5-1=4

On March 14 we went to court for a permanency planning hearing for Jericha and Josiah. Full custody of Jericha was awarded to my brother Troy. That was a difficult transition, but I think we having been doing OK. Jericha seems happy and he has let her come to visit us a couple times. I hope that he continues to let her have a relationship with us over the years. I also pray that he stays on the straight and narrow and doesn't get back into the shenanigans that he was doing when she was removed from his care. With that said we go back to court for Josiah in June. This court date the worker is asking to have his parents rights terminated. They continue to make no efforts to improve their situation as well as a lack of interest in seeing Josiah. We are hoping if everything goes as planned that we will be able to adopt him. I have so many worries that something will happen and we will loose this little guy, I really pray that it doesn't. He is very much a part of our family.

Jojo turned the big one on March 17 (St. Patty's Day) He is walking a few steps and pushing objects everywhere. He finally got his first tooth a week ago! He seems to be very cautious about some things, but others he has no fear. Jojo is a very active baby and you can't take your eyes off him for one minute. Here is an example of our morning the other day, with in one hour he got into the toilet, unrolled the toilet paper, pulled out all of the recycling, pulled out the Tupperware, threw Cd's off the rack, threw DVDs, and dumped the dog water all over the kitchen. I love my little man, but sometimes I feel like I should be wearing roller skates just to keep up!

Isabelle has started running with GOTR (girls on the run) and she continues to play the clarinet with her school band. She really is becoming the typical preteen. I swear what used to take her 10 minutes to get ready now takes 45. It's kind of crazy, but cute at the same time. Everything that you say is a big deal whether it's good or bad. She is so dramatic. Her big 5K is coming up at the end of May. This is a picture of her dress for the father daughter dance that her Grandpa Pufpaff took her to.

Weekend

Another family weekend is coming to an end. I always think of a million things that I should have done or didn't get done when Sunday night rolls around. I'm trying to work on focusing on what did get done.

1. I spent time with my amazing family.
2. We started isabelle's science project. (What brand of popcorn leaves the least amount of kernels?)
3. We ate lots of popcorn!
4. Went shopping and found Isabelle a dress for the father daughter dance. Might I just add that shopping in the juniors department reminded me how grown up my little girl is getting.
6. Played with the little ones and really enjoyed watching their ideas.
7. Cleaned up spilt dog water at least 3 times, maybe more ;)
8. Hung out with Christine every night, even if we did fall asleep on the couch both Friday and Saturday.... Maybe we will make it to bed before falling asleep tonight.

I love our weekends off together and wish they lasted longer!

Welcome 2012

As fun as all of the holiday festivities are I am happy to say that they are all finally over. It can be so draining buying gifts, wrapping, unwrapping, cleaning up, dishes to pass, family get togethers. Sometimes I feel like we get so wrapped up in everything that we have to go to that we miss the real meaning of why we are getting together in the first place. Kinda sad. Overall we had a wonderful Christmas and New Years.  I am looking forward to starting 2012 off with new goals and a positive attitude toward accomplishing them.

Isabelle had her first band concert a few weeks ago and rocked it out! She received some fabulous gifts for Christmas. We have had a hard time prying them out of her hand. At least she is still at the age where she was excited to go back to school this morning. I'm not sure how many of those years we will have left. She is getting to be such a preteen. Everything is so dramatic and loud! Even though I may complain about it, I still love every minute and couldn't ask for a better daughter.

Jericha has started having overnight visits with her dad two nights a week. She has really been enjoying them. She had a wonderful Christmas. I think her favorite gifts were her Leapster 2 and her princess castle that came with all of the Disney prince and princesses. Who wouldn't love that? She was also very excited to go back to school and tell them about her gifts. She is at the age where she wants you to spell everything for her. It's kind of funny to hold a conversation with her. Every other sentence she is saying " and how do you spell that?" she will write it down on her Doodle Pad. I love that she has such an interest in reading and writing. Jericha is a very smart little girl.

Josiah has been growing like a weed! He is 9 1/2 mo old and about 16lbs. He is crawling, pulling himself up on things, and pushing objects around the room. It won't be long before he starts walking. He is our mover. Jojo has started saying a few words (mamama, Alli, C, hungry). It's really funny to listen to him, because they aren't clear, but he will keep repeating himself until you figure it out! I love the determination. He still has no teeth, but I have faith that they will pop through soon. He is such a fun little guy to have around. We are so blessed to have such wonderful children in our lives. I thank the lord everyday for everything that he has given us.

Here are some pictures of our holiday fun: