Skiing at Horseshoe

Another great day on the slopes at Horseshoe. The boys are loving it and doing great. They moved them up a level today. They can turn and slow themselves down (a good thing). They have absolutely no fear. It was such a nice day to be up there.

A Few Words from Randy

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We Are Done

Everything with the adoption is now final ... kind of anti-climatic to say the least. We thought it was going to be this big day where the four of us went to the court house and had to speak in front of a judge. As it turns out, we went to get the mail and found an envelope with two signed adoption orders in it .... Randy's was finalized on December 13th, 2005 and Paul's was done on January 6th, 2006.

For me it felt strange to think that some people somewhere had considered our relationship with the boys up until that point an interim one. They were a permanent part of us from very early on (sometimes I think maybe the connection was there before we even met them). If someone had tried to take them from us before it was finalized I would have fought them to my death.

I love the boys so much and couldn't be happier that we are now an "official" forever family.

Winter at the Cottage

We were up north on the weekend ... everything looked so nice covered in snow. We had a great time and the boys enjoyed time with Grandma and Grandpa. Happy Birthday to me :)

Twas The Night Before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas
And all through the house
People were sick
And Dad left the house

Our stockings are hung
by the Chimney with care
Filled up with presents
that we will pay for next year

The kids are all snuggled in their beds
Ya right .... dreams of suger plums will come
after midnight when they lay down their heads

Kids awake at 4:30 to see who's been here
Dads up till 2 wrapping presents and drinking beer
Tomorrow is Christmas
A great time of year.

Instead of snow storm
Its a raining tonight.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Love ... Steve, Wendy, Paul and Randy.

Sick Again

I can't believe it ... we are sick .... again! We were down in Leamington on the weekend for Wendy's family Christmas gathering. There are 13 neices and nephews on her side of the family all around the same age. The boys had a blast ... especially playing outside in the snow. I felt fine most of the weekend including Sunday night. I went to bed Sunday at my regular time and woke up early to empty the contents of my stomach ... I stayed home from work yesterday and felt terrible all day long. Last night Randy was sick too ... so far Paul and Mom are ok. I'm going to stay home again today. Hopefully I can go back to work tomorrow. I feel much better this morning than I did yesterday.

Itchy Itchy

Randy got the chicken pox ..... a week goes by .... Paul gets the chicken pox ... another week goes by ... Daddy has the chicken pox. Paul and Randy were both ok. So far I am all right but the doctor says that chicken pox can be fairly serious when you get it as an adult. I'm sure I will be ok.

Christmas Concert

Last night we went out to Paul and Randy's Christmas concert for daycare. They were both so cute and did a great job. Randy sang the Antler Hokey Pokey and Paul sang Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer -and- The 12 Days of Christmas. Paul was so tired that he almost fell asleep on stage .. it was a school day for him and no nap ..... so staying up until after 9pm was a little hard on him. After the concert we went to Tim Hortons for hot chocolate with Shawn, Tammy, Braedon and Riley.

On a whole though the evening was very stressful and bittersweet. Paul and Randy's foster parents were up visiting for a week. We saw them at our house for a quick visit on Thursday night and that seemed to go ok. We ordered pizza at home and played a few games together before the boys went to bed. We invited them back for another visit so that they could see their Christmas concert.

It was a big rush to get everyone organized and out the door. We all went out for dinner at a Chinese food buffet place and then rushed off to the school for the concert. To be honest I really didn't want the foster parents to be there at all .... its selfish I know but I resent the fact that I have to "share" them with anyone. I'm not convinced that it is in Paul and Randy's best interest to have on-going contact with them. They are going to have enough trouble understanding how at birth they were taken from their birthmother ...

I don't think they need the added burden of feeling like they were taken from their foster homes (especially since we were the ones doing the taking). Randy seemed ok with the visit (I don't think he even clearly remembers them). Paul on the otherhand had a difficult time and it tears me apart watching him struggle through it.

Busy Busy Busy

Last weekend was my sisters wedding in Waterloo. We had a great time and the boys looked fantastic in their tuxedos. Wendy and I were the MCs and the boys sang grace before dinner ... to the tune of Frère Jacques:

Bless This Food Lord, Bless This Food Lord
And us too, And us too
We are here together, Praising you Forever
Bless This Food, And us too.

Very cute ... they were a hit and so well behaved the whole time. They were even quiet in the church. Grandma thought they need a distraction to keep them quiet and she gave them rubber frogs to play with. The boys played with them alright and made "ribbit, ribbit" noises through the ceremony.

Today was the Santa Claus Parade ... sure was alot different from last year. The boys seemed to have a great time. They seems almost more excited about seeing Batman in the parade than Santa.

Ready for Snow

We had a fun day yesterday at the ski hill. We bought a family membership for downhill skiing this year and now all we need is a little snow. We picked up some ski equipment for the boys and they got to ride the chair lift with us. They seem very excited. The last picture captures Pauls first wipe out ... the first of many I'm sure.

Halloween

Took both boys out trick or treating tonight. Sure was alot different than the last 25 years or so. It was alot of fun and the boys enjoyed getting candy and a few other special treats. Randy didn't last long running from house to house ... he just ran out of steam. Paul lasted a little longer. They seemed to have fun at home handing out the candy too.

Happy Halloween Everyone

It's Early

You have probably noticed that the frequency of postings on here has dropped drastically. I just can't find the time to do it anymore (expect at quarter to six on a Friday morning). I'm getting ready for work and everyone else is still in bed. Our adoption process is almost finalized; we are just waiting for a court date to sign all the paper work with a lawyer. Everything is going good with the boys ... Paul seems to be really enjoying school and I've noticed that both Paul and Randy are changing like crazy. Randy's speach gets clearer every day it seems like and Paul is starting to be able to write his name.

I didn't get to see them last night or this morning because I had to work late and go in early today ... I miss them when I don't get to see them at night. At least the weekend is coming up. I tried to talk to Randy about adoption the other day ... I thought he understood when I told him that he and Paul were adopted. I said that it made him special and it was up to him whether or not he wanted to tell his friends or not.

The next day at daycare he told all of his classmates that his daddy told him he was a doctor.

I don't remember reading anything like that in any of the adoption preparation books?? I guess he will understand more in his own time.

After Thanksgiving

I ate too much Turkey, I ate too much corn,
I ate too much pudding and pie.
I'm stuffed up with muffins and too much stuffin'
I'm probably going to die.

I piled up my plate and I ate and I ate.But I wish I had known when to stop,
For I'm so crammed with yams, sauces, gravies, and jams
That my buttons are starting to pop!

I'm full of tomatoes and french fried potatoes My stomach is swollen and sore,
But there's still some dessert so I guess it won't hurt if I eat just a little bit more!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone

Cleaning the Couch

Welcome to parenthood .... Paul came home from daycare today and decided that it was good time to throw-up on the living room couch. He has been complaining about having a stomach ache for a few days but we thought he was ok (no fever or anything else to go with it). The good news .... after he painted our couch and carpet he said .... "I feel much better now Mommy".

He is back in the living room again but this time with a bucket :)

No picture to go with this post .... I'm sure your disapointed about that.

Fall At The Cottage

We went up north for a short visit this weekend. It was a little cold but we had a great time. We took Wendy's mother up with us and the boys seemed to enjoy having two Grandmas around. We went for a walk in the park and had a campfire in the morning by the like. We also got a chance to take the tractor out for a quick ride. Lots of fun. Hopefully no one will be too cranky.

I like being the one with the camera. I never end up in any of the pictures.

Steve

Apple Picking

We had a great weekend with the boys. We went to Applewood farms on Sunday morning to pick some apples. Randy seemed interested in picking them. Paul seemed mostly interested in eating them. We had alot of fun.

Start of School - Return To Work

Well what can I say other than RATS! Our time off with the boys is over and it is time to step back into reality with every else. Last week the boys spent their first week at day care just so they could get used to it before we start it full time tomorrow. Paul has his first introduction to Junior Kindergarten tomorrow morning. Wendy has been back to work for a week already but I don't go back until Wednesday. I am kind of suprised by how little I am looking forward to returning. Wendy seemed kind of excited about getting back to the grind but I can't say that I feel the same way. The boys were excited about doing something new too ... especially when they found out that they got to where their own back packs.

I doubt that I will be able to blog as often as I have been. Hopefully someday the boys will be able to go through this journal on their own and get a few laughs. We have sure come along way in just a few months. It seems as though everyone is happy this weekend.

Visit With Yogi Bear (and Others)

We had a very busy few days .... on Friday morning we packed up all our camping gear and our camper and headed to Jellystone Park in Amherstberg (near Windsor). We stayed three nights and had a great time with all the activities in the park.

We got to see alot of friends and family that we have not seen in a while. Wendy's brother Tim came for a visit in the park with the twin boys (Gregg and John) and Taylor. They had a great time in the pool and around the campfire.

We rented a four wheel bike and raced around the Park. Wendy and I had to do all of the peddling. It was funny when the boys would immitate us huffing and puffing as we peddled. We both need to get back to the gym.

On the way home we stopped in to see Kevin, Trish and Faith. Kevin and Trish are friends of ours from University of Waterloo days ... we have not seen them in ages and decided to drop in on our way home to see their new addition. Kevin and Trish adopted Faith from China around the same time that we adopted Paul and Randy :) Kevin, Trish and Faith all seem really happy ... lots of smiles all around. Kevin and Trish inspired me to start this blog ... check there's out at http://faithhomecoming.blogspot.com/

We also stopped in to see our friends Kevin and Rodd in Cambridge. They were having a hot tub party.

The boys are driving us a little crazy today ... they really need to catch up on their sleep after such a busy weekend.

Cycling Around Fairy Lake

We had a great time tonight walking with the boys on their bikes at Fairy Lake. I think Paul will be ready to take his training wheels off soon ... next summer for sure. It is hard to keep up with him when we are walking along. Randy is a little slower but he sure doesn't like to let older brother get too far ahead. Randy says high to everyone as we travel around.

Time At The Lake

We spent some time up at the lake with the boys over the past week. What a wonderful time. It makes me very happy to see them enjoying a place that has always been so special to me. It's sad that my grandfather is no longer around to enjoy them although somehow I think he is aware of all that is happening. I see, hear and feel him everywhere when I am up there.
Grandma managed to catch a few fish off the dock with some help from the boys. What a treat :)

We had a great time over the past week with Grandma and Grandpa up at the lake. The boys jumped off the dock about 100 times. We went canoeing together and enoyed the paddle and motor boat. Cousin Jessica and Aunt Kathy also joined us for a few days.

We were also able to spend some time with Great Grandma. It seemed like she enjoyed watching them run around so full of energy.




What a great week .... everyday I think about how lucky we are. They have been with us in person for just over four months. It is strange how it feels like they have always been with us and the rest of our family. They are really a joy to have around.

Steve