5,000..Family...Triplet Convulsion.

I have hit the over 5,000 hit mark!That is pretty neat! :) Thank you whoever my readers are. I know there are at least 11 who have subscribed but I highly doubt those only 11 have visited 5,000 times between them. :) So whoever you are out there..I hope you are enjoying my sometimes meaningless thoughts..or my silly stories about my children or here lately..My weighty issues about my family and concerns.... Thank you for praying for me and my issues when I request. 

1st things 1st. My foster brother is back home where he belongs. I am so happy to see him home and the house in the order as it should be. Just wasn't quite the same without him there. 

2nd- Austin is progressing! He thank goodness has not had any set backs. Its going to a be a long journey...but man is it worth it. I thank God for doctors and God himself for giving the doctors their knowledge to learn and take care of patients like Austin. 

Still on the topic of Austin.... Sondra the other day in car made a comment about Austin... I asked her what she said and she said something about someday Stu would get in a car accident and die like Austin..oh whoa Stop... I had to tell myself that when she muttered that so nonchalantly..but she is 4..she has no filter and no real understanding what death really really is..and wait a second?...I said to Sondra...we don't say things like that. That is not very nice. And Austin is not dead?..and she says yes he is. I reminded her that I have visited him and actually visited him that day. And she said he is Dead Mom..he is sleeping!... hmm... well.. I guess to her he is dead. Because dumb of me..since going to funerals and there is a open casket I've told her that such and such is "sleeping" up there and  that they are gong to go live in heaven. Well this whole time with Austin..We have explained to her he is "sleeping" while his brain heals but he is going to wake up...which its contradictory to the whole thing I have been telling Sondra trying to explain to her that when you Die you never come back....man... I'm really messing this girl up. I'm going to have to do some research about explaining everything to her.... But she is not understanding the whole part about why I am allowed to go back and see Austin..but she is not. I don't even take her up to the hospital anymore b.c. when we get in the car she always complains...HEEYYY I DIDN'T GET TO SEE AUSTIN.... so... when he wakes up...Sondra will be first in line to see her buddy....ICU will have to bend the rules and let her back there...I at least hope. 

Halloween! :) I love it. My Sister and I passed out Candy in Lafayette while Jake walked around with Sondra & Colt & a family from church that live in Lafayette ... which their daughter Alyssa is Sondra's Lafayette Best Friend lol... she has them in each town... I don't think Sondra is too big on Trick or treating...when we were on our way home yesterday from Mel's..she asked if she could ride in the stroller to Trick or treat...lol... Um no Sondra you are four... if you can't walk it out to get candy..then you don't need it! lol... so its funny..b.c. last night they came back early....Jake said there wasn't a moment Sondra didn't have candy in her mouth while trick or treating... she better shape up b.c. Sunday she has Spencerville and the family party to trick or treat on Sunday! 

Tonight is the last home game for AE...and Sadly..I'm not going..so me and the kids are staying in and I am going to introduce them to some of my favorite Disney movies. I'm going to go raid the Lloyd's VHS tapes after I pick the kids up...and I'm gonna have them fall in love with Lion King.. Pocahontas if they have it...and any good ones I see...we can have a marathon of Disney movies... 

Thanks to Pinterest I think I have found my motivation to pick up sewing again!....Sondra loves all things dolls... she loves the diapers and such and everything...so.. I found on Pinterest.com DIY cloth baby doll diapers. I always found a pattern for a baby doll blanket where the baby don't fall out I would like to try..and also a baby doll sling..My little lady likes to wear her babies which makes me smile and laugh all the same..but I want to try it.. I just got to get around what I need to make each of these things... :)..I'll try my hand at it then maybe buy all matching material and make a bunch for Christmas for her!...oh another thing..Christmas.. lol 

So the Toy R us catalog comes this week... or last week not sure..but we start flipping through it..and Sondra always refers to that store as Toys 4 Us..from the very beginning she has and I even call the store that now.. lol anyways... she has a fascination for twins..she almost always pairs her babies up and calls them twins.. like if they are the same brand...or type of doll..even if one is white and one is black... like her 2 cabbage patch kids...both have long hair and about the same size except KiKi is black...and Sami is White..but they are twins.. lol..same goes for her Baby Alive Babies..anyways..so we are flipping through her pages... and all of a sudden I swear she starting convulsing and I thought her head was going to pop off....MOM 3 BABIES! 3 BABIES!..lol yes Sondra... those are triplets. Whiplets? reply..no Sondra TRIP-LETS...Whiplets..I want those for Christmas. We have to call Santa and tell him I want Whiplets for Christmas and new twins for my Birthday! lol.... oh my goodness...so...well it got me thinking... maybe..Instead of buying that exact triplet pack..maybe I could buy 3 of the same baby but different styles or something... IDK..I'm still thinking on that. Santa will have to deliver the triplets..but I want to avoid paying the 49.99 for 3 cheap dolls.. I mean ya they are "interactive"..but really She just wants 3 dolls that are the same!... 

Which thinking about Christmas and seeing her become so excited she could hardly contain her self reminded me of a time when I was so excited I couldn't contain myself... I remember the year I got this!

I love my Pony Surpise! I didn't think twice when I pulled the babies out of her belly by ripping open the velcro. Maybe thats why I'd much prefer a C section than to having my babies the old fashion way...lol long shot but hey.. then I always remember getting a set of triplet babies too...

Magic Nursery Triplet Dolls I also had the carrier too! 

I wish I still had some of my favorite childhood toys. It would be neat to show Sondra and let her play with them too! I don't get sad about my house burning down when I was younger... except in these cases. Everything is replaceable. Trust me! 

Last night Sondra was playing her LeapPad and Stu is always so interested and Sondra don't like it..so I have to share these photos: 

Hey What are you doing on that?? Where's mine? 

I think he does this to annoy her! lol..

SO I must get going... This has been here and there..and sorry! ... I'll let you know how the Movie Marathon goes! Later :)

Is blood really thicker than water?

What defines family for you? I use to look at it like: Blood is thicker than water.which means: It generally means that the bonds of family and common ancestry are stronger than those bonds between unrelated people (such as friendship).(Wiki)

I'll start this out with- I'm probably saying too much but its on my mind and if its on my mind its on my heart...and sometimes it just needs shared...maybe its time finish blog writing and get back into my journal....... this is personal...and what is going on right now... 

Since having a adoptive brother... also foster siblings that my children have grown not knowing what it is like without them..the kids love their Uncle Coolie, John, Alfred...so it breaks my heart that John isn't living with my parents anymore. Moved out Sunday..its always inevitable with older foster kids as they approach the 18 year mark. For so long they think 18 is being "grown". Your a Man at 18 boy! Which is so far from the truth that it is sad. Its like you can feel it coming...the first heart break that I can remember was Quinntell. He was 2 grades older than me. Shanetta which a lot of you know her Quinntell is her older brother. Anyways- tell was doing great. Normal kid...was a freshman in high school. well he ended up getting in a "fight" with one of our cousins at school...so really it was a "family feud" which school said if Quinntell would just apologize for fighting and apologize to Principal for being disrespectful than he could stay in school. ...well he had to be a MAN!..wouldn't apologize...so couldn't stay at Allen East which meant he could no longer live @ our house. One way or another he ended up on the wrong path. He ended up spending a little while in jail.... and then went back to jail and still is in jail. Its sad. If he hadn't moved out and just stayed in school and had a positive environment..I believe he wouldn't be where he is today.... Environment is a lot in a kid's future. not always..but a lot of it is. 

But when I see my foster brother move out..just makes me sad. Makes me afraid for his future. I am sorely pissed off at Allen County Children's Service because instead of kicking him out of foster care b.c. he turned 18 they could have kept him instead of telling him your a man you 18 you don't have to listen to anybody.....nope they wanted him off their books. I whole heartily believe that. Their advice to him was quit high school. Get your GED then enlist in the Army then. Not until I called around to each branch they all told me NO do not quit school. They value EDUCATION and there are only a few special slots for people who have their GED and those are never guaranteed to anybody.....wouldn't you think they would have called and asked about those things before telling a kid that....  From there on since John was out of foster care- he has been living with my parents...My parents biggest goals have been to get the boys graduated from High School..Coolie wanted to go to college...he got there attends Tiffin...John from Day 1 wanted to join the Army make it a career. Well that was the plan. its not that I don't think he won't get there- its just... scares me... I don't understand why a kid wants to make it hard on himself. a lot can happen when your basically on your own. I just would have never pegged him as the one to leave the house. He just has always kept or tried keeping Alfred his little brother on the straight and narrow so he doesn't mess anything up and having to move out b.c. Alfred got in so much trouble. Just doesn't make sense. I don't understand it..I just hate this right now..and I had to come home to write this blog b.c. I knew I couldn't write it at work b.c. I've already cried half the day there about it all..just thinking about it.... and what kills me the most.... 

on the way home last night....I'm crying...like ugly crying...and Sondra asks why I'm crying...and I tell her b.c. John moved out. Just really sad and scared for him...and she says with her wrestling medal around her neck he gave her before he left...but she says...don't worry Momma John will come back. He said he will be back in 7 days.... and I just yeah ok Sondra...then we get home and I am getting her out and she hugs me patting my back and say don't worry Momma.. just know he is going to come back. He said he would visit me and I go will go to his house.....(i don't know whether that is what he told her to keep her happy or she just make believed it all) but either way it breaks my heart. What will I tell her in a few weeks when we get there and she asks..where's John?...I'm just a foster sister and my heart is breaking....breaking b.c. he has so much potential in his future. I hope to God and will pray everyday that he stays on his path. That he graduates and he gets enlisted in the Army. 

And I'm not angry at him..I am just disappointed. and like family..I'm ready to defend him...he is just like any 18 year old high school student who thinks they are grown up and instead of having no where else to go like normal kids...he has that option of going of with another set of parents....I just don't want to hear anybody or anyone putting him down.....what he is doing he thinks he is right and he knows the weight of his decisions.... How do you explain to someone that they are making a mistake that will effect them for the rest of their lives? 

I don't know whether I love the experience of growing up doing foster care or hate it. Before doing foster care I can't even tell you one black person I had ever actually knew. It taught me to look past color and now... I don't even see color. I don't believe I was really racist but it opened me up to a world that I didn't know it existed. I love that my children don't even see color when they look at people....these days Sondra will describe herself has tan or the boys as brown...but never the normal way. But she isn't scared of black asian or meixican people like some kids are b.c. they are not around people of different ethnicity. but right now...I'd give all that up or any positive of foster care of I knew for a fact John would without a doubt graduate and enlist in the Army..or if John would be home and none his decisions were never made...my heart just hurts so much right now. I knew 18 is the age that foster kids usually do this..but honestly I thought he would be different...I don't know whether to become harder and just give up..or keep pestering him to straighten up..keep reminding him family don't walk out..family tells you when your making a mistake. what am I supposed to do? I guess I want to ask everyone to pray for John's future. 

on to "better" news....Austin has had 3 good days :). Right now its a waiting game. He gets CT scans everyday and they are just watching his progress. I'm so very happy for him. Its going to be a long journey..but he is going to get better :). Can't wait to see his eyes open and his goofy smile...     

Where there is Life- There is Hope :)

In life I hate it when something terrible happens and it shakes you to your core. That how you feel about somebody a loved one like my cousin all those feelings come rushing at you head on. I was terrified the moment I got the message he was in a accident to the moment I seen him in the ER..then to the moment in ICU...  you can never be prepared. .

for those that don't know my cousin Austin and 2 friends were in a car accident Saturday night. He was driving and ran a stop sign at the corner of Lawrence and Alger rd. He was struck by a oncoming car.

Austin is my little cousin who lives down the road from my parents. He as a little guy had a head of curly curls and always almost always had droll running down his face :). Slobber Box I would call him. Anyways.. We have grown up fairly close..I babysat his sister and him. His super hero was probably still is my brother Jordan. He has a caring heart. I don't know if its b.c. we grew up close that he always every time always when he sees my kids- he always shows them attention. Picks them up hugs kisses. He isn't too cool to do that. And I can proudly say all my cousins or brothers in high school does that.

I ask everyone to pray for my everyone involved in the accident. Please pray for Carol Stiles and her son Darren Stiles. Please pray for Cole Basham and Ryan Kindle. Please pray for Austin. Ask God to work on all the kid's hearts in the community. We in the last few years have lost 4 AE students from alcohol involved accidents. maybe just maybe... I know if things haven't changed in the past few years..but maybe AE needs a Living Testimony. I'm praying that when Austin gets better- that God uses him. Uses him to change the hearts of kids and their mentality of being invincible.

Another thing is- with all this happening rumors have spread GALORE. Why is it people feel the need to "make up" or assume things and then pass those assumptions on as fact. Take the official news and don't add to it or change it. and I know this sounds cold b.c. Austin is these kids friends- but I Feel its pretty intrusive for so many people/kids just to be standing in the hallway of ICU just staring and texting on their phones updating their little Facebook status...about how hard it is to be there! I just...feel like maybe they should hold off a little bit till things settle down a bit.
 and don't get me started on FB. I think FB is a good thing. Someone has created a Prayer Chain great. But also people have had negative comments about the whole accident and everything else. You know what?..He isn't the 1st kid to drink and drive. Is he a horrible person? Absolutely not. Do we need people throwing out comments like "oh is it worth it now?" (I'm not saying that is not a valid question but nonetheless its inappropriate 1st off and 2nd to do it on FB? really)... no we need people sending prayers up and support for road to recovery. Austin is a good kid that didn't make responsible decisions and we are thankful that no one was killed in the accident. And when the time is right his irresponsible decisions will be addressed and I'm sure you won't be invited to the discussion so there is no need to post it on Facebook. I just hate that people spout off at the mouth that you know for a fact they wouldn't say that to someone's face.         

...wow..I'm a little fired up about all that.. sorry..but as you all know...I'm protective of my family ....and let me state..that is MY opinion..and no one else.

I have had a rough weekend. not much sleep. after getting home from the hospital I couldn't sleep. I sat in my living room staring at the TV and just seeing Austin in that hospital bed. Rubbing his forehead and lightly brushing the top of his curls telling him that I loved him and that he needs to get better. at 3am- I decided to write Austin a letter. and that's what I did. By 4:30am.. I was off to bed...and by 5am..I had Sondra waking me up to ask me to hold her baby doll b.c. she had to go the bathroom. heh.. oh Sondra...  and so I fell back to sleep cradling a fake baby while my daughter played in the bathroom for a little while. She got her baby back and went and laid on the couch. Sunday came and went. In the morning I told Sondra that Austin had been in a accident and she really didn't understand. I told her that he wasn't awake but it was ok b.c. it was good for his brain to be asleep so it could heal.  In Sunday school I forgot my worksheets for my class so Sondra made Austin a card. She actually wrote her name and made a "heart" that looks like a circle so I wrote love in it and I dashed out Austin's name and Sondra traced it. She drew pictures inside the card and wrote down that "Austin is Silly" that was a bunch of scribbles so I wrote it out under it... and then on the back she wanted suckers taped on b.c. she said when Austin wakes up he is going to be really hungry. :)... My heart smiled that she said that and smiled even more when she wanted to steal one of his suckers b.c. she wanted a second one... he would love that and Sondra is going to have to explain to Austin sometime why he only got one sucker on his card when there is clearly evidence of a time when there was 3 suckers taped to the back. :)

both me and Jake Sunday night fell asleep before 11. and of course this morning woke up late.          

so I really don't know what this post is about... but I mean I do... its Austin.. but you have these feelings and you just want to get them all out. and make sense of them...
I have no "official" news on his condition. But I really appreciate my prayer warriors out there taking time to pray for these people. until next time :)

Cooking Crazy Canning Decoration and Tip for Good Looks

So- I'm having a pretty good day!~...Although we "planned to wake up" early today...lately we'll sleep in until 7:10 or later...and I leave my house at 7:30 the latest..so you can guess how good I'm looking through out the week with all the time I spend getting ready! lol..but anyways..but last night.. I thought I gotta get up for once! lol... so this morning I didn't wake up early..but I did wake up at 7..meaning I got out of bed at 7..I did just lay there dreading to start my day..but I got up!... That in turn I had a easy drive to work this morning... no hurrying...no over 60MPH... so tomorrow I think I am going to try and wake up a little bit earlier.. 6:45am. wish me luck :)

I do not know what has gotten in me lately. I love to cook. try new things and sorts. Monday night wasn't really "creative" but I tried something new. All things concerning meat cooked in cream of mushroom soup(COMS) is genius. and taste worthy. I like to make pork chops with COMS..also..Salisbury steak...and just about any beef breaded and fried and covered in it is great. Its built in gravy.. yum..anyways..I had thawed chicken breast and thought why not? So I seasoned them with seasoning salt and baked them for a little bit then I put put a can of COMS in a baking dish put the chicken breast in and cooked a little longer..and viola! it so so good!...also that night... on the menu... Fried potatoes with real bacon bites cooked together topped with Cheddar cheese... which me and my Mom like to call it... "I didn't Know" lol... which diced green peppers and fresh mushrooms should have been in it..but I didn't have either of those in the kitchen....then me and kids carved the 1st pumpkin of the season and we made cinnamon pumpkin seeds which I think... they needed roasted longer..but no worries we have 3 other pumpkins that we will eventually cut up and We'll try again!
Then last night!
I had homemade pizza on the brain. so i found a recipe for homemade dough...used my bread machine dough cycle.....while that was going on I fried up the sausage... and bacon..(my family are meat eaters)... put it in the over to bake..then  decided..why not make some pumpkin muffins with Chocolate chunks and peanut butter chips.. ohh yum! ..first were a little dry but adjusted the bake time and they were very lovely...3 of my favorite things :)... i really finding new recipes and trying them out..I feel accomplished when I sit down to a lovely meal that I spent time preparing...and I enjoy that much more :)..as far as my husband.. he not so much... we have opposites takes on food... his motto he says is "HE Eats to Live"..and he says my motto is "I Live to Eat"... lol.

also it was so nice..yesterday I sent out a mass message asking my family what their favorite "Sunday dinner" meal or dish was that Grandma made. I loved seeing all the responses. Everyone having their own personal favorite or people going back and forth in messages saying... How could you not say this or that?.. My favorite... Salisbury Steak :) that is my Grandma meal..that stuff heals my soul....its comforting.. I can remember the last time I had her Salisbury Steak..and now when I make it..its pretty damn good..but its not as good as hers..its like..maybe something is missing..I also loved her lemon chicken..that was so good!...her Black raspberry pie..well..lets be honest..any of her pies... She was a Baking Goddess.

MyPretty Shelves and then a DVD Clutter

Last night I cleaned off my shelves and put my jars of goodness up... I now a lot of people decorate with them..but I don't have a knack for that..so.. I just put them up... The top shelf is most spaghetti sauce and a couple jars of tomato juice and a few jars of Chill...then the second row is mostly applesauce of all sizes and colors..and a few spaghetti sauce straglers that didn't fit on the above shelf..I'm so proud of those 2 shelves... :) I appreciate my Mom teaching me how to can and will continue to do so..I'm so big on this i'm considered the "Canning Nazi".. .. I'm actually going and cooking down tomatoes tonight..probably the last of the season :(...

Also..the best thing happened today... I'm sitting at my desk.. a driver walks in asks if we had showers..told ya to the right...when he was done showering... he put 10 on my desk..and I picked it up and said oh no Showers are free here!... and he says oh no its ok..and I said no I can't take your money..and he said No! Have lunch or a beer on me! ...lol..then I had a internal voice in my head that said SHUT UP Joie..and I did and told him Thank you!... I little razing from the other guys for getting a tip for nothing hasn't hurt my feelings... My Reply.. Its not my fault I got a tip for having such good looks :)

welp so long :)

Frame Escape How Does She Do it? Costumed Cuties DevelopingRoyalty

Alright Alright! I'm here...I have been having a "great" week.

This weekend we are going to a weekend wagon train. I'm excited. Sondra will have a ball with the little kids... and just seeing everybody will be so nice. And very interesting. Here is a wagon train story. Our Wagon Train club always has a white elephant sale to help raise funds for the club. Well... my Dad bought this picture that read "Like Love, Friendship Lasts forever" it wasn't selling so Dad just bought it to give money to the club. Dad thought it would be funny to give it to these 2 sisters we always joke around with and have fun. So before he left to go back to the camper that night he told them that he wanted them to have this picture b.c. it reminded him of them and walked away. Well on their way back to their camp they dropped the picture back off to the camper to me and Jake and say"Tell your Father we just cannot a accept this gift". So I give it back to my Dad.  So Him and Jake come up with a plan to give it back to them on the last day. So as they are hurrying up and pulling out the last day of camp Dad stops them to tell them goodbye and what do you know...Jake sticks the picture in their horse trailer.

The Famous Pic in my Parents bedroom that
went unnoticed for 2 weeks

No way of knowing they have it until they get home. lol... we had a good laugh about it...then I had a even bigger one when I received a message of Facebook from one of the sisters asking if they could possible ship it to me and I somehow get it into my parents house. lol...oh wow~... if anyone knows me well...I can not possibly keep a secret. I can't ever get Jake anything...b.c. I usually always tell him... but not this time. I was going to keep a secret for once. So... I gave them my work address and  a couple weeks later it arrives. lol..so that day..my parents have a meeting with some caseworkers at the house so I snuck the picture in my the outside door into their bedroom. That baby hung on that wall for 2 plus weeks. My Mom noticed it first thanks to Sondra...and The night I hung it up I took a pic of it and showed it to Jake that night... so I didn't kind of let it slip a little bit... but anyways... so Mom had a idea to put it out in my parents  Kitchen/living room.... my Dad didn't notice that thing for a week. And when he did... just like my Mom..he asked repeatedly..."HOW DID THAT GET HERE"... I tried with all my might.....to lie...but I smiled....lol... so... going camping this weekend...we will be in their neck of the woods...I'm sure that picture is bound to go back over there to a new place.

This week Me Jake and Kids went to my Grandpa's so Jake could load some hay for some people..and I sat inside talking with Gramps and his brother Carl. Before Jake went outside... Stu had a dirty diaper and Jake changed him even though I knew he was dirty and set him over by Jake. Anyways lol.. so while Jake is changing Stu..my Gramps says...Man Times have changed that's for sure. I have never changed a diaper in my life.... and my reply is..Well I work 40 hrs a week just like him....heh... which is true. but then we started talking about all that. My Great Uncle Carl couldn't beleive just how we women do it. Like most women these days We work, responsible for the kids, cleaning. cooking, and family in general. Carl just couldn't beleive it. Which really... kind of made me smile. Like he gets it! He gets my frustration sometimes. and after asking me several times just how do I do it..I said I don't. My house is almost always a mess... but I for sure don't skip the cooking part..i love that...and my kids... are usually always less then presentable and Jake actually helps me quite a bit too! He every night gets Stu's PJs on and feeds him a bottle and puts him to bed. We split up bath duties. One of us bathes them and the other dresses and brushes the hair. He almost everyday puts the kids in the car while I get last minute things and then I take the kids to the babysitters. We are a team! but yes there are days when he is gone busy doing "his thing" and I get frustrated and ask myself how am I supposed to do this?...

Last night we went and took some pictures in the kid's costumes for Halloween so we could send out a card. Sondra of course is a super hero..Bat Girl..and Stu this year..we went the affordable route and he will be "The Bachelor" with his tux from JessMike's wedding. lol... But here they are...

. just thrown together really.. I just like having pictures of their costumes. Then after the photo session we went and got pumpkins to carve sometime. Sondra had a lot of fun getting those and she is very excited to carve them too.. I got a couple smaller ones to roast and make pumpkin puree with.

other exciting news... my Sister and Sister in law have got ultrasounds and have their real due dates. Melissa is Due April 1st.. lol on her birthday..And Jess is Due May 15th. 2 little girls really close together! :) lol... OK They don't know what they are having..but I am saying Girls all the way whether they like it or not...I love Stuart no doubt..he usually is my favorite most of the time..well not here lately..but usually... but Sondra...oh...Sondra... I can't imagine someone not wanting a adventure like Sondra. In honor of the 2 future Princesses here are their latest developments :)

Jonas & Mel's Cutie 04/01/2012

Mike & Jess's Cutie 05/15/2012

 Ultrasounds are so fun and neat. Just looking at their latest developments makes me want to be pregnant. Not with my own kid...but I could oh so do surrogacy  if there are any openings that you know of just let me know! lol

Well.. I probably should be going... I got so much to get done for tomorrow. The dreaded grocery shopping is tonight. I hate grocery shopping! I'm not even sure what all I really need. Then I need to get the kids bathed and me too!  And then get everything packed for a weekend in a camper...and all this needs to be done by 9pm..b.c. that is when my beloved Greys and after that Private Practice comes on. Any Mommy isn't missing those shows... :) Wish me luck for mission impossible tonight!