As easy as 1.2.3.4.5!

 We try to push the chairs under the table, but he can pull them right back out!

 I can not believe the strength our little boy has in his arms!

 Look at him go!

My little monkey!

Foster update

We had our first house visit, and we were worried that we were not going to qualify to have 2 kids because of how small our house is.  The next day we got a call saying that it's been worked out, and it looks like we can move ahead as planned. 

Over the weekend, and all week so far, we have been doing a ton of paperwork.  A lot like the adoption paper work, only it's a lot of repeated questions.  I had to do some searching for some of the documents we needed.  But, we got it done and Joe dropped it off this morning.

Next week we have our second house meeting. 

Saturday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday we have our classes. 

Monday we all go for medicals, and even the dogs! 

 By Sunday the 27th, we should be done with our part.  I think that might be in record time too! 

When we got the call on January 4th, they said the fastest we could get it done was in 90 days.  Well Joe and I are getting our part done in 30 days.  Now it's just up to how fast our social worker can put the information together, and how fast the state will get it read, and approved!

Happy Valentine's Day!

 Happy Valentine's Day!

Look at all that snow melting, mom!

After a very busy morning, my little valentine and I are at work.  We are having fun playing with the girls, and enjoying the sun shine as it warms us through the window.

Sadly Joe has to work until 7 tonight, but I look forward to seeing him tonight.

I was not at work this morning, but had planned on making the girls this meal.  So they had breakfast for lunch.  They always love when I do that, and they were even more thrilled when they saw how I had made it with lots of love!

Thursday's update from the 10 on Tuesday.

1. Our whole city shut down Tuesday night, and so our visit was postponed until tonight.  Most of our city is still shut down, so I hope she is still planning to come out!
2. Today is day 4 without the paci.  We almost gave in yesterday!  The whole family had a snow day, so we all slept in.  Alex would normally get up around 7:30, but slept in until almost 8:30.  We put off his morning nap a little, and when we laid him down he started to cry.  15 minutes later I asked Joe what he thought, and Joe said "give him a paci".  lol Crazy Joe.  I waited until he had been in the 20 minutes, then I tired to sneak in to reset his music, but he saw me and jumped up.  It looked like he was almost asleep, and I totally messed it up.  After that he cried/talked for another 15 minutes, and then I gave up and let him get up.  The rest of the day he was a mess!  I have been wanting a baby monitor with a camera for reasons like this!  I think we will be getting one soon!
3. We did end up getting a BIG snow storm.  I thought it was going to take us days to shovel ourselves out, and I am sure it would have, had the snow blower fairy not shown up!  I spent about an hour shoveling, and got one trail down our driveway open.  I was just about to the top of the driveway when the lady two doors down came toward me with her snow blower.  She didn't turn it off and or say anything, she just went to work.  Up and down my driveway until she was done, and then she kept on going right back to her house.  It was kind of funny.  She had a ski mask on and was fully covered.  I thought it was a guy, but the old man next door told me that is was Ann.  What a sweet person to do that for me.  At one point I did wave to her, as a thank you.
4. Since we had a snow day, I worked in the basement a little more.  What a mess!  Two hours later, you couldn't even tell. 
5. So far I am not loving February!
6. Yesterday Alex was playing with the giant red bear that Joe got me for our first Valentines day 8 years ago!  It's so big Alex could not even carry it, but he gave it a good try. 
7. I can't figure out what to get Joe for his Birthday!
8. I can't wait for February to be over!
9. I guess there is only 6 weeks until spring, but we will see about that.  It's hard to believe when you are under this much snow!  I plan to do some spring decorating around my house, this weekend.  I hope it will lift our moods!
10. We got some disappointing news about the kids this week.  We are really unsure, at this point, if they are ever going to be in our home, but we are going to move forward and do what we need to do.

10 for Tuesday

1. We are beyond excited for our home inspection/home study visit tonight.  We will be meeting our social worker for the first time in person.  I hope our house is all set, and that we are not given a list of things we need to fix. 
2. Alex is on day 2 without the paci.  Yesterday went well, and today seems just as good.  This should be the end of the paci for us.  Now I need to pack them all up, so Joe doesn't forget again!
3. We are not excited about the snow storm that is being predicated for us tonight.  I don't mind winter, or snow, but I do not like driving on icy roads.  I hate it even more now that I have a little passenger with me all the time.  On top of that, this is the first time that Joe and I are both without all wheel drive cars, and I can tell the difference!
4. I have been doing a lot of work in the basement in case we need more room for the kids to play soon.  I have given up my scrap book area for the kids, and moved my stuff to the side, with all the storage bins.  It looks like it will work out nice.  When looking at it last night we were thinking we might switch the sides one more time because the side we are using for them is not as big, and once you put all the toys and the futon in it, there is even less room. 
5. Happy February!  I love February because it's the month of love! 
6. Valentines day is almost here, and it always reminds me of our first Valentines day together.  Joe made me the most wonderful dinner, and had loads of gifts for me.  We had only been dating about 4 months, but I knew he was the one.
7. Speaking of Joe.  Joe turns 34 this month.  It's think it's going to be a special birthday for him this year.  His mom is coming up to stay the night, and we will be taking Joe out to dinner.
8. I also love February because it is a short month, and it gets us that much faster to spring!
9. I can't wait for spring this year!  I am tired of packing all the kids up to drive to the bus stop!  It will be so nice to throw light jackets on them, and be able to walk there.  I miss the sun, and I am sick of being in the house.  I want warm toes again.  I also think this spring and summer is going to be so fun with Alex now that he is walking, and can play more.  I want to see my flowers again.
10. Kind of news.....Joe and I are talking about fostering to adopt our next child, if it does not work out long term with Alex's siblings.  Although his brother and sister are all I think about right now, we have to keep in mind that we may not have them in our home forever.  We do not want to have a bunch of children in and out of Alex's life, but since we are getting licensed it's something we are talking about.