Update on Max

Max has been in our home for 7 months, now. We love this little man so much!! He is amazing. I have not included a lot of his story on this blog... I am not sure how much to talk about. Things are so unsure. It has been really hard, in that respect. It is emotionally draining. I'll start from 6 months ago...

About 6 months ago, when we had had Max in our home for 3 weeks, his Birthmom (BM) called my husband and I and asked us if we would adopt this little guy.  We told her of course we would. We love him so much. We thought it would be easy once that decision had been made. It wasn't. Birthdad (BD) was not in the picture at that point. However, because Max is in the foster system it isn't a cut and dry situation. There have been a lot of hiccups. Finally in July when it looked like everything was going to work out for a speedy adoption, BD came into the picture... not to say he wanted the baby, he doesn't, but just to let us know that Max in Native American!! Which would be fine, but the Native Americans have their own laws, it was super stressful. The case workers told us everything would still work out, but it would just take MORE TIME!!  We don't want more time, we want to make him ours so that we can make sure that no one can take him from us. He ONLY knows us. He doesn't have visits with his BM or BD. It is JUST US! I am the only mom he knows. He loves his brother and sisters and they love him. He loves his dad, the only one he knows- the one who wakes up all night with him and early every morning. 

So, it has been an emotional rollercoaster. There have been a lot of ups and downs, so many more than I am including in this short blog.... SO MANY!! At some point I will write a more detailed history, but for right now, know that things are going well. This process is going better than I had hoped a month ago. We know he is our baby. I love him so much. From the moment they brought him into our home and placed him in my arms there was an immediate attachment that I have never felt with anyone except my other children. When he was placed into my arms I felt so complete. I had felt like a piece of me was missing. My arms were aching so badly for this little guy. It was like I could literally feel a piece of me was not with me. I knew he was here, on this earth, and that he was supposed to be with me (it was a very spiritual experience.... from the DAY he was born I had felt this huge urge that I had a missing baby somewhere- it was causing sleepless nights, praying and tears and so much anxiety, I don't know how to describe it, but it started the DAY he was born). I know this sweet little baby was mine before we came to earth. He was so brave and had so much faith in me to know that I would find him. He completes this family. We need him. We love him. He brings so much peace and happiness to our home. I will give more updates, but probably not for a while. I get a lot of anxiety every time I picture him not in my life, even while I type this, I am having a hard time not crying as I picture him being ripped out of our lives, but I have faith that everything will work out. I pray. A lot. I know that he is my baby. 

Ice Cream Zoofari

Last night we went to the zoo for their annual "Ice Cream Zoo-Fari". It was a blast!!  There was unlimited (free) Ice cream, shakes floats, and Sundaes. Along with free entertainment. The kids were all so excited, they saved their sugar day for this special occasion!  My husband was doubtful that we would get "ALL THE FREE ICE CREAM WE COULD EAT"... however, when we walked in and all we saw surrounding us and up and down the aisles were tables and tables filled with ice cream and volunteers with ice cream buckets and scoops!!  It was literally the most ice cream we have ever seen in one place!  We heard someone ask the question "do you think there are more animals or more ice cream here? Cuz my vote is on the ice cream!".

Some of the stations were 

1. Red Wolf Sundae

2. Porcupine Peppermint & Prarie Dog Pistachio/ Vanilla-gator

3. Tempting Tortoise Sundaes

4. Birthday Boa & Rainbow Python/ Sundaberry Heaven

5. Strawberry Sharkcake/ Black Berry Babboon

6. Cherry Siamang/ Salamander Strawberry/ Gorilla Vanilla

7. Cockatoo Cookiedough, Choclate Chimp

8. Pink Flamingo Sundaes

9. Conure cotton Candy/ Chocolate Chimp mint/ Southern Monkey

10. Black Bear Claw/Bear foot Brownie/ Bearable Gum

11. Chaffee Chocolate Smoothie, Sea Lion Strawberry smoothie

Stingray sundaes, parrots in paradise, chameleon chocolate, rocky toad, 

And so many more  (this is only 12 of the stations, there were 22 stations!!!).  

The entertainment included; singing- magicians, buzz light year and jessie, mary poppins and bert, and the dairy princess (who we got a picture with).  The kids were so full of ice cream within the first 20 minutes that after that we mostly looked at animals and watched the entertainment. This even was from 6-9pm, the coolest part of the night was 105 degrees..... at 6:00 it was 110 degrees.... we left around 8:00, and it was still over 100!! It was so hot, a great day to enjoy a ton of ice cream.  In case you are wondering.... no one threw up, but we did pack buckets just in case!  :)  

I am so lucky

These kids make me smile every day!!  I love their cuteness!!  Max is getting over an ear infection (yay). He is turning into his happy-old self again!!

Olivia is just so funny. I can never stop myself from laughing when she is near. I wish I could remember all the funny things she says...  someday I will!! Right now, I am always just so exhausted, I can hardly remember what my kids's names are!!  :)

Our Family

I have an Aunt and Uncle who come up to Coarsegold every year for a family reunion. They are so sweet, and every year they make the effort to spend some time with us. We have so much fun with them. The kids LOVE them. They get so excited each year when they visit. This year they played games with us and ate tons of candy. It was a great time. We love you Aunt Julie and Uncle Craig and all of your kids. Thanks for taking the time to come and visit us!!

Dinner

While the Dan and Shannon were here, we went out to dinner. It was a nice dinner with just adults (a rare thing occasion for us, as I don't like to leave Max with sitters). I took a moment to snap some pictures of everyone. It was an enjoyable time and we love the new dentist and his fiance!!  Dinner was so super delicious. We were all so full, and still we splurged on desserts. The conversation was easy and full of happiness. What a fun group of people. 

Friday Night at the Lake

Coarsegold Dental hosted their annual "Friday Night at the Lake". Keeping with Tradition, they had a pie eating contest. You may notice 2 extra contestants in the picture.....  The lady was the Emcee of the night, and the other male- the one on the very right- next to Travis- let's just say.... he is a dentist. He and his fiance were out here staying with us. Dan and Shannon. Such a sweet couple!!  I won't say too much more, other than..... we are looking forward to getting to know them MUCH better in the VERY NEAR future!!! Like, when they move here!! In a month!!!  Ok. That is all I am going to say- for now. Stay tuned for more exciting information!

Bowling Slip-Up

We took the kids bowling last week!!  The kids had a great time. At one point, Travis told Grayson that he was going to show him the best way to bowl (to improve his score). I thought it would be fun to grab a picture of Travis as he released the ball (as Travis always has picture perfect form).... so it was hilarious to us all when he slipped to the side (for the first time in his life) and still knocked down the rest of the pins!!!  Lucky for me, I grabbed a picture just as he was sliding to the ground. I am very thankful he didn't break a finger (or a leg)!!  I think that for now, Grayson will continue to bowl his way and Travis will continue to bowl HIS way!!!