Pictures and More!

Kris and I had so much fun this weekend in Easton. We laughed, and talked and shopped to our heart's content! It was so relaxing (well...as relaxing as Black Friday can possibly be in one of the most popular shopping destinations in Ohio) and we had SO MUCH FUN. Kris and I are very firm believers in taking time for just ourselves. We think it is very important for our marriage to get to spend alone time with one another...plus we just have so much fun together!! We used to do this a lot when it was just Alec but when Mikayla came home we were much more hesitant leaving her because we were scared to disrupt her bonding process. This was the first time we have ever stayed away from Mikayla for two nights. Mama and Papa did just fine though and the kids had just as much fun as we did!

Thanksgiving was a wonderful day. We haven't gone home for Thanksgiving in quite a few years but since we were going away this weekend it just all worked out to be home. My mom fixed an amazing feast, complete with my favorite sweet potatoes. Later that evening, once the kids were fast asleep, Kris and I went in to see Mike and visit with him for awhile. Kris' mom and the kids went to Chicago for Thanksgiving but Mike stayed behind. It was a super nice visit with him:-)

Then off we went on Black Friday to Easton! We came back at about 2:00 pm today and tried to have a photo shoot in front of my mom and dads Christmas Tree. I wanted to get a pictures for our Christmas cards. Well...I posted some "out-takes" on here and of the over 100 pictures we took...we did manage to get ONE that will work for the cards. But I am not posting it until after my Christmas cards are in the mail. That should happen later this week after I write my annual Christmas Letter:-) I don't think going to have pictures taken somewhere this year is in the cards. Mikayla just can't handle all the stimulation and it's too hard on her.

We then went in to see Mike, Diane, and the kids at the church to give Diane her birthday gift. We were late, her birthday was a few days ago, but we wanted to give it to her in person. We were SO EXCITED because as luck would have it Annie and Maggie were singing a song tonight!!!! We had to get back home to get the dogs from the kennel so they moved them up in the program to sing first so we got to see it!! They did an AMAZING job. It's so hard to believe these are the same little girls that came into Mike and Diane's home when Kris and I had just started dating. They are all grown up! And so beautiful! I only wish I would have had my camera so that I could have posted a picture of them. I was so glad we were there to see it!

Hope everyone had a safe and wonderful long holiday weekend...now on to CHRISTMAS! I need to get busy because the 2nd Annual Guatemalan Adoptive Families Christmas Party is THIS weekend and I still have things to get for it:-) Can't wait!

Also, please keep my Uncle Richard in your thoughts and prayers. He had to have emergency surgery this weekend and is also facing another surgery soon. He is not doing well and could really use your prayers. Thank you!!

The Place Cards
The Dinner Table

MY FAVORITE...SWEET POTATOES!!

Mommy and her girl...how thankful I am to have these holidays with BOTH of my kids. It was only two short years ago that Mikayla wasn't home and I was devastated.

What mom? Am I doing something bad?

NOPE....just heading to the fridge!

She loves fridge magnets

My amazingly cute little boy...who gets PHONE NUMBERS from girls! WHAT the HECK!?!? It's KINDERGARTEN!

He has the sweetest most innocent smile. Hmmmmm....

Thanksgiving Photo.....Lovey included and Alec chopped off. ROFL!

Just another Alec pic

And another of Mikayla too

Alec's mini-snowman

Mikayla all smiles for Papa

I think this picture is so sweet

CHRISTMAS PHOTO SHOOT REJECTS!!!! HAH!!!

That's all!! Man do I love my dad's Nikon. I AM SO JEALOUS OF IT. Look for the "good" picture in a Christmas Card coming soon to your mailbox and have a GREAT week!!!!!!!!

Be Thankful!

There is so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. It's so easy to simply say in passing that we are thankful for this and that. Do you ever really, I mean REALLY stop to think about the things that you are thankful for and what your life would be without those things? We live in a busy, fast-paced society, full of appointments, activities, household duties, etc. Weeks often come and go without us ever sitting back, taking in a deep breath, and realizing all that we are blessed to have. I know these past few months have been a whirlwind for me. And yesterday I turned in my last project, my case study, and now I am in that spot....that sitting back and thinking spot where I am able to reflect and..well...BREATHE for the first time in months.

Family - It's cliche, right? We always say we are thankful for family. But WHY are we thankful. If they were gone tomorrow what would you miss? Where would you be? Would you have loved them enough? Kissed them enough? Told them you loved them ten million times? Would you have regrets? My family is my world and I realize that. I would not be able to survive without the support, love, and the constant go-to of my family. I am who I am because of my mom and dad, my family

Kids - In the midst of the cookie crumbs, onslaught of toys, constant "Mom...can I or I need", baths, dinners, driving...are you able to enjoy your children? Do you tuck them in at night and kiss them. Do you read them that book even when you are exhausted and just want to crash yourself? Do you take that extra minute for one extra hug that wasn't necessary and wasn't asked for? I cannot possibly imagine my life without my children. I think the fact that we went through great lengths to build our family, much more then the average mom and dad go through (talking infertility here)...makes me really "stop and smell the roses" when it comes to my children. We came so close to only having one child that I just feel like I realize what it is like to not know if you are going to be able to have children. Unless you have been in that position it's hard to understand. I look at both my kids and thank God for the fertility that gave me Alec and the infertility that gave me Mikayla. I have watched Alec grow up in the blink of an eye and Mikayla has been home for almost two years. Where will you be in 20 years when they are grown and gone? Your house is spotless, you can travel at your own leisure, the cookies crumbs are no more. Will you have wished for more book readings, more bubble bath kisses, more making brownies in the kitchen? I hope not. I hope you live all of those moments now...because before we realize it the opportunity will have passed us by and we will no longer be the center of their universe.

Your Husband/Wife - Kris is my total and absolute soul mate. We are extremely happily married. Thankful doesn't seem to quite cut it in the gratefulness department. He is my other half and I love it. What about your spouse? Have you told them you loved them today? That you appreciate what they contribute to the family (even if you think it could be more)? Do you kiss goodbye in morning and sit down to talk at night....about everything and nothing? Do you make time for just the TWO of you?

Life - It's short. Do you count it a blessing each and every day you are alive? Even on the days where you want to crawl back under the covers and hide? Never forget the loved ones that we have lost. I am sure many of us, and many of them, would love to have that "day under the covers" back.

There is so much to be thankful for and always so much more we can do to SHOW our thankfulness to those we love and appreciate most. Tomorrow, when you sit down with family, or talk to them on the phone, tell them one thing that makes you most thankful that they are in your life. It's moments like that we carry with us the rest of our lives. We all love to be loved and all love for other's to be thankful. Show someone how much you love them on Thanksgiving.

Have a great holiday weekend. Get out there and get those Black Friday deals and shop to your heart, or wallet's content! Kris and I are taking our annual trip to Easton this weekend in Columbus. We do this every Christmas and I can't wait. My mom and dad are keeping the kids so it will be just Kris and I all weekend! Travel safe and enjoy the kick-off to the HOLIDAYS!!!

It's Official....Plato Will Retire

Plato has been having trouble with his hips for awhile now but we were in denial about it. Well Kris took him to have X-rays because after his routine Vet check-up they told him that his muscles were much weaker on one side. At that time they made the diagnosis of 2-3 years until retirement. Well, the X-rays were BAD and the Vet gave him 1 year at the most until he will be retired. I am devastated as is Kris. Poor Plato...he is well-bred, from an amazing German bloodline with documentation, but sometimes it just doesn't matter. He is having trouble standing up sometimes. You can see it and this summer we saw problems when he would run. Like I said, we were just in denial. Being a working dog is very tough and it takes quite a few years from their life expectancy. Plato is about 7 years old, but we don't have an exact birthdate.

So what will happen? Technically Plato will then become our dog. The Sheriff's Office will release him to us. We will then be solely responsible for his medications, bills, food, etc. We do not pay one penny for him right now. The county pays for it all. We don't have a problem with this, although it will be an extra expense, but we have decided that we will not be able to keep him. This is really hard for us. Working dogs become very attached to their handlers. Plato already takes anxiety medication because he can't handle being left in our house when Kris is not here. He tears the house apart. And I mean he DEMOLISHES it. He can't be left. There is just no way possible to leave him here all day while we are at work. It's not fair for Plato. On the other hand it seems so unfair to find him a new home. But Kris will be getting another dog, so where will that dog stay? The two dogs can't reside in the same house. Plato won't tolerate that one bit. Kris is so upset over this. So....the hunt is on for the perfect family for Plato. He needs a family where ONE PERSON is home all the time. I mean, not all the time, but not working.

This will be so hard on all of us, but we have to do what is best for Plato and this is the answer, sadly. I am just having a real hard time with it. REAL hard time. Plato is the first dog I have ever had. So I will cry like a baby. I am hoping we find someone who we know well so we can visit him. Let me tell you what....we will be VERY picky about it. Pray we find the right home with the right situation for the most loyal dog I have ever seen in my life.

The first picture was taken at a training exercise with Plato. The other two pictures were taken this week with my student that I tutor in Massillon. He wanted to meet the dog as his "treat" for completing his tutoring session program. This is what he "worked towards" and so Kris got approval to take the dog down to the school for a special visit. This was one SUPER excited little boy...let me tell you!

Mr. Citizenship and Miss. Sensory

TGIF everyone! You have no idea how happy I am that it is FRIDAY. Well, if we want to be technical it's 2:00 am Saturday morning but whatever.

This was the week I had been dreading all semester. I had a lot of evaluations, including one where my Supervisor came to watch me teach my lesson, I had to teach the after-school program at Walsh and countless other lesson, assignments, and clinical hours going on. In the midst of all of that my computer crashed and along with that crash went all of my documents I needed for this week. Long story...it all worked out in the end, but my Dell is done. I am on Kris' computer right now. We have two computers side-by-side but Kris has the crappy old one. I had the NEW Dell that is now worthless. UGH....technology. Love it and hate it.

Last week Alec got his first report card. It came back PERFECT. He is ahead of the game and his conference with his teacher went great. And along with that awesome report card Alec was given the Citizenship Award for PM Kindergarten. Can you say PROUD MOMMY?? They give it out at each report card and my little sweetie got it! His teacher said he is a true joy in class and that he is always willing to help others. She said he is a great example and smart too. He has come a LONG way socially and I couldn't be more proud of Alec. I just adore my son so much and thank God everyday for blessing Kris and I with him. I never fully understood what my overwhelming urge to get pregnant so quickly after getting married was about. Now I know why...Alec. And knowing now we are not capable of having more children makes me understand that internal urgency I had all those years ago even more. Alec...I love you sweetheart, you are my pride and joy and daddy and I couldn't be more proud of the young boy you have become and the example that you are to others at such a young age.

In Mikayla news....we had a home visit this evening with her teacher and her Occupational Therapist. It went really well. We discussed her recent Sensory Profile test and all of her developmental assessments. I am happy, no, I am THRILLED to announce that Mikayla is now ON TARGET or testing AHEAD now in both fine motor skills AND cognitive development. You don't know how amazing it was to hear that tonight. To know that for once, I wasn't getting ALL icky news, and that I could sit back and know that the interventions Kris and I have been doing, along with her school, have worked and she is now on track in those two very important areas. I feel so good tonight. I feel so proud of her for what she has overcome already. She still has a significant speech delay, but that, too, is progressing although they didn't have the report for that. Now, her sensory profile....ummmmm....LOL...came back pretty bad in certain areas. It wasn't like I didn't know that it would, I did. You just never like hearing that your child is abnormal. The area that she scored the highest in....drum roll please....SENSORY SEEKING. LOL. She also scored high in oral/motor sensory and sensory avoidance for sounds, noise, etc. You don't even want to hear the fire drill story. Let's just say Mikayla doesn't "do" fire drills. We talked a lot about what we could do around the house more to help her, especially since December will be her last month at Eastgate due to me student teaching:-( It was great visit and I was glad Kris was home for it.

Well...it's now 2:16 am. No pictures because Kris' computer is too slow. Just wanted to update everyone and let them know what was going on. Chaos. And it doesn't look any better next week or the week after. Kris and I will be going away for our annual trip to Easton in Columbus the weekend following Thanksgiving. We are going for two nights and sooooo looking forward to it. The weekend after we go away is the Guatemalan Adoptive Families Christmas Party that we have been busily planning, the weekend after that is my BIRTHDAY, and the weekend after that we will go to Mansfield to have Christmas with our families. We don't go home on Christmas Day...it's too much since we don't live close to our parents or Kris' parents. So we started going down for a whole weekend and spreading it out a little more. Then we get to enjoy Christmas Day with the kids and we love that:-) So....I just need to get through this last full week of the semester, then go to school the Monday and Tuesday of Thanksgiving week and then I am DONE DONE DONE and off to Toy's R Us I go to play "Santa." So what is on YOUR child's list for Christmas? OH...and what is on YOUR list?

Have a great weekend everyone! They are calling for SNOW here and I couldn't be more excited about that. WOW...looks like I did lots of babbling tonight! And to think...there were about five other things I wanted to talk about! Another time I guess!

It's time to VOTE!

I pondered if I would write about the election at all. If you read my blog, you know that I quietly endorsed McCain without saying a word about it on my sidebar. I didn't want to bring politics into my blog-land but today I decided to throw that out the window because after all, this is my blog, it's about me and my family, and therefore it's about what we do and what we believe.

Kris and I were both raised very conservative. Marrying a man that held the same political beliefs as me was very important because my values and beliefs are a big part of who I am, and even though I haven't brought them to my blog, I am very outspoken about what I think. However, I am never offensive and never try to change minds. I don't believe in mind-changing. I believe in healthy discussion and firmly believe that every single American is 100% entitled to their opinions, even if they differ from mine (and they often do).

I first want to thank my mom. At a very, very young age my mom would sit me down at the kitchen table and talk politics with me. She would bring up simple issues and ask me what I thought. She never pushed her ideals on me, she simply fostered my own thoughts and ideals. And trust me, my mom and I disagree sometimes, rarely, but sometimes. Kris was raised to be conservative as well. He has very young memories of going with his mom to picket specific issues. It is true that our upbringing helps shape our adulthood. It sure has mine and it has Kris too.

Tomorrow we will go the polls, proudly wearing red, and cast our vote for McCain/Palin. Never in my life have I been this enthused or this in agreement with a candidate. I have been watching politics for months and months for hours on end, researching each candidate to no end, and will cast my vote tomorrow knowing FULL WELL what I am voting for.

While the vast majority of my friends and even my family are liberal/democrats(My mom and Dad are Republican though), I stand strong in what I believe and do not waver. And my best friend can attest to that:-)

I will be praying tomorrow for our great country. This is a huge decision and despite what everyone is concentrating on, goes far beyond Economic Policy.

So regardless of your candidate, go vote! It's your right, your privilege! This election is one made of history, one I am proud to have been a part of, and one I have fought for.

And remember, you may not agree with my politically, and that's OK! I just hope that you take it upon yourself to face the long lines and make your voice heard!!!!!