Monday, March 31, 2014

March 31 ~ Dance, dance, dance


Dance practice was at the auditorium so that the girls could get used to the stage.  Julia absolutely loved putting on a show.

She is quite hammy in her performances and couldn't resist waving at us sitting in the audience.

That girl is hilarious!

Sunday, March 30, 2014

March 30 ~ Closed


We've been having some beautiful weather!  I did have a good weekend though I am currently a bit grumpy.  I think I repeated myself one too many times to two little girls.  Maybe I just need to pass Go, Do Not Collect $200, and go to bed.

Saturday, March 29, 2014

March 29 ~ Camellia shoes


The man worked and I stayed home with the little girls.  We played and did laundry and played some more and then did more laundry.  Finally, I put on a movie and ran five miles of circles around my street.

When the man came home, we cooked a fabulous Thai chili.  All in all, it was a lovely day.

Friday, March 28, 2014

March 28 ~ Treats for all


The girls got ice cream and Frozen.  I got fermented grape juice.

March 27 ~ Will you people please drop some food on the floor?!


Mili always hangs out at our feet when there are any dealings with food.

There is a lot going on in our world right now.  A lot.

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

March 26 ~ Learning Furbish


For making Honor Roll for the 3rd nine weeks in school, Julia got to pick out a Furby Boom.  It was delivered this evening and she was beyond excited about setting it up and playing with it using the app on the iPad.

Poor Danielle has been sick (again) with some stomach virus.  We ended up in the ER last night for hours.  The bad news is that I am now sleep deprived.  The good news is that she is feeling better.

March 25 ~ The day that wouldn't end


Clementine has gone to live with some friends who have a farm.  I was somewhere between wrecked and devastated about that decision -- but I knew it had to be made.  Between work and the girls, I just didn't have the time I needed to run Clementine and practice training her.  She now has 15 acres to run around on and an owner who is home most of the time.  At least this way we can go visit her.  Her new owner has already reported that things are well and that she has a lot of energy.

I am going to miss her.  I am going to miss her snoring.

There is so much more I could say about this day but I don't feel like writing a book right now.  One day...

Monday, March 24, 2014

March 24 ~ Really?


The girls love playing with the dollhouse in their room.  My mother bought this dollhouse and many of the dolls and furniture when I was a kid -- but I just wasn't into playing with them so it mostly ended up being a random decoration in the corner of the room.

One of the girls lined up the cans in one of the rooms and I was intrigued with the line up.  Green beans.  Plums.  Something I couldn't read.  And buffalo.

Judging by the look of inebriation, that buffalo stuff probably isn't potted meat but a funky beer.  Those ladies look like they have been tying one on.

Sunday, March 23, 2014

March 23 ~ Happiness is a blooming tree


When the alarm went off this morning for my weekly long run, I just could not get out of bed.  Days and days of sleep deprivation finally slammed me this morning.  I texted my running partner an apology and I went back to sleep.

The girls let us sleep until 8:30 a.m.  That is a record!

So, I went on my long run much later.  Without anyone to talk to, I listened to nature.

This tree spoke to me in the most gentle voice.

March 22 ~ Firsts - round two


Saturday was Danielle's first opportunity to go to a birthday party.  She was so excited that she could not stop talking about it days ahead of time.

Julia was a wonderful big sister and showed her all the things to do.  She even scoped out that there were two kinds of cake -- and yes, they ate both kinds.

It is so much fun getting to expose these girls to fun things.

Saturday, March 22, 2014

March 21 ~ Spring


“She turned to the sunlight
    And shook her yellow head,
And whispered to her neighbor:
    "Winter is dead.”
~ A. A. Milne

The weather has been lovely.  The pollen is falling.  And the boy is heading back for his final few weeks in college.

I love spring for the happy weather and the promise of summer.

Thursday, March 20, 2014

March 20 ~ Little girl hair



Fixing little girl hair is challenging for me!  When my boys were little, i just sprayed their hair down and combed it.  At least I think I combed it.  I just don't remember much about fixing hair at all with the boys.

Now that there are two little girls down the hall, we have hair ordeals each morning.  We start with the spraying of the special spray -- it smells like strawberries and childhood.  Then, we move on to careful hair brushing all the while the girls begin their dramatic declarations the delicateness of their heads.  Last begin the laborious discussions of how to wear the hair: up or down or with a bow and which bow matches or with a flip and which side should the part go on...

They love looking being girly girls.  Unfortunately for them, I have a lot to learn about fixing little girl hair.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

March 19 ~ Sometimes



For some reason, March always sees a spike in discipline referrals.  The students have used all their good up.  The teachers have used all their patience up.  The parents have changed their phone numbers.  The big state mandated test is looming nearer and nearer.

And spring break just seems to be taking forever to arrive.

It is enough to make one want to use an expletive or two.  Sometimes...

March 18 ~ Snack time


After baths, two little girls get a snack every single night.  Sometimes the adults play with their food.

Monday, March 17, 2014

March 17 ~ Searching


This afternoon, I taught the girls how to look for four leafed clovers.  We had a lot of luck finding the three leafed ones.

March 16 ~ On a positive note


It was a day of pukes (one kid and one dog).  All are fine now.  Bedtime arrived too quickly and on my way to bed, I took note of the tulips on the table.

Sunday, March 16, 2014

March 15 ~ Hard to keep my eyes open



At the end of this day, it was hard to keep my eyes open.  Got up early and got to my race -- The Gate River Run.  It was my first time running this 15K (9.3 miles) and I loved it.  We may have been in the wrong wave as we had to weave through traffic passing people the entire time BUT it did make us feel fast!  My running partner and I had a goal to finish this run in an hour and 45 minutes and we did it with time to spare!

Afterwards, I walked for a couple of miles and finally met up with my husband and his brother.  We went to lunch then back to the house to shower and hit the road to get the girls.

Once home, we worked on laundry, cleaning, and grocery shopping.  Dalton's girlfriend arrived on a late flight and we finally got to meet her.  She is delightful.  We stayed up late talking and getting to know each other.

When I got in bed a little before midnight, I couldn't even finish one page of my book before my eyes were closing.

March 14 ~ Marks the spot



My husband picked me up from work and we hit the road to Jacksonville, FL to stay the night with my brother-in-law.  My parents kept the girls and we relished this little bit of time with no kid talk.

When we arrived, he had snacks and fermented grape juice ready for us.  We sat around talking and eating and just enjoying the company.

What did we talk about mostly?  The girls, of course.

Thursday, March 13, 2014

March 13 ~ The learning curve


Danielle didn't know how to swing so her big sister took the time to teach her.  Lots of smiles on this learning adventure!

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

March 12 ~ Arranged


Sit down time arranged just like I like it.

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

March 11 ~ Extra special



The advocate for the girls came to the school today to talk with them about their lives.  He asked if they were they happy.  I was told they said yes.  When asked if they wanted to go back to their great aunt and uncle to live, they both said a very firm no.  I was told there was no hesitation.

And that is good.  There was a hearing in the juvenile court today.  The man and I were there and we were ready.  We waited and waited and waited and then they called out our case.  It took the judge about 2 minutes to rule for them to continue in our care.

Afterwards, the case manager came by for our monthly visit and to see how Danielle has settled into our home.  All was routine but we couldn't help but worry about decisions that could be made for the girls that are out of our control.

Let's just say the hugs from the girls tonight felt extra special.

March 10 ~ Eeeee!



Divide and conquer was the name of the game.  The man picked up Julia after school and took her to dance.  I checked Danielle out early so she could ride with me to the airport (a 4 hour round trip) to pick up my youngest son for his spring break.

We got to spend a lot of time counting, practicing the alphabet, and discussing princesses.  At the airport, we practiced with an app on the iPad.  Danielle hasn't been in school all year but that isn't her fault.  The bad news is that she is behind her peers.  The good news is that she is excited about learning and eager to please.

Her little fist pumps when she gets something right just make me smile.

After landing, Dalton gave me a hug and then bent down to meet Danielle.  She looked at him for a second and then stuck out her hand in a greeting.   By the time we were walking out of the airport, she was hanging on to his hand, too.

Sunday, March 9, 2014

March 9 ~ Spring emerges



The sun warmed up the day.  The blooms beckoned the bees and the back door was left open for most of the day.

Ah... Spring.

Tomorrow, I pick up my youngest son for his Spring Break.  He is so very happy to leave the frigid winter weather and head to some sunshine.  I'm just happy that he will be home one last time before he graduates.

March 8 ~ Fun at the festival



Our town hosts an Azalea Festival each year.  It is held in a park close to our house and there are tons of things to do with the kids.  We let the girls get their face painted before letting them jump in the bouncy house and ride the train.

Snow cones and popcorn were on the menu before we headed back to the house.

They were happy, happy girls!

Friday, March 7, 2014

March 7 ~ Frustrations


Life has changed a lot this week.  It hasn't been bad... but I do miss my down time.

March 6 ~ Date night at the end of a blur of a day


My sister and brother-in-law watched the girls so the man and I could go out on a quick dinner date.  I don't think we could handle the madness of our lives without the help from family and friends these days.

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

March 5 ~ Temporary outcast


The girls were playing in my office -- where the pups are not allowed.  Mili gazed longingly at all the toys scattered on the floor -- just out of reach from her gnawing teeth.

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

March 4 ~ Rolling along



Danielle was enrolled in school and started her first day in Kindergarten this year.  She loves her new teacher and said she had some new friends.

Me: "Who are your friends?"

Danielle: "Ummm... you know... some people."

She will learn the names and she will learn the routines.  With her big sister leading the way, she is adjusting perfectly.

After school, we went shopping so that Danielle could get her own clothes.  She was most excited about her new pajamas and fuzzy socks.  Again, the universe reminds me that it is the little things.

Then it was home.  Homework.  Dinner.  Dessert.  Bath.  Book.  Bed.

Monday, March 3, 2014

March 3 ~ What I want to remember about today



There have been some big changes at our house this evening.  At the end of the work day, children's services called to report that they had picked up Julia's little sister.  Why they ever left a child behind in an abusive home will never be understood.

Would we foster?  Well, how could we say no?  All the conversations and worries and bad dreams...  When we told Julia, she was speechless -- absolutely speechless.

Danielle is 7 and it has been almost a year since she saw her sister.  They ran to each other and hugged and hugged.

Danielle: "You went away and you were gone forever."

Julia: "I wasn't gone forever.  I'm with you now."

My cup runneth over.

March 2 ~ Ready for war



I ran out of cough drops so I  had to rely on the super powers of peppermints to ease me through my coughing fits throughout the night.

I'm ready for this cough to go.

Saturday, March 1, 2014

March 1 ~ Outside



Didn't manage to get my eyes in focus but that is probably fitting given the way I feel with this sinus stuff.  Sleep did happen last night although I had to take a lot of medicine before passing out for seven hours.

My voice is working on coming back.  In the name of feeling better, I'm still sticking with the prone position for most of the day.  It is such a lovely day that I think I will convalesce outside.