Let's Go Swimming!

Yes, I'm fully aware that it is fall and the temps outside are cold, but who doesn't love swimming???
My Lil Man loves the water. So when the Harpers invited the Howells to join them at the WC Aquatic center we just couldn't resist. We had a great time!

It was cold outside ,but it was warm on the

 inside and the water was just right.

Lil Man is a stunt man too...lol

He was showing me some of his moves.

Back flipping:)

Katie & Lil "Z" enjoyed the water too.

(Sorry, no face pics of Lil Z until I get permission)

However,he is a water baby too.

He loved floating around and kicking

in the water.

The water made him sleepy...

And Hubby too:)

Thanks to the Harpers for inviting us to join them

We had a GREAT time!!!!!!!

It's been a great day

I have had a great day. I went and picked up my little Jelly Bean and Her,Jacob, Lil Z,and me rode over to my mom's. Mom was so happy to see us and especially happy to see Lil Bean. She was worried about her going home and I felt bad that I didn't take Lil Bean over to say "goodbye",before she moved home, but we learned yesterday that we will be able to continue seeing her and getting her and I am soooo very thankful for that. Thank you God!!!!!!!! And thanks to Shelbi's parents too.
Jelly Bean "Shelbi" was so happy to see us when we got there today. She just giggled when she saw Jacob. I just wonder what goes on in her little mind. When we got home with her, I put her down and she crawled right to her toys and she just played and played. So she seems to be adjusting....which makes me feel so much better. She stayed until 7:30 PM and then we took her home.
Then Ashley, Katie, Jacob, Lil Z, and me went to eat & to get groceries.
Now we are finally home, and everyone is settling in. It's been a good Saturday.
Hope yours went well too.

Update on Baby "Z"

Our newest little foster Baby "Z" is doing great!!! When he first came here, he had alot of skin and tummy issues going on ,but we've gotten those cleared up. He looks and feels soooo much better today. His little personality is starting to show and he is one happy little guy that looooooves to smile and coo. I took him for a health check at the health dept and he weighed 10 lbs and he is 23 inches long now. He is taking about 3 ozs of milk from his bottle( which is perfect). He also turned two month old on Halloween. Happy Two Months Sweet Lil "Z"!

I can't post any of his pics until I get permission from his mom, but maybe soon you will get to peep at the new lil guy on our block. He is the cutest little boy ever with the sweetest little face & smile.

He has already got us wrapped around his lil finger and we sure are enjoying having a little boy around. All our last fosters have been little girls, so we are having a blast with this little guy.

Overflowing..

I'm overflowing with joy. My phone started ringing while ago and when I checked my caller ID it was from Jelly Bean's home number. I answered it and it was her daddy. He said,"Would you like to get Shelbi this weekend for a little while?". My heart skipped a beat. I am going to get my sweet lil Bean on Saturday. I am so overflowing with joy.

Yesterday, I was so heavy hearted. I wasn't sure if I would ever see my sweet lil Bean again. She was our 17th foster child and most of the others we have never seen or heard from again. We have no idea where most of the others are and how their lives have turned out since being returned to their families.

So we know that once they go home that it's up to their parents if they continue the relationship or not. I think if we could just see our fosters (after they go home) and know that they are okay our hearts wouldn't ache so bad and we wouldn't worry so much. We do care and we do bond with each and everyone and we just can't help it..

Anyhow, I never thought one day later we would get the call saying we could come get shelbi. I'm so very excited. It feels like Christmas morning here. I am sooooo happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Sweetest Goodbye Of All

Yesterday, we said goodbye to our sweet Lil Jelly Bean.

She was returned to her family where she belongs.

It was a tough day and a very sad day for us,

but we know it's the right thing

and her family was so happy to have her back.

We were blessed to be her foster parents.

She was a joy to have and we love her

very very very much & always will.

Right before we took her home, she and Brookelyn

had their goodbye time.

I believe Lil Bean could tell things weren't the same.

It was as if they were talking about it.

(Getting a goodbye Brookelyn hug:)

When Brookelyn hugs us,she lays her head on us

and she was trying to hug Shelbi here.

It was the sweetest thing ever.

Sweet lil friends.

All packed up.

I am missing you sooooo much this first

morning without you, but I know with time

it will get better.

I hope you have the best life ever

and I hope you always feel loved and special,

because you are.

I pray our goodbye yesterday wasn't our

last, and I pray we can continue to

have a relationship with you,

but if not,

we will NEVER, EVER, EVER

forget you... I promise.

Love, Aunt Sandy

It's almost that time:(

Well,It's almost that time. Today's the big day. We should be getting the call shortly to return Little Jelly Bean to her parents. It's going to be a great day for her family,but a sad day for us. It's a day I have NOT been looking forward to at all. My tummy has been in knots and I've had no appetite at all for the last couple of days.
I know we shouldn't get so attached ,but it's so hard not to especially when you have been blessed to have an angel in your home. She has been like an angel...an almost perfect baby. That's why it is so hard to see her go.
Little Bean is still sleeping right now. She doesn't know her life is about to change today. I want to wake her up and hold her until the call comes ,but that would be selfish,so Instead I'm watching her sleep. She's so precious. She's came so far in the last nine months. She's is a miracle and she has touched so many lives.
I'm hoping they will drag the hearing out and hear her case last in court today, so hubby has time to get home to see her too. I also want him to take her home,if we can wait that long. That drive and handing them over is the hardest part of all.
Just keep Lil Bean and us in your prayers.

The World's Cutest Cheerleader

Is she cute or what?

Sweet Little Bean spent Halloween with her bio family,

but we still got a few pics of her in her

 adorable little cheerleader costume.

I haven't updated lately on sweet Lil Bean,

but she has been one busy little baby.

She has started the transition from our home

to her real home.

She will be leaving us tomorrow.

Our hearts are VERY heavy,

but we know that it's the right thing.

We done what we were asked and kept her until

she was well ,wire free & tube free.

She is a miracle and proof that TLC is the best med.

Little Bean will always hold a special place in our hearts.

She brought us tons of joy and kept us smiling.

She is by far the sweetest natured baby I've ever known.

She is 100% normal now except in size,

but she's catching up fast.

She is 9 months today and she weighs 13 pound.

She has learned to crawl on her knees this week

and she is pulling up & even trying to climb on everything.

She can say, mama,dada,and bye bye and even wave.

She has continued to amaze us & all of her doctors.

Please keep Lil Bean, her family, and us

in your prayers.

This is the part of fostering that

makes it hard,but we know that by serving

Lil Bean & her family that we also served God

and that's what's all about.

~~~~~~~

We love you Little Bean and you will

ALWAYS hold a VERY

special place in our hearts.

Love, Uncle Brent & Aunt Sandy

We Love You Jelly Bean

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Sweet Shelbi,

I hope your tears are few and fast.

I hope your dreams come true at last.

I hope you find love that goes

 on and on and on and on and on.

I hope you wish on every star.

I hope you never fall too far.

I hope this world can see
 how wonderful you are.
~~~~~

With Love,

Hallelujah Harvest Festival

The Hallelujah Harvest Festival 2010

My little Doll "Brookelyn Shae"

It was her very first Halloween

Anna, Ashley, and Brookelyn

on the train.

Jacob in the center & Amberly (my past foster on the right)

The power wheels race

(Jacob is in orange)

Jacob let Trinton (my past foster) ride on the back.

Jacob came in third

The BIG KIDS race

 (Lawn mower race)

Corey my son-in-law (he came in 2nd)

All lined up and ready to race

Off they go......

Another cute pic of my baby doll

Trunk-or-treating is fun!!!

Amberly did not know what to think about

 the hand on the candy dish:)

Amberly

Brookelyn with her other grandmother

It's time for the cake walk

Amberly in the cake walk

Trinton in the cake walk.

He won a homemade chocolate

pound cake...so yummy!

Ashley walking the cake walk with all smiles.

Just a walking....

Getting ready for the hayride

Hubby's ready:)

Off they go:)

We had an amazing turn out this year and everyone

seemed to have had a great time.

I'm already excited and ready for next year: