Blame it on the...

My original plan was to write a post tonight on some of the small projects I've been working on around the house.

However, I always want to be honest on this blog.  I don't want to pretend.  That would be too exhausting, and I just don't have the desire or the energy to fake something that isn't there.  

So, truth be told: The house is a mess, and I didn't touch one of the those projects today.

In less than 24 hours the yellow bungalow went from clean and presentable, to an utter disaster.  

I could blame it on Boston

and the fact that he was dropped off at 8 this morning; spiraling two already naughty dogs into shear chaos for the next two hours.  (Remember Boston?  He is at fault for my love for big dogs. I think it's his eyes, I just get lost in them.  They cut me deep I tell ya.)

I could blame it on the fact that at 9:45 Dexter ate Nancy's (our physical therapist) sunglasses.

I could blame it on the fact that at 10am all three dogs escaped the house and I spent the next 15 minutes running around our street chasing and screaming at my three unruly canine children while my kind neighbors assisted me in corralling them home.

Meanwhile, my human child sat screaming in the living room, not understanding why mommy dashed out of the house like a mad woman.

I could blame it on the fact that we then took a four hour tour through our town running errand after errand. (With a pit stop lunch with a good friend and fattening food, of course.)

Today, I could come up with countless reasons why my house looks as awful as it does.  

But the reality is, it just wasn't a priority today.

When I got home my body, my mind, and more importantly my boy needed to rest.  I called the man of the house and warned him what to expect when he got home.  Put the little guy in his crib for a well needed nap, crawled under the covers of my own bed, and we both slept.  

We slept because sleep can be healing.  It can calm an endless running mind, it soothes overworked muscles, and washes away the stresses of the day. 

An hour later we woke refreshed, and ready to play.  So play we did.  

Tonight, I go to bed thankful.

Thankful for friends with dogs, especially for Boston.

Thankful for understanding therapists who love my kid and forgive my dogs.

Thankful for neighbors who have grown a deaf hear to the constant barking, and a blind eye to the sometimes marking of the front lawns.

Thankful for a reliable car to take me around town and a boy that held in the tears until we were five minutes from home.

Thankful for the solace and comfort of beds and cribs to recuperate in.

Thankful for a hardworking husband who loves me despite my inner messy self, which I sometimes let roam free around our home.

Thankful that God doesn't inspect my house or my life with a white glove, but loves me where I'm at, and gently leads me where He wants me to be.

In the midst of chaos, what are you thankful for?

Have a good weekend,

Kristin

Break Over

So I've taken a break for the last two months to get a hang on the whole new-foster-mommy thing, and now I'm ready to share.

We've had so much fun with our little guy.  He seriously is the cutest thing ever, no really.  I'm not biased at all.  No really, I'm not. Fine...maybe a little.

We took family photos not that long ago, and it kills me to do this, but unfortunately I had to blur him out.

You seriously are missing out on the sweetest smile this side of....I honestly had no idea how that expression ends.

But the Hacker and I are smitten with this tough little guy.

It's been so fun learning what makes him laugh, how he likes to be held, and watching him grow.  

The little guy sleeps through the night now, and that means more sanity for me! 

And since the Hacker likes to be crazy, this week we added another touch of madness to the Zamora household.

And let me tell you, Toby, is madness.  He is not a lazy basset like the breed promises to be.  

The Hacker and I have been looking into getting another dog for Dexter, and have fell  in love with bassets.  Especially after spying on the Pioneer Woman's two hounds and getting a laugh in every now and then.  

So when this two year old popped up on Craigslist needing a home, the Hacker didn't hesitate.  

It was a little overwhelming in the beginning, the dogs' spontanteous wrestling matches, the whining, and tripping over a needy hound whom you can never escape from.  But we're getting used to him, and vice versa.

And while it is still a little crazy around here, the little guy is taking a nap, both dogs are passed out, and I had a craving to write.  So here I am.  I'm back.  

We have been continuing to work on the yellow bungalow through the madness:

• The Hacker is almost done making our dining room table. 
• He also started crown moulding in the nursery.
• The nursery is pretty much done, I just have to take pictures of it.
• The office is completed.
• It goes on and on...

I can't wait to share all of it with you. So stay tuned, no really.  I will be back tomrrow. 

Foster Care...our 1st Placement

I know this post is overdue.  I'm sorry I didn't post it earlier.  But better late then never, right?

For the last three weeks we have had a baby boy invade our home.  

I've been waking up at two in the morning, changing diapers, and feeding a little guy who can hold his own in a bottle-gupling contest.

Because we're in foster care, I can't post how cute he is.  I can't share with you the smile that lights up the town.  I can't show you the biggest brown eyes that already seem to recognize me.  Let me tell you something, he's cute.  I know I can be biased at times, but the guy is so darn cute!

There isn't much you can know about him: his name, history, etc.  

But I can and will share with you the experiences, lessons, and memories that we are creating here at the yellow bungalow.  And I will say this:  This little five month old is a fighter.  He has overcome the odds, and continues to do so.  

The Hacker and I are blessed to have him in our home, for however long that may be. 

We will be here loving him, singing to him, cooing with him.

He will be our family for however long he needs us to be.  

So, there it is.  We are officially foster parents.  

Have a Happy Weekend everyone,

a new mommy

A good, good life.

I went to visit my friend, Christina, and her new peanut, Titus.

While we were there, I snapped a few pictures.

Look at that hair!  Like Momma, like son.  I can never really tell if newborns look like mommy or daddy.  But this I know, homeboy's got his momma's hair!  

Marc and Christina with her parents.

They're smitten.

Especially Grandma.

The Chief and his grandson.

I love this picture.  

Even though, little Titus is crying, look how Christina is still glowing.  She's beautiful.

We are so happy for this new little family.

On another note...

Tonight we played water whiffle ball at Ascent.

What's water whiffle ball, you ask? Instead of bases, you have kiddie pools.

And home plate is a slip n' slide.

The Hacker may have let his competitive nature come out a bit.

5th and 6th graders are the perfect age.  

They don't care about being cool yet.

And they still think their coaches are cool.

It was a good day.

Hope yours was too.

love, 

Kristin

Licensed and waiting, but living....

Today we had our home inspection to gain our foster care license.  This meant that for the last week, we've been doing spring cleaning in the fall.  Most of the changes that were made were for the better.  Our trash can is now full, and our drawers and shelves have never been more organized.  

All of our medication had to be up high, centralized in a location, and considered "safe" for the children.  So we put them in tubs in our ever-so-high hallway closets.  The tubs are now roommates with our games and extended china cabinet.  

Our house cleaners are on top our coat closet, in a yes, incredibly difficult to access space.

But hey, out of harm's way and we'll deal with it.  

We. Were. Ready. 

The actual inspection took less than 10 minutes, with a quick peek in each room and only the hot water and hallway fire alarm checked.  We felt like we studied for the bar exam, and were asked to recite the alphabet. The next two hours were just full of paperwork.  I have seen how paperwork will take up most of our time. Everything needs to be documented, and rightly so, for the sake of the child, the parents, foster parents and social worker. 

And so now we're licensed.  And so now we wait.  But we still live as well.  I've learned that waiting is apart of life.  So many times, I think I've waited for things to start, before I was living.  Not anymore.  God had taught me that I continually learn patience, because life requires it.  It's not a lesson only learned once, or twice. Throughout my life I will learn which part of my life that I don't have patience in, and God exposes it, and refines me.

But the waiting.  Oh how the waiting would paralyze me.  I've learned.  My impatience and willing to continue living despite the wait has slowly been chiseled away.  I'm still learning.  But this I know.  Tomorrow is a gift.  I plan on using it wisely.  There is always work to be done.  There are weeds to be plucked, flowers to plant, mobiles to make, pictures to hang, prayers to pray.

Speaking of prayers, we are so thankful for the abundance of prayers that have surrounded us throughout this process. God is so good.  Period.

On a side note, my friend Christina had a baby today.  Titus James is finally here, handsome and healthy.  I'm so excited to meet the little guy, and give my friend a hug and call her Momma.  

So life continues on, and I wouldn't have it any other way.  

Waiting while I weed, 

Kristin

Happy Birthday Mr. Zamora

Yesterday was the Hacker's Birthday.  Yes, on 9/11.  

Like the rest of the country, we remembered the tragedies that occurred on 9/11.  We prayed for the families and loved ones who lost, and cried as stories were retold.

However, for us, we also celebrated my wonderful husband.

We had family over for dinner on Friday night.  It was nice to get together and enjoy a mellow and delicious meal together.  

Yesterday, he wanted to take Dex to the dog park.  So we did.

It was one of the more mellow birthdays for him.  No balloons, very few candles, but lots and lots of love.  

We decided not to have all the pomp and circumstance, considering we're getting ready for our house inspection.  It's tomorrow!  We're praying all will go well with that.

So, Happy Birthday to the Hacker. I love you.

To everyone else, Happy Monday,

I'll be doing laundry,

Kristin

Fridays are different now.

While I was working, I remember counting down the hours of my Friday.  I felt like a school girl waiting for the last bell to ring. Freedom.  Fridays meant I would finally be able to relax, get things done around the house, and enjoy friends, family, and especially my husband.

Fridays are different now.  The bell is fading.  It is being replaced with pondering and questioning. The weekdays fly by, and I am left wondering, what in the world did I do? 

Of course I did four loads of laundry, cleaned the kitchen and bathroom, swept, mopped and vacuumed Dexter's hair from the floor. It's times like these I wish he were a poodle.  

I walked for about an hour and half everyday with Dexter and my mom.

I built two dressers for our room.  I smugly mocked the instructions that had an X on working alone, while two men stand with hammers and a pencil smiling, take that Ikea.

I watched my friends' boys while they were stranded at the hospital waiting for an ultrasound.  

I continued to decorate the kid room.

I made my bed everyday, tucking in the sides, and placing the pillows as best as I could.  (Our pillows are too small for their shams, so they look weird.)

And that's what I did.  This is my life, right now.  And you know what?  I love it.  

I'm not going to wait "for my life to begin" once we're licensed, or once we have a child in our home.  This is the day He has made, and I do rejoice in it.  I rejoice that I am able to be home, and make the house look lovely for my husband and roommate when they come home.  I rejoice that I can be available to friends at any moment.  I rejoice that life is slower and I am able to spend time with my Lord and savour it.  

Today is my brother Rodney's birthday.  

Rodney is my second oldest brother.  

He is an artist at heart, smooth a silk pie and as sweet as honey.

Happy birthday Rodney.  Now, let's go have some pizza. 

For those of you out in the working field, Happy Friday, you made it once again.  Congrats.

And Happy Friday to the rest of us, even if it is a little anti-climatic.

love, 

Kristin

a not-so desperate housewife

I thought I would share with you this biggest change in the Zamora house. 

I am, as of right now, unemployed.  

That's right, I am a housewife.  When we decided to take on the adventure of foster care, we also decided that I would stay home with the little ones.  The school year started this week, and I am at home instead of my classroom.  It is a weird place to be:  waiting to be licensed and knowing that I'm no longer working.

Staying at home was terrifying to me for two reasons.

1. Money:  Even though I wasn't bringing home an incredible amount each month, it was significant enough to help with savings.  

I am a savings kind of girl.  

Savings to me is my safety net, and my vision of the future.  Visions of a redone kitchen, hardwood flooring, and sunny vacations. When I am able to transfer a lump some of money from my checking to my savings, I do a little jive in my head.  What I am being reminded of is, my safety net and my vision aren't what matters.  It's something I already knew.  However, I was still holding on to it.  

And now I had to let it go.  And as terrifying as it may be, there is a freedom there. There is freedom knowing I'm not in control, and our Creator is.  Will all of our wants be met?  Absolutely not.  But He will provide for all of our needs.

Are we still saving? Of course.  

Is it as much as I would like it to be?  It never has been.

2.  Discipline:   I lack discipline when it comes to the time I will spend reading my latest book, browsing through pinterest, or even watching a hulu show now and then.  

When I was working I used to say how much I would get done if I was at home.  I would prefer for this to be true.  

So I have made lists every day.  I try to get those lists completed, if not, an item or two may hop onto the next day.  I have found myself lost in time now and then.  However, for the most part, I'm doing my best to be as productive as I can.

I can say this: the Hacker has not had to do an ounce of laundry since I have been off work. Progress.

Of course I miss my classroom, students, and I always miss my coworkers.  However, so far, so good.  

Since I have been home I have fallen head over heels for this guy.

He sleeps 90% of the day.  We take longer walks in the morning, which I am loving.  When we get home, he eats and sleeps, while I do chores.  Ah, to be an American dog. (sigh)

So, here's to staying at home, and making our bed everyday.

Kristin

flying by

I'm letting my summer fly by me and I don't like it one bit.  

credit

I have a sinful tendency to concentrate so many of my thoughts on future events that last for a couple of hours, instead of recognizing, loving, and appreciating that moment I am living right here and now.  

When the Hacker surprised me with his proposal, I didn't answer right away.  I told him to "hold on.  I want to remember to everything about this moment."  And I do.  I remember the exact spot he was kneeling, I remember the smell of the ocean breeze, the surfers on the beach, the butterflies in my stomach, and the contagious smile that was on my new fiance's face.  I'm so thankful that I did that.

I want to do that more often.

I am loving being a teacher during summer camp to 4 and 5 year olds. (This week was music week and the kids love them some Beiber -ha.)

I appreciate the heat, the sun, and yes, (don't throw stones at me) yesterday's humidity.

I recognize that I have a loving, humble, hard-working, loyal man as my husband who blesses me everyday by leading our tiny little family in the ways of the Lord.

My goal for the weekend is to live in it.  I want to be the cliche as I will be "stopping to smell the roses."  I will be saying "hold on, I want to remember this."  I want to live for today, for tomorrow may never be.

refusing to be on cruise control,

Kristin

Pinterest love

I'm so loving the great inspirations I'm finding over on pinterest. 

I just thought I would share with you some of my findings.

This first one is pretty popular, but I just love it.  One day, the Hacker and I  may gain enough courage to do this in our home.  

I also love the idea of using old tea canisters to grow herbs in:

I pinned this because it states the Hacker's case for our television battle.

And because I'm a brat, this one states my case:

Moving on.

Look how cool these DIY candles are, and how easy they are to make:

And for guests when they come, this is a pretty easy DIY display:

And last but not least, this inspired both the Hacker and I on what to do with our office:

If you're not on pinterest, you should be.  It's just a great resource.  

Have a great weekend.

Happy Friday, 

Kristin