2012 Christmas

Over the river and through the woods, to Grandma's house we goooo!!!  LOL  We had another ludicrous VA appointment.  Another date to go and have another doctor to tell us the very same thing - another waste of government time - boy - it is frustration at it's peak!  And to think - this is what all our healthcare is going to come down to - Government meddling at it's finest!  So nothing was done, AGAIN, another appointment for another facility was made. And we headed off into the white world of our first snowstorm of this winter...

After driving through our whiteout conditions we made it to Grandma's.  Tman did extremely well in his carseat this time... He took his socks and shoes off about 3 times - since I put them back on every time we stopped - and he had something to do! :)  I'm learning.

Grandma was so very happy to see her man - She loves him almost as much as I do!

So we had a wonderful Christmas.  We headed back on Christmas Day for yet another VA appointment and to make sure we were home when our 'travel papers' said we would be.  We spend the night at Canyonville - and again - our little fellow charmed everyone he saw.

Uncle Tim babysat and Keith and I actually went out for New Year's Eve!!  First time in several years that we've done that!  Not that we did anything exciting - but we went - together - just the 2 of us!

I have almost reached my goal.  As of New Years Eve I have lost 95 pounds.  Went from a size 18W down to a size 8.  I took 2 huge garbage bags of clothes up to S'te's so that she can share them with others.  Keith says I still have 20 pounds to go - I don't know if I'll be able to make that goal - but certainly intend to try! :)

Happy New Year to All!!!

2012 Thanksgiving

We were able to take Tman and travel up to Bremerton for Thanksgiving.  The carseat still isn't one of T's favorite places - so we stopped for the night at St. Helens.  That is where we discovered that T can open a door - as long as it has the 'lever' type handle.  We spent most of the evening in great fun chasing him up and down the halls!  T had a blast showing off his new found skills ;)  Of course, as always, he charmed our dinner waitress, all the other guests' at Best Western's breakfast, and us during our overnight stay!  I so love having this little guy around :) 

 Cavelle showed off his wonderful computer skills - he is growing up so way to fast!

 Jaleel is now a tall, tall young man with a deep voice and a fantastic sense of humor.  He is so excited about being 15 and old enough to get his permit (as soon as he can figure out a way to get to our house).

 Brayana is working hard on her chats with music blaring!  I didn't get to visit much with her - but enjoyed every minute that I was able to spend with her!  She was anxious for dinner to start - here she is carrying around her fork - just in case a taste test is needed!  She's such a cutie!

The day after Thanksgiving we had a 'girls day out' and went for pedicures.  Taniyah had a great time getting her toes done! S'te and I got our Duck colors (green and gold) while the other girls got snowflakes put on theirs.  We had a lot of fun!!

Tristin basked in the attention for the entire weekend :)  He has continued to bloom and brighten my days - It has been so hard feeling so cut off from the world, S'te being so far away, and the sense of loneliness that has seemed to cut clear to the bone!  It has fallen on his little shoulders to make me smile and laugh - and he does an awesome job of it.  Just looking thru his photos and watching him run across the room to me  - makes my day!

Ladaria and Destini went with Jeanne the night we got there and didn't return until just before we left - so we didn't get to spend any time at all with them.  The sad thing about the kids growing up - is that they seem to leave all the good memories behind and forget that no matter what - they are loved.  I guess there comes a time in every grandma's life when it's time to realize that contact with you is no longer needed - or wanted.  Seems that this is the choice that both of these girls have made.  It has been tough - in the days since the visit - but I have come to accept it.  And I will no longer bother them with cards, gifts, or forced conversations.  Maybe when they become grandparents (or sooner) they will realize the pain and hurt these decisions have caused.

On the way home we stopped in Portland for another VA appointment - boy if this brings any sort of omen to what Obamacare has in store for us - look out world!!!!

We soon have another hearing for Tman's status - As no one has claimed any interest in taking him to their home - my hopes of us being able to add him permanently to our family are looming.  It looks better and better every day!  Yippee!!!

Summer of 2012

Ok, I'm back for a few.  Not a terrible lot happening these days.  We've pretty much settled into a routine here in the wonderful Northwest Territory.  Hehee...

Keith and I celebrated our 8th Anniversary.  Mom was here to watch Tristin and we went to the movies.  Our first night out since we went to see Peter Noone of the Herman's Hermits back in February.  THAT was a wonderful show!!  But tonight we went to see "Hunger Games" - because of all the media reviews - but we agreed that it really didn't live up to what we'd heard.  Now we know... haha. 

Dad has turned Chato into a "quad dog"!  Any time he hears the quad start up - he goes running!  He rides behind me but in front of Dad!  These were taken out at Yellow Creek on July 4th.  We went out and had burgers and salads - but were back in Coos Bay in plenty of time to watch the fireworks from our front yard.

 Deer on the rise in the back yard at Evies'.

 Dad playse with Cinco (our new Chi puppy) while a very, very jealous Chato looks on!  Cinco was born on Cinco de Mayo (hence the name) and weighed 18 ounces when he arrived at our house at 6 weeks.  He is a funny little guy - a great dane isn't any braver - or have less of an appetite!

 Grandpa will always be Chato's favorite lap!

 Tristin is waiting to see what Gma GG drops!!

 Keith is ready to head back to 'the barn' after a long day!

The Rhody by the front steps is finally growing - after being moved 3 times in 3 years!

The dahlias that Rod, S'te, and Jaleel planted last year coming to life!

Our baby Tristin at 11 1/2 months old  finally taking some steps!

Baby Cinco is growing!

Keith spent most of the month of July traveling. Here is a photo of him and April in her living room just before he left to come back home.  He had a good trip, San Diego, St. Charles, and Charlestown - got to see lots of old school chums, work friends, and of course, the most important, FAMILY!

So this takes us to August... I will post Tristin's birthday photos really soon!

Almost Summer - July 2012

Geez - I fall way behind - don't I??  I guess it really doesn't matter - no one comments - so I'm mostly typing as therapy.. :-)

The beginning of February our little girl was paired with a forever home.  It was a great journey for her and a testament that even our convoluted system doesn't get everyone down.  We still have the Tman and he is a total joy!  He is 'surfing' now and calls me mama and Keith dada.  We tell him Amah and Papa but he tells us back .... mamamamama and dadadada. ... another glitch in the system... he is growing so well and so fast!  A testament to my belief that giving birth does not bring forth a mommy any more than the act of donating sperm makes a daddy...  So sad in so many ways... but back to lighter!

In March I had another rather major surgery.  Mom came up and stayed with me and took care of the baby while I was recuperating.  Thank God for her!  Keith helped as much as he could - but there is just something about a woman's touch when you don't feel well.  Her and Tman bonded well and he is well-loved by all his grandma's and grandpas as well as us.  He is the light of our lives!

We had SNOW this year in March!  1st day of Spring Break!  Such weird, weird weather these days!














On my way down 101 one morning I happened upon this sight - brunch at the Red Lion!  I thought it was so unique to our little part of heaven that I pulled over and took a couple of photos!  I watched as they finished their snack and wandered on up the road towards the woods.  I never know just what I will find next!


 

 
  

 Then Track and Field Season started!  Mom and I took Baby T up and visited for a couple of days and attended the only meet that was held during that time.  Man, it was nice but the wind was cold!!!  And that evening this truck was parked at the hotel we stayed at.  I got to touch a huge part of history!  It was so moving - tears!!!!

I babysat for a bit for my Cousin Linda's great-grandson Jordan (does that sound like we are getting old?) and had a blast!  My goal in life was to have a huge family - complete with kids and grandkids coming in and out all the time and big Sunday dinners - and all that old fashioned stuff - so having Jordan and some connection with family was wonderful.  Chelsea found more permanent daycare after about a month and I hear that they are all doing great.  He is a real sweetie and he and Baby T played so well together!

T-man is doing great, and we've added a new member!!!  This is Cinco!  Mr. Tim had a neighbor that had puppies!  Mr Tim was supposed to get one - boy was he all excited... but it didn't happen - but I did!!  Cinco started out as "Bucky" but Mom noticed that his birthday is Cinco de Mayo - hence the name.

Brayana did wonderfully at State and Jaleel and Brayana both competed at the USAFT Regional Competition!  It was awesome!  It was as hot there in Bend as it was cold in Washington! 

Michelle came over to see us at the field!

Michelle and S'te and a few of the kids!

My Dad and I

I think I will save the rest for another post... Since this turned into a book!