Walking

As I've mentioned before, I LOVE Honey's new school. We were contemplating moving out of our school district when we thought we could sell our house. But since we got into this magnet school I would seriously move closer to it (and it would be less convenient for us).

Well anyway, I made a new friend. We go walking a few days a week while the kids are in school. And today was the first day we hung out outside of school hours. I love our walking trail and I can even see the slightest indent where my collarbone should be. ahhaha

I love the tall uncut grass.
Sweet Potato and Pumpkin enjoying the view.

My new friend couldn't come walking on this day, but my wonderful MIL did.

And we always finish it up at the playground.

When my girls are both in school I will be able to finish it up at the dog park. :)

Girls, GIrls, Girls

The only opportunity I have had, in my adult life, to parenting a boy (not baby) was through respite. And I really do love them, but girls really are the best.

Spontaneous kisses
Wearing chalk as lipstick

Perfect poses

Lots of hugs and cuddles

Thank you Lord ...

For allowing me to have this.

After the zoo

After naps we went to the fair where my husband and I grew up. They got to pet some baby chicks. Pumpkin almost pinched the head off and Honey almost broke it's neck. Poor chick.

Trying not to let her "lenny" it.

My husband thought it was ok to let the girls ride the horses by themselves. Pumpkin can. Honey cannot. I was yelling at him to get back to Honey. Thankfully the employee put them back.

I got to get my deep fried oreo (don't knock it till you try it)

zoo day

It wasn't officially foster parent day at the zoo, but a lot of foster agencies were there. Three things:

1.there were also a bunch of amish looking people there. I noticed a couple of them staring straight at me. This was, I'm sure, for multiple reasons.

a) When I hold Honey she cups one of my breasts.

b) my bra straps were showing (and probably my bra on a few occasions)

c) I have 1 visible tattoo

d) We are a blended family

I only noticed a couple, but my hubs said they all were. I was trying not to stare as I'm sure they are stared at way more than I am. Maybe they were just curious, or maybe they were praying for my lost soul. Who knows, and who really cares.

2. there were a ton of beautiful families there, really this is not an exaggeration.

3. I don't know how much I want to foster to adopt anymore. As you know our darling Sweet Potato will be leaving us in about 2 weeks. I am totally upset. I got a little bit of hope when I saw all of the young babies at lunch. But this was the conversation I had with every foster parent I talked to. Me, "Oh, they are so beautiful! Are you hoping to adopt?" Them, "We don't know 'so and so' is trying to get them back." I just can't. And then you hear story after story of why the kids shouldn't go to whoever will be getting them. I know we got really lucky with our adoption with Honey. But I don't know how much more my heart can handle.

I'll tell you what it can handle. These sweet faces!

Isn't this absolute perfection (well, if there were two more in this shot it truly would be absolutely perfect)

Then to our surprise we saw our friends, dad T and boy J. J and Honey were playing ring around the rosy.

When you have kids as young as we do it makes it almost impossible to stay together at the zoo. One kid wants to go one way and another kid just saw said thing. So next up was the train sans T and J.

He is finally getting the fake smile down. (I have no idea how or why that is highlighted, and I don't know how to fix it) Goodness, don't you love those eyes!

We found J again. He's a great hugger

And a surprisingly good kisser. Look at Honey trying to sneak in for another one.
Dad T and boy J
I know this isn't in focus, but look at her sweet smile.

I cut my bangs, they are too long, but I felt instantly 1000 times cuter. If the young Aveda hairdresser would have found out she turned out to be someone who doesn't care about or change her hair every 6 months, she wouldn't have believed it.

What can you do

3 boys

I am doing respite for twin boys. They are very close in age to Sweet Potato. Oh man, I don't want to give them back. They are so funny. Baby 1 is very cuddly and Baby 2 is all boy. He has tackled S.P. twice, tried to pull his hair, and pushed and pulled him every chance he got. They are all asleep right now.

1 year ago

One year ago I had the worst grocery shopping experience of my life

What a difference a year makes.