A Homemade Christmas

(another post from Allen)

I drop Ethan off at school every morning.  This morning he asked me why "everybody" hangs Christmas lights on their houses.  If only he knew how people used to get in the Christmas spirit.  I informed him that when I was a child, you were frowned upon if your house didn't have Christmas lights.  Now, it seems to be the opposite.

Becky and I were married six years ago.  Our first Christmas was a nightmare.  I am Mr. Christmas.  I mean, our living room will always look like Dollywood at Christmas time.  Unfortunately, I gave no consideration for Becky's upbringing.  I am pro-colored lights.  She is not.  I am pro-artificial.  She likes to cut down then tree.  I am a November 1st kinda guy.  She likes to put away the turkey and dressing first.  In true Pruitt fashion, I took over.  Believe it or not, Becky has great ideas.  She is unbelievably creative.  She showed me there is another (and sometimes a better) way.  Okay, most of the time she has the better way.

Year 2 came around and it was a bit better.  We started a new Christmas tree tradition.  We began collecting Disney ornaments.  We collected everything from wooden puppets, to clown fish, cowboys, spacemen, dwarfs, spotted dogs, and every princess known to man.  We grew quite the collection.  However, it was never "ours".  It didn't feel like home.

That was, until this November.  We had a blast with this year's tree.  We have a homemade rustic Christmas tree,  every ornament either found in nature or handmade.  I have posted a slideshow for your enjoyment.

Christmas is about Christ.  It's about family.  It's about friends.  It's about love.  We incorporated all of those into this year's Christmas tree.  The boys had the opportunity to help us make ornaments, decorate, share stories, learn the reasons/purposes behind decorations, and spend time with mom and dad.  Becky and I spent some wonderful time together dreaming, creating, organizing, and implementing Christmas into OUR home this year.  It is, by far, the best Christmas tree we've ever had.  We will only build on it in coming years.

Merry Christmas from our home to yours!

The Most Incredible Red Velvet Cupcakes...EVER!!!

(a post by Allen)

First of all, we must give credit where credit is due.  This post/recipe is derived from the Cake Mix Doctor's Red Velvet Cupcakes recipe.

 

So, when Mamaw Jean calls, you must answer.  You don't ignore the phone call.  You don't send it to voice mail.  And, you drop everything to fulfill whatever request is made.  A few years ago, on a   busy Christmas Eve, I was at work and noticed I had missed a call from Mamaw.  In a panic, I immediately checked my voice mail and there it was...the infamous voice mail message from Mamaw.  Now, before I reveal the content of the message, I must preface this by letting you know that I had not spoken to, nor heard from, my Mamaw in well over 2 weeks.  This message came (no lie) OUT OF THE BLUE.

Alright, here goes...

"Allen.  This is your grandmother.  I need three large gift bags." [CLICK]

It was Christmas Eve!  I had Christmas shopping to finish.  I had cookies to bake for Santa.  I had toys to put together for the kids.  I had Becky's family to visit.  What do you mean you need three...Yes, ma'am.

 

 



Guess who rushed to the store to buy three large gift bags and drove like a bat out of Hades to get to Louisville, TN.  Yep, you're right.  Me!

 

So, why am I bringing this up.  Well, I got another call from my precious, sweet, loving, adorable, "most-Christlike individual I have ever met" grandmother today.  Now, we all know my wife can cook.  Oh man, can she ever cook.  Mamaw Jean also knows this.  So this year, all Mamaw wants for Christmas is a teflon skillet (that's a different post) and Becky's Red Velvet Cake with cream cheese icing.

 

I wanted to share this recipe Becky came across.  I hope it blesses your, and your grandmother's, kitchen real soon.  It will change your life!  I promise!

  

Red Velvet Cupcakes

• 1 package (18.25 ounces) plain German chocolate cake mix
• 1 package (3.4 ounces) chocolate instant pudding
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 bottle (1 ounce) red food coloring
• 3 large eggs

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line 24 cupcake cups with paper liners. 
2. Place the cake mix, pudding mix, sour cream, water, oil, food coloring, and eggs in a large mixing bowl. Blend with an electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds. Stop the machine and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat 2 minutes more, scraping down the sides again if needed. The batter should look thick and well combined (similar to brownie batter...it's thick!)  Fill 24 cupcake tins with an ice cream scoop of batter.  
3. Bake the cupcakes until they spring back when lightly pressed with your finger, 18 to 20 minutes. . Place them on a wire rack to cool for 15 minutes before frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting

• 2 blocks of cream cheese (room temp)
• 2 sticks of butter (room temp)
• 2lbs of Confectioners sugar
• 1tsp vanilla extract
• splash of heavy whipping cream

1. Cream together cream cheese and butter until smooth.
2. Slowly add confectioners sugar and vanilla.
3. After the sugar and vanilla is well incorporated add whipping cream until you have a pipe-able icing.

Loaded Potato and Buffalo Chicken Casserole

(a post by Allen)

So, I'm a "meat and potatoes" kinda guy.  What's better than that?  Well, for me it's buffalo sauce.  Here is a recipe that forever changed me.  LOADED POTATO AND BUFFALO CHICKEN CASSEROLE...

We made this and invited our friends over.  One of the best recipes we have EVER made.  There are several versions of this recipe online (Tasty Kitchen and Cook Lisa Cook).  This one is loosely derived from those.  I promise, your life will be forever changed!

 

(Picture from internet)

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Servings: 6+

Ingredients

• 3-4 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 10 medium potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (with peel)
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
• 1 tablespoon fresh ground pepper
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 tablespoon meat seasoning
• 2 tablespoons garlic powder
• 10 tablespoons hot sauce
• Additional ¼ cup hot sauce (or more)

Topping

• 2 cups fiesta Mexican blend cheese or 2 cups Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheese blend
• 1 package bacon (cooked and crumbled)
• 1 cup diced green onion 

Directions 

1. Preheat oven to 500ºF
2. In a large bowl mix together the olive oil, 10 tablespoons of hot sauce, salt, pepper, garlic powder, meat seasoning & paprika.
3. Add the potatoes and stir to coat
4. Move the potatoes to a greased 9x12 baking dish.
5. When scooping the potatoes into the baking dish, leave behind any extra olive oil/hot sauce mix.
6. Add the diced chicken to the “left behind” olive oil/hot sauce mix and stir to coat all the chicken. Allow to marinate as the potatoes bake.
7. Roast the potatoes for 45 minutes, stirring every 10-15 minutes, until cooked through and nice and crispy on the outside.
8. Once the potatoes are fully cooked, add the marinated chicken.
9. Once the potatoes are fully cooked, remove from the oven and lower the oven temperature to 400°F.
10. In a large bowl mix all the topping ingredients together.
11. Top the raw chicken with the topping.
12. Bake 15 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the topping is melted and bubbly.
13. Pour ¼ cup (or more) hot sauce over the dish and place back in the oven for an additional 5 minutes.
14. Serve with extra hot sauce and/or ranch dressing.

A post from Allen...

The POWER BUTTON Challenge

 

I must be honest.  This is a straight-forward post.  An outright cry.  A wake-up call.  The fact is I am a guilty man.  You may ask, “What is he guilty of?” Well, let me tell you.  I am guilty of having “other gods” before my family.

Background:  I am in love with technology.  I am a geek.  I admit it.  I own 3 laptops, an ipad, a Verizon Droid RAZR phone, a Bluetooth device, 2 digital cameras, multiple wireless gadgets, an XM/Sirius radio, a Wii (with multiple attachments), an mp3 player, and I’m certain I am forgetting something.  Plus, Becky and I recently purchased a 50” HDTV for our living room.

This is the hard part.  I have allowed the above items to play such an integral role in my daily life, I have left behind the most important components of what/who makes me who I am as a man, husband, father, friend, minister, son, etc.  Exodus 20:3 gives the commandment, “You shall have no other gods before me.”  I admit I have struggled in the past with placing less important things before God…”things” like music (including praise and worship); but, that is a different topic/sermon for a later time.

But, what about the gifts God placed in my life?

What about my beautiful wife?  My helpmate? My confidant?  My best friend?  My love?  My bride?

What about my sons?  My three beautiful boys?

What about my parents?

My sister and brother-in-law?  My nieces?

My grandparents?

My friends?

Now, in addition to my obsession with technology, I love television.  I love REALITY television, even though I know not an ounce of it is reality.  A few of my favorite shows include Celebrity Apprentice, Big Brother, Real Housewives of Atlanta (don’t judge), The Voice, The Bachelor, and The Bachelorette.

As you may know, I began working with a telecommunications company in September of 2011.  My work schedule requires me to start my shift at 11am and I don’t get home until after 8:30pm.  The problem is that I love to have a seat on my comfortable couch the moment I walk through the door at night and get lost in this fake world of “reality”.  In all actuality, I lose touch with any sense of reality.  My wife has been home all day with children (not an adult in sight), and all she longs for is conversation with an adult.  My boys did not have male-influence in their life prior to coming into our custody, and all they want is just a hug or a kiss from their daddy.  Gracie, our dog, won’t even look my way anymore. 

I neglect all of my family’s needs for what?  A stupid girl crying over a rose?  A struggling singer not seeing a celebrity turn around in their chair?  A man with a rug on his head saying, “You’re fired”?  How stupid!!!

 
I have quite the dilemma and I know I am not the only man struggling with priorities.  I love technology.  I love television.  AND, I love my wife.  I love my family.
 

What if I had all the technology in the world and my DVR was full of my favorite shows?  Who cares?

 

What if I lost what really mattered most to me?  What if I gained the whole world, but lost my soul?  And, my family?

 

The truth is I would be lost.  I would be empty.  I live for my wife.  I live for my boys.  They are the reason I get out of bed in the morning.  They are the reason I work my crazy schedule.  I want to provide for them.  I want to feel their arms wrap around me.  I want to feel the touch of my wife’s lips on mine.  Yes, I even want Gracie to jump up on me and just about pee on herself when I walk through the door.

It would be selfish for me to choose a remote control, an ipad, a cell phone, or a prime time show over what matters most to me.

I have entered into a challenge.  Men, I invite you to join me.  I am starting the “POWER BUTTON CHALLENGE.”  Will you join me in pressing the power button to turn off the things that do not matter in order to invest in the things that do?  What we pour into our family today will manifest down the road.  Let’s deposit love, attention, a kind word, a hug, a kiss, discipline, prayer, and time into our future.  Maybe our marriages will improve.  Maybe our children will possess morals for the future.  Maybe they will be better fathers than we could ever dream???  Maybe, just maybe…

32 things for the Birthday Boy

In the words of my Ma this is a day late and a dollar short. 

But in all actuality it’s about 6 days late and many many dollars short. 

But who’s counting?

My sweet husband turned 32 on September 23^rd.  So in honor of his birthday and the wonderful husband, father, friend, son, and Christian he is I thought I’d compile a list of 32 things that describe him. 

1.        He always wears a belt.  Always. 

2.       He has an obsession with Fossil Watches.  He has 7 and is always on the lookout for a new one.

3.       He only uses Irish Spring Bar soap.  I’ve tried to convert him to the body wash version.  But he’s dedicated to the bar version.

4.       He used a coupon on our first date.  He was so proud of himself…it cracked me up.

5.       If he doesn’t get at least  one shower a day he will fall apart and die.

6.       He likes to drink sweet tea/coke/ or any non-alcoholic beverage out of a wine glass.  So do I.  It makes us feel sophisticated.

7.       He has to sleep on the left side of the bed.  No compromising.  Don’t try.

8.       He is obsessed with pens. 

9.       He almost always puts the toilet seat back down after using the bathroom.  I really appreciate that.

10.   His favorite yankee candle scent is leather. 

11.   He’s a hands on daddy.  He changes diapers, helps with nighttime feedings, rocks sleeping babies,  makes bottles, and does whatever he can to help me.

12.   He’s passionate about our calling as foster parents, and will not back down when dealt with skeptics, or negative words and actions towards the children we have fostered.

13.    He loves crocs.

14.   He loves the smurfs.  LOVES!  ADORES! Big time smurf fan.  He has a smurf app on his IPAD and is constantly working on his smurf village. 

15.   Toy Story (all 3) is his favorite Disney movies.

16.   He loves Pixar too.

17.   He loves the Dave Matthews Band.

18.   Carrie Underwood is his celebrity crush.  If I wasn’t in his life he’d have posters of her up in his room….like a teenager.

19.   Root Beer from the tap is his favorite beverage.

20.   Steak- Cooked medium rare is his favorite food.

21.   He can sing like nobody’s business.  An awesome choir director, can harmonize without even trying, and can tear up a solo without even trying.

22.   He can play the piano and trumpet.

23.   He leads our family without being a dictator.

24.   He’s a clutter bug.  He denies it, but it’s true ;)

25.   He could eat my crock pot lava cake every single day of his life and never get tired of it.

26.   His strengths are my weaknesses and my strengths  are his weaknesses.  We were made for each other.

27.   He takes care of me and shows compassion when I don’t deserve it.

28.   He has the best handwriting of anyone I’ve ever seen.  Seriously, it looks like a fancy computer font.

29.   He’s an amazing father and loves his children more than any other dad I know.

30.   He’s my rock, my shoulder to cry on, my best friend,  the person I can laugh with, and the person I can go to regardless the issue.  He’s always  there supporting me, and loving me.

31.   He only wears black socks.  Not white, not grey, not brown.  Black socks only.

32.   He is completely and totally awesome.

p.s. He also shares his birthday with his little sister (no they arn't twins they were born 3 years apart), and his moms dog. 
p.p.s.  Happy Birthday Amy!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Father To The Fatherless

I intended to have this post up by Father's Day but I'm a big ole slacker.  So in honor of Father's day, and the wonderful man we call "daddy" here is some of the things Allen IS.  And some of the things he IS NOT.

Allen IS...
-Compassionate.  He cares for everyone he meets.
-A Father to the Fatherless.  I have a great deal of admiration for a MAN who is willing to openly and honestly father children without biological ties.  We have millions of children in a lost and lonely world that need loving homes, and I married a man who has as much of a calling for those souls as I do. 
-Funny. 
-Involved.  As a husband, and a father.  When I look at all the responsibilities he has I am shocked that he still sets aside a huge portion of his time and energy to sustain our marriage and a very involved dad.
-Willing to break negative cycles.
-Dedicated to commitments.
-Romantic.  Still.
-Supportive.  Whatever I want to do I know he will support me.  Whatever our children want to be I know he will support them.
-Willing to re-evaluate a situation.  If something isn't working or could work better he isn't afraid to change behaviors in order to change the situation.  Is isn't set on making it work...HIS way.
-Leads with a gentle heart, not an iron fist.
-Handsome!  Woo-hoo!  He melts my butter ;)


What Allen IS NOT...
-Hateful.
-Disrespectful to me, or any women for that matter.  I appreciate this model he is setting for our son.
-Willing to settle.  He is always striving to make things better.
-Lazy. 
-Bigoted.  Anyone and everyone is welcome in our home regardless of race, background, and beliefs.  He knows that showing the LOVE of Christ changes people, not people changing people.
-Close-minded. 
-Hardhearted. 


I am blessed.  Our children are blessed.  Happy Fathers Day to an amazing daddy.

Ethan's First Concert

My baby Ethan went to his very first concert tonight!  Allen and Ethan had an amazing time!  I still can't figure out how Ethan is old enough to be doing anything but playing with his toys and wearing footed pajamas.  My little boy is growing up and I'm amazed at the gentleman he is turning into. 

I didn't go with the boys.  Ashley and I went prom dress shopping and out to dinner.  I was excited for it to be just Allen and Ethan.  I knew Ethan would love having some one on one time with just his daddy.  I also knew Allen would be in heaven having some one on one time with the apple of his eye.  The two of them are joined at the hip and the past year has not allowed them to have "special" time together as much as we have wanted.  Many children will come through our home and it is very important that Ethan know we are his forever home.  We jump at any opportunity for alone time with Ethan and are working towards making it happen as often as possible.  We still have other children in our home so it is also important for them not to feel left out or unwanted.  It can be a very overwhelming task to balance but we are committed to doing the best we can. 

Here are some of the pictures that Allen took of my little man at his very first concert. 

It's safe to say he is having himself a grand and glorious time at WinterJam

This kid loves him some popcorn.

What would you like to come home to?

I try and ask myself this question everyday around 4:00.  On really great days I start asking myself this question when I wake up and work towards it all day long, but lets face it those days aren't as frequent as I'd like.  Allen does an amazing job as a provider for our family.  He has an incredible work ethic, and works so hard at fulfilling not only our needs but our wants as well.  This is not something I ever want to take for granted.  Being able to participate in Ethan's school activities, going to dr. appt's without worrying about my job, and getting to experience all the things that happen through the day.  At this stage in our lives I don't know how I would manage an outside job and maintaining our home.  Nick demands so much time, attention, medical needs, behavioral needs...the list is never ending.  But it came to a point that I became so focused on the needs of the children that I forgot about making our house a HOME that my husband would want to come to at the end of the day.  So about 6 months ago I vowed to myself and our marriage that I would find out exactly what Allen wants when he comes home.  If the tables were turned and I was the one in the work field the last thing I would want to walk into is screaming kids, a house that is a disaster, a grumpy stressed out mate, and utter chaos.  Now let me be the first to say that I don't even almost have this all figured out, and it is not possible for Allen to walk into a calm warm environment every day after work.  But I do try, some days not as hard as others but I try. 

Here is how I try and make this happen.
By 3:00 I need to know what we are doing for dinner.  We feed a family of 5 and sometimes more.  So eating out, or delivery just isn't an option financially and it isn't healthy.  So home cooked meals are a necessity.  I make a meal plan on Sunday's find coupons to match and make our grocery list.  This way I don't have to make last minute runs to the grocery store when trying to make dinner.  I always try and ask Allen when he will want dinner.  Sometimes he is hungry when he walks in the door, other times he prefers to wait until later in the evening.  I have it lucky I find cooking therapeutic I love to cook, sometimes my time spent in the kitchen is just the detox I need from the day.
By knowing when Allen would like to eat that gives me a timeline to do the other things of necessity. 
Around 4:00 I attempt to get the house as organized as possible put up folded clothes, clean up the boys toys that have migrated through the entire house, make our bed, and clean up anything else that may need my attention.  Side note:  If I haven't been running the road back and forth to schools, dr appts, and therapy sessions then this is usually when I try and get dressed as well.  (sad I know however I think I clean house better in my pajama's)
And last but not least our children!  Allen is typically home between 5:30 and 6.  Around 5:15 I try and get all homework wrapped up and let the kids watch a cartoon for 30 mins or so.  This creates a somewhat calm house when Daddy makes it home.  This is the hardest of all tasks because meltdowns seem to happen in the 5:00 hour. 
Like I said this system is in no way perfected, and I never expect it to be.  At the end of the day after all my husband has done to provide for us I want to make it a great "place to land".


(ok so I am adding this approx 5 hours after I originally posted this.
After completing this entry I started the project of packing up all the boys summer clothes, and pulling out all the winter clothes.  So when Allen came home today he found the entire living room (we have a large living room) covered in boy clothes, AND he had to go back out to get dinner for the family because I was in the middle of such a huge undertaking.  So when I tell you I don't have the system perfected I WAS NOT KIDDING.  I had to add this because I felt hypocritical)

We chose the road less traveled...and that has made all the difference

I thought it would be neat to take a look at our timeline.  From the beginning up until now.  So here we go...I hope I remember everything!

February 2007- First conversation with Allen via phone

This is a picture from our first date

March 2007- First date in Gatlinburg

This is during our "dating life" at dry falls in Highlands NC

May 2007- Went on a cruise with Allen and his family to Mexico...and Allen asked me to marry him (fyi I said yes ;))
This is our engagement picture from the cruise

November 2007- Married Allen and I moved to Tennessee
after we said "I do"

January of 2008- Gabby was introduced into our lives
This was taken at my birthday party in June of 08

The next big event in our lives was Ethan a little over a year later, during this year we had Gabby and raised her, as well as still got used to being married, I was still getting used to being away from my family, and Allen was still getting use to well.....ME!
April 2009- First foster placement (that lasted about 2 wks)
June 2009- Ethan arrives!!  4 years old and wild as a maniac! 

September 2009-  Anna comes to stay!  This time is still my favorite in our history.  It felt the most complete.  I had my wonderful husband, my sweet son, my princess gabby, and sweet baby Anna.  Those were good times

November of 2009- Anna leaves.  This was not a pleasant time in our lives...at all.
December of 2009-  Move our of apartment life and into our house!
February of 2010- Gabby leaves AND We receive Ashley and Nick
March of 2010- Ethan's brother comes and stays with us (this lasted approx 2months)
May of 2010- we get the news that Ethan is adoptable...so we start the process.  At the same time find out gabby might possibly get to come home soon.
August of 2010- We have Ethan, Ashley, Nick, and awaiting the arrival of Gabby.


So there it is!  A simple time line can't tell all the ups and downs, the good and the bad, but it does remind me of all we have come through.  Sometimes a simple reminder that God was faithful through all our yesterdays and He will continue to be faithful through our tomorrows.  Through homesickness, real sickness, crying babies, temper tantrums, heartache, unspeakable joys, and unspeakable lows.  My God has stayed faithful, He will always be Faithful.

From the Daddy...

Ok, so I have hijacked the blog page today.

I feel so blessed with what God has entrusted me.  On November 17, 2007, I married the most amazing woman in the world.  Rebecca is the most compassionate person one could ever meet.  It was her big heart and compassionate spirit that first grabbed my heartstrings and reeled me in.  She is the best wife any husband could ask for and I fall more and more in love with her with each and every passing day.  Let me be the first to let you know, I could never be a husband, father, friend, minister, or even live a day without her.  God knew what He was doing when He breathed breath into this masterpiece.  After meeting Rebecca, you will be forever changed.  I promise!

So, I have mentioned Gabby in the description of this blog.  God allowed Gabby to enter our home when she was only 10 months old.  I remember holding her and rocking her to sleep in Park West Church Choir's Rehearsal on Wednesday nights.  Little did I know she would be living with us, or even would melt my heart the way she has.  She is my first daughter, and will always be.  God allowed me to teach her her alphabet, see her take her first steps and grow into this tall, dark, beautiful little angel of God.  Her eyes will make anyone fall in love with her.  I know this will make things difficult when she is dating (at age 40).  Gabby is the reason we have opened our home to the orphans of this world.  It is because of her that we have touched, and will continue to touch, the lives of children that God brings our way.  Gabby's birth mother has made some horrible choices in life and Gabby is not currently with us.  I pray she will soon return to the place she knows as home.  However, should God not ordain her steps back to Mommy and Daddy, I hope she will always remember and know that we love her with every fiber of our beings!  I love you, Sweetheart!

Ethan...oh, Ethan.  He is "Mini-Me".  I promise.  I love this little guy.  He meets no stranger.  Every girl is his "girlfriend", and he is only 5!  He started Kindergarten today.  Rebecca was told by his teacher to leave, 'cause she was crying.  Ethan?  Oh, he adjusted well.  He had no clue we had even left the classroom.  It is amazing how God has different plans for each of His children, even though we hear so many negative words spoken over us.  Ethan was never to function properly in society because of the horrible things he had experienced prior to coming into State's custody.  Let me testify of God's amazing power!  Ethan tested out of his Special Education Course and has been placed in a normal classroom setting.  He had no behavioral problems today.  Praise God!  That may not always be the case, but Ethan will succeed...because he knows he can.  I know he can.  I know he will.  Ethan will grow up to do great things.  He loves God and we have spoken over him the fact that God has a plan for him.  This plan does not include drugs, sexual perversion, alcohol, or any other substance or temporary satisfaction Satan may toss his way.  As for the girlfriends...I am coming up with a plan to take care of these little hindrances.

We have been blessed to have several foster children come into our home.  Roy, Anna, Nick, Ashley.  They each have their individual stories.  Memories have been, and will be, made.  Stories will be placed on this blog that will make you laugh until you cry, make you think, make you pray, and simply tear your heart out.  As they are written, please know they are from our hearts, whether funny or serious in nature.

Please keep us in your prayers.  It is not the easiest of tasks to raise children that did not come from you.  But what a blessing in knowing that we will forever impact their lives.

Okay, I'm finished hijacking.

Allen
(the husband, father, and goof)

Jumping on the blogging bandwagon

  So much happens every single day in our lives that I know I can never possibly remember it all. Hopefully by keeping a record of it here I will have documented evidence for later in life. And also a window into our lives for family and friends and the fellow blog/cyber stalker. Plus it makes me feel important…and some days feeling important is just what I need.




So here is a brief summary of how we roll. Allen (that’s my husband) and I are in the middle of adopting Ethan our foster son we received in June of 2009. His adoption should be done in September. We also are foster parents to Nick and Ashley. Nick is 9 and has a wide array of physical and developmental delays, and Ashley is his sister who is 18. I am a stay at home mom and Allen works full time at a disaster restoration company.

Ethan’s personality can be summed up by shrinking my husband into a 5 year old, add a little bit of my mannerisms, and there you have it…ETHAN. He is all boy, incredibly athletic, can sing better than most professional singers, has the rhythm of a professional drummer, and can break dance like nobody’s business. His favorite activities are playing with his cars, action figures, and chilling out with his best friend his daddy. He loves to go and do things but when nighttime comes wants to be at home in his own surroundings. He can wrestle and rough house and never whines, complains or gives up. Right now his biggest fears are monsters under the bed and spending the night away from daddy. He is such an awesome kid. Allen and I are always saying that he was made for us, our pride and joy.

Nick is an extremely happy and outgoing child.  He is constantly talking, singing, humming or whistling.  He never meets a stranger, and enjoys being around adults. He is very determined and once he sets his mind to something he will make it happen. He loves going to church and loves school.  His favorite TV show is sesame street.    Due to his developmental delays his comprehension levels are around a 2 year old.  He also has cerebral palsy which can make movement difficult at times.   His attention span has improved in the last few months but his severe ADHD makes even the smallest of tasks a challenge.  Despite his disabilities he has an amazing attitude about life, and is always looking for a new adventure. 

Ashley is your typical teenage girl.  She is obsessed with the Twilight series and can tell you everything about it from start to finish.  Her nails are always painted, she doesn't like to get dirty, and is very neat.  Her room is typically the cleanest in the house.  Her favorite subject in school is History.  Her least favorite is math.  She has enjoyed blossoming into her own person over the last few months and focusing on improving her choices, and grades.  She is always eager to help, and has a Pollyanna attitude.   Since Ashley is 18 she is in a program called post custody which is helping her to graduate and get into college.

So there it is!  There will be ups and downs, smiles and frowns.  Enjoy!