Happy Halloween!

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Wishing you all a wonderful Halloween!

Thank you for all of the thoughts and prayers. I am still in quite a bit of pain but I saw a doctor today and hopefully this will get better over the next few days. I look forward to posting photos of our carved pumpkins and the three peanuts in their costumes soon:)

4 am and no photo

It is not like me to be up at 4 am. It is also not like me to do a post without a picture of a peanut but I cannot sleep. I am having severe stomach pain due to a valve that is stuck (illeocecal) in my stomach. This is likely due to me raiding the Halloween candy that I have purchased for the trick or treaters. Apparently (and ironically), peanuts can cause this problem and I have been sneaking peanut M&M's. Anyway it is very painful and has kept me up at night lately and feeling crummy during the day. Please send a prayer or thought this way that it goes away soon. My chiropractor can help but he is in Africa on a mission trip for 3 weeks.

Geocaching

A few months ago, I read about geocaching here. Becky's boys looked like they were having a lot of fun and it seemed like something my boys would enjoy. I mentioned it to Dave (hubby, geologist, hike-loving kinda guy) and thought he would be all over it. I was wrong. He was not at all interested. Then a few months later Harry was looking at a book from the library about Myan treasures. He said, "I wish we could find treasures." I told him he could. I said, "ask Daddy to get a GPS and take you geocaching." Well, Dave became interested, researched it all and finally broke down and bought the GPS. The boys and Kate had gone to find a few "treasures" but Scout and I were still muggles (non-geocachers). Last weekend our WHOLE family went looking for two caches'. I found one and Will found the other. Even though I am not an outdoorsy, hike-loving kinda gal, I have to admit, it was fun!

Happy Birthday Davey!

He is a great chef and pie maker. He made his birthday "pie" with the boys.

He is a fun Dad. He watches Star Wars (I won't).

He is a great coach.

He loves geology and science.

He is handsome and funny and smart.

He is giving and kind.

He takes care of us. I love him and today is his birthday!

Kate's new chair

You might remember that when we got Scout a new bed Kate was quite fond of it. In fact, she spent more time in it than Scout did. Click here to see.


So, I thought...maybe Kate just needs some furniture that is her own size. So, we got her this chair.



I even got an extra slipcover in case one is in the wash.

Kate loves her new chair very much and she is beginning to spend more time in it (and less time in the dog bed---Thank the Lord!).



A certain puppy began to notice that her best buddy was not around as much and she began looking for her....

Then, the puppy decided that Kate's chair looked even better than her plush, ultra-suede doggie bed.


I guess turn-around is fair play. Well, only long enough for a photo because then I kicked that puppy out of the freshly laundered chair!

No animals were injured in the making of this post.

Thank you Lori!

I know I have said this before but I had no idea when I started this blog that I would meet so many amazing people along the way. Today, I was blown away by the kindness of someone I have "met" through blogging. Lori has two beautiful boys and she is waiting for a daughter from China. She is always posting beautiful things on her blog from cupcakes and bulletin boards to crafty creations and poetry.

One day, Lori posted a photo of some banners she made. I commented about how much I liked them and she offered to make me one. So when I saw a big box on my front porch from her, I thought "Hmmm... that is a big banner!" Much to my surprise, the box was filled with wonderful treasures (see the slideshow below). I simply adore everything you sent Lori. However, I am most moved by the sentiment behind the gifts. I am amazed that you would take the time to make these things for me and for Kate. What is also amazing is how " very Kimmy" (as my husband would say) these gifts are. Whenever he sees something that is very much my taste or style, he says, "that is so Kimmy." Lori, either you know my taste better than most people or we have exaclty the same taste.

Lori, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I will never forget opening this box and the joy that it all has brought to me. It felt like Christmas today!

I am also thankful this week for

~my impromptu visit with my friend Amie. I really enjoyed it!
~the adorable clippie that Leslie made for Kate (photos soon) and the pin from her sister, Melanie.
~the Matilda Jane order!
~The visit we had with our friends in DC (TJ, Tony and Lily).
~My phone calls with Danielle and the new blog design she did for me.
~The special conversations I had with Will.
~the rain we are getting. We so desperately need it.
~all of the blog people that have reached out to me either through comments or e-mails. It is so nice to know who is reading and what they enjoy.

Sorry the pictures are not so good. It is very rainy here so they were all very dark.

Suggestions, please?

I have resumed work on the homecoming video. However, it is going to take me a long time to finish it. Right now, I am trying to find some music. I know one song we will use (I can see clearly now) because it has special meaning for our family. And I have a few others in mind. However, I am searching for more. If you have a song you think would be great for an adoption homecoming video, please comment. The video will cover a tiny bit of our family before Kate, the waiting, her referral, the China trip, homecoming and a little life at home.

Since I always have to have photos in my posts...here is Miss Kate in her new shirt from Matilda Jane. Thank you for passing this along Leslie and coordinating the order. Doesn't it look adorable?

A special day.

During our wait for Kate, I found Rumor Queen. At first, I would check in once in a while to see what her predictions were and learn more about travel and post-adoption adjustments. But after a while, I joined the room for my log-in month. It did not take long for a few of us in there to really form a connection. This is how I "met" Diana, Snickerdoodle, Kim, Christy, Stacie and a few others who don't blog or are more private about their blogging. We would post daily about things going on with our paperwork, decorating our nurseries and life in general. We developed a nice sense of camaraderie. After all, we were all in this together. We cheered each other on as we got our referrals, cried and consoled one another as people were skipped or found out there were complications. We all "got it."

We tried to plan an "OCT 2005 LID RQ Reunion" in DC. However, due to busy lives and distance, only two of us made it. Yesterday, I was privileged to finally meet TJ (aka--Wetbird) and her beautiful family. TJ and I joined RQ about the same time and we faced many of the same issues. We both seemed to lack fingerprints according to the USCIS. We really struck up a friendship through the October room.

Yesterday, our families met at the Hirschhorn sculpture garden and perused the contemporary art museum with our families in tow (such cultured children). Then we had a delicious lunch and wandered around DC for a bit. We really enjoyed our time with TJ, Tony and Lily. They are such a kind and down to earth family. It is our hope that this was just the beginning of many more times together.

TJ brought spy gear and other Halloween goodies for the boys and a beautiful Ladybug jacket for Miss Kate (identical to the one Lily is wearing below). Thank you TJ, Tony and Lily for such a wonderful day and for the fun gifts!

LOVE this Jacket!!!!!

Is it a bad thing to covet your daughter's clothes? Because I LOVE this jacket. I would like one in my size but they only come in little princess sizes. I am not sure these photos actually do this adorable "afternoon tea jacket" justice but this is my favorite piece of Kate's clothing right now. I just had to share it with you all. Okay, I got it here.

Thankful for special people--Happy Birthday Y'all!

For some reason, I am surrounded by people with October birthdays. The last week in October is especially chock full of special birthdays. This week I am thankful for the following people who have birthdays this week:

This is my friend, Michael.....






Here he is again our senior year in high school (with another friend). I probably met Michael when I was about 3 or 4. We lived in the same neighborhood growing up and went to the same school. We were close friends all through grade school, high school, college and now. He is so funny and so kind. Even though we don't talk as often as I wish, he has been like a brother to me and I know he would always be there for me. Michael turns 40 this week!!! Happy Birthday Michael! And he will kill me for putting these on here if he sees them!



This is my best friend from college, Marianne. Here we are with some of our children (the ones we had at the time). Marianne has 4 children now. She is an incredible mother, wife, friend and Christian woman. Marianne is the kind of person who ALWAYS puts others first. She is amazing. She also turns 40 this week and I am blessed to have her in my life. Happy Birthday Mar!!! I love you!



These two pictures are of "Uncle Moon." Uncle Moon is my sister's husband. I have known him since I was about 17 years old (more than half of my life). In this picture, Harry is kissing him. Uncle Moon got his nickname from the book Goodnight Moon. When Dave used to read it to Will, he used to say, "and a picture of Uncle Joey (his real name) jumping over the moon." Will began calling him Uncle Moon and it stuck. We all call him Moon now!



Uncle Moon is also a very funny person. I think the boys are trying to have "Unc Moon" hair in this photo. He is an ambitious and hard working husband and father. He has been the GREATEST uncle to all the peanuts and he is Will's Godfather. We are grateful for him. Happy Birthday Uncle Moon!



Next week is also my darling husband's birthday. I have bragged about him so much on here! He is seriously the most giving and kind Dad and husband. I love him very much. Happy Birthday Dave!!


Finally, I want to wish my step-father, Al, a Happy Birthday in heaven (I know you are there). Bubba (as the boys called him) passed away last December from Parkinson's Disease. Bubba was the kindest, gentlest, most loving man you could ever meet. He married my Mom in 1986 and was like a father to me for well over 20 years. He was the only grandfather Will and Harry have known. Bubba got his nickname from Will. He wanted to be called Pop-Pop but when Will tried to say that it came out sounding like "Bubba." Since we lived in Texas (land of Bubbas) at the time, we thought it was cute. From then on, he became known as Bubba!

He used to wrestle with the boys, give them rides in the wheel-barrow and read to them. He would get on the floor and play whatever they asked him to--even when it was hard for him. Unfortunately, he never got to meet his only granddaughter (after 7 grandsons!). But I know he is looking down from heaven and sending her lots of love too. His birthday is on Halloween and he is dearly missed. We miss you and love you, Bubba! Below are a few photos of him in a slide show.

Thanks for the stickers, Danielle!

Last week, Danielle sent us a sweet Halloween card filled with stickers for the peanuts. Ironically, I happened to be on the phone with Danielle when they arrived. Kate had a BLAST with the "dickers" as she calls them. Today, we finished her masterpiece! Thank you Danielle! Your thoughtfulness is very inspiring. And now Kate has a new hobby that she absolutely LOVES! I am grateful to have met you in this bloggy world.

For those who have asked...This dress is made by Mulberry Street. It is reversible too so we can wear it after Halloween. The other side is plaid with a bee applique. I got it at a small children's shop in another town but I have seen it around a lot.

Going on a train ride

We had such a wonderful weekend filled with birthday parties, shopping, friends, great family time, fireworks, and geocaching (more on that soon). On Saturday, we met our social worker at an outdoor mall for our 6 month visit. A little kiddie train kept passing by and Kate Emerson squealed with absolute joy each time it chugged past. So, after our meeting, we went for a ride!

Waiting in line with Daddy.

Oh, I see it coming!


Finally...it is my turn!

Hold on, Daddy!

Stop by and wish my friend, Snickerdoodle a very Happy Birthday!

Kate's dress and tights are by a company called Deaux par Deaux. I bought them at a local children's boutique but if you google them, they do sell in some on-line stores (people asked).

Bibs and Camera

Over the last few months a several people have asked where I buy these bibs. I have sent them to some other blog babies (Ollie, Ruby-Mei, Lily). Kate has four of them. In fact, her first birthday bib which has a cupcake with one candle is from this company too. One of my friends gave me one at Kate's shower and I have been hooked ever since. They look beautiful, they wash wonderfully, and they catch a lot of food! You can order them at Julianne Originals. Julie is a Mom and she makes these bibs and other things too. Her customer service is excellent and her turn-around time is very quick! I think I have bought at least 10 as gifts for people. Tell her I sent you over there:)

To answer another question...my camera is a Nikon D-80. I love it but I really think that if I were to do it all over again, I would purchase the Nikon D-40X. It is brand new and my sister just got it and it is every bit as good as mine for a lot less money. The D-80 is a GREAT camera but it is more professional and it is a bit overwhelming for a novice like me. I have a lot to learn. Apparently, the new D-40X has a "child" setting that is really great for little moving targets. I could really use that setting right now!

I do answer reader questions in the comments section but people have asked these 2 questions repeatedly so I thought I'd post the answers this time. So, if you ask where I got something...give me a day or two and go back to check the comments. I am happy to let people know where I got things. Have a great weekend. Today is our 6 month meeting with our social worker!

Fall football

Will is playing flag football this Fall. He is not really crazy about playing team sports, so we were thrilled when he decided to play. He is really having a good time. Here are some shots from his game last weekend. This weekend it will actually be football weather!

Thankful for a tutu

This week I am thankful for the beautiful tutu Kristi sent to Kate Emerson! I love it! Thank you so much Kristi! I really appreciate your thoughtfulness.

I am thankful to my sweet husband for sending me to a hotel for a good night sleep and for arranging a massage for me the next day. I loved it! Kate still wakes up once a night and he knew I needed some rest. Thank you honey! You are the best.

I am thankful for the G**K Squad for fixing my computer.

I am thankful that my Mom is coming to our house for Christmas this year. She will be here for Kate's first Christmas at home. That means a lot to me.

I am thankful for my older sister, Dawn. She has beeen a good friend to me and I have really enjoyed our phone conversations lately. Have fun at Disney!

Peanuts at the Pumpkin Patch!

Will, Kate and Harry at the pumpkin patch in 90 degree weather!

What are these big orange things?

Okay, you can get me out of here now.

Pumpkins..not so fun. But this bouncy thing is GREAT!

Mom, can we please get one?

Katie Ru's new "do"

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I know it doesn't really look much different but a few people kept asking my to post photos of Kate's "bob." So, here it is. I like it but I really want to let her hair grow. I have had it cut 3 times since she has been home in an attempt to even it out. A few people also keep asking about Kate's homecoming video. I am flattered that you want to see it:) However, right now, Kate wants me to hold her ALL the time. In fact, I have gone back to wearing her in the Mei Tai. Thus, I have no time to work on it. I will post it as soon as I do it but for right now, it is on the back burner.

Thank you for the outpouring of kindness regarding the attachment issues. I cannot express how much it meant to me. I know that attachment is a long process but I think sometimes people do forget that it comes in stages. I want to clarify that Kate is attached to us in so many ways. Indiscriminate attachment does not mean the child hasn't attached to the primary caregiver. It means they are sort of transferring that affection and attachment to lots and lots of people (indiscriminately). Sometimes, being the loving, affectionate and charming one served them well in the orphanage or foster home so that is all they know. And as far as attachment issues go, this one is not as detrimental as many others.

People have asked me to recommend sources. My main sources were scientific research articles because I like research articles and this is in my professional field. I also spoke with an attachment clinic. There are some good books out there too. Adoption Parenting (several contributing experts) and Attaching in Adoption by Deborah Gray are two books that are highly respected in the field of attachment and adoption. Let me know if you want me to post the specific recommendations that we have been given. I do not really want to turn this into an attachment forum and I am not an attachment expert but if people want the information, I am happy to share.

One quick update on Kate's sleep. A few weeks ago we were having sleep issues. No doubt they were/are attachment related as well. However, we got two tips that did help immensely. One was to use a sound machine (thanks Debbie). I bought the cheapest homedics sound machine/alarm clock for Kate's room at BB&B. It has really helped. Maybe she was used to a noisier environment in her foster home.

Another person recommended that we read the same exact book to Kate at every nap and every bedtime. We have been very consistent with bedtime routines and we did read to her but it was always something different. Well, based on this advice, we chose Goodnight Moon. Now, when I say it is nap time, Kate goes over and gets Goodnight Moon, plops in my lap and turns the pages as I read it to her. After I finish, she walks over to her crib, grabs her lovey and puts her arms up for me to put her in the crib. It has been miraculous. It has become a clear cue to her that it is time to sleep. Thank you Connie at Mommy24treasures for your "been there done that" advice! Have a great weekend everyone:)