My Tator baby

My Nicker

Going to the Zoo!

Last week Saturday we took the boys to the zoo! I commented to Brian that most days I feel like I live in one...and seeing the first exhibit - the Monkeys - it confirmed by belief. There were the two cutest little monkeys who were constantly swinging to and from each other, picking and touching and bugging each other the whole time. It was quite comical especially when the smaller of the two blindsided the other with a swift swing over and nice two-footed kick in the back...yup, that's my house all right!

My little monkeys.

Crazy huge monster fish...

Grandson of a hog farmer.

My first thought when I saw this sign 'Is this all it takes to get there?' - Ha!

After the zoo, we had a picnic and played in the park.

Then we went back to the zoo to see the elephants...and of course the monkeys...one more time.

Soccer Saturday(s)

And so like most families we know...Saturday has now become a day of Soccer. Thankfully for us, it is only a practice from 9 until 10!

If you don't remember our last incident with soccer, it started with "I love soccer" and was a wonderful rollercoaster of a week between that sentiment and "I want to be done!"

Of course, after that week of 90+ degree weather, the first thing Nick says when we ask him if he would like to give Soccer one more try is "No...it's just too hot." Moms response was a firm "Nick, I can almost guarantee you that it will not be hot!" and thankfully it was a beautiful August day!

Of course he started out being Mr. Shy but with a smart coach who had his team play a whole field away from their parents, we saw our little guy become himself again and have a great time. By the time they all came running back for their first water break, our boy was back and ended the hour having had a great time!

Mommy's attempt at a posed shot!

So much more natural - and such a cute Nicker!!

Love-a-the-Ribs!!

Aug 21st & 22nd - RIB FEST!!

On Saturday afternoon we took the boys with us to Rib Fest in Davenport - SO GOOD! We tried several of the vendors ribs and had to come back to the same group that we loved when we first went 3 years ago - 'Lick My Ribs' - they are the best!!

Finger lickin' good!

The boys - loving their chips!

They also had also had some bounce houses for the kids to enjoy...at one point it came down to Nick asking for both the carmel popcorn AND more bouncing. Given the choice of one, he choose the bouncing!

Once Tator got hold of the lemonade, it was all his!

Nicks first day of Kindergarten!

Nicks first day of Kindergarten was GREAT! ...and I mean GREAT! He was so excited to wear his new Mario shirt, get his backpack and was more than ready to say goodbye and start walking down to the bus! Unfortunately for him (and for us as we would later find out!) we had decided that we didn't know how well he would take to new things so we decided to drop him off for the the first week or so and then switch to the bus later if Nick was ok with it (well, turns out we can't switch to the bus - unless we are ok with him being picked up at 8:07 - yeah, no.). So needless to say, we should have had a bit more faith in our boy and let him ride the bus as the drop off at school was not so great. He played shy and scared for about 45min while I stood there with him in the gym as kids from our neighborhood that he plays with ALL THE TIME came and went and tried to engage him. Ahh - that was frustrating! But, I was able to leave and upon picking him up that evening from the Y he had an amazing smile on his face, told me he had a good day and upon further questioning told me that he had "already talked once!" with a big hugh...ah yes, you are 5!

Now that it has been a couple of weeks he has nothing but good things to say about school! He loves his teacher "Missers" (Mrs.) Green. He loves his friends, riding the bus and "playing sports" at the Y.

We couldn't be happier!

...a bit nervous...

...a lot excited...

...and just plain ready to go!

Daddy trying to get a last minute hug.

It's Not Fair To Compare

...nope. It's not - but that doesn't mean we don't. That doesn't mean I don't. And it doesn't make me a happier person. It doesn't make me a better person. So why do I do it?

Why do I compare my baby to other children his age and get angry that only until recently did he call me mommy? Why do I get frustrated with his frustration that he cannot find the way to communicate with me his needs. I understand him more than anyone else and yet he struggles to find the words that would make things so much easier. Why do I have to remind myself that he is a wonderful, exciting, dynamic boy with boundless energy and an amazing love. Why do I need to remind myself that that is in fact, enough?

Why do I get angry and frustrated with our adoption? Why has the time been extended? Why is going to take so much longer to bring my baby girl home? Why is there so much paperwork and so much of it asks the same questions only in a slightly different way? Why is it so expensive to give children that need a family and a home and love these things? Why to physically give birth to a child do you not have to first go through this extensive and costly process? Why do other families have no problem just asking people to give them money to fund a decision they have made, and why do I have such a problem with something that doesn't affect me in the slightest - except for the fact that I couldn't bring myself to do the same (stupid pride!). I tell me son that if he is torqued that his little brother is making a mess but it isn't affecting him to let it go...so why do I let this bother me? (Really I know the answer to this one - it's because I am selfish. Because I think of all of the "things" that I am doing without in order to make our dream a reality and I'm just selfish...human, wanting the "things" the "have it all." We have never gone the easy route and always prided ourselves on our budgeting and saving abilities, but that "reach my goal satisfaction" is a long way off).

...so these are a couple of things that I have been thinking of lately...until we had our first small group on Wednesday night and this was the subject. 'It's not fair to compare.' Nope, it's not. Thank you for the reminder God.

I know that I am blessed beyond measure. I know that You have a plan. I know that I have truly never wanted for anything and that all I have has come from You. I know that I need to trust. I know that I need to rely on my faith. I know that I need to keep my eye on my ball (so to speak). I know...I'm human, I have fallen and I need your forgiveness, mercy and grace. I know...so thank You for the reminder.

Growing up.

My baby boy is starting school tomorrow… I simply can’t believe that time has gone by that quickly! It seems like it was yesterday that I was up at 3:30am with my 2mos old baby boy; looking down at his peaceful sleepy face and knowing that there was no way I could go back to work and hand this child over to someone else to take care of him everyday…and now my boy is starting to walk down his own path with out me. I am not the sentimental type that will cry over him going to school…but it does bring me to tears when I wonder if I have done enough for him over the past 5 years. Have I raised him with enough manners; with enough kindness; with enough strength. Nick has such a big heart but such a sensitive one. He loves big and hurts big and it scares me to think that other influences may change that…may hurt him…and there’s not much I can do anymore. I cannot take over…I need to let my little man learn how to take the good with the bad. To filter and to let things go. To know that he is an amazing and wonderful and loved little guy. To be strong in himself and what he believes. To be a friend to everyone just as he is now… He has taught me how to be a better mother and has been such a blessing and gift! I can slowly let go…I can trust that while I am not there with him that God is watching over him…I can do this…

I love you so much Muffin Man!