A budget?!

Yup! Nicole is going to try to do a budget. I want to know what is coming in and going out. I know we eat out far too much and I know there are times where our bills go out late. Like this month. This month I have to pay quarterly taxes, which sucks. So that means some bills get put to the way-side to pay the taxes. But I *KNOW* we make enough to not have to do that, so where does it all go? That is the magic question. We don't go on lavish trips, we don't spend tons on shopping or going out (infact Floyd and I havent gone out alone, but once since Camden was born)and we don't buy huge ticket items. Unfotunatly it seems the "little" things add up. Those trips to Target or Safeway, the 10 o'clock ice cream run, etc.

SO my good friend Michelle sent me this link to an online budgeting system. It seems like a great program, though I have not used it much. It offers you a 30 day free trial period and afterwards it is $3.00 per month (I need to remember to add THAT into my budget). I know a lot of people use Excel or Quicken but I don't have either and this is online so I could do it from anywhere internet (and a computer) is available which is nice.

Say a prayer I...I mean "we" do well with this! We need an intervention

Just a few radical randoms of Camden....

What Camden discovered!

Camden has been discovering a lot of new things lately. His hands is the biggest thing he has found. He chews on them, sucks on them, raises them over his head and talks to them, he watches his fingers flex and again he sucks on them, a ton! The other day I stuck him in the bumbo. He was sitting there starring so hard downward. His expressions are so sweet. It might be hard to see what he discovered on himself.







He discovered his SHOES!! Once he figured out he could reach his feet he was jabbering away again...to his shoes. Crazy kid!

A talking Camden

So Camden is quite a talker these days. He has always been a verbal little one. Very talkative in his baby babble. He also has been very expressive when chatting to you too. Today, Mary was back at work (SO happy she is back!) and Camden was sitting in the bumbo, yes it is pink and he was just talking to her...she snapped some photos of him while he was jabbering away to her in his baby babble.

3 month post placement visit.

Well our 3 month post placement was on Wednesday January 21, 2008 at 2:30pm. We met with Joni Irvin at our home and it was smooth as butter. She was very nice. Loved Camden. For those of you who don't know or don't understand when you adopt the birth parents rights are terminated 48hours after the baby is born. The birth parents have 48 hours to say they want the baby back or go on with the adoption as planned. When the rights are terminated an order for temporary custody is put in and granted to the adoptive parents. Then in 3 months you meet with a social worker to do a post placement visit. This visit basically is where the social worker comes into your home again and just asks how things are going and really just makes sure everyone has adjusted to the baby and life as new parents/family. Like I said above ours was painless. Joni was very sweet, told us how adorable Camden is, held him, saw his room, toured our home and met the kids and my neice. She loved how we had lots of books to read to Camden about being adopted, how we kept a photo of him and his birth dad in his room and a album of his birth in there too. She basically asked us the following:

*how much did he weigh at birth
*how much do we think he weighs now
*how is his health
*what are his sleeping patterns
*what were some trials of becoming new parents
*what are some of the best moments
*what do you do as a family on the weekend
*who is your childs doctor (we also had to get a note from the doctor about his health and a copy of his shot records)
*how have the kids adjusted to a new brother
*what kind of formula is he on
*how often is he eating
*what are some new milestones of his/is he on target

Then she wanted to see the house. She spoke to the kids and my neice a little bit and then told us the best words ever.....

Once I write up your post placement I will call Joyce (our lawyer) and Joyce will call you and you can schedule your adoption finalization with the courts. So in 3 to 5 weeks the adoption should be finalized...we can bring whomever we want to the court house to be there and then the next day we will have a nice party for Camden and his adoption day!!!!

This is truly "The beginning". After so many years this is all just a blessing and a huge dream come true.

I miss

Mary. She works here with me at the daycare. I really do miss her. I have always known how much I truly need her and want her here with me. I do totally appreciate her. But her not being here all week has been hell. I miss her a lot. Mary had to have surgery and has been out recovering. She has been "out of work" since Thursday of lat week. She is supposed to come back on Monday, but I am kind of thinking she truly may need more time to recover before coming back. Until then I am missing her! Mary I love you and need you here with me! It is just not the same!!

PS remember dinner and slippers on me when you feel better!


On another note:

I have to pay bills
I dislike laundry...but as of today at 12:39pm it is almost done.
More money would be nice.
Our bathroom needs to be cleaned and I know it will be up to me to do it.
The kitchen floor should be mopped today. OH! and probably swept.
My daycare day is not even half over, or maybe it is but its going by slowly!

Off to daycare!

Okay again...

Who reads this thing? Let me know! Show some love!!

I am beginning to think I blog for Michelle's benefit only :) Ha ha !!

Love you all....whoever you are!

A small update

No pictures this time..

Well Camden turned 3 months on January 7, 2009. I am sad. I do not want my baby to grow up. It is happening far too fast and I just do not like it one bit. Well, honestly I am enjoying watching him do new things, but I am missing some of the old things he used to do too. Here are some of his new things:

*Talking so much more. He babbles and coos all the time.
*Camden giggled for the first time last week. He has only done it once more since.
*He now reaches and bats at his toys on his floor play mat. Camden loves it.
*Camden can sit up pretty well in the bumbo now.
*He has started taking his daytime naps in his crib....and actually sleeps well.
*Camden has a fairly good daily and nightly rutein.

Some of the things I miss:

*Camden doesnt just "fall asleep" anywhere anymore.
*He is not just content to sit on my lap and stare. He wants interaction more and more.
*Camden is acknowledging other people he knows. Silly I know, but I kind of liked being the "one and only".

Above all else Camden is growing, he is happy, healthy and so so so so cute!

A few other tid bits of information:

January 21st is Camden's 3 month post placement before the adoption is finalized.

Breonna has started tutoring and actually likes it and it is helping her.

Breonna has started basketball. Her 1st game is coming up soon.

Nathan is tall, very tall.

Nathan is excelling in almost every class. He has a class or two he needs to improve on.

Floyd is still looking for a job.

My assistant, Mary (whom I love) is off work for about a week or so. She had to have surgery an I miss her....a lot.

Daycare is busy. I need a day off and I am looking forward to hiring someone to come work with Mary so I can have a Friday or two a month off. I need it.

I had a lump in my armpit. I thought it was Cancer, it wasnt. It was a cyst.

Michelle has *promised* she will come help me hang pictures on my stairway BEFORE the 20th of this month!

and last but not least....

My family is happy, healthy and we I couldnt ask for more, well...maybe for Floyd to be working :)