I have been blessed.

I can't count the number of times I've thought over the past few months how lucky I am. I know I've blogged about this before but I feel that unless I'm screaming it from the rooftops, I just can't convey how happy and fortunate I feel I am. Jarrett and I have waited a very long time to have a family and someday I'll share the story of what "that time" in our life was like, but it would be fair to say that it always felt like something was missing.


Jarrett and I love each other very much and seem to grow closer and closer with each passing day, but I think if you were to ask us if our lives were complete prior to April 29, 2010 (the day we found out we were selected to be parents for Gabriel and Michael), our answer would have been no. I've long to have children and a family for many many years and in the last few years I'm confident Jarrett's desire matched mine.


That waiting time was hard, very hard and sometimes we wondered if God would ever bless us with children. I think you find yourself second guessing what your purpose is in life. I always thought I was supposed to be a mom, but maybe God thought I was suppose to be something else. I'm so thankful to be able to put those thoughts, scratch that, actually you could call them fears behind me.


I'm so happy to be able to say that I've found my purpose in life. That purpose is not defined by my title at work, the size of my house, or the car I drive. My purpose is to be a mom and the best mom I can be to these two little boys.


Five years ago on Friday my grandma Virginia passed away and I will always morn the fact that she didn't get to see my children. My grandma was a wonderful mother and grandmother and I was blessed to be very close to both her and my grandpa. Grandma Virigina was an avid doll collector, I'm not sure how many dolls she had but as a little girl growing up, I loved going to her house to see the walls and walls of glass hutches filled with beautiful, porcelain dolls. For a little girl it was a dream house. The Christmas before she passed away Grandma gave me a gift that I will always cherish... it was a baby doll, one of the dolls she had collected and saved for me. When I opened the carefully wrapped package to see a porcelain baby doll dressed in a light pink-laced dress, I looked up to see that she had come across the room and said, "Maybe some day soon Doll (that is what she'd always call me) you'll have a baby that you can start collecting dolls for." I've always remembered what she said and prayed for the day when I could fulfill her (and my dream).


Although Gabriel and Michael aren't into dolls, I do feel in some strange way, that I'm fulfilling our dreams. My grandmother was a very religious person and for God to have blessed us with Gabriel and Michael (God's two archangels), I find peace in somehow thinking she's watching down on us smiling.



Thank you God for bringing us these two little boys. They are more perfect than I dream and prayed for. So today, as we spend a family day together, I just want to shout from the mountain tops, "Thank you God! I have been so blessed."



Our little boy is learning how to write his name... when he came to our house he didn't know a single letter. I'm so proud of him.







Michael, loves his milk and yogurt!

















My little cup-cake decorators... work in progress!

The finished products!







Until next time,
Angie

So much fun...Wobble Gobbles and all!

Today was a big day for the boys. For the past two weeks they have gotten to wake up, scarf down a bowl of cereal and then partake in what has become one of their favorite activities.... swimming.

Today was the last day of swimming lessons. When the boys came to us, swimming was almost like a foreign object to them. Their foster family has a swimming pool but when we saw it, it didn't have water in it and in asking the boys we soon learned that their idea of swimming was splish splashing around in one of those plastic pools you can buy at Target. With Jarrett and I both swimming fans, we couldn't wait to introduce them to the pool.

Gabriel, having more of a cautious and reserved personality was at first a little afraid and scared. On his first trip he wore his life jacket, two arm floaties and carried a water noodle while he tip-toed into the first two steps of the pool. His brother Michael on the other hand, responded in the complete opposite manner. Although we made him wear a life jacket, Michael approached the water full speed ahead and did a face flop (similar to the belly flop only where you plant your face into the water in the same manner as you would you belly in the other type of flop) into the deepest part of the pool. He showed no fear. As you can imagine Jarrett and I realized signing them up for swimming lessons was a top priority.

Throughout this summer, since I've been blessed to be a home for the majority of it, we've spent a lot of time in the pool practicing how to bob our heads, blow bubbles and how to kick our feet. Although I feel like we've seen their swimming skills grow significantly, taking them to swimming lessons has been amazing.

In their first few days in the "Shrimp" class they learned how to swim underwater to retrieve items, how to do the crawl stroke and how to roll from their back to their stomach to begin swimming. It has been wonderful to watch their confidence and ability to move throughout the water grow. The fear Gabriel possessed has turned into a controlled and low level of concern as he now knows what to do in situations that used to make him afraid. And Michael I think he is starting to learn that he needs to have some fear of the water and that he does not have gills. Seriously, for a while there I think he thought he could be Nemo. Last week he told me, "Mommy, I can't breathe under water." Yes Michael that is why you have to wait until we can catch you before you jump

Today as the boys received their first report card and got all passing marks, I felt proud that their progress was apparent not only to Jarrett and I, but also to their favorite swimming teacher Melanie. Shrimp class complete, next step... ducks.

Until next time,



Angie

PS: And if you are wondering what Wobble Gobbles are... they are those things that Michael is wearing on his face in the first picture. We've told the boys a few time they are called water goggles, but they insist and correct us by saying, "No mom, they're called Woggle Gobbles."

Googoo for Gaga

Last Friday morning when I was folding the 3rd of my now 5th load of daily laundry, I had the Today show on to watch their summer concert series. I normally don't pay too much attention to the show after Ann Curry does her normal 7:10 a.m. news brief. It seems after 7:10 our morning flys by, but last Friday I had decided to tune in for extra time because Lady Gaga was going to be performing. The boys seemed to be happy entertaining themselves with their awesome Buzz Lightyear toys (thanks Kathy), so I thought I might finally get the chance to see a few more minutes of the show.

Now, I'm not that much of a Lady Gaga fan but I do have to say she is intriguing... if it isn't her music I'm tuning in for, it is for those crazy outfits. Every time I see her, her outfit seems even more outrageous than the time before. When I heard she was going to be on the Today Show I thought to myself, wow, she is really going to have to tame down her look. And thus, I continued to fold clothes and watch for her to take the stage.

Just as it seem with any show I try to catch these days, something else becomes a higher priority and on this day, the higher priority was the buzzer from the washing machine telling me my next load of clothes was ready to be switched out. As I quickly tried to move the white clothes from the washer to the dryer, I could hear in the other room that the Today Show had come back on and that Ms. Gaga was singing her famous "Bad Romance" song. As I raced back to my bedroom, expecting to just see the TV, I was instead surprised to see this...

Michael had climbed all the way up onto our high bed and was perched at the end, watching with googly eyes as Ms. Gaga sprawled out on a piano and sang her heart out.

It was too funny and it caught me off guard to even know exactly how to respond. He was completely enthralled with her. As soon as the song was over he said, "Mommy she's naughty... we don't crawl on pianos and we don't put our feet on a piano, right mom!" That is correct Michael, maybe we should go play now okay? Mommy, I want to watch her... Mommy what is her name? Lady Gaga.... oh I like Lady Gaga even though she is naughty, she sings pretty.

And thanks to the Today Show, Ms Gaga has a new fan that has gone googoo for her. Thanks Lady Gaga, I now have to explain every morning that it is naughty to crawl on pianos but it is only okay if Lady Gaga does it.

Until next time,

Angie

Mom, I want to adopt you.

Since I've been home with the boys I've discovered a show on the Discovery Health channel that like I like to watch while I clean up the house, fold laundry, wash dishes and while the boys are napping. Today though, our schedule was a little changed around since Gabriel has a dentist appointment. So while I was cleaning up lunch and while the boys were playing with a few toys, I had on the TV on to watch "An Adoption Story." I guess you could say this show really strikes a cord with me. The stories always seem to get me, and today when the adoptive mom finally got to meet her adoptive son, tears came to my eyes because I knew just how happy she was at that very moment. Not realizing that Michael had tuned into the show as well, he suddenly asked, "Mom, what is she doing?" I replied, "Michael she is adopting that little boy. Just like we are adopting you and Gabriel. Do you know what adoption means?" He smiled and said, "No" and thus started a conversation that I've been wondering about for a while now.

I said, Michael, adoption means that we get to give you our last name and then you get to stay with us forever and ever.
His smile growing wider, he screamed, "FOREVER AND EVER MOMMY?"
"Yes Michael forever!"
"Mommy, can I adopt you?"
Pausing a moment to try and figure out how to answer that one I decided that yes he could adopt me. "Yes, honey you can adopt me too"
What about Daddy, can we adopt him?
"Of course Michael."
At this point, we had also caught Gabriel's attention who was in the bathroom taking care of some business, when he shouted, "Mom, come here... I want to be adopted."
As the conversation transitioned to the bathroom, both of them became passionate about the idea being adopted. I proceeded to tell them about what we get to look forward to in November when our adoptive is finalized.

Gabriel and Michael in November, we get to have a very special day where we go to the court, you know, the place where Daddy sometimes goes to work, and we get to sit in front of a judge. The judge, with the big black robe, will ask you what your name is and you can reply..." pausing to let the boys respond.
" Michael Haskovec (which at this point sounds more like Hassoeck) and Gabriel Haskovec"
"That is right boys, and then you know what he'll say?..."
"He'll say congratulations then, that means you get to stay with Mommy and Daddy forever!"
At which point both of the boys screamed "Yea!!!!!!!!"
Michael then asked, "And that means we never have to go back to Sally (foster mom's) place again?"
That is correct Michael, we can always visit with them and go see them but that means you will always get to stay with us.
Again shouts of happiness and approval rained throughout our tiny bathroom.
Gabriel then asked, "Mom, do Michael and I get to adopt you and Daddy on that day too"
"Absolutely honey, we'll all adopt each other and that means we will become our own forever family"
And then as if we had finished reading one of the boy's Disney books, that always ends with, and they lived happily ever after, Michael smiled and said, "The End!"

Until next time,
Angie

PS: I want to mention that the boy's foster mom/family are truly wonderful people. Even though Michael mentioned he didn't want to go back there, I want to be clear, that they are truly amazing people who love these little boys with their whole hearts. Jarrett and I couldn't be more appreciative for what they did to help raise Gabriel and Michael. Everyday, I count my blessings that they were with them, because they did an amazing job caring for, loving and guiding them. I think Gabriel and Michael say they don't want to go back not because they don't like them, but only because they seem so desperate to have a forever home with a Mommy and Daddy they never have to leave.

Is it too soon to be girl crazy?

Today I decided to take the boys to get a haircut. Now they've already had two haircuts since they've been with us. The first one thankfully was given by my mom and they looked so nice. Then, before we went back to Iowa I decided to try my hand at giving them a cut. That is where I made the mistake. Granted, no one back in Iowa said anything about how uneven or choppy their hair looked, I think everyone was trying to be kind. But, every night, when I give them a bath and comb their hair it makes me crazy because I can tell just how bad of a job I did. So today, I decided to fix that.

After meeting Uncle Jonas last week, the boys have become obsessed. They want to do anything and everything to be like Uncle Jonas. They wear fire boots around the house almost 13 of the 14 hours of the day they are awake, they pretend to drive big cranes, fight fires and flex their muscles to try and be just like him. I should have come to expect it, but today, when I was driving them to get their haircut I said, "Now boys, how do you want to have your hair cut?" To which the immediate shout was, "Just like Uncle Jonas!" With such a firm answer I couldn't help but try and fulfill their wish. I did my best to describe to the stylist what to do, but basically I told them to cut it short and even (the keyword) and then in the front to gel and spike it.

Remembering how well the boys sat for their previous 2 haircuts, I was a little nervous this experience could go south at any moment. To my surprise Michael and Gabriel climbed right up in the chair and with their superman and batman capes they each sat very still. It was so cute to watch. As each stylist cut their hairs shorter, the smiles on their faces grew bigger. It was obvious that it wasn't just their mom that thought they looked pretty cool. In fact as we were walking out the store Gabriel said to me, "Mom, do you think Ava would like my haircut?"

Here's a little background on that... when we were in Iowa and went to the farm the boys were able to meet my cousin Eric's little girls. He has three adorable little girls. The oldest, Ava is Gabriel's age and his youngest, twins Kelly and Jordan are Michael's age. From the moment the boys met the girls I think they developed a crush. The entire time we were back in Iowa they asked about the girls. They wondered if they were playing outside or if they were taking a nap. They asked to have them come over and play and they asked if they could have them to our house in Arizona to go swimming with them. Gabriel would talk about how him and Ava are alike because they are the same age, they have the same color hair and they have a matching tooth. In his mind he is convinced that they were just simply made for each other.

So when Gabriel asked me if I thought Ava would like his haircut, I couldn't help but smile and laugh on the inside, that my little 4-year-old was already thinking about what girls would think of how he looked. I of course answered right away, "Oh yes Gabriel I think she would really like it, I think she'd say you look very handsome." At which he said, "Mom, do you think she'd want to give me a kiss on the cheek? Laughing now out loud I said, "Maybe honey but mom sure thinks you look kissably cute" and then I kissed him.

As we got into the car, the boys then decided to start listing off all of the girls they've met that might like their new look. The conversation (if you could call it that) went something like this,

Michael: "Mom do you think Kat would think I look pretty?

With no time for me to answer Gabriel said "Mom, would Chloe like my haircut?"

Michael: "Mom, would Jordan and Kelly kiss my cheek?"

Gabriel: "Oh Mom, I know, Kathy would like my haircut wouldn't she?"

And the list of pretty girls kept going on and on and on.

I've been told to watch out when the boys become girl crazy. I had no idea I'd have to prepare myself for when they were 3 and 4. I thought I could at least wait until they were 13 and 14.

As long as it is all innocent fun, I'm okay with it. So without further ado, here's the newest look of my little boys, Gabriel and Michael (sporting their new Uncle Jonas haircut). You might notice the more photos I took, the more they tried to work the camera.

So here you go girls, these shots are for you!

And Last but not least, here's one flexing their muscles. Thanks Uncle Jonas for showing them this one!

Until next time,

Angie

Iowa Vacation Pt 2

One day we went biking as a family and here is a shot of Grandpa Chip and Gabriel with the dam in the background. We were so proud of Gabriel that day, he rode about 8 miles that afternoon. We joked saying he almost rode the training wheels right off of his bike.
Another one of Grandma toys the boys found, were the Halloween masks. It was so cute seeing them run all over the house showing off just how funny they looked.

Here's a photo of Michael on our "fishing trip." He enjoyed spending the entire afternoon bonding with the worms. Even though it looks like he's just about to take a bite, we made sure he knew NOT to put them anywhere near his mouth.

Here's Granpda Chip and Gabriel showing off their large mouth bass. Gabriel was quite the fisherman that day.

A view of the lake at my Grandpa Rays house. It is such a peaceful and beautiful place. If you remember the saying "Is this Heaven? No, its Iowa." The views from my grandpa's place sure reminds me of that saying.

Great Grandpa Ray showing Gabriel a big truck. It was so much fun introducing the boys to their new family. I have a very proud 85 year old Grandpa who smilied more than I've seen in a long time. I think he fell in love at first sight too.

Another shot of Uncle Jonas, Gabriel and Michael with their fire pants on. It was such a highlight for the boys to experience what Uncle Jonas does when he's responding to emergencies. Were all proud of him and his service to help others.

My Anut Donna, Uncle Rick, Cousins Eric, Stephanie, Tyler and Sarah along with their kids invited us to the farm to give the boys a new experience with all of the animals. Although Gabriel and Michael loved the cows, the horses and the calves, another highlight was this Power Wheels Jeep, which they took turns riding on until they ran it out of "grass" (as Michael says).

In this photo Gabriel is getting an up close and personal experience in milking a cow. Thankfully cousin Eric volunteered to show him how its done.

IOWA!!!! A quick photo recap.

Uncle Jonas on his motorcycle... we didn't let them drive it but they loved sitting on it!

Uncle Jonas the firefighter gave the boys a tour of the fire station. The boys LOVED trying on all of the gear and they are now all about being a firefighter.

The first thing the boys said as they looked out the window over Iowa was, "Mom look at all the places we can play in the grass". Here is a shot of the boys enjoying a walk around the lake at my Grandpa Rays house.

Since we were in Iowa we of course had to visit the farm. Michael's favorite part was letting the baby calves suck on his fingers. He thought it tickled.

We went to see Toy Story 3 in 3D while we were in Iowa. Here's a shot of my family just before we entered the theater.