Baptism & Cinderella

Today was such an awesome day! It started with the baptism of John Cheney at the church. The Holy Ghost was so strong there today. The love from our Savior was very apparent. I am also always very glad to have the opportunity to play my flute. Ceanna sang a beautiful song and Maria was awesome on the piano as well. I also got to catch up with my friend Renetta and was able to sit with Darcy. Such cool peeps. After that I took 3 of our kids to go pick out princess/king crowns for the dress up Cinderella matine. It was awesome and the kids had so much fun. They were even asking if we could take them to audition for a play sometime. That would be fun to try. ON a completely different note...I am thinking of trying out a foster/adoptive support group on Monday night. They provide childcare...it would be good to get some connections going around here. I am thankful for the beautiful sunny day we had!

Cookies & Soup, Yum!

I was able to finally find time and cash to stop by the cannery today over at Norpac. I've been meaning to check it out for some time now. I got a lot to put in the freezer for 30 bucks. Went home......tossed one of the frozen soups into the stock pot.....added a few cans tomato sauce, seasoning, parm cheese, and pasta. The kids ate it right up! Since dinner was so easy we threw together some cookies for after dinner. I think I'll make up some homemade bread to go with it tomorrow. We fell a few lessons behind in school, but we'll try to make up for it tomorrow....that's the beauty of schooling at home.

Wow...it's a miracle! Only a day or so has passed since my last post...let's see if I can keep at it. My kids are way excited to see the production of Cinderella that CHS is putting on here in town. The awesome thing is that the guests have been invited to dress up. Joe wants to go as a prince, the girls as Cinderella, and me as the evil stepmother (wahaaahahaha). It's been a fairly productive day here...the kids are all caught up with their school work (through Connections Academy) and we made it through two doctor appointments. I was going to go grocery shopping after the last dr. apt. this afternoon but had a change of heart when I realized how energetic the kids were and how tired I was. Groceries can wait for another day. I have been asked to give a short 5 minute talk at the upcoming relief society activity....of all things on "achieving balance" during this busy phase of life. They have a newly married sister, me for the middle agers, and an older sister with no kids left at home. I'm thinking this is one of those times that the talk is supposed to be encouragement for myself to get on track. I am REALLY struggling with balance. I know this when a week goes by and I realized that I haven't shaved my legs, put on lotion, or taken any vitamins. It's really not that funny. Since our last 2 foster kids left, our oldest son has really been struggling with his own sense of permanency which is why I think his behaviors have been so difficult. I wish there was a local support group for kids with RAD and AD. This is the reason I haven't taken time out for me. These crisis times are so stressful and tiring. Don't get me wrong though....I LOVE my kiddos and have no regrets. Parenting kids with these issues is just going to be extremely difficult at times....heck, parenting kids with typical age appropriate issues is also difficult at times.

So it has been 2 long years since I have posted to my blog. I have been thinking about facebook a lot lately. The time has come for me to let it go. I think the blog is much more private and still allows me to keep connected with some friends. It's also a better means for journaling. It has been 2 years since my last post! Life has continued to move forward...kids are getting so big. So here is an update... Drew is still going strong building the chiropractic office and also teaching health and science classed at 2 different colleges. He is serving in the young men's program at church. We have moved into his parent's old house on rice lane....we love it! Michelle is busy working with the children...teaching them through Oregon Connections Academy here at home. Megan still attends the local elementary school here in town. She gets a lot of support there with an IEP. Joseph is looking forward to going to Kinder next fall. Some kids just do better learning at home. She also cares for one 2 yr old foster kiddo who is adorable! He gets to go home within the next 8 or 9 weeks. After that, we are taking a break from fostering. Michelle is also serving as the Primary Chorister. DJ is 10 and busy with Scouting and school. Although this doesn't sound like a lot, he is very busy with just these 2 things. He also loves to help his dad with any and all guy projects/service. Megs is 9 and growing like a weed. She has a deep love for school, books, and babies. It's fun to have a little sister so close to her own age to play with. Alayna is 8 and was just baptized! Activity Days is her most favorite thing to do. She will also be taking ballet this spring. Seth is as vivacious as ever and keeps all of us on our toes. It would be nice to somehow get some of his energy. Joe is 5 in about 2 weeks from now and VERY ready to leave home and go to kinder with Mrs. Garcia. Believe it or not, he still Loves THOMAS the TRAIN and is asking for another THOMAS birthday. So this is it in a nutshell :-)

Froggy Potty Fun

Just a quick potty training update. Joseph is well on his way to being daytime potty trained. Thanks to "Froggy Potty". I have adoreable pics of Joe on his froggy potty, but they are still on the camera. Anyways, the design is great because the froggy eyes are nice and high in the front...thus helping with aim issues. I am so grateful for almost being out of diapers :-). Joe gets very excited every time he goes. He must have the froggypotty in a bathroom...and he needs his privacy, door closed, mom waiting outside. He often sings or talks to the froggy potty while waiting to go. He has been getting m&ms for each success, but we ran out and he has not been asking for them anymore. It's crazy that we won't have a little one tagging along in diapers anymore, but also a good feeling. The kids are growing so much...now that they are older they understand more and we tend to be able to do more fun things as a family. It's a lot less work than it use to be going out as a group. They listen better, they enjoy and understand more, and the get ready time is so much less. We are getting ready for our family reunion at the beach this coming weekend. I am really looking forward to a good time with our crew. Less work and more fun! The practice is doing well. We have about 30 new patients and are trying to keep the momentum going. Lunch time is upon us, so I will post pics later. PS...froggypotty can be found at Target.

NW Family Chiropractic is Here!

Hello Friends....many of you have been asking for details on the new practice. please accept my apologies for the delay...we have been busy busy. So...it is NW Family Chiropractic, located near downtown Salem, Oregon. It's a great location and we are starting it up (we did not buy someone elses practice). We just celebrated with the Grand Opening yesterday afternoon. We had the ribbon cutting, refreshments, the radio guys were here, and Drew gave adjustmentst. Twas fun and busy. We have Future Health...an awesome software program to help us run an efficient and professional practice. We also had some family pics taken last weekend. Kids are good. No Christmas letter this year from us, but I think we will do a mailout in the Spring. Enjoy the pics :-) More to come later...Happy Holidays and we Miss You all!!

Adoption Poem ((thanks Ceanne))

"Once there were two women...Who never knew each other...
One you do not remember...The other you call Mother...
Two different lives...Shaped to make you one...
One became your guiding star...The other became your sun...
The first one gave you life...The second taught you to live it...
The first gave you a need for love...The second was there to give it...
One gave you a nationality...The other gave you a name...
One gave you talent...The other gave you aim...
One gave you emotion...The other calmed your fears...
One saw your first sweet smile...The other dried your tears...
One sought for you a home...That she could not provide...
The other prayed for a child...And her hope was not denied...
And now you ask me through your tears...
The age-old question unanswered through the years...
Heredity or environment...Which are you a product of?...
Neither my darling, neither...Just two different kinds of Love..."