Thursday, December 19, 2013

Tomorrow....

So, tomorrow Luke and I officially become the parents of 2 wonderful deserving kids.  I feel like I've waited forever for tomorrow to finally be here.  No more taking them back to their foster Mom, no more saying goodbye's, no more talking about their forever home....it will just be.

We've spent the week putting the final touches on their Christmas lists as well as getting some things done around the house.  Luke and I are so looking forward to finally becoming a family of four!  It's been exhausting- but a good kind of exhaustion to say the least!

Over the last few weeks, Luke and I have been showered with love and support from friends and family.  When going through a tough process like adopting older kids- you don't know how much that support can mean to a family.  There are a lot of struggles and emotions that flow through this whole process.  When people aren't supportive, or are difficult to deal with, it really puts unneeded stress on people trying to do the right thing.  We know that the Lord has called us to adopt these two precious kids.  They just fit with our family- and we love them so much.  We only want to do what's best for them at this time!

I never really understood the phrase my Mom used to say, "You can mess with me, but don't mess with my kids."  Well, I can officially say I get that.  These two kids have been through enough heartache and loss to last a lifetime. Luke and I want to try and be the best parents we can!

So, tomorrow we hit the road to Clinton again.  We'll pass the "A" McDonalds in Greenbrier only to be followed by the "B" McDonalds in Clinton.  On our last trip up there.  The kids kept asking if that was the McDonalds we were going to meet at.  I said, "Well, it's A Mcdonalds."  So, our little boy then asked, "Well, is it the B Mcdonalds we're looking for then?"  Too cute!

Thank you Lord for allowing us the privilege to do Your will.  Help us to fulfill it so that you get all the glory!!!

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Sweet Sayings...

I wanted to journal the sweet sayings I've been hearing our kids say before we forgot!

1.  We fixed Burgers and Tater Tots the other night.  Our little girl wanted to help- as she says, "I'm a good cooker."  She called the Tater tots- Tater Totters.

2. Our little boy loves rolling the soccer ball in the house and getting it out of "balance"

3.  Yesterday, while looking in our family game closet.  Our little boy announced he wanted to play battle of the "socks"  It's actually a game called Battle of the Sexes.  I told him it was a Mommy and Daddy game- guess that didn't sound right either!  LOL!

4. I curled our little girl's hair yesterday for the first time.  She said she felt like a princess and loved making funny faces in a mirror.  She wanted me to get her her own mirror someday.

5. Last night, we were talking about the kids middle names.  Our little girl likes her new middle name.  However, our little boy would like to be named Sonic Williams.  After sonic the hedgehog.

6. Our little boy loves saying "Can we do our thing and you do your thing?" He heard me say that once and it stuck in his head.

7.  They've never heard the phrase "You're a Messy Marvin" before.  They asked me, "What's a Marvin?"

8. Our little boy has discovered we have a Wii.  However, he can only play it for 20 minutes at a time.  We set a timer and he plays it with Luke for that long.  But, we've also set up a rule that he cannot ask to play it.  We play it when we want too.  So, now, he says, "I'd really like to play the...well, I can't say it right now."

9.  Last night, we drove thru Burger King.  It was their first happy meal in the car.  They were more excited about getting to eat in the car then they were about missing the play place because of the ice.

10. Yesterday, while playing play dough at our kitchen bar- another thing they've never done before- our little boy told me it wasn't nice to say, "What the...."  I told him he was right, that wasn't nice.  He said, "Well, people say that when they are surprised."  I asked him further about it.  He told me it was "What the heck" then covered his mouth with his hands and his eyes got big.  I told him he was right and it wasn't a nice thing to say.  We decided to go with, "Bummer." instead.

11.  On the way home last night, with all four of us.  My ears were filled with chatter, questions, smacking, and holding my hubby's hand.  I was so happy.  I've always loved going to Mr. Jerry's and Mrs. Nancy's house for Lily's birthday.  All the kids are running around and it's so noisy and fun.  Every time we left their house, I'd tell Luke..."I so want that someday."

Well, now I do and I couldn't be happier!


Thursday, December 5, 2013

Sweet Memories

Mom and I went to pick up the kids yesterday afternoon.  I was a little nervous to see how they would respond at an all weekend visit.  We met in the Walmart parking lot.  As soon as they got out of the van- they started talking.  They brought HUGE bags of toys and things with them.  I don't think they stopped talking the whole car ride home.  Our little boy's first question was, "So, how many electronics do you have?"  I think he's really related to our family.  Our little girl was concerned with how much closet space she had.

Mom and I took them to Harps.  I wanted to get some groceries I knew the kids would like and also had to get the usual bread and milk for the ice that was heading our way.  They went straight for the race car buggy.  We settled on cereal, some chips, cookies, yogurt, and some other junk items.  Our car was loaded down by the time we left the grocery store. 

The kids have started calling me Mom and Luke- Dad.  Sometimes "Melissa" and "Luke" still slips out.  It's taken a little bit for me to get used to being called that.  It's a wonderful thing to get adjusted too! 

We met PaPa and Luke at Chuy's for dinner.  The kids didn't have a lot to say at dinner.  Our little girl seems to love Tacos, while our little boy ate a burger and some fries.  After dinner, we all headed back to the house. 

We let them in to see the house.  They were ecstatic over their rooms.  Our little boy had legos all over the floor.  PaPa helped our little boy stick glow in the dark stars all over his walls and bed.  Our first night at the house together was really special.  We all changed into our pj's and watched a little bit of Cinderella.  Our little girl was asleep for a bit on the couch.  Our little boy loved looking at books.  Luke and I tucked them in for the night and realized we had no music for them to listen too, or even night lights in their room.  So, we turned the living room TV up for them to hear some classical music and I found some night lights.  They went right to sleep.

Today, we've had fun shopping at Walmart.  Luke and the kids went to Chick Fila to have lunch and play while I went to my ARORA Christmas party.  They had a blast and so did I.  This afternoon, we've relaxed at home- which the kids have thoroughly enjoyed.

Tonight, for dinner we had Meatloaf, Mac and Cheese, and English Peas.  Our little girl helped me in the kitchen.  She told me she'd never helped make dinner before.  We had a blast.  The kids ate great for dinner.  Afterwards, I let our little girl take a bath.  She told me she had never played in the bathtub before.  So, I let her take her doll.  She stayed in their until I told her it was time to get out.  She had so much fun in the bubbles with her baby.  When it was time for our little boy to take a bath, he picked 2 cars to play with.  While he was in the tub, I finished the dishes.  I kept smelling the bath soap, but just thought it was our little girl from her bath.  Well, when Luke went to get him out of the tub, he took forever.  Well, come to find out, our little boy couldn't figure out how to wash his hair with all the bubbles in the tub.  So, he used the entire brand new bottle of body wash.  Luke said it took a shower for our little boy, and about 15 minutes to clean out the tub afterwards!   

I love hearing all the noise, laughter, and giggles coming from our house.  It's been a wonderful experience and I wouldn't trade it for anything.  At dinner tonight, I had everyone go around the table and tell one thing they were thankful for.  Our little boy started first.  His only thing to be thankful for was our family.  Our little girl named us all by names, and then stated she was thankful for mermaids.  It was a wonderful memory!!!

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Luke and I had a blast this year in Missouri. I think it was the best Thanksgiving ever!!!  We saw family we hadn't seen in years, ate WAY more food than we ever thought possible, and played endless games. 

This was the first year at Aunt JJ's new house.  It worked out great- but took Mom and I a bit to find our groove in a new kitchen.  We had a huge feast!  Turkey, Gravy, Dressing, Mashed Potatoes-which Mom burned her hand on, Green Beans, Baked Beans, Deviled Eggs, Orange Fluff, Apple Salad, Broccoli and Cheese, Corn Casserole, Rolls, and a ton of desserts. 

Dan and Patty came down for the feast.  It was great to visit with them.  We had a great time.  Uncle George and Aunt Linda came down.  They are always so special and fun to fellowship with.  After lunch, we played cards, dominoes, a game called Logos, and looked at vintage knitting books.  While looking at these books, Aunt Linda asked in all seriousness what shape her face was- and if her hair was cluttered according to a 1950 Knitting Magazine.  Stuart preceeded to sigh deeply, and tell us, "A Dingo ate my Baby."  After some movie with Meryl Streep.

While in Neosho, Stuart, Uncle JR, Luke, Brady, Nate, Mom, and I all piled in the car to go check out the Joplin Spook Light.  It's a light that's down a road- that no one can explain.  It gets lighter, darker, changes colors, and moves.  Kinda creepy!!  We had a blast with this trip.

After Neosho, we headed to Silver Dollar City in Branson.  Luke and I picked up the kids at about noon.  We went to Steak and Shake so they could meet our family before going into the park.  Our poor little boy was so nervous and scared he got sick in the car.  It was so sad. 

Mom and Dad met the kids along with Holly, Stuart, Brady, and Callie.  Eating lunch at Steak and Shake was awkward.  The kids didn't say much at first.  Our little girl ordered right off the kids meal and scarfed her meal down!  Poor little boy decided on Apple Sauce and Sprite.  While at Steak and Shake, I called their foster Mom to keep her updated.  She told me it was probably just nerves.  She asked if I had a walmart sack in the car- I told her, No I'm new to all this!  I will now for sure though! LOL!

After Steak and Shake we checked into the cabin so we could change into our thermals.  Holly and Stuart had gotten the kids toys.  They were so excited to get gifts.  Our little girl opened hers immediately and asked if she could play with it when she spent the night with us.  After gifts and changing clothes, we piled in and headed to silver dollar city.  The park was amazing as always.  It seemed even more special this year to share it with our kids.

Mom and Holly and Aunt JJ went to cooking school while the rest of us toured the park and settled in to see the Dickens Christmas Carol. Luke and our little boy checked out all the lighting, cat walks, and scrims.  Dad just grinned- a future lighting technician in our future for sure!!  Our little girl enjoyed looking at the pictures of her room on my phone before the play.  During the play she was a little unsure.  By the end of the play, she was basically in my lap! 

After the play, we all met up to go see Santa.  The kids were so excited.  Of course, Luke and I took a ton of pictures.  While waiting to see the pictures we could buy, our little girl ran right up to me and said, "Mom, can I have this?"  It was a candy cane.  Before I could even respond, or even think about what she called me, our little boy said, "Did she just call you Mom?"  Our little girl responded, "Well, she's gonna be our Mom, aren't you?"  Then they were off to look at something else.  I just looked at Mom, we both had tears in our eyes. After writing letters to Santa, we headed off to eat some Pizza.

After dinner, we looked at the lights around the park. Callie and our little girl decorated cookies.  Then, they were off to the play area.  The kids got to play in the ball area with Luke- that's a daddy thing!  After playing, we headed over to the train.  It was COLD on the train.  Our little girl and boy got to spend some quality time with Nana and PaPa over the train.  We took the kids on the carousel, drank hot chocolate, and watched the parade.  By that time, it was getting close to the park closing.

We loaded up in the car and took the kids back to their foster Mom.  It was an emotionally long day.  One we wouldn't trade for the world.  I'm so excited!!!  How I wish I could post pics of them!!!
 Callie and Uncle JR
 Holly & Brady
 Summer and Mom
 Me and Kingston

 Mr. Turkey Carrying Man
 Me, Mom, and Chris

 Mom, Ingrid, and Mary
 Dad
 Me and Dad
 Ma and Aunt JJ
Silver Dollar City

Pizza Hut

Luke and I drove to Clinton this past week to visit our kids at Pizza Hut.  We had a blast!!  I made scrapbook pages of their rooms.  Our little boy didn't have much to say at first.  He sat and looked at his room.  Our little girl, however, proudly stated, "That's my lamp, my bear, my bed..."  After a bit, our sweet little boy stated, "I have a bear on my bed." I told him that it could be his room if he wanted to come and live with us.  Did he want to come and live with us?  He replied with a "yes" and a shake of his head.

We visited with the kids all throughout dinner. Their foster Mom is the sweetest person.  My heart hurts for her in that she's losing two sweet kiddos she really loves and cares for.  We looked and looked through the scrapbook.  I have worked in a scrapbook store before, and knew scrapbooks could be used as therapy, but it never dawned on me until that night how important they really are.

It was so hard to leave that night.  Luke and I are always exhausted after each meeting.  It's such an emotional build up.  We are antsy before we get there, have a great time while there, and have to leave each time without them.  Some day soon, we won't have to do that and I can't wait!

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Our Forever Family

Luke and I went yesterday to Harrison to meet our little sibling group- ages 6 & 7.  We left around 8- so we were in Harrison WAY earlier than we were supposed to be.  We ended up going to Branson to eat lunch at Joe's Crab Shack.  Neither one of us were very hungry- but that didn't stop us from eating.  As the time drew nearer to 2, we began to get more nervous.  We really had no idea what to expect, say, or do!

We got to the office in Harrison a little before 2.  We took time to pray with each other before we walked in.  I wanted to know right off the bat if these were our kids- and if not, for the Lord to shut this door.  We met with their adoption specialist, their attorney, the therapist, and their foster mom.  They told us a few more things about the kiddos.  We had the best time visiting.  When the kids arrived, the therapist came in the room and told us they were there.  Then, she looked at all of us and said, "What do we do now?"  "Are ya'll as nervous as I am?"  I was thinking, "Ummm....YES!"

The kids walked in with their foster Mom, and were so shy.   The moment they walked in the door, I  instantly knew they were ours.  It was like love at first sight.  They sat very close to their foster Mom.  I brought in my adoption scrapbook and they were able to see all the doggies.  Of course, the little girl looked at a picture of my Madison- and said, I really like her.  It about broke my heart!

After a few minutes of trying to get them to open up, we broke out my Old Maid cards.  These were the set of cards I played at Grandma and PaPa's house.  Since Grandma was legally blind, she had us play with a big set of cards- so she could see the characters.  I still remember to this day, Chris sticking up the old maid card higher than any of the other ones.  He would say, "Here PaPa, pick this one!" And, of course, PaPa always picked that one!  How cool to think the first game we ever played with our kids was one I loved playing with Grandma and PaPa.

The card game really seemed to break the ice.  After that, we pulled out coloring books and had a blast coloring and visiting.  The little boys favorite color is blue, or really any "boy color"  he said.  The little girl loves pink and purple.

We still have several more visits to go before they can officially come here to stay.  It is looking very hopeful, especially since the foster Mom told Luke and I that the little boy opened up more to us yesterday than she's ever seen before.

Luke and I talked all the way home.  We are so excited that the Lord led us here for a reason. We can't wait to see what the future holds!!!

Sunday, November 3, 2013

My Sweet Angel

Luke and I had the pleasure of taking care of Madison for 7 1/2 years.  She was given a ham bone by her previous owner and sent to the pound after coming down with pancreatitis.  She was one day before being put to sleep when Mrs. Nancy, Christylee's Mom, took her home.  Christylee called me and asked if we wanted her.  She told me she looked just like Mollie Margaret (my previous Cocker Spaniel we had lost in 2005).  I told her we just wasn't sure- it would mean 5 dogs.  Who has 5 dogs???  Deep down inside, I really wanted her.  I never got over losing my sweet Mollie. 

Well, on Valentine's Day, I happened to call Christylee and broke the news to her that we just didn't think we could handle 5 dogs.  I was heart broken, but she told me- "Well, don't worry about it, she found a home."  Come to find out, Luke brought her to me on Valentine's Day in 2006.  She was wearing a pink collar and scared to death.  I sat in the floor and cried and from that point on, she was my dog!  I called Christylee- and all she could do was laugh- what a friend! 8)

Madison has been my shadow for 7 years.  Luke and I have loved her more than anything.  She hated going on car rides, was terrified at Dr. Mike's, but loved her Lean Treats.  She loved George that cat as if he were hers.  She had many names: My angel, puddnin's, Silly Nilly, Fuzzy Wuzzy, and Sugar Plum.  She wasn't much of a cuddle bug, but loved just being in the room with you.  Her favorite thing to eat was chocolate-although we didn't let her have any.  She did get into it one time while I was out of town.  Luke had to handle it all on his own.  Come to find out, she hid chocolate all over the house.  She sure was a mess. 








We couldn't have asked for a better dog. 


Luke and I spent many an evening after parties and entertaining to clean up the floors and make sure there was nothing she could get into.  We didn't want her having any kind of food she couldn't eat. 

A month ago, she came down with coughing.  Dr. Mike was able to give me one more wonderful week with her.  I introduced her to canned dog food- which she loved so much- she even growled at George over.  Last night, I woke up around 2am.  We were able to have a special time together in my recliner.  We cuddled and talked.  I was able to tell her things I never got the chance to tell Mollie Margaret.  I slept on the couch beside her, and this morning Dr. Mike helped us help her into heaven. 

It was a sad day for me and Luke.  I'm so glad to have him with me, he loved her as much as I did.  It will be an adjustment here in the Williams household.  I think she wouldn't have handled kids as well as she did Kingston.  I'm thinking the Lord just thought it best for her to be in Heaven.  I'll miss her, but I know I'll see her again!