Monday, October 27, 2008
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Reports
I enjoyed a morning without my children today. I took back some dresses to Belk that didn't fit AB and then headed to Gap. FYI everything that is on sale at Gap is an additional 25% off. I got 2 pairs of pj's, 2 boys dress shirts, 3 pair of panties, 1 pair of jeans, 2 nice short sleeve shirts, and one long sleeve screened t-shirt for around $75. I then met Billy for lunch at this awesome cajun restaurant before going on a hunt for go-go boots or the like for my hopeful Halloween diva.
Upon my return from a relaxing and productive morning, I am greeted by Abe's teacher. "We had a little problem today", she said as she is grabbing his bag. I think to myself, did he mess up his clothes, no he's in the same outfit I brought him in. Huh.
Guess what? I have the child all other preschool parents hate. See exhibit A.
Exhibit A
Yes, I have a biter. This is only his second offense outside of the home, but I think that is enough to label him. So far his biting has been reserved for his big brother and sister and I think it occurs when they are bullying him, other than the girl at church on that Wednesday night. My question to his teacher was whether he was provoked or not. Not that its ok for him to bite, even in retaliation, but just to give me the peace of mind that he is not randomly targeting his classmates for his own teething pleasure. Bad choice. His sweet teacher was unaware whether Abe was provoked, but then told me (because the fact that he bit another child wasn't enough) that as soon as he was able to get out of time he walked right over and HIT the same child. Great.
AB got home from school and we immediately headed to swim team practice. As she was getting in the car she handed me an envelope with this in it...
All A's! Yeah Anna Beth! We are so proud of you.
Upon my return from a relaxing and productive morning, I am greeted by Abe's teacher. "We had a little problem today", she said as she is grabbing his bag. I think to myself, did he mess up his clothes, no he's in the same outfit I brought him in. Huh.
Guess what? I have the child all other preschool parents hate. See exhibit A.
Exhibit A
Yes, I have a biter. This is only his second offense outside of the home, but I think that is enough to label him. So far his biting has been reserved for his big brother and sister and I think it occurs when they are bullying him, other than the girl at church on that Wednesday night. My question to his teacher was whether he was provoked or not. Not that its ok for him to bite, even in retaliation, but just to give me the peace of mind that he is not randomly targeting his classmates for his own teething pleasure. Bad choice. His sweet teacher was unaware whether Abe was provoked, but then told me (because the fact that he bit another child wasn't enough) that as soon as he was able to get out of time he walked right over and HIT the same child. Great.
AB got home from school and we immediately headed to swim team practice. As she was getting in the car she handed me an envelope with this in it...
All A's! Yeah Anna Beth! We are so proud of you.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Dayplanners
I got an e-mail from Ben's soccer team mom today. Not an unusual e-mail, just one updating the who brings snacks to the soccer game and it hit me. He had soccer pictures on Sunday. Sunday at 1:25. Guess what? We were at home on Sunday at 1:25. How could I forget that? I mean, I think that just bombed my chances of mother of the year. So the new rule for me...write EVERYTHING in the dayplanner - and check it daily. I have one, it sits on my counter and I use it on occasion. How in the world have I thought that I could keep all our schedules straight without one? (I have done a pretty good job up until this little oops!)
PLEASE tell me I'm not the only one who does things like this!
I'm off to mark our snack Saturday in the dusted off Dayplanner.
PLEASE tell me I'm not the only one who does things like this!
I'm off to mark our snack Saturday in the dusted off Dayplanner.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Update on the baby...
Court didn't quite go as all wanted it to on Thursday. Paperwork has been filed with DHR (children's services) here, but we haven't heard from them. We need a home study and background check from them in order to proceed with fostering this sweet baby.
The baby has been moved into foster care - its what the mother wanted, but not what his advocate or social worker felt was the best situation. All I am going to say about that is the couple is not what I call a traditional family. I pray that they will love and care for him in a real way, even though I don't agree with their lifestyle.
Please pray that "the system" works fast - they tell me it could take as long as 6 months. I am going to try to pull strings on this end. If you have any connections at DHR in Jefferson County, please let me know.
Thanks for praying with us! Have a blessed weekend.
The baby has been moved into foster care - its what the mother wanted, but not what his advocate or social worker felt was the best situation. All I am going to say about that is the couple is not what I call a traditional family. I pray that they will love and care for him in a real way, even though I don't agree with their lifestyle.
Please pray that "the system" works fast - they tell me it could take as long as 6 months. I am going to try to pull strings on this end. If you have any connections at DHR in Jefferson County, please let me know.
Thanks for praying with us! Have a blessed weekend.
Monday, October 6, 2008
I Got Pictures...
I went to the mailbox this afternoon and to my surprise...the social worker had sent pictures. Pictures of this sweet, round, baby with big brown eyes and brown hair...He's so cute. I can't wait to love on him...for as long as I am needed.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Has Anyone Seen My Cell Phone?
Friday was a crazy mom day for me. Billy was out of town and wouldn't be returning until 5 pm. I had carpool duty to swim team practice, Ben had a soccer game, and we had dinner plans with our life group from church. Nothing in the schedule overlapped, but I knew I had to be strategic in my planning to get everywhere we needed to be on time. I was showered, dressed and ready to go out , and had Ben in uniform when I woke the babies up so we could go to pick AB and friend up at school for practice.
I picked them up, dropped them off at practice and then went to the grocery store to get a few things - mainly milk. Then to McDonalds to feed the 3 youngest an early dinner, since the soccer game was right at dinner time. I was like a drill sargeant telling them to eat, eat, eat so I could then get food for AB and pick her up. I remember seeing my cell phone on the tray as I was clearing it into the trash. I recall getting it off the tray, surely I wouldn't have thrown it away - after all I SAW IT ON THE TRAY. I got AB's food, loaded us into the car and off we went to pick up the big girls. Here is where my precise planning goes awry and I get frazzled. I need to call Billy and tell him where I am, what the plan is etc. (He had called me while in the grocery store and I quickly cut him off telling him I was on a tight schedule and would call him later.) No cell phone. Can't find it anywhere. I pick up the girls and race back to McDonald's where the guy at the counter says he hasn't seen one. I've lost 15 minutes. We drop the friend off, and get home as Billy is pulling out of the driveway. He gets into the car with us and off we go.
The game was great and Ben scored 2 goals (not that we're keeping score). Game over, rush the kids back in the car. My babysitter was waiting for us in the driveway. I had left the door unlocked in case we ran late, but didn't have her number to call and tell her because...I lost my cell phone. Toss the kids to her and go to eat Mexican with our LIFE group at church. I had to reprogram on the way over. Decompress from the adrenalin of running here and there, watching the clock, and did I mention I lost my cell phone?
We had a great time laughing, enjoying each other and getting to know each other better. It's such a great group that we kind of fell into and love the fellowship, support and prayers they are giving. It's amazing how quickly you feel comfortable sharing "life" with some people after only a short time. We are looking forward to getting to know each of them even better over the next year!
On Saturday, we went to cousin Mac's 2nd birthday party at a local children's gym. Fun was had by all. One of the best things about being back in Alabama is getting to share birthday's with all our cousins on my side of the family. The pictures from the party are in the next post (I use picasa and it will only blog 4 pics at a time, and I am too lazy to move them to a new folder so I can post more at a time)
Saturday afternoon was full of the kids playing with friends, and football. Roll Tide and Go 'Dores!
Have a wonderful week!
I picked them up, dropped them off at practice and then went to the grocery store to get a few things - mainly milk. Then to McDonalds to feed the 3 youngest an early dinner, since the soccer game was right at dinner time. I was like a drill sargeant telling them to eat, eat, eat so I could then get food for AB and pick her up. I remember seeing my cell phone on the tray as I was clearing it into the trash. I recall getting it off the tray, surely I wouldn't have thrown it away - after all I SAW IT ON THE TRAY. I got AB's food, loaded us into the car and off we went to pick up the big girls. Here is where my precise planning goes awry and I get frazzled. I need to call Billy and tell him where I am, what the plan is etc. (He had called me while in the grocery store and I quickly cut him off telling him I was on a tight schedule and would call him later.) No cell phone. Can't find it anywhere. I pick up the girls and race back to McDonald's where the guy at the counter says he hasn't seen one. I've lost 15 minutes. We drop the friend off, and get home as Billy is pulling out of the driveway. He gets into the car with us and off we go.
The game was great and Ben scored 2 goals (not that we're keeping score). Game over, rush the kids back in the car. My babysitter was waiting for us in the driveway. I had left the door unlocked in case we ran late, but didn't have her number to call and tell her because...I lost my cell phone. Toss the kids to her and go to eat Mexican with our LIFE group at church. I had to reprogram on the way over. Decompress from the adrenalin of running here and there, watching the clock, and did I mention I lost my cell phone?
We had a great time laughing, enjoying each other and getting to know each other better. It's such a great group that we kind of fell into and love the fellowship, support and prayers they are giving. It's amazing how quickly you feel comfortable sharing "life" with some people after only a short time. We are looking forward to getting to know each of them even better over the next year!
On Saturday, we went to cousin Mac's 2nd birthday party at a local children's gym. Fun was had by all. One of the best things about being back in Alabama is getting to share birthday's with all our cousins on my side of the family. The pictures from the party are in the next post (I use picasa and it will only blog 4 pics at a time, and I am too lazy to move them to a new folder so I can post more at a time)
Saturday afternoon was full of the kids playing with friends, and football. Roll Tide and Go 'Dores!
Have a wonderful week!
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Expanding the Family
In a previous post, I mentioned getting a call from a social worker as a possible placement for my cousin's newborn. Well, we have moved from the possible category to the probable one. I have hesitated to write about this, because everything has been - and is still - up in the air. Right now we need prayer on a number levels.
The baby is in Ohio under the supervision of Children's Services, but they would like to place him with us. We live in Alabama. A lot of things have to happen in the legal department in order for this to happen because the child will be crossing state lines. Most of the time this takes around 6 months. We, meaning all parties involved, hope that we can expadite this process so he can come live with us sooner rather than later. Paperwork has been filed and there is a court date on Oct. 9 concerning his guardianship. Please pray that the judge will find in our favor concerning this.
My cousin (the mother) is a mess. It's a very complicated, sad situation. There is a real possibility that she may not be able to get the baby back. Please pray for her. I believe with all my heart that she is redeemable. Although she has done some really aweful things, God loves her as much as He does anyone else and He can do amazing things. Pray that my conversations with her and about her to others will honor Him.
Here's a little back story as to our decision to pursue this. When I found out I was pregnant with Abe, I was shocked - and done. My tubes were tied, and I was totally and completely at peace with that decision. No more babies. Period. I already got those crazy looks at Wal-Mart with 3 and pregnant. Total peace I tell you. Never questioned the decision. No more. We were even. Finished. Get the picture?
Then I went to a girls night with my friend and neighbor. I found out a girl I had met through her was adopting from Ethiopia. I thought how awesome that was. She had 4 kids and was adopting. Then it began. I started reading her blog and linking to other adoption blogs and weeping at how many children go to bed each night everywhere in the world without a mommy and a daddy. Weeping, I tell ya. 131 million orphans in the world. 131 million children who have no place to truly call home. No one to call mom or dad. I started to feel the tug to go get 1 (or all 131 million) of them.
Then bible verses started popping up.
"Religion that God our father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress." James 1:27
"I tell you the truth, whatever you did for the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me," Matthew 25:40
""...once our eyes are opened, we can't pretend we don't know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows that we know, and holds us responsible to act."(Proverbs 24:12)
I mean did God really put that in the Bible? I had heard them before but really. I'm done. Peace. Finished. Even. No more.
So after some prayer, in all MY wisdom, I thought that we would go to Ethiopia and bring home 2 sweet children. Billy got on board and it was set. In a year we would begin saving and start the process. This would give us time to get back on our feet after a tough financial time, figure out which state we would actually call home, make sure the new business was securely running, and have everyone potty trained by the time we brought a potentially unpotty trained child into our home. Enter God.
We get the call about the baby. There are many reason why we shouldn't do this. Some are selfish (starting with the whole not my plan thing) but most are complicated. At the end of the day, I really feel like God has practically placed a baby in need in my lap. To do anything but care for this baby would be disobedient to God.
We are excited about caring for this baby, and exhausted by the process all at the same time. We are optimistic that this will be short term, but prepared for the long haul. Yes, we are crazy. No, we don't have much room. Yes, we can love him like he was one of ours...and who knows how this story will end. I'll keep you posted.
The baby is in Ohio under the supervision of Children's Services, but they would like to place him with us. We live in Alabama. A lot of things have to happen in the legal department in order for this to happen because the child will be crossing state lines. Most of the time this takes around 6 months. We, meaning all parties involved, hope that we can expadite this process so he can come live with us sooner rather than later. Paperwork has been filed and there is a court date on Oct. 9 concerning his guardianship. Please pray that the judge will find in our favor concerning this.
My cousin (the mother) is a mess. It's a very complicated, sad situation. There is a real possibility that she may not be able to get the baby back. Please pray for her. I believe with all my heart that she is redeemable. Although she has done some really aweful things, God loves her as much as He does anyone else and He can do amazing things. Pray that my conversations with her and about her to others will honor Him.
Here's a little back story as to our decision to pursue this. When I found out I was pregnant with Abe, I was shocked - and done. My tubes were tied, and I was totally and completely at peace with that decision. No more babies. Period. I already got those crazy looks at Wal-Mart with 3 and pregnant. Total peace I tell you. Never questioned the decision. No more. We were even. Finished. Get the picture?
Then I went to a girls night with my friend and neighbor. I found out a girl I had met through her was adopting from Ethiopia. I thought how awesome that was. She had 4 kids and was adopting. Then it began. I started reading her blog and linking to other adoption blogs and weeping at how many children go to bed each night everywhere in the world without a mommy and a daddy. Weeping, I tell ya. 131 million orphans in the world. 131 million children who have no place to truly call home. No one to call mom or dad. I started to feel the tug to go get 1 (or all 131 million) of them.
Then bible verses started popping up.
"Religion that God our father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress." James 1:27
"I tell you the truth, whatever you did for the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me," Matthew 25:40
""...once our eyes are opened, we can't pretend we don't know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows that we know, and holds us responsible to act."(Proverbs 24:12)
I mean did God really put that in the Bible? I had heard them before but really. I'm done. Peace. Finished. Even. No more.
So after some prayer, in all MY wisdom, I thought that we would go to Ethiopia and bring home 2 sweet children. Billy got on board and it was set. In a year we would begin saving and start the process. This would give us time to get back on our feet after a tough financial time, figure out which state we would actually call home, make sure the new business was securely running, and have everyone potty trained by the time we brought a potentially unpotty trained child into our home. Enter God.
We get the call about the baby. There are many reason why we shouldn't do this. Some are selfish (starting with the whole not my plan thing) but most are complicated. At the end of the day, I really feel like God has practically placed a baby in need in my lap. To do anything but care for this baby would be disobedient to God.
We are excited about caring for this baby, and exhausted by the process all at the same time. We are optimistic that this will be short term, but prepared for the long haul. Yes, we are crazy. No, we don't have much room. Yes, we can love him like he was one of ours...and who knows how this story will end. I'll keep you posted.
Here we are!
All is well at the Ivey home. I am enjoying the ever crazy life of a mom of 4. We never slow down, but I love it.
Ben plays soccer in a league where the focus is on playing not winning. Cheering has to be super PC and no one keeps score...except Ben. Last week after every goal he would look at us and flash his fingers to reflect how many goals had been scored. Parents would get major repremanding for this. I wonder - Can a kid get kicked out of the league for being competitive? I survived my sweet boy turning 5 last week, and he survived his shots. Daddy is still recovering - I made him go. Not because I am a sissy, but because I am a weak woman and couldn't have held Ben still.
MC has always been the sweet, compliant one of the bunch. As I am going through her backpack today, I notice she didn't color any, not one page, of the letter book. When I asked her about it her response was "I didn't want to." Oh my! She is absolutely the last one I thought would utter these words. I hope its not a sign of things to come! We went to the zoo last week with her preschool class. I didn't realize how little we do with just her until she asked - more than once - on our drive over where Ben and Abe were. Her favorite animal is the "bgiraffe." Don't have a clue why she puts a b in front of that word.
AB is looking forward to getting her first report card with actual grades on it - not S's. It should come home on Friday and she is anticipating all A's.
Abe is just Abe. He is either happy or he is not. No in between. He has developed an affection for a certain purple dinosaur. If the TV is on - then Barney should be on it. I am OVER Barney right now (and kids shows don't normally drive me up the wall).
Ben plays soccer in a league where the focus is on playing not winning. Cheering has to be super PC and no one keeps score...except Ben. Last week after every goal he would look at us and flash his fingers to reflect how many goals had been scored. Parents would get major repremanding for this. I wonder - Can a kid get kicked out of the league for being competitive? I survived my sweet boy turning 5 last week, and he survived his shots. Daddy is still recovering - I made him go. Not because I am a sissy, but because I am a weak woman and couldn't have held Ben still.
MC has always been the sweet, compliant one of the bunch. As I am going through her backpack today, I notice she didn't color any, not one page, of the letter book. When I asked her about it her response was "I didn't want to." Oh my! She is absolutely the last one I thought would utter these words. I hope its not a sign of things to come! We went to the zoo last week with her preschool class. I didn't realize how little we do with just her until she asked - more than once - on our drive over where Ben and Abe were. Her favorite animal is the "bgiraffe." Don't have a clue why she puts a b in front of that word.
AB is looking forward to getting her first report card with actual grades on it - not S's. It should come home on Friday and she is anticipating all A's.
Abe is just Abe. He is either happy or he is not. No in between. He has developed an affection for a certain purple dinosaur. If the TV is on - then Barney should be on it. I am OVER Barney right now (and kids shows don't normally drive me up the wall).
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