This weekend:
Mowed
Weed whacked the yard & play area
Supervised yard clean-up
Single handed re-arranging our bedroom and cleaned!(fantastic)
Cooked all of our meals
Dealt with the turtle tank, cleaning and re-doing it
Helped with shopping
Helped with laundry
Bought me a new computer chair and assembled it!
Gave me several back massages
Watched Big Brother with ME!
Helped go through our dresser to pack a bag for GoodWill
Brought in the paper and pulled out all of the ads for me
Was the best Dad ever!
He was very productive and I am very fortunate :-)
Monday, August 24, 2009
Some days are easy, others are quite the opposite
Saturday as we were heading out for a day of family shopping and togetherness, T had a monster meltdown. She wanted to wear her headband that her Mammaw had just given her, so I made it look really pretty and we all oooh-ed and aaaah-ed and enjoyed it. My only instruction being, "Don't mess with it, or it will take me awhile to fix it" Oh my word....
Matthew was on teeth-brushing-duty and what do you know, T had her hair band off, trying to do it herself, totally messing up her hair in the process. So, I said let's just wear this to Church tomorrow and wear our normal ponytail today.
There were tears, squealing, folded-ever-so-tightly arms, dirty looks, and crumpled up heaps of 5 year old writhing around on the floor. When this happens there is no quick fix. She has to get it out before she will even listen to what you have to say. Her ears and brain go on standby and we just have to wait until she stands up and we can talk it out. All the while the rest of the family are ready to head to the mall!
So, after a few minutes she gets herself up and climbs into my lap, and we talk about breaking the rules, and all of that good stuff.
Through tears, she looks at me and says, "Don't forget my Care Bears when I go to another family, I want them".
It was a very emotional moment. That after almost eight full months in our family she still thought we were going to pack her up and move her to some other family. She's been thinking this for a few weeks now.
It hurts, we both cry a little, and we try very hard to get her to understand she is not leaving.
Back when she moved in and we had to give her a time-out she would cry and say , "Mommy doesn't love me!" I heard from the last foster mom that she did the same thing to her. Well, the past few weeks it hasn't been the I'm-not-loved emotion. She now apparently is confident in being loved, but her new time-out outburst is "I don't love you anymore", switching it around to revoking her affections from us. Actually, this outburst causes less sympathy from me, since I know she is just being upset, whereas the earlier statement made me question her acknowledgement of our love for her. After her time-out she says, "I love you again" and we talk about how she shouldn't say those things, etc. etc. The therapist says it is perfectly normal for her background and progress.
Just another hurdle.
Matthew was on teeth-brushing-duty and what do you know, T had her hair band off, trying to do it herself, totally messing up her hair in the process. So, I said let's just wear this to Church tomorrow and wear our normal ponytail today.
There were tears, squealing, folded-ever-so-tightly arms, dirty looks, and crumpled up heaps of 5 year old writhing around on the floor. When this happens there is no quick fix. She has to get it out before she will even listen to what you have to say. Her ears and brain go on standby and we just have to wait until she stands up and we can talk it out. All the while the rest of the family are ready to head to the mall!
So, after a few minutes she gets herself up and climbs into my lap, and we talk about breaking the rules, and all of that good stuff.
Through tears, she looks at me and says, "Don't forget my Care Bears when I go to another family, I want them".
It was a very emotional moment. That after almost eight full months in our family she still thought we were going to pack her up and move her to some other family. She's been thinking this for a few weeks now.
It hurts, we both cry a little, and we try very hard to get her to understand she is not leaving.
Back when she moved in and we had to give her a time-out she would cry and say , "Mommy doesn't love me!" I heard from the last foster mom that she did the same thing to her. Well, the past few weeks it hasn't been the I'm-not-loved emotion. She now apparently is confident in being loved, but her new time-out outburst is "I don't love you anymore", switching it around to revoking her affections from us. Actually, this outburst causes less sympathy from me, since I know she is just being upset, whereas the earlier statement made me question her acknowledgement of our love for her. After her time-out she says, "I love you again" and we talk about how she shouldn't say those things, etc. etc. The therapist says it is perfectly normal for her background and progress.
Just another hurdle.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Shots
I've not been doing very well at taking pics that somewhat disguise the kiddos. I'm not Michael Jackson, after all.
I will be so glad when the adoption is final and I can stop worrying about these things.
I'm very frustrated.. the car company is ticking me off... I am starting to have the worst upset tummy EVER.
I mean, maybe I am new to getting a car fixed, but Wachovia never told me to get repairs. IN fact, they told me to get estimates and pictures and send them in. Now they say I should have had the work completed already!! I am about to tell them to take the $940 check from my car insurance and stick it in their ears!!
Here is my correspondence today:
The latest from them:
From: Wachovia
Most body shops deal with insurance claims. They know they will not get paid until the repairs have been completed and proven. Once I have the pictures of the repairs, I can endorse and overnight straight to body shop for payment. I will be out of the office until Monday, Aug. 17th so if you need further assistance with this, you can call Carlos at
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Smith Family
Sent: Wednesday, August 12, 2009 7:44 PM
To: Martha
Subject: Re: account#
Martha,
Hello. I think there has been some miscommunication along the line.
When I called Wachovia, initially, to find out how to get the insurance check endorsed, they told me to mail all of the pictures to you, shop estimate, etc.
I cannot obtain the repairs until I have the check for 940 that I forwarded to your dept. I know I have to add in my deductible, but I cannot pay for the repairs up front.
What should I be doing? I am very confused now as to the process to get the car fixed.
My assumption was I paid the deductible (or the repair cost minus the insurance pay out)
please advise.
=================
Samantha Smith
----- Original Message -----
From: "Martha
To: "Smith Family"
Sent: Wednesday, August 12, 2009 8:44:21 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: RE: account#
Hello, I still need pictures of repairs completed. I only see the damages on vehicle.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Smith Family
Sent: Wednesday, August 12, 2009 4:20 PM
To: Martha
Subject: account#
Here are a few pictures of the 2006 Nissan Sentra that you did not receive with the insurance info.
Please let me know if you need more info.
=================
Samantha Smith
Am I just completely dumb?
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Saturday, August 8, 2009
A day with NO Naps...
and the best part was it was I who did not require napping! So, hopefully getting back to feeling normal again, although the penicillin is doing catastrophic things to my tummy.. eew. If I suddenly keel over this week, you can tell the doctor I have some images on the cell phone that may need a specialist! :/
So, Saturday was good. We went to the end of summer-league party, and made it over to do Fall sign ups. They have 3-4 weeks of no sports activities before we start over again. YaY for the parents!
We went to Mass this evening, and came home and relaxed.
Tomorrow (hopefully I will feel up to it) we have a big day of errands scheduled. My car is neding an oil change and a wash. It is covered in tree sap. Where I park it rains down these little chunks of apple-butter-looking-stuff and makes the car all sticky. Icky.
Then to do some last minute department store shopping for undies, socks, and other back to school needs.
Oh, I nearly forgot... WHAT?!?!?!... I really loved that old movie/musical.. now I wil never think the same way about it.
Special prayers tonight for all believers to receive Baptism.
So, Saturday was good. We went to the end of summer-league party, and made it over to do Fall sign ups. They have 3-4 weeks of no sports activities before we start over again. YaY for the parents!
We went to Mass this evening, and came home and relaxed.
Tomorrow (hopefully I will feel up to it) we have a big day of errands scheduled. My car is neding an oil change and a wash. It is covered in tree sap. Where I park it rains down these little chunks of apple-butter-looking-stuff and makes the car all sticky. Icky.
Then to do some last minute department store shopping for undies, socks, and other back to school needs.
Oh, I nearly forgot... WHAT?!?!?!... I really loved that old movie/musical.. now I wil never think the same way about it.
Special prayers tonight for all believers to receive Baptism.
Friday, August 7, 2009
As the world stops turning...
Prayers have been answered, but, of course, God still has quite a few of mine still crammed into his INBOX.
KNOXVILLE - Planned Parenthood of Middle and East Tennessee announced Friday that it will not relocate its Knoxville Health Center to Homberg Drive in Bearden.
The organization's planned move had prompted the formation of the Bearden-based Pro-Life Coalition of East Tennessee, which opposed the move with a Web site, a press conference earlier this week and a three-week campaign of writing and calling the property owner, management company and contractors, urging them not to work with Planned Parenthood.
The coalition had at first opposed the move based on the belief that the Planned Parenthood would perform surgical abortions in the new facility. But Planned Parenthood of Middle and East Tennessee President and CEO Jeff Teague said the organization would not perform surgical abortions in Knoxville as long as there were other providers. Planned Parenthood does dispense RU486, which can terminate pregnancies up to nine weeks.
The coalition then argued that Planned Parenthood had no place in a "family-oriented" neighborhood such as Bearden. A rally planned for Saturday will continue as a "celebratory" event, said coalition spokeswoman Lisa Morris.
I had received notification by e-mail this past week from a fellow pro-life volunteer/organizer I worked with at St. Jude's and also the St.Jude's Deacon who helped Matthew and I come into the Church. I also received an e-mail from the spokeswoman, Lisa Morris. So, easily to say, I felt called to go up tomorrow and help make a presence. That was before I was completely wiped out this week with strep throat.
Thankfully, the Lord hears, and has answered. Much like He worked through the Chattanooga Pro-Life organizations to stop a clinic from coming into our town last year. PRAISE PRAISE PRAISE.
This week we were also caught off guard a bit when one of the same "contacts" above let us know of two precious children that needed a home. Matthew and I have both discussed increasing our family.. in about 5 years! :-)But, there is always room for more love, so I called the contact, and then the other contact, and heard a remarkable story of two children who I know God will find their forever family for. I can be 99% sure that it won't be us, but I couldn't do anything but pray and be happy for the Will of the Lord. We are praying extra hard for these little ones and their extended family!
Today I have stayed awake longer than any other day this week combined! I am having a lot of neck/gland/throat pain, but it is not knocking me down to where I am laid up in bed anymore. fingers-crossed.
The darlings started their new school this week, and they are doing exceptionally. These kids had no problem transitioning, and I am so glad. We are so thankful to our friends from Church that are helping us. I think we had a conversation around Christmastime about school zones, and I remembered her little girl went to the school ours would be zoned for. I asked if it would be okay for them to ride to school with hers and they said yes! The kids adore the entire family, and we are so grateful for the morning transportation dilemma to be over! Thank the Lord for good people.
KNOXVILLE - Planned Parenthood of Middle and East Tennessee announced Friday that it will not relocate its Knoxville Health Center to Homberg Drive in Bearden.
The organization's planned move had prompted the formation of the Bearden-based Pro-Life Coalition of East Tennessee, which opposed the move with a Web site, a press conference earlier this week and a three-week campaign of writing and calling the property owner, management company and contractors, urging them not to work with Planned Parenthood.
The coalition had at first opposed the move based on the belief that the Planned Parenthood would perform surgical abortions in the new facility. But Planned Parenthood of Middle and East Tennessee President and CEO Jeff Teague said the organization would not perform surgical abortions in Knoxville as long as there were other providers. Planned Parenthood does dispense RU486, which can terminate pregnancies up to nine weeks.
The coalition then argued that Planned Parenthood had no place in a "family-oriented" neighborhood such as Bearden. A rally planned for Saturday will continue as a "celebratory" event, said coalition spokeswoman Lisa Morris.
I had received notification by e-mail this past week from a fellow pro-life volunteer/organizer I worked with at St. Jude's and also the St.Jude's Deacon who helped Matthew and I come into the Church. I also received an e-mail from the spokeswoman, Lisa Morris. So, easily to say, I felt called to go up tomorrow and help make a presence. That was before I was completely wiped out this week with strep throat.
Thankfully, the Lord hears, and has answered. Much like He worked through the Chattanooga Pro-Life organizations to stop a clinic from coming into our town last year. PRAISE PRAISE PRAISE.
This week we were also caught off guard a bit when one of the same "contacts" above let us know of two precious children that needed a home. Matthew and I have both discussed increasing our family.. in about 5 years! :-)But, there is always room for more love, so I called the contact, and then the other contact, and heard a remarkable story of two children who I know God will find their forever family for. I can be 99% sure that it won't be us, but I couldn't do anything but pray and be happy for the Will of the Lord. We are praying extra hard for these little ones and their extended family!
Today I have stayed awake longer than any other day this week combined! I am having a lot of neck/gland/throat pain, but it is not knocking me down to where I am laid up in bed anymore. fingers-crossed.
The darlings started their new school this week, and they are doing exceptionally. These kids had no problem transitioning, and I am so glad. We are so thankful to our friends from Church that are helping us. I think we had a conversation around Christmastime about school zones, and I remembered her little girl went to the school ours would be zoned for. I asked if it would be okay for them to ride to school with hers and they said yes! The kids adore the entire family, and we are so grateful for the morning transportation dilemma to be over! Thank the Lord for good people.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Made it to School
Wow, almost two months! I made it without editorializing anything for nearly two months! Well, I've been one busy Momma, what with kids, work, Big Brother (woot!woot!) and summer baseball league.
Tonight was the kid's open house/orientation. I was so proud! We got there early, all four of us, got our mountains of forms, went to a quiet spot in the cafeteria and managed to do in 15 minutes what would have cause me a headache and 30 minutes of Matthew reassuring me I had filled out everything properly. Thank the Lord we were all there.
I was a mess today, sick is such a slight word. I was woozy, wilted, and whiny. I managed to get the kids off to daycare, drive about 1/3 of the day to work, then had a 15 minute public restroom trial (and tribulation!) and then decided to go home.. there was no way I could put in any decent work today.. just wasn't happening.
I went to sleep and stayed there until I absolutely HAD to go get the kids.. skipping lunch, skipping getting all presentable for school... just managing to show up where I was needed. Once Matthew showed up I was SO relieved! He went to the 1st grade orientation and I sat in a tiny little seat in Kindergarten. Both classrooms are exactly opposite each other in the hallway.. so I hope that will be more of a blessing than a curse!
The teachers seemed genuine, nice, and truly happy to educate.. which made me very happy!
I am going to go pass out now.. school starts Th. and the kids have 1 half day at daycare until they are officially back to 'Big Kid' school!! Hip Hip Hooray!
Tonight was the kid's open house/orientation. I was so proud! We got there early, all four of us, got our mountains of forms, went to a quiet spot in the cafeteria and managed to do in 15 minutes what would have cause me a headache and 30 minutes of Matthew reassuring me I had filled out everything properly. Thank the Lord we were all there.
I was a mess today, sick is such a slight word. I was woozy, wilted, and whiny. I managed to get the kids off to daycare, drive about 1/3 of the day to work, then had a 15 minute public restroom trial (and tribulation!) and then decided to go home.. there was no way I could put in any decent work today.. just wasn't happening.
I went to sleep and stayed there until I absolutely HAD to go get the kids.. skipping lunch, skipping getting all presentable for school... just managing to show up where I was needed. Once Matthew showed up I was SO relieved! He went to the 1st grade orientation and I sat in a tiny little seat in Kindergarten. Both classrooms are exactly opposite each other in the hallway.. so I hope that will be more of a blessing than a curse!
The teachers seemed genuine, nice, and truly happy to educate.. which made me very happy!
I am going to go pass out now.. school starts Th. and the kids have 1 half day at daycare until they are officially back to 'Big Kid' school!! Hip Hip Hooray!
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