Life has been busy here this last month or so. Steve was gone for most of November because of Hurricane Sandy. So it was me, five kids and five animals day in and day out trying to make the best of our circumstances. When Steve took this job with FEMA, I never would have thought he could and would be gone more now than when he was active duty. This time around, even though it was only three weeks, was hard on my kids...the girls especially. Emilie at one point asked if he could just quit his job so he wouldn't have to be gone...if only it was that easy. Steve truly loves his job except for the being away from his family part. I felt really bad though that she would want him to quit because she missed him.

I am thankful though for a friend who has helped pick up the girls after school and bring them home. It has been a tremendous help to me!! I am thankful for our licensing worker because when I doubt myself being able to handle being a foster parent, she reassures me that we are doing great. I am thankful for our foster baby's CASA worker because she can read between the lines when talking to me. I am not always the most eloquent person and can ramble a ton and she has a way of understanding me which is so helpful for me :)

We have been busy with birthdays...three of them to be exact since the beginning of November, Thanksgiving and now preparing for Christmas and the New Year. I love this time of year. I love the smells, the sounds, the love that I witness everywhere.

We are almost at the 1 year anniversary of Ethan becoming our son. December 14th is quickly approaching. I am so thankful to have him in our lives. Boys are different that's for sure but he adds something to our family that I didn't know we were missing. Life can be challenging with him because of his sensory needs. It took us about a year to get him comfortable in the bathtub...he enjoys baths now! He requires consistency (I think all kids do but some truly thrive and need it so much more). We took Natalie to a Hibachi grill for her birthday lunch and this was the first time that Ethan did not scream, cry and cover his ears in fear of the sounds and sights of fire. Like I said, life is challenging with him but we are figuring it out!

Last week I was sick along with Emilie and our foster baby. Steve stayed home a couple of days and helped out but I realize that while he tries to help, there was still a lot that was forgotten about :) I am now this week starting to feel normal again. We have our house set up for Christmas. I am ready to do my cookie baking. Almost all of the gifts are wrapped and I am ready to start our Christmas cards. Yes, I really am feeling better and more on top of things now!!

I spoke with Emilie's literacy teacher last week. She was calling to let me know she was so happy that Emilie was back at school after having been sick. She told me that Emilie is truly a joy and hard worker who she doesn't have to remind to do things. It was a nice phone call. I am so thankful for Emilie...I am so thankful for all of my kids though too! This week Emilie and I went through photos from when we went to concentration camps while in living in Germany. One of her classes is going to be discussing the Holocaust over the next six weeks. So we printed off photos from Bergen-Belsen and Auschwitz. I am so thankful that we were able to see so many things first hand while living in Germany. It is one thing to learn about this history in a text book and it is a whole other thing to see it first hand.

This is just a general update...hopefully with the new year I'll be able to blog a little more.