These moments...

As a new mom there are moments I have come to treasure.  The moment where one of your children is accepting an award.  The moment your child just hugs you tightly and for a long time just to tell you goodnight, I love you.  These are 2 of the moments I experienced tonight.  Tristan was recognized at the spring sports banquet for making Regional Powerlifting and Dakota will accept some award tomorrow.  God has truly blessed me with two strong-willed, self-driven, amazing, loving, caring children.  Some days when I don't feel like I can do it any longer, I am reminded of the sweet moments we have, which by far out way the sour moments we have. 

Just some thoughts. 

Busy, Busy, Busy

Since the last post we have just been BUSY! 

Dakota celebrated her 13th birthday, by having a slumber party which consisted of about 11 girls.  The girls had fun!

We had a great Christmas, the kids got a trampoline and that keeps them outside, when the weather permits.  Christmas was spent with lots of family.

New Years was spent having fun at our house, playing board games and just hanging out.

Dakota has now finished Basketball season and started Track in school.  She runs the 200m dash.  She also has started softball season again.  Also she just made the Jr. High Cheer squad for 2014-2015 school year. 

Tristan has just finished Powerlifting.  He did not plan on doing this, but the coach approached him and Tristan did VERY WELL!  As a freshman, he made it to REGIONALS!  So proud of his accomplishments in something he never even dreamed of doing.  Tristan has also started Baseball at high school.  He is on the JV team and they are currently undefeated. 

As you can tell the kids keep us very busy, but I wouldn't change it for anything.  They are doing so well in school and sports.  Tristan has all A's and B's currently and Dakota has all A's. 

For Spring Break, we have stayed home so far.  Both kids have had friends over hanging out.  Dakota and her friend did a photo shoot yesterday which was a lot of fun, while Tristan and his friend played baseball/basketball/tennis/etc.  It was a gorgeous day. 

During the fostering phase, when we thought the kids were moving away.  I gave both kids a bible verse to hang on to, as they struggled with what was to come.  I was thinking of this, just this morning and so I went to bighugelab.com and created these.   Enjoy! 

Finalized!!!

Well the adoption is finalized.  It was the most amazing day of my life to become a mom to 2 teenagers.  There were lots of smiles and lots of tears, but of course all happy ones.  So world meet Dakota and Tristan! 

Photo credits to Artie Guerrero Photography. 

4 days!

I can't believe it, but our adoption is already here!!!   Adoption day is Friday!  It has been a crazy 8 months, but I would not change it for the world!

This weekend it really hit me!  I cried a lot out of fear and prayed.  I am terrified of being a single mom to teens.  Who would have ever thought this would be my life, God is the only one!  I mean, I did not know the will for my life, it sure has not gone the way I had planned it from the beginning, but God was in control and for that I am thankful!

I will love on these kids to the best of my ability, but I know I cannot do it alone I need God and family and friends to encourage me and lift me up when I fall.  Knowing that I have people who are always there to encourage me is amazing and so helpful. 

So pray for our family as Friday approaches, that everything will go smoothly and there will be no fear.

Adoption Day

Adoption day has been set!  It will be on National Adoption Day, November 15.  We are very excited, now just trying to get all the paperwork done and appointments set. 

The kids are excited about the adoption.  It is so crazy how life has changed in such a short amount of time.  Adoption day will be 8 months I have had these two children.  We have had tough days and great days, but I wouldn't change it for anything.  God is teaching me so much through these 2.

Continue to pray that everything will be ready for November 15th.  Pray for school as both kids are really struggling through the new model of teaching, which is expected, but has made school very aggravating for them.

I still can't believe that adoption day is less than a month away. 

Crazyness of parenting and sports...

It has been a long time since my last update!  Since school has started so has practice, Volleyball games, and so much other stuff.  It keeps us super busy. 

Since my last post we celebrated T's 14th birthday, with cookie monster cupcakes and family over for dinner.  He also had a friend spend the weekend at the house. 

D is really loving volleyball and is a great player.  She has at least one game a week and a few tournaments through out the season. 

Neither kid is fond of school right now, but change is hard.  Our district is moving towards a PBL model and this is not easy for anyone. 

We have an adoption day set!  November 15th!  National Adoption Day in Brazos County.  It will be a wonderful day!  Can't wait to get all this finalized.  We have done the home study, now just have a few paperwork pieces to finish and we will be on our way to adoption. 

It is hard to believe that 6 months ago my world was turned upside down.  I would not change it for anything, love these 2 kids that God has given me.  We never know God's plans, this is for sure a testimony to that.  I never dreamed of having 2 teenagers before I turned 31! 

November 15th will make 8 months from our 'Gotcha Day'!  Perfect Day to celebrate!

Keep praying for us as we transition into life together still.  There are days that are super tough on all of us, and days that are just wonderful for all.  

Survived first day of school...

I survived the first day of school not only as a teacher this year, but as a parent to 2 teenagers!  You never understand what a parent goes through the first days of school, until you have them.  I mean the endless paperwork, I may have began misspelling my name and mixed up birthdays by the end of the mountain.  

My classes are going good, got a few tough cookies, but we will get that fixed quick I am sure.  They all liked to test the water you know!

D and T both had a good first day.  T was nervous, being at high school and all, but he survived and came home with a smile on his face.  T's favorite classes so far are his morning classes.  D loves school.  She of course loved seeing her friends and talking to them.  She has just about every class with at least 2-3 friends!  Hope this doesn't get her in trouble talking.   I have D in class this year, it is a little different knowing that I am the parent and teacher. 

T's 14th birthday is Saturday!  We are having dinner at the house with some family.  He does not like much attention in that aspect and just likes to be home.  I have tried figuring out what to do, but he is not easy to discuss this with.  I think he may invite one of his friends over also. 

Ways you can pray for us:

1. D's attitude, she is sassy and such a drama queen!
2. T's attitude toward school, he likes it and thinks it is important, but would rather not put much effort into it if he doesn't have to.
3. Me being patient and learning how to deal with the attitudes.
4. That they will have a desire to get involved at church.  I never know how much to push and how much to allow them to chose.  I want them involved, but at first they didn't even want to go to church.  We now don't have problems going to church (even if it is not their favorite), but getting involved is taking time.
5. Also with disciplining.  I am not much of a "yeller" but they do not want to take me serious because I say it more in a calm manner.  I am guessing that maybe yelling was how it was before and so they are just adjusting to even though I am not yelling at you, I am serious and need you to fix your behavior.  

Thanks to you all for support and prayer!