Pool Pictures 06/29

Here are a few pics that I forgot to post along with the new post just a few minutes ago...DUH...Blonde moment!! He did so good today.....even better when my camera battery died...Bwahahaha!!!!

I love this lil guy......we are truly blessed to have each other!!!!

~Tina



Hurry Up, Mommy! What mommy hasn't heard that at least a million times?

Today, Joshua and I went to our "local" pool that has an INCREDIBLE kiddie pool area!! It is complete with a frog that the kiddos slide down his tongue into the water!! Joshua can't get enough of it.....as a matter of fact, he said today that he wanted to be there for 1,000 days!! That would be nice, huh?

Well, on our way to the pool, Joshua said, "Hurry up, Mommy! They might close the pool again (like last time we were there for only 30 minutes but that is forever to a 4 yr old) for Thunder!" I said, "Honey, there isn't a cloud in the sky. You don't have anything to worry about, ok." He sounded extrememly puzzled with his next comment: "Well, then where is God!?" I asked, "What do you mean, 'where is God?'"

He replied, "Well, God lives up in Heaven in the clouds and if there aren't any clouds, where did He go?"

WOW.....how insightful! I went on to tell him how God lives in each of our hearts all the time and that he's with us no matter where we go and BTW.....I did tell him that God doesn't actually live "IN the clouds".

My lil man....he did something else today that was so chivalrous (sp?)!! While at the pool today, a young kiddo splashed me horribly......and mind you, I wasn't planning on getting very wet because I didn't bring dry clothes to change into. I wasn't a happy camper and Joshua noticed the look on my face I reckon and said something so sweet......"Mommy, I'll save you! I'm gonna find that boy and make him tell you he's sorry!" But he said it in the kindest way!!!! I told him that sometimes we have to let things slide and not worry about them. That some things aren't really as big as we make them out to be. Boy did I need to hear that one myself.....lol. I was at a pool for goodness sakes and I didn't expect to get wet? In the kiddie area!?

We had a great day, the very best day......

Blessings....

~Tina

Made the JUMP!! The SPLASH!! Whatever you want to call it...

Yep, we did it. What do you ask? Joshua is going to counseling for his anxiety, anger and most definately his seperation issues. We've been trying to do this "on our own" (sorta) since day one......with the kind help of an organization that helps only until the bugger is three then they are left to the school district if the school district feels there is a need, called First Steps. Well, to say the least, First Steps did help "SOMEWHAT" but it was soonafter that he was back to his ways of doing what he knew best.....survival in his world.

Joshua has only had 2, count 'em, two appointments with Ms. X so far. First appt went very very well. Too well I might think. But now I think the lil guy is figuring out that we want him to talk and he's not having too much of a part of it....he just wants to play with her toys....all of them. He did communicate to some level....but not much eye contact was made (like it was the first time we were there....man, he was on target then) and certainly he was pushing her away when she wanted to talk to him about something more than just the toy he was playing with. He also didn't like the fact that she DID NOT have any Thomas trains....how dare she....LOL!!!!! I really felt for her and my dear child.....I WANT things to go well.....I WANT him to communicate so that he can start to feel better about things......I WANT him to start to feel better about himself.....oh yeah.....she said that his "need" to win at EVERYTHING and EVERYTIME is a lack of self-confidence in himself....that he doesn't feel good about himself....OUCH! That one hurt. My son doesn't feel good about HIMSELF? WOW.....what an eye-opener for me. I always saw the laughing, funny, easy-going kiddo and thought sure, he's got some issues, but never for a second did I feel that he lacked for that. Don't get me wrong here......I feel awful about the other issues as well.....just wasn't prepared for that one.



Now.....how do we get to a place where he can self-regulate? Where he can not be so sensitive to all things in his world? Maybe he just has to learn to deal? I know that I REALLY need to educate myself on a few issues and things before we go much further. I do KNOW this to be true....there is TRUE hope in Jesus and I'll be teaching that to that lil guy.

We are planning on making a "Story of Joshua" and "The Story of Our Family" together.....all of us together....daddy too.....Mr. Crafty himself....LOL. Ms. X thinks this will help Joshua.....why? Can't really remember at the moment. I was too worried about Joshua being in the other room....alone. What was he thinking? Was he scared as he usually is? I really should be listening to Ms. X, but my sweet Joshua is 25' away from me....and he's....A-L-L alone!! WOW....he did it....he made it in the room all alone....I'm so proud of my lil man!!!!!! You see, Joshua can't go into a room alone.....hardly ever. AND HE DID IT!!!!! In a practically unfamiliar place too! I'm one proud mama bird!! I wanna see those wings spread and fly someday soon!!!!!  

~Tina

A Good Read with Possibilities?

Oh my goodness has it been almost a month since I've written? I'm so sorry to keep out of touch like that. A lot has been going on here. A lot with Joshua and a lot with me. Tony works crazy hours anymore since the river is up and he is almost on forced OT.....he has been working about 35 hours a week OT for a few months now and it doesn't look to be ending anytime soon. My chronic pain has been through the roof. So I've been kinda out of the loop so to speak....even on Facebook....lol. I never miss a day of FB to at least catch up on a few things but out of the last 10-14 days I think I've only been on there maybe 3 times. Now, as far as Joshua.....wow. What can I say, but he is getting worse in his separation anxiety. He's starting to act out now. Moreso at preschool than at home...but still at home too. So our days are full to say the least.

This is what I've been up to:

I got an Amazon Kindle for Valentines Day and have been trying to read, read and read some more. BUT....I try to keep up on the stuff that can help our situation.....adoption and trauma related reading. Right now, I'm just starting to read a book called, "The Connected Child: Bring Hope and Healing to Your Adoptive Family" by Dr. Karyn Purvis. I have 32 books on my Kindle, almost all of which are of this type with a few for Joshua (Thomas the Train for us to read together) and 2 games.

It is so DARN HARD to figure out which is the FIRST book to read to help our plight. I've started probably 3 and then find another that fits better. The good thing.....I can always go back to the others I've already started and even go back to refer to them throughout my reading.

I just want what's best for my lil man and God entrusted this lil guy to my care....how blessed am I!!!! Being a mom of an adoptive child is HARD WORK....no one ever said it was easy and if they did.....never adopted! Heck, being a mom is HARD WORK.....plain and simple. We all want to do it right.....but we will make mistakes.....sometimes big ones. Just pick up our pieces and learn from them, say we're sorry (how important that is) and move onward.

I've contacted a counselor and am thrilled to be able to get him in (eventually as she has no room right now but will call when they do) as they have cancellations for the time being. I honestly have been dying to get Joshua to see her for a long time but finally have gotten my husband on board. He is so protective and only wants to have the best for Joshua and was worried they'd put him on meds....I told Tony that we make that decision.....besides counselors don't put them on meds, medical Dr's do. He felt better about that and FINALLY saw the light after three days of 3 hours of a meltdown like none other. I just thank the Good Lord above that Tony's on board!! FINALLY!

What are you reading and is it helping? I can only pray and pray that I do the very best that I possibly can by that lil guy! He's the best thing that ever happened to me aside from my other 2 babies (who are now 22 and 19) and Tony!!! I've got the best family one could ask for! I'm one lucky girl!

Ain't Nothin' Keeping Me Down This Week....

Maybe I've mentioned this before, but I'm a church secretary and have been for 5.5 years now. I absolutley adore my job although it can be quite stressful at times....but what job isn't? Well, the reason I mention this is because this week is THE busiest week for me of the entire year! Well, that and Christmas week. I normally only have 1 (one) bulletin for each week to complete.....well, this week I have FOUR!!!! AND, we have Friday off (yeah) work so I only have 4 days to get it all done. At this point.....I'm almost done, just waiting on some music information from the choir director to finalize something for Easter BUT then I've got to input that information, print, fold, and have it ready by 1 PM tomorrow for the ladies to put together..all 450 of them!!!!! The bulletins to be done are: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and 2 services for Easter Sunday.

Good Friday....Jesus' Crucifixion

Easter Sunday.....He is ALIVE!!

Pretty Lily!

He is not here......

This is what I woke up with this morning.....PINK EYE!

Can you believe it? I've been sick as a dog since last Thursday, and finally went to the Dr. yesterday to get an antibiotic and now this! Are you serious!!?? During the busiest week of my year!? I couldn't be sick and I certainly can't have Pink Eye and be contagious! I HAD to work...This royally stunk!

Well, I'm off to try to rest my weary body and eyes. It is my deepest hope that ya'll have a glorious Easter and enjoy your time with those you love.



~Tina

Fav photos of DH!!

My husband....Tony....my love, my life......my everything. He makes me laugh, makes me cry, and all things inbetween. He's the most amazing daddy one could ever ask for!! The most amazing husband, well, not always....teehee.....but I'm sure I'm not always THAT amazing myself...lol. I could never be without him and cry at even the thought of it. I'm so proud of the man he is, his kindness, his gentleness, his terrific way of telling me things I don't want to hear but need to anyways....oh, wait, maybe I don't like that...lol.

BABY......You're amazing!!!!!!! Don't ever change!!!!! I love you so very very much!!!!!

Tony is an amazing daddy and how in the world Joshua can sleep DURING the race is beyond me!!

LOVE LOVE LOVE this peek-a-boo, I see you picture!!

At Indianapolis Motorspeedway with yet another sleeping Joshua!! LOL!!

Bristol, TN NASCAR race this year....It was GORGEOUS out!! Couldn't ask for better in March!

Along the roadside on a trip in TN.

All of us....me, Tony and Joshua. We're at the top of a tower we climbed on a hike.

They are the silliest things eva!!

Hey, how did "MY CAR" get in here? No, it is my dream car!!

This is truly my fav pic of Tony ever.....shows his pure silliness! Love that about him!!

Always willing to help...not only us...but strangers, too. He'd give the shirt off his back if needed!!

Another fav...They are a crazy, funny two!!

My two fav guys in the whole world!!

Mowing part of our 33 acres.

Camping.....and playing around!!

My guy!! Love this man so much!!

Joshua ALWAYS sits like that when we stop....lol.

More silliness from daddy while camping!!

hey mommy, ya comin' or what!?

This is the best......my life is so blessed!!!!! Love you guys!!

~Tina



What a Gorgeous Day with my Fav lil Guatemalan man!

Poor dh has been working so much OT because the Ohio River is up and that effects his job whereas they have to be on site 24 hrs each day (they normally only work day shift, M-F + alternating weekends) in case something is necessary. He's been working about 30 hrs OT each week. We miss him terribly!

Aside from missing daddy, Joshua and I had a great weekend. We played outside today ALL day. I cannot believe I took so many pics....I truly thought Joshua was exaggerating when he said, "Mommy, you've taken enough pictures today." and "This pose is too hard." I'll share that one with ya, it's so stinkin' funny how he interpreted what I was trying to get him to do...lol. Oh, btw, I took 147 pics or something like that......just today. LOL!!

Joshua, at one point, said, "Mommy, you're so fun and I love you so much!" aaawww....words a mama will cherish and longs to hear from her children. We played so much, I took tons of pictures and we played some more. I always give him a break (insert laughter here after saying how MANY pics I took today) from the pics....but remember, we were outside ALL day!

Well, our fun came to an abrupt ending when Joshua slipped on the rocks on the side of the driveway and got a  boo boo on his elbow. He was fine until I said the word....you know, the dreaded word every kiddo hates to hear...."blood." Then the freaking out ensued. He didn't want me....he wanted daddy immediately. But daddy was at work and he had to deal with what was there.....lil 'ole me. Once I started to comfort him, he was ok with it being "mama".....which mind you was immediately but he was screaming so loud I don't think he could hear me. Now, this was a small scratch....just the thought of it bleeding....was too much for him. Then, in his infinite unique ability to say the funniest things, said, "I've 'never' bleeded before when I got hurt," which is totally untrue.

We went inside, nursed his wound, put on the bandaide, and dried the tears and he was all better. It was time for dinner......oh my was this part gonna be up in the air because we were trying something "new" in our house for Joshua...sloppy joes. I know what you're thinking. Is she serious? This is something "new"?? Well, I have the pickiest eater this side of the Ohio, the Mississippi and all the lakes in between!! Dinner is always a difficult time for us....unless we're making the very few things he eats without a fuss. I've resorted to making what he'll eat....am I wrong? Should I MAKE him eat what we eat? and go hungry for days because he's got that temperment where he refuses to eat no matter how hungry he is if he thinks it looks funny in ANY sort of way.

Well, I was right. He REFUSED to eat the sloppy joes even though HE was the one who asked me to make them tonight. He said, and I quote, "They aren't the ones I eat at XXX House" (the place where he goes to preschool), "I only like the ones there...not yours!" Oh my word.....I'd had enough of the not eating at dinner and got more upset than I should've. I threw his food away after he refused to eat it after an acceptable amt. of time......and wow the crying and screaming ensued. But I get lost in what I'm supposed to do. Just let him sit there crying about how he won't eat it and only will eat the chips on his plate (No way) OR throw it away and let him learn that he needs to not act like this. I know I most likely chose wrong.....but I can't go back.

Ok....let's see some pictures of our day.......

We started out our day inside making "silly faces"

Serious picture finally after all that silliness.....but boys are silly lil things aren't they!?

Where will these feet lead you? Let the Lord lead your paths and you follow them, my son!

What will these hands accomplish? For now, I just love holding them!!

This is the one I spoke of earlier where the pose was "too hard" he said....LOL!

That's better!! You got it!

My favorite picture of the day!! I love his peeking through the bubble wands!

I need to learn how to stop the picture better to see each bubble? ho hum.

More bubble fun!

A boy and his dump truck....this is pre-boo-boo!!

Funny, but he despises getting dirty and kept telling me how dirty he was!! LOL!

Loving the Paper Jamz he got for his birthday!!

I'm off to bed for about the last 1/2 hour of my night.....haha....shouldn't even try. I'll try to be better about posting more often so ya'll can see my gorgeousness of a son.....Oh, tried to get ready for church this am, lol...got taking pictures and lost track of time.....oooppppsss. Missed church. Sorry, God. I'll not do that again. Peace to each of you.........

~Tina