Happy 4th Birthday Aaron!

It's a season of birthdays in our house! I remember four years ago today like it was yesterday.

Our foster parent license had been submitted to the state about 4 weeks prior and I was anxiously awaiting news that we'd been processed and were available for a placement.

The phone rang and for some reason, my heart didn't jump in anticipation like it had done every day since our license had been submitted. As I recall the conversation between myself and our social worker (you can read about that by clicking here) tears well up in my eyes. God's goodness it unbelievable.

Four years ago today our foster parent license was approved. Within a matter of hours, our sweet Aaron was born across town, unbeknownst to me.

I always think about his birth mother on his birthday. I wonder if she thinks about him, if she replays his birth in her mind like I do on our birth children's birthdays, and if she wishes she could see him. I thank God that she chose life for our precious son and I stand in awe that God allowed me the privilege of being his Mother, though he came from another woman's womb.

His laughter is infectious. He can cause our whole family to crack up with even his fake laugh. This boy is a comedian for sure. He's inquisitive and asks approximately 7,599 questions per hour.

He adores trains, big trucks and lately, killer whales.

He's got the most crystal clear blue eyes I've ever seen and they garner a lot of attention from everyone he meets. In fact, he's even started telling me, "Momma. I got boo-tee-ful bwoo eyes, don't I?" He gives fantastic bear hugs and can shower you with compliments.

He's officially a member of the "big kid" crew in our house. He dropped afternoon naps a while back and he sleeps through the night without a pull up! He and Lucas have started to really bond as the lone boys in our house and they do their part in equally protecting and alternately terrorizing our girls - the latter when they think they will get away with it! He's a lover not a fighter and loathes any food that is green - except salad.

He continues to prove to us that God can ask mighty big things of you, often stretching your desire to obey His callings on your life. However, with obedience comes heaping shovelfuls of mercy, grace and blessing.

Four years ago, we could have never guessed the blessings that this sweet boy would pour into our family. His determination, smile, laugh and humor are a constant reminder that God's plans for us are certainly better than our own. How we treasure this boy!

He's beginning to ask questions about when came out of my tummy. I gently remind him that he came from another Mommy's tummy but I am the one who God chose to be his Mommy forever. I pray that God gives us wisdom as we proceed in telling him how God wrote his story perfectly. And that one day he understands that even in the Master's perfect plan there will be pain.

Thank you Lord for this boy of ours! Happy Birthday Aaron boy! We love you so very much!

You can read about his 3rd, 2nd & 1st birthdays by clicking on those links.

Known, And Called By Name

Now that you all know the good news about our little man, I can tell you some more details.

When we went to court on that Monday, we anticipated being there for the long haul. God, however, knew otherwise. No sooner had we warmed up the most uncomfortable benches known to man (seriously people, don't worry about your tax dollars being wasted in court house comfort) than the social worker came to us and asks us to step out into the hall.

This has never happened before, but I assumed it couldn't be a good thing. Once out of the ear shot of others, she looks at us and says,

"[Baby D's] birth parents called on Friday and said they want to relinquish."

Luke and I just stood there, in complete shock.

She continued, "So most likely today's case will be continued until they've had time to sign and then had their 7 days."

Still, shock.

We re-enter the court room and sit. We wait and wait and wait on the judge, who finally showed up 1.5 hours late.

Finally, I get (what I think) is our continued court date and we leave. (Later, I learn that it was, in fact, rescheduled sooner.) However, I'm still leery because I know that the birth parents still have to show up to sign the paperwork.

Finally, that following Wednesday (the 18th) the social worker calls and tells me that they have signed the relinquishment paperwork.

Luke and I decide not to tell many folks because birth parents have the option of "revoking" their relinquishment for 7 days. For 7 days I am busting at the seams. You see, I rock at keeping other people's secrets, but my own...NEVER.

So, last week when I was stressed to the max, it was all because (well, mostly because) I had not yet heard from the social worker to confirm that the birth parents had not revoked.

Now that he is legally free for adoption, the final paperwork and adoption could take only a few months to be complete...or as little as a couple weeks. It's really up to the government and how fast they want to push paper. We couldn't be happier!

Our sweet little boy,

In our hearts, you've been a Beaver since the first time we laid eyes on you. We knew we would always love you, no matter the outcome, from your first days at home.

Lucas and Ashlee were so excited to finally be the "big" brother and sister. They love you so very much.

Our friends and family have also loved you so very much, from day 1. News of your arrival traveled so fast, and immediately prayers for you were being heard by a gracious, powerful and loving Father in heaven. And, He heard them all.

Some folks prayed for you while they traveled to distant lands.

Some came from far away cities just to meet you.

And our friends right here, they loved you too, from the very start.

As the months passed you grew and grew, and so did our love for you. Somedays were a struggle, but not because YOU were a burden, but rather the emotions of understanding the situation, seeing the pain and knowing, one day, you will have to hear the truth. But, our precious one, God is so good.

You see He knew, before the world was ever formed, that you would be born. He knew that you would come into our home. He knew that we would love you so very much. He knew that you would leave your birth family and become a part of ours. And, as He reminded me so much in the very beginning, He still knows all the days before you. He knows His plans for you, my sweet son, and they are blessed and marvelous and filled with hope.

So your father and I pray that we will shepherd you in the ways of the Lord. We pray that you will grow to be a man who loves, obeys and follows God's call on your life. We hope that you will always know just how special you are, how much you are loved and how you help to complete our family. We pray that you will one day look back on your past with a tender heart and an understanding spirit. We pray that you will see the special purpose God has for you in our family.


Our precious baby boy, we are so blessed, honored and humbled that the God who created the heavens with His very hands, would choose us to be your forever family. As we prayed over you, the same God who named each and every star, also revealed to us the perfect name for you.

Aaron Thomas

You are loved, beyond measure, not only by our family, but by a God who formed and created you with His own holy hands.

Hey You! Guess What?

Hey you!

Do you know this man baby?

The man baby of mystery?

The one who we've not been allowed to show his whole face?

The one who's court date was continued to tomorrow?

Well guess what?

My mom's gonna cheat and show you this picture...

And this one too.

What's that you say?

She's breaking the rules?

You mean by doing this?

So this isn't allowed either?

Awww, fooey!
Well, guess what?

Know why he's so happy?

Because, he's now
legally free for adoption!
Actually, we're all pretty happy.
More details soon...

Ongoing

Court was postponed until March 26th (I know I told some of you April 2nd, but apparently I was wrong). We will know more then.

Thanks for the prayers, we certainly felt them this morning. Our friends* who also were in court with us today had the joy of being the FIRST case called (which is such a HUGE blessing). Plus, they also received great news about their foster son's case. Everything was, most certainly, an answer to prayer.

I will update you all next week when I know more details.

*If you'd like to read more about our friends' adoption journey, check out this post to get access to her restricted blog.

My Totally Ticked Off Heart

On Monday we head back to court for Baby D. I cannot describe to you how ready I am to be there. Normally, court dates make me a nervous wreck. In fact, I usually dread court so much that I have trouble sleeping the few days beforehand. This time will be different. Although I'm sure my nerves will be a hoppin' on the drive there, I feel so confident about Monday's hearing.

Let me show you why. Here is Baby D's birth parents visitation record since February 1st, 2009. They are suppose to have one 2 hour visit a week. (It used to be two 2 hour visits a week, but since they canceled the majority of visits in January, DSS dropped them down to one visit a week. Clearly they were not phased.)

Feb 6th - had a visit. The Baby D's social worker "dropped" in (they are supervised by a different social worker, who is there the entire time) and found out that the birth parents had gotten 2 pet rabbits. Said rabbits were ON THE FLOOR LOOSE with my baby. They were given a voucher for a drug screening, but they never took the tests.

Feb 13th - canceled the visit because birth dad was sick
Feb 20th - canceled the visit because birth dad sick
Feb 27th - canceled the visit because birth mom was sick
March 6th - canceled the visit to "run errands"
March 13th - canceled the visit because of an "appointment"

In January, they saw him twice. They canceled all of the other visits because of sickness as well.

Also, neither of the birth parents have done ANYTHING in their case plan since November.

Before I begin my rant: Our good friends The Hauts will be in court with us on Monday for their case with their foster son who is 3 days older than Baby D. If you're in the prayin' mood, offer one up for them as well. If you just clicked on that link and realized that their blog is private, check out this post as to how you can get access. It's worth the effort, I promise.

So you see, I'm not all that stressed about court on Monday. Clearly, any judge that would NOT begin terminating their rights should be de-robed (Is that what you do? Maybe de-benched? Oh, you know what I mean.) I am doubting that the birth parents will even show up for court. However, it's the what if they show up that haunts me.

I just don't know how to interact with these people. I don't know how to stand there and pretend that I'm not completely ticked at them. I don't know how to love them. I don't want to know how to love them. They have NO CLUE that their son is crawling. They don't know how precious his new 2 toothed grin is because they have no clue that he even has two teeth. They've never spent a night holding him, rocking him and comforting him because he was sick or teething.

On top of all of those emotions, I am also ticked that they had the audacity to claim him on their taxes. Oh yeah...I'm not kidding. Luke and I have had to mail in a hard copy of our tax return WITH an appeal letter because these people thought it was a good idea to claim the child that they do not have in their home nor are they making efforts towards regainig.

Is it wrong of me to pray that they go to jail for tax fraud? It is? Crap, that's what I thought.

Basically, I know that I'm suppose to be all "love them like Jesus would love them" but the truth is, I don't wanna. I want them to suffer. I want them to hurt. I want them to understand just how much pain they will one day cause my son when he has to face the truth of their neglect. I don't want to pray for God to give me the ability to love them. I don't want to see their faces at all.

In fact, if I never see them again I'm okay.

But the truth is, I know that I'm not any better than they are. When I yelled at Ashlee today because she was taking so friggin' long to put on her pants, I sinned.

When I lost it with Baby Girl tonight because she would-not-stop-crying, I sinned.

When I allowed inappropriate words to dance through my head and then I uttered them under my breath, I sinned.

When I got ticked at Luke for no good reason then I allowed myself to stay ticked, I sinned.

I'm as hopeless as they are. I too deserve the hurt, the pain. I deserve to suffer.

I wish I could type out some eloquent prayer about how I want my heart to be transformed, but if I did I would be a hypocrite. I cannot sit here and pretend that I want my heart to change toward them because I don't. I cannot sit here and pray a prayer that is not real. I can't fake it and I won't. Although my mind knows that this is so, so selfish my heart isn't on board. My heart wants retaliation. My heart wants justice.

So this weekend, I will choose to busy myself with all things aside from prayerful mediation. I will choose to clean my house, wash dishes, wipe stinky butts and comfort crying kids. I will hang out with friends, laugh at my children and cuddle with my husband. My mind knows that I should be prayerfully anticipating Monday, but my heart refuses to follow. So, if you think of it and you feel led, pray for this heart of mine. It's full of anger and hurt and just a nastiness that I cannot shake. And while these feelings themselves are not entirely sinful, the refusal to lay them aside and ask my Lord for help...well, that is.

So there it is, my real emotion. The raw me. My real "totally ticked" heart is asking you NOT to pray for it. It's stupid and wrong and totally sinful but I mean really, you didn't think I was perfect anyway, now did you?

The Object Of His Affliction Affection

Baby D is officially mobile. It's just an army crawl, but don't let that fool you, he is plenty capable of getting to whatever or whomever he wants. Since he has discovered his new found ability, he has also tried pulling up several times. He has made it all the way to his feet twice. Holy moly, my-life-is-over.

Baby Girl is showing a few physical delays. Our wonderful pediatrician listened intently to my concerns at Baby Girl's 4 month well visit and we both agreed that some physical therapy is in order. Physical is ALL the therapy she needs right now since cognitively, she's ABOVE par. This little girl DOES-NOT-STOP-TALKING. However, unlike her brother she is not mobile and she cannot even roll over. Everything about his new ability and her lack-there-of makes her a sitting duck.

When Baby D gets free reign of the living room he always heads straight for the one thing that he loves most, his littlest sister. Yes, his love and unquenchable thirst for her is only surpassed by his love for the bottle. The moment he is allowed to "go" he goes straight to her. Sometimes Rarely can he be gentle and pleased with simple hand holding.


Often he is Hardly ever is he content to just sit and admire her beauty.

Instead, he offers her sweet, gentle hugs and soft kisses on her cheeks rough and aggressive eye gouging*, along with some serious attempts to remove her nose.


When he's lavished a heaping portion of his gentle love upon her had his way with her, he ever so sweetly navigates his way around her steamrolls right over her and seeks out his next object of affection, which as I type this just-so-happens to be one of Baby Girl's socks that he so gently ferociously pulled from her dainty little foot.

Gotta love big brothers...Baby Girl certainly does.

*No Baby Girls were harmed in the making of this post. In fact, she usually just looks at him, grins and then talks his ear off. I can't wait until I can understand what's she's saying...wait, maybe I CAN wait.

Pain And Anger

I need to rant. This is the place. If you don't enjoy angry peeved ranting, you'd better leave now.

What in the crap is wrong with Baby D's birth parents? I mean I know what's wrong with them..sorta, but I mean what the crap? They canceled EVERY visit in the month of February (wait...they might have had a visit the first Friday in February, I'd have to check) but STILL. They only saw him twice in January because they canceled all other visits then too.

Last night at 8:00pm, they called the social worker and canceled today's visit? The reason?

"We have some errands we need to run."

WHAT!?!

Okay, lemme make sure I understand you correctly. You've been sick, without healing, for about 2 months straight (although not too sick to file their taxes..but that's another story for another time). Then, when you're finally "well" enough to see your son (the one you claim to care so much about that when the social worker suggests you consider relinquishing your rights, it sends you into a furious rage) you cannot see him because your schedule is so packed with "errands" that you cannot spare TWO FRIGGIN' HOURS to see your baby?

Give me a break. I've been sitting on this all day, and the more I think about it the more angry I get. I'm glad that they are digging themselves into such a hole that on March 16th the judge would have to be blind, dumb and without ANY competent thought what-so-ever to NOT change the plan to TPR (Termination of Parental Rights).

Everytime I think about it I just burn with anger. However, at the same time, I am so filled with sadness for them. Sadness because they do not know what they are missing. Sadness that they don't understand or know a Savior. Sadness because when Baby D is a man, he will have to accept the fact that his Birth Parents didn't do a single thing to try to get him back.

I've felt rejection from a parent and it burns you to your core. It hurts beyond any hurt I've ever felt. To know that I have a parent who knows where I am, that they could have a part of my life, yet they make no effort to really know me, well, it's painful. And it's a pain that my sweet boy will know one day, as he grows into a man.

He doesn't know any pain from them now. All he knows is that I'm his momma, his daddy loves him and he has the craziest siblings, who he loves without fail. But one day, in the not-so-distant future, he will awaken to the realization that they failed him. I pray that when this time comes, that he will know the Father deeply. That he will see the provision that God has made for him and that the pain will be healed by the hands of the One who knows all pain.

Sweet Father, please guard his heart until the time that You can heal all hurts. Guard him Lord until he becomes the man You have chosen Him to be. Give him mercy and compassion for these people who conceived him and allow him to shower them with Your love, unlike any other.

Don't Worry...You're Invited

Updated: Thanks for the tip, Wendi!

For those of you who read some of the links on my sidebar, my friend Beth (our friends we met at Foster Parent Classes) has now made her blogs restricted to invite only. Here's something from her that she asked me to post for all of you who are "co-lurkers" on both my blog and her's:

The Haut House, and Random Arrows are now blocking public access until further notice. As much as I HATE to block strangers from my most awesome blogging skills (haha), I need to keep my family as private as possible until we are able to adopt Daniel. IF there is anyone out there who would like to continue reading my blogs, I would love to invite you to have access, but I need your email to do so (don't worry, I won't spam you). Email me at lovemyarrows(AT)gmail(DOT)com and I will send you two separate invitations, one for The Haut House, and one for Random Arrows.

Sorry for the inconvenience, but I have to set up some safe guards for the time being!

Happy blogging,
Beth

So there you go, email her if you want access. And for the record, Beth, I think you do have some awesome blogging skills!

Also, for all things blog related, I have created a new email account. It is: beaverbunch(AT)gmail(DOT)com.

If you know me personally, and have my primary email, please feel free to use that one to stay in touch. I will probably check it much more often than the gmail account.

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Wow, just 3 more days until Luke and I are enjoying secluded, kid-free time in the cool-crisp mountain air. I can hardly wait. I can't believe how well things are coming together. Our kids are being left in very capable hands, we will have a superb house sitter and, best of all, it's costing us very little out of pocket. I can already feel myself relaxing...well, until I think about all I still have to get done BEFORE we leave. Geesh, packing for 7 people for 7 days...quite daunting!

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Baby D's birth parents canceled another visit today. Although their excuse reason was not one they'd used before, I still can't help but think they are lying. Grrrr! It's so frustrating!

Baby D's Agency Review

This morning we had an agency review for Baby D's case. An agency review is just that, a review of his case, stating the progress of the birth parents, by various people from the departments of social services. There is the G.A.L. supervisor, two other people from DSS, the social worker, us and birth parents.

However, today Baby D's birth parents did not show up. I am not totally surprised. After discussing his case, all of the DSS folk agreed that on our court date in March, it will be best for DSS to recommend TPR (Termination of Parental Rights)/Adoption as the new plan.

Naturally, it will still be up to a judge to decide the final plan.

Funny, I have no empathy for these people like I do for Baby Girl's mother. I struggle with that because I know I need to show them compassion and love. So, as March 16th draws closer, I am praying for the opportunity (and a willing heart) to show them love, compassion and a glimpse of my Savior. It will be a struggle, but if that is the Lord's desire for me, then I know I must obey.

It'll Take Some Time

Yesterday, you all asked some great questions, most of them I have NO IDEA what the answer(s) are. Therefore, I will use my new Bible, prayer and some time to answer them.

In the meantime, I posted again over on the Homeschool blog I co-author.

Oh, and if you follow me on Twitter, you will know what this picture is all about. Sorry for the terrible photo quality. I took it with my phone. All the ones I took with my camera show too much of his face. Hopefully, in a few months, you will be able to get to see just how truly adorable my little man is!

I call it, "Double D."

5 for Friday: The Longest 5 Yet

1. Baby D's birth parents canceled the visit AGAIN today. Apparently, birth dad is still sick. That means they saw him for FOUR hours total in the month of January. Luke said he thought birth dad needed to see a Dr if he was still sick...and then followed it with "a head doctor." Somedays I DO wonder if I married a comedian.

2. Can I get a "Praise the Lord" for Miralax? Seriously. Baby Girl has struggled with constipation since about 3 weeks old. Nothing has worked, NOTHING. We've tried prune juice, dark Karo syrup and apple juice and STILL she was only going every 5 to 6 days and screaming her head off each time until I "helped" her. Because God is merciful, He created Miralax (not sure which day that fell on) and now Baby Girl is pooping like a champ! She even woke me up at 3:30am to poop. I'm so proud. (Don't worry, I DID consult our pediatrician about giving Miralax to her.) I never knew I'd be so happy to see a poopy diaper. I'm sure the newness of that will wear off faster than yesterday's deodorant.

3. I got this in an email today. Normally, I loathe forwards (hint hint), but since this one was A) from my husband and B) incredibly hilarious I will gladly accept it and now share it via my blog. I choose to do so here because...I loathe forwards but this one is GOOD.

(Here's the reply the teacher received the following day)

Dear Mrs. Jones,
I wish to clarify that I am not now, nor have I ever been, an exotic dancer.

I work at Home Depot and I told my daughter how hectic it was last week before the blizzard hit. I told her we sold out every single shovel we had, and then I found one more in the back room, and that several people were fighting over who would get it. Her picture doesn't show me dancing around a pole. It's supposed to depict me selling the last snow shovel we had at Home Depot. From now on I will remember to check her homework more thoroughly before she turns it in.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Smith

Freakin' hysterical.

4. Luke and I are plotting an evil wonderful scheme to spend 4 or 5 days together, secluded from the "real" world and our kids. If you feel led, please pray this happens soon as my patience and mental capacity are both diminishing rather quickly. I NEED some time away. Not to say I don't love and cherish and adore my kids, but it would be good for us to get away.

5. Here's 5 pics for your viewing pleasure. Happy Friday!

Post haircuts, with the most prized "sutter."

Stylin' and profilin' at the park

Mountain climber.

Momma and the "Mystery Man" who so sweetly obliged me again with a partial face pic.


(No longer the) The Countess of Constipation

A Ramble of Raw Emotion

The social worker who does Baby D's visits called bright and early this morning at 8:00am. I have come to know what an 8:00am call means. The birth parents canceled the visit...again. Since January 1st, they have canceled a total of 5 out of 7 visits (so I was off 1 on my last post...oops). For the 1st three they canceled, birth dad has a stomach virus (that spanned 1.5 weeks). Then, they canceled because it was too cold outside. Today they canceled because birth dad has strep throat.

Now, I know I'm the LAST person who needs to question anyone when it comes to being sick, but COME ON! I don't know, maybe I'm just jaded when it comes to them telling the truth. I mean, they claim they are doing EVERYTHING to get their son back, yet they CLEARLY are not. As I said in my last post, they cannot stop doing the ONE THING that brought him into DSS custody in the first place.

Also, I caught them in a lie last week (you know, when the social worker picked him for one of the two visits he's had this month). A while back at an agency review I asked them if they smoked in front of Baby D because he was coming home smelling like smoke. They assured me that they were not and even went so far as to claim that they DID NOT smoke in their house. Well, I've known this was a lie for some time now, however they have continued to claim that they do not smoke in their house. (Which I mean, WHY LIE? As long as you aren't smoking in front of him....who cares?)

At any rate, whatever I send with Baby D to visits comes home smelling like a chimney. Lately I've been sending a hand made blanket that I received as a shower gift when I had the twins. I send it because it's the heaviest blanket I have that isn't PINK. Anyway, I asked the social worker if she would please make sure that they didn't spread it out on the floor because I am having to wash it a lot and I'm afraid it will begin to wear. I asked her if she thought they smoked in their house and she said,

"I know they do. When I bring him in for his visit they move ash trays and stuff."

I just stood there, letting the new knowledge sink in, wondering why it shocked me so much. I KNEW they were lying.

This isn't the only time they've been caught in a lie, and I'm sure it won't be the last.

As I continue this journey, I never cease to be amazed at the raw emotion I feel toward these people. I know I should encounter them with grace, love and mercy but for some reason, those are not the emotions that spring forth from my heart when they come to mind.

I know at a time when my own family cannot shake a month's worth of sickness, I should not be questioning someone else's health, but it's just so stinkin' hard to believe ANYTHING they say.

-----------

As for OUR health, Lucas spiked a pretty high fever last night, but so far Ashlee has been fever free for almost 24 hours. Yay! Of course, now that I say that I'm sure she will begin to puke or something else totally gross. I am feeling MUCH better (upon the advice of my Mom to start some vitamins ASAP). Thanks so much for your prayers for my family's health.

Now, if you'll just pray for my MENTAL health, I'm sure everything will work out just fine and my blood pressure will return to normal!

Fostering Update and Sick People

Baby D still has visits two times a week. We do not return to court for him until March 16th. At that time, I am hoping that DSS will recommend Termination of Parental Rights (TPR)/Adoption. The Guardian Ad Litem has already told me that she is recommending TPR/Adoption because they cannot follow the guidelines in their case plan. Naturally, it is all up the judge.

I'm really struggling to have a compassionate and merciful heart toward Baby D's birth parents. They have not stopped doing the ONE THING that brought him into DSS custody, and yet they claim to "love their son and will fight for him."

Yeah, actions speak louder than words, honey.

This past week they asked about a mystery bruise on this cheek and if we would send some pictures. Ok, he's almost 8 months old, sitting up and slinging every toy he can get his hands on. I have no idea where he got the bruise. And NO, I will not send pictures. If they wouldn't have canceled the last 6 of 7 visits maybe they would have had time to take his picture.

See, not so compassionate OR merciful, am I?

Baby Girl on the other hand....

I cannot go into much detail but she is not having visits with her birth mom because of certain circumstances. However, she is doing very well and growing. When we go to court on February 9th, DSS is recommending TPR/Adoption. Once more, it's all up to the judge.

Baby Girl's social worker did tell me that she gave birth mom the letter I wrote. However, she hasn't had a chance to speak with her, so I don't know if it had ANY impact at all. I'm just leaving it up to the Lord. I do feel compassion and mercy for this woman, although I cannot explain why.

The Big Sister and Baby Girl

Ashlee Girl giving Baby D his bottle. Doesn't he look THRILLED?

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As for the health of my family, well, it's a moment by moment update. Just when I think we've finally kicked every germ out of the house and begun recovery, someone spikes a fever or gets explosive diharrea or pukes. I'm just not sure what's going on around here.

Hopefully, some rest, vitamins, homemade chicken & rice soup (thanks Mom!) and lovin' will heal all sickness.

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Finally, I just HAD to leave you all with this picture of Ash. It cracks me up.

And The Winner Is...

Okay people, I gotta say I'm pretty disappointed. Not in the people that entered, but in those of you (all 300+ hits) that came, lurked and left. Seriously. Guess you all just didn't know that we get really AMAZING tacky Christmas Gifts. Tisk, tisk.

While I'm speaking of site hits, you may have noticed a new counter over there on that right side, along with some data if you click on it. After noticing that my previous hit counter was "unavailable" for almost 2 weeks, I decided it was time for a change. But, since said previous hit counter had been (and still was) down, I had NO IDEA what number we were on. So, I knew it was between 28,000 and 29,000 so I chose 28,500. And there you go.

Now for the BIG REVEAL....

First of all, I must say, that all EIGHT of you (not that I'm bitter, really...) that commented did a great job. I laughed each time. I really was hard choosing just 1.

So, here goes. The best caption for "Name That Photo" my first (and maybe only) Edition is:

Baby Mutant Ninja Turtle...cutie in a half shell...

(To which I added, in my mind, TURTLE POWER!) submitted by Amanda.

I mostly loved this one because it was a throwback to my our childhood. We are the same age, right Amanda?

I also LOVED GK's "The Headless Hip Thruster." But if you don't know us IRL (in real life) and you've never seen Baby D's awesome hip thrusting abilities, this isn't really that funny.

Amanda, if you really DO want one of our tacky Christmas presents, email me your address and I'll slap something in the mail to you. Seriously though, consider this your warning. Actually, I will post your options and let you pick. How's that sound?

Wait, maybe I'll just email you your options. We have family that reads this blog as well. Not that any of them were the givers of such gifts....no, that wouldn't be the case at all.

At any rate, thanks to everyone who played.

A Contest and Fun with Gizmo

So, Gizmo has this cool thing (I mean it's not a Mac for you Mac folk) where you can do funny stuff with the built in webcam. Basically, it's the coolest thing since our new Diaper Genie III (and man is THAT thing cool). Our house used to totally smell like poop, all the time, until the Diaper Genie III. It was a Christmas gift from my mom. She gave it to Luke. Hilarious, right? Even funnier was how excited we BOTH got over a diaper genie. She had thoughtfully tucked a Lowe's gift card inside as well so Luke didn't totally feel short changed.

Still, this webcam is rockin'. Not only can you disfigure yourself, but you can add cool faces, hats, ears and such. It is awesome. My friend Grace was over, and we got the brilliant idea to get some of Baby D, so that I could post them on here. Naturally, Elizabeth, Lucas and Ashlee joined in on the fun.

So...here you go.

The phantom of naptime.

Elfie Ash

Artsy Elizabeth

Ashlee 1, Elizabeth, Ashlee 2
(Praise God this is only a picture. I mean, I love my Ashlee...but PRAISE GOD!)

This is my happy face!

Grace's Version of a fish, and double pacci Baby D


"Because I only have EYE(s) for you..."

Happy Boy, with 2 kitty kitties

It only looks like he's puking. It's really his kitty's tail.

The Scary Big Bad Wolf!

And finally, I have seen other blogs do this, but have yet to try for fear of complete failure or lack of participation (that's your guilt trip right there). However, here goes.


CONTEST: For the picture below, I challenge you to give it a clever caption or title. The winner will receive a prize of some sort. Either a personalized certificate of achievement (which I would expect you to frame and display prominently), or something a little more tangible (we'll see what I come up with out of our tacky Christmas present collection...just kidding) that I would mail to you or drop off personally if I actually know you IRL (in real life).

So...NAME THIS PHOTO. The contest closes whenever the urge hits me, sometime tomorrow.


*Entries limited to 1 (one) per registered blogger user and void anywhere prohibited or if I can't find anything fun in the tacky Christmas present closet. You are not allowed to be offended if I re-gift your Christmas present. In such case, it would NOT be from the tacky Christmas present closet but rather from the section right beside that pile labeled, "Best Gifts Ever."