Draft day!

Yesterday was the big DRAFT day! Dante's coaches all got together and had a draft of 4th and 5th grade football players. Unbelievable. Does anyone else find this odd. We did not have a draft party but plans are in the making for next year! I bet I could get a book together and make big money! I am not kidding this town would eat it up!

And who knows maybe someday I will find his name in the PRO draft book.

Thursday we hope to find out his team, schedule and maybe even what draft pick he was(?)!

If I am not posting, here is why...

What you see here are over 1000 pictures!
A scraping nightmere/dream... I can't decide.

It is fun to look through all the pictures from Germany. Unfortunately, they are no longer in any order, from downloading and printing and then sending.

A few "princess" birthday pictures to go in her birthday princess book.
Also, a few family favorites.



This stack is pure GERMANY. Along with this, I found another 50+ pictures in the Germany "memory" crate. I saved everything in hopes that it would match up to pictures for a scrap book! Reciepts, baby food jars (how in the world can I fit these into the book?), wrappers, newspapers (yup, the whole paper....in a scrap book?)...

I wanted something to keep me busy during this adoption wait.










The 3rd picture of this series came in the family favorites. Every year the boys take their picture by the gariffes. It has worked out to be similar every year. CUTE!
Bart kids...."People may look at us funny, when Stone is 20 and sitting on my shoulders".
You can't see the faces too clearly but Stone says it is (from left to right) "sad, happy, and happy again"

Who cares about your BLOG?

I found this shirt as I was trying to exit the mall at JC Penney's. I couldn't resist a quick picture, even though LUCY was screaming to go bye, bye.

Walk to China finally updated!

Rub a dub, dub...3 in a tub!

A drink for Lucy....a drink for Jacque.
Until Mom put an end to this...YUCK!










Can you guess how the cat got so wet?
Stone wanted "his kitty" to take a bath with him too!

One house adventure, missed by the MOM...

As I leave to show the rental house...(any takers?). Bart had an adventure that I can't believe I missed! It was a one of a kind, ONE house adventure!

We were watching our God son as his brother was at soccer practice. Bart was in charge of 4 kids, as I slipped away for 20-30 minutes. In this short time. Stone and Drew both decided to do #2....one not so in the appropriate spot (I didn't care for the details, I will spare you!) and the the other mostly (yes, mostly) in the appropriate spot. On top of this.....

Dante started the dishwasher with dish soap detergent! I have never seen this and have always wanted to. I can't believe Bart kept his cool. The description was BUBBLES everywhere. There were 6 towels soaked completely in the sink. Dante was SAD, Bart was STRESSED (you think?) and an electritian was due anytime. Drew's Mom and brother were there...cake was being served, I walk in. I simply let him escape back downstairs...still trying hard to finish the basement, as I smooth out the drizzling effections of chaos.

I missed all the stress, all the adventure, all the chaos. How do I feel about it?
Hard to say...I have never missed it before!
I was sad I did not get a picture for you all!
Bubbles would have been cool!

More about me....tagged.

Thanks to Stacy....I have been forced to tell you more about me! (Didn't Stone take a good picture?) This tag is sort of old...but I have been busy...here it FINALLY is!
4 jobs I have had in my life...
1. lifeguard…swim instructor
2. Phlebotomist
3. Insurance representative
4. A MOM

4 movies I would watch over and over...
1. Pirates of the Caribbean
2. Kate and Leopold
3. Wimbledon
4. Secret Window, Finding Neverland….. see #1 anything Johnny Depp

4 places I have lived...
1. Morris, IL
2. Bloomington/Normal, IL
3. Cape Girardeau, MO
4. Leopold, MO

4 TV shows I love to watch....
1. Reba (but never get a chance)
2. Enjoying Everyday Life with Joyce Meyer (EARLY IN THE MORNING!)
3. Mythbusters
4. Roseanne

4 places I have been on vacation...
1. Paris
2. Cancun
3. Cruise to the Bahamas
4. Extended vacation/trip Germany

4 websites I visit daily...
1. http://www.victoria-grace.blogspot.com/
2. http://www.4boys2love.blogspot.com
3. www.athome/jennvandeven.com
4. www.laxtonkids.com
Right now this family is in China, getting their daughter Sage. They also have 3 children they “left behind”. Soon they will be a family of 6…just like us! Keep them in your prayers as you follow their journey!

4 of my favorite foods...
1. My morning coffee….(Stacy, tea counted….that way my coffee counts)
2. I am too hungry to limit this……
3. Cake with frosting…or just frosting is fine!
4. Ben and Jerry’s Half Baked….Stacy, we could have a Ben and Jerry’s sleepover!

4 places I would like to be right now...
1. In China bringing Kate home
2. Paris
3. The beach
4. A Cardinal game with my hubby!

Happy Birthday Bart!

Happy birthday to the best Dad, Husband, and friend!

If you see him out throwing horseshoes today wish him luck!

Isn't he a good sport! Lucy was not too happy about sharing her crwon, but allowed it for a short time!

Back to school!

Double trouble.
Dante 8:05 am
Stone 11:50 am



Lucy's looking out for Stone, watching for the bus.

And this is the only picture I could get of Stone getting on the bus. Think he was ready for school?

Dante's first comment when he came home was, "Recess is REALLY short."

And Stone was happy to see his friend Noah.

Lucy and I went to put for sale/rent signs at the rental house,picked up a pilates DVD at the library, dropped off stuff at Stone's school, and a few other small errands. 3 hours is REALLY short.

A day not spent swimming at the pool...

We spent it swimming at the lake!! Our Wed..last day of summer vacation was a blast! I think even better then the Tuesday last day of summer vacation at the pool!
First time all year. We were the only one's there and it was the most gorgeous day! Everyone enjoyed jumping off the dock. Lucy was belly laughing as she pushed her brothers in! She was happy swimming by the dock, but was scared to death walking in the water. The sand was okay, just not in the water. Strange. She made me carry her until she could not touch!
Dante was stung inbetween his big toe and second toe by something....I pulled the stinger out and it was actually still pulsing.....YUCK! He recovered and practiced splash dives and tried the front flip.
Stone just did whatever he wanted. He has no fear. He would dive, jump, flip, turn....He was even able to do back and front flips in the water with his "super-suit" on. I'd really like to get him on the swim team...if only he could follow directions!



I was able to read (a great little book from my sister-in-law) and relax a little. I played on the dock and watched Lucy dig in the sand and fill up 4 buckets and 2 cups!
I also was faced thinking about my real first negativity about the adoption. It was a hard blow, a kick in the stomach, knife through the heart.
From a person, I considered a "grandmother" type. Very open about her opinions.
"Why not have another real one of our own? Why not the US...? Why one of those...? Don't you have enough already...?"
No lie! I was asked all these and more. I was surprised how calm outside I remained because my blood was boiling inside. I still kept my happy postive attitude and luckily kept my cool. But it sure did hurt. We have reasons for all these, and they are legitimate questions for people to understand why we are adopting. But this was not the same. It was rude, hurtful, and negative. I completely understand and respect her opinion....but why reject mine?

The US has too many strings attached and disappointments. Fostering is a requirement and that is a lot of strain and dissapointment for my kids to go through. Having a sibling then not.

A real one of our own....hmmmmm....do I go there? I did drop to that level and shot back as pleasant as I could...."Dante's not Bart's." And as soon as I said it...It certainly did not come out like I wanted. That is not true. Dante is Bart's! Which is another reason we wanted to adopt. Bart and Dante have a relationship I can not understand. It is a bond and love, as strong as blood, but without! I am excited to have this with Kate. To know it, feel it, understand it!

One of those.....? Okay....silly me I just get all tongue tied, trying not to cry and am able to explain there are many girls there that need homes....which turned into a circle back to the kids also need homes in the US. No winning this one. I ended it with....."because our daughter is in China!"

Oh, sure we have enough.....One was enough. 2 was nice. 3 is great. One more is better. And who knows....Ha. Bart is shaking his head, saying, "NO WAY" as he reads this!
Why is one more better, because we can, and everyone in our family will be the lucky ones to have Kate!

So what does my loving husband do, but take us all out to eat....CHINESE! A great way to celebrate 4 months wait down (this past Sat.) and his birthday coming up Sat. A great way to get me past the hurt and look towards bring home Kate!

Last day of Summer vacation....AGAIN?

Another day at the pool. (Stacy, how is school in Kentucky? He! He!)

I tried to send the boys to school today, but with no success. School starts tomorrow. Or, I am in a version of "Groundhog's Day" with Bill Murray! If I wake up tomorrow and School does not start, I might just lose it!

The pool was great! Dante and his friend Taylor are showing the synchronized diving.

And I finally took Stone to the big pool. Knowing it was the last time we'd be there this summer, I was safe to do so. Otherwise, he'd never stay in the fenced small pool!
He jumped off the side a few times and swam back and then RAN to the boards. He jumped off (only a little scared the first time) 4 times before the lifeguard asked if he "swam the lap". What lap? So there is a lap rule to jump off the boards. He was doing fine...but not following board rules. He was not allowed his LAST JUMP. Can you guess what happened next? I had to carry him away...KICKING AND SCREAMING......."MY LAST JUMP!!!!!"
That lifeguard was only doing her job...and I was able chat with the manager after we had left about it, giving her a complement on it. It is not easy as a teenager to go against a parent.

An original ONE house adventure.
I love it when people stare and then smile, like....you poor thing. And then there are the stares of disbelief that a child could misbehave so bad. They obviously are the "you're a bad parent" kind that used to bother me. Now, knowing Stone and what makes him tick... I don't care! I felt horrible to disappoint him. He even wanted the high board. Bart laughed saying..."He couldn't even see that far up."










The open house for Stone went great! He was able to see a friend or two, his teachers, Bus drivers, and eat ice cream. The whole family went, and this meant the world to Stone just to have his Daddy there. I am so happy Bart caved to my begging and went. He even got a little doll time in as well. Lucy also freaked out when he tried to sit in one of the little chairs. It was quite funny!



So, tomorrow, THURSDAY the buses roll through the neighborhood and pick up my boys. Dante all day, of course and Stone in the afternoons! And then maybe I can get Lucy to take a routine afternoon nap!!!! 3 hours of quiet. Why does this sound too good to be true?

Update...what are we up to!

For those of you who did not attend Church at St. Paul this week...Yes, Lucy went dressed as Pippi Longstocking. Thanks to My friend Sarah who adorned her with bows when I was gone ( see picture on the right). Now, Lucy insists on more then one or two. I thought I might get some out before leaving and it was not worth the fight. One mother, in the nursery even complimented me on the "cute idea".




Open house time...back to school time. ONE more day for Dante and Stone to be on summer vacation. We plan to head to the pool today. Dante's open house was very nice. His class size is about 24..not bad. There are computers for each child in his room. Some of the 4th grade classes have these. He was over the moon happy to be in a class with computers. I even took my camera and forgot to take a single picture. I was just so excited for him. He has a neighborhood buddy in his class that I really like. Now, parents are not supposed to judge and have preference over friends, I know. But in reality we do, and this kid I like. DAnte's alert (gifted program) is across the corridor. He won't have to be bussed this year. That is nice! He only gets one recess. He is growing up! I am happy about this though in some ways. I am very excited to be in the stands watching him play (seasonal sport added here) and watching him do what he loves to do! At this age it is not sport...it is fun. Soon the real deal starts and he becomes an athlete not a "ball player"! Oh, were we talking about school.....one in the same with Dante. Thank you God, for giving Dante the gift of intelligence. I don't have to worry about him falling behind there....to some degree, at least.

Stone's is tonight and will be fun I as well, I am sure. You get a preview from this picture (left) that he took on Firday when we were there to sign papers. He has to have papers for the state signed on how many minutes he is in school, since it is "special". Every little bit has to be documented...making teachers jobs even more difficult! He is increasing his minutes this year. He is going to be going 5 days in the afternoon, rather then 4 days in the morning. He is in the same room, with the same GREAT teachers. We are so lucky to have found this program with such great people involved. I really like his teacher, as a teacher, a mom, and I also a friend. Most times I try to detach friendship with teachers. Having a sister-in-law who is a 2nd grade teacher, I understand some of the hardships she deals with when it comes to parent relationships. But this time it just could not be helped. Her husband is also a big football coach for the kids and Dante was so excited when he came up to talk to him at sign-up. He said he was watching out for Dante to be there! Confidence booster before he even gets his pads on...which might not happen if this darn poison ivy never goes away. Zanfel is what everyone said would do it...we are trying...slowly it seems to be working!

Last night Bart started the basement again!!!!
Drop everything....Drop ceiling coming in!
A very kind co-worker of Bart's had done it before and came by to start him off. They had over half the room done and Bart stayed up to work more on it last night! I am so proud. With one room done, now just 4 and 1 monster of a room left to go! He is back to work... using his hands, blood, and sweat!

Moments like these!

I have moments like this one with the kids every so often. They are moments when there is nothing, I mean nothing that could make me happier at that moment. Everytime I get one of these moments I tell myself (in my head) "DON'T FORGET THIS MOMENT". Of course I can't tell you specifics of many of these moments...because I have a horrible long-term memory. One was when Lucy was sitting on my lap, looking up at the Christmas tree (age 1) for the first time! Priceless.

This time I have pictures.

The local Library had a reading summer program and Dante was an active participant. Stone and Lucy LOVE the library and the ladies that work there are so nice to us. We recieved 3 passes to the summer movie. The theatre plays a special movie each week for a discounted price throughout the summer. The final week was Curious George. I figured if I can fly to Germany with 3 kids solo.....we can surely do the movies. At first it felt the same...with the popcorn, (my
snowcaps, that Lucy devoured throught the movie) and soda for each child, blanket, extra juice for Lucy, Big Curious George, Little Curious George, and my purse (BAG).








We made it in and the moment hit as they sat there waiting, eating, smiling, giggling! Lucy loved the movie in the beginning, and though she bored somewhat stuck out the whole thing. Stone, who if you remember saw this with Bart as his first movie was sooo excited and too bored, but stuck it out. He even told me soda was his favorite??????? Dante...even at 9 loved the movie. As he should have it was really good. He did not want to admit it though...to keep his macho image. (Football signups were the following day. If the word got out, he'd be ruined.)









As we leave the theatre...it is "potty" time and chase the kids in the large PLAY AREA. Once we came out of the bathroom the sky broke loose. It was not rain, it was worse then rain. It was crazy. We waiting only a little while realizing we had to meet Bart with houseplans. We ran....and were all completely soaked. Stone had fun til he realized he was going to stay wet and then he cried, but only after he consoled his wet friend, Curious George. Lucy was rotten and soon fell asleep....YEAH! Dante was a trooper help out of course!



The end of Summer. I love this time to share memories with the kids and they each get a year older and further away from "my babies".
That is the part that tears me up...

Scroll down 2 to see more on China Blue!

A new post was added...


But you have to go past the pool, Paris, and the Stone's "game" shirt to see it.
Scroll down to see more on China Blue!

Fun in the sun!

These pictures were taken before we took our trip to Chicago. I thought they had been "blogged" but .....I WAS WRONG.

The local pool is great. A fenced in kiddie pool that is 3 foot deep. Perfect for Stone and Lucy. Lucy was very scared at first and would not move her feet. After a while she is loving it! Stone is underwater more then above and still gets real close to people and their toes. I hope this passes. I don't want to follow him around all his life telling him to leave other peoples toes alone! Bad thing is, he doesn't wear his glasses in the water, so he has to get really close to see THE TOES of his choice. You have been warned, if you go to the same local pool!



This picture of Dante is one of my ALL TIME FAVORITES. He loves the diving boards and trying new tricks. This is his swan dive off the high dive! WOW. Just too cool!
Now, I rememeber being his age and being "queen" of the high dive(along with cousin Sally who did a two and a half belly flop off the high dive....OUCH!). I will never forget that day! We were sooo cool! And then I also remember being that life guard and yelling "WALK", "STAY OFF THE ROPE", and other similar things 400 million times a day! Great summer job! The best...if only I could still do that and not look like a complete idiot. (Mother of 3 (almost 4) and 30+ years old, working full time as a life guard at the local pool???????) Good money, I am sure!

Ooh, La, La!

Isn't Lucy gorgeous in her PARIS dress she got from her Great Aunt Carla for her birthday? She wore the dress this weekend to remember we were in PARIS a year ago. Hard to believe. I want to jump back over there!







This is where she took her first steps and also where Bart and I celebrated 6 years of LOVE. So now that makes 7 this year! Yikes!









Blogger's been giving me trouble as well as busy, busy life. I apologize to all the faithful readers who have been without for 5 LONG days. I will do better, I promise.

I traded my little sister for a new video game.

Stone actually plays this shirt. He pushes the buttons...makes sound effects and jumps around like he is part of one of his games. It is a riot to watch. Addicted...mabye, but for those who have really sat and watched him play you understand there is more to it. He is freakishly good. My brother even says so and he is the king of games. I still say we should train him and sign him up for some of those video game tournaments. Prize money $40,000.......NO KIDDING!

Thanks Aunt Jenny and Uncle Wes, for all the gifts....This one imparticular is PERFECT!

a LITTLE more about China Blue.

Long ago, in the days when China was ruled by emperors, a Chinese manderin,Tso Ling, lived in the magnificent pagoda under the branches of the apple tree on the right of the bridge, over which droops the famous willow tree, and in front of which is seen the graceful lines of the fence. Tso Ling was the father of a beautiful girl, Kwang-se, who was the promised bride of an old but wealthy merchant. The girl, however, fell in love with Chang, her father’s clerk. The lovers eloped across the sea to the cottage on the island. The mandarin pursued and caught the lovers and was about to have them killed when the gods transformed them into a pair of turtle doves. These are seen gazing into each other’s eyes at the top of the design.

A lengthy and old Staffordshire poem of the pattern concludes with the verse: "In the oft quoted plate two birds are perceived, High in the heaven above: These are the spirits of Chang and Kwang-se, A twin pair of ever in love".

Willow, in its present form was originated in the UK in 1790 by Thomas Turner at Caughley Pottery Works in Shropshire.

The Blue Willow Ware

This particular plate is sectioned and is made by a company named Jackson. So yes, it is the Jackson, Blue Willow China Ware. Might there be a connection?

Do I have your interest peaked yet.....

GOOD!

M N Shyamalan's "The Lady in the Water"

Bart and I had date- night 2 weeks ago. It was movie and dinner. I was excited to see a movie on Opening Night. I can't even think of any other time I went to a movie the night it opened. M Night Shyamalan is awesome. I have written before of his talent. The Lady in the Water is no exception! The story was entertaining and a good mystery. The actors....WOW! Even M Night Shyamalan himself had a large part....which I thought was great! The camera shots, lighting, suspense, humor, and just out of reach reality all put it in as one of my all-time favorites. Right up there with his others!
My popcorn was tainted by all the flavors the movie theatre has. Apple Cinnamin was good for a little bit. There was one that was horrible. I am thinking it was ranch. But in the end Bart and I vote for plain BUTTERED popcorn (and snowcaps for me).

The Cove is the name of the apartment complex where the story takes place. One day Bart and I will have one and have to keep this name in mind! Pool and all! I just hope we don't have a "lady" in our water.

The kids did real well, with neighbor Nick who babysat. We had beans....skittles on hand. The kids all knew they couldn't have their beans until Nick opened them. 4 hours later we arrived home and Lucy even had a diaper change! And a pretty good thunderstorm went through too. When we move, I plan on taking Nick with us. He just doesn't know it yet!

Going to the movies has been my "camper" replacement I think. I really miss the lake and camping and look forward to going to the movies in place of this.
Anyone know of any good movies out.....I am ready to go again!