Carson's top 10 for 2009

I can not believe its the last day of the year. Where the heck did the time go? Well, I must say the Lord was really good to us this year. Besides a few little colds and sinus infections we were blessed with great health.
Carson grew so much over the last year. We had our struggles with his hitting and temper (still do) but we had great gains as well. He is blossoming into a very intelligent young boy. He loves to read, do puzzles, play cars and sports of course. I give our Lord all the praise and glory for a wonderful year.

10.Carson jumped off the diving board.
9. Carson rode on his first roller coaster.
8. He had his first vacation away from home while Jonathan and I were on our honeymoon.
7. He graduated into a size 18 month pants and 24 month shirts.
6. He was in his first Christmas pageant.
5. Carson started preschool in September.
4. Carson sleeps in a toddler bed now.
3. He learned all his colors and shapes
2. He was healthy all year.
1. I finally married Jonathan. Carson now has an earthly Daddy.

potty training blues

Carson is three years and three months old and still not potty trained. We have been working on it for at least three weeks. We have tried using the little potty, big potty, peeing in a plastic cup, giving candy (chocolate) after using the potty, etc. nothing is working. Help!
P.S. When he does peepee in 'something'(not his underwear or the floor) we make a HUGE deal over it.

A few Christmas photos

We were truly blessed this Christmas season. We opened gifts and had breakfast at my parents home around 9am we all had a great time and ate a yummy meal. We came back home to quickly finish preparing our dinner since we were having more family over. Our guests arrived around 5pm and our time was filled with eating, exchanging gifts and playing a really fun game called Apples to Apples.

Did you give a gift?

Awwee, its been a whirlwind for the last 48 hours. I am not complaining since I truly enjoy spending time with family and friends. Even through the hustle and bustle my mind drifted off to what I am giving the Lord for his birthday? Today is the Lord's birthday. Right?! I want to give him something perfect. I want it to be the right color, size, fit, hip, gift ever. What can I give him? I have thought about it for hours...I came up with a few things, however it did not feel right and I knew there was something better. You see, I was trying to figure out what to give him. What did I want him to have? What did I think was best for him? As I was in the shower I heard the Lord say, ask me what I want? With much (I must say much) hesitation I finally said, Lord what would you like for your birthday? He did not give me a "list". It was one request. And I do not have to go anywhere, make a big change in my life, sacrifice much, make a purchase. He asked me to spend more time reading about him. WOW! I can do that... Happy Birthday Jesus.

Any takers

We are leaving for sunny Florida the first week of January for seven wonderful, warm, sunny, sunburn, drinking lots of water, fun filled, (oops, I got carried away thinking of the sun) days. If any of my blogg friends or lurkers live around a certain disney area we would love to meet with you.

First christmas pageant

Carson was in his first school Christmas pageant last night. As you can see my cute little "angel" had his fingers in his mouth during the whole show.

What else can I say?!

Dear Miss______,

We would like to thank you for your understanding and support regarding Carson’s adjustment to ______ ______School. As we have expressed to you numerous times, we too are concerned with the behavior issues that have been occurring at school.

Jonathan and I are trying to reinforce what you’re teaching him at school regarding appropriate and inappropriate behavior. However, it has been a bit difficult and frustrating for us at times since we are not seeing the same behavior at home that has been highlighted by you and your staff. We understand there are variables involved at school that are not possible to duplicate at home.

We are becoming very discouraged with some of the content that has either been written or verbally communicated about Carson’s behavior (e.g., forceful, disrespectful, remorseless, attacked, etc.) We recognize the importance of documenting these incidents accurately; however, the implication is that Carson is acting out in ways that are malicious or intentionally hurtful.

Furthermore, as you are aware Carson came from an orphanage, was in foster care, and then our home all within the first year of his life. So he has been through numerous substantial changes at a very early age. We don’t want to put him through additional unnecessary changes with school either.

We believe Carson has enjoyed being at the school and has benefited quite a bit since starting there in September. He talks about his teachers and friends often and likes going each day. He role-plays at home and involves his teachers’ names when doing so. For these and other reasons, we want Carson to continue with your program and allow it to impact his life even more.

Thank you for your continuing efforts and understanding. We will continue to partner with you with the shared goal of improving the experience for everyone involved.


Sincerely,


Greta-Jo and Jonathan

Just pictures

The big apple

Saturday we took Holly, Alley and Noah to New York City for the day. We toured the empire state building, saw the "big tree", went to central park and FAO Schwarz. We did much more however the above were the highlights. The city was extremely cold, windy, overly crowded yet very fun and exciting.
A big Thank You to my sister for inviting Carson to sleep over her home while we went to NYC.

It starts already?

I thought I had a few more years before this: My Mom said, Yes.
Lately, Carson will ask me if he can do/have something and if I say No. He will reply, Daddy said yes. The other day I heard Carson asking Jonathan for candy (which he hardly ever gets). Before Jonathan could answer Carson, Carson said quickly, My Mom said, Yes (no I did not). Are you serious?

I want to help!

Too Cute!

Carson has been saying the cutest things lately.

Mom can you put my hook up? Hook= Hood

Can you give me the commode? Commode= remote

Is that jealous? Jealous= Jelly

He sees christmas lights and says "yea, its christmas time"!

Dad, are we going to get Noah from the Ark?

Does Santa live in America, Mom?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRETA JO

Today is your birthday
and I truly must say
The Potter did such a masterful job when
He formed you so delicately with His pristine clay

I do wonder how He did it
as He thought whom to create
and considered your hands, your feet, your mind, your heart
that one day I would have the honor to call you my mate

The life that you live is one of great value
You've used what He's given you to serve and to bless
Your faith in our Master is something to behold
As you walk often blindly, trusting He'll provide the rest.

As thanksgiving approaches and soon will be here
This day, I celebrate all that you are, my wife
And give thanks to our Lord for what He has done
You are so funny, so lovely, so altogether fly

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday sweet love, Happy Birthday to you


Love,

Jonathan

Could this be true?!

Guatemala reopening international adoptions

JUAN CARLOS LLORCA
Published: Nov 20, 2009
GUATEMALA CITY (AP) - Guatemalan officials on Friday announced the resumption of international adoptions after a nearly two-year suspension prompted by the discovery that some babies were being sold.

Legal reforms established during the suspension will prevent problems in the future, according to the National Adoption Council, which said in a statement on its Web page that it will start a pilot program involving four countries.

The Council did not say when the program would start or which countries would be involved.

Prior to the shutdown, Guatemala was the world's second-largest source of babies to the U.S. after China due to its routinely quick adoption process.

But the door to adoptions slammed shut in 2007 when authorities discovered evidence of fraud that has since been revealed to include false paperwork, fake birth certificates, women coerced into giving up their children and even baby theft. At least 25 cases resulted in criminal charges against doctors, lawyers, mothers and civil registrars.

As a result, thousands of adoptive parents, most from the U.S., were forced to put their adoptions of Guatemalan children on hold - many after paying thousands of dollars.

Last year, the National Adoptions Council began requiring birth mothers to personally verify they still wanted to give up their children.

Nearly 1,000 of 3,032 cases were dismissed, however, because no birth mother showed up.

Prosecutors suspect many of the babies in those cases never existed - that Guatemalan baby brokers registered false identities with the council in hopes of matching them later to babies obtained through fraud.
AP Mobile. © 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

We live in a healthy state. How about you?

This annual ranking, published by the United Health Foundation, looks at 22 indicators of health, including everything from how many children receive recommended vaccinations, to obesity and smoking rates, to cancer deaths. (Insurer UnitedHealth Group funds the foundation.) Scores for each state are determined by gathering data from a variety of government and nongovernmental databases and then calculating how much each state is better or worse than the national average for each measure. Click here to see the report. The below chart lists the final results in addition to rank changes in specific categories over the past 20 years.

2009 STATE RANKINGS
1Vermont
2Utah
3Massachusetts
4Hawaii
5New Hampshire
6Minnesota
7Connecticut
8Colorado
9Maine
10Rhode Island
11Washington
12Wisconsin
13Oregon
14Idaho
15Iowa
16Nebraska
17North Dakota
18New Jersey
19Wyoming
20South Dakota
21Maryland
22Virginia
23California
24Kansas
25New York
26Montana
27Arizona
28Pennsylvania
29Illinois
30Michigan
31New Mexico
32Delaware
33Ohio
34Alaska
35Indiana
36Florida
37North Carolina
38Missouri
39Texas
40Arkansas
41Kentucky
42West Virginia
43Georgia
44Tennessee
45Nevada
46South Carolina
47Louisiana
48Alabama
49Oklahoma
50Mississippi

Christmas gift giving struggles

I have been personally struggling with what to get Carson for Christmas. He has so much. We have toys in every room of our home. He does not even play with 90 percent of them. Matter of fact, I do not think he know what he has regarding his toys, books and videos. I know Christmas is not about the amount of gifts under the Christmas tree, its not the amount of money spent, its not what the other kids get however I am still struggling. So what do I do?

Annual pumpkin carving 2009

This October Carson participated in his first annual pumpkin carving contest at my aunt's. Carson truly enjoyed "gutting" the pumpkin. Each time he would pull a handful of guts out of the pumpkin he would either laugh or say gross. Even though we did not win we had a wonderful time with our family. Great job Joanne for winning the 2009 pumpkin contest! I truly enjoy spending time with family and making memories.
The Herron/Payne cousin's rock!

News Flash

A few months ago I posted about getting married on August 1, 2009. However there was a change of plans due to personal reasons that I would rather not post about for the whole world to read. Anyway, Jonathan and I prayed faithfully about getting married which lead us to a romantic elopement on October 25, 2009 in Florida followed by a wonderful seven day cruise on Holland America. We had a great time on the cruise and touring the islands we visited. I have to give Jonathan all the credit as I would never want to marry me (lol). Jonathan has been very patient, thoughtful, forgiving and understanding with me and my baggage I bring into the relationship.

His smile melts my heart!

Words can not describe how much I love my sweet baby boy-