! Just months ago I was saying "never" . Well, guess what - "never say never!!!"

I look forward to whatever God has in front of us...

Thank you God for our Violet! I know that you know the rest of the story!!!!

A new life chapter!

I have regreted giving Violet up to another foster home...that little girl has stolen my heart!!! She was placed in a home in Weaverville .They have 3 other children who are small and they fell in love with Violet also!!!! She is very Lovable! 

I have taken her to all of her Dr appointments since she left except for the last one on August 21st.

Her mother's rights were removed on August 20, 2015  Sarah her RFL social worker took her because bio-mom was expected to be there and she might be combative.  She had attended the last visit that I had taken Violet to and she had made many  statements that made it look as though Violet was in her care.  (I did report all of this to RFL).  

She got to spend her 3rd birthday with us...I was so happy about this! 

We had decided that if Violet was ever needing a home to be in we wanted her to be with us. (It looked as though the other family  was going to adopt her but the County was concerned about her living so close to her family...The  children went to the same school with Violets sisters who had been returned to their mother on the 21st.).

On September 2nd Sarah called and said that the County and the State adoption worker were very excited that we had stepped back into the picture and they felt that we were the best choice for our little Violet!!!!!!! Oh my goodness!!!!! I think I went into shock.

We needed to tell our family... Melissa was first and was very supportive! I told Kim and she said she would support us even though she was worried about us and our age difference with Violet.  My parents went into shock but seemed happy, Jennifer had concerns about our age and what would happen to Violet if she wasn't able to care for her self when we became too old to care for her. Good questions and concerns. Matt was amazing and was so happy for us!

The age difference was one of the reasons we had said we couldn't adopt...we had been asked several times...by different social workers but it just had not seemed as though we should do that.

I'm sure there will be many challenges and joys in this adventure of Violet. We never thought we wanted to be parents for the rest of our lives...but...here we go!!!! Can;t wait to have Violet back home with us!!!!

9:45 am...I'm not sure I can keep this up...

Today is Friday, Noah & I have been alone together since Tuesday. Les is in SF, Kim is in NY & DC, I don't want to bother Melissa...I hate being a complainer and would rather look strong.

Noah is a very unhappy little 3 year old. He has been spitting, kicking, biting, running and hiding all week. He is used tobeing able to do just what he wants to do without supervision...

I want to do foster care but this isn't at all fun. I know life is hard for Noah. He is a smart kid and that is a big part of the problem...I really want to do babies but then we have the middle of the night stuff. How do I know if I am supposed to keep doing this???? Please God, show me what I am supposed to be doing.

Our Last 3rd of July Party

Last night was probably our last time to host our 3rd of July Party in our front yard...the end of an era...

We realized that the trees in the yard (the Fookes house) across the street from us have grown too tall, our palm tree which was removed this spring covered the street light and now the light is too bright, and the fire works are not as high as they used to be, all make it difficult to see them.

Yes that was a run-on sentence but it was meant to be!!! We had about 50 people here!

Matt, Janet & Aspen were here July 1st - 3rd...we saw them mosttly on the 2nd when Jen came for the day with the kids. Even Molly came. this was her first time back in years! Melissa and the kids were here on the 2nd and had a lot of fun with their cousins. Avery did great but didn't seem to feel very good on the 3rd and cried a lot unless Melissa held her. She loves her Mommy! Riley wasn't able to come on the 2nd but was here for the fireworks.

Janet was the art guru. She brought modeling clay, beads, paint, stamps, canvases, and entertained only the way she can!!! She is the favored aunt (except for Leia who loves aunt Melissa!)

Lydia brought her friend Emely, she is staying with them for the weekend. They go to the cabin every 4th of July weekend.

Family stuff can be very stressful...mostly bcause of expectations...We expect a lot and then when they aren't acheieved, disappointment sets in. I won't say anymore than that!

Tonight we go to the McConnell party at Paul Bunyan Camp. We have tickets and Les, Kim and Raedean will be going with us. I'm looking forward to spending the time with our friends!

Floyd hasn't been feeling well and is unsteady on his feet. Blood test results are being waited on and then...only God knows what is going on right now. I know that they are scared. It sucks getting older.

We got our 18th foster child on June 30th

Noah is a sweet little guy, 3 years old from Trinity County.  He is pretty easy until he gets tired. Then it is all down hill. But isn't that how it is with everyone!!! He is social and could use more kids to play with!

Cabo San Lucas...

It is Tuesday and we have been in Cabo since last thursday!  What a wonderful relaxing time it is!!!!

Kim and Les gave us the gift of accompanying them to Pueblo Bonito/ Sunset Beach as our 40th Anniversary gift...We are so overwhelmed by this.

We have been doing a lot of reading, visiting with each other,eating great fun food, sitting by and in the pool!  This is what heaven could look like!!!

Pueblo Bonito (PB) is a beautiful place! built with quality in mind. The people who work here are pretty much friendly and accommodating! We have had room service, lunch by the pool, dinner overlooking the ocean!  The view from our room is so great!  We have spent much time sitting and looking!!!

The resort is on the side of a cliff and has a street system that is so amazing!  Golf type vehicles that can seat up to 9 guests transport you around ! they are very knowledgeable about the property and so you just tell them where you want to go and you get there quickly!  Transprt is just a call away!

We went and looked at 2 other PB properties...the Rose' and the Blanca...can't compare with the Sunset!  Kim and I had a fun time painting yesterday and today we will pick them up, and maybe do more!!!!  I am going to get a toe ring made today!!! We are going to get peso's for all the grandkids and have them drilled for necklaces!

It is a wonderful place and I would love to come back sometime!!!!

Foster Care 2015...

Well it is the end of January 2015 and our foster care roller coaster continues... We have had 12 kids to date. Bobby and Sonja, Jerry and Vanaya, Rowan, Giannah, Violet, Katara, Russell, Chastity and Shawn, Rylie...Each child has had their own different challenges and personalities!!! The boys have been the most difficult in the long run. Bobby and Jerry made us think for an extra second when asked if we would take Russel & Shawn (I'm really glad we said yes to them!)  We have had Violet the longest - it was 1 year on January 15th, 2015 and we had Katara for the shortest amount of time - 5 days! February 19th is the court date in which Violet's Mom could loose her rights to services, which will mean that the kids will be up for adoption. After a lot of gut wrenching talking, praying, taking council from family and friends we decided that we couldn't adopt Violet. Our age is a huge factor...enough said.

Bobby went to live with his mom and we heard that they were doing well and her case was closed.

Sonja went to live with an aunt & uncle and that she won't be going back to her dad...he's a bad dude.

Jerry and Vanaya are back in the system...we don't know anything else than that...so sad for them.

Rowan is living with Jennifer and Dave and they are working on adopting her (her name is Leia now).

Giannah went to live with her dad's twin sister, but last we heard she had gone to live with her mother again.

Violet is still with us until at least February 19th...

Katara went to live with her Grandmother.

Russell, Chastity, & Shawn were moved to a forever home but then was moved again when the family couldn't be approved for adoption...

Rylie is with us now...not sure for how long, 

So many kids with so many selfish drug using parents....It is an epidemic of epic proportions and most people don't really understand this.

I don't see it getting any better unfortunately....