June 10, 2008

• The Stories Continue

  I added a few more pictures today to go with my stories about Lori K’s family visit.  It was so much fun and there was so much activity all the time.  Very few arguments or crying (mainly Luci and her son, David who is on steroids – which makes him aggressive).

  Despite the umpteen children we had in the house, there was still a lot of opportunities for Lori and I to talk.  Doug was studying for the church camp’s Bible lesson/theme and Jesse worked on Friday.  I had to take Stephanie to work and pick her up later in the day, so JanaLyn was with us most of the day.  We made taco salads (make your own) for lunch and had chicken & sauce over rice with glazed sweet carrots that night for dinner.  I had a “Punch and Pour” cake for dessert that night.  Adults sat at the formal dining room table (that included two of Lori’s oldest daughters) and the younger children sat at the kitchen table.  Good thing, too, because there WERE spills and clean ups galore.  Praise God for tile floors and plastic table cloths!!!

  The children played outside a little bit.  I was reluctant to let Rissy outside much because she was suffering from a reaction to a chicken pox booster shot she got May 19th.  She literally had what looked like chigger bites that would blister up into a watery bubble (the kind new shoes give you) and then they would crust over.  Our pediatrician said she wasn’t contagious at all – so not to worry, but I did.   I was so against getting this new booster shot but caved in when she said if Rissy actually got the chicken pox it could kill her because of her asthma and respiratory (etc.) problems.   When she was younger and had a measles vaccination, she broke out with 48 hours of the measles. Poor Rissy.  So, she didn’t go in the backyard as often as the others.   And, no one stayed out long because of the high temperatures and muggy humidity.  Lori’s David wanted a popsickle  so bad after he saw a few in my freezer (like 4 of those Pop Ice things) and wouldn’t give up asking 92 million times a day.  We told him there wasn’t enough for everyone and I’m sure he figured, “So what.  Just give them all to me!”  We have a house alarm and every time a window or door is open the connection is broken and the alarms beeps.  Our ears suffered tremendously and we finally did the “Stay in or out – but pick one place, NOW!” ultimatum!  Eventually, they all came in because it was just too hot, even in the shade.

  It was hard to get everyone together at one time, but I caught a couple people together here and there and grabbed my camera.

  This is Lori with Sarah & Rachel standing behind her and Keziah on Lori’s lap.  The pheasants in the china cabinet’s top shelf (behind them) are some of the few pieces my mother made in ceramics class when I was VERY young.
  

  And another shot of the same.
  

  My “new photographer” (Rissy) insisted on taking photos of me and one of Mrs. K. and me.  From Rissy’s perspective, and me looking as tall as the doorway, you can tell a short person took these pictures!  But, they turned out pretty good, nonetheless!
  

  Sitting proved to be a better angle for her, but she forgot to tell me to smile before she clicked!!!
  

  I just found another one of me being the same height as our doors and a little blurry.  Lack of perfection upsets Rissy, but I’m posting this anyway.
  
  
  She took two pictures pictures of Lori and I.  Lori and I almost busted our guts laughing at the first one.  We were hugging and our stomaches (together) made hugging look like an impossible feat.  So, we asked  her to aim ABOVE our chests!!!!  I WON’T show the tummy picture – but I’m sure Lori and I will laugh about that in the years to come!  Honestly, we laughed so hard, it was difficult to pull ourselves together for this next picture.
  
  Again, we look gargantuan (tall, I won’t say large bellied!!!!!!!!!!!) women with the doorways being the same height as us!!!

  I caught a “moment” when Luci, Keziah, and JanaLyn were playing together.  One or the other was constantly on the move, thus the blurry Luci part!
  

  Finally, this doesn’t have anything to do with Lori K’s visit, Rissy surprised me by making brownies yesterday ALL BY HERSELF.  By that I mean, she followed the recipe, put them IN the oven and took them OUT all by herself.  I think she did bring me the timer to set – but I never moved from my desk chair.  I showed her how to test brownies for their “doneness” (unlike cake where you use a toothpick) by pressing the center to see if it’s firm and springs back a little.  She couldn’t find chocolate frosting (I went out to the garage pantry to look and we didn’t have any left) so she got Cool Whip from the freezer, let it thaw, and used that as a topping.  Pretty yummy!
  
  This is what’s left, after we all indulged in dessert last night!

  Stephanie’s b-day is Thursday and I know she has a short shift at work.  I think she gets off at 1:45pm.  I just don’t know what to do for her.  She’s turning 30yo.  I have some gifts, nothing great, and gifts for the girls to give her.  I thought about making that same triple fudge chocolate cake I made for my birthday because she enjoys it as much as I do.  Chocolate loving must be a genetic thing in my family!

  Anyway, I’m taking the girls out today, later on, to shop a bit more.  Also, I just realized I haven’t bought Father’s Day cards for my dad or Jesse’s dad who both live in another state.  Oops!  That’s on the list for today!

  We’ve decided to paint the girls’ (Annamarie & Luci) room a very light shell pink.  Then, the guest room will be a creamy color, lighter than the built in shelves, cupboards, and wainscoting.   I just can’t figure out that color and have given up on trying to find a green that goes well.  Off white, or beige, will be fine.

  FINALLY, a caseworker from Dept. of Human Services – Foster Care called yesterday.  I’ve left messages for the past four weeks and no one returned my call – yet, they are desperate for foster homes.  He will come out here next Wednesday afternoon to talk about reopening our home and do our home study.  I pretty much know the drill and what we’ll have to do.  Unfortunately, because I allowed our home to close and didn’t keep up with the yearly training, we’ll have to start from square one.  I don’t think they can make an exception for us – but who knows? maybe if they are desperate enough for homes and we have some caseworkers from our past recommend us as an excellent home . . . .

  We want sibling groups this time (something most foster parents DON’T want) and would prefer girls (for our own girls safety) but, never say “never.”  That’s partly why I decided to paint the large guest room beige.  I have all girlie bedding for the beds that will be in there, but I suppose I could find some discounted bedspreads that aren’t laden with  pink rose or white eyelet with ruffles!

  • 11:24 am
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