She's sitting! - not for a long time but she's there!

Sitting with Santa was a disaster as you can see! They both freaked out when we got to him!

All four smiling!

James was crazy like this the whole time!

We had a great time at Big Cedar. James and I got in the hot tub in 30 degree weather, it felt so good and we got to watch the sunset over the hills. We also went on several hikes that included, mud baths, rock throwing, stick finding, great fun! The first night he slept in the floor in our room and woke us up three times. The next night we ordered a crib, it was metal bars and about 2/3 of his length. We said it was a lion's cage and we covered it with a blanket and he called it his lions den! It worked perfect. We drove back Monday morning on the thin layer of ice that fell. We got to drive 40-50mph a lot of the way. We had to stop to give spankings three times because James kept unbuckling his seat belt! Hopefully we've learned our lesson now?? We played bingo in the car for objects we would see on the road - daddy won the Butterfinger and James and I had Jolly Ranchers. Oh family vacations! We got more paperwork and a case worker assigned to us for foster care!

We had a long morning at the Dr office. James has had a rash on his torso and the Dr had to shave off the skin to test it. It ended up being some kind of fungus so we have to use two creams intensively for a week! Then it was Kinley's turn, I thought she might be getting another ear infection - she wasn't but they thought she might have a UTI so they did a catheter! (don't know how to spell that). It was terrible - they had a really hard time getting it in - finally after 15 minutes of her screaming and me holding her down they got it. The results showed that she has a yeast infection but the urinary tract is fine. Poor baby! So she has to have an antibiotic. We were at the Dr. for almost two hours then we had to wait on a prescription and we were starving so I took James for a rare treat to McDonalds - he calls it Old McDonalds - so cute. In the craziness of the day I didn't take a bottle to the Dr and we were there for so long and Kinley was tortured so much she was starving while we were waiting on results. Thankfully we were at a pediatrician and they have tons of formula samples so they brought us a two ounce bottle - I laughed and said it will be gone in two seconds - it was - she drained four of them! Then I talked to Josh, he had allergy testing today - he said that he had a bad reaction to all three kinds of grass they tested him for - they had to give him epinephrine. He said that he feels ok now and that they are going to have him back in a week or so to figure out how to help him. So far I haven't fallen apart - knock on wood!

I lost our camera! That is why I haven't updated this week - so sad, we are going to try to get a new one or hope for a new one for Christmas. Below are some Christmas pics we took at my parents house - so cute. I am going to type info between them so my paragraphs will be separated. Our meeting about foster care went well. The reality of the decision was disheartening but we still feel called by the Lord to take the next step. We turned in our application yesterday and will take the required classes. They said ideally you bring a child home 60-90 days after you apply - we'll see? The two things that were discouraging were that DHS is changing the face of foster care. They are wanting the foster parents and the bilogical parents to be involved with each other and they are wanting the foster parents to "teach" the biological parents how to improve their parenting. Scarry when you consider the number one reason for a child being placed in foster care in OK is abuse. The second thing that was discouraging was the inefficiency of DHS and how difficult they can be to work with. It reinforced that we cannot do this without it being God's best but that if He calls us to do it He has a reason! The morning of the meeting Josh was reading James 1 and the last verse (27) said the religion I accept is that of taking care of orphans and widows (something like that) then that night at the meeting the organization putting on the meeting shared that as their mission statement. Pretty cool confirmation for us.

We've hit a rough patch with James the past two weeks. Today he had me in uncontrollable tears. I got a toy staple gun to the temple. I wasn't crying out of pain as much as I was out of anger and despair. We feel we are doing all we know to do and it seems we are getting no where. I know it is a normal and healthy part of development but it doesn't make it any easier in the moment. Tonight I took a silver bell christmas ornament to the head. I just can't wait to get a foster kid that will hit me and throw things at me too! I really don't need any help decreasing my brain function! James also said he wants to send Kinley back because having a baby at his house is hard. We wanted to tell him that we want to send him back because having a three year old is hard - but we refrained.

Kinley is in the best stage, I am dreading the onset of discipline! She just smiles and talks all the time, eats great, sleeps pretty well, it's bliss!

We are going to Big Cedar tomorrow with Grandad and Nanna, we are so excited - we'll post when we get back.

We had a great Thanksgiving - we had Thanksgiving dinner here in Tulsa at my cousins house with my Mom's side of the family. We took James to see Madagascar 2 Thanksgiving day - it was hilarious - he liked it too. Then we went over to my cousins and James had a blast with all the kids. The older girls were really great with Kinley and everyone enjoyed her thighs. That night we went to my parents house and got up Friday to help them decorate for Christmas. That evening the Morris gang came up and we all had fun eating, talking and playing with the kids until Sunday night. I didn't get any pictures of Jason, Emily, Joe or Caren with the kids so I guess one of you will have to share some with us! James was in a really crazy mood and I have some silly stories below.

He watched Lion King and was a violent, aggressive lion the rest of the weekend so we had a LOT of wrestling sessions - Bob and Daddy were rode hard and put away wet.

This is Maggie Jo James' favorite cousin this holiday.

Kinley watching her hands as if they were aliens. Emily, Mom and I were playing cards and James was bugging us so we gave him some poker chips to play with, he held one up to his cheek and said "I'm going to poke somebody with this" and we said "why?" he said "because it's a poker chip" James was riding in the car with my mom (after an extensive conversation and imaginative play session about Jesus, God, and Heaven) and he asked "will God ask me to do mean things" my mom said "no" then he asked "when we go to heaven can we do mean things?" mom said "no" then he asked "well where can we go to do mean things?" then Gigi was laughing too hard to answer. Do you think we have some work to do? James was in my parents room and said "mommy come here" so I went and he pointed to a picture of when I was 16 and said "can you look pretty like this again?" I heard everyone in the living room die laughing - lets just say I feel old for the first time. Kinley is getting closer and closer to sitting up. She is such a good baby - all we got all weekend were compliments. We wanted to include all of you in something we are considering. We feel that God might want us to foster a child this next year. We are going to an informational meeting tonight and the next step would be taking the required classes for fostering. Pray with us, challenge us, and we'll keep you posted.

Aren't they sweet - Caleb and Kinley were snuggling and watching their siblings play - they were sad they aren't big enough to play too!

Kinley might be sitting by Christmas, she is getting stronger and stronger! She has also found her tongue this week and is sticking it out and curling it all the time.

James practicing for his big Heisman win

Kinley and I actually had to be seen in public with this! I was too tired to pick that battle. It was one of those outfits that wasn't so bad people would know he dressed himself but it was definately bad enough to reflect poorly on me! HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Aunt Jenn came to stay for the weekend - we had a great time hanging out with her. James and I went in the garage to get the stroller and he said "I like her" then she came out and he said "I like you Aunt Jenn"

I got Josh a card that said Birthday's are like boogers - the more you have the harder it is to breathe. I thought it appropriate since his nose is full of all kinds of stuff right now.

Josh teaching James to use the new controller

Today was Josh's 27th birthday! James and I made him a cake, a paperweight, got him balloons and an XBOX controller and the Kung Fu Panda game. We got the XBOX stuff so James and I can play with him.

Kinley has been going through a weird phase. She is wanting to eat every three hours again 9 ounces and food! I don't know what we are going to do with her! She only sleeps 45 minute naps and is waking up early in the morning starving - one look at the thighs and we know she isn't starving?? Oh yeah, we also had to get her a new pair of jeans because when we would put her old pair on she would grunt and fuss until we took them off then she would coo!

This is a funny random clip from the other night. James randomly asked if the pictures I took on the camera were of "John DeCain"?? We guess he just remembered it from all the election coverage and our conversations?? He is a smart one! Then Kinley was just being adorable with her new passie trick!

We've had a busy week. Some friends had their second baby and we got to keep their oldest for a few days. James and Ezra had so much fun - aren't they cuties!

Kinley had her 4 month check up today. She is >97% in height at 27in and 95% in weight at 17lbs. She did great with her shots she only cried for about 5 seconds and she was back to smiling and flirting.

This was my Sunday afternoon after several whining sessions from Josh, spanking for James, and fighting sleep from Kinely.

So sweet!

Here is a video with some things the kids have been doing.

Josh had sinus surgery today. Poor baby! He is doing ok now but Dr. says it will be a rough recovery. Yesterday James came down with a pretty violent tummy bug. I am such a mean mommy, I thought he was faking it and gagging himself and I made him go to school anyway - only to be called 30 minutes later to find out he'd thrown up again. Then I sent Grandma Barbara to pick him up - I was getting my hair done (I do have my priorities) then I drove him to Stroud and dropped him off with Gigi! I think I definately win worst mother of the year award! Gigi says he is feeling much better and that Kinley hasn't come down with it.

I had some funny stories of James I wanted to share before I forgot. This morning he and Josh were sitting on the couch and I was in the bathroom. I hear James say "Daddy, look at my legs, there is a lot of hair growing on them....that means I am getting a daddy soon" (getting a daddy means getting to be a daddy). Most of you know that we have an African American baby doll which Josh so brilliantly named Chaniqua. James wanted to take her into his class at school to show her his cubbie and favorite toys. I, all of the sudden, realized what it might look like for us to be carrying a black baby doll named Chaniqua around it public. We were already on our way in with her when I realized this, so I asked him not to say her name while we were inside, I said "let's call her Sarah" James said " NOOO, her name isn't Sarah it's CHANIQUA" oh well - maybe people think that we are like really cultrually sensitive and accepting - never stereotypical. More about Chaniqua - we have played with her a lot since Kinley was born because she is James's baby and he does everything with her that I do with Kinley. The other day he was playing with cars and said "oh I hear Chaniqua crying - she probably wants to eat" he went and got her, filled up her bottle with water, got a burp cloth, fed her then said "oh, she only ate 2 ounces". He is soaking up everything! We are having a lot of fun with fall and watching the leaves turn. He has become our colored tree spotter. We were taking a walk last night and Daddy said that a bush looked like it was on fire and James decided he really liked describing it like that. So now we say which color the tree is that we see and if it looks like it is on fire. We have been collecting "our favorite fall leaves" and this afternoon we are going to make a collage!

Halloween - this was the first time we've taken James anywhere for Halloween. He was totally excited and was pracitcing saying "trick or treat" and "thank you" for days. He really loved all the Halloween decorations. He has been telling me he wants to see scarry movies and read scarry books??? He learned the word spooky and decided he wants to be a spooky ghost next year. We'll see - the "spooky" part of Halloween is definately not my favorite. We went to a house with a vampire sitting up in a coffin - scared me to death and we turned around and left - think I'm teaching him not to take it too seriously because it's all fake??? He is actually the one that told me "it's ok because it's not real mommy"James trick or treating and dragging his heavy candy bag

Our trick or treating group - Ezra (monkey), Kari Lynn (cat), James and Kinley. They make it so easy to take group pictures.

James loved the "pupcakes"

This is Caleb - my best friends fourth baby - 1 1/2 weeks old!

Ki Ki and Ca Ca (calebs older twin brother and sister call them that) Look at that size difference! Kinley is telling him how to store the milk in his thighs!

OSU family pic. Josh and I got to go to the OSU/Iowa State game today - thanks to Nana and Grandad! We had such a great time together on campus. We can't believe it's been 8 years since we met as freshman!

So today we were trying to leave the house and I saw James run to the corner of the yard. I realized he was pooping in his pants and told him to stop and run inside to the potty. He ran a little then stopped, squated a little, put his hands on his knees, and said while pushing "but I have to get it out first". I wish I could have had a video of it for you - it was so hilarious all I could do was run inside before letting him see me laugh. OH BROTHER! Kinley is four months old now - she is eating solids and loves them. So far she has had avacados, butternut squash, oatmeal, banannas and apples - tomorrow is spinach we'll see how that goes. She eats every four hours which is so nice for mommy!

We went camping at Beaver's Bend in southeast Oklahoma from the 23rd to the 26th. Gigi, Bop, Jason and Emily joined us on Friday. We had the best time! We knew it was going to be good when we began to leave the ranger station to find our camp site and both kids started screaming for no apparent reason. Josh and I looked at each other and said our motto "the family that camps together stays together"! The Wagners introduced us to Beaver's Bend and they were there with their extended family. We were surprised when we were touring the Wagners' RV to find "Uncy James" had come from Atlanta to camp! We set up camp and got ready for 40 degree nights. We made it through the first night wonderfully. I was dreading the cold long night but we got new sleeping bags and they were wonderful - I actually slept great and so did the kids. The next morning when were trying to get breakfast cooked and cleaned up James was complaining about the cold and he finally said "I want to go to Grandma Barbara's RV"! Josh rolled his eyes and I sympathized with James. We got to go on a hike into the woods and throw rocks into a stream. That afternoon my parents arrived and we got them settled. Jason and Emily came late Friday night. In the night James ended up on top of me and yelled "I lost my sleeping bag!" Emily said she could hear him from their tent and she said it broke her heart. Then a few hours later Kinley started coughing and Emily's heart broke again! That was the worst night we had and it really wasn't that bad. Saturday the girls and kids took hot showers which was wonderful then we went to the nature center and enjoyed the beautiful day. We went back to the stream in the woods and James, James, Daddy, Jason and Bop rerouted parts of the stream so they could have wood boat races. James was all about the men on this trip. Then the boys went to watch the OSU/Texas game and me and the kids tried to take a nap - I was the only one that slept and I finally gave up on getting them to. I was holding Kinley and James was jumping around and Kinley started belly laughing like she never has. It was my favorite moment as the mother of two so far. We haven't been able to get her to do it again and of course I didn't have the camera. That afternoon my parents and James and I rode a canoe which was beautiful then we all met back of for dinner. We had an amazing pot of chili and cornbread then desert of half baked cookie dough. We did all our cooking over the fire in a dutch oven and iron skillet. Sunday morning we packed up and left around noon. The kids were exhuasted and slept two hours on the way home! When we got home we put Kinley on the floor and she rolled from her back to her tummy for the first time! She is so big (and tough)! Josh and I reflected on our time and felt so blessed to get to experience camping together with our kids and some family. We are very impressed with our kids for being able to rough it four 4 days and still have a blast!

James with his bowl of precious purple berries

Awww - are't we sweet! We had one tiny romantic moment!

I think they are ready - already assuming the positions of parenthood!

Jason teaching James to use a hatchet!?!

This was the man who parked his RV next to our campsite for the weekend. He was really kind and he had a dog named Little Bit. James said "there goes Little Bit walking his Cowboy". He calls any man with a hat, boots and big belt buckle a Cowboy.

Group picture!

Saturday James crawled up in my lap at 6:30 and fell asleep within a minute!

A kid has to get creative to find "toys" to play with at a campsite!

Josh's first try at setting up the hammock - yes his bottom is touching the ground

Success!

The river (Mountain Fork River) was really foggy each morning

James couldn't bear to see the tent come down - he burst into tears and said he didn't want to leave camping. Josh had to comfort him and promise we would go back next year.