Getting ready for the Fourth

I find myself trying to keep the troops busy on these lazy days of summer and came across this craft idea. It totally works and is cheap especially since my husband has me keep every jar, can, etc for some 'future' use in his garage. I liked how I found several different sizes to make each kids a little more unique. I have them scattered around the house from the kitchen to the guest bathroom to the dining table. I enjoy having a little bit of holiday joy around my house.

This 4th of July will be different for our family. We will be having a 'split squad'. Shane and the oldest kiddos are keeping the new tradition of driving to Lordsburg, NM to buy and set off fireworks. It is a whirlwind trip. He will be joined this year by his parents and sister's family. I know he is excited because he keeps watching fireworks video on Youtube. Our baby is still not a fan of the car so the 6hr trip one way seemed very stressful. We discussed options and came up with a great one. I am taking the baby and flying to UT to visit my friend in Park City again this year. I think I am getting a pretty good deal because I get to go where it will be cooler. I know it will be strange to spend this holiday apart but I also think it is a win win for our whole family. What ever your plans for the holiday be safe and celebrate with good food and fun!

Hot weather equals SWIMMING!

We swam our way through the weekend...this was a great time at Grandma's on Saturday.

6mths old

We had a great weekend, and in the midst of the fun this sweet face turned 6mths old. She is crawling in turbo speed now as well as pulling herself up on any and all furniture. She also drops everything if the dishwasher is open because she has to climb in it...making for some interesting moments. She is also officially eating baby food now and has tolerated this milestone well.  Of course eating time has become quite the circus act around here with everyone home for the summer. She got her first tooth last week and is working on the second one this week. We need to give her a new nickname...water baby. We have not ever had a baby that loves the water as much as this one. The splashing and kicking in her float just make us laugh. She is pure joy!

Court update:

We had a court hearing last week. It is called a Report and Review. This case was assigned a new judge so this was an opportunity for the new judge to see the parents, review the case and prepare for the severance trial that is scheduled for August 5th and 6th. During our past foster care journey I made it a priority to attend most of the hearings. It is a great way to get the most current information on the case. While we have a good caseworker they are so over loaded with cases that sometimes updating placements falls to the bottom of their list. The upcoming trial I will not be able to attend. The 5th is our oldest's birthday as well as meet the teacher day and the 6th is the last day before school starts. I get yet another opportunity to let go of 'control'. (and I say 'control' with a chuckle because I actually have NO control in this situation, but just being informed and participating makes me feel better.) This case is pretty open and shut and we are 99% sure of the decision but it is always a journey of faith regardless of how "for sure" this seems. Along this journey we have discovered more news regarding the girls' mom and we have a ton to ponder over the next several months. As one very good friend said this weekend, "you have plenty of time to over think the whole situation" which is absolutely true and a good reminded to try not to do just that. We are enjoying the overwhelming blessing of our current placement/future permanent addition and that is where our focus needs to be. If you get a chance to add our family to your prayer list we would covet those prayers. We need God's wisdom come Fall. 

First Baby Cereal

Baby cakes is now 5 1/2 mths old and it is time to begin a new journey...FOOD. Where is the time going. She has become such a little person. I feel like the "baby stage" is on its way out and this adorable personality is blooming right before our eyes. I will say the first cereal attempt was interesting...not sure how much actually got in but she seemed to enjoy all the cheering and encouragement from her fans, aka sisters.

May ended with quite the adventure in this little life. We started the first official day on summer off with a trip to the ER and eventually admittance for several days. Poor little thing either had a reaction to soy formula the pediatrician wanted me to try or some sort of digestive virus. She began throwing up on Friday the 24th at 5:30am, and by 7:30 we were in a the ER. She went downhill very fast. Poor thing had several blood draws and of course an IV for re-hydration. Her white blood count was elevated and along with how lethargic she had become in a matter of hours we were admitted. Two full days of fluids and she was coming back to normal. It was surreal to me how quickly these little ones can go into an urgent situation. We snuggled a ton in the hospital and overall she was a trooper. She was a bit traumatized by all the pokes for blood tests, but seems to be doing so much better a week later.