fingers, toes, arms, and legs all crossed

in 7 days we will find out where the next fork in our path will take us.

on one side of the fork: it brings us closer to two sets of bunkbeds, 1 carseat, 2 booster seats, clothes in size 3t, 5, 8, and 12. lots of hugs, kisses, and sleepless nights. and a future of family vacations, 4 proms, 16 homecomings, 4 driver's ed classes, and 4 college tuitions.

the other side of the fork: brings us closer to being a family of two who happen to have a lot of dog "children".

my prayer is that they will be placed in the safest, most stable enviornment.

safety.

stability.

two things that are a constant for these four now. two things the four new nothing about 1 year 1 month and 11 days ago.

please God, let them have the life they deserve to live. please.

table for 6?

we've decided that if they don't return home, that we will adopt 4 out of 5 of the sibling set.

yes. you read it right - we will have gone from a family of 2 to a family of of 4 to a family of 6. almost overnight.

2 boys, 2 girls - ages 2 through 9.

even as i type this i can't believe this is the path we have taken. together.

together.

there are no words to describe the feeling i get when i hear her say "i have totally fallen in love with these kids".

i am the luckiest, most blessed girl in the world - i have found my "knight in shining armor" and together we are making both our dreams come true. i don't think i could ask for anything more.

2 + 2 + 2 = ?

so we are wondering what it would be like to have 4 kids. not just for one night, but forever.

could laurie and i be as brave as our parents and raise them. well. with our sanity intact?

what about the financial impliactions? housing? clothes? food? could we afford it?

or do we say forget it, the universe will hold us tight and get as through as it has always done.

the kids would have two mommies. and the two mommies would have 4 kids.

i think we may be ready to accept the challenge.

our newest addition....

her name is scarlett. she came to our house with her mom and we were fostering them. her mom went to her forever home yesterday. turns out scarlett had already found hers here with us! we call her our first family dog. the kids love her, and she loves them!

a grown-up night

he's at camp. she's at a sleep over. dare i say that the grown-ups actually have a night to themselves? we haven't had one since before they came. i think i might have to dance naked through the living room and have junk food for dinner to celebrate!!!

i feel free

of my hair. oh happy free not hot on my neck anymore day! now if only i could feel as pixie'ish as my hair :-)

happy birthday little man!!! (updated)

it's little man's ninth birthday today. our house is covered in dino decorations and dino goodie bags. it's going to be a fun fun day!

here's what we served at his party. we came up with the name together. he is so creative! it was a big BIG hit with his friends!!!

Dino-Menu:

Prehistoric Swamp Water (Lemonade)

Fire Tree Bark (BBQ chips)

Onion Tree Bark (Sour Cream & Onion Chips)

Dino Spine Straws (Twizler Straws)

Baked T-rex Teeth (Cheese Pizza)

Dino Egg Halves (Bagel Bites)

his birthday also marks the one year anniversary of when they came into our lives. yes, he was taken on his birthday. i'd like to think it will turn out to be the best birthday present he was ever given. time will tell :-)