I can't resist {More of my brood}

I always knew it would happen. That this long time affair with my camera would go into overdrive with these kiddos. It's like I can't resist myself and their precious looks, rascally antics and adorable outfits.

Speaking of rascals. Here is "Mommy's Rascal" right here. Speaking of the term Mommy or Moma. I know I use it freely that is because they do. L started calling me Moma the first night he spent at our house. In all the days of waiting and preparing to be foster parents, I always wondered how we'd handle what the children should call us. And after all that fretting it just happened. Now he had NEVER had a Daddy and because I didn't want people who didn't know our story to think Scott wasn't my baby daddy (even though he ain't...but strange looks at the grocery line wasn't something I wanted to deal with) we asked him if he wanted to call Scott Daddy. He did and it just took off. She followed suit and somewhere along the way they started calling me Mommy instead of Moma. Isn't it funny how that just happens. I guess he heard other kids call their mothers Mommy and just went with it. Around my home and family it's always Moma when speaking of our mother. BTW, That is Mamma for you people who wonder why I call my mother MO- MA. For whatever reason, I just started spelling it that way when I was young. I just can't change it after all those years of sprawling it across mother's day cards and other little love notes. So I guess I'm Mommy to this little rascal is just a big of a miracle as I was to my Moma (that's a story for another time).

Ok... on with the rest of my brood. Here is some more Daddy Bonding Time. This is a little more...ahem, boy bonding. : ) Our boy can't go five minutes without talking about, playing or pretending to play some type of sport. So here they are playing tackle football/wrestling together in the house.

L thought he was getting the upper hand until....watch out my small precious son....

Daddy goes in for a noogie!

Day 57: This one is my favorite and therefore wins picture of the day!

For those of you worrying about poor little N...don't! She gets plenty of Daddy Bonding Time too. I wish you could see this face under the heart of her cracking up as Mommy has a panic attack due to the flips, throws and roughness Daddy likes to do with our little gymnast.

Well, Have a great weekend. We are planning for the rest to be relaxing and full of fun.

What I love about home

My parents home that is.

Seriously, there is nothing like going home.

I love my Bluff home but being at my parents home is differently just as sweet.

Since my back surgery, I've been staying with them. It's been so nice for many reasons so I thought I'd list a few.

1. Just being around them. It's funny the little things you miss when you aren't with your parents everyday. I love how my moma and me are the last up at night while Daddy has been asleep in the chair forever.

2. The FOOD... we all know I love me some good food. Things like Killer Breakfasts (what we call my Daddy's eggs, bacon, biscuits, fried apples kind of breakfasts), Chess Pie, endless treats, baked cheetos, Moma cooking every meal for the kids and I.

I'm soo spoiled! : )

3. and Day 56: Spending time with cousins. While at Moma and Daddy's there is usually an endless supply of cousins around to play with. Since my surgery though, most everyone had been sick and didn't want to infect already pitiful us. But Em got better and got to play with us this week. Let's just say there is never a dull moment with these Three Musketeers.

They made this clubhouse and had fun camping out!

4. My parents have always spoiled us with affection. Lots of attention, quality time, always there for us and just plain perfect love was what they've always given us. It's such a blessing to see them pouring it on our babies. Our family isn't perfect by ANY means, but we are darn good at loving each other (through all the bumps, arguements and just life)!

5. Plenty of entertainment. Whether it's cleaning out Moma's craft collection, watching satelite tv (be still my heart) or spending time meandering through her old magazines there is always something to do. These things are obviously done during nap times or after littles' bedtimes.

6. I could go on FOREVER, but I'm getting tired.

I'm up late because my boy is having a rough night. Not sure what's going on but that we have one of these every now and then. I'm pretty sure it's bad dreams. Just a lot of restless sleep and crying. Poor baby. I need to sleep while I can. Hope you all get better rest than us.

Living this life...

We've been busy lately, living life that is.

It's been such a blessing to really start feeling normal again.

One week out and I'm already feeling 80%! I'm anxious to see how much better I'm going to feel on week TWO.

Day 52: Daddy and L Bonding Time: Attachment is a funny thing. If you were to ask me if L was attached to his "Daddy", I would say definitely yes. I mean he asks about him every morning when Scott has gone on to work. He wants to play games/sports to him. L always has positive things to say about Daddy (i.e. Daddy is so funny! Daddy is the best Daddy. I love Daddy!) So there has been bonding going on over the last seven months that is for sure. But if you were to ask if L and Daddy are bonded as much as me and L....I would have to say no. It's just been slower with the two of them. So to help things along, we've instituted Daddy Bonding Time. It's going good so far. Pretty much it's just extra playing time together for just the two of them. Daddy is also doing a lot of the bedtime stories, prayers, cuddle time and just being with L. I really think it's going to be a helpful blessing. If anyone has any attachment helpful hints...we'd love to hear them!
Day 53: Some finished spots in our home renovations. This is seriously a sore spot in my life right now. We've struggled regarding keeping a loving heart toward the whole situation. I just want it FINISHED and it's not. I'm not sure when it will be done. It's a LONG story with many details. Some of it is just our fault for being too trusting and mostly a failure in the contract being completed as it said. We'd appreciate prayers in this area just so we can move on and get rid of these bitter feelings.
Day 54: Nana Our HERO!!! I can't even imagine what we'd do without my Moma. She has put her own life on hold and is practically living with me (when we aren't living with her). Since I can't pick up N for a few more weeks (hopefully only two more), we've had to have someone with me at all times. She's loved on our kids, cleaned every stitch of clothing in our house and just helped with everything from 7:30 to bedtime almost every night. THANK YOU, Moma! We love you and praise God for how you are serving us in such Godly ways!
Day 55: N totally conquered this cupcake today! L did too, but this pic of N is priceless. Thanks to GiGi and Colby for sharing his b-day cupcakes. Oh and a BIG thanks for making the icing BLUE! : ) Her little fingers were blue for the whole day!

It's amazing how cute BIG messes can be with kids.

Thankful

I feel like I have so many reasons to be thankful these days.

I'm thankful to be alive.

I'm thankful to be under the grace of God.

I'm thankful to be recovering so quickly from my surgery.

I'm thankful for all the sweet help my FABULOUS parents have been.

I'm thankful for The Man putting up with my crazy medical stuff.

I'm thankful to be with my sweet babies after being away from them for two days (much too long).

I'm thankful for sweet friends who call, visit, send cards, bring over meals, and the ones who have us over for dinner and games!

Day 51: Ticket to Ride, one of our favorite games, played tonight with The Man and our wonderful friends!

Not too bad!

Well, I had my surgery. It was rough, but I'm doing ok. I'll most likely write another post on that. But back to my 365 Days of Pictures. I had back surgery and only missed two days....not too bad.

Day 44: LOVE this picure! So precious. Fynn and "N" just hanging out. : )

Day 45: Me and my valentines the day before the real Valentines Day (my surgery day). They looked so cute for church that day!

Day 48: First picture I took after surgery, my Daddy taking the kids for ride. They loved it. We've been spending a lot of time at my parents while I'm recovering.

Day 49: "N" reading her "book" at least that is what she calls it. Is it bad to let your 18 mo. old read GoodHouskeeping? Isn't her little feet soo cute?!?!?

Day 50: Home with my man. Enough said.

BFF for LIFE!

I'm so thankful for good friends. Lately, I've been overly blessed by sweet phone calls, prayers, meals brought to our home and tonight's girls night out!

Day 43: My precious friend Jess took me out to get my mind off things going on around here. We dined Olive Garden style and talked endlessly! I loved it! Then she even took me to the movies. What a great friend. Thanks Jess, I had a great night!

P.S. for Prayers: I found out yesterday at my consult in Louisville, I will be having back surgery this Monday. It's a pretty routine surgery, but I'm a little anxious. I would appreciate any prayers. Thanks!

Q & A: What are some things you do for family time?

One thing we've bought (and have done horrible at lately) was this journal:

I saw it on someone else's blog, but for the life of me cannot remember who. We got it shortly after the new year and started it on that very day. It's fun to ask questions and even the kids have (funny) answers sometimes. The best part is that it is a 5 yr. journal so you record on the same page five years of answers. I can't wait to look back in a few years and see the hilarious answers. Also to see how the kids have grown and what else has changed. We try to do it right after dinner.

Buy one for you and your family here!

What are some other things that you do together as a family? I'd love some ideas.