A little of this and a lot of that

Our lives have been a whirlwind lately. I have been subbing a lot at Nater Bug's school and I have really enjoyed working in the autism class. Beaded Kreations, my little side jewelry business, has been busy lately. I seem to spend my nights stringing bracelets.



Jarrett went with Madelyn's kindergarten class to the Zoo. Her favorite part was riding the school bus.

Nathan and Madelyn went to a roller skating birthday party. It was their first time to ever roller skate. Madelyn picked it up pretty quick. Nathan wanted to give up after the first time around but eventually we got him to try again.

We went to Dallas for my big sister Karen's surprise 40th bday and for my nieces first birthday. It was a fun weekend with family. Madelyn loves her aunt Liz and hardly left her side.

My bro Steve is such a goof!

Before Nathan's piano recital.

Because of all the rain the kids have had to get creative with their indoor play. They made a "Hotel for Dogs". They even had an indoor toilet for their pets. Madelyn made signs and sign in sheets.

Madelyn slept through most of the piano recital.

Nathan did a great job at his recital. We were so proud of his accomplishments. One of Nathan's physical therapist was there to watch her son and just couldn't believe that the little Nathan she used to work with was playing the piano. Next week we are off to OKC for the state competition.

Hanging out with cousins in Dallas. Don't judge me for letting Nater Bug drink Dr. Pepper. I swear he only had 3 sips.

And the best thing that has happened this past month is I have a new nephew, Cash. He is so stinkin cute!!! He is an answer to prayers!

HAPPY EASTER

We decided that this year we would plant our very first vegetable garden. Grampy came over to help us and give us his expertise. I don't think we could have done it without him. Jarrett planted onions, green beans, cucumbers and 3 different types of tomatoes. We can't wait to see everything grow! Thanks Jarrett for doing this with the kids!!

Nathan was quite the helper.

The kids learned all about soil, manure and the spacing of seeds.

Madelyn liked planting the onions and labeling the wood posts.

I got to hang out with Jakey Pooh! (My friend Traci's little boy) Is he not the cutest thing??

Madelyn had her walk a thon at school.

We went to Kennedy's Spa bday party at Classroom Corner.

Our family had our annual Easter Egstravaganza at Aunt Kim's house. Grandmama helped the kids decorate Easter cookies and Easter cookie baskets. Nathan ate the icing, Ella poured half a bottle of colored sugar per cookie, Ty had fun eating the cookies, and Madelyn, well she just did what she was suppossed to. It cracks me up to see all their different personalities.

The dads were in charge of egg dying. They were smart and had them do it outside. Ty dyed his fingers and mouth instead of his eggs. It was hillarious.

Then it was time for the egg races. Last year Nathan cried the whole time. He couldn't get his egg to stay on the spoon and he lost. Two very frustrating things for a child with aspergers. This year was a whole new story. He did great plus he won, so that helped a lot!

Then it was time for the men to race. Let me just say that there was some serious cheating going on.. I will not mention names because you know who you are. By the way, dad, I was very proud of you for paricipating this year. You certainly held your own.

Next it was time for the Easter Egg hunt. The kids had fun opening the eggs. There was some serious trading going on.

Goofy Cousins!!

Cousins and best friends!

Kim and I have the same camera and we were trying different ISO settings. We had fun taking a ton of pics but we are seriously clueless! We need to take a photograpy class.

The Easter Bunny came and he delivered! The kids each got a new swim suit and water bottles for their lunch boxes along with candy, bubbles, and a jump rope. Our Easter Bunny is very practical.

Nathan and Madelyn and Mia ready for church. Madelyn was very excited that she found a dress that came with a matching doll dress. She carried Mia all around church today. I love it!!

And the very, very, best part of this weekend was welcoming our friend Jorge home! He is still sick and is trached but he is Alive and we are overcome with Thankfulness to our Heavenly Father for that. He is truly the GREAT PHYSICIAN! We pray that he continues to get stronger everyday.

Jorge

For an update on Jorge go to Traci's blog, www.simplytraci.com Her mom is updating it as she gets news. Please pray for them. They are our friends that we went to Disney World with. Our hearts are just aching for our dear friends. I just had a second, I will write more later, I am off to take kids to school.

I'm a Winner!!

When I was going through Nathan's backpack today, this is what I found. I especially loved the last line! HEE HEE!

Tonight I went to a women's ministry event called, "Tickle Me Pink". It was a lot of fun and I won a door prize, 1 week of free tanning!! Who Hoo!! It got me thinking of how "lucky" I have been. I don't really believe in luck but instead blessings. When I was a senior in high school I won a TV at the end of the year party, then there was a trip to San Antonio that we gave to Jarrett's parents, a trip to Branson, a Brighton Necklace, a free pedicure, a $500 visa card, and now free tanning. So girls, what have you won??

Busy

The theme of my life lately: BUSY!! The week before spring break I subbed in a kindergarten class everyday. I had a lot of fun and was reminded of how much I love teaching kindergarten! But by Friday I was not feeling so hot and the kids were dropping like flies. I ended up having the flu and bronchitis just in time for Spring Break. Yuck.

While I was busy being sick, my kids were busy playing their DS's.

By the end of Spring Break we ventured over to Branson with my whole family minus my sister Karen and her kids. We rented a really cool cabin and had fun. However, I was grumpy because I was still under the weather and probably just should have stayed home. Don't get me wrong we had fun and the kids had a blast at Silver Dollar City. We couldn't stay the whole time because we had company coming. We needed to head home to disinfect our germ infested house.

Our dear, dear friends Mitch and Taffy and their 4 kids and Greyhound, Hudson , came down from Denver. They are moving back here after being gone for 9 years. We met them at our old church, Liberty and had a lot of great times together. They came during their spring break to start looking at houses. We had so much fun hanging out, staying up late, and looking at gorgeous houses. They are seriously considering moving to Owasso. I can not wait until they get here!!!! I was worried about where to sleep everyone but we just stacked the kids in Madelyn's room and had 10 people plus 2 dogs sleeping in 3 bedrooms. Nobody seemed to mind and the girls were in hog heaven! They ended up staying 5 days and seriously I wouldn't have minded if they stayed 5 more days. They are so easy and fun to have around.

We have had some big news in our house: Madelyn lost her first 2 teeth at the same time. She was actually born with those first 2 bottom teeth. I was a little sentimental about seeing them go. Her new ones have already come up. When I was putting her to bed that night we had the following conversation:

(How cute is she??)

Madelyn: "Mom is the tooth fairy real?"

Me: "What do you think?"

Madelyn: "I don't know?? Are you the tooth fairy?"

Me: (Trying not to ruin it for her) " What do you think?"

Madelyn: (starting to tear up) " I don't want a tooth witch coming into my room."

Now she is sobbing and shaking.

Me: "Oh, honey I am YOUR tooth fairy. There is no such thing as witches, don't you worry. And whatever you do, don't tell your friends there is No tooth fairy."

Nathan went to the district piano competition and scored well enough to move onto the state competition in OKC in May. He wasn't to impressed with himself that he made it, in fact he didn't want to go until we bribed him with Maggie Moo's ice cream. I am not passed bribery!

We also enjoyed the Spring snow storm! The kids loved playing out in it. Madelyn has stocked our outside freezer with snow balls so she can pound her brother with them this summer.

So there you have it. Please pray for my sweet MIL, she fell off her bike on shattered her wrist. She is having surgery tom. morning. Thanks.

Oklahoma Adoption

Hey friends, I just have a second but I want all of you to do me a favor. Check out this new blog and help us out. Just click the linky over on the side of my blog about Oklahoma adoption. Thanks!! Love ya all!

Understanding

I don't understand. I am not meant to understand. But I wish I could. Things happen in our lives that just don't make sense or seem fair. My precious little sister and her family are hurting today. Most of you know their story. They have two sweet babies that passed away shortly after birth within the last two years. They were in the process of adopting baby Tess. The past few months they have prepared for her arrival and got to know the birth family. They brought Tess home from the hospital yesterday. The birthmom changed her mind last night. As an adoptive mom, and a mom who has experienced a failed adoption first hand, I can understand the heartache she is feeling today. It is such a surreal experience. Even though you don't birth the baby literally you birth the baby in your heart. Does that make sense? When I had to give back my first daughter my heart didn't know the difference. She was mine, I loved her. I had cared for her, fed her, changed her diapers. I had a room ready for her. My arms ached for a month afterward. I experienced a literal pain in my arms. This is the risk we take when we adopt. It is an awful risk, one that you just can't prepare for. I hate that my sister is now experiencing this kind of pain, especially after everything they have been through. I am praying that God will comfort them and that His name will be glorified through this. He has a wonderful plan for their family. He loves them and loves Tess and loves her birthmom. The Lord will be the one who sees them through this devastation. We, her friends and family, are called to be His hands and His feet right now. So if you think of them, pray. Maybe drop a line of encouragement on their blog. I want her to feel so loved right now during this time where they feel "forgotten."

I finally got to the place where I could accept what happened even though I didn't understand why. I felt called to pray for my baby and pray for her birthmom. Maybe she didn't have anyone else her life to lift her up. Maybe we planted seeds in her life. We will probably never know on this side of heaven. So for now I will just go on not understanding but trusting God.

3-03-03

Happy Birthday Madelyn!! My baby girl is 6 today! I can hardly believe it, time has flown by. Madelyn has the coolest birthdate, 3-3-03 and she was born at 3 am. Pretty cool, huh?

I remember the day she was born like it was yesterday. Andrea, Madelyn's birthmom, picked us about 2 weeks before she was born. We were thrilled that Nathan would have a sibling but boy this was fast. There was a bad ice/snow storm right after we were picked so there was little time to get ready. When we went for an ultrasound they told us we were having a boy. I got my boy stuff out and ready but just in case I picked up a girl outfit and blankie from gymboree.

After church on Sunday, March 2nd I was in total nesting mode. I cleaned, did laundry, etc.. We thought the baby wasn't coming for another 2 weeks so boy was I shocked when later that evening we got "THE CALL" We happened to be in Tulsa at a Bible Study. As we were leaving our cell phone rang and it was Andrea saying that she thought she was in labor and on her way to the hospital. We quickly took Nathan to my parents (with no supplies) and ran to the hospital. Once Jarrett checked on Andrea and we determined that this was the real deal he ran home to grab the camera and pack our bags. The hospital was great and gave us our own room. He got back around midnight.

We couldn't believe how fast Andrea was progressing. She went through labor with no drugs!! She was amazing. After a couple of pushes the baby was out and boy were we shocked when we didn't see any boy parts!! I started balling!!! I was so happy to have a little girl! What an answer to our prayers, a healthy baby girl.

Madelyn weighed 6 pounds 11 ounces and was 18 inches.

She had to go to the NICU for a couple of hours for her to be monitored because of some meconim. But by mid morning she was in our room and we were lovin all over her. She was a beautiful baby! She even had her first 2 bottom teeth.

Today those sweet baby teeth are wiggly and probably going to come out soon.

By Tuesday afternoon we were home with our precious baby girl. She had terrible colic, if that is what you call crying everyday, all day. It started at 2 weeks old and lasted until she was 1 1/2 years old. SERIOUSLY! I had to carry her in my baby bjorn all day for her to settle down. Everyone would try to comfort her but they couldn't. I was the only one she wanted. One day a lady came and prayed over and her and she stopped. She was happy! Total miracle.

She brings so much joy to our lives and life to our home. When she is gone our house is so quiet. Madelyn has such a sweet spirit and is always complimenting and encouraging people. She is an amazing sister to Nathan. She is a girly girl! But she can also keep up with the boys.

Happy Birthday Baby Cakes!

WHATZ UP??

Well, we are finally well here at the Short home, two of us are still on antibiotics but feeling much better.

I have entered a new phase in life, working mom. I started substitute teaching a couple of weeks ago with the intention of doing it 2 days a week. Instead I have been doing it everyday. This week is already booked solid as well as 3 days next week. I love it but I am having a hard time balancing everything else that I take care of at home. Jarrett has been amazing and really stepped up to the plate. He has been such a big help to me! I also have been blessed with some great friends that have helped me by picking up the kids from school. I am so not used to having to ask for help. The kids are at different schools so sometimes that makes pick up hard when I am not subbing at either of their schools. This week I am subbing in special ed all week. 3 days in the autistic class and 2 in the MR class. I have really enjoyed special ed but do not think I could teach it full time. We are praying about me going back to teaching full time next year. I never ever thought I would go back. I sold all my stuff. But I did keep up my certification, just in case.

This change is exciting and sad. I am sad that my babies aren't babies anymore. I loved being home with them all day, every day. I am such a homebody so this season really suited me. I really can't believe that part of my life is over. So, it is time to move on and find joy in this new season. It is exciting because my babies are getting bigger and growing into such great people. They are fun to be around and we can do all sorts of things that we couldn't when they were younger. It's exciting because I am getting a paycheck for the first time in 8 years!! There is something rewarding about that. (trust me, it has nothing to do with the amount, because it ain't much) LOL. . Subbing is great for me because I have none of the extra responsibilites that just wore me out in the past, I just get to do what I love, teach! I am learning how to balance everything and learning to let certain things go. So we will see where God leads me as far as a job goes, I want to serve my family only in the way HE wants me to.

When we moved into our house when Nathan was one we used the formal dining room as a play room. We would jokingly call it the formal playroom. It was filled with all his sweet baby toys. We would spend hours everyday in there playing and reading. He learned how to walk in there. I would spend hours in the middle of the night in there with Madelyn when she was a newborn and had her days and nights mixed up. We hosted playgroups in that room. Over the years the toys changed but it continued to be the favorite hangout room for the kids and their friends. Then when we were homeschooling we turned it into a school room. We ripped the carpet out, laid wood, then we could do art and science experiements without having to worry about spills. It was such a great school room. So much was learned and discovered in there. The last few months it has sat empty. I cleared out all of the school stuff and pretty much just left Madelyn's gymnastic mat in there. Ok, I am a dork, I am crying. That room has changed with each season our lives. Today it was painted. The holes patched, the crayon marks coverd, but the memories remain. Today dining room furniture was placed in it. Today formal china was unpacked after 12 years of sitting in their original boxes. Today crystal was carefully placed in a beautiful hutch. Today I have a grown up room that is begging to be decorated. I am blessed. All my pics of baby days are pre-digital camera...

PS I am a deal seeking kind of momma, and boy did we get a deal on this furniture. A lady from Jarrett's office was selling it. It came with a table with 2 extensions, a full set of pads , 6 chairs, and the hutch. They don't have children so it looks brand spanking new. So now I am need of ideas for a rug, drapes and accessories. We are also adding trim to the white part to make it look like faux wainscoating and we will eventually recover the chairs with a more kid friendly fabric. I would love to hear your ideas!!