Wordish Wednesday

It's been a rough couple of days. Mentally & physically.

Time changes bring about many other things it seems.

Abbie is going thru a terrible two stage/growing pain/let's see how far I can test Mommy & Daddy stage.

She is very irritable. She can't make up her mind as to what she wants to make things better.

We did visit the doctor on Saturday and she had an ear infection, so I'm sure that doesn't help.

She woke up at 2am last night and refused to stay in her crib. She wanted the couch, she wanted milk, she wanted to watch Barney. Did I mention it was 2am?

Jaelyn is a not-so-happy camper with her rather new daycare teacher.

She refuses to lay on her cot a nap time & disrupts the entire room.

She puts her feet on the table at lunch time.

She does NONE of this at home so I know she is just testing her teacher.

She was punished at home for it last night but then I question if we are doing the right thing? {She was not allowed to play with any toys or watch tv and went to bed a little earlier than usual}.

When she got up this morning, she ran over to me, gave me a big hug & kiss and said "I'm sorry Mommy. I love you". So it made me feel better that we DID do the right thing.

Parenting is hard.

If you say it isn't, your lying.

I've been praying for guidance, strength & patience the past few days.

Pray for me since every little bit helps!

I know this will pass.

I know they are only 2 & 3 and just being.. well, 2 & 3 year olds.

♥

Jaelyn & I snuck out of the house on Saturday to take a few pictures.

I love that she is actually enjoying the picture taking now!

The gold heart necklace belonged to my Mom-Mom. When she went to be with God in heaven, I asked for this necklace of hers. I remember her wearing it and just loving it. I wish she were here now to see my beautiful daughters and perhaps to offer some advice on these growing pains.

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Wordish Wednesday

A little ode to books = ♥

I love reading in my spare time - which sometimes is only during my lunch hour at work.

I love getting so engrossed in a book that I feel like I'm actually there with the characters experiencing their emotions.

I love sharing good books with friends.

I love books!

Happy Wednesday!

Wednesday Links:

SuperMom

The Paper Mama

Go Graham Go

5 Minutes for Mom

Random Update & Stuff

Happy Fat Tuesday!

Yeah, we don't really celebrate Mardi Gras too much here in NJ but it really does look like so much fun doesn't it? So to those of you that DO celebrate... have a blast!

Just a little update on what is happening around here:

• We meet with our Social Worker tonight to start our Adoption paperwork.. eeep! Yes, I am still on Cloud 9! It's nice to not have that extra burden to carry around. Now we just pray the process goes smoothly and soon we can have a big celebration welcoming our daughters to their forever family! ♥ (not that we haven't been celebrating them for 2 years & overjoyed they've been in our lives!)
• I lost 12 pounds this week on a new program I started. 12 POUNDS! Are you kidding me? It makes me want to jump up & down, which would be great exercise to keep me going. lol! YAY! {Hubby lost 17 pounds.. so proud of him!}
• I'm excited to receive a new item soon which I will be reviewing for all of you. It's like my first official review. Pretty cool stuff.
• Abbie is almost out of pull-ups completely. *happy dance* She went on the potty all weekend and only had 1 accident! ONE! Oh my little girl is growing up, I can't stand it! Bittersweet - happy to be out of pull-ups but sad that she is becoming more independent! She even goes into the bathroom, stands on the little stool and does it all by herself. *tears!*
• Jaelyn is drawing on her Magna Doodle more & more, which isn't a big deal EXCEPT that she draws "Mommy, Daddy, Jaelyn, Abbie & Kitty" ♥ How cute is that? She actually draws all of us with smiley faces and the kitty with whiskers. Pretty talented for 3!
• Warmer weather is creeping in more & more which makes me so happy. Outside time! I love it!
• I get to order my bridesmaid dress for my BFF's wedding this month (I think!) - how exciting. I am so beyond thrilled for her.
• I am reconnected with some high school friends later in the month. A few of us lost touch but we are meeting at a diner that we all used to hang out with in high school. I cannot believe it's been almost 20 years since we've all been together at the same time. WHAT?!
• The daycare plans are moving right along... I can't wait to see more progress. Hopefully I will get to share it with you.

So, what's new with you? Please share!

Have a great Tuesday!!

Toddler Talk Thursday

~Toddler Talk Thursday~

Welcome to Week 29 of Toddler Talk Thursday! Where Family and Life in Las Vegas, Crazy about my Baybah, and My Life as a Sippy Cup Mom talk all things TODDLER!!

Toddler Talk Thursday was created as a place for Moms and Dads of toddlers to come together over a weekly topic and share ideas, go-to toys, or products. It is a great way to meet other bloggers of toddlers. Each week the topic will be different; we invite you to link up, share your weekly Toddler Talk!!

This week’s topic is :

Toddler Snacks – Share your favorites & your Toddler’s favorites!

I would say the all time favorite for both girls is... *drum roll*
~Goldfish Crackers~

They pretty much like any flavor, any color, in any container. They like them in soup, they like them in a cup, they like them with lunch, dinner, and in between! We looooove Goldfish!

After that I would say in no particular order:

Cheerios

Fruit Snacks

Animal Crackers

Cookies of some sort

Fruit! (Bananas, Grapes, you name it..)

Raisins

Yogurt

I'm sure I'm forgetting a few but that is the gist of it. They aren't really big 'snackers'. Usually they have a snack in the afternoon after naps but that is probably it. Otherwise, I just give them one of the above with lunch.

Next week's suggestion:
Baby Gates or No? And how long do you keep them up??

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Visit A Mom Having Fun & her having fun Blog Hop!

A day to remember...

I am exhausted in every way possible right now... but I wanted to say a few quick words before I forget this day!

Today was the day of the termination trial for J & A's biological Mother. It weighed heavy on my heart last night and most of the morning. We were not required or advised to be at the court house while the trial was taking place so I had decided on taking a course for work about an hour away from home in another office. I figured it would help to keep my mind off things & possibly make the day go faster. 

Around 11:00am this morning, I received word from our Social Worker that Biological Mom had voluntarily surrendered her parental rights. I cried. I wanted to stand on a tall building & scream! It was a mix of emotions that I've been carrying for 2 years. 

Yes, it is a day for us to 'celebrate' as we can move forward with our adoption plans. It is something we have been praying for. It is something our family has stood by with us and prayed as well. It's the right choice & best decision that has been made for our daughters. 

Am I happy? YES! I can't even begin to tell you how happy I am to know that this is finally a reality! 

But, I'm also sad. Sad in a sense that I know someday, Biological Mom is going to have to face her decision and realize the effects of her past. So, I pray for her and I let it go, finally. 

We cannot begin to thank everyone that has prayed for us and accepted these 2 little girls into their lives and shown them love, laughter, joy, etc. It is overwhelming! And we certainly couldn't have gotten thru some of the rough times without them. Now it's onto the next step in our journey... 

Just believe! ♥

FRIDAY!!! Finally!

Good Morning!

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!

I am so happy to be Super-Blogger of the week for Friend Finding Friday

over at Supermom! YAY Me!

It's been a week so this makes me smile lots!

 

To cheer up the week and make myself smile more, I am going to focus on some positive thoughts!

• We received a ton of great news last night about our Adoption that made us both have a sigh of relief. It's always nice to know things are better than expected.
• I was very productive on my day off work and organized clothes which is always such a hassle!
• The site plan was approved for our future business (a daycare!).
• I finished an excellent book that I absorbed for days. I highly recommend Delirium by Lauren Oliver!
• My pretty Valentine's Day flowers are still alive and not droopy yet.
• I had some really great laughs at my nephews birthday party on Sunday with family. I love when we all get together and laugh with each other!
• Even though I was ready for Spring - the little bit of snow we did get on Tuesday caused for a delayed opening at work - yeah!

Nothing big on the agenda this weekend! I have to take both girls to Dance class tomorrow as Daddy has other plans so that should be interesting to keep Abbie entertained while her Sissy dances. OH BOY! lol! Then maybe we'll see how the weather is and venture out...

I sure hope you had some positives this week.. HAPPY FRIDAY!

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

I decided to give my try at Scavenger Hunt Sunday again.

So much fun taking pictures of the prompts given out!

Head on over & try your hand at it...

 CHOCOLATE:

Mmmm... yummy chocolate icing!

NUMBERS: 

A recent Kohl's receipt with lots of numbers on it.

CANNED FOOD: 

We love some Campbell's soup!!

MUSIC: 

Music from a baby monitor!

Yes, we still have a 'baby' monitor which sits in our main living area - dining room, mostly for nap time so I can hear when the girls are suppose to be sleeping. As you can see from the red lights, 'music' was coming from their room instead.

STACKED: 

Stacked candy hearts. We have tons of these. I almost think the girls got more candy for Valentine's Day then they did for Halloween. WOW!

There ya have it... Happy Sunday!!