Full House by Christmas

Hi Everyone,

By now, most of you have heard the news that we found out yesterday we will be adopting TWO boys. Not just one, but TWO! Just so you know, "'TWO" will forever be capitalized when I write about these boys. Because, hello?!?! We're getting TWO!! TWO!! We must be crazy.

When I sent the email yesterday to let everyone know, I was half out of my mind, so I apologize if I left you off. Besides, it gave me an excuse to talk about the boys again. You are not allowed to hate me just because I can't shut up about this.

Yesterday, I received an email from my matching specialist, Emily. She said there were TWO boys that were on the adoption website for an hour and CPS received what ended up being over 100 responses from families wanting to adopt them. She had said in the email that we would be in the top 3 selection staffing. CPS had narrowed it down from over 100 families to three families, and we were one of those families. Emily wanted me to answer a few questions about our work schedules, hobbies, etc so she could arm herself with some information that would make us stand out against the other families.

Well, I responded with an email, which, frankly, I felt was awful. I had very little notice and she wanted a quick response. I sent her the email and followed it up with another email to most of you to pray hard for us and then I put it in god's hands. It has been such an emotional rollercoaster, that I didn't want to get excited about it. You see, we've made the final four other times and nothing came of it. Most of those times, we didn't even know until after the fact.

Later, at about 2:30, I received a call. It was Emily. She said, "Congratulations, the boys are yours!" Just like that. There was no, "Are you sitting down?" or "Are you ready for some good news?" I had no clue the lucky family was going to be picked that same day. I immediately ran into the conference room, got tears in my eyes, my heart started beating rapidly, my knees got weak and I broke into a sweat. It was kinda like being around Jaime without the crying part. Kidding! Emily said some other things afterward, but I can honestly tell you I have no idea what she said. We agreed to talk today when I was sane once again.

The background: [Eliminated due to privacy issues]

According to their foster mother, whom they call Grandma, they are very happy, well adjusted kids. They know their caseworker is looking for their forever family, but they haven't grasped the difference between a bio-mom/dad and an adoptive mom/dad. Our scrapbook will be sent overnight so they can get used to our faces before meeting us. Their names are somewhat unusual and I feel it is in their best interest to change them for their protection so they can’t be tracked down later. I’ll let you know their names as soon as we make that decision. The oldest is blonde with fair skin and the youngest is more like Grace but a little lighter.

Side note.... It is ironic that these particular kids will end up with us. Twice, when Jaime was off duty, he has come across children wandering the street alone. Trust me when I tell you that you don't want to be the mother he confronts when he brings your crying 3 year old to your door in filthy diapers. If you have bed head, you might as well go ahead and stick out your arms so he can cuff you right there. Both times, we would have been happy to just quietly tuck that child into our backseat and keep him or her. Alas, that is illegal and it really wouldn’t fair well, especially with Jaime being an officer, you know?

Ok, one more side note.... The youngest boy was born two weeks before Faith, so he's the same age she would be now. I'm telling you these kids were meant to be with us.

After I hung up with Emily, I called cop-hubby. I was so excited, I couldn't speak. It was like my tongue kept getting in the way and the words wouldn't come out right. When I got the msg across, he was floored. It's a good thing he was off work by then, because if he were like me, he would have been useless the rest of the day. We can't have an officer patrolling the street with his head in the clouds, right?

Next on the agenda, was to send an email to thank everyone for their prayers and spread the joy. I was so surprised at the responses I received that said how emotional my email was. I would have been satisfied with coherent. Thank you for all the sweet things you said to us.

When we got home, we stood Methodical daughter in front of the Christmas tree and broke the news to her. Do you remember that old Atari paddle ball game? Well, she was the ball. The girl wore herself out. Her first request was a picture to carry with her to school. The second was to go get a couple gifts to take to the TWO boys. She picked out a large police motorcycle and some emergency vehicle models. Now, don't get me wrong. I have no wish to encourage these kids to get into law enforcement. We have enough of that in our family already and HPD can deal with two less Giraldos on their payroll.

December 8th, we will go meet the TWO boys for the first time. We will stay for the weekend and spend as much time with them as possible. Then, the caseworker will fly them here and place them with us permanently. The chances are excellent that the boys will be with us by Christmas.

If anyone is considering adoption and would like to know what it's like to go through the process, I would be happy to pass on what I know. It was relatively fast and painless for us....just a little emotional.

THANK YOU AGAIN TO EVERYONE WHO KEPT US IN THEIR PRAYERS!

Go forth and conquer!
Melissa

P.S. Our household is currently accepting hand-me-down clothes and toys for TWO boys!

Adoption News

I'm so extremely happy to tell you that we have been selected to be the parents of two beautiful boys.

According to their foster parents, they are the most well adjusted, well mannered, sweet and good kids anyone could ask for. They've been in foster care for about a year. I will tell you more as we find out. I'm not sure at this point what I can divulge. Hopefully, we will make the trip in a to meet them.

This email doesn't even begin to show how crazy I feel right now. My heart is beating, my hands are cramping from typing this so fast and I'm breaking out in a major sweat.

I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the prayers and good thoughts everyone has given us. I want to go on and on and on, but right now, I have to get home to hubby and tell daughter that her life is about to change.

Totally flipping out right now,
Missy

p.s. Please forgive me if I've left some major information out. I can't even think right now.

Opposite of Christmas Toy Ideas

I came across the following toys on-line, which you may want to reconsider before buying for your child:

Exhibit Numbers one and two: South Beach On Location Barbie and Monte Carlo Barbie.

Exhibit number three, the GR8 TaTu Maker. Your kids can practice putting tattoos all over each other. Imagine the fun when you take your kid to the grocery store and watch the reactions from other parents.

Bruce, on etoys, says, "I've always wanted to see my kid in prison. And now with this helpful starter kit, he's on his way." I completely agree, Bruce!

If you do decide to go with the above gifts, you might want to go ahead and invest in Madge and baby. That way your child can practice for teen pregnancy and early motherhood. I find it ironic that this "Happy Family" comes with a pregnant mom and a baby but no Ken doll.

Seen by my coworker

A girl in a gym, who knows she's beautiful, doing sideways leg-lifts in her tight shorts that decide to split in back.

She had no underwear on.

Who Needs Treats?

Answer:
A piece of plastic, a telephone wire, an electrical cord, a hair scrunchy, a piece of a toy and a tube sock.

Question:
Name six things found in a Golden Retriever's stomach last week.

This is further evidence that I do not need another dog.

I do not need another dog
I do not need another dog
I do not need another dog.

So glad I am no longer this person.

I used to date a jerk. A real jerk. His name was Marc N. Jerk really doesn't seem to sum him up well, though. Maybe lowlifejackassshitheadarangutan is more like it.
When we met, he was nice, cute, fun and very smart. In fact he's the only reason I passed Chemistry. But, after we started dating, he became a different person. If I so much as looked at another guy, I was accused of flirting.
Then there were the times he told me the things he would fix on me. He said my nose turned up a little, my ears were uneven...things I had never noticed before.
Once he had my ego at a level low enough for his satisfaction, the physical abuse began. It started with throwing things at me..shoes, suitcases, you name it, if flew across the room. I think he missed me on purpose, though. It was mainly a scare-tactic. One night, we got into such a huge fight that I decided to leave.
Just as I reached the door, he grabbed me by the hair and pulled me back so hard, my head hit the floor and I got a concussion. I was pinned to the floor and I remember thinking, how did a smart girl like me end up in a situation like this?
Eventually, he cheated on me and that was my way out. I told him to have a nice life. The problem was, deep inside, I couldn't believe a loser like him would dump ME. It was supposed to be the other way around.
So, I went to Mexico with my mom. I drank for breakfast, drank for lunch and then had a drink for dinner. I came back to TX with a super tan and lost a ton of weight. This was enough for Marc to decide he wanted me back. This killed two birds with one stone. I got some of my ego back and I got revenge on the girl.
I know what you're thinking. "Stupid Bi***! Why did you go back" I really can't explain it except to say that when you're so low and so used to being told how ugly you are and how unworthy you are, you start to believe it. I thought no-one else would ever love me and this was my only chance at not growing old alone.
The good news is that I eventually woke up. We agreed to break up and remain friends. We even worked out together at the same gym every day. Wierd, I know, but I did this because I was scared to cut the ties. What if I never found someone else to love me? At least I'd have someone to fall back on, abusive or not, it was better than being alone. (I'd disagree with that statement now)
Well, eventually. I started getting asked on dates. After a while, I figured out that there were guys out there that found me attractive and fun and smart. Little by little, Marc and I went our separate ways. At one point,I heard, he was a homeless, drugaddict. Recently, I heard he may have joined the army.
For the longest time, I resented him. Hated him, even. I spent a lot of time rehearsing what I'd say if I ever ran into him. If words could kill, he'd be bleeding to death on the floor.
Now, I don't give it much thought. In fact, now, I'd like to hear that he learned from his mistakes and quit being so insecure. I'd like to know he found the love of his live and treats her like a princess. That would be more healing than being able to rant at him for the emotional mess he left me in when we finally parted ways. I'd also like to hear him say, "I'm sorry" and truly mean it.

Happy Birthday Melissa

Happy 18th Birthday to my niece, Melissa. You are so sweet, smart and beautiful, please don't some guy come along and fuck it all up. I have faith in you, girl.


Also, a huge thanks to Jan for letting me take Aidan with me to the party. It means so much to me that you trusted me with your 2 month old baby. I'm glad you and Fabian got the break. I looooove me some Aidan.

Date night take two

Friday night, Grace spent the night with Nikki, so you know what that means. DATE NIGHT!!

Jaime and I went to a Bistro where we were treated like royalty. We got a private little table for two, shared a bottle of merlot and had what was probably the best meal of our entire year. He had some kind of filet diablo dish and I had the snapper. Even the salads were to die for. We talked over a tealite candle as we finished our wine, uninterrupted by children, telephones or television. What a fantastic time. It definitely tops our last date night.

The next morning, I woke up, tuned over and went back to sleep, woke up again, went to sleep again, and finally got out of bed long enough to walk over to the bathroom for a hot bath. I think I was meant to be a princess. I could so get used to that.

Thanks, Jaime, for a great night!