We're Back, Thank God

Have you ever spent 2 months thinking about something and felt it would go perfectly just to have it all blow up in your face? Well, I have, at least NOW, I have.


We chose Erie, PA because its quiet and on the lake. We chose this specific Bed and Breakfast because it sat right on the beach and we thought the view would be spectacular. Based on the pictures, it was pretty and peaceful looking. When we got their, we discovered that the pictures portrayed the place accurately, pretty and peaceful. What they didn't show were the cats or the scent of old mildew. My husband is VERY allergic to cats and it wasn't until after we came back from dinner that we realized they were there. We knew the place was stinky but figured we'd get used to it. The sneezing, wheezing, itchy and watery eyes however, were hard to ignore. I told the owner we were going out to get allergy medicine, even though my husband hasn't had much luck with them in the past. It was our hope that the owner would offer to give us our money back (since we'd already paid in full) and then we could go stay in a hotel that wasn't stinky or infested with cats (and there were A LOT of spiders in our room). But, no such offer was made, however, she did offer some Zyrtec. My husband took it and we waited. I begged him to let us leave and find someplace else to stay (I told him we should leave because of his allergies, but really I wanted to leave because of the spiders), but he refused to waste the money. Fortunately, the Zyrtec kicked in and his allergies were under control. So all was well, until 3 AM.


The electricity went out and you would think what's the big deal it's the middle of the night, who needs electricity. Well, the big deal was the spotlight directly above our bed that only turns on when the electric goes out. The light was BRIGHT and was shining directly on us. My husband tried to find a way to turn it off, but no such luck. It stayed on until it burnt out 2 hours later.

Great, now you could sleep, I'm sure you're thinking, but you're wrong. When the light burnt out the ticking started. It ticked and ticked and ticked really fast and loud for about 30 minutes, until the batteries ran out. Yes, then we slept. But It was now about 6 AM and we were told that breakfast was served between 7 and 9. If you can remember from a past post, I like to sleep and eating breakfast that early was out of the question. At 7 AM I went out and told them about the drama during the night and their was now no need to cook breakfast for us because we'd be sleeping.

Once we finally woke up we spent the day at Presque Isle State Park, which more than made up for the night before. We rented a paddle boat (really wasn't a great idea since it was almost 90 degrees). We also went on a boat ride out on the lake, which was the best part of the whole trip. We did manage to have a quiet weekend and despite Friday night, we enjoyed ourselves. When we checked out on Sunday, the owners of the Bed & Breakfast refunded us our money for the first night, which was TERRIFIC.

So far this week has been very busy (I've actually been working on this post for three days, I just keep getting interrupted). The kangaroo had his first day of Kindergarten yesterday and I hope to post a video this weekend, so check back on Sunday.

YEAH and BOOWHOO!

Let me start by telling everyone the Monkey was ACCEPTED! She scored really well on understanding what was being said to her but not so well on saying it. Here's an example, the reviewer asked her where the apple was and she pointed to the apple. Then when the reviewer pointed to the apple and asked her what it was called, she said "ba ba blah da nee tee kay ba zotee." It was like that with everything.

She scored 3 deviations below the norm in speech, but to be accepted she only needed to score 2 deviations below the norm.

She was also tested for behavior/social issues (mainly through questionnaires that I had to fill out), however, I don't know the score in that area. I'll find that out next week, but I'm guessing she'll score low in that area also.

So, in 2 weeks a bus will pull up to our driveway and take the Monkey to school four days per week (half day) (and there's no cost!).

This is really great news for the Monkey because she's going to get so much help over the next two years and she'll be SOOO much better off when she has to join the main stream kids. She'll work with a speech therapist two days per week and also with a child psychologist (to help her better handle social situations, be nicer to other kids while playing, listening to authority, learning to trust again, etc.)

It's great and I'm thrilled.

Now for the boowhoo. Monday was meet the teacher for the Hawk and the Kangaroo. I knew I was in trouble when I walked inside the school building and began crying. I wasn't even leaving the boys there. We were just meeting their teachers.

The Hawk found out that he gets to sit (with their desks touching) right in front of the girl he seemed to be quite found of in Kindergarten. I'm having a lot of fun teasing him about that. There are also several other children that he knows in his class.

The Kangaroo, who is going into Kindergarten, has the same teacher that the Hawk had last year, which I'm thrilled about.

Since Monday, butterflies have been going crazy in my belly. I even woke up last night thinking I may have been coming down with a stomach bug, but it was just nerves. While the Hawk absolutely drives me bonkers, I do love him. He has been home, except for a few hours in the afternoons, ever day with me for the past seven years. Now he's going to be gone from 8am-4pm. That's a long time to not see his face or hear him screech. It breaks my heart.
Also, I can't sleep in anymore. I have to have him at the bus stop by 8am, which makes it impossible for me to sleep any later than 7:30am, YIKES.

So today we got up at 7:10am, got dressed together, brushed our teeth together, and then ate our breakfast together. I then packed his lunch, took a few pictures and walked him to the bus stop, with my video camera in hand (after the Kangaroo's first day I'll post the video). It went well because it was too early in the morning for me to cry.

The kindergartens don't start until Tuesday, so the Kangaroo is still home with me. I'll let you know how that goes next week.

Now, my lunch is gone and I must get back to work. Tomorrow Dad and I are headed out for our weekend away.

Have a great weekend!

Big Week Ahead!

Lots in store for us this week.

The Monkey has her final "tryout" for preschool on Wednesday. Tryout for preschool, what? I call it a tryout, but it really isn't. Since she spent 3 years in an orphanage whose workers only spoke Spanish, she is a bit behind in areas. Her language is coming along, but she isn't speaking like a "normal" three year old would (but of course since English is new to her, it was to be expected). She is also being evaluated for behavior/social issues. She still has trouble playing with other children and she doesn't listen to authority AT ALL. She would be disruptive in a "normal" preschool class, so we are hoping she gets into the special needs school. If she does, she will work with a speech therapist and a child psychologist regularly and the teachers are trained in special education. It would just be a better fit for her than a main stream class (for now). However, since it is funded by the school district, she has to be tested and determined to be special needs. So, that's why I call it a tryout. At her first tryout the teacher couldn't even run through the test with the Monkey, which was actually a good thing because it showed she has difficulties listening to the teacher. So keep your fingers crossed for us.

The Hawk starts the first grade on Thursday. I can't believe he is going to be gone from 8AM-4PM. He seems to be excited but I am a bit nervous. Once again, keep your fingers crossed that it goes well.

Then there's the Kangaroo. He is starting kindergarten next Tuesday, but he has his assessment on Thursday. He hasn't been sleeping well the last few nights and has been fussy during the day, so I think he might be a little anxious. He says he doesn't care and maybe he doesn't, but keep your fingers crossed for him also.

The Hawk also starts soccer and baseball and the Kangaroo starts Soccer this week. We'll be busy. Then this weekend Dad and I have our big get-a-way. We are headed to Erie, PA to stay at a bed & breakfast. We've never done that before and Dad is terrified that he might have to share a TV with the other guest down in the living room, but he'll be just fine, even if he does miss a preseason football game. Yes, he is a big dumb football fan. His life revolves around football. I'm sure you'll be hearing a lot about that over the next 5 months. Go Vikings!

I'll post again on Thursday night letting you know what happens.

Quiet, but still here

Not much out of the ordinary has happened around here this week. Well, except for the sudden on-set of insomnia, my trip to the Social Security office with the monkey, and my new office assistant. I won't mention the seven stitches on my back that feel as though I have little soft critters doing their best to not sit still. Instead of my fingernails providing relief, they make it feel as though the incision is being revisiting by the scalpel.


Let's start with the insomnia. I love to sleep. You know how the experts say you need 7-8 hours of sleep per night? Not me. I function best on ten (at least).


In my "spare time" I enjoy writing (among other things that I do in an attempt to prove to myself that I can be creative). I've been working on writing a story but have actually been obsessing over it this week. Because of my "responsibilities" I can't work on my "see Amy you are creative" projects until after the animals have gone to bed. The last few nights, by the time midnight rolls around (which is way past my normal bedtime), my mind is flowing with ideas and possibilities for my story. After finally pulling myself away from my computer, making my way through the jungle and into my bed, my mind is too wound up. I've been laying in bed for hours trying to clear it enough to sleep. Next thing I know, there's that bird chirping in Dad's clock and the Hawk standing by my bed asking if he can go downstairs. I have told him time and time again to quit asking. Of course he can go downstairs. I don't care!


So begins the next day.


On Monday I finally did it. I had to. The Monkey needed a social security card in order to start preschool. God willing, she'll be attending a special needs preschool and they'll be tracking the funding through her SSN. I was forced to do it. I do a lot of things throughout the day, however the "have to's" in life, I procrastinate.


My neighbor was happy to watch the Hawk and the Kangaroo while I was gone, but she asked that I take the Monkey with me. I also had to wait until after 3 PM to go because of my work schedule. Anyhow, I hadn't fully thought through what the Social Security office was like. The only time I've been to one was 11 years ago when I went in to get my name changed on mine. With adoption papers piled on my arms, both English and Spanish versions, and Maria at my side, I walked into the office and stopped dead in my tracks. The place was filled with people and there I stood with the Monkey, yes, the Monkey. I was going to have to wait for God knows how long in a room packed with people, a room that smelled like hot, sweaty, two day old bodies, and of course, the Monkey.


I pulled my number and saw that I was 85. I had just heard them call 62. I could handle this. No sense in going back home, it would be the same tomorrow and she has to have a number. Throughout my adoption process, I came to realize the things that a lot of pregnant women take for granted. The things that I had taken for granted. While at that office I discovered another one of those things. When the boys were born all I had to do was sign a paper that the hospital nurses wouldn't let me leave with out doing. Then two weeks later, there it was in my mailbox, a social security number. No effort what so ever did I have to make in order to get those cards. Not so with an adoption, at least not an international adoption. I had to apply for one in person.


We sat down next to another woman that had her small toddler with her. This child was feasting on some delicious looking french fries. Fortunately I hadn't finished my trail mix from the weekend and it was still in my purse. I pulled it out and told the Monkey she could have it. Moments later the security gaurd came by and asked the mother of the toddler to please put the fries away. After all the sign did say no eating allowed. She pleaded with him to let her son keep eating the fries since they were keeping him occupied. The officer replied, "sorry, but no exceptions." I figured I was next, no exceptions, the Monkey was eating trail mix. But to my surprise he walked away without a mention of the Monkey's food. Guilt told me I needed to put them away, however sanity screamed "let her keep them." So Maria sat quietly for some time eating her trails mix. Sanity always trumps guilt.


Our number had been called, then we were placed on another waiting list only to find out that we had been put on the wrong list and then put on another, but in the end I was able to apply for her number and I had all the necessary documents with me.


The Monkey turned out to be well behaved, except for when she was trying to show everyone in a "revealing" way how flexible she was. Then there was the rolling around all over the floor, but all in all, very good. Thank you God. In one week that card should be sitting in my mailbox.


Now there's the issue of my new office assistant. I work for a non-profit political organization and they've allowed me to hire an assistant for the election season. Don't get me wrong, I think it is wonderful and I am very grateful for having her here (I hired my neighbor). However, twice as much work each day is getting accomplished. I'm not used to that. For years I have been working with a heavy load, which helps to motivate me and keep me going. Now my to do list gets cleared each day. I have no idea how to work outside of a high-paced, I must rush to get this done, atmosphere. I hope things start to pick up soon or else I don't know what I'll do. I'll actually have to do some filing.

Other than that, the week has been boring. The Monkey is having an angry day today so check back, you may just get a good story.

Our Weekend Away! (From what??)

Earlier in the week when I realized the first day of school was only 2 weeks away and we hadn't been on a trip as a family of five, I decided to plan an impromptu mini vacation.

So began the contemplating of where we should go..... The Hawk wanted to go to an indoor water park 5 miles from our house. The Kangaroo was hoping for any place with giant roller costars, the Monkey had no idea what a vacation was and Dad wanted to go to the Ohio State Fair. The indoor water park is about 110 degrees inside and is packed full with so many people that I feared either the Monkey would get lost or the humidity would cause irreversible damage to my hair. Unfortunately Eli is a 1/2" shy of being tall enough to get on the roller coasters he fantasizes about and come on, the Ohio State Fair. Dad has obviously never been there. Each year I tell him the Ohio State Fair is nothing but 12 variations of the egg scrambler (a ride he refuses to go on because it makes him feel so sick), really smelly horses and cows, and we can't forget, hog calling contests. That, for me, is not a good time and certainly is not "time away." My thoughts were a Chicago Cubs game or Kelly's Island, neither of which were possible.

After much deliberations, we settled on the Six Flags park, Kentucky Kingdom, in Louisville. It was only 3 1/2 hours away, the tickets were reasonable (for an amusement park at least), the Kentucky Derby is in Louisville (the Hawk likes places associated with sporting events), and Kentucky Kingdom included amusement rides and a water park. There were a few other amusement parks closer, however they support "highway robbery" and therefore weren't an option.

So, off we were to Louisville, Kentucky. The drive down went well because the Monkey slept most of the way (even though we payed dearly for that later in the evening) and the Kangaroo only asked if we were almost there every other mile. The Hawk was even quiet. I brought along his summer homework books and threatened to make him do a page if he got on my nerves.

We spent the entire day at the park on Saturday bouncing from kiddie ride to kiddie ride. Since the Good Lord skimped on growth hormones when making the Monkey, Dad and I had to take turns cramming are long legs into the rides so that she could have some fun. We also spent some time in the water park swimming in the wave pool and watching the animals play on the kiddie slides. The Monkey refused to wait her turn to go down so at one point she came down laying backwards right behind the Hawk and her head was somehow completely under water on the slide and then landed head first in two feet of water. While it was a little scary it was also kind of funny seeing her coming down that slide like she was. After she landed she got right back up laughing and started back up the stairs, but not before we told her "NO MORE BIG SLIDE" (believe or not, she listened).

Then back to the hotel we went. On our way back, we drove up and down many streets looking for some ice cream. One big difference between Louisville and our neighborhood is the number of ice cream shops. We have several within a few miles of our house, but after 30 minutes of driving and trying desperately to keep the Monkey from sleeping, we settled on root beer floats from Wendy's (not my first choice).

When we got back to our hotel the bed-time battle began for another night. As hard as it was to keep her awake in the car you would have thought she would fall right to sleep in the hotel. Dad and I were looking forward to a quiet evening watching the Olympics in bed while the animals slept peacefully next to us. Instead however, we spent the entire evening telling the Monkey to quit moving and the kangaroo to stop crying for more space. You should have seen their bed and how much space he really had compared to the other two. Just ridiculous. Once they all finally did fall asleep, long after eleven, Dad and I had had enough and went to sleep ourselves. We knew we would need a good night sleep to get through the drive home.

The Monkey screamed as loud as she could for at least two hours of the drive, the kangaroo kept crying because his face was on the receiving end of the Monkeys backhand time and time again, but the Hawk still feared that homework and kept his mouth shut. I hadn't realized how effective the threat of homework was to him.

As tired as I am from being in such close quarters with them all weekend, we really did have a lot of fun. The Monkey had her hands in the air from the time we got in line for a ride until we got off it. The Hawk said many times that we needed to stay in kiddie land since that would be best for the Monkey when really he was terrified of the "big" rides and wanted an excuse to stay away from them, and then the Kangaroo turned blue and was shaking uncontrollably after only 5 minutes in the water (since he is so skinny, he chills very quickly). Also Dad didn't have his fish tanks or PlayStation football games to distract him resulting in his undivided attention all weekend, which I always enjoy. So all in all, the weekend was a big success, even though it wasn't much of a break or "time away." Our time away will come in two weeks when Dad and I spend the weekend at John and Martha's house in Erie, PA (John & Martha are the owners of a Bed & Breakfast we're staying at in Erie).

Here are a few pictures from our day at Kentucky Kingdom.

Here is my proof that the Hawk is terrified of rides. We are only about 10 feet off the ground.

One more thing, this is what my beautiful Monkey looks like as I write this. I can't believe she's mine.

Thank you for reading! See you next time.

Meet the Herd

Hello to all our readers,

Welcome to my blog that will be filled with stories from our house.


My name is Amy and I'm a stay at home non-profit administrator mother of three. Yep, that's right, I work 30+ hours in my house with my 3 kids, or as I like to call them, my animals. My house is a toy box most days, which is currently infested with flies because the animals refuse to shut the door. You won't find many quiet moments around here either. As I write this, the kangaroo is throwing mini football players at the wall in front of me causing green grooves to form all over it. But that's okay, now Dad won't have to take the time to make up something to yell at me for tonight. I am a woman that needs excitement and commotion in order to get anything done, which makes my lifestyle just right for me. But don't get me wrong, I do dream of the day when my herd leaves the nest, I plan to sleep, get to know my husband, and vacation.



But enough about me, lets meet the herd. First we have the Hawk. I refer to him as the Hawk because he makes this annoying screeching noise anytime he wants something or when I tell him to take a bath or when Monkey stands in front of the TV and blocks his view of Drake & Josh (even though he has seen the episode 5 other times that day). He is seven years old and will be starting 1st grade in 2 weeks, yes, the house will be screech free from 8am-4pm M-F, yippee.





Second we have the Kangaroo. He likes to be called the Kangaroo because he likes to jump. He does like to jump, however I could think of better names to call him but I won't mention them here. He spends his days begging for food. This is no joke, he wants to eat all day long but you wouldn't think that if you saw him. He has really long chicken legs and he is about 5" wide. He does occasionally take a break from eating to wine, hit his sister, and make HUGE messes. He is 5 and will be starting Kindergarten in a couple weeks.





Then there is the Monkey. Lets just say this, she spent the first 33 months of her life living in an orphanage. She is very cute, however she has devil tendencies. She swings and flips from couch to couch, climbs to the top of the fridg, gives baths to small electronics, destroys my expensive makeup, sneaks out of the house, and steals every one's shoes (I caught her taking the shoes off of a manikin at the store the other day. When I caught her she threw them so she wouldn't have them in her hand. She thought she was fooling me). She can also throw the best fit in town on the grocery store floor because I won't give her the leche that I just put in the cart. We love her dearly, but she takes patience. She is 3 and will be starting preschool soon. I am sure we will have issues there since she isn't the best at playing with other children. Unless of course she gets to be in charge and the children do nothing except bring her anything she wants and call her Queen Monkey.

I truly believe that I have the best family and am incredibly blessed. However, nothing is perfect and we sure have our imperfections. Through this blog I hope to share with my readers 3 things:


1. Children are wonderful no matter how much work they are.


2. No matter how tough a day gets, it passes and a new day always brings new opportunities.


3. It is possible to have and do it all, a successful career and a happy home, family, and marriage.


Which reminds me, I haven't talked about Dad. He misses most of our adventures because he is at work all day. He often tells me that he wishes he could be a stay at home Dad, but I just laugh. He would be great at the cleaning part, the keeping up on a soap opera, and of course keeping himself in shape, however he struggles if he is home alone with all three of the animals for more than 30 seconds. He's great though and on most days he cleans the kitchen. He'll also do the laundry, although when he does it, my clothes are always stiff and smaller and you can't smell the soap.




Check back soon because I plan to blog about our most adventurous days.