It blows my mind how different websites can look depending on your computer. My parents gave me their old computer recently, which is an iMac. We have Windows at work so my blog I created and worked on there was how I liked it. Now I look at something so different. The layout is very different on the iMac than what it was at work. Plus, for some reason I get the comments left to me by email like before, but for some reason I can't publish them. So, I have been getting comments, and please continue sending them, but I won't be able to publish them until I'm back at work I guess. In addition, I finally found the software for the camera and got it onto the computer, but now can't figure out how to post pictures. When I did my blog at work and was creating a post, there was a tab labeled html that I could click and link in a picture. Not on this computer am I seeing that tab, and I can't figure out how to do it otherwise. I've tried the help button, but the screens come up blank. Computers!!!!!!

Well, today was court date #1 for Olivia's TPR. I found a sitter, not an easy feat itself, and was able to go. The cw doing the kids' subsidies thought they MAY go ahead and do both hearings today if I was there, but we later found out they can't do both the same day anymore. Oh well, I was still able to go, it was a very quick hearing, and parents were found "unfit." Due to our vacation to visit the grandparents in FL July 11-31, the next date for best interest will take place August 15 at 10am. Seeing as Olivia's bday is Aug 16, what a gift that will be!

Braeden's subsidy paperwork is almost done, my homestudy is done, and we're very close on his adoption. Looking like August??? Let's hope! :)

Grandpa came to visit on Friday and the five of us went away for the weekend to our family reunion. We went to my uncle's and the kids were able to ride Commanche, an Appaloosa horse which they LOVE!!! They also got to ride the four-wheeler and feed some very cute kittens! Swimming in the pool at the hotel was also much enjoyed. Unfortunately I have been sick with a horrible cold that has made it's way into my chest, sinus', head, etc . I feel lousy!!! Didn't enjoy the hotel and swimming as much as I could've.

Grandma and Grandpa left today and the kids are sad. They miss them bunches! BUT, only two more weeks and we will be on a plane on our way there.

Still trying to find the software for my camera in order to download some new pics!

Braeden's subsidy paperwork is DONE!!! The cw doing it went to work and it is done! She is bringing it over Monday morning to go over it with me, then I need to go over it with my lawyer and have him sign it before it can finally then be sent in!!! Yay!!! We are so close. She is also going to start Olivia's, even though we're not quite at that point yet. That way it's done and we don't have to wait.

Yesterday was such a great day. Being my birthday, I thought it would be fun to take the kids downtown on the train, especially since I had an extra pair of hands with grandma here. We then took the free trolley up to Watertower and went to the American Girl Place. Olivia has a Bitty Baby, although she never really understood what that meant until seeing this store: she had a blast. Since her birthday is coming up soon grandma let her pick out a new outfit for her baby. We then went to Cheesecake Factory for lunch where I almost started crying and just wanted to crawl into a hole. Shortly after sitting and getting our bread, Braeden grabbed a bread plate and simply flung it behind him, hitting the hard floor at the base of two tables of people. It shattered!!!! I about died!!! I couldn't believe it!!!! Needless to say everything breakable was moved out of range, he was pulled up right next to me and I basically fed him his lunch! AAAAHHHHHH!!!! The looks I got! Wow! Anyway, after that we went to a couple stores in Watertower. They have a new one which was a big hit - The #1 Blue Engine. A store that is ALL Thomas! So Braeden was able to pick out something too. We then took the trolley back to Millenium Park. The Joffrey Balley had a free performance which we watched for a while - so neat! We then went to the Crown Fountain. Very cool. Two huge rectangular towers covered with glass brick. Water comes out from the top and make an ankle deep "pool" at the bottom for kids to play in. On one side of each tower they put up a HUGE face of different Chicagoans. They look like a picture, but then maybe will blink an eye or smile. Every five min. or so a jet of water shoots out of their mouths. So cool! The kids had their swimsuits for this so they played a while and then watched a performance of African stomping. We then caught the train home where Braeden slept the whole way! :) A wonderful day!!!

I know, I know, when are you going to see a picture of Olivia's new hair??? Well, with working on the house (coming along great, I'll blog about that in a min.), now being off work and having kids full-time, and having my mom here visiting, Haven't had a lot of time on the new computer to hook up the camera and figure out how to download pics yet. Soon, soon. :)

The house like I said is coming along so well. I finally was able to get the wallpaper boarders out of Braeden and Olivia's rooms and paint them. They look great! I then moved all my boxes of books to his room and the three bookshelves and dining table and chairs to hers in order to pull up the carpet and padding in the living room and hall. I still need to take out the tack strips along the edges, but the floors look really good. Wednesday night the floor care people will call and come see the space to give me a final estimate, although they already gave me a preliminary one. More than I expected, or should I say hoped, but they will look so good and curtains, etc. can wait. They will most likely then start the floors on Friday. That way I can get the furniture back in.

In addition to everything else I had a message yesterday from Olivia's former cw. She had asked me a couple weeks ago about doing respite for someone she knew. The woman has, I think she said, foster kids of her former foster kids?, I am not sure, but regardless, she has a number of kids and her husband got sick all of sudden and then passed away. She said she may need respite for the 9month old, but definately wanted him back. Well, I guess she is just too overwhelmed and has given notice on two of the kids. Their agency, different from mine, cannot find a placement in the area and they may be moved. They still have siblings, I think at the house, and it would be very hard. Their caseworker is a former one of Braeden's who switched agencies. This cw friend of mine said if I was interested they may be able to work it out and gave me the name and number of the foster parent. She didn't say anything about ages/genders, so I definately would want to at least know that before calling the foster mother and getting her hopes up that they may stay in the area. So, I'm waiting to hear back from her. We'll see...

So, until I am on again, I am thinking about you all and your situations and praying for the very best.

I have been tagged-

This is kinda funny-

1. YOUR MOVIE STAR NAME: (grandfather/grandmother on your father's side, your favorite candy): Merle Milky Way Midnight

2. YOUR "FLY GIRL/GUY" NAME: (first initial of first name followed by izzle", first two or three letters of your last name follwowed by "dizzle"): Lizzle Busizzle

3. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal): Orange Tiger

4. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (first 3 letters of your name- last 3 letters of mother's maiden name, first 3 letters of your pet's name repeated twice): Lisran Ras Ras

5. SUPERHERO NAME: ("The", your favorite color, the automobile you drive): The Orange Windstar

(OK - Julie - I'm an idiot, but it's fixed now!!! :) )

Yes, it's been a while, but we are here! School is officially out and I find that I am not at the computer near as much as when I was inputting grades, typing assignments, and having planning periods daily at work.

Picked up grandma from the airport and she has been helping me around the house. We have the POD completely unloaded (finally) and it is being picked up tomorrow. Cable was (finally) hooked up today, and OOPS, they hooked it up wrong and instead of basic antenna service with the minimum channels for $17.50/month, they hooked me up with expanded cable with Disney and HGTV - which I love but was foregoing due to money. This happened the last time I moved four years ago and I ended up having expanded until they audited my area and found the mistake - a mere 2 1/2 years later! We'll see...

On the kid front - Olivia's hair is so cute! We are still having problems with her pulling her barrettes/clips out if we put any in so she is "banned" from "pretties" at school. As soon as I get the software set up on this computer which my parents so generously passed on to me after purchasing a new one for themselves, I will post a pic.

I was very worried about getting Braeden's subsidy paperwork done, but I actually think it is going to be done fairly soon. The person who will be doing it is the person who brought Braeden to my door at 3 days old. She was also the caseworker for the little 2 year old I was supposed to be adopting which turned into a fiasco. She ended up in another aspect of the agency, but we have kept in touch from time to time when I see her there. She knows what I've been through and wants to get it done quickly. She also told me she is going to start Olivia's subsidy paperwork too. Yay us!!!! I, unfortunately though, will not be completely convinced and assured until I know it is done and has been sent in to the state. Prayer that it happens soon!!!

Hope all is well with everyone else. :)