It's Been a Year...

One year ago this past week we found out that LG would be joining our family.  And one year ago this coming week, she moved into our house.  In so many ways, it feels as if she's been here forever.  This has truly been a year of transitions for all of us...DS 1 transitioned to UF and is now home.  DS 2 transitioned to UF and is now in Tampa.  DS 3 transitioned to 11th grade and has begun driving.  DS 4 transitioned to Middle School and is starting to acclimate there.  LG has spent the year navigating her way through our family and learning how to balance her bio-family with her adopted family.

As LG and I discussed the fact that it's been a year since her transition, she said "Wow, it doesn't seem like it!"  I agree!

I Can't Remember When...

I've had a day recently where I did absolutely nothing.  Today was pretty darn close, though.  I slept in late...stayed in my PJs until almost noon.

I took a little trip out with DS 3 to find a toy story costume for Homecoming..  Hooray!  We found a dinosaur costume for an adult!

DS 1, DH and LG went to a gun show in a nearby town.

DS 4 played with his friends and got in some video game time.

I came home and learned how to "Glog"...which is kind of like presentations and blogs blended together for educators.  It took most of the day, but I do have a semi-finished product that I want to use this week with teachers at my school.

Anyway, it's been a lazy Saturday...and I've enjoyed it immensely!

I'm so excited that tomorrow I'll get to see my brother Dan and his girlfriend, Beth.  Dan just moved to KY to be closer to her.  They are coming to FL with her two little girls for fall break.  It'll be fun to visit a bit.

Reflections on LAST Friday...

LG's 9th birthday was a week ago last Wednesday.  We decided to throw a "Pretty in Pink" party for her.  This included dress up, make up, nails, and a sleepover (which I left optional).  It was a BLAST!

I visited our local Goodwill store to create this dress up box:

The night before the party, we prepared our treat bags and our make up station.  I begged my friend Sandy to come help primp and do the "girlie thing".  DS 2's GF and two girls from my school also  came.  It was nothing less than PERFECT!

Here are the bags we found at IKEA:

And here is LG prepping them with stuff.  We found "Fancy Nancy" stuff at the Target dollar section and used that to make up our treat bags.  Each girl got a diary, body spray, lip gloss, and other goodies we found elsewhere.

When Friday night arrived, we KICKED the boys out.  LG was thrilled that it was "girls only" and the party  began:

 Sandy brought the Karaoke machine AND a "hair streaker" kit.  The girls were able to get a colored stripe in their hair a la Hannah Montana!  Dress up was absolutely HYSTERICAL!  The girls threw together some amazing and wild outfits.  And I'm telling ya' I intend to keep that box until I have grandchildren and they can play in it. It's obvious to me that there are hours of fun right there.  And the imagination and creativity was PRICELESS!

Here is my niece, K, with her "movie star" look on.  You can see the girls digging in behind her.

And look at the outfits these girls came up with!  Each girl modeled for me and I took their picture against the pink backdrop.   Later in the evening they decorated these frames (again from Ikea).  DSs 2 and 4 went to the photo shop to pick up prints and every girl left with a photo of themselves dressed up and in the frame.  It was PERFECT!  Here's the whole crowd including DS 2's girlfriend wearing our Cinderella dress!

LG said she had never had a "real birthday party" before where you get to invite friends.  I have to tell you, it was the greatest joy to watch her enjoying her friends and knowing that she was able to be the young lady God intended her to be on this special night.

Happy birthday (again) LG!  I love you!