So much to say...

When we first met the boys, "J" was just starting to talk, at 2 and a half years old. When I say just starting, I mean just beginning to say words that you could barely understand, forget thoughts and phrases. I clearly remember him pointing to an airplane in the sky and thinking that if I hadn't known what he was pointing to I would have been clueless! Over the course of the last 10 months, he has started to say so much more, as kids who are learning to talk do. 6 months ago, he wouldn't even put 2 words together to make a request. Every day he starts to say more and put more words into sentences. This morning he came running into my bathroom and said "Mommy, Dad did my shoes! I can't tie them, it would take FOREVER!" I just laughed. He had his hands going a mile a minute and his head bobbing. TOO FUNNY!! He doesn't stop talking now. "J" has something to say about everything that happens. 

I remember hearing that what we say will come out of our kids mouths at some point. It amazes me how they can use words in correct context sometimes. "K" has started to tell us that things are "not necessary" when he feels they aren't. You can't help but laugh when it comes out of his mouth. He has also started to say "Oh crap!" which really isn't horrible in the whole picture but still something we are trying to stop. The other night I got on him for saying it and asked him where he learned that from! With this very innocent look he said "My special Mommy says it when the cat gets in the flower pots!" His special mommy is his first foster mom who he loves so much. I couldn't get upset with him about saying it but did explain that I didn't want to hear it again. 

"K" has finished up his basketball season, which he loved. He has started to play T-ball which he seems to be a bit better at. He also really likes this sport. I think he just likes to be outside playing and having fun. 

In less than two weeks, we can fill out papers with the court to petition to adopt the boys. It is so amazing that the last 6 months have gone by so fast. We have a few papers to fill out this week and get to the lawyer then we wait for the 17th and to get a date for our adoption to be final. "K" seems to be excited about being stuck with us forever. So are we!   

showing more love...

Things are getting better and better around here. That's not to say we don't have our rough patches, like yesterday! But on a whole, we are getting to be more and more like a family around here. "J" has really taken to calling us mom and dad which is so cute to hear. "K" hasn't quite gotten there yet but does respond when someone else calls us his mom or dad. We know that with time we will be "mom and dad" to him but Billy and I both know that he knows we love him and are so happy he has become part of our lives. "K" just has some attachment issues that a kid who has been through his experiences is expected to have. I know he still wonders "What next? Where am I going to go next?" He has gotten more loving lately though. He will walk up to us and say "I love you" or just walk up to us and hug us. Tonight he walked into the living room and came and sat on my lap and just hugged me for quite some time. Then he just walked away. It made me smile. He'll come around on his own time! 

"J" has been battling a cold for almost a week now. Last Wednesday he spiked a fever and was just so unbearable. "J" has had battles with asthma attacks before and I am so worried that I will not know what to do if one happens. (I don't do well with stress!) I ended up taking him to the Children's Urgent Care at our hospital Thursday night to find out it was, in fact, just a cold. Friday was a horrible day for him and myself. He cried all day and by that afternoon my nerves were fried. Thank goodness my mom had spent the day with us to help out with some appointments we had! Saturday morning found him more like himself but even now, he is still not 100%. 

"K" continues to improve with his basketball skills and games. He is totally in love with playing the sport. He looks forward to his practice and can't wait to go to his game on Saturday mornings. He tries really hard and doesn't do bad for a kid who hasn't ever played before. Watching him play ball, I am amazed that he had such a delayed start in life! We are looking for a baseball program for him to get into this Spring. We would like him to play t-ball since he hasn't ever played and his hand/eye coordination isn't what it should be. We just feel that it would be better for his self-esteem and confidence. 

We are working on planning a trip this summer with our friends, The Laynes and their soon to be 2 daughters. Right now we are leaning towards Atlanta Georgia. It seems that there is a good bit of kid friendly things to do around that area. We all always up for a good road trip, no matter where we end up!