Monday, May 12, 2008

Quite a Hodge Podge

My Aunt and loyal follower of this blog reminded me last night that I hadn't posted in a while. We've been quite busy with a few different events, so excuse my hodge podge of topics in no particular order :)


Myles turned 3 at the beginning of the month. We had a lovely, low key party at our house with, of course, a spiderman cake. He was such a cutie and is turning into such a sweet little boy. My sister, Jaime, always says he breaks her heart whenever he flashes his dimply grin. The other night we were at my folks house and he was "fixing" my hair. I asked him if he was making me beautiful, and he replied, "Mom, you aweady bewtiful." Awww. He's very polite and sensitive, unless he is in superhero mode, and then all bets are off!



That weekend we went to RI for my nephew's birthday at Monster Golf. It was dark, loud, and intense. My kids loved it for quite some time, but in the end got a bit overstimulated. I'm so glad that Grammie and Grampie were anxious to keep Max at the house until we got back.

We very much wish that Aunt Missy, Uncle Paul, Peter and Olivia lived a lot closer. The kids played so well together and we always have such a good time with them. As gas goes up and up, it is harder to make these trips as frequently as we would like.


On Mother's day we had a special treat. Since we were in RI anyway, we couldn't pass up the chance to meet another Dillon family, whose daughter shared a crib with Max while they were both in India. As much as we hoped the kiddos would recognize each other, I'm not sure that was the case. Even so, we had a lovely time with such a sweet family. The boys were so good with my kids, and the Mom was a gracious host, easy to talk to and share experiences with. We hope we will gather again whether in ME or RI.


This meeting also put Maddie into "When are you going back to get my baby sister" mode. Ph, patience my dear. We're still recovering from the last trip ;)
This long weekend is bitter sweet. Saturday we went to an event for folks from New England who have adopted from India. This lovely family in Auburn hosts it every year, and it gets a huge turnout. We went last year, right after we recieved Max Rup's referral. Maddie really latched onto the daughter of the host, and even wrapped a Christmas present for her last year. This year we saw very little of Maddie. As soon as we got there she was off with the other little girl and had a blast. She's getting so grown up :( All of us enjoyed the day tremendously.

Yesterday my whole family gathered at our house. We have a large, close-knit family and we truly enjoy being together. They are gathering again today at my parents house for the Memorial Day holiday, and I'll join them after work.

Yesterday was for a different reason. Last fall, my sister, Jaime, married a lovely gentleman. Last weekend Jaime became a nurse (first in her class by the way) and he (Tom) became a Doctor. We are very proud of both of them. This week they will move to VA. That's quite a haul with three kids in tow, so we realize that we will see much less of them. Both of them got the placements they wanted, and they are going to love their new town, I'm sure. But we will miss them terribly. My kids love Mimi and Uncle Tom, and Maddie has asked time and again why they can't just stay here. She's good at guilt trips.


So, we've been busy, had lots of fun, and cannot wait for summer to get here so school won't interfere with our outside fun. OH, and the baby chicks are in - always an exciting part of our year. Maddie plays mother hen and is out there holding them and talking to them morning noon and night. Max says chickie and likes to rub his face on their feathers. Very precious. I'll post pics of that soon.

Monday, April 21, 2008

Baptism

We had Max's baptism yesterday. One of the great things about a small community is that we got a private ceremony. Nice and quiet with just our family. We were so glad that all of Max's Labonte cousins could be here, and a good part of the Coombs gang. Myles was the coolest guy around, wearing his shades throughout the ceremony.
After we gathered at the house. It was absolutely gorgeous out, and the kids had a blast playing outside. Each time we have a gathering like this we are reminded of how very lucky we are to have such a cl0se-knit, enjoyable family.
As an addendum to my Papa's birthday post, we had a surprise party for him last week. It started out being a small gathering, but requests came in for invites, and there ended up being 118 people there. My cousin, Carrie (also Max's new Godmother), put together an amazing slide show that brought tears to everyone's eyes. Many people spoke of what an amazing man my grandfather has been to them. Not surprising, but so amazing to hear.
We have what is supposed to be our last post-placement visit on Tuesday, but apparently it takes 3 months to get a court date in our county, and Maine requires visits every other month until finalization, so we may have to do one or two more. We'll get there eventually.

Monday, March 24, 2008

Happy 80th Papa Winnie!



Today is my grandfather's birthday. I can't believe he's 80. I have been so blessed to have this man as the head of my family. He is gentle, caring, rational, honest - just plain amazing. I have never heard anyone who has anything but respect for him, whether they worked for him, supervised him, befriended him, or met him in passing. I cannot imagine my childhood without him being at my games, band / chorus events, school functions - anything that meant something to me. I have now been lucky enough to see him at my childrens' games and events.




I look at how close this family is - how much we mean to each other and enjoy the time we spend together, and I know that it is because of the man he is, and the way he loves his children. Your values have carried through several generations, and all of our lives are better because of it.




Love you, Papa!

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Daddy's and Daughters

I'm a little jealous that Dan got to go to a Father Daughter dance with Maddie. I wish there were Mother Son dances around here :(
But look how gorgeous the girls look with their handsome dads. That's my niece, Auri, and her dad, Derek.

This handsome guy has also made appearances. My Papa Winnie. Believe it or not he's turning 80 next week! And ladies - he's single!

Here's handsome Max. Those eyebrows are so expressive. They have been from our first glimpse.
We're turning him into a farmer. Max and Peanut. Both tiny, but full of personality
And my boys. They are trouble :)

Sunday, March 2, 2008

Baby Bunnies

Maddie and Auri each have a bunny and they both live at my parents' house. We thought they were both girls. Here's proof that they aren't :)
We're bringing the third from the right (speckles) and one other one yet to be decided home with us when they are old enough.


Thank goodness Max is an animal guy. He loves the doggies and the bunnies, and the goats,
and. . .


Myles has a hard time with the concept of "gentle" so he just looks closely.


Maddie wants to name the other bunny we take home coupon. I'm not sure why, but that's my Maddie. (Her name preference will probably change tomorrow).

They are just too stinkin' cute. Ang, you've gotta come see these things!
The mother bunny is doing a very good job of feeding, cleaning, and taking care of her babies. And the father bunny already has a vet appointment :)

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Winter activities

We've had a lot of snow this year. When you live in a state with a long, cold, winter you have to find activities to prevent cabin fever - it's real.
We have had no problem this winter. Max has adjusted really well to the weather. He loves sledding, and tries to trudge through the deep piles of snow. Madeline and Myles are learning to ski. We've got this great little ski slope in town with tow ropes. It's affordable, and just a mile up the road, so it's really perfect for us. The kids love going down all by themselves, but they are both having a hard time with the snow plow and stopping. Good thing our little slope isn't very crowded.



Maddie has also been playing basketball. Like Tee-Ball, it is much more about getting to see all of her friends than it is about learning the game. Since they are in different classes in school, Auri and Maddie have separate friends. They are still best friends, but it is so good to see them venturing on their own.




The Max update is that he is sleeping a lot better. He loves to play with his big brother and sister, and he mimics everything they do. We're just having a blast!


Friday, February 22, 2008

I'm it

I've been ready everone else's answers and not had to do it, but Pam has finally forced my hand :) Truth be told I like these little quizzes. Good way to pass some down time at work. Answers are in no particular order.

8 Things I am passionate about:
1. My children
2. My husband
3. Family in general
4. God
5. Broadway
6. adoption
7. the importance of parenting skills
8. our critters

8 things I want to do before I die
1. Adopt from India again
2. Do therapeutic foster care
3. See India without the stress of adoption travel
4. See more of my own country
5. See an ALW musical in London
6. See my great grandchildren and be part of their lives
7. Get a job in the adoption arena so I can passionate about what I do
8. Take a family vacation which includes grandchildren

8 things I say often
1. Maddie, put Max down, he can walk on his own.
2. Myles, I don't want to see a trick if it is jumping on furniture.
3. Hi sweetness
4. Chill
5. are there any safety issues?
6. Maddie, please put your coat on - Maddie, please put your coat on now - Maddie, Coat.
7. Superheroes do not hit mommies.
8. Hey Babe

8 TV shows I like
1. Crossing Jordan
2. CSI: Miami
3. American Idol
4. Judging Amy
5. The first 48
6. The Andy Milinakis Show (it's my one vice)
7. OK, I secretly enjoy the Backyardigans. The choreography is great ;)
Can't think of an 8th

8 Things I learned in 2007
1. If you give people the benefit of the doubt, be prepared to be proven wrong.
2. Even when you are proven wrong, it feels better to give people the benefit of the doubt.
3. You can fall in love before meeting the person
4. You can miss said person more than anything in the world
5. You forget adoption pain as quickly as you forget labor pain
6. Big brothers and sisters are sometimes just as proud as mommies and daddies.
7. Two people can experience the same thing very differently
8. God's timing really is perfect.

OK, I'm tagging Emily B. - my attempt to suck you into the world of blogging.