Sascha is walking!!!

Is it portentious that her first steps were taken AWAY from me? She spent lots of time practicing in the kitchen with me today and seems very pleased with herself.

Taj turned 8 on Friday. Both he and Aria were up at the CRACK of dawn on the 25th to open presents and he spent most of the day playing with his new PS2 game. (Mater Nation.) Their friends came over in the afternoon and I dropped off the three youngest kids at the "Y" and the rest of us went out to Valentino's for pizza. Then we came home and they watched a movie with popcorn and candy and sodas. I don't think any of us got much sleep that night!

And since Aria had a friend staying over, Za slept with me. It was SO sweet--we had cuddled up in bed and she said, "I tiss you, mama," and kissed me. Then she said, "You tiss me, mama." So I kissed her.

It's memories like that that prevent me from killing her when I come dowstairs (like today) and she has let both puppies in and opened the fridge (left it open) and fed them cream cheese. Muddy paw prints EVERYWHERE. Spilled juice in front of the fridge. (sigh)

Aria's having a rough day--I think she still hasn't caught up on her sleep--plus she probably has spring fever 'cus it's BEAUTIFUL out! But she didn't feed the puppies today--and when I asked her to take care of them, she just dumped their food on the step--too lazy to go get their bowls, so they went most of the day without water. I took care of the dogs and called her in. So after a (very LOUD) tantrum, she is spending the rest of the day inside while her friends play outside.

Our little guy is doing well--getting stronger every day and he's SO SWEET! And our teen, though not naturally maternal, loves him, too. She is trying to get him to say her name. And she is doing well, also. Her worker visits tomorrow.

Well, it's time to find something to call dinner....

First word for Sascha...

Went to the mall yesterday--Zadina was being her usual energetic self. After chasing her all over and trying to keep her with me, we got out to the parking lot and put Sascha in her seat and was buckling in the other baby. Za was still outside the car--in the parking lot. I lost my patience and asserted, "Zadina, get in the car NOW!" Sascha yelled, "NOW!" complete with my stern face. We all started laughing at her, and I grabbed Zadina and Sascha said, "NOW!" again and then started giggling. When I called my mom that night to tell her the story, Sascha "performed" again.

We have a teenager staying with us (for awhile?). She came for "one night" on Wednesday, and we kind of hit it off. She may go live with her older brother later, but in the meantime, she's good here.

I also turned down a pre-adoptive placement this week. It was for a little guy a few months younger than Aria, but he sounded as if he needed a lot more time and attention that I could give him. I hope he finds his forever home soon, though....

Well, I did our taxes yesterday--I love internet! Looking forward to this refund--we can put the whole thing away this time! Jeff will help me spend part of it when he gets home--a BIG tv and a motorcycle are on our wishlist....

Peace.

First word for Sascha...

Milestones...

Both babies are making progress. Our little foster baby pulled up onto his feet for the first time yesterday--on the dishwasher. And today Sascha came downstairs by herself. She's pretty much been practicing all day! She also stands up by herself (usually at the top of the stairs--gulp!) but still doesn't seem interested in walking....

We are working really hard getting organized--the kids' rooms are almost done--and I'm working on my room now....

I've also been doing finances. We've made some financial goals and I think they are do-able. That military pension will really help! We send the last van payment out this month--then we'll take on the motorcycle payment--but I think the gas $$ savings will help offset that payment!

I also heard from T in Chicago today--they are having a girl!!

Good Day...

Talked to Jeff twice today--he's busy checking out motorcycles--right now he's leaning towards a Harley. This last few months is going to be the hardest to get through....

We all dressed in black with denim today--the kids were so cute! (My little beatniks!)

After church we had a planning meeting--I really like being a part of a small church--I actually have a voice! After that we stopped by Target to get another toy cell phone--Sascha likes Zadina's so much I had to get her one. (This is really cool, you can record a message--and when you close the phone, it rings. When you answer it it says one of three things, one of them being your recorded message.) Then we zipped home and went to the neighbor's b-day party. Very mellow and fun--a former neighbor was there--she is due with her second baby in a few days. It was good chatting with everyone.

Also, Talked to Tammy in Omaha today--if she doesn't go into labor by Friday, they will induce. Here's hoping Little Lena decides to come on her own....

We finished reading Dragon Rider by Funke a few nights ago. We are taking a break and doing picture books for a few nights--Taj wants to start Peter Pan tomorrow.

Well, It's time to read and then I'm going to BED (it's almost 9:00!)

Peace & Love

What season is it?

Yesterday we went for a walk without coats--this morning we woke up to snow--but it was mostly gone and sunny by this afternoon and we got another walk in. Yesterday we took Lily so today we took Loki. (The kids can only find one leash.) However, when we came around the block the second time, Lily came running up to us--she had burrowed under the fence. So we stopped at once around and reinforced the hole.

Yesterday I got word that my Baby J was officially home with his Dad. He had been there since before Xmas--it's just official now. I'm really glad for them--they are so sweet together. So I have an opening again--I'd like the next placement to be an adoptive placement....

Jeff called twice today. He's doing okay--missing us--less than three months of duty left! Woohoo!

Yummy Pizza!

I NEVER order pizza, but I have a friend who raves about Wheat State Pizza, so we tried it tonight--the one with Chicken, green peppers & Mushrooms and CREAM CHEESE! YUM! I really like that you can get online (wheatstatepizza.com) and order. Very cool--and whole wheat crust!
(mini commercial over)

Kids.... (shaking head, grinning)

Two stories:

Zadina has a baby whose eyes close. She has been carrying her around saying, "My baby is dead".

I gave Taj a Tylenol last week for pain. He came down and I pointed to the pill and glass of water. He picked up the pill--and dropped it into the water and started drinking. He ended up with a soggy pill at the bottom of the glass. We had to fish it out and get a little more water to wash it down.

Pictures....

The kids are getting SO BIG! These were all taken in the last few days....

Happy 2008!

We had a quiet night last night. Aria had a friend stay the night and we all powered up on junk food--stayed up until about 10:30 and all crashed. I got the tree taken down yesterday--it's nice to have my kitchen back!

New Year's Resolutions:

1: The whole family will eat healthier. Emphasis on whole grains and fruits and vegetables.
2: We will read every day.
3:We will (finally) get organized.

That's about it. I've been doing well with yoga, we are on track financially, and with Jeff coming home in April, I think our family life will be great....

The year looks good--looking forward to 2008!