Is this the end?

I have tried to write a post a few times and blogger is telling me I am out of space and that I need to upgrade.  While I love to write this blog, I am not going to pay to write when I don't make any money off of it.

Does anyone know of any way around upgrading to continue uploading pictures? If not, I guess my blog posts will become a lot more sparse and not vary exciting until we start the adoption process again.

Surprise

I found Honey's birthmom online.   I was given a very small picture of her from Honey's previous foster home.  So I was pretty sure it was her.  When I clicked on her picture I saw Honey's picture. BOOM there it was.  I was digging around and looked on her Bio grandma's page who is surprisingly VERY normal.  When I got that tiny picture of Honey's Bmom I had an idea of bio grandma in my head and that was not it.  So then I started thinking, could I have a relationship with this woman? Honey would obviously love it.  Most children who were adopted crave to know that other half.  While I have zero desire to have contact with her bmom.  I seriously think it would be good for her to have some information about that part of her life.  Who knows, maybe I would even get some more pictures!

IF we wrote her I would have a friend send my email address anonymously.  We would go by first names until I felt comfortable sharing. I would refer to Honey by her birthname, again, until I felt comfortable.

So, what do you think? What would you do? Would you wait until Honey starts asking questions? Or go now? Or close the door completely?




I also saw that Petunia has been (or will soon be) adopted. Well that went much faster than I thought it would. The picture of her is so pretty. While I am 1000% happy with the choice we made; seeing that made me wonder about the possibility of having two babies right now.   I know it worked the way God had planned it, but she was such a sweet baby and I will always think of her.  We were chosen because her forever family wasn't ready for her yet.  We were meant to have our lovely Bear.  And we were meant to have another brown baby in the family.  If it would have worked out and we were allowed to keep Petunia, Honey would have been the odd ball out, and I don't like the idea of that one bit.

But having Petunia made me really want another little girl.  While I was set on saying only an AA or biracial baby boy for our last one, I THINK we might say either sex.  With Bear, we said if the birth parents don't know the sex show us, but if they know they are having a girl, don't show us.  I don't know that I will be that specific next time.  While I would LOVE to have a brother for Bear, I would also love another little girl.  Of course, I gave away all of my girls clothes because I thought that was it. I have a girls named picked and planned (that would have been Petunia's name).  I don't have a boys name picked, we have a short list.



And on another totally random note, Honey keeps asking when Bear is going to leave and where Peanut is.  I'm afraid I scarred her for life by fostering.  Of course if we didn't foster we wouldn't have her.  It doesn't matter how many times I explain that Bear is staying with us forever she doesn't get it.  I'm seriously wondering if I should put her in therapy to help her get over that loss??  Maybe it's something she will understand as she matures?

Christmas came early

Pumpkin and The Hubs have been asking for another French Bulldog since we lost Nigel. 

I have been wanting a Newfoundland since 1997. 

Everyone knew I was planning on getting a puppy since Harold is getting old, ancient in large breeds (roughly 8 or 9, since we got him from the pound we can't be sure), and his hips are giving out. 

But they just kept asking and asking. I mean, ALL the TIME. Between the two of them, it was bad. 

I kept trying to convince Pumpkin that she really wanted was another Harold puppy, but alas, that didn't happen. 

So randomly, the day after we looked at some dogs at Petsm*rt, not to get, just to look.  The Hubs and Pumpkin were ruthless. 

So while The Hubs was at work I called some breeders. 

They texted me a few pictures of the puppies. 

 And I fell hard. 

 So did she. 

I REALLY REALLY fell in love with a brindle.  

But his personality was just like Nigel's, and I knew better. 

 I put down a deposit down on Clark and came back a few days later. 

 This is Clark's momma.  

(see the brindle with the white blaze biting the other puppy.  That's the one I loved)

 Holly loves him... Harold... I think he's just getting grumpy and old. haha

 Even still, she won't put him down.  She loves him so much. 

 This is where Nigel slept. 

 And we surprised the hubs. 

 He got off of work, 

 opened his gift 

 And was so shocked and so happy. 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Sure I skipped a bunch of posts so this wasn't over a month behind.  Don't hate.

We didn't get around to carving pumpkins until the day before Halloween. 

 The girls picked what they wanted their pumpkin to look like.  How many eyes? What shape eyes? Does it have a nose? What shape nose? Does the mouth have teeth? You get the point.  They told dad how far down to cut, when to stop and placement. 

 This picture of their pumpkins sums up the girls personalities perfectly. 

 Bear was OVER it, and ready for bed. 

 And then I calmed him down, and so did Pumpkin.

Ok, Halloween. 

The girls picked out their costumes, but it was a cold day, so we had to layer and layer and layer Honey.

My brother came, just like last year.  I think he needs a little lessen in multitasking. 

(Also, lets just ignore the beer carton on the ground hahahah)

 I turn around and Honey was straight up talking to her parrot. 

collection

Another collection of pictures to try to catch up. 

I know these kids aren't biologically related... but they have THE SAME personality 

Nonna fixed Pumpkin's dress.  She wore it ragged. I think she will be getting some new dresses for Christmas 

I have been so excited for all of my kids to be able to take a group bath.  

I had a blast with my brothers growing up. 

Pumpkin took her job of holding him VERY seriously (for the picture only)

 Honey getting to hold him because Heather was there to catch him

A gorgeous black woman totally rocking her natural hair told me she loved Honey's hair. (NOT this hairstyle from unbraiding before her washing.) But I just wanted to say it, because that to me was the A+ of awards.  I don't care if she really meant it or not.  

She got into Bear's diapers and made some kneegaurds 

 Pumpkin thought that was a great idea 

Pumpkin steals all of my combs and I can never find them.  This is some of the things she does with them. 

 GIRLS NIGHT! We played mall madness, which I was never allowed to play growing up.  So this was my first time playing and I LOVED IT! I totally know why my mom banned it, it makes you think there is no value to a dollar and it's NO big deal to use credit cards.  With that being said, I hated her back then for never letting me do all the cool stuff. 

Pumpkin Patch

I look forward to this pumpkin patch every year.  

It's our tradition to go with my mom and dad and it is heaven. 

We always run out of time to go and see it all. 

My mom cut her hair off.  The process to go grey has begun. 

 MAYBE this time next year our family will be complete

 I just can't get over how much Pumpkin loves Bear. 

 My dad got it right.  Have a seat and let them do the work. haha

 We were going to wait for the horse carriage, but the family in front of us was the one that was cut off and next up...

 hahhah This picture makes me laugh.  My dad was trying so hard to get them to look in the camera.  Welcome to my world dad. 

 Isn't this too sweet.  I couldn't have planned a more perfect picture. 

Nothing is sweeter than a father and his daughter. 

 This year's batch of pumpkins were the pits.  I didn't think we went that late, and I know in general the pumpkin crop was bad... but there were no good pumpkins. 

 We all got on the swing and rode, even Bear.  

 And really, this bounce house is the best.  If I could go again with just my friends I would. 

I would love for someone I know to get married here so I can bounce on here. 

Fall fest

Part of our fall tradition is to go to the farm's halloween festival. 

Shannon, Paul, and Bea met us there.

 They played ring around the rosey while they waited in line for the obstacle course. 

 Finally, a picture I love of me and Bear. 

 Aren't Honey's eyebrows stunning.  I think I will forbid her from ever getting them waxed. ahha which of course means she will end up with pencil thin brows 

 Our other good friends showed up and it was a fun surprise 

 I love this picture, but Shannon hates it because she said it doesn't look like she has lips. ahah

 I don't know what Shannon was thinking.  Paul for sure should have been the one to walk next to the ponies, not a 7 months pregnant Shannon. 

 Don't let Honey's face fool you.  We had a blast.