A little update of sorts

Hi everyone. It's been a long long time since I have been on here. More like a long time since I felt I had anything to say. This last year has been a really hard year. But I made it through with the help of God and my husband. Still miss Mama so very much and probably always will. But things are getting better. I can talk about her being gone now whereas I could not before.

We have started a new journey in our lives. And this has really been what we needed. We were officially approved as Foster parents on Aug 29,11 and got our first placement last night. A two year old beautiful little girl and you would think she has always lived her, a little sad I guess but I'm glad she is adjusting fairly well.
The kids get along well with her. Not sure how long we will have her but just knowing we are giving her a loving home for now is enough.

Roo started 2nd grade and Rissa started preschool this year and they both love it.

Well that's all for now, maybe I will write more regularly.
Miss you guys.
God Bless

Who Am I Wednesdays?

I Am..

A redhead who can't tan so summer is not my best season.

A bit neurotic.

Quirky

Learning to give up control over everything because I have realized I don't really have control over most things anyways. So I'm trying to leave that to the ONE who does.

Soon to be Foster parent!

A girl who thanks God for her husband and kids almost a hundred times a day because I know they are not to be forgotten.

So WHO ARE YOU?  
Share the good, bad and ugly... it's cheaper than therapy!

God is in the Transitions

I've been away for a while simply because I have not been able to get anything out. I can't talk or even write about the things that are bothering me. I feel them building up but I'm too scared to just let them all go. I rarely talk to friends on the phone anymore. I do believe however it's a funk I am slowly coming out of. But grief often comes in waves and all you can do is ride the wave until you are back on safe ground.

We are in so many transitions right now in our life. Hubby still looking for a job. He has a second interview this week, so please send up a prayer for him. He wants this job, it's a great opportunity but it would require moving out of state, and while we have no (bio)family in the town we live in, it's scary as hell to think of moving.

Maybe it's what we need, what we all need.

We have also been going through foster parent classes and only have one left. I am looking forward to that. I think it will be good for our family as well as for kids who need loving caring foster homes. It's something we have talked about since before we got married.

I just have to keep telling myself HE is in control not me. He has carried us this far and will not turn His back on us nor will he you.

The Beauty and Value of Your Memories-Day 201 and a Picture

I receive these in the mail daily. Sometimes I open them and other times I leave then in my inbox, knowing I will get around to them when I am ready. Some days they help and other days, well other days nothing helps.
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The Beauty and Value of Your Memories - Day #201
Hanging on to the memories is, at first, almost too much to bear. The pain of remembering is too intense, the absence of your loved one too large. But please, don’t push them away.
Just let them alone, for a while. When you’re ready, these memories will be so valuable to you - like precious gems. Take them out, and enjoy them - not just on the anniversaries, and birthdays, but every day. Your heart is large enough to carry them, I guarantee it.
Quotation for the Day
“What is there to do when people die – people so dear and rare – but bring them back by remembering?” - May Sarton


From Latham Funeral Home

Today, well today it helps. I haven't taken out all my memories in the last 7 months. I keep them tucked away in boxes in my mind. My memory boxes, some I can handle, and some are just too hard to take out.

A Special Memory may 2000
I do remember her saying my name Kiesha Michelle. I remember how she told me how proud she was of me for being the first to graduate college. I could see it in her eyes from the stage "That's my girl" she was saying, "We've been through hell, but we made it." I will hold that memory forever in my heart. It's just as far as I can go into that box right now but it's enough.

This is the only picture I'm able to look at right now. It of course looks a lot like me. In this pictures she had the whole world in front of her. It reminds me that I do to. And I can navigate it with her right by my side.

The Dreaded Tax Deadline

I usually do not procrastinate when it comes to filing our family’s tax forms because my husband does our taxes.  He used to do our taxes by hand every year but he has wised up and started using Turbo Tax.  Nevertheless, for you out there that wait until the last possible date to file, just remember the tax deadline of April 18^th is fast approaching.

If even this extended deadline from the usual April 15^th will not be enough time for you to file, you may still seek an extension of time for filing taxes.  Now if you’re like my husband and don’t wish to fool around with IRS tax forms any longer, Turbo Tax will help you file your tax extension form 2010.

Filing taxes is never fun, which is why I have never done our taxes.  My husband would always do them and he now does not mind doing our taxes since Turbo Tax is so easy to use.  It’s so easy that you should not have to file an extension of time for filing taxes.  Use the extension if you need to and use Turbo Tax tax extension form and happy tax time.

My "Off Beat Marriage"

If you are interested in finding out more about my family, you can check out an article that Gleen wrote on her blog Off Beat Marriage about us. She is a great writer and I was privileged that she wanted to interview me for an article.
Thanks Glee!

Something Special to Me & Wearing Red for Ruby Tuesdays

                                   My silly little girl. She puts the

red in my world!

                                                                Join Mary for Ruby Tuesdays.

                                

Straight from the Heart Sunday's

I have to admit, being sick and in bed for weeks on end really makes me treasure every single second when I am well and able to do things with my family.
We have done so much as a family this past week. I have been able to help my husband with the kitchen project I started 3 weeks ago. I was in bed and could not use my hands so that project had to wait. We finally have most of it finished and I LOVE my new kitchen. It wasn't a big remodel, just a little paint, creativity, and a bright new back splash. I love it when I get to accomplish and complete projects.

We went to church together as a family and it was great. There is always that missing part, my mom. It's getting better, I can finally see the light shining through what has been a very dark 6 and a half months. I think it helps that we are redoing some things around the house. I can't explain really why but I guess it helps me to not see her in every room if things are different. I miss her from the depths of my soul and I'm finally feeling a connection to her for the first time. I know she would want me to go on with my life and she taught me to be the best mom. Everything I know about being a mother I learned from her. So her legacy lives on in what I teach my children. I find that to be very comforting.

                                                 Before- while we were doing the prep work.

                                                     
                                                        Painters tape- my best friend.

                                                  

     My baby using the paint sprayer, it's one of my favorite things, c

cuts painting time in half.

  

 Our back splash, love the colors.

Completed back splash

 The ugly brown wood is GONE!

Didn't know I would be posting these or I would have tidied up. :)

It's nothing fancy but I've never had a kitchen that I could make my own, so I'm over the moon about it!
I'm finally finding my footing again, not to say there won't be bad days but I'm gonna be ok.


I miss you Mama, thanks for all the lessons you taught me!