It's official...

We are verified foster parents!!!! I (finally) got the phone call this afternoon, and after talking through a few details, we decided to be put on the list August 8th. He said that because of the county we live in, we might get a placement that day...or at least a call about one. We don't have to take each call we get, but I just can't imagine saying no to a child who needs a home! Our vacation coming up is looking better and better... he told us to get some good rest! I think we're going to need it!!!

A visit from Annalise!

Annalise was in town this past week, and we had a great time together. We did all of her favorite things... but unfortunately, I didn't get very many pictures! We went to lunch with one of her friends, swam at the pool, and had a great time at the museum.

Who needs a couch when everyone can fit in one chair???

Our sweet neighbor had to endure girly movies!

Bubbles at the Museum of Nature and Science

Firefighters to the rescue!

Precious picture of the firewomen!

Milking the cow at the children's museum

My mom also came for the week, and she took Harper with her to Little Rock today! I've already enjoyed a pedicure and I just might go to a movie tomorrow! I've always made fun of people who would go alone, but now it sounds like the best idea ever!!! I do miss her, but I know she's having a great time!

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We'll do...

Just about anything for free food! We look forward to Cow Appreciation Day every year around here!!!






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Such a big girl!!!

This picture may not look like there's anything out of the ordinary going on... but you're wrong! Our sweet girl has the cutest pair of Dora panties on under that dress, instead of a diaper! That's right...we're potty training! We started on Tuesday and she is doing SO well. We stayed home the first two days, but today we went to lunch and she told me twice that she had to go! Honestly, we haven't done anything special... I just think she was ready. She wears panties all day and a pull-up at nap and bed time (I have no interest in changing sheets at 3am!) It also helps that her best friend has been potty trained for a few months now! She regularly mentions that she's "like Saylor". I thought I would have to remind her throughout the day, but she just says "I need to go potty", and we head on into the bathroom. She has gotten a few treats this week for doing so well, but I haven't been giving her something each time she goes. Different techniques work for different kids, and I thought I'd try it without a reward first, and it's worked for us. But I'm definitely not afraid to have M&M's sitting on the bathroom counter for motivation if we take steps back! But hopefully that won't really happen.

She's only had 2 times where she full on peed all over the floor (and one of those was my fault! I didn't hear her call for me!). The biggest thing I have worried about has been her problem with constipation. It's been happening on and off since February, so I thought that might become an issue again. Well, I was wrong! She has told me every time when she needs to poop! (Yes, I realize this is TMI for most people... but it's out scrapbook!). I think that it's easier for her to do it while sitting, rather than standing and doing it in her diaper. We've had plenty of "false alarms", but most of them consist of her passing gas and then saying "I did it!"... so I guess she will now do that in the toilet too!

Now, I realize that we are only 3 days in, so she will probably regress and will have plenty more accidents! I just wanted to share about our little journey so far!

Swim Lessons

For the last 2 weeks, Harper has had her swim lessons in the evenings. We did them at the pool we belong to, and she had such a great time. She was pretty timid about the pool at the beginning of the summer, but now she is like a little fish! She learned how to float (we still had a couple fingers on her back), became okay with going under water, and can kick like a champ now! Her teachers were really sweet, and it wasn't too structured, so we were able to have fun with her too.

Listening to her teachers as they explain that day's skill

Floating with Dadda

Going under water

Kicking to the wall with "Super Grover" arms!

Harper with her teachers on the last day!

Our Foster Care update...

Our home study was this morning, and it was actually much easier than I thought it would be. I had a dream last night that Harper slept in and I hadn't set an alarm, so we all woke up 30 minutes before the home study was supposed to begin. And then the lady showed up early, and yelled at me for not being more organized and setting an alarm. So needless to say, it stressed me out a little this morning! But she was SO great! We were told it would last from 4-6 hours, but ours only lasted 3 hours and 20 minutes! She just asked us a lot of questions about ourselves! She also did all of the house checklists, and we don't have to change or update anything! My preparation for this definitely paid off! Her plan is to have it written up by Wednesday, and I think there is a goal to be verified by mid July. So that means I need to get working on painting the furniture for the room! And while we were talking for 3 hours, Harper went to lunch and played with some of our favorite people from church, Jen and Jayci!!! Harper is obsessed with them, and I certainly hope she grows up to be just like them!!! They are such a blessing to us!

They sent me this picture on the way to lunch!

They said she insisted on wearing them upside down!

More pictures of Lucy!

I realized I had a lot more pictures of Harper and Lucy on my phone. Enjoy!


















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