Randoms

It seems like a lot has been going on with my life, but just because I have a lot going on doesn't mean any of it is worth documenting (i.e. really non-exciting stuff happening). I'm counting my blessings. Anyway, something MUST be worth sharing....right?

• Switched health plans and had to switch doctors. Met with my doctor for the first time yesterday. I hate not knowing what to do, what to expect, and having to step on a damn scale. I also left with a tetanus shot because I hear it's the "in" thing to do and I'm all about following the trend. I also heard whooping cough sucks. They told me I'd be a little sore in the arm, but I woke up with a sore right ankle. Are they connected somehow?
• I think the kids are doing well. Tim and I wouldn't know because we are busy watching baseball. Go Giants!!!
• I have a lot of cute sweaters I'm excited to wear, but it's hard to do when the pool is busy and it's 90 degrees out. Which makes me wonder how the heck October got here?!
• I have about 30 letters of recommendation to write for my seniors (and more to come), which means it's procrastination time. I have written only 4 letters, but my office is sparkling clean! I also have no qualms about calling in my students and giving THEM a hard time for procrastinating. For some reason, I feel like I have earned that right.
• I had to work our homecoming football game last week (and I dragged Tim with me). The section I was responsible for consisted of only middle school kids. I have decided I will send my children away during these formative years. Being hormonal and having absolutely no level of reasoning can't be good. Worst. Stage. Ever.
• Our little family of 6 is adjusting well, with the exception of a little puppy who is killing me with his accidents in the house. I'm glad I have very little carpet, otherwise we would have moved out of our house by now. I keep telling Tim....I potty trained the kids, the least he can do is potty train this damn dog.

Passive Aggression....and then some

I'm not quite sure what is going on with Tim's paranoia, but he seems to think I am out to GET him. Maybe he's working way too much and his exhaustion and delirium are catching up to him. Anyway, we took a trip to Reno the previous weekend and did a lot of shopping while there. Earlier in the week, Tim asked me if I saw a shopping bag with two VERY IMPORTANT ITEMS (according to Tim, very important = leather conditioner for his shoes and hair gel....freaking hair gel). Anyway, I told him I do remember bringing it in, but I don't know where it is. I assumed it would show up sooner or later and didn't really worry about it. Apparently, I didn't realize how important these items were. Tim searched the house a dozen times and never found it. I did a quick scan and didn't see it either. A couple of days later, of all places, I found it in Noah's room. All was good with the world......so I thought.

Cue to today, an entire week later....and I am getting ready this morning. I decide to put on my usual uniform for the weekend (yoga pants and t-shirt) and remembered I had purchased a new pair of yoga pants and Nevada Wolf Pack shirts while in Reno the weekend prior. I couldn't recall bringing them in or seeing them in the last week, so my search began. Searched everywhere, including the garage and Tim's closet.....I was two seconds away from calling my parents to see if I had left them there and Tim ends up calling me to check in for the morning. I ask him if he had seen my clothes I bought from Reno. With a slight hesitation, he told me to look in his nightstand drawer. What the heck? Why in the world would they be in his nightstand drawer? Who would put them THERE? When I inquired....Tim giggled and said he was holding them HOSTAGE until I gave in and told him where his leather conditioner and hair gel was. Because he thought I was purposely hiding them from him. Purposely. Hair gel. Leather conditioner. Because I have nothing better to do than HIDE HIS SH*&.

This, fellow readers, is a classic example of passive aggression. Tim better watch it....I just might park his truck around the block one day ;)

Pumpkins!

I took the day off from work to accompany Noah and his class to the pumpkin patch! We had so much fun and I loved getting some individual time with my little guy. Here are some pictures from our day!

Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes

I have to say I'm kind of excited I had more than one comment on my last post! Now, if it would only motivate me to actually blog....that would be great. I'm thinking my last paragraph might have been a little over dramatic, but I have been known to do that. Be dramatic, that is.

It is true that our family has gone through some changes in the last month or so. First, we added Max to the mix...who still happens to think it's perfectly fine to pee and poop in my house. People thought I was crazy when I added another dog to my already chaotic family and schedule. But, I guess I didn't think I had enough on my plate to deal with. My life, without my knowing it, was missing something. I'm not quite sure how everything happened and I still don't know a lot, other than the fact that our family was in a position to open our hearts and home. With that, I'd like all of you to meet Nancy (left) and Donna......

We have grown to a family of six in a very small amount of time. Donna and Nancy are beautiful, kind-hearted, positive, amazing young women. As I explained to Sophie and Noah, sadly their Mom was taken from them a long time ago but is now in heaven and their father was never able to care for them after their mother's death, so sometimes it's important for others to reach out. They have been through more in their short life than most of us will even witness in a lifetime. After a turbulent and difficult upbringing, they were recently in dire straits and needed a home. After some serious soul searching and discussions with Tim, we took a deep breath and allowed ourselves to say "yes". We knew it would be a huge sacrifice; we knew it would challenge our marriage; we knew it would bring up a lot of questions and discussions with Sophie and Noah; we knew how hard it would be; we knew there will be times when we fail. But, at the end of the day, Tim and I were confident in one thing......we knew we could provide a home that would help make them feel nurtured, loved, and wanted.

It's difficult to explain how we came to this decision now. After a lot of praying and talks with Him, it became clear that these girls were meant to find us. Sure, there have been some speed bumps and we are still working out kinks (like what time is a reasonable curfew these days? And, all this paperwork for the courts, SERIOUSLY?), but we are figuring it out and adjusting well. Of all the things I anticipated being difficult, sadly the biggest challenge I've had I wasn't even prepared for. I wasn't prepared for all the judgment. Both our parents couldn't be more supportive of our decision; they have been absolutely wonderful. But, I have to admit I was surprised to receive such judgment from friends. You deal with the questions, as insensitive as they may be, and you answer as honestly as you can while also protecting the girls' privacy (which I will continue to do for their sake). You deal with the weird looks and the gasps and the "hmmms" when you try to explain your story. So, needless to say, it's been eye-opening. At the end of the day, Tim and I know we made the right decision and just continue to move forward doing what we feel is right. And we are oddly okay with the many people who think we're crazy. Trust me when I say we have no ill-will towards those who have questioned our decision; this isn't for everyone and it doesn't make one better than the other. It's all okay....really, it is. Somehow, I think my family will be okay too.

Elephant in the Room

Since no one else wants to address it, I will. We've all been staring at this elephant for months now and it's time to just come clean. I've had enough. I simply can't go another day. It's just too much. Well, here goes......I....think....I....may....have.....outgrownthisblog. There. It's out. I realize my children are only 6 and 3. I realize they may wonder what the hell happened in their lives between now and adulthood, but I'm banking on the fact that my kids have great long-term memory and will hold them dear to their heart. Okay, maybe not. I'm not quitting. Calm down grandparents. But, I may take a step back and re-evaluate where I want this blog to go....if anywhere. Maybe I'll continue to blog the same events year after year after year. Maybe I'll reinvent myself. Maybe I'll just hang out in this "maybe world" forever.

In all seriousness, a lot has changed in our family in the last month. Good, wonderful things, but also a huge adjustment. I do plan to explain soon, but I'm still figuring out how to shorten a very, very long story! Now, do I have you by the edge of your seat? Good....hang out for a while.