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.