Catching up....

So much has been going on.  Where should we start off?  Lets start with Vegas.  We had a great time in Vegas!  Chad's team did not make it into the finals, but they posted their best time to date.  There were some really tough teams out there and teams with a lot more experience than Chad's team.  It was fun to watch the finals, and I hope we get the opportunity to go again.  I got to visit with my friend Teresa, it was like we never missed a beat.  I miss her so much, she has been like family to me.  We went to the Criss Angel show while we were there.  We went out for a great night, we rented a stretch hummer limo (way cool), we had a great dinner at the Luxor hotel, then we went to the absolute worst show in Vegas.  None of us could believe how horrible the show was.  As my husband put it, the best trick he did of the night was getting our $90 for the show.

After we got home from Vegas, one of my worst nightmares came to life.  My dog Duke passed away.  I can' t even put into words how devastated I was the week he died.  Everyone called to check on me and told me what a wonderful life he had and how Chad and I saved him.  Truth is that dog gave me so much.  Duke was truly my best friend, he knew everything about me and I told him everything.  Yes, I had full blown conversations with him.  I swear he understood everything I told him and he could talk to me as well.  We got Duke because I wanted a big dog so I would never be scared when Chad was on duty.  For the 6 years we had him, I never felt scared or alone.  Duke was with me through everything, when I would be up pacing at night from kidney stones, he walked every step with me.  I will miss Duke everyday for the rest of my life.

Going on to better news.... My wonderful husband after seeing me so torn up from losing Duke, contacted the Boxer Rescue, and found me "Buddy".  Buddy is an 8 month old puppy full of life.  It has been a while since we've had such an active animal.  He is beautiful and pretty smart.  So far he does not understand that our other dog Shelby does not care for humans or other dogs no matter how cute they may be.  Walking on a leash does not seem to be his thing either, but we will keep working with him.  Buddy has made me feel much better the last week.  I can sit and laugh at him for a while and his facial expressions are priceless.  Hunter is enjoying having a puppy as well.  Buddy is going to be very strong, he doesn't understand his own strength yet. But he has been a wonderful addition to our family.

I started Christmas shopping.  So much to do now that we have a child.  As usual mom, Kim and I went shopping the day after Thanksgiving.  My mom was not feeling so hot, but we still had a great time.  I still have some stuff to get and I am stumped on stocking stuffers for Hunters stocking.  I hate to give him candy because candy+ADHD= very bad days.  We put our tree up this weekend.  I love our tree, I think it is beautiful.  Chad and Hunter decorated outside.  We had to replace some of our outside lights and decor, that sucked!! I am tired of spending money.  

I've gotten really behind with Vegas, and losing Duke.  I need to get myself in gear and get quilting and enjoying the holidays!  We went to our first Christmas party last night.  It was a fun night out.  We are going to another party this weekend.  Chad and I think it is the party of the year.  It is at our friends Wade and Todd's... and they know how to throw a party!   

Have I ever mentioned that I have the sexiest husband alive?  I am very lucky to have Chad in my life.  (Don't get me wrong, it isn't all roses, the man knows how to get under my skin!)  Not only is he the sexiest man alive... he was just awarded "Firefighter of the Year"!  That just makes him down right awesome!

Have a Merry Christmas!

People scare me!

As everyone already knows, I work in the restaurant business.  It is more stress than a lot of people give it credit for.  Even though it is a stressful job, I do get to meet some great people, on the other hand I also meet the not so great.  One of my favorite customers in the past was the woman who ordered the T-bone steak and complained that it had a bone in it.  Yes a bone, such as the T-shaped bone that gives it its name.  Or the man that complained that his steak had some red in it, he had just left from the cardiologist and the doctor told him he could not eat red meat.  Yes, these people are living and breathing, and they all scare the living day lights out of me.  Tonight I had another one, when taking the to-go order on the phone, we asked if they needed any condiments... you know steak sauce, ketchup,etc.  The lady's reply was no they wouldn't need any condoms they wouldn't be having sex tonight!  For real?!!??  Now why would a steakhouse ask you if you wanted a condom?  Another bit of information for you all.... If you go to a steakhouse and ask for a steak well done you are not going to get it in under 12 minutes!!!  If you do, they are throwing it in the microwave or it has been sitting on the grill as a mistake for another order.  Do not go out and say to your server that you have a movie to make in 30 minutes and you want a well done steak!!  

As you can see, I need a vacation!  We are off to Las Vegas next week.  Chad has a Firefighter Combat challenge... it is the biggest competition of the year.  I am looking forward to a little break.  I also get to see my best friend Teresa.  I haven't seen her in five years, she lives in Utah.  So next week will be awesome!  Wish me luck at the slots!

No, there is not a Santa Claus

Okay I did it... I told Hunter that Santa Claus was not real.  Am I a bad person, the jury is still out.  This is how it came about..... Hunters girlfriend (yes, he has a girlfriend) was talking to me and her mom about how the kids at the before school program still make fun of him.  I don't want kids to make fun of him any more than what he has to deal with now.  Hunter and I were out to lunch and I told him he needed to know what he wanted for Christmas because my mom would be here soon and she would want a list.  He said he really didn't know what to ask for because he was asking Santa for the "Rock Star" game with the drum set.  I told him he needed a list with more than just thing.  He said that Santa only brings one gift and that is what he wanted.  I figured all these years in foster care he probably only got one thing, that broke my heart.  SO I told him straight up, "There Is No Such Thing As Santa"!  He looked shocked.  My sister said I ruined his innocence at that moment!  He then asked why people would make up such a story/man.  I was not prepared, I stumbeled through my words and told him that we had a materialistic society and Christmas was about more than just presents.  Now he got really scared but because he thought that meant he was't getting any presents at all!  Well, I have now convinced him to make a list, he has about four or five items now; which includes a golf cart!  I decided I want to make this Christmas so fun for him but also have him understand Christmas as well.  Chad and I are going to take him to the adopt a family tree in the mall where you can pick a child off the tree.  We will let him pick out a child and have him buy gifts for a needy child and hopefully he will understand what I was talking about.

In another thought, grades are coming out this week.  I think he has all A's and B's, this includes both his selfcontained classes and normal classes.  I am very proud of him!!!!  I knew he could do it, it hasn't been easy, but we take it one day at a time!

Adoption

Well the big day has come and gone.  Finally yesterday we finalized the adoption.  I was still pretty stressed until the whole thing was over.  Later we had a BBQ to celebrate at our house.  It was the hottest day of the year.  We had about 40 people show up to the house!  I was excited to see so much love and support from our friends and family.  I must say it was a different crowd for us this time around.  Chad and I are lucky because we have such a wide range of friends and yesterday they all came together.  I didn't get to spend a lot of time with to many people because I was making the burgers and dogs, but it was great to see everyone come out.  

We went to Seaworld for our family vacation.  It was nice to get away, but I sure was exhausted.  Those days of Chad and I on vacation just sitting by the pool drinking rum and cokes is gone.  Now we are preparing for school to start back.  I hope to get Hunter caught back up in the next couple of years.  I have come to terms that we can not do it overnight.  He is adjusting better and has made some friends, hopefully with school starting we will see that to continue.

Until next time.  I will not take so much time to blog...

Trey at baseball camp

Lots going on

Well, Summer is here and time is moving by fast.  We received our court date for the final adoption, August 6th!  No more social workers or DSS visits.  I think all of us are happy to have that come to an end.  We are trying to plan a party of the day of the court hearing.  It sucks that the day is on a Wednesday, some of our friends might not be able to make it.  I am happy that it will be final before school starts so his name will be changed before he starts back.  Trey went to baseball camp the first week school was out.  I think he was under the impression they would just play the entire time, which was not true.  It was so hot out the week he was at that camp.  I know he struggled at the camp.  Unfortunately he has never had the opportunity to play any organized sport and was way behind for a kid his age.  Since then he has been going to a day camp with the recreation department.  I've gotten mixed reviews on whether he likes it there or not.  Chad and I thought it would be good for him since there are other kids there and he does not have a lot of friends yet.  Big news... He will be the bat boy at the Riverdogs baseball game on July 11th.  We haven't told him yet because we are afraid he will drive us crazy before the game gets here.  Tuesday night Chad and Trey went to the game and he was allowed to go down on the field for the T-shirt toss that they do.  It was a double header so he did it twice!  He pretty much thinks he runs Joe Riley Stadium at this point.  We are still working on his reading so he can try to get caught up some before school starts.  His grades did go up about 10 points in reading and math from the time he moved here until school ended.  He was just never pushed, or told that school was important, and like most kids he learned that being lazy is easier than doing the work.  

We are going on our first family vacation in July.  I can not wait for vacation.  First of all I feel like it has been forever since we have been on vacation and secondly I am totally burned out on work.  We will be going to Florida.  I think the plan is staying at Chad's parents house the first night, then going to Orlando to check into our hotel.  We will be going to Seaworld and the water park Seaworld has.  We will also be going down to see my parents in Sarasota as well.  I think my sister and nephew are going to come stay a few nights with us as well.  It should be a good time, and I am looking forward to watching Trey for his first time at an amusement park.  His whole world has changed, my only hope is that he doesn't take it for granted, and he will make the most of each opportunity that he is given in life.

Gotta go.... I finally have a day off to myself.  What should I do..shop? quilt? lay around and watch soaps?  who knows but I better get started on my day!!!  

I married a Geek!

Someone might of known this before and with held the information from me.  I really didn't know that Chad has ever had any geek like qualities.  The man has hid them from me for more than six years.  I am shocked by this revelation.  I was very upfront and honest with him on my flaws; I've been known to be spoiled, can not drive and a bit scatter brained.  The kicker to give him his "GEEK" title...... he admitted that he liked techno music and has even been to a club that played techno music.  Then....... now get this, he admitted to having a "mullet"!!!  He said it business in the front and party in the back, who says these things?  It is probably best that Chad and I met later in life.  I can accept him for who he is today, we will have to push those other thoughts of him far back in the memory part of my brain.  All in all, I love him very much, and I learn something new about him still today.  I wonder if his mom has a picture of him with the mullet?  NO, I don't know if I could handle seeing that!  

Trip to Asheville

Over the Memorial weekend we went to Asheville North Carolina.  Chad had another firefighter combat challenge.  Strangely enough the competition started at 6pm on Friday night.  Trey and I did not get up to Asheville until the guys were done competing.  We did get to see the relays and tandem runs on Saturday.  Chads' team had to qualify for the Worlds Championship again, due to losing a member of the team.  Good news!  They qualified with a better time.  So we are still going to Vegas in November.  Chad,Trey and I stayed in Asheville for another night and went sightseeing a bit downtown and out to a great dinner.  We decided to relax one more night at the hotel instead of rushing home.  On Monday, we went to the beach with some friends.  It was a great day for the beach.  I have never seen Isle of Palms so packed.  Luckily we got up early and headed straight for the beach.  It was a beautiful day, and we spent it with friends which was great.  We actually had three days off as a family, the longest time we've really had together.  It was a good weekend.  School will be out soon, then there will be lots of excitement I'm sure!

Until next time....

A good day

I have always appreciated any time that Chad and I can spend together, I really appreciate it now. Chad and I both had the day off on Wednesday.  Although it sounds pretty boring, we spent the day at Sams Club then out to lunch.  While we were out we received a call from the DSS office saying they wanted to meet with us.  We cam home to meet with the counselor, Ms. Cooper.  It wasn't a bad visit, but Chad and I will both be happy when we no longer have to meet with the DSS office.  Actually Ms. Cooper had good things to say, she visited Trey at school and said that she thought he was a new kid since moving in with us.  She also got great reviews from Treys' teachers, so maybe we are doing something right afterall.  After school we picked Trey up and took him to the Lawyers office for him to be served the paperwork from the court for the adoption.  It took all of two minutes!!  We now wait for a date from the court and we will be all set.  It should take close to 90 days to get into court, so we are still looking at the end of July or beginning of August.  After the lawyers office we went out to the beach.  I really don't know if he had ever been to the ocean before, but he seemed to love it.  Most importantly it wore him out!!  We stayed for about 2 hours, it was a beautiful day but the sun was fading and it was getting a bit chilly.  

Overall, I think we are functioning more like a family.  We still have some areas to work on and his schooling needs lots of work.  Hopefully Chad and I will have some time off together soon.  This weekend we are going to a festival with our friends and their families.  It should be a good time and we are looking forward to spending time together as a family.  Next weekend we are off to Asheville North Carolina for a firefighter combat challenge with Chad's team.  Wish us luck!!

Have a groovy day!--Mel

Its been awhile

I didn't realize it has been so long since I had written anything.  A few friends had asked why I hadn't posted anything, I just didn't realize it had been so long.  Lots to say..... We now have Trey living with us and we are moving forward on the adoption.  We actually met with our lawyer on Wednesday.  It should be final somewhere late August or early September.  Motherhood isn't as easy as my mom made it look.  Or maybe I was just an outstanding child that never caused any problems.  We have been trying to get down a schedule.  But with my schedule and Chad's schedule is hard getting down a schedule and still trying to live our lives.  I wish our government would look at adoption a bit more closely and require that businesses give employees time off for adoption like they do for normal childbirth.  No, it should not be 6 weeks, but a week would make a big difference.  Actually when I worked for Chili's they did give time off for adoptions, but they are the only company I have heard of that do such a thing.  I have never heard of another company doing it.  For now we will keep pushing forward.  I think it will be nice when school is out, then we can be focused when school starts again next year.  Trey needs lots of work in school, but Chad and I have made the commitment to see him get caught up.  

I promise to update more often.....but for now, I need to try to get him ready for bed.

Meet Trey!

This is Trey!!!  We took him to a Riverdogs baseball game on Friday night.  It was a good time, Trey had never been to a game before so it was a great experience for him. I am afraid the next week or so will be overwhelming for him. He will begin living with us on Thursday, after the paperwork is completed.  The people I work with are having a little party for us Thursday after we sign the paperwork.  There are some crazy people I work with, so God help him there.  Friday we leave for Florida.  Chad has a Firefighter combat challenge and all of our families will be there to meet Trey and watch Chad compete.  Then we will enroll Trey in school on Monday.  Trey brought some clothes over on Friday night to move in.  We still have some adjusting we will need to do, but it will all be worth it.  I took Trey shopping on Saturday morning to spruce up his wardrobe.  He seemed very appreciative for the new items I bought him.  Duke tried to climb in bed with Trey on Friday night and as usual Shelby is scared to death of anyone new in the house!   I will blog more this week to let you all know how it is going.

We're going to be parents!

We met Trey on Tuesday.  I must say it was nerve racking....did I mention that Sanders goes by the name "Trey"?, anyway, we did a visit on Tuesday.  Everything went really well.  Trey took to Chad right away.  We talked with DSS on Wednesday and we are moving forward on the adoption.  Trey is actually on his way here now to spend the night.  Later we are going to a Riverdogs baseball game.  If all goes well tonight, we will go back to the DSS office on Thursday to sign the papers.  We went to Westview elementary school today to talk to them about Trey attending school.  We looked like real parents.....  Trey still has a long way to come and Chad and I plan on supporting him and making him a successful person.  We are still trying to figure out everything he needs.  He tells us of things that he has, but we don't know if they belong to the foster home he is living in or if he will be bringing these items with him.  We are still nervous, things seem like they are moving really fast now.  hopefully I will post some pictures soon.

Wish us luck....

Good News!

It has been a while since I have "blogged".  I guess Chad and I have been pretty busy.  We went to Charlotte for our anniversary and had a good time.  Chad bought me a new wedding band, I got him a gun.  Not a romantic gift, but I know it is something he will keep for a long time.  I went up to see my mom in North Carolina.  My mom, aunt Sharon and aunt linda and her friend were all staying in a condo near Shallotte NC.  Luckily for my friend Kim, I brought her along for our two day quiltfest.  My mom is making quilts for the residents in my grandmothers nursing home.  I believe we have a total of 40.  My small quilt group donated 22 quilt tops to my mom which I think is just great.   My friend Kim thought she was just there to relax and cook (she loves to cook), well, we had her putting quilts together, cutting fabric and sent her home with some fabric to make her one of her own.  

Now to the really good news!!!! The adoption plans are moving right along.  We received a phone call from the case worker on Tuesday and said they had a child for us.  Chad and I went in on Friday for the presentation by the DSS office.  If things go right, it looks like Chad and I will have a son in a few weeks.  His name is Sanders, I thought the name was a bit odd at first but it is really growing on me now.  Sanders happens to be my mother in laws maiden name, again that is odd??? We will hopefully be going out with Sanders this Tuesday.  If all goes well he will be going to Florida to meet our families in couple of weeks.  Keep your fingers crossed and say a few prayers that all goes well.  I will post pictures of him as soon as I get them.  Sanders just turned 12, he has sandy blonde hair and blue eyes.  

I will report more adoption news soon!!

Why I love him

This weekend will be our 5 year wedding anniversary!  I never thought I would be married for 5 years.  Before I met Chad I never thought I would be married at all.  So I thought I would list reasons why I love Chad so much.

1.  He is my hero.  

2.  He brings out the best of me.  He keeps me positive and motivated.

3.  He makes me feel safe and protected.

4.  I still get butterflies in my stomach when I see him after we have been apart.

5.  He lets me be mad, happy, sad and even a little goofy at times and he always loves me for who I am.

6.  He accepts that I can not cook.

7.  He accepts my friends and family with open arms.

8.  Even though he will not admit to it in public, I know he loves my dogs.

9.  I love his freakness for cleaning the house and doing the laundry.

10.  I love him for wanting to have our own family and making new family memories and new family traditions.

Tulips

So, I planted tulips two years ago.  I planted 18 tulips, let me tell you it was hard work.  Our flower bed is around a few trees, so the ground is hard and it seems like there are roots everywhere.  Then, after working hours planting the bulbs, you have nothing to show for it except a sore back until spring.  Last spring after what seemed like an eternity I had tulips.  Only 14 tulips came up but I was pretty proud of my accomplishment.  I have been watching for my tulips again this year.  Afterall, all the tulips should come back, and they should have more... right????  Well, I only have 5 tulips coming up.  I think this is a crime!!!  Not only do I only see the five, but I don't even see any blooms.  Chad usually buys me some mums.  My mums come back.  I love mums, I love tulips, tulips don't love me!  I think the squirrels might of dug down to get the bulbs out of the ground, that is a rumor I have heard.  Let me tell ya, I will be sitting on the front steps waiting for those darned stinking squirrels.

until next time

I've been busy

I haven't written or blogged anything recently.  I have been working a lot.  Chad and I finally bought new bedroom furniture and a new mattress.  I can't tell you how badly we needed this.  It just sucks spending the money.  Hopefully everything will be delivered today.  We also need a new roof on the house and a new air conditioner.  It is going to be an expensive summer.  We still haven't heard anything more on the adoption.  I called the counselor today, I am waiting to hear back from her.  

This weekend was my quilt guilds quilt show.  It was held downtown Charleston.  I didn't enter anything, I am to intimidated by the ladies in my group.  Overall it was a great show, there were 250 quilts entered.  Judy Heyward won the best of show.  The nest show is in two years, hopefully I will get the nerve up to enter in that show.  I worked the show on Saturday.... it was a long day.

Our letter has arrived!

Finally after waiting for what seems like an eternity we received our letter from the DSS office saying we are approved!!!  So now I guess we sit and wait again for our child.  Everyone has been asking us how the process was going and it has been disappointing to say that nothing had changed yet.  Now finally we have good news again.  

As for the day to day business, Chad has been training for his first firefighter combat challenge for the year.  His first challenge is in Gainesville Florida.  So we will be heading to Gainesville in April.  I've been working on some quilt projects.  My small quilting group is helping me and my mom out by making quilts for my grandmothers nursing home.  Hopefully we will get them all done soon. 

Work, work, work

I am tired of working.  It seems like work keeps taking away from the things I really want to do.  So I decided to make a list of what I would rather do:

1.  Spend all day laying around with Chad

2.  See my friends more often.

3.  Quilt all day with my mom

4.  Be with my family

5.  See Elijah

get this.... I would rather do some spring cleaning on our house and even work in the yard then have to go to work.  

Still no word on the adoption.  I keep going to the mailbox for our official letter saying we are official!  As luck would have it we are still unofficial!  I guess the counselor knew what she was talking about when she said we wouldn't get the letter until the first of March.  

Picture from the Oyster Roast

Parents are gone

My parents came up for the weekend.  We had a great weekend.  We were all tired, mom and dad didn't get here until 3 a.m. and Chad was up at the fire department starting at 3 a.m. On Saturday, mom and I went to the local quilt shops and picked up some fabric, while dad and Chad went to the boat show.  Mom and I also shopped for the adopt a family charity she is involved with.  We ended up buying 20 backpack/sleeping bag combos at Target.  I bought a backpack for us and our future child as well.  On Sunday we went to Oyster roast at Boone Hall plantation.  My dad was in heaven to see so many oysters.  There was lots of sunshine, oysters and beer, overall it was a dream come true for my father.  My mom and I quilted some on Sunday night.  Unfortunatley they  had to leave early this morning.  It was a great visit, it just didn't last long enough.

Parents are coming to visit

I am very excited that my parents are coming up to visit this next weekend.  It will not be a long trip but I am always happy to see them.  They are coming up for the Oyster roast at Boone Hall plantation.  If you know my dad, you know that he loves oysters.  My dad has always wanted to come up here for this occasion and I am glad they are making it this year.  

We had our last meeting with the adoption counselor.  She said that it will probably take until March 1st for all the paperwork to go through.  Then we wait some more.  I have decided to put it in God's hands, he knows what is best for Chad and I.  

It was a very cold day for football.  It looks like there will be at least one Manning brother playing this year.  I must say if I was on the team, I would have faked an injury so I could stay in the training room to stay warm.

Until next time.....

Moving forward

Our counselor will be by here on Sunday for us to go over all the details from our home study.  Then we are done!!!!!  I asked April (counselor) how long until it would take for us to meet/get (however you want to state it) our child.  She informed us that it could take anywhere from 2 days to two years.  Since we are looking for an older child, it will probably take the less time of the two.     I am getting nervous now, I went shopping today.  Looked around, have no idea of what to buy.  Maybe we should start with a ball, we don't own a ball, how sad! 

 I will keep everyone posted.

Adoption News

Well, we have started the home study process for our adoption.  I was thinking it would take 120 days like they had originally said in our first class months ago.  Well the counselor working with us believes she will have it done in 2 to 3 weeks.  We may have a child or children a lot quicker than we originally thought.  

The Boone Hall oyster roast is coming up in 2 weeks.  I have always told my dad about the oyster roast and he is making the trip up this year.  Hopefully I will be able to post some pictures from our outing.  

More to come... have a groovy week!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

So my new years posting is a week late.... but that is how I have been lately.  I made only a few resolutions, hopefully I will be able to keep them.  No news on the adoption yet.  Everyone keeps asking us about the adoption, so far we are still in a holding pattern.  But believe me as soon as we know something, everyone will know.  

We had our cottage quilt group today.  We had a lot of quilters show up.   am lucky to be apart of such a wonderful group.  I wish I had more time to quilt. I am positive that one day I will have lots of free time to quilt and be as talented as my mother and the ladies in my group.

Until next time......