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.