Still Here!

Hi fRamily,
I have been a very bad blogger this week. Haven't posted since Monday. Bad me!
Truthfully it has been a pretty slow week - so I have not had much to report. Therefor, not much to blog either.
For those of you still reading, here are the highlights of the week (if you can call 'em that!)...
Tuesday Sophie woke up stuffy - AGAIN! This time it was a bit different though. She was MISERABLE!! By late morning she had green junkies coming out of her nose and was a grump. Now, Sophie is NEVER a grump, so I should've known. Around noon she began SCREAMING in what seemed to be pain. Of course this was just in time to reach the lunch hour recording at the pediatricians office!!!! I gave her some Tylenol and finally spoke to a nurse and had to take her in. Of course that would mean taking Hattie too (who panics if I slow down while passing the Dr. office parking lot!), but Mrs. Kathy stepped in and offered to watch Hattie for me - PRAISE GOD FOR GOOD FRIENDS!! By the time we got to the office, Sophie was not crying anymore. There must be some magic air in the pediatrician's offices, put there to make parents feel silly for panicking when, obviously, there is nothing whatsoever wrong with your child!!! They checked her over and found some pretty junky crud in her ear that was probably creating some pressure that was causing the pain. She HATED them digging it out, but was her old self again afterwards! So we got to play at Mrs. Kathy's house with our buddy Evy. They have a pretty cool backyard, so EVERYONE was happy! It has actually been pretty warm this week (up to about 70 yesterday!!!) so we have had LOTS of outside time this week!

Wednesday, I had to pick Hattie up at school because she didn't want to get on the bus and squirmed her way OUT of the CARSEAT!!! That girl is Houdini!!! I was pretty upset at first, but was able to have a good chat with her teacher. I have been feeling a LOT of pressure to decide RIGHT NOW weather or not to put the autism label on her, but we decided to finish this year and see where we are next fall. I feel so much better! She is doing well with her speech therapy and we are hoping that this will make a difference by next year. Please pray for that!
That is about all we got this week. Crazy interesting, I know!!! I have some pictures of Sophie's first time on the swing, but I am saving them for Picture Perfect Monday ('cause who knows when something MORE interesting will happen with a camera handy!!!)

Saturday we are taking Hattie for her first dentist appointment... this should be fun. NOT!!!! PLEASE pray for us all!!!! After that we have an appointment with our adoption caseworker. The county is dragging it's feet BIG TIME with this adoption thing - looks like Sophie will be VERY close to a year old - if not more - by the time it is all final! Pray for that too!
That's all we got! Blog at ya later!!!

Picture Perfect Monday - I Got NOTHIN'!!!

Sadly, I had not picked the camera up in a while - except to take the pictures of my clothes for Big Mama (and, by the way, the public humiliation did not even win me a prize!!!!  bummer).  So, I was thinking that I would have to, once again, dig into the archives for a photo post...
But then it happened.
And so I HAVE A POST!  Here it comes:

Hattie, my sweet little tomboy Hattie, let me play with her hair today...



...and she liked it so much, it made her dance!


**SIDE NOTE - do not mock the crooked nature of the part, I was workin' on limited time!  Oh, and  BTW, can my girl bust a move or WHAT?!?!?!**

PARTY!!!! Ahem, I mean... FIESTA!!!

.~.~.~ Blogger is better now, see bottom for pictures!!! .~.~.~

Gotta love a Fiesta!! 
And this one is all about fashion.  Which I love - though that point may come into serious question by the end of this post.  I hereby warn you, if you are weak at (fashion) heart, to proceed with caution.Here is the concept....  Bigmama has a Fashion Friday each week where she hands out handy advice in the wardrobe department.  And she KNOWS her stuff!!!  This week, however, she has asked her loyal readers to post what we wear in our little lives.  AND she is giving stuff away.  And, although I am seriously afraid of the wrath that is to come by bearing my threads for all to see, I appreciate, well, STUFF!  So, here goes nothing...

Now, I am a HUGE fan of "What Not To Wear", and have even gone so far as to nominate myself for the show.  Hey, admitting you HAVE a problem is the first step to recovery!!!!!  BUT, I also live in mortal fear of Stacey and Clinton actually taking me up on my offer of public self-humiliation, because Stacy & Clinton are NOT big fans of the main staples of my wardrobe ...

...The Hoodie ...


... and the T-shirt (mostly concert shirts, but I am also a big fan of the pink ribbon and Big Dog varieties) ...


And then there is the way I dress the BOTTOM half af my being ...

***PLEASE EXCUSE OUR TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES***

OK, so Blogger is not letting me download the rest of the pictures at this time ... hmmm, maybe THEY are bothered by my fashion choices as well!But, had I been able to put the pictures up you would've seen my lovely plaid flannel PJ bottoms that came in the COSTCO multipack - pure bedtime fashion my friends!

Then there were the clothes I wear during waking hours (or, ya know, when there is a slight chance that I may be seen by those not in my immediate family!). They are my track pants - complete with racing stripes ('cause if I could only add up all the miles I have run in my life ... I might get from my La-Z-Boy to the end of my driveway. But, maybe not.) and my grey sweats. Now, to be honest, the track pants were pulled from the dryer - still wet - and the grey pants were taken from my body for the picture. Yes, I took the pic in my undies. But only 'cause my black sweats were in the washer.
I also have jeans - that I bought without trying them on and they are WAAAAAAAYYYYY to long ('cause I am perpendicularly challenged) so are torn and stained on the bottom. I have them in two colors - faded (casual) and dark (dressy). Sad, I know.

But, alas, all hope is NOT lost. I do have a few outfits for the dressier moments. Like when I actually have to stand at the front of the church and sing. Or Easter.Now, had I my own way, I would dress like her:

**ENTER PICTURE OF TOTALLY STINKIN' CUTE REESE WITHERSPOON WEARING TOTALLY ROCKIN' CLOTHES** (stupid blogger!!)

Of course, had I my own way I would also have her BODY!!! Must be much easier for HER to dress, what with all of the money, good figure, designers begging her to wear their clothes and did I mention BEAUTIFUL figure!?!?!?!but I am not bitter.

So, there ya have it ... or at least you would if BLOGGER WOULD COOPERATE!!!!(I will try to post the pics later... 'cause I know you are DYING to see my fashion goodness!)

.~.~.~.~.~.~ Here are the pants .~.~.~.~.~

.~.~.~ The "dressy" clothes .~.~.~.~

.~.~.~. And Ms. Reese!!.~.~.~


I feel better now!

All About Me...?

OK, so apparently when you hit 100 posts you are supposed to do a "100 things about me" post. Are they SERIOUS?!?!?! 100 things about ME? Now, I ask you - who would ever be entertained, intrigued or even remotely interested in THAT?
Don't worry, I won't do that to you. I know, I am probably breaking some bloggy law and the bloggy authorities will be here any minute to pick me up and take me away.

I will miss you all.

On another note, I have something on my heart that I am trying to put into words...
The other day Abby, a sweet Siesta (who is beautiful and wise beyond her years) wrote THIS POST and, seriously, it brought me to my knees. It hit me for a couple of reasons...

... I have been there. That place where, on a journey toward a better life/self/relationship/etc., things get rough before they get better. On one hand you KNOW that life on the other side will be a better place than the one left behind. But on the other hand, the "getting there" is H*A*R*D!!!! From where you sit you wonder if it is worth what you are going through to get there. And, at times, you wonder if you will survive the journey and get there at all.
I know from experience that any work that God begins in you is worth it. I know - because He promised in His Word - that He will complete that good work in me. He is faithful and will not leave it half done. But sometimes you find yourself in the middle wondering if it really was HIM that began the work in the first place!
Like I said, I have been there. And I know that, in the end, it IS worth it. And after all is said and done, the journey - from the other side - doesn't look THAT bad. And THAT knowledge is what I have to rest in right now.
Now if it was ME embarking on the journey it wouldn't be so scary. But it's not me. It is Hattie. And THAT is scary. Even in the knowing. And that is where we come to the second reason Abby's post has me on my face in prayer!

We have been facing a lot of things with Hattie the last few months. Is she autistic or not? Does she need to be in a more intense program or not? Can we help her or not? And, let me tell you, as her parent it IS scary. I can be brave enough to follow God for me - even if I know it may hurt on the way. But can I be brave for her, knowing that she is the one that will feel the pain? I pray that I can, because I truly feel that this is what God has in store for her.
See, God has led us to a speech therapist and through this therapy we are hopeful - and prayerful - that she can find her voice. But there are going to have to be a lot of broken down walls. A lot of barriers torn through. A lot of self defense instincts curbed and behaviors relearned. It will be hard enough as her mommy to learn what I have to do. But how can I watch her hurt in the meantime? And how can I be the source of some of that pain when I can't explain to her that it is for her own good? God help me, am I that strong?

I KNOW in my heart that God has brought us this far. I know that this is His will - I have prayed and prayed and ALL of this just fell into our laps so "God like" and with His fingerprints ALL OVER IT!! It has to be Him! I am sure of it. If it was just me I would say "bring it"! But it isn't me. It's Hattie. And for her, I would take the pain away long before I would lead her into it's path. But this is one of those pains that HAS to come to take away a greater and longer lasting pain in the future. So, please pray that I can be brave - for her. Please pray that Hattie can handle it and that she comes through the other side with an understanding of how VERY MUCH I love her. And even more important, how much GOD loves her!

I am coveting your prayers so very much right now. Any ideas or words of advice would be so much more than welcome.
I love you my fRamily and siestas! Thanks for listening (or, ya know - reading!!)and thanks, in advance, for your prayers!

Picture Perfect Monday - Twice!

Today, you lucky readers, you get two, two, two posts in one!!!!
I couldn't decide which pictures to post, so I am doing all of em. This requires two sentences though. Cause, ya know, I am just wordy like that!

Spring is FINALLY springing here in the frozen tundra, which means we can finally go for walks - so we did, with our pals Mrs. Kathy and her sweet Evy!!


(see the little buds about to burst?!?!)




Plastic - maybe not very environmental friendly, but where else would Sophie get her new favorite toy (empty baby wipe wrapper - it krinkles!) ...




...or Hattie get her new favorite shirt (made from BUBBLE WRAP!)?




(C'mon, ya know you want one!!)

Our Weekend...

We here at B Manor had us a big, busy weekend!!! We ran ourselves ragged and - with the exceptions of a few meltdowns here and there - had a pretty groovy time!!! The kids did OK too!!!

FRIDAY - we met with a speech therapist for Hattie. She was OH SO encouraging and we have a renewed hope that H will be just fine with some time and effort - and OF COURSE many, many prayers! She saw where the autism word has come up and says that, yes, she does show signs, but feels that Hattie is just using coping methods and will get past them eventually. She will have to push her and make her unhappy at times, but Hattie has to learn to face stuff instead of shutting down. We are very excited to see what God has waiting for us down this path!!

That night we had Caleb and Cassie come over to play. Their mommy and daddy, along with Hubby and I, have a little system which allows each couple to have a date at least once a month. We watch their little ones and they watch ours. Friday was their turn so we got to play with Caleb and Cassie. ALL the kids had fun - they stayed up late, watched movies and turned our living room into a disaster area! But, they also helped clean it up and we are so proud of all of em!!!

Saturday - we got up early 'cause we had a BIG day planned. We tried to fix the printer, so we could get some pics for Kim - Sophie's Birthmom who we were meeting with later that day. It was not possible to fix so we had to run around like chickens trying to make a disc to take to Walgreen's to print pics out... So, basically RUN, RUN, RUN!!
The get together was GREAT!!! We got to see the girls together and they were old enough this time to really study each other. It was FABULOUS to see Kim again! Here are a few pics of the visit (Sophie is in the stripes and Breauna is in pink)...



Breauna was a sleepy girl but Sophie had slept for the entire 50 minute drive so she was good! After B slept for a while the girls had some chat time and were really cute together ... of course Steve had gone to pick up the pictures and had taken the camera with him. Kim had her camera and says she will send us some of the pictures! SOOOOOOO sweet!!!
Saturday night was a birthday party for our niece Kayla - sweet 16!!!! She is one of Hattie's favorite babysitters!!! And such a sweetie too! Of course Hattie got to sing the b-day song and have some cake so she was good!!!

TODAY - we went to church and then to COSTCO - exciting I know!!! Then came home where Hubby went outside to cut off part of a tree that is rubbing on the shed in the backyard, the tree promptly fell and got stuck in another tree. Hubby and the neighbor were trying to get it lose when is suddenly BROKE loose and went flying ... putting a HOLE in the roof of the shed!!!!! It is supposed to rain ALL WEEK LONG!
SO, after our small group Bible study, we went to Walmart and he went in to see what he could find to QUICKLY patch the roof till he could get a chance to repair it. And the brilliant man that he is came out with a big plastic "for sale" sign. And it worked PERFECTLY! MAN that man is brainy!!! I love him!!!!!

So, there ya go - except for the trip to Best Buy to pick up a new printer - that was our weekend! And now that I have mentioned the trip to Best Buy, your day is complete.
Well, I aim to please!!!!

Then Sings My Soul - One Touch

The first time I heard this song was a Women Of Faith concert ... I wish I could explain what this song did to my heart. I have been this woman. I have been to the place of KNOWING that the touch of HIM is the one and only thing that can heal me and make me whole. Both physically and spiritually whole and healed.

I debated between the video version and the live version. I opted for live because it is easy to put the "passion" face on in a video, but live and in concert, not so much. The passion has to be real. Nicole C. Mullen HAS that passion and it shows!!! Plus, the ribbon dancer - so beautiful.

I hope you enjoy it.



Dive through the crowd. Touch the garment. He WILL touch you back.

I promise.

A Few Of My Favorite Things

So, over at "Faithful Chick", she is talking about her favorite things... And she had this video going -




and ya KNOW I can't resist me some Julie Andrews. 'Cause I LOOOOOOOVVVVVVEEEE Julie Andrews. If it weren't for the fact that I had the very best mommy in the whole wide world, I would've TOTALLY wished that Julie Andrews would come be my nanny and then eventually marry my dad and have a HUGE royal type wedding and become my mom .... well, you get it!
ANYHOO - the point is to list your favorite things. And this is the BATHROOM edition, so I have to pick the stuff I cannot live without in my bathroom. So, here goes:

Bath and Body's antibacterial soap - to be honest, I have this stuff at every sink in my house ... including the laundry room!!!!
Neutrogena Healthy Defense TINTED moisturizer - because wearing liquid make up BREAKS ME OUT!!! (Could someone pass the memo on to my skin that HELLO, I am gonna be 40 soon!!!!)
Loreal Mineral powder foundation - see above!
Aussie hair products. I have tried the expensive stuff (a LOT of it!!) and always come back to Aussie. It is only $3-$4 each and I can usually find it as a BOGO (that's Buy One Get One for you Payless shoe rookies!!).

And the number one thing that I can NOT live without in my morning routine is ...


Sophie's swing. This is where she takes her AM nap while Hattie is at school. Without it, I would NEVER get a shower!!!!!!!

She May Have A Future In Cosmotology!!

It seems our Miss Hattie has a hair fixation. She comes home at LEAST once a week with her very own, self produced hair highlights.

Yep, she colors her hair - with the help of ...



... Mr. Elmer - as in Elmer's Glue!

Hey - at least she's not EATING the paste!!!

Just a Couple Of Quick Updates ...

...and prayer requests.

Hattie had been having some issues at school before Spring Break. Remember while Hubby was in Florida I had to pick her up from school 'cause she was having a meltdown. Then the next week (and I had not shared this here yet) her teacher had pneumonia and the other teacher (aide I think) was out as well. I sent her the first few days of the week but after getting a "mixed signal" report from the sub, decided to keep her home the rest of the week. Turns out - for reasons I won't detail - that it was the best choice!!! She is back this week and is doing OK, but we traced back the issues to when we started potty training. We spoke with a friend at church (thanks Kelly N.!!) and have realized that the potty thing may have been the issue. See, speech and language issues often times go hand in had with sensory issues (the complexity with which God designed us AMAZES me!!!) and as potty training is HIGHLY sensoral, she may have been having trouble taking it all in. So we have stepped back on the PT thin and are letting her call the shots. IF she asks we take her, but absolutely no pressure! Seems to be helping.
Also, we are looking into putting her into a more intense speech therapy on top of what she gets at school. Kelly gave us some names and we are meeting with a therapist on Friday to discuss our options. I am soooo excited at the thought of being able to get her more help, but also a bit anxious about what we will learn. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE be in prayer for our sweet girl! I want so badly for her to be able to share her heart with us and to vocalize her feelings. OH, the potential that this brilliant girl has stored up inside her - I just want her to become all that God has designed her to be!!!! Please pray!

Sophie is still having sinus issues. We have begun - and invite and IMPLORE you to do the same - specifically praying for her sinuses to clear and for her breathing to improve. She is old enough to be in her own room and the longer we wait to move her the harder it will be on EVERYONE. However, we are nervous to have her so far away because of her breathing.
Also, this weekend we are having a visit with Sophie's birth family!!! We are really looking forward to seeing the girls together and I am looking forward to seeing Kim! I really enjoy her company and am so pleased that they are finally comfortable enough to let this happen!!!
Please pray that the visit goes smoothly and is a good experience for all of us!!!!

OK, that is all I got - I know it was not as short as I may have led ya to believe. But, ya know, it is ME talking, so what did you expect?!?!?!

Blog at ya later!

Picture Perfect Monday - Growing Girls

***Please be sure to let me know how ya like the new layout!!!***

These are some older pictures as well as a few newer ones, 'cause my girls, they are a growin'.

Hattie,






is in a big girl bed and getting sooooo independent!

Sophie,






is sitting up, eating chunkier foods and gave ME a kiss yesterday!!!

On one hand - STOP THE TIME!!! On the other hand, I can't wait to see what they come up with next!!!

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes ...

(Forgive me, I do believe that I stole that title from one of the mamas - either Boo or Big!!)
Anyhoo - I have been studying the fine art of "Blog Template Pretty-fying", before you ask, YES - it IS and art!!! As I visited the many blogs at the blog party a few weeks ago I was immediately struck with a serious case of blog covetousness. And, seeing as how coveting is breaking a commandment and therefore a SIN, I decided to do less coveting and go out and get my own.
HOWEVER - the getting my own thing, it turned out to be quite the pricey adventure! And it led me to think (which I sometimes do - if I am ever, ya know, alone long enough to get the thought out!) that if I can figure this thing out maybe I can create beautiful templates for myself and possibly, someday, others!!!! I am not at the "others" point yet, but I like what I have created for me.
I am still trying to figure out a way to make the table that the posts sit on less transparent (therefore less distracting), but I liked it enough to give it a try.

SO, what do ya think? Let me know.
Kate - I had to change the pic, cause the template called for a black and white, but I think this one is good. How about you?

Anyhoo - Picture Perfect Monday is coming soon....

God Bless!!
(really, let me know...)