PlaidHearts - Homeschool Blogger

Hug Hug Kiss Kiss

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 19:31:00 -0500

For all my faithful blog readers: Obviously I have not been posting here lately. Life has become so busy that I have found updating on Facebook is much quicker and more efficient. So that's where I am these days. Please come over there to find out the latest news and updates. xoxoxoxo

Are we becoming Communists now?

Fri, 29 May 2009 13:08:00 -0500

Read this!

Natalie Receives the Timothy Award

Wed, 20 May 2009 20:55:00 -0500

sigh

Tue, 19 May 2009 15:56:00 -0500

Yesterday Birthmom asked me how long we were planning to keep J. She wanted to know if we would ever give J back to her.

Life Lately

Sun, 17 May 2009 15:10:00 -0500

Life has been very good and very busy around the Mosby house. We are of course as busy as ever. I'll try to give you some general updates.
Jasmine keeps us laughing all the time. She tries very hard to sound like she knows what she's talking about. For instance, it's a bit chilly here today and she just took off her sweatshirt. Scott asked her why she took it off and she replied, "Because it's hot out tonight. It's cold out tonight." What???
Nikita is growing much more quickly than I ever imagined she could. She does very funny puppy things. She is hilarious with baby toys that make any noise or music. Today she growled, barked and wrestled with an Old MacDonald singing toy for a good half hour.
Foster care stuff can be a real bummer. As I mentioned in a previous post we are moving toward out trial date in August for the termination of B's birthparents parental rights. However........at the same time they have increased visits with Birthmom to 2 hours twice a week including one of those visits being in her apartment. I hate hate hate having to take him and leave him.
We are almost done with our 2008-2009 school year. We can hardly wait! This was a fun semester with the older kids reading classic novels for reading. L has read Robinson Crusoe and King Arthur and his Knights. N has read Jane Eyre and Sherlock Holmes. And D has read Oliver Twist and Tom Sawyer. After each of their novels, we then watch the movie version as a group and they share the things that were the same or different from their books. Claire wanted to get into the action so she is now reading an easier version of The Swiss Family Robinson.
I bought 40 bins and am organizing a packing up items to store in the attic. What in the world do I put in 40 bins you ask. Let's see, for footwear alone we need 2 bins for ice skates, 2 bins for winter boots, 2 bins for mud boots, 1 bin for slippers, 1 bin for crocs, 1 bin for hand-me-down shoes for a grand total of 9 bins JUST FOR FOOT WEAR! Now figure in winter coats, snow suits, off season clothes, and all the other miscellaneous items you would think should go up in the attic.
Scott has been busy clearing all the junk and garbage out of the brush around our property this spring. The previous owners left tons and tons of 'stuff' around the property. We should make a good deal of money when we take all the metal to the scrap yard. We are really looking forward to having a completed yard!
Our AWANA year ends this coming Wednesday. Natalie will be the first one in our family to receive the Timothy Award. To achieve this reward she had to memorize 286 Bible verses in 4 years. We are so proud of her!

Mother's Day 2009

Thu, 14 May 2009 22:16:00 -0500

About 2 months ago my mom had knee replacement surgery. She is not doing well at all. So Scott suggested I fly out to see her last weekend. It was a nice coincidence that it was also Mother's Day weekend. Devon joined me so I was with one of my children as well.

Me, Mom, Julie & Jenny

Mommy & Devon

Our Newest Addition

Mon, 6 Apr 2009 21:04:00 -0500

'Nikita Rae'

You can't see it, but she actually has a PLAID collar. Go figure.

Court

Mon, 6 Apr 2009 09:26:00 -0500

Today was our 1st court appearance regarding the Termination of Parental Rights for B's birthparents. Birthdad was a no-show which is Strike One in our favor. We were also given our trial dates: August 11th & 12th.

We also have a due date for Baby #3. October 7th.

Friday Felicities

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 16:12:00 -0500

Free movie rentals from the library
Mommy Nights with individual children
Finally getting that purl stitch mastered
My new shipment of Charlie's Soap

Puffs with lotion

Salmon cream cheese on Bruegger's bagels

My new PLAID glasses

Joyful Things

Tue, 3 Mar 2009 16:25:00 -0600

Saturday night Claire had a Daddy Night. She and Daddy went bowling all by themselves. They had a wonderful time. Claire even beat Daddy on a round. (or so SHE thinks ) Daddy let her have as much Sprite as she wanted and by the time she got home she was so giggley I couldn't understand a thing she was trying to tell me. After bowling they went out to eat and had a wonderful time.

Sunday afternoon Natalie had some Mommy Time. She and I went to see Confessions of a Shopaholic. Very cute. Before the movie we went out to Ruby Tuesdays and ate until we thought we would burst! We got three different sampler plates and had a great time trying all the different items.

After our movie we went over to Best Buy and bought the family a Wii with money the children had saved up from Christmas. We didn't tell anyone we were buying it that day so it was a big surprise when we walked thru the door with it. Scott got it all set up and we only had time for everyone to set up their 'characters' before bedtime. Monday afternoon everyone rushed to get school done for their Wii time. Jasmine is GREAT at the bowling, I tell you!

Today was our annual eye doctor appointments. We always look forward to this. All 8 of us go as a family and have a lot of fun helping one another pick out new frames and watching one another get the glaucoma puff. We love our eye doctor AND her staff. They are so good to us and LOVE that we all come together. They love watching our family grow and are so good with each of the children. Today's big event was that Devon and Levi recieved their first set of contact lenses. Just another grown up step. *sigh*

To cap off our day we found out that we have a trial date for the termination of Blaine's Birthparents' parental rights. It will be April 6th. Please pray for all involved.

Skate n'Swim

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 13:21:00 -0600

The family that owns Scott's company also owns a swimming and ice skating recreation center. Once a year they open the facility to the employees and family members of Scott's company. They also provide an all you can eat dinner. The event took place this past Saturday night. The Derby's joined us and we all had a great time. We began the night with ice skating. Everyone but the the one and two year old got out there. Even us moms! After about an hour on the ice we moved over to the pools. Everyone but Scott got wet. Barb and I even went down the waterslide! I imagine everyone passed out once their heads hit the pillows.

Life without a computer

Sat, 21 Feb 2009 10:58:00 -0600

Our computer crashed (again) before we left for NH. Scott has been kind enough to bring home his laptop every night from work so I can at least check my emails in the morning. That's about ALL I can do however. Most days I am on the move taking Blaine on visits and such. The good thing is that since I have no computer in the evenings I am getting a lot more done around the house. Shocking! I don't know how often I will be able to update my blog for awhile. I will when I can. hugs and kisses to you all!

Our New Hampshire Week in Review

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 09:40:00 -0600

As you all know by now Scott and I can be very spontaneous. The day before we were to leave for our trip we decided to invite a friend for Levi to join us. Thank goodness Helen and Mike can be spontaneous too. Josiah took up the last seat in our truck and joined our adventure.
We arrived in New Hampshire Monday night and found that we had a wonderfully large condo. It slept 10!
Scott and the kids took Tuesday to relax and swim while I took Devon and Natalie and went shopping in the village. Very cute shops with adorable things to buy.

When the girls and I got back we were pleasantly surprised to find all the couches in the condo gone and new ones arriving. It was great to spend the week on brand new furniture.
On Wednesday Scott took Devon, Levi, Josiah, Natalie, Claire AND Jasmine skiing at Attitash. Levi and Josiah actually opted for snowboarding.
On Thursday it rained. No skiing. Scott took the kids to the pool and then in the afternoon I took the kids to the Weather Discovery Center. It was so interesting. We learned that Mount Washington in the White Mountains where we were staying has the most volitile wind on the planet.
We then went to a GREAT restaurant called The Muddy Moose.

On Friday they hit the Black Mountain slopes. This was where the boys decided snowboarding was NOT for them. We traded in the boards for skiis.
Scott and I went to dinner at a German restaurant for an early Valentine's dinner. We took Blaine and left everyone else at the condo.
Saturday morning was pool morning for Scott and most of the kids. Claire and I went shopping for Daddy's Valentine's Day gift.
Saturday afternoon they all hit the slopes at Cranmore. I, on the other hand, drove 80 miles hunting down Jasmine's skis and ski boots that were lost at the last mountain.
We all enjoyed the fireworks display at Cranmore after night skiing ended.
After I dropped everyone off at the condo after skiing I took Claire to the Emergency Room. She developed swimmers ear after all her pool time.
Sunday morning we packed our suitcases and the truck and headed to the last mountain of the trip ~ WildCat. 5* at the top and 28* at the bottom.
We drove home after skiing and arrived at our front door at 2am.
*sigh* I'm ready for a vacation.

Another Baby

Wed, 4 Feb 2009 09:21:00 -0600

I spoke to Birthmom last night. She is most definitely pregnant. She either has no clue when she is due or is just not telling me. She is very confused. She wants to keep the baby. But, she also does not want another baby taken away from her. She is thinking she would rather get an abortion than have someone take her baby. Scott and I both feel a strong need to pray for the protection of this child for the duration of her pregnancy.

Dawn's World

Sat, 31 Jan 2009 11:09:00 -0600

Title courtesy of Michelle.

I can not believe that my accident was almost 3 weeks ago and I am STILL healing. I still have a knot on my chin and one under my eye that are still tender. Craziness.

This past Monday Birthmom's counselor told me that she thinks Birthmom is pregnant. *sigh* Scott and I have done lots of talking about what that is going to look like for our family if this is true. I will keep you all posted when we find out for sure.

Yesterday we made reservations at what looks like an awesome condo in New Hampshire for week. I am so excited about this. First of all it's a 3 bedroom so there is plenty of room for all of us. 2ndly it is nestled right in the mountains. We are only 10 minutes from 5 ski resorts. Scott and the kids will have a ball! I on the other hand plan to have a relaxing vacation in front of the fireplace knitting, rug braiding, reading, watching movies, soaking in the hot tub....... Of course I will also be in charge of the babies so most of my videos will probably be The Wiggles. :)

Today we are spending the day relaxing. Scott and Levi went out for Levi's first big snowmobile adventure. They are heading all the way up to Lake Ontario and back. The girls and I are a having a video day. They are working on the Love Comes Softly series Natalie got for Christmas.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Jasmine!

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 17:18:00 -0600

Jasmine had a wonderful birthday weekend. On Saturday night Scott & I took her out to dinner with her Birthmother. After dinner we all headed over to the mall where Jasmine got her ears pierced. She did so well. She didn't even shed one tear. Sunday evening she opened her presents due to the fact that we were not all going to be home at the same times on her actualy birthday. She received a little personal kid computer, a keyboard, and a whole lot of play doh. On Monday, the BIG day, Scott and the kids met me down at Chuck E Cheese for lunch. She was a bit tentative at first. Well, actually terrified is probably a more accurate word. She was quite overwhelmed by all the loud games. After we had our pizza she warmed up to things and had a wonderful time.

Shower Time

Sat, 24 Jan 2009 13:20:00 -0600

This morning I was taking a nice, warm, relaxing shower. I was in the midst of shampooing my hair when all of a sudden I hear, "THERE you are!" I turn around, open my eyes, and see Blaine fully clothed standing in the shower behind me and Scott reaching in to take him out.

Is this me?

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 13:17:00 -0600

Your Word is "Fearless"

You see life as your one chance to experience everything, and you just go for it!
You believe the biggest risk is being afraid and missing out on something amazing.

Sometimes your fearlessness means you're daring. You enjoy risky activities.
And sometimes your fearlessness means you're courageous. You're brave enough to do the right thing, even when it's scary.

What's Your Word?

God gives me LOTS to be thankful for

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 22:56:00 -0600

I have so very much to be thankful for today. First of all NO ONE PUKED!!! That is always a good thing.
In the midst of this frigid January weather we have a woodstove to keep us toasty. As well as the loads and loads of firewood Scott made sure we had well in advance that is stacked so neatly next to the house.
Although Blaine and I were in a very bad car accident on Monday he wasn't hurt one teeny tiny bit. My injuries are annoying but nothing serious.
We live in a time where we have medicine's for everything. Most especially today I am grateful for medications to that stop vomiting and relieve us of aches and pains.
I am extremely grateful for a husband who loves me and works hard at caring for me. As I was sitting in the wrecked car all I wanted was for Scott to arrive. I knew that once he was there all would be well. As soon as I saw him I began to cry.....for the 1st time since my car went off the road. They were tears of relief.
I have amazing friends. Friends who will take my children at a moments notice. Friends who will be there the moment I need them. Friends who rise up to be family for us when our family is so far away. And friends who leave me encouraging notes.

Yep, I have much to be thankful for.

Another day in the ER

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 21:34:00 -0600

This time for Natalie. She began vomiting at 3am. At around 11am she had a lot of blood in her vomit. I called our doctor and she said to take her to the ER and to phone our Pediatric GI Specialist and let him know we were on our way over. To make a very long day short......Natalie vomited so severely that she appears to have burst blood vessels in her stomach or intestines. They gave her some anit-nausea medication that made her a brand new person. After she held down some apple juice and crackers they sent us home. We didn't get home til almost 7pm. She climbed right into bed and has been sound asleep ever since.

Now Claire AND Levi are sick.