How are you? Whole lot of changes here!

Our new Fantastic room

Our Library...I love to sit in here and just read! I am reading The Help right now! Love this room!

This is on my mantel in my Fantastic room....I so love it!!!

So, how are things with you? With facebook, it seems I don't blog that much...but I try my best! So things have been great here at our house! Julian is doing great at school! His speech is coming along so nice! Praise God for that! Jeff is doing great too! Work is work for him...I lost my job at WFHM...but all is good! God has a plan and for now I am a stay at home mom while looking for a job...not much out there...but He will provide! We are all healthy here. I have been having a problem with my left hip that has been inpairing me from working out...thus the weight loss has come to a hault! So I went to the Dr. today and it is bursitis...poking around finding the spot was the most painful part...now I am feeling better...so we will see if that correct the situation.

I have uploaded some pictures of the changes we have made some changes with the house to make it more livable with a 3 year old and his friends! Thanks to my mom and Jeff for helping me out! We are working on the window treatments and then all should be done! It has been fun!

We are going away on our annual wine weekend...it seems like it is just going to be us and our best friends Katie and Patrick...every year it seems like we gain people and lose people...This year we are doing it in October...normally it is in November, so that kind of made it difficult for the others to attened. So it should be a great weekend anyway. It will be nice to reconnect with Jeff and our BFF's. So life is good...I hope everything is well with you and yours! Comments are always welcomed!

Pre School time!

Off to school with Bob!
Daddy and Julian

At a party over the weekend!

I have to say that is picture on top is one of my all time favorites!!! How about you? Doesn't Julian look fabulous? ( the one with me on the top of the page)

Well it is that time of year again! My favorite time of year! Life has never been better for our family and once again we are incredibly blessed! Julian started a wonderful pre school and he has the best teacher we could ask for...another adoptive mother! How amazing is that! I knew I liked her from our first meeting...God plays a part in our lives and it is only when you are looking do you see Him!

We are redoing Julian's bedroom to a big boy bedroom. It is bitter sweet for me, but I am excited to see this journey begin! I can't say how much I love being the mother of an only child. Actually just being a mother is exciting enough for me! One or two...which ever he has in store for us...we are ready!

As you may know, I was laid off from my job at Wells Fargo. I guess it is the sign of the times! We will see what door opens for me. My stress level, health, and just over all life is so different. I didn't really realize how CONSUMING my job really was. My cell phone is quite, I am not on the computer but for night time. All my time is dedicated to Julian and Jeffrey...

I will be setting up a new blog, more faith based. So I will let you know when I make my first post there. Julian is in Pre School 3 days a week, so we will see what I will do with my time! Keeping you all posted!

Happy Birthday to my baby boy!

Just Chillin!

Julian with Kena...she is a sweet heart!

Picking a couple of BOB's for us!

Waiting for the music to begin at KVIS

Wow...3 years has gone by in a flash! Julian starts per school in September, so I have taken the week off from work to spend time with him. He is just amazing! He is counting and spelling on a 5 year old level! We had him tested for his speech to continue services with the school district...personally I don't think he needs it and neither do the 3 testers that were here...so praise god for that. It was like a light switch went off...he is talking so clear and he is so smart and funny! We have had a great summer...he is my little buddy and can't imagen my life without him!

Oh what shall I do?...

So I have been told by many that I should become a professional blogger...You know I love to blog, life has been so crazy that I haven't found the time to do so. My dear friend Dorothy thinks the stories I tell are so funny and yesterday she told me again that I should think about doing this. But what would my over all topic be?
****Family
****Being a working mother...the trails and tribulations
****being a daughter of a mother who is an only child and how I have to help with my pain the butt grandmother? On that topic, we say that the only reason why Julian is so in love with her, is because he doesn't know any better...YET! Lol I have never seen my grandmother this happy in her life. Of course I haven't been around her all my life...we started seeing her more when I was around 15, when she had her heart attack and we had to move her closer to us and she came to work for my mother at our real estate office.
****Being the mother of an only child and my desires to have another...on some days and others I am glad he is an only child?
****OR how it is a man's world out there in the business field?

So let me know what you think...I would love to know your thoughts on this. I plan on doing this I hope on a daily basis...Maybe I will talk about toddler hood and life lesson of mine. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!

This and that...

Photo of the week...

He was 18 months here...gosh how time flyes! I loved when he could wear the footed PJ's now, he just leaks everywhere...so as we progress witht he potty training maybe we can work our way back to those!

Well just when you think a phase is long gone...it sneeks back up and slaps you across the face! Yes that is what my little cutie pie did to me today! Well, needless to say it caught me off guard...kinda like a sucker punch! So what do you do? Slap him back...that does not make much sense does it...so what is a mom to do...looking for input with that...also, if you have a child who knows you don't have the strength to lift him and put him in a time out...what do you do? I begin to lose my patience and then just let him win...which we all know will for sure bite me in the butt down the line! He NEVER acts up at school or at church, so I am wondering why he does it to me...suggestions and feed back is apprecaited! As always...sending you hugs and blessings!

My brothers wedding...

Me and my mom

Me and Gram

Julian with his new cousin's

My brother and his bride

Well the wedding was great! The pictures are small, but I will reload them later...just wanted to post them.

Picture of the week!

If I could turn back the hands of time...I would! I so would in a heart beat! I can remember this day like it was yesterday...it was a day in June and it was warm outside of the water but when you were wet you were cold! He was sitting on his Papa's lap...I think this is one of the most beautiful pictures of him. He was 8 months old...now I know after experiencing this age, it was like no other...it is one of my most favorite ages...I really think I took for granted when people say "they grow up so fast" Man do they ever! Now I have an Octopus on my hands...I swear he has 8 hands...and they are grabbing everything! Maybe it is because I restricted him too much, or it is just his age...

He is talking so much! Today he said "turn on blue!" 3 words! What a delight! He has been signing for so long, it has become a habit for us all...I have to remind myself to tell him to use his words...sometimes I tell him what to say so he repeats it...but it is very exciting!

My brother is getting married on Friday. Finally...married at 40! Who would have thought! It is a blessing that is for sure! His bride to be has 2 children, a son who is 8 and a daughter who is 8 days older then Julian. So we are looking forward to having these little blessings around! I am glad for Julian, he will have cousin he is close to...not just in age, but in visiting as well.

I will post again this week...keep an eye out! I am trying my best to post! If you are reading this, please leave a message...I know who you are lurking out there...stop by and say hi!

Changing me...one step at a time...

I have come to realize that when you have a bad back everything can be a challenge...but Carrying extra weight can make it worse...so over the last 14 months I have lost over 65 lbs. I haven't really told many people, because I am doing it for me...not for my husband, not for Julian, not for the attention...but for ME. I Will be 39 in June and I have a goal of where I would like to be by 40...it is obtainable...and I am losing it slow, so it should stay off. This year I have made it a point to conquering my fears. I don't like to travel, so I went away on business and did just fine. Taking Julian places for me is always fearful...not sure how things are going to go with my back and such...i have been taking him more places by myself. My next fear I am working on is read aloud to people. My brother is getting married on the 16th and asked me to do a reading at his wedding...at first I was going to say no becasue of my fear...but I said yes! I will keep you posted on how it goes. I guess we all have fear some have more then others...I have alot...so now I putting my faith back into God and having HIM help me along the way! Life is good in so many ways...just taking it one day at a time!

Photo of the week!

PHOTO OF THE WEEK...THIS WAS WHEN HE WAS 8 MONTHS OLD...Hard to believe he is now 32 months old. Wow time does fly by...we have been having fun the entire way! I am going to try to do this every week!

For us...this week he has put 3 words together...Mama and Daddy...3 words! I am teaching him to say I LOVE YOU...If you ever had a child with a speech delay every word matters to you...it is the sweetest sounds to a mothers ears! He is so bright...he is just dieing to talk...he babbles all day...points and says things that I don't understand, so it is frustrating for all...but he has come so far in just one month post surgery! I don't regret having the surgery...I do regret it took so long to have it done and that no one was listening to me...until our wonderful ENT came along! God has given us many blessings...Julian is our most precious one!

Happy Easter!

My little artist! We try to craft day every day I am home with him. I thought I would break out the paint...it was fun! I am sure this is going to be an on going craft! He loves to paint and color!
Uncle Damon with my little pouty baby! LOL

Julian and Nana and Papa...he just loves them! And they love him too!

Grammy with Julian

Nana and he sweetie!

Well we had a wonderful day...we are constantly reminded how blessed we really are with our son Julian. He is just an amazing child! His speech is coming along so nice, and saying 2 and 3 word sentances now...it is very exciting to see how excited he is when he says things and we get it!

Hello again!

I know, I know...it has been along time since my last post! So much is going on, and as you all know, I am a working mother, along with being a wife, daughter and grand-daughter...I am so busy some days, I can't even see straight! As you also know, Julian has been having speech delay and for months, I mean months, I have been taking to his doctor, along with our speech therapist about this...mostly him being tongue tied...I knew this little girl along time ago who had this and once they snipped the little piece of skin under her tongue, her speech took off. Everyone said that wasn't it...that he is just delayed. Mother's do know best! I finally took him to a wonderful ENT and the first thing out of his mouth was "He is tongue tied!" So we did tubes in the ears and released the skin. He isn't talking up a storm yet, but it is coming along great! He is babbling more and is talking more...so we will see how this goes! Keep your fingers crossed!

So I am starting a little business...at home...I love to knit...I knit scarves all the time...so I am going to sell them now. I have a website that I am getting up and running and will post the address soon. I also will be making tooth fairy boxes for little boys and little girls...deco pageing...I am also doing keepsake boxes as well. I thought it would be wonderful to have a box that we could put out little ones things, like the wrist band from when they come home to us and other wonderful things. Keep an eye out for that as well!

It's been a while!

He loves to play with play dough!
This is his "say cheese" face!

Those brown eyes kill me every time!

Best friend! What is a best friend? Someone who is ALWAYS there for you, even when they are busy and have life going on. I am so thankful to have Katie in my life! She has been the best friend that has ALWAYS been there for me. With 3 beautiful children of her own, she does so much for everyone...Love you Katie! I could have gotten this far without your friendship!

Sorry it has been so long since I have posted...we have been very busy with life in general! Julian is doing great! We have had a few set backs with illness's, but everything else is going great! He loves school and I am so glad for that! He is very bright and learns new things very quickly! We are going to get his ears checked for tubes...since he has been in school, he has had many ear infections...so I am taking him to one of the best in the area to see what we can do!

Long time no post...

Doing his ABC's at Nana's house
Singing....

I love when he curls his toes...

Smile baby!

This face! I can't stand it!!!!

Yeah I know...it has been a while...Julian is doing great...talking up a storm...finally! He cracks me up with what he says...he is just too darn cute! The house is decorated for Christmas...thank god for that! I always do it the weekend after Thanksgiving...always have...Always will! Things are good over here...he is getting so big...at his last appointment he was 36 inches tall and 36 lbs! A perfect square! LOL

He is doing really well with Potty training...he asks to go to the potty all the time and always goes...he totally amazes me! I will have some more pictures to post in a few days! Enjoy!

He is loving school and I know we made the right choice for schools...I don't call it day care...it is not free play...they have schedule they follow and he is thriving there!

New post...

1st day of school, right before we left...

When we got home...1st time mommy...silly girl!

At the peach Festival in Lewiston NY...he wasn't feeling great that day...you can see it in his eyes..

Labor day... not the best picture but he is so cute in his RL shirt!

Last day of swimming at Nana and Papa's...we no longer need the arm floats WOO HOO!!

Hi all...Well since our last post, Julian has started Early Childhood...we don't call it daycare, because it really isn't daycare...he goes Monday's and Wednesdays from 9-12:30...he just loves it. We have him going to the Jewish Community Center...we have heard wonderful things about this program and all of it is true! He has a great teacher and we are so pleased with everything. We looked at 2 other places, but honestly I didn't want him going somewhere that they were just doing free play. I wanted a school enviroment. He is very bright...has known his letters and numbers for 6 months now, we are working on his speech with his teacher and it is making all the difference. He loves to play with the kids...he just loves kids all together. He is great for a playdate that is for sure...no hitting or anything like that...thank god! And you know what goes along with school is sickness! He had his first ear infection...not fun...but to be 25 months and not have a single antibiotic in him is pretty amazing...even the doctor mention that. But he is a champ!

I hope to post more but...you know how it goes!

August 23, 2003...

So this is the day that I always dread. It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon...the clouds were white and puffy...the days prior it was so hot...90 almost every day...this day it was finally a cool day...maybe 70 degrees the sun was shining and there was a nice breeze. The day prior to this day, we had just found out that our baby was dieing...his heart beat was fading and there was nothing we could do about it...except pray. And that is what we did. So on that morning, Jeff went to work to start his new position withe the post office and I was waiting for a client to come to the house.

I had never been busier in my mortgage carrier...it was 2003...a lifetime ago. I was in the middle of a miscarriage so I thought...I had been having contractions all night and morning...once my clients left, they really started to come on strong...I decided to lay down, figuring it would pass...I then felt a pop in my belly...like a balloon...then the next thing I knew...I was delivering my son...I was home alone...there was blood everywhere. The next 8 hours would be the worst of my life. I began to hemmerige (sp) It was very scary. Thank god for my parents and a wonderful Dr. that saved me. From that point forward, I knew somewhere in my heart that I would survive this and be a mother one day...I always knew that I would adopt. Jeff came to the hospital and we soon left to go home to a quite and empty house. As we were driving home, I looked at him and said...his name is Joseph. And that was all that was said until the next day. I didn't want to talk to any one or see anyone...I wanted to be left alone.

The following 4 months were a blur. I woke up everyday and cried from the time I woke up to the time I fell asleep. Life was not easy for anyone around me. Come to find out , now looking back at everything...it was Gods way of preparing me for the mother I was going to be come just shy of 4 years later.

Today is a sad day for me. I think of my little Joe and wonder what he would look like, what his personallity would be like...he would be starting school...I see my nephew who was born December of 2003 and think of my little Joe.

But as i sit here in my living room, on a day similar to that day, I hear the laughter of my son in the family room...the singing that comes from his mouth is peaceful.

In order to get here today, we had to be there August 23, 2003. I will never forget this day...and every year get a little bit better. Julian and I will be visiting Little Joe today before we go to my parents for the day. I am so thankful for the gift that God has given us...but I do miss my little Joe. If he were here, Julian would be not...so I don't regret a thing...I am just sad.

This too shall pass....

2 years ago...

Today our lives were forever changed! Julian was born at 2:03pm...it was a sunny day, much like this morning...we were so anxious...he was 4 days late and we never thought he would get here. Jeff had taken off of work, we knew that A was in labor, but she had been in labor for 2 days, so we thought Jeff could take off work and we would head down to see her. Well things move from slow to fast and he was born, we got the call just after 4pm. After waiting and waiting, our baby had been born...we were so ready for our lives to change...we sat around all day, I cleaned the upstairs and his bedroom, vacuumed for the 100th time...and at 5pm, I said to Jeff...let's go for dinner and wait for the call...on our way to dinner our attorney called and said get down there...she wants to see you...we drove so fast and furious to get there...I needed to see my baby...and when I saw him, he was like an angel...he was perfect...everything about him was perfect...ten fingers, ten toes...a cute little nose...dimmples...everything...The first time I held him, I think my blood pressure had dropped...all the stress leading up to the birth. If you have adopted you know what I am talking about...if you haven't...the stress is over whelming...It is sometimes unbearable. Everything you have hoped and dreamed for was in someone else's control not yours. But I knew that A was our birth mother and the baby she was carrying was ours.

Summer of 2007 we called "the summer of Julian" everything we did revolved around him...our thoughts, our prayers, every time we went shopping...everywhere we went...we were always thinking about our boy. The picture on top is the first time I held him...he looks so peaceful, so beautiful, like and angel. Well, our angel baby joe, hand picked him along with God...this I know to be true. We suffered a great deal. Most people who adopt have either been pregnant and lost their babies to MC or still born, some have never been pregnant...on August 23, 2004, I delivered baby joe at home, by myself...and man did I suffer...it was the worst thing ever. From that day forward August was the worst month in my life...until August of 2007...Now August for me is so sweet and wonderful...my other August baby lives on with us...forever with us. I think about baby joe all the time...not every day, but alot...what he would have looked like, stuff like that...but now, I look at Julian and think...thank you God for giving me the strength to move forward and open my heart and let love back in. Julian Parker is more then I could ever has asked for...even when he is crying...or throwing a tantrum...like now while I type this...yes he is spoiled...and he will be forever...he is our only child and will remain our only child...we want to give him everything...the best of everything, I am not going to hide the way I feel and how one is enough for us. When you have been through what we have been though...we are thankful for one...one healthy, smart, beautiful child...hand picked by the Lord...made just for us!

We have picked an Early childhood program for him...one of the best in the area...I am not going to put the name on here, but we are very pleased with the director and the curriculum is outstanding...we didn't want him to go somewhere where it is free play...we want him to not only play but learn and thrive. He is very bright and the teacher said that he will be with the 2.5-3 year olds...we are thrilled...he is just so bright...I can't keep him to myself anymore...he needs to be with other children...he is going to love it. First day of school is the 2nd of September...it is only 2 half days. This is a school he will stay in until Kindergarden...we couldn't be happier! So that is what is going on...hugs and blessings!

2 years ago...we were waiting...and waiting...

Here is the post from 2 years ago from my old blog...It is hard to believe that he is going to be 2 in less then 10 days. Where has this time gone...The first year went by so fast...this past year has gone by fast, but so much has happened...so many milestone...I picked him up from my mother's house after she watched him over night a few weeks ago and he took my breath away...it was like he went from baby to toddler over night...where has my baby gone? He is the sweetest little guy...I truly believe that all children are hand pciked for their family whether it be a bio baby or an adopted baby...they are hand pick...kissed by the lord...I can see the lords kiss on him every day. I useto stand over his crib, before he came home and would pray for the lord to bring us a healthy baby...and he fullfilled all my prayers. After losing a friend to cancer this week...it really makes you appreciate the things you have around you. I will be making entries from 2 years ago through out the next 2 weeks...how you enjoy memory lane!

Monday, July 30, 2007

We're still here...
Yes we are...I guess it was false labor. Oh well. In good time. We are all ready to go so when the call comes we are ready! I have turned over this part over to God. I can't handle the stress anymore. It is killing me. We have no control over this and it is crazy to be this stressed out. I feel so much better this morning after turning it over. What a weight that has been lifted. It is any day now, so I will go to work and continue my same old routine. So I lied when I said you would see my next post annoucning our little guy. It is hard to stay away from blogging. It seems to be the place I can go and let it all out.This summer has been so hot, I feel so bad for those who are pregnant this year. My mother said this is the type of summer it was when I was born. So, we are still here...very patiently waiting...truly we are!

20 year reunion...

Me in 1989....

Patrick and Jeff...Best Buds...



Me and Beth...we go as far back as middle school...

Bill, Me and Jeff...grade school friends...Jeff and I were best friends in High School...

Me and Katie...Best Friends!!

Well it was this weekend and we had a great time! Reconnecting with old friends...there is nothing like it! It was alot of fun...classmates came from all over...one flew in from Norway, some from California, Florida, Carolina's, and most of the other states. It started out at OHD's Beer Tent, then to Saturday to the formal get together and then today a family Picnic, which we are on our way to now.

Even though the only ones who knew I was down 45 lbs. was my hubby and Katie and Patrick, I still felt great! My back held out and I feel wonderful today...my core is getting stronger and stronger everyday! I have been working on the Pilates machine at PT and I feel like crap when I get home but the next day I feel wonderful!

20 years has come and gone, I look at the years and they really have gone by fast...many boyfriends ago, many friends ago, my husband, 6 pregnancies, our little Joe, Julian entering into our life and here we are...with our best friends by our side, our family, each other...nothing can stop us. We have God on our side...he is with me every minute of everyday...helping me make the choices that a healthy woman/wife/mother would make in her life. No toxic friendships, relationships, just pure love for who is here with us now. Ones who have stood by us through think and thin...the joys of bringing home our son, watching him grow in to a wonderful little boy. He will be 2 next month. Who could think that time has gone by this fast...well 20 years did!

Sending you all Hugs and Blessings!

Let the summer begin!

Yes...it is finally here...SUMMER! This year we are looking forward to many playdates in our yard, trips to the Zoo, swimming at Nana and Papa's house, long hot summer days and most of all enjoying the blessing we have! Julian! He makes us laugh all day long! He has a great personality. He is very smart...he knows his ABC's and his Numbers...it really is amazing! And he can read a few words in his books. I thought he was memorizing but we had just pulled out a book he had not seen and he picked out the word "daddy" but said Dada.

The new me is coming out of her shell more. I have lost over 40 lbs and still have more to go, but when I had my a ha moment back in March, it changed everything! So I continue to ask the Lord to help me on a daily basis and so far so good! Diet and exercise really does work!

I will post pictures soon...since I am on Facebook...all my pictures are there...we have started the process of Potty Training...oh what fun!!!

I JUST CAN'T GET ENOUGH!!!

Trying to hide so he doesn't have to leave nana's and papa's
Hiding again...but with humus on his lips...

Admiring the pool he just swam in...

Swimming with daddy

Yes...I know...I am cool!