Currently.

We are out of power. Nearly 24 hours. It's not the first time. It is the first time that it's been miserable. It's so hot. So so hot. 114 heat index today. "No current restoration time." I'm whining. So here's a fluff piece I borrowed from other page:

I am:
Currently Loving....the new fan Johnny bought for me "The Cyclone"
Currently Reading...nothing. I have a book coming. Of course I have dozens on my shelf....
Currently listening too...the very loud Cyclone fan, and the thunder.
Currently waiting for...the power to come back on, mom and the lady Kosares to visit, finding out if we're heading towards adoption or reunification
Currently dreaming of....my A/C to return.
Currently excited about...seeing My Steph on my birthday!
Currently overwhelmed with...the heat, the unknown, the house that won't stay clean.
Currently praying for...the power to come on, the power people working in this heat, answers to where we are headed, health for a few friends, healing.
Currently missing....quiet time.
Currently trying...stay cool.
Currently working at...catching up on housework and my book list.
Currently hoping for...my power to come on....sensing a theme here.
Currently enjoying...the fan in my face and the fact that my husband rigged the generator so at least we have fans/tv/and the internet.
Currently wearing...my favorite nightshirt.
Currently thankful for...my amazing support group both in real life and online.

THE Question

I was posting about foster care suitcases in a local trash to treasure site on facebook. It's sparked a lot of foster care question. I got an honest "But I'm so afraid I'd be heartbroken if they had to leave." It was an honest question, not the annoying "I couldn't do it, it would break my heart" I despise that one. Anyway, that's another blog. My answer to this women considering foster care was this:

We get asked that A LOT! Here's the thing. You do get attached. If you're doing it right. Loving them like they NEED to be loved. You will get your heart broken. You will cry endless tears. You will have unanswered prayers. You most likely will have to say goodbye. Hopefully the system works right and it truly is in the best interest. Two of my kids have gone home. One to grandparents and one to a Great Aunt and Uncle. They are thriving where they are. We get pictures and get to see them. Our current two are 15 months and 24 months. There is no one left to take the 24 month old, she's special needs and her teenage parents decide they want her back, so it's a whole long process. I don't know how it will end. But I can only pray it's what's best for her. Our 15 month old has been with us since 35 days old. He was placed with grandparents for two weeks and that fell apart and he's back with us. We're meeting with his bio dad and praying he wants and open adoption, but if he doesn't then, I'll have to support him because that's what's best for my boy. Thankfully I've never had to give my kids back to the parents who hurt them, other family members have stepped forward. If Ladybug leaves to her parents it will be a first for us. It's hard work, it's so rewarding. But yes, you will get your heart broke, but I trust God to knit it back together to say yes to the next child that needs us. He hasn't failed yet. :)

Pintrest Stuff.

I admit it. I am addicted to Pintrest. The recipes are amazing. The DIYs are awesome. Here's a few creations.

The apothecary jars with rocks and paint!

Aqua paint!

Penne Pasta

This isn't redone yet, but old fan.

Painted knife block, instead of ugly wood.

Inside out pizzas.

Potato soup.

Chinese Chicken.

Last Thing Link Up

My Stephie started a blog!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go to Halfway to Somewhere. Anyway she had a link up with The Life of the Wife about Last Things. It's supposed to be done on Thursday, but I just found it today and it seemed fun so here we go.

Last Thing I:

Watched:

Pretty Little Liars. I found it on Netflix and pretty much was addicted to the annoying absurdity of it. However, I preceded to watch all 22 episodes and watch the finale last night. Now to wait for July 3rd when season two starts streaming on Netflix

Ate:

Yummy. I love kid candy. The hubby brought this home for the kids we were watching last night. I loved them way more than the kids did. 

Missed:

This baby girl. I always miss both of my girls, but I haven't seen this one since March. She's hopefully coming to visit soon. Also, just take a moment to awe at that face! Oh, I love her. 

Bought:

Nothing exciting. I needed ink to print out school papers. The school board isn't going to see us coming this year. I'm prepared!

Wondered:

How in the world this weekend is going to go. I'm nervous. 

Heard:

The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About That. It's on. A Lot. He's annoying.

So there you have it. Just in case you were really really wondering the last thing I watched, ate, missed, bought, wondered, or heard. You now know. :)

There's a Line.....

There's a line in Harry Potter 7. Harry has Mundungus cornered and is demanding answers. "It felt wonderful to have something to do, someone of whom he could demand some small portion of truth." That's how I felt today. I didn't start off that way.

We keep getting calls from a recorded voice asking for someone who doesn't live here to call Vanderbilt and Associates. After ignoring it for a long time, I just wasn't in the mood this afternoon. They called right in the middle of me cutting chicken. I called them back. The man Rick Baxter who answered started off rude. I said "this person doesn't live here and I'd like my number removed." He said "did you just give them the phone?" I repeated that the person didn't live here. He said "well they put your number down as a reference and they have to remove it." I said again that the person didn't live here. He said "To repeat myself, the person who listed you has to call."

At this point he was getting really loud with me. I know this is a very sketchy agency because I had looked them up. They had over 30 complaints about illegal debt collecting. I knew he was purposely trying to get me mad to hand over some number. I number I don't even have.

I asked for a supervisor and he said "why so you can yell at him" To which I replied "Call my house again and I'll call the police and BBB." He then said he would hang up on me if I got any louder. So I did. I owe these people nothing. No one in my house does. They call all hours of day and night. I finally called to set it straight and had scare tactics used against me and was yelled at.

I don't yell at people on the phone. I've been an "associate" at a online store. I got yelled at many of times. I try hard to stay calm and know they are just doing their job. However, this man wasn't doing his job. It's illegal to keep my name on that list and he refused to let me speak to a supervisor. So I yelled. I yelled. And boy oh boy did it feel good. To be able to yell at someone. To be able to take my anger out on someone.

I know. I know. It wasn't very grace filled at all. I know. I know. But it still felt good. Besides this guy was harassing me. I called back twice once on house and once on the cell. It gets hung up on. So hopefully that means they won't call back anytime soon. 

Oh, and I did report them to the BBB.

4 Years Later

Happy Anniversary to my favorite Walkers! There are so many things I love about you two. Here we go!

I love that so many people love you that your wedding party nearly had as many people in it as attended it.

I love that you have fun like nobody's business!

I love that Jermaine's family loved and accepted Sadie as one of their own, right from the beginning!

I love the Jermaine became Sadie's father when he didn't have to be!

No matter what happens you always end up with a smile on your face!

I love that you all sacrificed to make your family successful and for our country!

I love that you brought Brooklyn Corey into this world! And in the most amazing way possible!

I love that Jermaine is the nerdiest guy I know, but a freaking genius at it!

I love that you want to save the world, and may very well do that!

I love that your creative juices make magic!

 Most of all, I love the way you love each other. The way you ask each others opinions on Instagram filters. The way you pause a show each time someone speaks. I love Jermaine flaunts his nerdiness and hides his military bad ass side. I love that Brandy flaunts her writing and hides her domesticity (ahem, homemade Alfredo and cupcakes). I love that you like new and old stuff and somehow find a balance to make a home. I love that fact that you both run late so no one can get mad at the other. I love that you drive hours to see me. I love that you fight for what you believe in. I love your creative genius and that you spend hours upon hours building it. I love you both as a couple and as parents. And as my family!

I love that this day happened and all the ones that followed! Happy Anniversary!!!!!

3rd Birthday!

Our first placement, J, is 3 today! He came to us at 12 weeks old. He had hair I didn't know how to tame. A smile a mile wide. Enough drool to fill the Grand Canyon. He was an amazingly happy baby. He learned to sit up, crawl, and stand here. He left us six weeks before his first birthday. He is doing beautifully in his forever home with his grandparents. Our first placement was wonderful and ended perfect. We get letters from his grandparents once a year with updates. I miss our Little Man, but he was a great introduction to foster care. Happy Birthday J!!!!!

9 months old.

1st Birthday!

2.5 years old!

Summer Lovin'

I am determined to make this summer a great one. Normally I do not like the heat and I'm sure come August, I will be whiny, but for now we will rock the heat! Our summer has started out with a bang! The boys took a nine mile hike with daddy over Memorial Day. I then took them to the pool in the evening to cool off.

There's also a beach area at the pool.

I just got back from North Carolina. While I am a much bigger fan of Charlotte, anywhere the Walkers want to live is a fun place to visit! However, on post housing plus one pool plus it only being opened for three hours equals mass chaos!

BK wasn't a fan of the noise

Poor kids, we got there just as they blew the whistle to break.

And summer just couldn't be summer without a little overindulgence.