I'm Back

I've been missing in action here in blogging world for all summer and most of the fall.  Here's a bullet list of what you missed while I was gone.

We house hunted like mad people---with six children and hubby's job that was challenging.

We showed our house many many times, and finally sold it in September.

We bought a beautiful little place in a gorgeous location---I'll post more about that later.

My computer crashed from a horrid virus.

My new computer got another virus, but survived.  

We moved one week ago.

Almost the whole family contracted strep throat during and after the move.

I'm currently getting over strep throat for the second time----run down immune system?

I'm feeling the itch to blog again, so you know things are getting back to normal. I've missed all of you, and kept up with your blogs in a lurky sort of way in spite of all the craziness.  Hope to visit with you all soon in the next weeks.

Things To Be Thankful For

source

Even on the rainy days, or weeks, there are things to be thankful for.

Run over to Christine's blog and read about her precious grandson who had heart surgery yesterday, and came through it with flying colors.

And then come back here and celebrate with me because Sugar Pea's adoption is final!!!!!!!!!!!!

We are officially a family of eight!!!!!!!!

Our Family

Here's a little introduction to our family........

Hubby  My husband of 16 plus years. He is my best friend, and one of the few people who knows all about me, and still loves me.  He works a very stressful trucking job with lots of hours, but makes every effort to be with his family when he is off.

Buddy 11 Our oldest child who joined our family through domestic infant adoption when he was 9 months old.  He is an excellent big brother who has a tender heart, and his fathers hard work ethic.

Peekachoo  9 He joined our family through domestic infant adoption when he was 8 days old. He rarely holds still, loves a challenge, and can be very hard to keep busy.  He has unusual patience for crying babies, and has helped me walk the floor with his younger siblings more than once.

Mr. Man 4  He and his younger biological brother joined our family through adoption through foster care when he was 20 months.  He is serious beyond his years, and very responsible for a child his age.  He has a gentle spirit that is very easy to reach.

Chipmunk 3  He was 9 months old when he joined our family through adoption through foster care.  He is a strong-willed sweetheart. He LOVES babies, and is so gentle with them.  He loves to get a reaction good, or bad, from anyone and everyone.

Sugar Pea 22 months  She joined our family at birth and is a biological sister to Mr. Man, and Chipmunk.    She is the slightly bossy Princess of the family.  She has taken it upon herself to keep all her brothers in line, and she rules with a chubby fist.  She loves anything pretty, and is a die-hard "momma's girl."

Noah 6 months  Is our "surprise" biological baby.  He is happy, and mellow.  Likes to smile, LOVES his siblings, and HATES having his nose wiped.

Rebecca  I write the blog posts, change the diapers, dry the tears, homeschool, cook the meals, clean the house, and a lot of other things that aren't worth writing about.  I love my family.  We're a little unconventional, we sometimes fly by a different set of rules because of our background, but we have a lot of fun.

If you're new to Chicken Scratchings you may be wondering why I don't post our adopted childrens names, and pictures.  This is to protect them, and also to protect us.  We are licensed foster parents, and because of that certain details can't be shared unless I would make my blog private.

I love getting questions from my readers, but on occasion I get a question that I can't answer publicly.  If that happens I will try to tell you, or email you privately with the answer.

I Challenge You

I know I'm not the most regular blogger out there.

But, here's a little news-flash to y'all.

The thing that inspires me to blog is your comments.

And one thing that bugs me.

Is all you people that I know in real life that I know read my blog.

But you never comment.

So, here's your chance.

If you know me in real life.

And you are reading this.

Give me a comment.

Say hi!

Say whatever you want. (as long as it's nice)

You can comment anonymously...just give me an initial or something.

That's your challenge for today.

Oh, and if I only know you in "internet world" you can comment too.

Maybe you have a question for me, or something.

Just talk to me.

A Thought For Your Monday

House Hunting

http://www.allposters.com/

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Some relatively new news around our house is that we are planning to move.

We are preparing our current home to go on the market, and we are also house hunting for a new home.

We're moving about twenty to thirty miles west of where we currently live to be closer to church, and also nearer my parents who are needing a little more help as they get older.

Here's the thing though.

I HATE house hunting.

I would just like the looking process to be over.......yesterday.

It seems like everything in our price range is too small, in the wrong location, or has no place for a few chickens......all important things for our family.

To keep things in perspective I made a list of the "requirements" for a house for our family.

It's pretty short really.

1. Enough space for our family, and animals, both inside the house and outside. ( No, we aren't planning on putting the chickens in the house, or the children in the yard.)

2. A basement.....doesn't have to be a fancy one.....just a place to store things.

3.  A garage, or barn for hubby's tools and lawn mower etc.

That's pretty much the list.

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So, I'm curious............

If you were in the market for a house, what would be on your list?

Repugnant

It's raining out today.

My boys ( 11, and 9) are bored.

So, I put them to work cleaning out the fridge.

They now know how to use the word repugnant appropriately in a sentence. 

I'm not telling how long it's been since the fridge was cleaned.

Where In The World

have I been?

I wish that I had some profound excuse for my lack of posting here........alas I do not.

Real life has filled my days and stolen my nights.  I'll try to do a quick update here and pick up posting from there.

My two older boys are wrapping up their school year.  We have about five or six weeks left.  I'm ready to be done, they are ready to be done......enough said.

My two younger boys are doing well.  They have both made some monumental progress in their emotional growth over the last six months.  It's amazing how secure they both seem compared to when they first came home almost three years ago.  They play, and fight, and play......just like normal little boys.

Sugar Pea has had a really rough winter.  She has had five ear infections since Christmas.  Currently we are scheduled to see an ENT about tubes for her ears.  She doesn't sleep well at all.  We are hoping desperately that she will sleep better after that procedure.

Noah is currently teething.  Lots of drool, and a little fussiness.  He is still a very happy baby.  He gets up about once a night, eats, and goes right back to sleep.  He rolls over, and pushes himself up and rocks back and forth on his "haunches".  He is a little social bug, he likes to be in the center of the activity at all times.

My husband is starting back to work a little more.  The income is much appreciated, but we all miss him.

I'm feeling really ready for spring.  Our area has had a monumental amount of snow this year, and I'm itching to be able to be outside a little more.

Hope to post more soon!

All Her Life

She's spent all her life second-guessing herself.

Never recognizing herself for the treasure she is in Christ.

She is a talented seamstress, but all she sees are the flaws.

She has gorgeous curly hair, but she hates how contrary it is.

She can cook mouthwatering dishes, but she always thinks she didn't add enough of this or that.

And now?

Now her life is slowly ebbing away as cancer takes its ugly toll.

Why am I telling you this?

Because with the exception of the sentence about cancer all of this post could be written about me.

I see the dark side of things, and my fear holds me back from doing what I should.

And as I watch my friends grasp on this life become weaker I'm inspired to live each day like there's no tomorrow.

I'm Still Here

 

I'm adjusting to being a mom of six.  Sometimes when someone asks me how many children I have I still mentally count them off.

Noah is a very content baby.  He eats, sleeps, and smiles.  His siblings are loving him to pieces.  Sugar Pea tries to sit on him and lick him and all sorts of other ridiculous things--he just grins at her.

We are preparing for Christmas around here.  Our celebrations will be very low-key this year, but that's my favorite way to celebrate the season.

We are beginning paperwork to finalize Sugar Pea's adoption.  If all goes well it should be done in several months.

I'm hoping to blog a little more regularly now that my life is settling into a new normal.

Soaking Up The Sweetness

He's Here!

Noah Eli  arrived safely

October 23, 2013

At 11:04 am

He weighed 7 lb 9 oz

He is 20 inches long

More info to come.

Overdue

No baby yet.......

Apparently he has no desire to leave his cozy warm home.

Yes, I'm relaxed.....I'm ready.......all the baby clothes are washed.........the bassinet is set up..........the car

seat is clean.

Oh, and no, I'm not on purpose trying to frustrate all the dear people who call me almost daily to see if the

baby was born, and I forgot to tell them.

I'm pretty sure he will come when he is ready.

In the meantime I'm being entertained by all the advice I've been getting on how to "jumpstart" labor

 naturally.

Some of it coming from strangers on the street.

Eat spicy food.

Drink castor oil.

Go for a loooong walk.

Relax.....if you just would relax I'm sure he would come tonight. 

Jump rope.

Wash your kitchen floor on your hands and knees.

The list goes on and on, some of these ideas I've tried, {I'm not going to divulge which ones} but so far none

 of them have worked.

Don't worry though.........I won't forget to tell you when he comes.

Dear Sugar Pea

Dear Sugar Pea,


When we started this journey that is your life over 15 months ago.....


I'm so glad I didn't know everything.


I didn't know how many times I would have to watch your body struggle to gain the ground that wasn't gained prenatally.


I didn't know how many birth parent visits I would hold you after.


As your little body shook from sobs of confusion and fear.


I didn't know that one of your birth parents would threaten to hurt my family.


I didn't know that the judge in charge of your case would let it drag out this long.


(DHS was hoping to have it closed in six months.)


I didn't know that when I picked you up at the hospital I would have a police escort out of the building.


See, if I had known I might have tried to foster you on my own--with sheer determination--all these things that took me by surprise forced me to ask for help from the One who always heard my cries.


It's almost over now........the last TPR hearing is next week.


That doesn't mean I'm done asking for help to be your mamma though.


I'm pretty sure I'll be doing that for the rest of my life.


Love, Mamma

Favorite Quote

Updates

I keep thinking I need to update you on foster parenting, and pregnancy, but I'm too lazy to do two separate posts.

Sugar Pea's case is finally moving again.  Birth dad has a termination of parental rights trial coming up in about four weeks!!!!  The miracle that we had been praying for.  In the meantime he hasn't been showing up for his visits which means less trauma for Sugar Pea, and less trauma for me. :)

I'm still pregnant.  Someone told me early on in this pregnancy that you don't really get much bigger the last month or two.....well......they were WRONG.  Suffice it to say that I now walk a little like an overweight goose.

I feel good though--a little tired--but really fairly good.

I have about three more weeks to my official due date.

I looked at the mountain range of ripening tomatoes on my porch last night, and I cried.  Hubby caught me at it, and said I should just give them away.  I stubbornly set my jaw, and shook my head.  Sometimes I think I'm addicted to canning.........

So, there you have it--all the pertinent news around our house.  And probably one or two things that weren't all that pertinent.

Things I'm Happy For This Saturday 7

Flash from the past.......remember these Saturday posts?

Saturdays--Starting back to school makes me appreciate this day of the week for "catching up"

Produce from the garden--I'm trying to remember that all this bounty that I'm canning will be worth the pinched nerve in my back--this winter.

An Industrious 10 year old--Mopped my bathroom, cleaned my laundry room, and swept out several dusty corners all in the last half hour.

Bloggy Friends--I enjoy your comments, and interaction here on my blog so much.  I often lack adult conversation, and you help fill that gap in my life.

Toddlers Playing Together Happily--Peace is reigning for the moment, and I'm basking in it. 

What is making you smile today?

Can You Guess...

.......what I canned today?

It's not tomato juice, spaghetti sauce, or salsa.

Update.....

You all made really good guesses....well most of you. 

But, none of you were right.

It's ketchup!

If you're interested here is the recipe.

8 quarts tomato juice

1 1/2 quart vinegar

6 cups white sugar

1/2 cup salt

2 onions chopped

3/4 teaspoon ginger

3/4 teaspoon nutmeg ( I omitted this)

3/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 teaspoon red pepper

Mix together all ingredients and boil rapidly for 2 hours.  Cool until you can safely blend in the blender.  After you blend it put it back on the stove and bring to a simmer, and add 1 3/4 cups of Clear-Jell that has been blended with about 1 cup of water.  Simmer until thickened.  Process in pressure canner for 10 minutes at 10 pounds of pressure.

Sugar Pea

I'll confess that lately my impulse has been to scream.

Not because the roller coaster is going too fast.

Because it feels like it's stalled on the tracks.

Birth Dad has been a source of extreme frustration.

He does just enough toward his goals to be annoying.

But not enough to make much progress.

He shows up for Sugar Pea's visits about 1/3 of the time.

When he doesn't show up--he calls and claims he is running late.

Which means I have to wait 30 minutes for him.

Sitting in a van with five restless children for 30 minutes is not my idea of a good time.

The next court date is in about two weeks.

Praying for a miracle!!!!!

Impulse Purchase

I went to a local roadside farm market yesterday to get some tomatoes for fresh eating--since mine are refusing to ripen.

I saw these giant cheerful sunflowers, and couldn't resist.

Makes my kitchen seem brighter somehow.