I am very frustrated and disappointed and I don't really have an outlet for it. Grrrr. Betsi is graduating from 8th grade tomorrow and I wanted it to be great and have family and friends around her to support her and show her how proud we are of what she's accomplished despite all of the crap she's gone through the last couple of years. She's excelled in the gifted program, stayed on the honor roll, and is just amazing in general.

The school is having her graduation at 8:15am on a Tuesday which makes it hard for anyone to come from out of town or for people in town as well. Then the weekend after, when we'd like to have a party for her it's Memorial Day weekend and everyone is too busy with their own plans. I know that it's no one's fault and; of course, it's an important weekend with tons of stuff going on but I really wanted her to have something special.

The good news is that my Mom and Dad Twitchell are coming Friday night to treat us to Paisano's and celebrate. Hopefully I can talk Mom into bringing an amazing cake that she designed. My sister and her family were going to come but CJ has to work all weekend, and Billy's family all had plans. Oh well, we'll make the best of it!

In other news, Billy goes to court Thursday to make the change in residency for Betsi official and to alter child support which will really help on the financial front. It's really expensive to pay for a teenager and pay full child support for her at the same time, it's made things pretty tight the last couple of months so it will be great to get that fixed.

Betsi's decided to go to Topeka High like we were hoping and is all enrolled so Yay! She's also going to take violin lessons over the summer, she plays so beautifully! Liam is glad school's out but also a little sad that he won't see his friends every day. Davis is still Davis, doing a lot better health wise and growing up so fast.

On Sunday it will be Billy and I's 6th Wedding Anniversary, we have no plans really but I'm looking forward to it just the same. Anyway, this is just a lot of rambling so I'll end it. I hope you all have a great week!

~Summer

This day has been a bittersweet one for me for the last several years. After 3 miscarriages and finally coming to terms that having children just wasn't in the cards for me, I married a man with 2 amazing kids. Then, out of the blue, along came the chance to adopt Davis and now I am the proud "mother" to three children that mean the world to me.

I still tear up at times thinking about the baby that I won't ever carry myself but my life is so full and I'm so incredibly grateful for all that I have.

Betsi, who will be 15 this year has grown into such a beautiful, talented, caring person. I find myself constantly amazed by her and her spirit. She is open and friendly and makes friends with everyone she meets. Her sensitivity and intelligence combine to create a wonderful young woman.

Liam will be 10 in just 2 months, such a difference from that 3 year old little guy I fell absolutely in love with all those years ago. He has a knack for being just as random as I and the two of us can entertain each other with our randomness for hours. His laugh and his smile are the first things that come to my mind when I think of him. I love watching him learn and grow and question.

Davis, who I cannot believe will be 3 in July, completes the trio. He is so smart and talking in paragraphs, telling stories, and becoming a very growing up little guy. He lights up a room with his laughter and is always very very busy. When I snuggle him close I feel like everything is perfect.

I just wanted to say thank you to the man that introduced all of this love and wonder into my life and to the 3 amazing children who allow me to be their "mother".

I love you guys so so so much.

Nothing exciting to report, our weekend consisted of staying home, hitting 80 on World of Warcraft(Woot!), and just lounging about. It was actually really lovely. To make it even better, today while I was working on something online and chasing Davis about, Billy completely cleaned the house, started the laundry, made our bad, vacuumed, swept, and mopped. When I tried to pitch in he hugged me and said he had it covered. I'm so lucky! Now the house is ready for another week, we have clean clothes to wear, and we're both in great moods. Hope everyone else had a great weekend!

Such an innocent question, unless you know the toddler asking it. Whenever I hear this my heart pounds because it means that Davis has gotten himself in some sort of predicament, usually a tad dangerous. Tonight was no exception, I was sweeping the floor when I heard his voice from behind me, I turned to look and the little guy was up on top of the refrigerator!



Daddy came in to assess the situation and instead of having heart palpitations like me, he ordered me to take pictures! He seemed to be proud of our little guy's ingenuity, daring, and athleticism. I got a couple of pictures taken before demanding that our baby be returned to the ground. What a crazy kiddo, although I hear from my mother in law that his daddy did the same thing. :)

"Look how quiet and good Davis is watching Dora." I exclaimed to Billy as I made dinner. Davis was sitting in the living room on the floor in front of the television and had been for about 15 whole minutes, dicing onions had never been easier!

As I slid dinner into the oven and washed my hands I thought again how lucky I was to be able to get dinner going without Davis underfoot! I felt a small hand tugging at my shirt and Davis said, "Look Mommy I'm beautiful!" I looked down at my son, and quickly called to his Daddy.

"Get the bath running for your kid!" Billy came to see what the fuss was and together we surveyed the damage. An entire tube of lipstick plastered across Davis' face and hands. Annoyance at the mess and the loss of my favorite lipstick was quickly wiped away by Davis' very proud of himself smile.

"Daddy I'm like Mommy!" We each grabbed and elbow and hauled Davis to the bathroom. He was delighted that his little stunt would result in a bath. (I am of the personal opinion that most of his naughty messy tricks are done for the extra bath time.)

We unzipped his footie jammies and to our surprise the little guy had also gotten hold of a blue ink pen and scribbled all over his tummy. "I colored my belly!" was his delighted announcement.
After a bath, supper, and new jammies being put on Davis was ready for bed. Once he was quiet in his room we were left with quite a mess but somehow I didn't really mind.

This is something I was sent on Facebook and I loved it so read mine but then do your own and let me read yours! Too cute! Cut and paste these questions and ask your kids their answers....it is a RIOT! This is so much fun.

Answered by Davis 2 years old

1. What is something mom always says to you?
ummmm love you

2. What makes mom happy?
Elmo

3. What makes mom sad?
"whatever makes Daddy and Davis sad"

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
tickle tickle

5. What was your mom like as a child?
a child

6. How old is your mom?
2

7. How tall is your mom?
like a tall mountain

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
Go up high

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
workin'

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
you can reach the ceiling

11. What is your mom really good at?
Shakin' it

12. What is your mom not very good at?
make it silly face

13. What does your mom do for a job?
buzz buzz

14.What is your mom's favorite food?
Corn dogs

15.What makes you proud of your mom?
do the dishes

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
someone who runs real fast

17. What do you and your mom do together?
play with puzzles and buzz buzz

18. How are you and your mom the same?
we both workin'

19. How are you and your mom different?
No!

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
Gives me more cookies

I hurried this morning to get a couple of shots of Betsi's crazy shoes. They didn't turn out well but you really have to see them.