Too much to catch up on...

Oh my...where does the time go?? My week has flown by this week and I am so tired from it!

Things are going great around here. Monday we were decorating our house for Christmas. It turned out sooo nice on the inside and out! I am so proud of it. I love Christmas time. I don't really have a theme or anything going on, I just love the lights....and lots of them. It's funny cause people actually slow down on our road to check out our lights!! Steve wanted a cross this year to hang out there somewhere, so he cut a cross out of cardboard, poked holes in it and stuck the lights in it. It turned out really nice. It isn't in these pics cause he made it the next night, but I will try to get a picture on here of it.

G is doing great. He is really excited about Christmas. I can't say I blame him! I am not sure what his Christmas's in the past have been like, but from what he says not good.

I have so much to say, but blogger took too long loading my pics, so I am out of time. I have a kitchen to clean, laundry to finish, History homework that needs to be done, and so on! It is almost my bedtime too!

I have been on an emotional rollercoaster this past week. I haven't been feeling to well and that doesn't help at all. I sat and almost cried the other night thinking of how little time I am going to get with my husband next year. We might have him home a total of FOUR months out of the year next year. He found out that he has to go to a class for six weeks starting in Febuary. He will get back the end of March, then turn around and deploy for six months May/June!!! It is so depressing when you sit and think about it, so I am just trying make the best of the Holiday's this year cause I am not sure we will all be together as a family next year. I try not to sit and think about him leaving too much, but it is hard when my whole life is revolved around his work and deployments. I wasn't sure what to do about school next semester since he was leaving for six weeks, but we worked it out. More to come on that later......

I did register for classes though!! It is exciting to know that I am almost done with school!! HOORAY!!!

The kitchen is calling my name, so I better get going...I just want to end with a prayer once again. I have been struggling with contentment this past week. I get so tired of being in the same place for too long and am ready to move on. Well, now with G here, I don't want to move on just yet. I need to learn to be content with my life. DOn't get me wrong. I am so blessed and love my family, home, and life, but for some odd reason I like to be on the go and on the move alot. Being here in California for four years has been very hard for me, but I am slowly becoming content....

Thank you Jesus for my family, friends and life. I am so blessed with all I have and I just ask you to help me learn to be content with my life. I am grateful that I am able to stay at home with my children and watch them grow into mature young adults (too quickly I might add) and thank you for trusting me with them. I also want to thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. You know my future and I just want to thank you in advance for that. Please be with those that are away from their families during the Holidays. I pray a hedge of protection around all of our military members. Thank you once again for all that I have. In Jesus' name we pray....

Amen

P.S. We got a new camera so that's why there actually pics of me and Steve on here. We have been testing the different settings on our new camera!! These pics are all out of order and I don't know what happened, but my one pic of Tyler got deleted so I added another up top!! Oh my... I need to get off of here.

My handsome husband!!!

Me....looking awful!!

Can you see the pre-teen attitude? She has been giving us a really hard time this past week, but we will get through it!! I HOPE!!

I am all dressed for the snow.....where is it???

Backwards, Forward, and Sideways.....

This is the different ways we rode on the planes the past week! It was interesting. On the C-5 we rode backwards, on the KC-10 we rode forward, and on the C-17 we rode sideways in the plane!!!

So G did very well on his first flight. I felt bad for him cause he really didn't know what to expect and didn't know anything about traveling....well now he does! He had a great time. On the flight up to New Jersey I asked the crew if G could go and check out the cockpit before we took off and he asked G if he would like to sit in the cockpit for take-off! We had to explain to G what the cockpit even was! He rode up there with the pilots for take off and half of the flight, then Chelsea switched with him and rode in the cockpit for half the flight and landing. They were both excited about it and couldn't stop talking about it. We were very lucky hopping this time and met some very nice people. We actually had a retired gentlemen compliment how well behaved our children were! I will take the compliments when I can get them!

We had a great time with my mom and family for Thanksgiving. It was a lot of people staying in one house, but it worked out great. We got into Savannah on Tuesday and left there Friday. We flew up to New Jersey on Friday and stayed until Saturday night. We weren't suppose to fly out until late tonight (Sunday) but they had a change in flights and PRAISE GOD the airport actually contacted us to let us know or else we would have showed up on Sunday for the flight and it would have already have left and we would have been stuck!! It's a long story, but luckily a guy working there knew we were trying to get home to Travis and called our hotel for them to give us the message to get up to the airport quickly. We had our bags packed and checked out within 20 minutes (with four kids).
So we are home now. I am so exhausted that I can barely type anymore. I did get enough energy to put up the tree with the kids and decorate the inside of the house. Tomorrow we will work on the outside.
I am only running on about two hours of sleep, so I need to get to bed. Sorry there aren't more pics, but most of them have G in them and I can't post them on here. I was so glad that we were able to have him come along with us. He sure did enjoy the trip!
I can't end my post without a prayer...Thank you Jesus for working out all the details in our travels. I thank you for trusting us with this precious child G. He is such a great kid and I just lift him up to you tonight Lord. I thank you for your traveling mercies and give you all the Praise. Thank you for my beautiful family Lord. I don't know what I would do without them. I want to thank you for all that you have done and all that you are going to do. Most of all I want to thank You for dying on the cross for me, to save me, a sinner.......that is what I am most thankful for.....
In Jesus' name we pray....
Amen
This was our first flight on a C-5. It took us 4 /2 hours to get from Travis to Charleston, SC. This is the largest aircraft in the Air Force. It is sooo huge and doesn't look like it should be flying up in the sky! I was so scared the first time I flew in this plane caue I just knew it was too big to be flying! I wasn't too thrilled on this flight because we were facing backwards and it felt like we were riding waves or something. I thought I was going to get sick the whole way to CHarleston. OH well....can't complain it's free!!! And we made it there safely!
This is our second flight.. a KC-10. This was our best MILITARY flight EVER!! I was so happy on this flight because it was a short flight,1 hour and 15 minutes, from Charleston, South Carolina to NJ, but also because it was a smooth flight and nice seats.

This is a C-17 we flew on from McGuire, New Jersey to Travis. It was a 6 hour flight! It was an interesting flight. I was just happy to be on a flight home, so nothing else really mattered to me. We sat in seats along the side of the aircraft, which were NOT comfortable at all though...

My Mom and me... with Dillon and Jaelyn by our sides.

My cute little niece Ava! Isn't she a cutie? I had the best time holding her and playing with her! I sure miss having a baby sometimes.......but I LOVE the age my children are right now. It is fun watching them grow up.

My mom and Molson resting after a long day's work in the kitchen. We cooked alot of food.

Matt, Elissa (my sister), My grandma, me, and Steve

One of my favorite pics from the trip...
My crazy son doing this pose. He is so funny and just like his father....

Sitting at the Airport...

I just wanted to jump on the computer real quick and let everyone know that we had a great THanksgiving last night. We had 14 people in one house. I had such a good time with my neice and nephew.
Ok. I am sitting here at Charleston AFB, SC typing on a computer which buttons don't work....so I will update in a few days. Just pray for us please. We are going upNorth tonight and stuck at another base until Sunday. Please pray we get on the flight Sunday.
Happy Late Thanksgiving.....

Travel granted, packing, and lots of stories...

Things are going well around here! It has been busy as always, but as I read others' blog "busy" is a common word used by many!! I am sure the time of year has something to do with it too.
G is doing very well. Still adjusting to our rules and home, but he seems to fit in really well. Tuesday he was suppose to have Therapy and a phone conversation with his dad, but neither one of them happened. G didn't seem too upset about missing the phone conversation (at his SW office), but I was very upset about him not getting picked up for therapy! Not to be a complainer and I am new at this, but EVERY child in the FC system should be in therapy!! I called his sw and let her know as she was unaware that he didn't get picked up for therapy. Now we are waiting to start up the week after Thanksgiving. G has been in fc since March/April....this should NOT just be getting started. It is very obvious that he has anger issues, who wouldn't in his shoes? So I am going to do everything in my power to be sure this child gets all the services he needs and therapy is ONE of them! That is what my job is and if I have to call his sw everyday, then that's what I will do until it happens. Ok. So I feel better now that I got that off of my chest.
It is funny sitting here right now listening to the kids in the dining room playing the game "Life". They are cracking me up! I told them that they can't have kids because they are too young, so whenever one of them lands on having a kid, they come running in here to inform me! Steve and G made brownies this afternoon (did you know my husband likes to bake?) so when they are done playing we are going to make Brownie Sundaes!! YUMMY! Yes, it is not healthy, but right now I am not one bit worried about being healthy until after Thanksgiving...
So Thursday the courts granted G permission to travel with us!Yeah! It looks like we MIGHT be trying to fly out Monday afternoon. We will fly into Charleston, SC and then drive on to Savannah. My mom is actually going to come and pick us up to save us on the car rental. It's only 2 1/2 hours from Savannah, so it's not that long of a drive for her. So today we did lots of laundry and G packed his stuff first thing this morning. He is cracking us up about the flying thing. He said he hasn't ever been out of California before either. I told him that we would take LOTS of pictures of him and we can scrapbook it when we get back home. He liked that idea and said he could show his mom when he sees her next time. I thought that was sweet.
So on to my next subject in the title...stories. This is what G is so full of. I don't even know what is real or not? I am not even sure he knows what is real or fantasy? He has lots of stories about his family and I think he wants us to believe or think that he family is normal like the rest of the world. I just let him tell his stories and nod my head. I know it has to be hard for him right now, not only the being in fc, but during his tweens!! How horrible. I know Chelsea struggles with school and her social life and she has a normal family life. (ok so we aren't REALLY normal, but close enough right?)
Well, this will probably be my last post until we get to Savannah. I am excited to see my mom and sister, but even more to see my nephew Dillon! I haven't seen him in over a year! I talk to him on the phone all the time, but haven't got to see him! It is hard being away from family sometimes! I sure do get homesick around this time of the year. Thank goodness we will get to go and see family. It will be pretty crazy at my mom's house. We are use to craziness though. She has a good size house, but there will still be alot of people in it. Mostly kids!! My grandma is flying in too, so this will be a great chance to spend some good quality time together and I am not sure when it wil happen again.
Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving. I hear of so many people decorating already for Christmas and I am jealous. As SOON as we get back, my tree is UP! I love decorating for CHristmas and the way my house looks, inside and out.
Please keep us in your prayers as we travel. Keep G in your prayers as this will be his first time flying. Also, pray that we get back by next weekend due to my school. I can't miss anymore school.
Thank you Lord for all of the blessing you have bestowed upon me. Thank you for your Mercy and Grace. Please give us traveling mercies and as we go on our Journey to Georgia!
In Jesus' name we pray...
Amen

Today was another great day together. I am so thankful everyday that my husband is home with his family. I pray for those who are without their loved one as the Holiday's approach. It is a difficult time to be so far away, not that anytime is good. It might be us going through all of the Holiday's next year without Steve, but I am not going to think about that right now.
We didn't go to Church this morning, but instead went to the Veteran's Day parade that Steve marched in today. It was a cute parade and I took lots and lots of pictures. Today I took tons of pictures of all of the kids together, but sadly don't want to post them until I find out if it's ok or not.

So I want to address a concern that has been brought to my attention. A concern about G and Chelsea being the same age. I just want everyone to know that this was a big concern of ours (and still is) since we got the Placement call. This was NOT a decision we made lightly. We took G in knowing that there will not be a MOMENT that any of the kids will be left alone. This is not an option ever, even if we wanted to because our agency does not allow it, which we wouldn't anyways. Also, when G came here we layed out the rules immediatly of what is appropriate behavior and what is not. We told the rules and told of the consequences if they were not followed. Now I am not saying since we did these things, that we might not have a problem now and again, but it should limit any. G wants to be here. He wants to be a part of a family, this family. I would like to think that he will do anything he can to remain here. That is how he acts and speaks. He doesn't want to leave...at all. I just wanted to put everyone to rest that we are not in this naively, that we are watching the kids at all times and they know it too, and that we are going to take any and ALL preventitive measure for anything to happen. If I am not at home, then Steve is here. ONe of us is at home with the kids at all times. There were times before G came that we let Chelsea babysit here and there, but those times are over. Like I said, it is not an option.
At Target yesterday I bought a journal. I am going to be writing alot of things down and journaling on paper too. There are just some things that are too private to G that I shouldn't and won't put on here, so I will put them on paper. He has said some things here and there that has really raised a concern for me and I want to put them on paper (about his mom and family). Hopefully I can keep up with both journals, but if I can't keep up with both I will have to focus on the one on paper. Just cause I can show it to social workers and stuff.
We had a great day today and I am pooped from it all. We went to eat at Applebee's after the parade and G was thrilled. I think he said he has only been there once. Tomorrow he wants to go get a haircut, but I think Steve is going to cut it. G was excited about that too. It is so refreshing to see how excited he gets about the small stuff. The things most kids take for granted, this child doesn't. He is grateful for anything. I can't wait until Christmas for G. I don't want him to just be excited about the gifts, but I am hoping to teach him about the true meaning of Christmas....the birth of our Savior. That's the true meaning of Christmas.
Here are a alot of pictures from today. It makes me so sad that I can't share pics of G yet, but watch out when I can! Enjoy the pics....

Steve is second from the right in the front row. I was so proud to see him marching in the Veteran's Parade!! There were many groups from Travis in the parade. Steve's group is wearing their Desert BDU's. I just love my husband!
More pics...

Me trying to get a close-up of him. My flag kind of got in the picture!
Some pictures of the different things in the parade....

This dragon came right up to me and pretended to lick me and tried taking Jaelyn's tiger out of my arms!! I wasn't sure if he was playing or what...but I didn't like it at all and neither did Jaelyn. She was about to freak out when it came up to us!


I tried to get a cute picture of these two together today, but it just didn't happen. I am not sure what Tyler is doing in this picture?

It's so funny when I first saw this picture, it reminded me of her baby pics. I just can't get over how big she is getting and all the new things she says each day.

Complete cuteness by Jaelyn...she really is comical most days. She is very entertaining for our family!

So I am always ending my journal entries with a prayer. Today my prayer is for Steve's grandma and grandpa. This morning we got a call from Steve's mom saying that Steve's grandma and grandpa's house caught on fire. Luckily nobody was in the house at the time, but I guess they lost alot of antiques and stuff. I think at least one bedroom is burnt up, but I don't have alot of details. I do know they can't live there because there isn't any electricity. They believe it's an electrical fire and started in the basement.
Lord I just want to praise you for Steve's grandma and grandpa being away at the time of the fire. This might be the wake up call they need to turn to you Lord. We don't know your reason behind this, but we KNOW we can trust you in all things. I just pray that you give them a peace to know that everything will work out and that they should be grateful to still be here and not have been in the fire. Thank you Lord for our Veteran's that have fought in many Wars in the past and up to the Present. Our Country wouldn't be what it is today if it hadn't been for the many sacrifices of the men and women of our military forces. We all know that Freedom comes at a price.....

Thank you Lord for all that you do in my life and my family's life. I continue to pray for YOUR guidance and YOUR Will in my life.

In Jesus' name we pray....

Amen.

Laziness and shopping...

Today was a fun day! All of us woke up late (except for Steve) and got to sleep in! I haven't slept in til 900 in a very long time it seems. Steve got up in the middle of the night to go hunting, it was opening day of Pheasant season. Him and a few buddies went up to a place near Sacramento and they actually got a couple of birds today. The kids and I piddled around the house most of the morning. G and I sat down and went over some documents today and some additional rules set by our agency, then we decided after doing inventory of all of his clothes that we needed to go shopping!!
We decided to go with Susan and the twins to Target and get a few things, after we had lunch at McDonald's playland. It was NOT a smart place to pick for lunch today due to the rain! I guess everyone was trying to get out of the house for lunch today. It was a mad house! We had fun in Target, even though it was packed too. You can really tell the Holiday's are closing in! At Target we got G some new boxer's ( I am sure he would be happy about me telling this) some socks, jeans,shoes, and some shirts. You would have thought it was Christmas for him! He wouldn't stop thanking me and was so excited about his new outfit. I totally loved seeing the smile on his face. He had 35.00 burning a hole in his pocket and he was actually going to buy himself a new pair of shoes! I told him that he doesn't need to buy his own clothes and shoes, that is my job and I told him to buy something fun for himself. He decided to buy a playstation game for him and the kids to play. Isn't that sweet? He really is a grateful child. He thanks me every night after dinner and truly is appreciative of the small things. Tonight I made fried chicken, baked potatoes, and green bean casserole!!! Yummy!
After dinner tonight we played Yatzee (another purchase from Target along with the game Life) and had a blast. ALL of us played including Jaelyn. She sat so patiently while the rest of us were rolling the dice and as soon as we said it was her turn, her face lit up! Tyler liked playing alot too and came in second place.
Well, I didn't do a whole lot today, but for some reason I am really pooped. I am thinking about actually going to bed early to get some extra sleep. We are not going to Church tomorrow morning cause Steve is marching in a parade for Veteran's Day and we want to go and see him march in it. Have I told anyone how proud I am of my husband? Well, I am so very proud of him and his integrity, honor, and commitment to me, his family, and also his Country! I couldn't ask for a better man to be my husband and father to my children!

Tonight I am closing with a prayer not only for my family, but for all of the men and women who have served our Country and continue to serve our Country today. These men and women (and their families) make so many sacrifices for our freedom and Country, so the least we can do is pray for them, not only on Veteran's Day, but every day. I also want to pray for our Country tonight. I just lift up the leaders of this Country to you Lord. Please give them the wisdom to run this Country the way you intended it to be ran. I pray for the Presidential election that already has this Country in uproar. I just pray for YOUR Will for our country Lord, and pray that we may be pleasing to you.
Please keep our military men and women safe Lord as they continue to fight for our freedom and safety. I just pray a hedge of protection around them Lord while they are away from their families. Thank you for your blessings that you bestow upon me and my family. I am so grateful for all that you do in my life and all that you continue to do. I pray tonight that we continue to bond with G as a family unit and he one day soon accepts you into his heart.
I give you all the praise and Glory!
In Jesus' name...
Amen
P.S. This week I am going to ask our social worker if it is ok that I have pics of G on our Family blog. I am not sure how that works. So keep checking next week for possible pics! Also, it's amazing how I find time to blog when I want to journal my thoughts.

Craziness and A Family Night

Today was another crazy day. I think I almost drained my gas tank, along with all of my energy!! I started at 800 am (out the door) and didn't sit and stop until later this evening! I had to go to SIX different Starbucks to deliver a letter requesting donations for our Merriment on Main that I am coordinating for our Church. This is with a three year old (not feeling so well) in tow. That was my morning. I then dropped Jaelyn off at her school and took off to work in Tyler's class for an hour. He loves me coming to his school and I just adore his smile when he see's me come into his room. It confirms why I stay at home at this point in my life. After working there, I head back to pick up Jaelyn and her friend from school. Take off to pick up the hardware to the bunk bed that WAS NOT in the box yesterday. Rushed back to the base to pick up Chelsea and G from school......whew I am pooped just typing it all! Then after all that I...ME, no on else, put the bunk bed together......ALL by myself!!! I was so proud of myself!! So that was most of my day!
Jaelyn's twin friend's and their mom Susan came over for dinner tonight. We had pizza again, which was fine with G. He say's he loves pizza. Well he will fit right into this family cause pizza is a favorite of ours! I also talked to G's social worker today and got the news that it might not be possible for him to go to Georgia. I was really sad and upset about this, but it's the way it goes. I guess his mom has a say so in the whole thing. So, his social worker called his mom's lawyer and his mom to see if she will agree to it. We are just waiting for their ok and the judge to grant the ok too. Today I had to have a talk with G about some of the things he is saying. Not bad language, just some things he mentions that shouldn't be said by a 12 year old. I took him aside alone and told him that I know he has been exposed to alot, and at a young age, but my children have not. It is a long story and not bad at all, but I just wanted him to be aware of some boundries on how we talk in our house. He was very understanding and has toned it down alot. After the twins left and the pizza was gone, we all sat down as a family and watched Deck the Halls.... I think that is what it is called. It was a cute movie, some parts were not so good for a PG movie, but other than that it was really good. I think G enjoyed having the Family time together. He kept asking all afternoon when we were going to have Family night, it was really cute.
So to end my thoughts for today, I am going to end with a prayer request once again. I just pray that some how and some way we are able to take G with us for Thanksgiving. He is so excited about flying for the first time and I just would love full fill that dream of his. I pray that his mother would do what's best for G and allow him to enjoy Thanksgiving with us. I want what's best for G and if it's the Lord's WIll, I pray for it to happen.
Again I am just so grateful for all that I have, my family, friends, and a wonderful Husband. I am so blessed to have the great man I have as a husband. I am not sure how I got him or that I deserve him sometimes, but I love him with all my heart and couldn't imagine my life without him. Thank you Lord for the grace and Mercy you have given me and I pray that I am able to show that to everyone around me....most of all to G.

Just another day...

So this morning was a little different...I had FOUR kids to get ready.Luckily two of them can pretty much do everything themselves and Tyler is getting better. It was actually pretty fun getting everyone up and coordinating everyone's schedule together. I hope every morning is as easy as today!! Yeah right!
Tomorrow Chelsea and G get out of school early for Parent teacher conferences. Steve will come home and take G to get a Military ID card. G is pretty excited about this. The ID card is what will get him on the plane with us for Thanksgiving. We have pretty much decided that we are going as long as there are flights leaving out of here during that time. G is soooooo excited about flying. I will have to take pictures and make a little scrapbook of his first time flying. It will be so much fun for him too because he will be on a military plane,which will be interesting because who knows what we will fly on(hopefully a C-5 that has seats!!! Actually I wouldn't mind a different plane because I would like G to see out the little windows. Steve mentioned telling the crew that it is his first time flying and hopefully they will take him up to the cock-pit and stuff.
Nothing really exciting to talk about today. Just getting use to each other and meeting with our Social worker. We have more paper work to do, but nothing major. Steve is going tomorrow to sign up for a Hunting Lottery thing and then hunting on Saturday, so it will be mostly just me and the kids this weekend. I think tomorrow I am going to see what is playing at the movies here on base and take them all to the movies. Other than that it will be a relaxing weekend with shopping here and there. G needs some new clothes, so we will probably hit some stores.
I need to get to bed. I am so pooped from an exhausting day today. Talking with my Social worker today made me feel better about feeling so badly for G last night. She told me that at this point right now he is probably way safer and happier to be going to bed here than in his home at this point. So when I look at it like that, it made me feel less sad. I know he is a strong little boy and he has been given a good chance to have a normal life hopefully. He totally enjoys having Chelsea, Tyler, and Jaelyn to play with. They all actually get along really well. I hope and pray that it continues throughout his time here.
Tonight my prayer is going to be for our adjustment time. Who knows how long it might take, it may take a month or possibly two? Nobody knows, but I just pray that during this time G gets comfortable with us to hopefully bond. I pray that during this time of adjustment that Chelsea, Tyler, and Jaelyn don't feel any kind of jealousy, neglect, or ill feelings towards G. This is going to be a tough thing and I am ready for it. I know that I can do anything as long as I have my Lord on my side. Through this, I pray that I continue to strengthen my Faith and grow closer to the Lord.
I just want to end with a Praise. Thank you Jesus for my beautiful family...family of six tonight. I pray a hedge of protection over my family and that you be with my children and husband as we all go our seperate ways tomorrow. Thank you again for all that you have done and all that you are going to do. I give you all the praise, Glory, and honor. In Jesus' name we pray.....
Amen.

Our First night together...

Well, tonight was our first night together and it went really well. I was surprised at how quickly and easily CPS turned him over to me. We met at the gate, went over a few papers, and I took G home with me! It was pretty simple. My case worker is coming tomorrow to do the rest of the paper work, which will be more complicated of course.
So we had Pizza tonight cause I wasn't sure what kind of food G liked, turns out he likes about anything! I was happy to hear that after having years of my picky family. We sat down at the dinner table as a family of SIX and had a nice time just chatting and still getting to know each other. After dinner, G and I unpacked his things so we could see what kind of clothes he needs. Sadly, he doesn't have much. I think this weekend we will take him shopping for some new clothes! He seemed excited about that! It will be busy around here the next few weeks. Tomorrow I am picking up the bunk beds for the girls and meeting with our case worker, which will take most of the day. Then it just gets busier from there. Luckily my school work load is light since we are towards the end of the semster, so I can focus more on the things going on around here with G.
I wish I could write that this night was the most perfect night ever, but in all reality it was a little awkward. Here is a 12 year old boy that hasn't really had a stable environment or a great start in life and now he is all of the sudden a part of our family. I felt bad for him tonight as I said goodnight to him cause I was trying to put myself in his shoes. I am sure he wishes deep down in his heart that he was saying goodnight to his own mother and father. That he was in his own home, with his own bed, and his own room. How sad, why didn't this mother fight to give this boy everything she could? Tyler asked how long G would be staying with us and G answered "As long as it takes" He wants his mom. It breaks my heart to see the pain in his eyes, he has had a life full of disappointments and all by the person he is suppose to trust the most in life...
Tonight I am closing with a prayer for G. I pray that he finds joy and happiness here, even if it's a temporary stay here. I pray for his mother out there, that she would some how get a wake up call and realize that she has this wonderful little boy here so desperate for her love. I pray that the Lord gives me the words and love to comfort this child while he sits and waits patiently for his family to reunite. Thank you Lord, for all that you have done in our lives and all that you are going to do.
In Jesus's name....
Amen.

Tomorrow is the big day...

I can't believe how quickly everything is happening now. I got a phone call from G's caseworker today asking if he could move in tomorrow. It's the only time in her busy schedule that she is able to do it, so of course I said yes. She is a very nice lady and seems to really care about the children in her care.
So G has a caseworker through Solano County and then a case worker through our agency too. Actually we get assigned the case worker for our house, so any children in our house fall under that case worker. We haven't met our case worker yet because he was just assigned to us (since G is our first child) and he has been out sick this week. So for right now we are dealing with a different case worker until ours is better. I really like our agency because they actually make WEEKLY visits out to us, in our home, to see how we are adjusting and how the child is adjusting. That is what first attracted me to our agency. I didn't want to go into this blindly and not have any help or assistance. THey have been by my side since we got the call last week. When G came to visit us yesterday, not only was his case worker here, but ours as well. It was very comforting.
So, G comes here tomorrow at 4:30 to officially move into our home. I am really excited. It's almost like preparing for a baby (well not really) but the excitement of the unknown is the same. Steve went tonight (since I had to go to school) and bought G a new bed set for his bed. Him and Tyler are in one room and CHelsea and Jaelyn are in the other.Tomorrow I am going and buying a bunk bed for Chelsea and Jaelyn. Their room is a little small and they need a bunk bed to make more room in there. Last night Steve and I sat down with Tyler to be sure he was ok with G moving into his room and having G here. He is so quiet and shy sometimes like his daddy ( I know this is hard to believe that my husband is shy or quiet but he really can be) but he seemed totally fine with everything. He is actually excited about having another boy in the family cause now (Tyler says) we are even! I guess that's a good thing!!
Steve did some checking today and found out that G is able to fly on a military flight with us to GA for Thanksgiving. That was really exciting to find out. G hasn't ever flown on a plane before and seemed excited to do so, if he does. We are still undecided about going due to the Holiday's coming up and the expenses of everything. We aren't sure yet, but will decide within the next week.
Well, I am excited to be able to blog about something exciting. I am thinking about using this blog now to journal my thoughts and feelings about what all goes on with Foster Care. It will be a great journey. I am sure it won't always be easy or fun, but in the end I am hoping it will be rewarding,probably in ways that I might never see. Who knows? All I want is to show this child what a family is suppose to be like. I don't want him to have to worry about life yet, because he will have his whole adult life to do that. All I want is for him to be a child, to have fun, make new friends, learn about Jesus,to feel loved, and to just be happy and care-free. I just pray that while I have been given this gift, this boy, whether it's temporarily or long-term, that I help him learn how to feel all of these things.

Where do I even begin???

Ok...boy it has been a long time since I have posted on here. I don't even know where to begin. I have been such a slacker on here lately. I do check out blogs, but just don't have time to post. Well, I am back now and I have LOTS to say!!! We went a few weeks ago to the Pumpkin patch with the kids at our usual Train Museum. We ride one of the old trains down to the Pumpkin patch. They have a huge hay castle, hay rides, food, and music. It is a lot of fun. Although I have to admit that I wasn't too impressed this year at all. IF we are here next year, we might find another place to go.
So things at School are going really good. I am still getting A's in my classes. I am really tired of school already and ready for the semester to be over. Only about five more weeks.....YEAH!!
We are getting ready to leave in a couple of weeks for my mom's house for Thanksgiving...well maybe. I will talk more about that in a minute.
Last week I had a rough week. I was questioning whether we made the right choice about taking on Foster care. It has been since July and we haven't heard a word from our Agency. No child, no nothing. So, I talked to my grandma last Tuesday and decided that I was going to change my house back to the way it was. I moved Jaelyn out of Chelsea's room and put her back in with Tyler. Moved her into the bunk beds, moved her two dressers and closet full of clothes. I told my grandma that I had a gut feeling as soon as I did this, the phone would ring from my agency, but I did it anyways. Well guess what??? The phone rang....and our lives haven't been the same since...well last week...but you get my point. Yes, we got a phone call for a placement. Before I give more details, I have to first say that this IS totally a GOD thing! They called to see if we would be willing to take this boy cause they needed a placement for him. We agreed for a pre-placement visit to see if he would fit into our home or not. Well, the visit happened today with his social worker and ours from our agency and he REALLY wants to move in here. He didn't even want to leave here tonight at all. So the catch is, he is 12. This isn't even the age we were considering at all. We have a 12 year old GIRL- our daughter in our home, so older boys weren't even in the picture. After the call last week, lots and lots of talks between me and Steve and us and the kids, we decided we could make this work. After I talked with all the social workers involved to check into his history (my first priority is to protect my children), we decided that we will give it a shot. Well, it didn't become official until today when he came to visit us. Since he is 12 he has a big say so in if he would like to live here or not. He sat with us for a couple of hours, played basketball out front with Steve and Chelsea for a while, and shared alot about himself ..... and chose to live with us. Can I even begin to tell you what a wreck I was all day? From the moment I got the call last week, I have been praying for the Lord to give me the wisdom to make the choice for what is right for me, my husband, and my kids and I feel this is right. I also have been praying for the Lord to guide me in how to act, what to say, everything today and BOY did he deliver. Once G (I want to keep his name private for now) got here today, I wasn't nervous a bit and the words just came to me! So this is our BIG news!! How exciting to be on a new adventure!! Please keep us in your prayers this week. He is moving in THIS WEEK!!! It is going to be different around here and I am thrilled. I am not sure if we will be able to get him on the military plane or not cause he is not on Steve's orders, so that is why I am not sure if we will be going to Ga or not for sure yet. Hopefully Steve will find out more answers tomorrow. SO again please keep us in your prayers as we go through this BIG change this week, pray that we get to take G with us to Ga for Thanksgiving. He said tonight that he has NEVER been on a plane before and would love to!
I just want to end with a big SHOUT OUT to my awesome Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ for giving me strength, the words today, giving me my awesome family and Church family, and the strength and will to do His WIll in my life.
I will end with a whole bunch of pictures totally out of order!! ENJOY!!!
The Ousley Clan... for now....
Jaelyn talking on the phone and Chelsea translating for her.

My CRAZY husband playing base guitar on Sunday morning. Many people didn't even know who that was up on the stage...wonder why?

Jaelyn in her Halloween outfit. She looked so adorable and had a blast at our Church Fall Festival.
Our pumpkin carving contest...who do you think is the scariest? We had a good time carving them this year. Steve and Tyler were a team, Jaelyn and I were a team, and CHelsea had her own thing going on! I think me and Jaelyn won!
Here they are proudly standing behind their pumpkins.
Jaelyn hanging out while the kids are in school.
Tyler in his costume. The kids had such a great time this year. I think they had more fun passing out the candy then they did trick or treating.

Tyler trying to be like his daddy....doesn't take much.....
Jaelyn decorating her cookie at the Fall festival. They had a blast.
Jaelyn playing ring-toss. This was her favorite games besides fishing.
Does this face look like an innocent face??

Who do you think she looks like??

My little show-off...isn't she cute?

Sorry I posted this picture twice....