Some updates

I am working on an updated banner, and even playing with the idea of changing some color schemes on my blog, but I thought I would at least pop in and say hi and let you all in on the latest!

Court went really well on Monday. We went in, all the lawyers said their pieces, the judge made sure we aren't hardened criminals, and then he sent Jessica home with us for the initial five week visit. We return to court next month to finalize custody, and then she is all ours! We were all just really excited as we piled into the car and made arrangements to pick her stuff up, and then it hit me just how real this finally is. Jessica was coming home... so my eyes got all teary and I had to grab some tissue and dry up the waterworks. I can't tell you, though, just what it meant to finally get to bring her home. Ten years later, and she is sleeping in her bed, eating meals with her family, playing with her siblings, and spending hours and hours just talking with us. It overwhelms me still. The kids are loving having her home, and it has been a very smooth transition so far. She got all unpacked and filled her drawers, boxes, and shelves with her goodies and clothes, hung her stuff up on her walls, and took over the counters in the bathroom...which is perfect, because more than anything we wanted her to feel at home here.

Matt has been a youth leader for the cubscout camp this week and has really enjoyed it. He is killing me... seriously... all week all he can talk about is how he is growing his mustache. He doesn't want to cut his hair at all, so he looks like a Chia pet again. He is sprouting up, and thinning out, so nothing fits him. And he has a crush the size of Texas on a girl who isn't the least bit interested, but that hasn't deterred him at all. This teenage boy stuff is harder than I thought (and a lot funnier) it would be!

I took the kids to play in the park yesterday, and I was bitten by some nasty spider. I didn't actually see the culprit, who would have died if I had caught him, so I can't give a positive ID. I went to the ER today because it is very swollen, tender, and hot to the touch. (looks like someone planted a red-hot golf ball above my elbow.) The doctor gave me a shot of steroids to keep the swelling at bay, and started me on a course of antibiotics. The primary suspect is a brown recluse, but it could also be a severe allergic reaction to a bite, and I like the second option much better. I am allergic to a lot of other things, so I am jsut shooting for that option at that point. If the swelling doesn't subside by tomorrow I will go back. See, Mom, sometimes I am good and I do what the doctors tell me to do. I let them give me a shot in the hip, and although Kyle thought it was incredibly funny that he had to turn around while Mom "got shot in the butt" I was feeling a bit hesitant about the whole process! It is such an undignified way to receive medical care.

Tomorrow we have errands to run, and a very important skirt to go buy. Jessica has been wanting a gypsy type skirt like Faith loves to wear, and in my book a girl who wants a pretty skirt to dress up in should have one. The movie rental place has free rentals this weekend too, so we are going to take advantage of that offer while we are in town. Tonight I made a couple of beaded pieces, and tomorrow the girls and I are going to work together to make more... and you know what.... I just can't wait.

Take care, and I will be back soon. Hope you are enjoying the weekend as much as I am! Mom... I miss you... please come visit soon!