Lord of the Rings

Today we celebrate national "Watch-All-Of-The-Lord-Of-The-Rings-Movies" day!!!!! Wahoo whoop whoop

Planking on the 24th

Nothing beats planking at the downtown library on pioneer day!

Last day!

Our little man has officially grown up. This was his last day of kindergarten. He is now a full time student. Aaaahhhh! :)

broken

On the last two Fridays, I have had two different kids have problems which have caused us to go to the ER and Urgent Care. Peyton had croup and Ryan and I sat up with her all night Thursday-Friday (6th-7th) listening to her breathe. I ended up taking her in at about 7:00 am on Friday. When I arrived at the hospital, there was no waiting and no one even in the back in the rooms. I had the ER to myself. Peyton got spoiled rotten and it was so nice to have every staff member wanting to help. After getting her some medicine and having the doctors watch her for an hour, we left at about 10:30 am. She only got better from there and slept in our bed for the next couple of nights.

 Keeping busy coloring.

Snuggling with me.

 He has a sucker in his mouth that he refused to take out.

This last Friday, after school, Braxton went to go play at a friends house. He came home screaming. After several attempts to find out what happened, he said Zack beat me up. I thought no way, why would Zack just beat you up. Then the story changed, Zack pushed him. Okay, well, why did Zack push you? And did you deserve it? It wasn't until Daddy got home that the REAL story came out, he tripped and fell. He kept complaining about his arm and I was worried, but with no health insurance and a trip to the hospital just the week before, I just couldn't afford it. On Saturday night, while wrestling with his uncles and cousins, he "re-injured" it. Suddenly, everyone started wondering if he was really hurt. Melissa said she had a friend that was an x-ray tech. After talking to her friend we had decided that I could go in and have it x-rayed for free and go from there. So, on Monday morning, we went and had it x-rayed. Good news, after 3 days of him just dealing with it, he had a buckle fracture on his left arm. Okay. Now, to get it casted. After waiting what felt like an eternity in the waiting room of the Urgent Care facility, with nothing to do, the doctor came in, took one look at the x-ray and said yep, it's broken. She took him back and started to cast his arm. He picked white, but in his defense, they only had purple (no), pink (no), blue, and white. Now he is my only kids who has had stitches (twice!) and a broken bone.

So, I have to ask, what is going to happen to Chloe on Friday? If everything happens in 3's, what's next??

Spoiled

You know you are spoiled, right?! Because, I have some of the most mischievous kids. I think my kids are spoiled because they are still happy and living.

To give you a taste of my day, it started out not too bad. Went to aerobics with Jeanette (who I love) came home and decided to shower. Meanwhile, (before I get in) Braxton knocks over the ladder which falls on the Christmas tree knocking down half the ornaments. Alright, I can handle that. Then, as I am using the bathroom, (less than 5 minutes people!) the girls decided they wanted chocolate milk. Thankfully enough for me, they forgot the milk.

It's harder to see than the beloved country time lemonade, since it blends in. But, they more than made a mess. In trying to help, Braxton kept spreading it around the house. He really did mean well, and I might have lost my cool with him as well due to the heat of the situation.
After cleaning it up, I decide it's time to shower. Which I recently stopped locking the door when I shower because Chloe gets out a butcher knife to open them. Anyways, while showering, Chloe and Peyton come in. I ask them to go back downstairs and watch tv while I finish showering, surprisingly, Chloe listens. Peyton does not. At which point she proceeds to nude up. Well, guess who had pooped??
I'll give you a hint, she was starting to get in the shower with me. Next thing I know, I am showering with poop flying everywhere. I swear I had come in here to get clean?! After a long shower and much cleaning I get out. Only to find that somehow, in her sweet attempt to spend time with her mother, she tracked poo all over. Things are going well.
By the time I get downstairs, Chloe had "accidentally" dumped Braxtons Sprite out all over the floor. So I have spent all morning and afternoon cleaning and the house doesn't look any different. Joy! I still need to clean the house. BTW, it's probably only noon at this point. My day, still not so great. And Ryan is at mutual all night, so I don't get any help with these monkeys. Wish me luck as I finish out my night.

Early Christmas

We were able to get a dishwasher the day after Thanksgiving. It was something we weren't sure we were going to do due to lack of funds. But, when we found one for so cheap, we couldn't pass it up. Meet one of my new best friends-

Isn't it gorgeous? We had to get a black one because the stainless was a lot more, but it still looks good. We waited in line at 3:30 am on Black Friday at Sears to get it. We never thought there would be that many people there trying to get appliances. I knew electronics were a hit but, had no idea that we would be hoping, praying, and fighting to get a dishwasher. It was so worth it. There were a few things I really wanted in my dishwasher; a tall tub and no buttons on the outside. I got them both.
My hands could not be more thankful as they become raw everyday washing dishes that were used as toys, instruments, and of course, for food. I never realized how much I love my dishwasher.

Another family looking to adopt.

These are some of my best friends. I absolutely love all 4 of them and think they are incredible. Jeanette is one of the best moms I know! Paul is hilarious and those girls, well, words can't even describe how cute they are! They are looking for baby #3. Any help is appreciated. I pray for them and their next birth mom.

We are the “UTE Fan Family of Four!” Here is a little bit of our family history to share with you:

Our journey to adoption began nearly 4 years after being married in 1998. We had tried getting “homemade babies” to join our family for a year and a half when we realized that might not happen for us. Another 18 months, and test after test later, we were informed of our infertility and immediately began paperwork to adopt.

We were on a “waiting list” for 4 years, when the agency contacted us to house a birthmother who had chosen another family. It took us a few days to accept the challenge, but in the end “C.S.” came to live with us for 5 months. This is when and where our hearts were softened towards birthmothers and how incredible and amazing each of them are.

3 months after “C.S.” left our home, we were contacted by a different agency to potentially adopt through them. The situation of the birthparents was rocky at best…. The birthmother was 19, having her second child, and going through a divorce. The birthfather was refusing to sign his termination of rights to the baby. Crazy as it sounds, we knew that this was our baby and our birthparents.

30 days later, we welcomed our first daughter “Lil’ Miss M” thanks to her birthmom “A”. It was another 30 days after having her home that the birthfather signed the relinquishments. It was an incredible miracle and blessing, not to mention a relief.

(“Lil’ Miss M” is now 4 ½ years old. She is in pre-school and dance. She is a happy and silly little girl, and she is such a peacemaker. She has a very tender heart and is a complete joy.)

Fast-forward 18 months…and we begin to feel anxious about another baby. We had decided we’d put together paperwork in February or March.

On a whim, around the end of September 2007, we called the caseworker we’d dealt with for our first adoption, who asked us if we were calling because we wanted another baby. When we told her we were thinking February/March time-frame, she said she needed our paperwork “like yesterday”; she knew where our baby was.

4 days after we submitted paperwork, we got a call from this caseworker informing us a birthmother, “S.J.” wanted to meet with us. Another 4 days, and “Lil’ Miss M” was to be a big sister to a little sister due in March. February 15th, “Angel C.J.” was delivered – exactly one month early.

(“Angel C.J.” is now 2 ½. She is talks like she is 4 ½, and about as smart. She is such a tease. She is an amazing little swimmer and she loves to sing. And though she can be more stubborn than an ox…she warms our hearts and makes us happy.)

The girls adore each other and are best friends.



We enjoy having open adoptions with both and couldn’t love “A” or “S.J.” possibly any more for the blessings we share in “Lil’ Miss M” and “Angel C.J.”.

We have had some difficult, crazy and absolutely amazing and breath-taking moments through adoption. But, one of the most unexpected blessings through both of our adoptions…is our relationships and the intense amount of love we have with and for our daughters’ birthmothers.


We’re so thrilled with our experiences…we are preparing to do it again. Yes! Adoption #3 is in our future. Our approval and paperwork should be completed in the next few weeks.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If you or someone you know is pregnant and considering adoption and would like to learn more about Paul & Jeanette, feel free to contact them at pescado_b@yahoo.com.

Snow and Halloween

The kids kept begging the first time it snowed this year to go out and play in it. However, they were being naughty, so they didn't get to. Thankfully for them, it snowed a few days later. Ryan went out with them to play in it. We realized that Peyton doesn't have any snow gear. No waterproof shoes, no pants, no coat, nothing! So we bundled her up in some of Braxtons old clothes.

Little Peyton, looks a little like a boy. She loved the snow, but couldn't figure out the whole glove thing. She would take them off because they would be bothering her and then she would get mad that the snow was cold. It was funny.

 Braxton making his snow angel.

 Ryan stopped to wave at me and Chloe took advantage, throwing a snow ball when he wasn't looking.

 Ryan stacking the snowman and Braxton trying to help.

The finished product. Slightly creepy! The kids loved it.

For Halloween, the kids decided to be Cap'n Jack Sparrow, a witch, and I decided that Peyton would be a rockstar! I was surprised that no one was a character. It's the first year the kids were something a little generic. They had a lot of fun, and it rained most of the night. I took the girls home, against their will, since they were freezing.

Wicked little witch.

Peyton was a little Rockstar. We even gave her a tramp stamp, a small guitar tattoo behind her ear and then a tattoo on her cheek. She looked so cute.

The last month

This last month has been somewhat monumental for our family. Mostly because Braxton started kindergarten. It has been a huge adjustment for all of us.

He really likes his teacher and loves school once he is there. Getting him to go is a different story. He has some separation anxiety. I thought we had passed this phase when he was one, but I guess I'm wrong. He now needs extra hugs and anytime we go to leave (without him) he has a complete breakdown, even if we're only gone for a moment.

He loves riding the bus and we are sad to know that it won't be here next year.
Chloe also started joy school. She loves going and apparently doesn't say much. (which is good) I'm really liking it so far, we'll see what I think after my turn to teach. Sadly, my camera wasn't charged so I personally don't have the pictures of her first day, but they did take pictures.

(Sitting at the table working with his two princesses. I know the computer screen says FOX but that is because he has to listen to stuff while working. And yes, Peyton is just in her diaper, she loves to be nude.)

Ryan has been working from home, doing some side work for the past little while. It's been a bitter sweet thing for us. It's sometimes really hard for the kids to not bother him and we never get a break from each other. But on the plus side, we are always together. If we decide to do something during the day, then we can, he just has to work at night. If I need to run to the store and Peyton is sleeping, I can. Hopefully we can find some work for him soon. The side job won't last forever.

We also made a really cool 16th birthday cake, but you'll have to check out our cake blog to see pictures.

PARADE MIDNIGHT MADNESS

On the 23rd of July we were invited by our good friends the Murphy's to spend the entire night downtown on the curb so we could have a superb spot for the parade. That was one invitation we couldn't pass up. Many thanks to my parents who watched our kids so we could enjoy a night of no sleep and crazies without them. We got downtown around 7 and Dawns brother already had a wonderful spot picked out for us, that they had been reserving all day. We unloaded our cars, walked down to Burger King for dinner and settled in for a long night. As night started to fall the crazies kept coming out.

This is what Dawn looked like awake! We didn't see her this way for very long in the night.

For the next 4 hours everyone and their dog that thought they had a cool car or bike road up and down the street. Also patrolling the streets where zillions of cops on bikes. We spent the first part of the night listening to music, eating junk food and playing card games. As the night kept rolling so did the laughs!! For some reason the more sugar you eat the crazier and funnier things become.

 Here is Captain Mo Mo ''The Fighting Mexican Albino Shark" thinking she is cool!!

Here is Me knowing I am cool!!

Olivia ''Newt'' was such a trooper all night long.

Rachel "Bossy" tried hard to stay awake, but the skittles couldn't keep her up all night.

Anna ''The Leaping Cobra" spent most of the night looking for guys wearing nasty skinny jean!!!

With the cops being out in force we had the great opportunity to follow them around and watch them arrest and bust people for stupid things. It was pretty funny and super exciting for Jaclyn.

The cops came and towed the car away that was across the street. It was funny and exciting!

After a 2am slurpy run and avoiding a soon to be, brawl in the bronx, many people started to tire out and find a semi soft place to lay for the rest of the night.

The bunndle in the back was how "homeless Dawn" spent the wee hours of the night. Lucky for her she had Morgan who kept fighting off all the drunks and teammates to keep her mom safe.

The rest of the night we spent talking, poking fun of others, going on walks, playing a lonely game of solitaire and just doing whatever we could to stay awake. When the morning came I left at 7am to go get Braxton and Chloe. By the time I got back I think it was around 125 degrees. The parade was fun, but hot. It took forever for it to start, but when it finally did all the kids wanted to do was go home. What a blast though!

Is it ever going to start? We might melt away!

If we didn't get free fans we might not have made it. Of course Jaclyn just loves the heat!

Chloe didn't have the same thoughts and enjoyment as her mom.

AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH I'm melting!!!!!!!!!!

Tarzan was the kids favorite float!

No matter what happens we are going next year. We are already making plans. It will be bigger and better and crazier. We look forward to it!!!!