A few cute things...

I want to publish a few cute things the kids have said before I forget. Nat asked BB if "Lincolnstein" was on the front of the penny!

She was trying on a ring one day and it wouldn't fit and she asked, "When are my fingers going to get thinnier?"

I took her to catch the bus one morning last week and I hadn't gotten ready for the day. No makeup and so on. She has been going to Awana at FBC and so I guess she had that on her mind when she asked, "did your Awana teacher ever say anything about your pimples on your face? I know you think they are ugly but I think you are the prettiest mommy in the world."

Reese wakes up and says, "I not feel better."

Every now and then Reese bends over for no reason and gives me kisses. I just love that.

He is starting to talk so much and we can actually understand him. I am going to spend the next few days writing down what he says and I will add it to the blog.

"Hey, cuh ih ouw." Cut it out.

"lille help heh." Little help here.

"Mommy, I be a muhey." I be a monkey

He says, "I go to maw-maw dee paw-paw's." (dee for and)

Last night we were lying in bed and I was singing Reese's praises about how wonderful he had done going potty all day and he said, "cah you kee it dow, I cah heeh da te-ee?" ( Can you keep it down, I can't hear the tv)

Happy Thanksgiving !!!!

Here we are all together on Thanksgiving morning. We have been nursing Nat back to health. She has had the flu for 5 days and finally this morning she asked me for something to eat. I hope that is a good sign. Reese had the same thing 2 weeks ago but they didn't test him for the flu. So, here we are Thanksgiving morning. We weren't able to go to Indiana to Marie's but Daddy and Reese went to Nannie and Poppie's for a little while. (Nat and I are hoping for a doggie bag!) After taking the pictures I asked everyone to share with me what they were thankful for and this is their reply:

Nat: " I am thankful for poor people. If they don't have any money, I will give them all of mine. I don't care if I am poor.

Reese: "potatoes"

Daddy: " For Nae Nae, Reese and Nat"

Mommy: " I am thankful that I was blessed with children that I might have to stay home with on the holiday's when they are sick."



Staying home adds an all new perspective. It takes away all the business but also a sadness that this one time a year we get to see all of our Indiana family. We actually watched the whole Macy's Day Parade. It was only 2 hours. I thought it lasted all day. Ok, well Nat wants me to stop typing so she can beat me again in Uno. Happy Thanksgiving all!!!!

Reese's 3rd Birthday!!!

Kung Fu Panda- Reese's new found love. He had such a great time with his cousins and family. He got lots of toys and clothes and had 3 cakes...one for every year I guess?!!

3 1/2 Life Lessons

I am not sure if the title is appropriate or not but here I go... three and 1/2 things that have taken hold of my emotions in the last few days. Yesterday Nat got home from school and was very excited to show me the artwork she did in art class. It was very neat and I could tell it was a lot of fun. Well as the night progressed, Jack ate it. Yep, 50,000 pieces later, Nat found it. She wailed, not cried, wailed to the point that my heart ached for her. She was truly heartbroken and I grabbed it up really fast and threw it away to keep her from having to look at it. She said, " I really worked hard on that and they don't have anymore." Daddy was out of town and we had called him to say goodnight and she told him all about it. He asked her if we could tape it. ( A thought I had never had due to the severity of the dog chewing!) She told him, "no, you haven't seen it, it's in too many pieces." After we hung up, I thought, maybe I could tape it and dug it out of the trash and began to see if any of it still went together. Well, lesson # 1, perseverance! I did it and 30minutes later...a brand new masterpiece. I practically had to wake her up to see it but it was well worth it. She looked at me with great satisfaction and rolled over and went to sleep. Life lesson 1 1/2...husbands can really have good ideas!!!

Then the second lesson. I walked to the bus this morning and the bus driver asked me if it was my mom that got Nat on the bus a few mornings a week. I said, "yes" and she said, she sent me the sweetest card and told me she was praying for me. Tell her I am going to Lexington tomorrow and will let her know how it goes. They have already developed a relationship and mom knows all her health problems because Nat had a substitute driver one day. That's my mom! At this moment my mother is lying in the hospital with thoughts that she is absolutely worthless to any individual in this world because she feels so bad most of the time. She had 2 good days last week and I could hear the bitter sweetness in her voice because she new it wouldn't last, because it never does. And a few days later, she was admitted into the hospital with a bout of pancreatitis. The best thing that could ever happen is that her lab work actually be abnormal so they don't look at her like she is making the pain all up in her head. It has been abnormal and she is getting better. I ask God all the time, why does she have to suffer so much. Why can't she be sick for a little while and get better like lots of other people. Why, Why Why!!!???? Maybe lesson #2 is that she can relate to others like no one else can and bring them comfort because she is not just making up things to say to people, she actually knows how they feel and what they need to hear and maybe that is her work for God. But, being her daughter I wish her work for God could be painting or writing or traveling...something much less debilitating.

Lesson #3. My family and our extended "people" (which branch really far and wide) have enough real love in their hearts to cover the world and back. We had Reese's birthday party last Sunday and I took pictures like I always do. Too many some would say!! But, like usual, I got them developed and was sitting in the car looking at them and a flood of emotion filled my soul when I got to the one with 8 out of the 10 cousins he has. I looked at the picture and it spoke to me so boldly. Look at these kids and how happy they are to be at Reese's birthday party. Look how much they LOVE him. They don't feel that he is any different than any of the rest of them. They don't remember anymore that he was adopted!!! And that really speaks a lot to me about our family and how much we love each other. We love him like there is absolutely nothing different about him. I even forget he has dark skin sometimes. He is just so familiar to look at and he is just Reese. Not Reese from Guatemala, not adopted Reese. Reese my son. And I love my family for being who they are. They couldn't just make love up like that (if that makes sense?) It is who they all are.

Oh, What Fun We Had

We had the opportunity to stay at Jody and Shannon's for 5 days and 4 nights and keep the kids while they went on vacation to Cancun. And Oh, what fun we had!! The weekend started off with 2 birthday parties and a trip to Chong's. We rented movies and ate popcorn. (Not before spilling a whole bag of popcorn and glass of sprite on the kitchen floor!) Guess Who??!!! Then it was off to bed. Oh yeah, that came after Reese crying for an hour because " I wah go to me how. I go hoe." So we put him in the van and tried to make him think he was going home. Didn't work for me so BB tried and was successful. So off to bed we went.
Up early to go to church. We went to our church because I really didn't know where to drop everyone off or where to find them when church was over at their church. It went well and we ate lunch at MM and PP's house but we had to be home between 12:30 and 1:00pm to get Harper to sleep. Shannon left instruction and they actually worked. I wasn't going to mess with that and it proved to be a very good thing. BB and the kids went outside for a little water hose limbo and tractor pulls and such.
Monday we got up and went to the Labor Day Parade which was extremely warm and finished with a trip to Burger King. Everyone did very well. BB took the 5 kids swimming while I put Harper down for a nap. I think I actually passed out on the couch at this piont. Not quite sure. Very fuzzy!! Just kidding:) When they came home from swimming, it was to the showers and supper. Maci and Max called to see if they could come over but we had them to our house instead because it was 3:30pm and I had alrealy made them get into their pj's. I was just thinking one less change of clothes to wash and I wasn't sure how long it would take me to get everyone ready for school the next day. Hudson was watching football and said. " Nae Nae it feels like 8:30 but the clock only says 6:30." I said well if I hadn't made you get in your pj's at 3:30 it might not feel so late!!! He said. "yeah" and went back to watching the game. By 7:30 we had all the backpacks lined up by the door and ready to go. We had a great night that night. Even greater for me because Hudson woke his BB up to change his sheets. I never knew what happened!!!
Then Tuesdsay was our big day. BB and I had to work. 5 out of the 6 kids had school and His Group was singing at 7pm. Rita came and got Harper, BB had 4 stops 30 minutes apart for drop off, and I had to be at work at 7am. So we got up, got ready, BB cooked us scrambled eggs and hashbrowns and off we went. I called BB later and he said, "well, 430 miles later and I am finally at work!" That night we called in the troups. MM, Cheryl and Grandma Linda all came over and watched the kids and helped with homework while we did His Group stuff and when we got home they went to bed. Everyone except me and Syd because she forgot to tell us she had a test on Wed. We studied until she couldn't hold her head up anymore and off to bed she went. Wednesday I took them to school and kept Reese and Harper. It was a good day. We went to the grocery and back home to cook supper. We had dinner and a little play time with Max and Maci and then Jo and Shannon returned. We were actually sad to leave. We had a great time and felt blessed that the kids would feel comfortable enough to let us stay with them and blessed because Jo and Shannon trusted us enough to leave their most precious possesions in our care!

They meet again!

We got together again the 2nd of August and had lots of fun. The Coomes' came in for one night and it was so much fun. We ate lunch and let the kids play and then we went to the park so extended family could meet Michael and the family. We ate pizza and ice cream and played for a while. It is a real blessing that we are getting to know them and develop a lasting relationship. We have two trips scheduled already to see them again. I am thankful for their interest in having a relationship with us. This is such a wonderful opportunity for the boys as they grow and learn about us and each other. We look forward to the fun and exciting times ahead.

He did it too!!

Reese started 3 year old preschool yesterday and wow what a day. It started off with Daddy taking him to school. " Auh nih ee", (aunt Nikki), got him out of the car. He went to Mrs. Bonny's class and colored and ate a snack. His new babysitter, Mrs. Sam, picked him up and had a balloon and happy meal in the car for him to smooth things over. It worked and when I called he was up in the play room with Hope cooking in her play kitchen. PERFECT! Then Nanny Sherry picked him up, took him to Sonic and then Bill took him to the foot of Broadway to throw rocks. That is where we found him having a wonderful end to an exciting day. We took him home and he got a bath and off to hours of Noggin before he fell asleep. I asked him if he had a good day and he said, "yeah, I go schoo, pay wih hoey, na ee pih me uh, i fro roh in wah er". (I go to school, play with Hopie (Hope), Nanny picked me up and I throw rocks in water.) This morning as Nat got on the school bus, Reese said, "I geh bah pah a go to schoo too, mommy. I pay wih fwiens." I LOVE THIS BOY! So here's to another day of just the two of us and to another PERFECT day tomorrow as he goes back to preschool.

I think I am pouting...

I knew I had this figured out. Just like everything else I dread... it comes, it goes and then I am fine. This has totally taken me for a ride. I was strong, (ok somewhat strong), the first day of kindergarten, but now I am weak! She has gone 7 days and has loved every minute of it. She tells me who got in trouble and for what reason, who made faces at her in the bathroom (and as long as I "wouldn't get her in trouble," she would tell me if she made one back!!) She "accidentally" drinks chocolate milk for breakfast and lunch and she wants to wear tennis shoes every day so she can run with her friends and not get dirt in her shoes. BUT.... I miss her! I'm pouting because they get her everyday. Her sweet smile, her laughter, her funny faces, her energy. We have been lying down at night and talking, giggling and singing songs. She cried Friday morning because I didn't wake her with "Rise and Shine, and Give God the Glory." These will be my new joys and new ways of experiencing her. In just 2 weeks she has already said many things that sound so different than just a few short weeks ago. I wore a necklace of hers one day and she saw it on me and said, "Mommy, why are you wearing my necklace?" I said, "I thought it would be pretty." She said, "oh, you can keep it on. I didn't know you thought it would be pretty, I thought you just wanted to keep my necklace." So here's to trying to quit pouting, and once again be thankful for the opportunity to even be going through this....Reese starts school next week!!??

Her first day. She did it!!!!

She got in bed last night on time...I joined her a little later. She could not stop talking and giggling. Finally we decided I would sing to her. So I started singing and after about 20 minutes of that, she was sound asleep. She had cried to go down in the living room and fall asleep with us and me carry her back upstairs. "This is not what I am use to," she said. I totally understood but held strong so that this could soon be what she was use to. It worked! I woke her up around 7:00 am and she got straight up and said, "I am so tired." But, she got dressed, brushed her teeth and hair, and off we went down Maw-Maw's driveway - for that is where the bus driver wants her each day so she has room to turn around. The bus came and off like a rocket she went. I had to ask her to come back and give me a kiss! I was so excited that she was thrilled to be getting on the bus and going to school.
Reese and I took off this morning after Nat and Daddy left and went to my friend Leigh's house who was having a "mommies who just lost their babies to kindergarten" party. It was fun to talk and share stories. Everyone must fill the same everywhere when their kids start school. We all sure did. The bus driver said to watch for her about 4:15pm but at 4:12 she was calling us (Nat told her the number) to tell us she was already there. WOW-missed photo op! Anyway, we spent the next few minutes grilling her about her day. Her first response was, "well, we didn't learn to read today." I loved that. She is so eager to learn to read. After that we were back to normal. All she wanted to do was go to Maw-Maw's. So that is where she is now. She will be back for supper and fingernail painting and off to bed tonight. She thought school was awesome. I think she is awesome....

Michael and Reese

Micahael and Reese playing in the park in Louisville the first time they met.
Barnhill and Coomes family brought together by Reese and Michael
Reese and Michael
As we await the next visit from the Coomes family this weekend, I wanted to write about our how they were brought together. After we adopted Reese, we got a phone call from FTIA telling us that Reese's birth mother had given birth to another son 10 months after Reese's birthday and did we want him. WOW!!! That was totally unexpected but learned later that is very common. We had gotten Reese 5 months before this and things were very overwhelming at that time. After me considering it and everyone else thinking I was completely crazy (except Poppy Bill I think), we had to decline. The second I declined, (in the same breath), I asked if we could know the family that would get him. They told me they would give them our information and it would be up to them. Later, Michelle told me that FTIA told them if they were not willing they would not give them the referral because they wanted the siblings to know each other. Anyway, Michelle called me the night before I was to go to the hospital for my hysterectomy (which I thought was a huge blessing from God) and we talked about the boys and the similarities as far as foster mother's and biological parents and so on. At one point Brandon said, "let her talk some!" I was very excited. Then we went for so many months waiting for the adoption to take place. They had a horrific experience and finally brought him home about 14-17 months later. During this time they learned they were pregnant and having a baby girl they would name Anna. They had made one visit to Paducah prior to that just to meet us. We thought it was very ironic they were about the same age as us and had a biological daughter, Emma, within a year of Nat's age. The visit went well and we were very encouraged that it would be possible for us to have a lasting relationship with them. Then in April we went to visit them in Louisville. They had such a beautiful home and such hospitality. We had dinner that night and several of her family members came over to meet us and Reese especially. We have said all along that we are amazed at how much they look alike. We were a little apprehensive as to what the boys would do when they saw each other. Reese looked at Michael for some time then started to play. It was a very memorable time. Great photo op! So now we await their visit this weekend. We've got lots planned in a short amount of time but it will be so much fun.

T-Ball

Nat played T-ball this year and it was fun. She got really hot and that was because she actually enjoyed the sport and played really hard. Her daddy was the head coach and Nat was proud. Daddy playes ball too and really enjoys it as well.

Jack Henry Fussy

Our newest addition to the family. So far it has been harder than conception and adoption!!!!! We (I) decided to push for a puppy. I did all kinds of research on which would be the best for our family. I convinced the whole family that Natalie wanted a dog for her birthday. I even convinced her. Then a few days ago it was very evident to me what I had done. Nat said, "why did we decide to get a dog? It is a lot harder than I thought it would be." I think I have been asking myself that ever since we got him. As my dad put it... a 5 year old, a two year old, a puppy, both of you working...what were you thinking? It has been a race to see who would be potty trained first. Reese or Jack. He is a good dog. He just does things that puppies do and creates some stress on the homefront. I look forward to us getting more used to having a dog and learning how to teach and handle him better. He is 6 months old now and I can tell a big difference in him already. We just have a long way to go.

Summer!!!!

This summer has been one of my absolute favorites. We have had so much fun. I have not been working very much the last couple of months due to the doctors' schedule and it has been wonderful to spend the time at home with my family. I did realize quickly the money runs out it a flash!! It has definitely been worth it.
This summer we have done so many things. We have been to Silo's numerous times thanks to Maw-Maw and Paw- Paw, and that is where Nat learned to swim. She decided one day that she was finished using her floaties and off she went. She has done a lot this last year including learning to snap, whistle and blow bubbles. We have also gone to Venture River once so far... Nat starts school next week so it may be our one and only. Getting to go to Silo's has allowed us several opportunities to play and visit with the cousins this year.
Reese has also had a big summer. We have really been working on potty training and he is doing an excellent job. He tells me "no clap mommy, I call daddy." So I guess he is tired of me carrying on like I do. It must be a male thing! Reese has also started talking a lot this summer. He likes to say either the first half or the last half of every word and sometimes it is just the vowels that come out. " I E" is I eat. " I go pahee" is I go potty. "I O R" is dinosaur. "JAH HE" is Jack Henry. He said loud and clear over the weekend when we were in Bedford at a family reunion, "I go home mommy, to my daddy." "I no go nigh nigh." This is just a few of all the things he says which has tripled since school was over in May. The other day, he wanted to play with his blocks. He said, "Nat, I nee hel play wi blah." She was busy so I got in the floor and he looked at me and said, " I gah idea, (finger in air), I buil wah." I could not understand him for anything so he got up and walked over and pointed to the wall and said, "I buil wah." Ohhhh, I get it! So we spent the next few minutes building and knocking over walls. He was so proud that I finally got it. Then we built a "how" and a "doggy how" went inside and had tea. It was great.
This kids have been to the movies several time this summer and to Chuckie Cheeese with Nanny. Nat has spent the night anywhere and everywhere she could including, Nanny's, Maw-Maw's, the Twins in Murray, she really likes to go.
Among other things, Nat has gone to three Bible Schools, played T-ball, kindergarten screening and eye exam. We've gone camping, had water night at church, gone to Connecticut, Ang and Kids came in for a couple of weeks and this weekend we are awaiting a visit from the Coomes family. This will be our 3rd vistit and Michael and Reese's 2nd. We can't wait....the fun continues! Nat's first day of school is August 6th and Reese's is Aug. 19th. And the fun begins....

Thank you, God!

I am sitting here thinking of all the things that I need to do before Nat starts kindergarten and Reese starts 3yr old preschool in just a couple of weeks. I have been hounding Nat about what she wants to be involved in after school and she says gymnastics, dance, and soccer. I have told her she can only do 2 of them and we are in a mad dash to decide because today is the deadline for soccer. Reese really doesn't have any options at this point until he is 3 1/2 or 4yrs old. I am also thinking I need to hurry up and get all of her school supply list and think how I can make that a fun experience for her. I have told myself all along that I am not going to get all upset about her starting school. I am going to be positive and excited for her because she is ready and I don't know a single person who has never gotten an education because their mommy didn't want them to grow up. Besides, she told me that "God wanted her to grow up," so there you go. Whose the adult? Reese will be starting with a new babysitter and will be continuing with Grandma too. All of this without Nat, so I am anxious for him because he has gotten very attached to her and always asks for her when she is gone. Then.... I am sitting here praying and thanking God for this and that and it occurred to me.... WOW, I am so blessed just to be able to be anxious and nervous for the children I never new if I would ever get to have!!! Just a little over 5 years ago I was pleading with God to bless me with children. "Please God, could I have the chance to be a parent?" Here it is and I am "smack dab" in the middle of parenthood- hoping, praying, deciding, anticipating- and I want to thank HIM for answering my prayer and giving me the chance to think about babysitters, get ready for kindergarten, last minute decisions. It is a blessing from HIM that I can do these things. And I want to say, "Thank you, God."

Their Daddy

Today their daddy is at work, like almost every weekday. He has had a couple of really challenging days at work. They love their daddy and can't wait for him to come home each afternoon. He usually goes and picks them up where ever they are for the day. This summer they have been staying mostly with Nanny Sherry and Nanny Buschy. Nat and Reese are so proud of their daddy. Natalie is starting to understand what his job is all about. She used to ask him frequently at the end of the day, "daddy, how many bad guys did you catch today?" He would make up a number and tell her and she would say, "good job, daddy." Reese noticed this morning that daddy's car was gone. He said, "wher daddy cahr?" I told him he took it to work. He said, "yea, but wher he cahr go?" Anyway, we solved that and went on. He used the potty today and was so excited. I started cheering and clapping like I always do and he said, "No,no, you no clap- I call daddy and tell him I go potty." We called and daddy was busy and Reese cried the whole 5 minutes until daddy could call us back and Reese could tell him. They love their daddy.

more pictures of our trip

This was at the 4th of July parade after Rachel was finished riding in the back of the girlscout truck. I think Ang had the most fun. The other two are of us hiking to and from Bluff Point.

Visit to CT

We recently went to CT to visit with Ang, JB, Rach and Brady. We did so much in just a few days. We arrived late Wed. evening. JB picked us up at the airport and both kids ran up and hugged him right away. Thursday, we went swimming and the girls went to a minor league baseball game with their daddy's. The boys stayed home with there mommy's and ordered Chinese food and played. Friday, we went to a 4th of July parade and shopping at a nearby outlet mall. Thank goodness we finally found Nat some new tennis shoes! Then JB grilled for us. Sat., we walked to Bluff point (3miles). Ang carried Reese back almost the whole way. Her arms might have been killing her but she wouldn't give up her time with Reese. That night we went to the fair and fireworks. Sunday we
got up and rode the train to New York. We got there and paid for a tour bus to take us all around. Halfway through the day we rode a boat to the Statue of Liberty. That was a really great day, even if we spent $35.00 on 4 pieces of pizza....it was worth it. Then we rode the train home and went to bed. Monday we went to North Lake. It was fun for the kids to swim and play in the sand. Nat got a little too brave in the water and I had to reenact a scene from "Bay Watch" to rescue her. She thanked me! We ended our adventure with a meal at the Mexican Restaurant. We came home on Tuesday. The trip was a lot of fun and we enjoyed our time together.

Nat, Reese and Jack Henry

I pray they never cease to be amazed at what God has created for them.

Finally started a blog

I said to myself; self; why don't you have a blog? I couldn't come up with an answer so here it goes. I have a journal for Reese and Nat but I don't seem to keep it up very good so I hope this helps. I don't want to forget anything about their lives and everyday I think of things I should write down and don't. I will give this blog info to a few people that may want to keep up with us, but mostly this will be for Nat and Reese to have as they grow up. I will probably go backwards for a while to capture of few moments that I haven't written about yet. Today will be the first of many memories I would like to bottle up and keep in my heart forever.....
HIS Group sang at LOUMC this am and we sang a song entitled "So High." There is a part when I am suppose to "growl" for lack of anything else to call it. I knew Nat could do it, so I asked her to help me learn how as well. After a coulple of weeks of her teaching and me learning...she told me "mom, maybe you should let someone else do it." Well, needless to say, Brandon and I got a huge laugh out of that one. But, the moment I want to remember is this am when I actuall gave it all I had and belted out the best "growl" I had in me and looked over at Nat. Her face was a face of a mother who watched her child walk for the first time. She was glowing from ear to ear and was so proud of me. I had to look away for fear of tearing up. She had taught me and was proud of me. I never want to forget that look on her face.