Dreams for his future

Our oldest wants to be a NCIS agent. I think it's wonderful, how many of us knew with such conviction what we wanted to be. Sometimes we tease him, we'll call him Probie, for those that don't want the show it's the new guy, who also happens to be the techie. I guess it stands for "probation."

But this weekend while driving he and I were talking about it. He asked me if I thought it was stupid. Of course I told him no! Why would it be? I have family that was FBI, Secret Service, Capitol Police, NYPD, and of course John who was a police officer for local, state and federal agencies.

But it got me to thinking about it, just how many times was he told his dreams were stupid, or God forbid, that he was?

So, I've called my friend's parents (who John was also a cop with in Cambridge). I've asked when he's back state-side for him to give me a call to see if he will meet with Day. See, right now, he is NCIS, stationed in Guam. Not only do I want Day to see that an average Joe (yah, literally his name is Joe) can do it, so can he. But I'd also like Joe to tell him what classes to take, what he wishes he did, and what he thinks he could have done without.

A friend recently told me an amazing quote: "Your dreams aren't high enough if someone doesn't laugh at them."

I want all of my boys to place their dreams amongst the stars, and in the end, THEY will be the ones laughing!

Coloring....

Is there anything more peaceful than a child coloring? (Especially when it is not on your chair or wall?)

Is there anything more touching then when given the present of a freshly colored page?

Is there anything else to make a child feel special and loved that moment than hanging their creation on the fridge?

For my Christian friends

A close friend is trying to get her daughter into a private school. 1 of the requirements is to write an essay on when she found God. It made me think, how would I write that?

My answer would be that I didn't have to find God, He was given to me.

I was raised being allowed to go to any church that I wanted, whenever I wanted. Though of course with family that was mostly Catholic Churches. But, I find that totally different than having God in my life.

My Dad raised me with many scripture teachings, to the point in freshman English I knew what my professor was trying to say a certain books theme was; he really should have taught Theology. Even that isn't fully what I mean by being given God.

I was given God in my family. I was given complete, unconditional love. I was given a wonderful family with a fantastic childhood. Being raised with such warmth put in my head how much greater the love God has for me, to have given me so much. I look outside and see the trees, flowers, grass, animals - and think what a wonderful church He created himself, with not a beam, pew, or sound system. And what greater public speaker could there be than He himself? I was told to have a direct relationship with Jesus, and in turn, God himself. When I've had tough times I never blamed God or felt shunned, He didn't do the things to me or "allow" them to happen. He was there for me the whole time. When something wonderful happens I enjoy the moment and give thanks for the opportunity, hoping to share the joy.

It's not something I could easily write in an essay because it is ultimately indescribable.

But I do wonder, how would others explain themselves in this essay? Would they be able to sit down and pound out an clear cut answer? Or do others have a hard time finding the appropriate words to describe such an awe-some relationship they "found?"

5th month

Hard to believe Jamir has been with us for 2 months already! He's such a happy baby! We are spoiling him, it's hard not to hold him (and you all know we did the same with JJ.) His Social Worker said we were giving him high expectations, but you know, he should have them! All kids should!

Gonna do something for myself.....

I did say my New Year's Resolution was to do more for myself! And John's been so wonderful offering up times! From the scrapping days with friends, upcoming outlet shopping with just the girls, letting me plan a girls weekend away (guilt free) and even offering to take off & keep the boys so I could go to an adult-only family function next weekend. I love that he's been so supportive. It's not that he wasn't before, I just didn't ask that much.

I've always wanted to do Glamour shots, and a friend's friend is a local photographer who will do them at a much better price than the actual stores, and IMO, her pictures just POP. I also love that her style is so close to my secret desire for the 50's pin-up style pictures! But she doesn't just do the type of pics on her page, she's amazing with kids too!
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Snow-Hill-MD/Sweetest-Sin-Photography/298665926327?ref=mf

On that same note, I also already know who will be doing Day's senior pics next year. Her natural light photography is gorgeous, such a soft effect! She's the talent behind the pics I've posted here of JJ and bragged on her about. I want to get family pictures done once the weather gets nicer and all the colors come out. Gotta get on the ball and get up with her soon!
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Salisbury-MD/Bluebug-Photography/25084127940?ref=mf

There's so much local talent!

not why we foster.....

I just want to put out there, we are not fostering so I can stay home. I am not quitting my job. I like what I do, who I work with, and I think I'd go crazy home again, I was really close the last time, and as John can tell you, probably about to take him with me. It's also not for the money, anyone with a teenager can tell you that they are expensive, I can assure you the money goes right back to the kids. We don't turn in mileage vouchers or reimbursements for the trainings that we could be paid back for. That is NOT the reason we are doing this! Even John's "acting supervisor" made an off-hand comment about how we aren't raising the kids because we are being paid for them! WTF?! This man has 5 kids of his own, but its telling to the type of Dad he must be! I know some people might mean well, they aren't trying to be crass, but it still bothers me. Do we really seem like THAT types? I guess all-in-all, it kinda offends me.

We are doing this because we want to help and we have room in our family to add-on. We get so much out of this emotionally, which I have thanked our Social Worker for. I stand by the fact that anything you do in life is for selfish purposes, even helping others, it's because it gives you pleasure or purpose. So, yeah, it's self-serving, but not the way some people think. There's much more to life than money, I wish others felt the same way! Our government puts the value on those pieces of paper, but they could not place the value on what we have in our household.

Ok, thanks for listening. I feel better for the rant (again.)

Public Speaking

I always hated public speaking. When I had to give oral reports in school I cringed. My 5th grade graduation speech stunk, I was so nervous. In college to make things slightly easier I'd pick off the wall topics, giving myself some bravado, that the topics would be a little more interesting (sexual education, transmissions of diseases sexually, bilingual education and myths.)
So, now, Social Services has asked me to speak twice for them this month! The 1st is to help teach a class on Lifebooks, basically photo albums for children in placement which DSS wants foster parents to do with/for them. I'm excited about that one, I love scrap-booking, as I think is pretty clear. I've always loved photos, its memories of happy times and when you have a picture of someone, it means they hold some importance in your life. I think Lifebooks is a great things for kids, it can give them a sense of history, but also a sense of belonging.
The 2nd request is to speak at a PRIDE class. Those are the same classes we went through 2 years ago to become foster parents. Our social worker asked us to speak to share our experiences. John will unfortunately be out of the state until later that same night, but I'm all game to go in there with the 3 boys and tell the other parents what a wonderful opportunity they have in front of them, how much they will get out of it!
While I look forward to both opportunities, I'm also still a little nervous. I don't know these people, they don't know how I'm kinda quirky. Will they take me the wrong way? Will I just flub up because of butterflies? Think I better read up on public speaking some.
But, I do have to say, I feel very honored to be asked to do these 2 things!