New Phase New Blog

With Aaron's adoption we've moved to a new phase in our lives, and we're ready to start a new blog. Please join us at:

Joy in R Journey http://joyinrjourney.blogspot.com/

FC2's Birthday - FC2

We so thrilled we can post pictures of Aaron (aka FC1), but still sad we can't post FC2's pics. These are some from FC2's birthday:

Our friend Morgan made this amazing cake for FC2. He's obsessed with Buzz Lightyear. So Darling!!

The inside of the cake was all different colors, so fun!
Aaron as a baby chick at the zoo:
Aaron compared to a tiger:
Fun at Blast Off
Pizza time!

We're having A BOY!!!!!

We're having a Boy!! We're so excited!!!!!


Our little angel sucking his thumb:Legs:
Feet:
Arms:

His Darling Profile:

Introducing Aaron Linwood Ross

With the adoption being a couple weeks away, we feel it's time that we can start posting pictures of our soon to be son Aaron (aka FC1). We've posted his adoption announcement above. We're thrilled to have him in our family!!!

Minivan Mama

Well, it's official....I'm old. I've come to this conclusion based on two facts. #1 - I'm turning 30 in a couple months, yikes! #2 - I am now the proud owner of a minivan.

Our previous car was really on it's last leg, and was in need of repairs, so we had to start looking for our next vehicle. As we started looking around we quickly realized that a minivan was the most logical choice for our family of 2 quickly changing to a family of 5! Literally two years ago it was just Clint and me. In just a few months we'll be the parents of three.

I guess I'm just ranting about it because it's hard to believe how fast time goes by, and how quickly your life can change. Clint jokes that I prayed too hard and got 3 kids instead of 1. Though one is not technically ours, we're still hoping that he will be.

I always knew one day I would drive a minivan and be a carpoolin- mama, it's all just happened so fast. We're truly blessed!!

Fun with Helmets

Clint has been riding his motorcycle now that it's warm. The boys LOVE to wear the motorcycle helmets. It makes us laugh every time. Their bodies are so small and the helmets are so big.


FC2 worked very hard going "poopy in the potty" so he could earn the toy airplane he has in his hands. It is his favorite toy now. It's almost always in his hands.

Dancing

I Love Nephews

Here are some pics of the two newest additions to the family. My two little nephews are quite adorable!! Being an auntie is the best!!!!

Lil' Gil

Lil' Linc

Happy Father's Day

This Father's Day I've been thinking a lot about all the wonderful fathers in my life, who are true examples of what it means to be noble and honorable. There are many many men who have been good examples to me throughout my life, but today I want to pay tribute to two of them.

My Dad is amazing. He's suffered chronic intense pain for years and years. Despite the pain and discomfort, he doesn't stray, he doesn't murmur, he stays true to what he knows is right. Not only that he makes his life about us, his children. He has ALWAYS been there for me when I've needed him. I feel so blessed to be his daughter.


Secondly, my wonderful husband Clint. He's my better half. He teaches me what it means to serve others. He's so selfless and I adore him. As a father to our two foster sons he's AMAZING. I can always count on him to step in and take care of them when I can't. I truly adore this man!!!

Happy Fathers Day!!!

Excited to be big brothers

We told the boys about the baby a couple weeks ago. They are SO EXCITED! FC1 drew me this picture the next day. The bigger "person" is me, and the little "person" is the baby after it's out of my tummy. Every day they come and put their little hands on my tummy and tell me that the baby is getting bigger. FC2 is convinced that he has a baby in his tummy too. It's so fun to all be excited together.

Our Lil' Miracle

We're SO EXCITED to announce that we are pregnant. We've truly been blessed with a miracle. Our lil'Ross is due December 29th.

We wanted to thank all of you who have supported us in our adoption endeavors. Especially those who posted our adoption blog buttons and helped us spread the word. We still hope to adopt our foster sons, but are not looking to adopt a baby anymore. Thank you so much for your support!

Duckies on a Sunday Afternoon

Meet Joe and Dorris:

It's becoming a Sunday afternoon tradition in our home that we get out the duckies and have all sorts of ducky adventures. Of all the ducks and other creatures, the two that FC2 loves the most and insists on playing with every time are Joe and Dorris. FC2 named them himself. Joe and Dorris have all kinds of adventures with pirates, sports heros, Santa and his reindeer, and the Easter Bunny Duck. I just can't help wondering why he's so drawn to those particular ducks?

FC1's 5th Birthday

FC1's 5th birthday was this weekend. To celebrate we took the boys to a fun zone, where he could drive his own race car. He's told us he wants to be a race car driver for a while now, and he had a blast. Again, it's strange to post pictures of a birthday, without the birthday boy, but we do what we have to in Foster Care.

Clint driving FC1 around the big track.FC1 driving his racecar
FC2's favorite ride was this space shuttle ride. He got to control the up and down motions with a little level.
This little 2yr old has no fear!
Our friend Morgan made FC1 this fabulous castle/dragon birthday cake. It was an icecream cake! So delicious and FC1 LOVED it!!!

Wonder Pets and Tree Stars

Fear of vegetables? Not in our house. Thanks to the following shows:

Who are the Wonder Pets, you might ask? Well apparently these cute little creatures fly around the world saving animals using teamwork, and at the end of their adventure they all get celery for their treat.
Now the boys love celery!!
The Land Before Time is FC1's current favorite movie. He'd watch it over and over all day if we'd let him. They are in search of "Tree Stars" or "Green Food"
Imagine my surprise when I made a spinach salad (I was worried I'd have to drench it in ranch to get the boys to eat any), but FC1 announced, "Look Mom! Tree Stars!!!" And then they kept asking for more!!!
Thank you kid shows for helping me get my kids to eat their veggies :)

Hope

Today I am grateful for hope, grateful for family, grateful for life.

"I think of hope as a basketful of glorious spring flowers, each blossom representing one part of what my family, friends, and I hope for. Together these hopes are a radiant, abundant, fragrant bouquet. Whatever our metaphor for it, hope remains an effervescent, expectant, happy part of life..." -Elaine L. Jack

April Showers

This weekend was a little bitter sweet. It was my fabulous brother and sister-in-law's baby shower. It was originally going to be a joint shower for the baby we would have adopted in January, if the adoption hadn't failed. I was worried I would have a hard time, but I'm so glad to say I was able to put it out of my mind for the most part and had a great time celebrating my brother's soon to be little boy and spending time with my wonderful family!


The night before the shower we all went to Coldstones for icecream. The kids were so cute picking their icecream:



Anna is the cutest pregnant woman ever. She's so teeny-tiny except for her little baby bump:

The happy expecting couple:



Oma brought the "molecule balls" to the church for the kids to play in to keep them entertained during the shower. They had a blast!!


Little M. loves to pose for the camera:
The delicious breakfast spread:
T. is such a happy little boy. He wanted his picture taken. What a little cutie!!

They brought these balloon-noise makers and blew them up for the kids to chase. It was so funny to watch them squeal with delight and chase them around the room.




Baby C. did not think it was so fun to watch the balloons. She had more of a look of terror. Her reaction was pretty funny.

Potato Boats

Here is a fun meal idea I thought I would share. Use baked potatoes, cut off the tops, hallow them out and make a mashed potato/corn/cheese mixture (to taste). Put the mixture back in the potatoes, sprinkle with cheese and broil until the cheese is melted. Then cut paper in the the shape of sails and attach them to a toothpick. The boys LOVED these :)

Tantrums

No, this picture is not one of my foster sons, but I know this face well. We've had a lot of tantrums in our home lately. Particularly from our 2yr old. I can't help wondering, how did the stripling warrior's mothers handle them when they were 2? I'm sure there is a right way to handle the weeping/wailing/gnashing of teeth that erupt from our little one, when something doesn't go exactly the way he would like.

I was particularly grateful for the LDS conference talk today, by Elder Lynn G. Robbins in the afternoon session of conference. Parenting is not easy, and it's nice to have a little extra instructions on how to be a good parent. I confess that I frequently get discouraged. I know that this phase will pass, and it will be something I look back on and laugh, but it is definitely a test of patience now. Has anyone out there found the key to handling tantrums? Any advice would be welcomed.

Just the Same

By Diana Lynn Lacey

09604_000_013

Sometimes—

God sends rain

Straight from the sky

To nourish the young flower

and it grows.

Sometimes—

God sends rain from the sky

To the mountaintops,

Then over hills and through valleys

Until it reaches the flower

and it grows, just the same.

Sometimes—

God sends a child

Straight from His realm

Into a mother’s arms

and love grows.

Sometimes—

God sends a child

From heaven to another’s arms,

Then over hills and through valleys

Until he reaches the arms of his mother

and love grows, just the same.

http://lds.org/ensign/2011/04/just-the-same?lang=eng

Modern Art

One thing I LOVE about being a Foster-Mom is when the kids bring home their art projects. They are always so proud of them.

FC2's painting (he's 2yrs old):
FC1's project (he told me the circles were suns and the rest of the shapes are roofs on top of the house.):

Let the Chores Begin!

When we got FC1, I was pretty good about having him do chores. FC2 arrived 3 hours after we got the phone call saying he needed a home, and it took me a while to adjust and I kind of gave up on chore enforcement for a while.

I decided it was time to begin the chore chart again and can I just say, WHY DIDN'T I DO IT SOONER!! It has been wonderful this week!!!!! I'm in that early phase where they are still excited about the chores and happy to do them. Yes, I know this won't last, but I'm certainly enjoying it while it does.

This time we got little baby food jars and every time they do a chore they get to put a penny in. Then when the jar is full we'll go to the candy store and let them spend their money. They're super excited about it.

I have FC1, who is 4yrs old, wash the dishes after dinner, and I know it's silly but I'm so glad he's old enough to do it!! When we first got married, one day it hit me...You will have to do the dishes FOREVER. No more roommates or siblings, it's all me....it was depressing. Then I realized, one day I'll have kids to do the dishes, HOORAY! I'm just so glad that day came sooner rather than later. FC1 does a great job too! Obviously he can't handle the larger dishes, but it's only a matter of time :)

FC2 gets to set the table and sort and put away the silverware from the dishwasher. They both have to make their beds and clean up toys. I honestly think they are happier, because they feel like they're contributing. Hooray for chores!!

I'm an Auntie again!!

My darling little nephew was born last night! I only have this picture from a text and don't even know his name yet, but I can't wait to meet the little guy. I know I'm jumping the gun a little posting this pic, but I love to share happy news and I LOVE being an Aunt!!!!

Selective Hearing?

We've been concerned about FC1's hearing for a while. He had some speech delays from the time that we got him. He also has sensitivity to loud noises and we've noticed that when we talk to both boys, frequently FC2 will hear us just fine, but FC1 will keep asking, "What?"

We took him just two weeks ago to get his hearing checked and according to the tests his hearing was fine, so we chalked it up to a strong case of selective hearing.

Then this weekend his hearing seems to have become drastically worse. You can literally be a few feet away talking to him and he will not hear us. He has to look at you and you have to talk loudly and very clearly or he cannot understand. He has had a cold this week, so I wanted to put the question out there, is there a cold that would make his hearing go? We've asked him several times and he says his ears don't hurt, but he says he has trouble hearing us. We're really hoping it's just temporary, or maybe the worst case of selective hearing ever. Has anyone out there experienced or heard of anything like this?

Forever Plaid at Center Stage Playhouse

Center Stage is currently showing Forever Plaid. I went and took pictures for them last night. It's a wonderful show. The cast is all so talented!! I highly recommend going to see it if you get the chance!!