HE DID IT!!!!

Garyn has been practicing so hard....and on Monday, his hard work finally paid off...

Last Friday, Garyn earned his red tip!!!  He stood proud and counted to 10 in Koren!  It was such a cool moment for him (and for me....)  We have been working on counting for the past few weeks but regardless of the practice, he was nervous walking into Tae Kwon Do.  He told me he didn't want to "not be able to do it."  So when he was asked to stand up and count, my heart stood still for 10 seconds....

And when he did it......my heart pounded with happiness!!!!!

Garyn warming up at the beginning of class

 Garyn earning his Red Tip

 Garyn proudly showing us his new tip...

Monday was the BIG day....after you earn 4 tips, you earn different color striped belts.  When he sat on the mat, one of the instructor's reminded him to focus today and have a strong class....because he was ready to earn his new belt.  Garyn had a great class and at the ended was awarded a new belt!  I am so proud of him but more importantly, I am so happy that Garyn has found a sport he enjoys.  

Garyn demonstrating a horse stance with punch 

 Garyn's white belt with yellow stripe waiting for him

Master announcing Garyn's advancement

 Master changing his belt

 Garyn receiving applause for his new belt

 One proud and deserving boy!

Valentine's Day...

Happy Valentine's Day....

Gianna had a great party last Thursday!!  It was fun for her and it was fun for Garyn too.  They played games, exchanged Valentines's (Gigi passed out Tinker Bell cards with matching pencils,) and they all nibbled on heart shaped Rice Crispie treats.  She is my sweet Valentine....

Today was Garyn's party....I had a wonderful time watching him interact with his friends.  They played bingo, made cookies, and created a heart puzzle.  Every morning Garyn is dropped off at the door to his school...it's nice because it is much less chaotic, however as a result, I do not know any of his friends or their parents.  

So, it was very nice today to finally put names and faces together!!!!  Garyn is growing into such a big/little boy.... I have a wonderful little Valentine....his name is Garyn!!!!

It has been a great celebration of St. Valentine....

.....I love you Ryan.....

Adoption Update....

A quick adoption update....

Thursday night completed our last home study meeting.  Cindy (our adoption specialist) came to our home, evaluated it, and met and interviewed our kids.  The kids were very excited for Cindy to be here.  So, for the first 40 mins or so, they needed to be reminded to calm down....but overall, I was very satisfied with the  meeting.  

Cindy asked Garyn different questions about the adoption and the new baby...it was nice to listen to Garyn talk with excitement about the baby.  She asked him about his feeling on having a new baby, and he said he was happy to get a new baby brother (we did not pick a gender, he just wants a brother.)  Then she asked what it will be like and he said it will be hard.  So, she asked why, and he said," Babies are hard to take care of...."  She also asked him if he understood the baby would look different. He was very clear that he understood the baby would have brown skin.  She probed him about his feelings on the difference, he was sure that it was fine!  There were many other questions....including how we displine him, he said he has to go to time out on the steps, things he likes to do, if he will like sharing his toys with the baby, helping the baby not feel scared....

And my Gigi.....poor little thing thought Cindy was bringing Baby 'Opia with her.  She was quite disappointed when there was NO baby.  We explained to her that Cindy was working to help bring Baby 'Opia home and we still have a little time to wait....she was okay with the answer, until the next morning.  Friday morning she was sitting at the table eating breakfast and she said...."Mommy, is today the day, is Baby 'Opia coming today?"  It was very sweet and yet, a little sad that I had to disappoint her again!!!

The remaining homestudy papers will be submitted this week, Cindy will complete our report, and then it will be submitted for approval.....

ANOTHER STEP CLOSER TO BABY 'OPIA 

Song of the day....

This song just makes me happy.....

Life's too short.....

Keep it simple....

and make it what you want.....

If you don't know....LOOK IT UP!

PODOCONIOSIS......

Do you know what it is????

If you don't, look it up.....

It is 100% preventable....can even be reversible...  

TOMS

Patience....

Did you ever have a day when all you felt like you did was reprimand???  Yesterday was one of those days for me.....bad day!

I am trying to keep in mind that the kids are trying to get "back in the swing of things..." but geez....

Things that drove me banana's yesterday...

having to repeat myself NUMEROUS times.  For example, "Garyn it's time to get dressed." Garyn's reply, "Mom, 2 minutes."

(Which brings me to another quick note.....this 2 minute warning stuff is bologna!!!  I use it apparently TOO much... thinking I was doing a 'good' thing by giving them a warning (that's what all the professionals teach us to do...) but WOW...has that turned on me.  Everything I expect to be done immediately, now turns into, "2 minutes, Mom."  It is driving me CRAZY.  It has even trickled down to Gianna....yikes!)

Okay, back to my main points of my venting...

So, yesterday, I decided....I am finished repeating myself numerous times.  So I responded to Garyn's 2 minute request with, " Garyn, I am ready to help you, if you do not want help, fine, I expect you to be dressed before we leave for school.  If you are not dressed, the 'bus' leaves without you."

I really hate to play hard ball...but I am tired of the constant negotiating....I am not going to have the "extra time" or the "2 minutes" when another little person enters our world, our routine...so I am preparing them and myself now....

PLUS, he will be turning 5 in a less 3 weeks, and I feel it's time for him to have more responsibility....

Next matter of business, the bickering and fighting and possessiveness over toys during playtime!!!!!!!

This is enough to want to make me go off the edge....

 They could not get along yesterday so, toys were put away and they spent time in their rooms...

I DO expect them to get along.  I mean, I know there is going to be the occasional, or more than occasional sibling fight...but their treatment to one another is...., well, I don't know, it just makes me sad that they can not play together.  They both have their own play agenda...and are both so stubborn!

I would be able to put up with it (for the most part,) but I am fearing their "play style" will and is seeping over into their playtime's with friends, and that is UNACCEPTABLE, so this time, I am stinking to my guns!!!!

I am trying my hardest to teach them to be loving, helpful, respectful little people....and yesterday I felt like I was FAILING miserably.

Here's hoping for a better today, CHEERS (as I raise my strong glass of tea....)

Home Sweet Home....

We are home....and were welcomed by 4 inches of ice and topped with 6 or 7 inches of snow....

Amazing...

Obviously, we picked a great week to be away!!!

The trip was great....I journaled the entire vacation, so I will post my journal soon... 

But here are a few pictures until then...!!!

The kids had a blast!

 Arriving at destination #1

 Dinner with the Dino's, he was in heaven!

 Does it get any better???

 Welcome aboard...

 Formal night....look at these little models...

 Princess Tianna.....Loved her!!

 Breakfast with the characters was a favorite

 Beach love!!

 Pirate Party

 amazed by room service

 Gigi LOVED all of the princesses

 love that little tan line (the butt crack is an added bonus.)

 Our wait staff was amazing....and compliments to them, I added a few extra lbs.

Yes indeed....it was a wonderful vacation!!!!