Post Adoption and Other Random Stuff

We are 18 months post adoption and I still have a post adoption report to fill out, it is almost done just waiting to get all the family home at the same time so we can do a family photo for the report. But really I want to be done with post adoption stuff they are home things are going good and I think I already said that in the last 3 reports. Both girls have grown another 3 inches since December no wonder I can't keep them in clothes that fit! But I will get it done and in the mail soon I promise! The girls are so well adjusted they have learned how to fight with their siblings like a pro, they walk around this place like they own it and Haiti is someplace that we talk about in the past tense. Destina was trying to remember Creole words the other day she came up with about 5. Avrie likes to get on my computer while I take a shower and watch all of the Haiti videos I took on our trips, she likes to see herself when she was a baby and she will watch them over and over.
Summer was here for a minute but I don't think we have had more than one day over 75 this whole summer so far, the last day of June should not be 57 degrees. This is the first time the weather has actually bothered me we have had a really wet spring and now summer is half way gone and we are still cold, and wearing sweatshirts.
I started my job this week, finally, I had to do a lot of training, one of the classes is only held once a month so I had to wait for that class before I could start work, but I am fully trained on how to properly install and use any car seat! I now have this glamorous job of driving kids that are in foster care to visit with their parent(s) and supervise the visit, write up a report, and then drive them back home. Because who is better trained for a job like that than a mother of 7 who has been driving her children back and forth to dance, soccer, gymnastics, school, church activities, basketball, baseball, music lessons for the better part of 15 years. I came home for lunch on my first day and when I walked in the door music was playing and Destina had the mop in hand. She had my kitchen spotless, the floors vacuumed and mopped and her room cleaned, all without asking. It made my day! Now if the sun will just come out and stay!

Strawberry Fields

It was that time of year again to load up the kids and head to the Strawberry Festival. The place was packed with people but it was still fun to go out and pick strawberries.

Sometimes it was close quarters but that didn't stop us from having fun and eating some strawberries along the way.

Both girls loved the strawberries and Desitina went after the big juicy ones and Avrie...

seemed to find all the little red ones. She did not want to stop picking but we hit our limit and it was time to go check out.

This is the first year that McKenzie did not have to work and so she came along too. She did not realize that she would be getting a little dirty, but she found enough strawberries to make her happy.

I don't think Kelsie has ever eaten a strawberry in her life, she just comes along because she loves the company...or maybe she was bored and had nothing better to do.

After we picked our strawberries we went up to the main entrance where there is a playground and free ice cream, train rides, face painting, and balloon making. Avrie didn't care much for the face painting or balloons but she loved the train rides and playing in the playground. Desitna and Jennifer waited in the long lines for the painting and balloons. By the end of the afternoon they were pretty tired and it took them no time to fall asleep for the car ride home.

Dance Recital

Destina had her dance recital this weekend she was in 2 classes a musical theater class and a hip hop class. I was able to record the dress rehearsal but not the actual performance, she did a great job and had a lot of fun. It was one of those moments that made me reflect back on how far she has come. She has a exuberant energy about her and was not afraid to be in front of a crowd. The first video has a 30 second lag in the beginning before it actually starts.

Last Day of School FINALLY!

Destina came home from school today glad that school is finally over it has been a long couple of weeks counting down the final days. It all started the last week of May when her awesome teacher needed to have surgery and it could not wait until school was out. She has had a nice substitute teacher but it just hasn't been the same for Destina. She never complained to go to school but the last 2 weeks were hard for her to go. She came home today and was telling me all about her last day of school and she said it was really hard day at recess and she was crying during recess. When I asked her what made her cry she replied, "Well, some people wanted me to play soccer and other people wanted me to play tag and I didn't know what to do so that made me cry. Then she told me that the girl who has not been very nice all year long came up to her and started talking to her and they became friends, "So I went and played with her and we are friends now." If only life could be so simple. Welcome Summer Break, now if we could just have summer weather.

Graduation Day!

Guess who has a Diploma?

Well actually they pick them up tomorrow, six months ago she did not even want to attend graduation her thinking was, "What's the point? I am not even going to high school." But I think she is glad that I made her do it. Katie is not officially done with school until Thursday because all of her classes are at the community college and they don't finish until then. Katie took a full load this quarter 18 credits with some hard classes but she has worked harder than I have ever seen her work before. I have been really proud of her and what she has accomplished, but the best thing is she is finally realizing that she can do it, she can be a successful student and can get good grades. (better late than never) I think she will continue to work hard and be successful in college as well.

We were really glad that grandma and grandpa made the trip over the mountains to be here for this milestone in Katie's life. Katie is so much like her grandma, they are both very artistic, both of them love art and play musical instruments. Katie has her grandma's feet, thank goodness she didn't get mine! Grandma can pick out cute shoes for Katie because they are both the same size.
Katie has been one of the easiest children I have to raise, she never wants to be in trouble or brake the rules. She is a people pleaser and the peace maker in our home. She is always wanting to be actively doing something, she loves playing her guitar, riding her long board, or going on bike rides with her brother. She is fun to have around the house and we have really had the chance to bond this year and we have become really close.

Katie is just like her dad, maybe that is why I like her so much! It has been crazy at our house the last 6 months but I know this time is short lived, I am enjoying having a house full of people, trying not to complain about the mess or the amount of food we go through feeding everyone. This time will be gone soon enough and Katie will be away at school, McKenzie will be away at school again and the house will never be like it is right now, so for the next couple of months I am going to enjoy the craziness that surrounds my house, and be grateful for every moment I get to spend with my kids before they leave.

Happy Graduation Day Katelyn

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Thank You Mr. Sunshine!

Finally the sun is here and the temperatures are warm, the last couple of days have been perfect I just hope it continues until Thanksgiving!!

Avrie squinting at the sunshine in her eyes, "Mom the sun is making my eyes hurt!"

Yesterday the kids went up to the school to play while I took some family pictures for Scott's brother, it was so nice to get outside and have the sun shining and the skies blue, the flowers in bloom and the lake sparkling, filling up with boats. It has been a long winter with a wetter than usual spring and hopefully summer is here to stay!