Silver Linings

Star Wars 2011

2011-04-27T17:17:00.000-07:00

This year for spring break we decide to go to the Seattle Science Center to see the Star Wars exhibt. We told Noah that we were headed to Seattle to go shopping for Mommy's clothes. I know just a little lie... but I really wanted to surprise him without the 25 question every minute of when are we going, when are we going to get there...and so on. We made it over from our hometown pretty easily. As we drove around looking for a place to park ( love Seattle parking... NOT) Noah looked up at the Science centers buildings and saw Yoda... Mom there is Yoda... I wanted to tell him yup thats where we are headed but I still kept it tight lipped. As we walked up towards the building I let Noah know we had a surprise for him. Thats when we told him this trip was really for him and we were going in to see the Star Wars exhibt. I can only say WOW was that little man excited.

Storm Troopers

This is Noah's favorite... its called a AT-AT. Santa brought him one for Christmas.

Darth Vader

Ward and Noah trying to build a robot

Noah took this picture... he has talent

This is the space pod... Noah loved it

Wall to wall Star Wars stuff.... from costumes to space ships... he (being both boys... Ward and Noah) running from one thing to the next. He loved it. We made a beautiful scrapbook for him to keep forever. This was a perfect day for family... I love family time...

Snow 2011

2011-03-23T14:25:00.000-07:00

He begged to go out and play....

I chased him till he gave me a snow angel

Noah takes pretty good picture... even though I hate my picture taken.

We broke down a bought a sled for Noah. He loved it.

Ohh my Ohhh my time goes by

2011-01-27T23:39:00.000-08:00

Noah is with his cousin Doni... Aren't they cute?

Santa has a special sled when collecting for the foodbank

Christmas Eve jammies... every Christmas he gets new ones...

I'm such a bad Mommy we left Santa cookie's and milk with our Nativity...Noah plays with this Nativity all through Christmas.... Got to love Fisherprice... we went to paint some christmas presents and the first thing he asked was where was baby Jesus.... with all the Santa at Christmas, I'm glad he know and understand what the season is all about....

We had spirit day at school.... it was fashion disaster... so we did our best...

Pumpkin Patch 2010

2010-10-16T17:43:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween! Since we are working tons of hours right now we decided to take our yearly trip to the pumpkin patch. It's been hard to get family time in when we are working 6 days a week. We are busy opening a Walmart Supercenter. So weather was nice...we didn't have to be anywhere till 2pm. Life is good. We are huge Halloween buffs.

Happy 8th Birthday to my Monkey Boy

2010-10-12T00:07:00.000-07:00

I baked 40 cupcakes after working a 47hr work week....Must love my boy

He recieved these wonderful Wolverine claws from Daddy and Me.

Cousin Doni and Lani got him the Lego headlamp...which the cat loves....

Just a few of the toys he recieved from friends... Tutu and Pop pops (Tutu is hawiian for Grandma and Pop pops is just what he calls Grandpa) got him a chess set. He has been begging for the Harry Potter Wizard chess set for years. He also has a Harry Potter Lego Hagrid's Hut coming in the mail. Oh yes, he is spoiled but he is so worth it. Last year it was all about Indiana Jones and now its back to Star Wars, Transformers, Harry Potter and Legos. Atleast we go in a circle of toys....I have to keep the Lego mini figures in a tub and let him only have 3 at a time. Easier to manage....I don't have to hear Mom where is this guy all the time. I am a bit of a control freak of keeping like toys together...I figure if I only organize his toys once to twice a month I'm doing good. Now to buy the next surprise for him a dirt devil dust buster...to clean up after his guinea pig...LOL

Halloween 2010

2010-09-26T09:32:00.000-07:00

Noah and I decided to go ahead and get a early start on decorating the front porch for Halloween. Noah has named the big spider in the corner Aragon from Harry Potter. I just need to get some pumpkins and corn stalks.

First day of Second grade

2010-09-04T13:01:00.000-07:00

Backpack all loaded up with new school supplies

He picked this shirt out himself at the store.... Looks good

I had wanted to take pictures in his classroom but there were to many kids. But he had a wonderful first day of school. I took the day off so I could take him and then pick him up. I have a group of Moms that we always do girls night out, birthday parties, ect...with. We all met for lunch and talked about how our kids don't need us anymore... I know I felt like crying when Noah said "bye Mom" like it was no big deal. He was just like you can go now. No panic in his eyes. He isn't the same shy kid he used to be.

Summer fun

2010-08-22T00:04:00.000-07:00

Since Noah is getting older now we have tried to have more fun. We had our very first boy camp out (sleep over ). We had Rylan ( 9yrs old) and Kai (6yrs old). Kai didn't stay the night he just wasn't ready. But we cooked hotdogs out on the firepit in the backyard and made yummy smores. The next morning we had whole wheat waffles with syrup and whip cream. Life is good.

Rhino

2010-08-21T23:59:00.000-07:00

Well this year we finally decide to get Noah a pet he has been wanting. But since we rent we couldn't get a dog or a cat. I'm not into fish, birds or bugs. So we went with a Guinea Pig. Ward and Noah named him Rhino from the movie Bolt. I love him. He is sweet natured and just loves to cuddle.

Clallam County Fair

2010-08-21T23:16:00.000-07:00

I rode this one with Ward and Noah.... I chanted the whole time...praying for the ground...my boys just laughed.

This weekend was the Clallam County Fair. This year we were smart enough to pre-buy one of those all day bracletts for Noah. We told him we were taking bottles and cardboard to the dump (which we did) then we were on are way home and he saw the fair. Saying Mom , Dad we could go there.... we played it off but we still parked. He was so excited. We went and ate lunch...then went and checked out the animals....then off to the rides. Noah isn't afraid much of rides. In fact he loves the ones that take him high into the air. Me, I am chicken. The first time he rode the ferris wheel he was fine, he even rode it alone. But the second time he rode with another little boy they ended up getting stuck on top. He hated that. In fact he started to cry and just when it was there turn to get off the guy put them back on top so I marched up there and told him my son was in the yellow chair at the top he is crying and I would really like him down. Mad Momma bear.

Family Day at Salt Creek

2010-08-14T22:58:00.000-07:00

My wonderful Husband Ward. He let me take a picture of him with doing something crazy.

He is growing up so big. These two guys have my heart.

Noah started the water fight....Daddy just finished it.

Noah liked the water so much... he self medicated
with the bucket

Noah was trying to use the driftwood to splash Daddy....I finally told him it would be faster to just use one of the buckets.

We decide to go to Salt Creek today. Its one of my favorite spot up here in the Northwest. The weather is beautiful and we just needed to get out of town for a bit. Get some sun ( Which my fair skin is red and crispy, yes I put on sunscreen). We had a great day of sun , beach, water, and food.

Shhh don't tell

2010-08-11T22:43:00.000-07:00

Okay, every night before bed I read...I love to read. For Christmas I was given a Kindle. I love my Kindle. But last night I noticed Noahs Nitendo DS next to my bed getting charged. I thought you know we have had this thing for 8 months and I have never played it. Hmmm whats the hype? So Harry Potter Legoland was in there....and a hour and a half later I was still playing. I have to say I loved it. Tonight I played again and Noah came out to use the bathroom.... he looked over and said" Mom ,what are you doing?" So basically I then took pointers from my 7yr old on how to play the game. He said tomorrow he would teach me more. Oh I can't wait....

2010-07-18T14:18:00.000-07:00

Snow fox changing his fir....

I am a huge fan of polar bears. When I was about Noahs age we lived it Alaska and I asked for a pet polar bear....I got a stuffed animal. Oh well that life...

Monkeys come in all sizes and shapes....He has always been our Monkey boy. Oh he loves to climb. As you can see he has his summer buzz cut. He has the thickest hair and he sweats. It just drips down his face.... But his hair is almost back....

Let's go to Madagascar.....

One of my close friends who just happen to be in town for a month.... so we Angela napped her and took her to the zoo. Just a good old fashion family day...

Carrie Blake Park

2010-05-09T14:18:00.000-07:00

Isn't it funny how your kids will do anything the Grandparent wants... but if Mom or Dad asks its I didn't hear you at all.

He is so cute.

He loves the park.

We have taken to going to the park in Sequim ( the next town over ). We love to take my parents dogs. We get to walk around the ponds and then to the swings.

Old CD of picture I found from 2004

2010-04-22T21:26:00.000-07:00

Oh how he hated to have his picture taken.

I'm home!!!

Let's swim....

Mommy saved me from the side of my crib...

I climbed on the side of the crib and couldn't see where to step down....save me Mommy!!!

Christmas Cookies

2009-12-20T17:05:00.000-08:00

We made a Gingerbread Tree

Chocolate Thumb Print Cookies

Sugar Cookies

Graham Cracker House

Today we went to my friends house to make cookie with the kids. Sugar cookies, Chocolate Thumb Prints, Gingerbread and Shortbread.

If we go by age we had...

Madeline age 9

Zoe age 7

Noah age 7

Kai age 6

Stella age 2

One thing that was really nice....was when Zoe shared her DS with Noah. He loved playing it so much he almost didn't want to decorate the sugar cookies. He cried when I told him it was time to stop. I told him just because he forgot to ask Santa for one, sometimes Santa just know what we would really love and sends that too.

Its always nice when you can be with friends that are more like your family.

2009-12-19T21:56:00.001-08:00

We love to go to the zoo

We love sealife

My Tutu made this for me when I was 1yr old...

look it still fits me....I was the coolest monkey....

So far 3 friends have worn the wonderful costume

I love Halloween

Found some old picture from the last year....

Your my favorite

2009-11-23T20:49:00.000-08:00

The other day I was sitting with Noah and he grabbed my face looked me straight in the eyes and said " Mom, I love you". I looked back at him and asked the silliest of questions " Noah, Why do you love me"? He said " Because you are my favorite". So of course I asked "Why am I your favorite"? He gave me the simplest heart felt answer " Because you are my mom". Now some of you might think this could melt the coldest of hearts, there is one thing I didn't start with.....we were talking about Parent / Teacher conference that was the next day. He knew the teacher was going to talk about him and his behavior.

The funny thing is his behavior is a small problem. But its so funny the teachers use this green, yellow and red card thing. I told them to just call him on his behavior with a red card and skip the yellow card. They looked at me like I was the toughest mom in the world. Then they told me he is the most lovable, sweetest boy with the biggest brown eyes you can just melt into kind of boy. I thought to myself, If you aren't willing to call him on his behavior then you can't get upset when the kids don't do what you want. I found out they have been giving the kids 6 to 8 chances. I felt like saying man up, women but at least they wrote on there list Be Tougher.

By the way he did melt my heart. He does everyday in some special way. Like when he tells me I'm his favorite because I read him stories at night.

He loves to tell us everyday that he loves us the best. Mom, don't tell Daddy but I love you the best.....Dad, don't tell Mommy but I love you the best....Shhhh don't tell....Shhhhh

Now tell me who wouldn't love to hear that everyday.

Halloween 2009

2009-11-01T10:48:00.000-08:00

Since this year has been all about Indiana Jones, Noah decide he just had to be him for Halloween. We went trick or treating down town around 2pm with our friends the Linsons. We were gone for about an hour and half. Then we went home and carved his little pumpkin that he got when he went on his field trip to the pumpkin patch. He thought it was so gross. Pumpkin guts nasty... Then we went to the church for the trunk or treat. We stopped at Walmart and got some cute picture of him. Then home to hand out candy and some quite time. This is one of my favorite holidays.

7 years of Love

2009-10-18T13:55:00.000-07:00

Happy 7th Birthday Noah....This years has been full of changes. We had fun at his 7th birthday. We had 16 snakes all over the floor. We used nerf big bad bows to shoot sketlons put the treasure on the treasure map and use Indiana Jones whip on the booms.

All the kids had so much fun. Our life is all about legos and Indiana Jones. The newest love of his is Starwars...Poor Mom....There is nothing better than your child telling you that his was the best birthday ever.

He is growing up

2009-09-28T21:57:00.000-07:00

So my miracle is growing up. He just started first grade and loves it. We had our first eye appt. and he is 20/20+ right now. Yeah for us. When the doctor was asking about the family background, I let her know that Noah was adopted. He is our very special boy. Later that night as we went to our swim class he asked " why am I special, Mom"? I told him once again how he came from Malia's belly not mine, but she wanted us to be his Mom and Dad. But also she loves him just as much as I do. First thing he says " oh, is she dead"? I said No Noah she isn't dead. She just loved you so much. By her giving all of us this chance to be a family,she showed how much she loved you. You just have to love a almost seven year olds thoughts.

We are getting ready for the big Indiana Jones Birthday party for his seventh birthday. He loves Indiana Jones. He really loves his Indiana Jones Lego Wii game. Just wait till he opens the Batman Lego Wii game. Right now all he talks about is his birthday party. He is making a birthday wish list.

He had his first spelling list and he got a 100% on it. That meant Baskin Robin icecream. Pretty soon the days of Mom read me a bedtime story will be gone and he will be busy with friends, but for now he's still my little boy.

4th of July

2009-07-08T15:33:00.000-07:00

This year we decide to be on vacation during the 4th of July. We decided on a stay home vacation. So this year our goal was to keep Noah awake. He is always asleep by 8pm at the latest. So we decided to give him a nap. It was a wonderful day. We went out driving as a family just taking different road in Sequim seeing where they go. Then we went home to relax and have nap times before we go downtown.

Around 5pm we walked downtown to the Hotel that Michelle and Don had rented to keep the kids rounded up. After we met up with some of the family we walked up to watch the Port Angeles Parade. Noah love the candy and flags they handed out. After about an hour and a half we needed something else to do so we walked down to the pier. They had set up a huge blow up slide that I never thought Noah would go on but he did. He loved it. Just spending the time with family was the best for me. After a while we went to the hotel room and just hung out till dark....But I took Noah on a short walk to go get ice cream at Dairy Queen. As we walked there I made a comment that my feet hurt so Noah said I could get on his back and he would carry me because he is strong. Cute hu.

Around 10pm the fireworks began and he loved it we had a perfect view. He had to sit on Big Unc's lap by the end. I think he was a little jealous of the girls getting Big Unc to them self's. I would have to say this was the best 4th of July I have ever had. I loved being with my two men.

Bringing home our wee Noah

2009-06-23T14:00:00.000-07:00

I remember bringing the car seat up to the hospital room. Putting our wee bundle in his car seat. We went down to the car and loaded it up and within 15 minutes we had to pull over. Oh Noah was crying very loudly so mommy needed to sit in the backseat with him. For the next two hours I was in that tiny backseat with him. But he was mine. We drove straight to my parents house where my Mom had dinner waiting for us. We stayed the night and went home the next day where he was able to meet others in our lives.
You think you plan for everything a new baby will need but that is not how it works. One thing I never thought I would need was baby gowns with mittens. Oh he loved to scratch his little face. So early Monday morning I took Noah to Walmart for our first shopping spree. I also introduced him to all my co-workers there.
You ever look at something and it fills your heart and soul with love. He is our whole world. He is the beginning of something very special....

Noahs Birth

2009-06-20T17:08:00.000-07:00

I can remember the day Noah was born like it was yesterday. We went to work at Walmart like it was any other day except I was going to start my leave a week early due to trying to get the house ready for our bundle of joy. Before leaving work I filled out the paperwork for the LOA and then said my goodbyes and left for home. Darcy came by to bring me some left over diapers and a heartbeat bear. Right after she left I got the phone call. There were complications and the heart beat had slowed down so they had to do a emergency C-section. I had to call Ward and tell him to get home the baby was coming. All I could keep saying "Baby is coming". Ward came home and he hopped into the shower, then off we drove to Tacoma.
I was so nervous the whole ride over. I remember we stopped at McDonald's because we didn't know when we would have a chance to eat again. When we got there we went straight to Malia's room. I was afraid to hold Noah. I let Ward hold him first. I felt like when are they going to change there mind. They have to change there mind. He is beautiful. I loved how his eyes had the slant to them. How his lips perched up. I counted his toes and fingers when we got him in our own room. Our room was colder then they planned so they took Noah to the nursery to warm him up. We also went into Malia's room about 11pm just so she could watch us with him. He was just so beautiful. I was so happy the next when it was time for us to drive the 2 and half hours to our home. The nurses packed two full diaper bags of formula and diapers to make sure we could just enjoy our new bundle of love. It took us a while but we went straight to my parents house. My Dad was gone but Mom was home and we stayed the night. I had been up for over 24hrs without sleep and I was so tired.
The next night we went to our house where we tried to get a routine down but babies they have there own deal. Noah had colic and was cranky at times, but I was truly blessed to have a wonderful husband who took half the shifts with me to care for Noah each night.

Best Friends

2009-06-18T17:12:00.000-07:00

I remember that phone call at Walmart so well but I also remember leaving work and running over to Tonja Linson house..I knocked softly on the door but no one came. I thought to myself it is nap time. She was 5 to 6 months pregnant with Zoe at the time and Madeline was just 18months old ( I think). Well having the friendship we have I just walked into there house, walked into her bedroom where her and Madeline were cuddle up sleeping. I was so excited I didn't wait for her to fully wake up. I just yelled we are getting a baby... its a boy.... so was in a dream state and was like what. Then I kinda gave her some details then left for home. Later she called and asked if I had come over to her house and told her I was having a baby. I was so excited that I couldn't sit still. Telling her was one of my favorite moments we have had together. When you have a friend who treats you like you are sisters, it means the most. Sharing the good times, the scared times and the very bad times. She has been that and so much more to me. She is always there to keep me line, help me be a better parent, and just be me.

Silver Lining

2009-06-15T22:56:00.000-07:00

When asked why I say "silver lining" I always think of my son. My husband and I had been married for 5yrs before we ever knew we couldn't have children. I remember pregnancy test after pregnancy test that all had the minus sign. I watch as my friends had these beautiful babies and all I could think is I need a baby. Lucky for me I had one friend who let me be involved with there small family and share in there daughter life.

When we finally found out we couldn't have children we knew adoption was the way. I was adopted as an infant and Ward was adopted by his grandparents. So we knew this was the right choice for us. First we went to Adoption Advocates and found out what we need to do to adopt a child. We decided to do the the foster adopt program.

We needed to get a home study which was going to cost a chunk of change but it was if the spirit came over me and told me this is the time. So I sat down with Ward and let him know that I knew this had to happen now...we couldn't wait not even a week.

So we had a wonderful Home study done. ( to be honest...I learned a lot from that visit) We went to foster parent classes and got certified. Just one thing left to do...first aid and CPR class. But before that could happen we got a phone call...I was at work right by the hardware counter. I heard the page for me so I went to the phone...I remember saying "This is Kassie in cosmetics ... How may I help you?" It was Adoption Advocates and they asked if I was sitting down? I kinda just laughed and said "No, I'm out on the floor right now." Then they went on to ask if we were interested in a private adoption instead of a foster adopt. All I could say was "Yes". They explained the differences. I just didn't care at that moment. They then told me we had 3 months till the birth of baby and oh by the way its a boy do you still want to do this. I barely remember anything else we might have said at that time. All I could think was I have to find Ward. Everyone wanted to know why I had to find him so bad. I was so excited and scared. One of the first people I told was trying to build me up for the let down. In my mind all I could think was "Shut Up".

So Noah will always be our silver lining. In less than 6 months I was holding a beautiful Samoan baby boy. Who we named Noah (after my grandpa) Cole (the name we picked together) Halelani (Ward and his grandfathers middle name) Symonds.

There were times I wait for the phone to ring or the shoe to drop and someone to change there mind. But he is ours. Its weird how they take after you in so many ways. He looks like Ward but is a drama King like me.

We just got his birth mothers graduation announcement in the mail with a lovely picture of her in it. We talk with Noah about how he didn't come out of my belly and we show him Malia's picture and tell him he came out of her belly. We always ask him who love you the most.... his answer is always very long... but then we go on to tell him Malia loved him even more cause she wanted him to be safe, happy, healthy, and loved. We tell him she chose us to be his parents. He is a Silver Lining. He is my miracle.

Kindergarden

2009-06-15T22:44:00.000-07:00

Last Friday I went on a field trip with Noah Kindergarden class. We went to the art center trails. Basically it is trail through the woods and there is over a 100 pieces of art all around you. You just need to spot it. We were only gone for an hour and a half but it was great. We saw TuTu forest, the eyelash bench, and rocks floating in the air. Great Fun!