Well, today is bittersweet. I watched this morning as Orrin drove away to spend a week with dad in Texas before going off to Kansas State University. I am so proud of everything that he has accomplished and he has grown into such a wonderful young man. This is also the beginning of the end of our time in North Carolina.
The kids and I were going to stay behind in order for Mack to stay in the same high school and for us to be able to finalize Sydney's adoption. Well, sometimes we think that we've come up with the best plan possible, only to find out that it's not. Kenny's still active duty and at the beck and call of the US government. So, Mack, Sydney and I are going to move back to Clovis. We'll be a LOT closer to Kenny and be able to visit more often even though we won't be living together in the same house. This is not something new since we've done it the past six years, but being able to spend time together more than every 6-7 months will be the BEST part.
Friday, August 3, 2012
Monday, April 9, 2012
What a difference a year makes...
Kenny got back just before Easter and made it such a wonderful weekend for all of us to spend together. He's off to parts unknown at the end of the month. He has orders for Ft. Hood, but we're sure hoping that something else works out for his last three years of active duty.
Well, Sydney has grown by leaps and bounds, she's talking and we can understand most of what she tells us. We're still waiting on a decision from the Court of Appeals. We're sure hoping that by Easter of next year, she will officially and forever more be a "Rice."
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Love marching band competitions....
Gotta love listening to the bands...
Oh...I love having my picture taken also...lol
Friday, August 5, 2011
One more step...
Well, August 5th was a very emotional day. It was the day that our family has been looking forward to, but at the same time dreading. In order for us to be able to move forward and adopt Sydney, that means that her biological parents had to lose their parental rights. I've been to every hearing and meeting with the exception of the initial hearing because I was home with her and she wasn't yet 6-weeks old. Regarless of what has happened over the last 18 months, it was still very hard to watch their faces as the judge ruled that their parental rights to all of the girls had been terminated.
I spoke with both of them (alone & together) after the decision was given. The biological mother thought about it and spoke with her court appointed attorney as well as another attorney and has decided not to appeal because it's in the best interests of the girls. So, now we wait to see if the biological father does the same or if we have another long, drawn out court battle on our hands (that we're not technically a part of) before we can petition for adoption.
I'd like for this to be over sooner rather than later. I'd like to know for sure what is to become of her older sisters. Has the foster family changed their mind and are they wanting to adopt them now or will my parents come in and adopt them? They are the two who really need permanency. Sydney doesn't know anyone other than our family as her own. I'm sure that some day she's going to be quite shocked to find out that she was not born into our family and that her middle and last names were not always what she's known them to be. But, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it and deal with the questions and emotions at that time.
Now, I'm dealing with one who is starting high school, another who is staring the end of high school and who will be moving on next summer. Regardless of whether or not we're starting over again with Sydney, it's so hard to think that we're going to be letting go of our first born. We'll always be here for him, but it's about time to let him spread his wings and fly and see if he can handle the world outside of our immediate reach.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
April update
Well, another week and month is about over. We started the month preparing for Kenny's move to South Korea and wondering if he was moving and working without the federal government paying him. Well, that was taken care of just before his departure, but not without a TON of heartburn.
Kenny made it safely to Korea and we learned how to use Skype. Sydney thinks that it's really cool to see her daddy on the computer, but she still walks around to the back of the laptop to see if he's sitting there. :-) She'll "talk" to him, waive and blow kisses when he's on Skype. When he's on the phone, she just giggles and waives to the phone not quite sure what to do.
Orrin has been playing baseball and we don't see him much. He's also still involved with the HS band and is currently in D.C. on a trip with the band. They were privileged enough to play in front of the Jefferson Memorial...just wish that I could have been there. But, I'm sure that he wouldn't have had quite as much fun if mom and the younger siblings were tagging along.
Mack isn't playing sports right now, well, if you don't count video games. He still watches any sport in earnest and can tell you almost anything you want to know about any of them. Could I possibly have a future sportscaster in the family?
Overall, the boys are growing up way too quickly and I still have a hard time when I think about the fact that Orrin will be a Senior in HS in the fall. It's hard enough when he goes away for a short period of time on a school trip...what will I do when he goes to college?
Sydney, well, she's still our little princes. She'll be 16 months old on Saturday...so hard to believe that time has passed us by so quickly. We still enjoy every minute with her. Well, I can't say that we totally enjoyed the weeks when she was trying to cut 5 teeth at one time, but we still loved snuggling with and comforting her. She's such a blessing to have in our lives. We are biding our time until the day when we can officially file for adoption of her and finalize it by changing her name to Sydney DeLayne Rice (the middle and last will be new).
The kids and I had a wonderful Easter, although a little lonely without dad. We had an indoor Easter egg hunt for Sydney (plastic eggs of course) and spent the day together. The boys wanted to go to MiYabi for dinner instead of having the traditional ham and fixings. That didn't really bother me because I didn't have to spend all day cooking...just got to enjoy quality time with my kids.
I hope that you and yours had a Happy Easter and you're doing well this spring. We were spared by the tornadoes that came through North Carolina, although they wreaked havoc in all directions around where we live. We continue to keep those who were affected in our prayers, along with all of those who have been affected in the South in the past 24-hours.
Wishing you all a wonderful Spring and reminding you to enjoy every minute that you have with family and friends as life IS TOO SHORT.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
How time flies...
It's so hard to believe that a year ago today, a "stork" of sorts put the most beautiful 5-week old baby girl in my arms. She was the smallest baby that I had seen in a long time and she was entrusted to our care.
Kenny was gone and his response was "she's beautiful, but so little." I was worried about the boys and their reaction. Over that weekend we had shopped and I'd tried to tell them how little she'd be, but she was even smaller than I'd expected. They were smitten from the moment they saw her and she quickly wrapped her little finger around all of our hearts.
I have to say that I have the most wonderful husband and sons that a woman could ask for. Kenny would call from Afghanistan to check on his "girls and boys." The boys would almost fight when I'd get home with her after I returned to work on who could get her out of the car. It took a little while for them to hold her because of her size, but once they realized that they wouldn't break her, they were in full big brother mode. They quickly learned (without being asked) how to change diapers and they both learned how to make bottles. And, who would think that two teenage boys would have more photos on their cell phones of this sweet little thing than they do of friends and/or girls.
I wondered how I'd do it being "mom" to an infant again after almost 13 years. Well, the sleep deprivation wasn't as bad as I'd remembered and her little smiles and the snuggles made up for any sleep that I was missing.
Over the past year we've witnessed all of her firsts, been scared when we had to see a cardiologist, but rejoiced months later upon finding out the problem had corrected itself. We've lost sleep, had to learn to carry everything but the kitchen sink every time we leave the house, but all of us walk with a spring in our step because she's brought so much to our lives.
Who would have thought that this little person would bring so much joy into the lives that she has touched. We are the ones who are truly blessed to have her as part of our family and we sincerely hope that she is legally ours soon because she's already ours in our hearts.
Kenny was gone and his response was "she's beautiful, but so little." I was worried about the boys and their reaction. Over that weekend we had shopped and I'd tried to tell them how little she'd be, but she was even smaller than I'd expected. They were smitten from the moment they saw her and she quickly wrapped her little finger around all of our hearts.
I have to say that I have the most wonderful husband and sons that a woman could ask for. Kenny would call from Afghanistan to check on his "girls and boys." The boys would almost fight when I'd get home with her after I returned to work on who could get her out of the car. It took a little while for them to hold her because of her size, but once they realized that they wouldn't break her, they were in full big brother mode. They quickly learned (without being asked) how to change diapers and they both learned how to make bottles. And, who would think that two teenage boys would have more photos on their cell phones of this sweet little thing than they do of friends and/or girls.
I wondered how I'd do it being "mom" to an infant again after almost 13 years. Well, the sleep deprivation wasn't as bad as I'd remembered and her little smiles and the snuggles made up for any sleep that I was missing.
Over the past year we've witnessed all of her firsts, been scared when we had to see a cardiologist, but rejoiced months later upon finding out the problem had corrected itself. We've lost sleep, had to learn to carry everything but the kitchen sink every time we leave the house, but all of us walk with a spring in our step because she's brought so much to our lives.
Who would have thought that this little person would bring so much joy into the lives that she has touched. We are the ones who are truly blessed to have her as part of our family and we sincerely hope that she is legally ours soon because she's already ours in our hearts.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Time marches on...
Well, day by day we get closer to Kenny's homecoming and out next court date.
The boys are growing and getting closer and closer to leaving home to lead their own lives. I can hardly believe that in less than two weeks, my baby boy will be a teenager. But, then again, my firstborn is old enough to get his license. And, we're hoping to start all over. Well, we've basically started over since Sydney came to live wiht us when he was 5 weeks old, but her future with us is so uncertain. We do not treat her as if she is with us for a short time, she is one of us. She knows that we are her family, regardless of whether or not we are biologically linked. She looks to us for love, stability and safety and receives it all 10 fold.
I have seen such a change in my boys since she came into our family. They take more time to stop and smell the roses so to speak. They don't immediately lock theirselves in their rooms or the bonus room, they come downstairs just to see what she's doing. They love to make her smile and giggle. They can't wait until she crawls and I tell them not to push because I want to savor every single thing that she does. I know, regardless of whether we get to adopt her or not, this is the last baby that I will raise. After Sydney, I'll just have to wait for grandchildren.
For now, time will continue to march on, we'll get Kenny home, our lives will return somewhat to "normal," whatever that is. And, we'll wait until sometime in September and see what the court says.
More to come...
The boys are growing and getting closer and closer to leaving home to lead their own lives. I can hardly believe that in less than two weeks, my baby boy will be a teenager. But, then again, my firstborn is old enough to get his license. And, we're hoping to start all over. Well, we've basically started over since Sydney came to live wiht us when he was 5 weeks old, but her future with us is so uncertain. We do not treat her as if she is with us for a short time, she is one of us. She knows that we are her family, regardless of whether or not we are biologically linked. She looks to us for love, stability and safety and receives it all 10 fold.
I have seen such a change in my boys since she came into our family. They take more time to stop and smell the roses so to speak. They don't immediately lock theirselves in their rooms or the bonus room, they come downstairs just to see what she's doing. They love to make her smile and giggle. They can't wait until she crawls and I tell them not to push because I want to savor every single thing that she does. I know, regardless of whether we get to adopt her or not, this is the last baby that I will raise. After Sydney, I'll just have to wait for grandchildren.
For now, time will continue to march on, we'll get Kenny home, our lives will return somewhat to "normal," whatever that is. And, we'll wait until sometime in September and see what the court says.
More to come...
Monday, July 5, 2010
4th of July
What a wonderful 4th of July. We were able to spend the evening with family and friends alike. We had great food (way too much of it) and fellowship. We were able to watch not only our fireworks display, but those of other subdivisions in the immediate area...they seemed to go on forever.
How awesome to see two children watch their first 4th of July fireworks.
The only thing that would have made the day better would have been if Kenny was here to share it with us.
How awesome to see two children watch their first 4th of July fireworks.
The only thing that would have made the day better would have been if Kenny was here to share it with us.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Sixteen
It's hard to believe that my first baby is now 16. No Sweet 16 like the girls get, but 16 nonetheless. Where has time gone?
It seems like yesterday that I was sitting and watching him sleep and basking in the fact that he was really mine. To think back on his first smile, the first time he crawled and walked. The first time he said "mama" and reached for me to hold him. Now, I look up at my "baby" because he is 6'4" and towers over everyone else in the family.
He's in football and baseball and does what he feels is "necessary" in school. He's also in the high school band and has a wonderful girlfriend. Still hard to believe that he's going to be a junior in high school in a few short months. We won't even get into the fact that he can legally drive.
And, here we are trying to start the journey all over again. But, what can you do but love them, give them your all and hope that when they go out into the world you have given them all of the skills they need in order to succeed and become a productive member of society.
It seems like yesterday that I was sitting and watching him sleep and basking in the fact that he was really mine. To think back on his first smile, the first time he crawled and walked. The first time he said "mama" and reached for me to hold him. Now, I look up at my "baby" because he is 6'4" and towers over everyone else in the family.
He's in football and baseball and does what he feels is "necessary" in school. He's also in the high school band and has a wonderful girlfriend. Still hard to believe that he's going to be a junior in high school in a few short months. We won't even get into the fact that he can legally drive.
And, here we are trying to start the journey all over again. But, what can you do but love them, give them your all and hope that when they go out into the world you have given them all of the skills they need in order to succeed and become a productive member of society.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Time flies...
How time flies when we're having fun. Today Sydney is 5 months old. She's grown so much since coming to live with us. She is now eating regularly. She likes Rice cereal, is getting used to oatmeal, loves sweet potatoes, prunes (yes, prunes), apples (not applesauce so much), and pears. She's not really fond of peas and/or green beans but we're still working on that.
She giggles out loud and is doing everything she can to roll from her back to her tummy. She is full of smiles, especially when someone she loves is talking to her. She can blow raspberries, pick up her toys when they're close by and has recently learned to put her pacified in her mouth unassisted. She also loves to sit where she can see what is going on. Since she was 5 weeks old, she's loved to be in the middle of the mix.
The boys still absolutely love her and spend as much time as they can with her. Yes, believe it or not, they even feed her and change diapers. So funny to think that when we started this adventure a few years ago, there are so many things that they WOULD NOT do, and now they do them all and more.
She is such a blessing to have in our life and we relish in her smiles and giggles each and every day that we have with her.
The boys are growing so quickly and will soon be out of the house. They're both ready for school to be out so they can get into summer baseball. I guess that they just grow up too soon!
She giggles out loud and is doing everything she can to roll from her back to her tummy. She is full of smiles, especially when someone she loves is talking to her. She can blow raspberries, pick up her toys when they're close by and has recently learned to put her pacified in her mouth unassisted. She also loves to sit where she can see what is going on. Since she was 5 weeks old, she's loved to be in the middle of the mix.
The boys still absolutely love her and spend as much time as they can with her. Yes, believe it or not, they even feed her and change diapers. So funny to think that when we started this adventure a few years ago, there are so many things that they WOULD NOT do, and now they do them all and more.
She is such a blessing to have in our life and we relish in her smiles and giggles each and every day that we have with her.
The boys are growing so quickly and will soon be out of the house. They're both ready for school to be out so they can get into summer baseball. I guess that they just grow up too soon!
Monday, May 17, 2010
What a life...
Well, I have always had a strong belief in God and I know that it's that belief that is getting me through each day right now.
Being a foster parent is probably one of the hardest things that I've ever done in my life. You bring a child or children into your home to care for and love and keep safe, all the while knowing that you could have to let them go. Knowing that they're going to a good, safe, loving home can make it easiser to deal with. However, it's not always sunshine and roses and you wonder why. There was a reason that the child/children were removed and when we haven't lived that life, we wonder how someone...anyone, can't put their children first.
Being blessed enough to watch them grow and reach the heights that you know they can reach is amazing. We have been blessed to have this precious little one for three and a half months and she's thriving. Only time will tell what is to happen.
To think that I almost gave up after we lost Brianna...God knew what he was doing and was directing me all along to just wait it out and see what was to come. He wanted me to put my faith in His hands knowing that He knew when the time would be right for us to take in another child. Trust can be so hard, but when we put our trust in Him....all things fall into place.
Being a foster parent is probably one of the hardest things that I've ever done in my life. You bring a child or children into your home to care for and love and keep safe, all the while knowing that you could have to let them go. Knowing that they're going to a good, safe, loving home can make it easiser to deal with. However, it's not always sunshine and roses and you wonder why. There was a reason that the child/children were removed and when we haven't lived that life, we wonder how someone...anyone, can't put their children first.
Being blessed enough to watch them grow and reach the heights that you know they can reach is amazing. We have been blessed to have this precious little one for three and a half months and she's thriving. Only time will tell what is to happen.
To think that I almost gave up after we lost Brianna...God knew what he was doing and was directing me all along to just wait it out and see what was to come. He wanted me to put my faith in His hands knowing that He knew when the time would be right for us to take in another child. Trust can be so hard, but when we put our trust in Him....all things fall into place.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Time marches on...
Well, time seems to still march on....regardless of whether we want it to or not.
2010 has not started out the best. 4BCT has lost several soldiers already, one of them a good friend of ours. They all hurt, but when it hits this close to home, it just takes your breath away.
The good news is that we have been asked to accept the placement of a 6-week old baby girl. She will be our foster child and we will take care of her and love her as if she were our own for all the time we have her. This is going to be a challenge as it has been almost 13 years since I had a baby in the house. But, I think that the boys and I are up to it...
more to come.
2010 has not started out the best. 4BCT has lost several soldiers already, one of them a good friend of ours. They all hurt, but when it hits this close to home, it just takes your breath away.
The good news is that we have been asked to accept the placement of a 6-week old baby girl. She will be our foster child and we will take care of her and love her as if she were our own for all the time we have her. This is going to be a challenge as it has been almost 13 years since I had a baby in the house. But, I think that the boys and I are up to it...
more to come.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Lonely days & nights
I hate to complain, but deployments get so tiring. The boys keep me busy which is so nice because it helps to pass the time more quickly. However, I didn't initially marry a soldier and the longer this haul goes on, the harder it seems to be to take. I LOVE MYSOLDIER and support what he is doing 100% but I really want to be with him and it seems like since we moved we haven't really lived together.
There have also been so many things that have happened in our life the past six months that have taken us to the highest of highs and the lowest of lows that I'm probably just trying to adjust to life as "normal" since football is over.
OK - I'll quit and stop the pity party!!!
God Bless ALL of our soldiers, past and present who have interrupted their lives and that of their families as well as those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
There have also been so many things that have happened in our life the past six months that have taken us to the highest of highs and the lowest of lows that I'm probably just trying to adjust to life as "normal" since football is over.
OK - I'll quit and stop the pity party!!!
God Bless ALL of our soldiers, past and present who have interrupted their lives and that of their families as well as those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Life with a 3-year old
Life is sooo good right now! Brianna has brought a new ray of sunshine into our house. We don't do much other than play with her and tend to her needs, but that's OK. I can't imagine what it was like for her at 2 1/2 to be taken from everything that she knows - regardless of the circumstances. We are doing our best to fulfill the promise that we made to God to take care of whatever child (or children) was brought into our house for the time that we have her. However, if she ever comes available for adoption...we will jump at the chance. :-)
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Crazy weather
We're having some crazy weather right now. I can't wait for Spring to actually arrive! Kenny is gone again and the kids are off to play basketball at the clubhouse so I'm all alone with Molly. We're just sitting here looking out on the cloudy day and channel flipping.
Looking forward to Easter and having some family time, just wishing that we were back home as everyone gets together to celebrate. I want the warmer weather to come so I can continue to walk outside and enjoy our surroundings while losing some weight.
Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend despite the weather across the country!
Looking forward to Easter and having some family time, just wishing that we were back home as everyone gets together to celebrate. I want the warmer weather to come so I can continue to walk outside and enjoy our surroundings while losing some weight.
Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend despite the weather across the country!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
What to say?
Well...the past week has been a whirlwind of emotions. We were lifted up and then dropped after 72 hours. Bio mom changed her mind, which she is 100% entitled to do. However, we were told that she was not getting her regardless due to the underlying circumstances. So, Friday we were told that an "aunt" was getting her temporarily, pending the outcome of an indepth 30-day investigation, but that "grandma" was coming up from TX to discourage this arrangement. Well, here we sit a week later and NOTHING! No news, no baby, just "please hang in there with us." Well, we really don't know what that means or what to expect so we're just here...trying to get back to normal and waiting for more information that may or may not ever come.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
What an amazing but crazy day
Well, today may be the first day to the end of our desire to have a daughter. For those of you who may not know, we had a failed adoption in 2006 and finally decided to try again, but this time with our eyes wide open. We finished MAPP classes through the county where we live in order to adopt through the state or do a foster-to-adopt placement. Well, we've really been wondering if God was going to bring a little girl into our life or if we were just getting too old.
Today at 11:15 a.m. we received the call that a female child was born yesterday. She weighs 5 lbs. 11 oz. They gave us little more information and what they did give I cannot share. She was right at full term and doing well, but has a little fever so they have to keep her for 48 hours while she's on antibiotics. We want her now, but we also want her healthy.
The boys are just tickled but not trying to get overly excited. Kenny and I are the same way...cautiously optimistic you can say. She's not legally free so we will take care of her and love her as if she were our own every day that we have her and hopefully that will be for the rest of our lives.
More to come...
Today at 11:15 a.m. we received the call that a female child was born yesterday. She weighs 5 lbs. 11 oz. They gave us little more information and what they did give I cannot share. She was right at full term and doing well, but has a little fever so they have to keep her for 48 hours while she's on antibiotics. We want her now, but we also want her healthy.
The boys are just tickled but not trying to get overly excited. Kenny and I are the same way...cautiously optimistic you can say. She's not legally free so we will take care of her and love her as if she were our own every day that we have her and hopefully that will be for the rest of our lives.
More to come...
Saturday, March 7, 2009
The sun finally came out
The sun decided to come out and stay out today. I believe that we ended up at 80 or very close to it. I spent most of the day working on a midterm. Boy will I be glad when school is over and I graudate in May!!! The boys couldn't wait to get out of the house and stayed out with friends most of the day. Some of them even decided that it was warm enough to get in the lake...yeah, not so much. But, they had fun so it's all good. Kenny washed his bike and decided to take a ride since I was doing homework and actually got sunburned. Guess spring is here...well, at least until Thursday according to the news.
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