Sunday my hubby invited the real aunt (EM) of Baby D over as well as our good friend Tom. He also issued invitations to the kids who have in the past invited T & K to play with them. Reciprocation starts at an early age! He then made lunch to find out one the girls is allergic to hot dogs! (OOOPS)

The kids had a great time at the pool, though Baby A didn’t like the water because it was too cold. I solved that by taking her over to the small kiddie pool which felt like a hot bath and she absolutely loved it. She ran around and then fell down. Not knowing how shallow it was, and that she could just stand up, I came to the rescue even though I was less than a hand’s reach away. My legs were wrapped around her in a large circle as I provided a pool within a pool.

We all got some sun but healthy sun block sun. Not over the top like Em did last week.

The young guests were, oh I don’t know. I’ll let you be the judge:
Em pulled out sun flower seeds and the cherubs immediately clamored: ‘give me some’. What ever happened to manners, like ‘may I have some PLEASE’ or even just a ‘thank you’ after it was handed out?

Then we asked them to throw the seeds in the trash and not on the ground where people walk - including themselves. Of course Baby A tried to eat the left over seeds from the ground. Oh, joy.

When it came time to leave we asked the kids to towel off, because we like to be as dry as possible before getting in the car. My kids listened (I was in shock too) but the guests looked at us like we had the plague. I don’t know how soon it will be before we invite them with us again… Uh… never?

Today marks one of the biggest days in my family’s life. We were blessed with the legal adoption of my two older kids on this day in 2002. Tomorrow marks their baptism in 2003.

What started out as a way to assist someone in my life so they could be there for their kids turned into a life changing event in my life. With this change came giving up a job I had for 12 years and was making great money. I was never home. I worked and average of 72 hours a week. My hubby had all the late night duties and most weekends with the kids. I was missing so much. Today I thank GOD for all those changes and blessings.

Then the adventure of getting the kids baptized which really took me almost two years. Form the time I was told they would be my children I tried to plan but I hit one wall after another.

I want to write something profound here to match what I’m feeling… but the words just don’t want to come out. I feel so blessed to have the kids and I want the world to know. How do I say it without taking away from the wonderful feeling it leaves in my heart every time I write the date. And I’ve written the date at least 50 times already today and I will many more times before the day is out.