Summer fun

Little pirate

Auntie Hannah and Isaiah

Serious talk!

THROW ME!

Jimmy "superfly" Snuka!

First day of Kindercamp

Beach

More Beach

WAVES!

Getting very comfortable in the pool

us!

Not the update some of you are expecting!

Hello and...well hello.  It's been a while.  We hope that you have all had a wonderful summer.  It's hard to believe school is starting and that the Fall will soon be upon us.  Love it though!!!

Well I have quite an update and the title says it all.  Over the past couple of months, the Carrs have gone on an unbelievable roller coaster ride.  I won't go in to all of it, but we have endured many many challenges with Isaiah, within ourselves and the the challenge of making the ultimate decision of whether or not we were all a good fit for each other.  In the beginning of August, we made the decision to have Isaiah move on from our home.  It was a very difficult decision but, at the time, we felt it was best.  We began the process of transition, a word I despise now, just for the record.  We had extra support services implemented, held off on certain evaluations and waited for DCF to find a suitable family for him.  When they did, we even went as far as meeting them and their son to begin the transition (ugh).  Then we broke down.

As we thought about Isaiah leaving our home, it seemed unfathomable.  We didn't know how we would actually pack his things and put him in a car to move away.  We cried...usually daily...about the transition.  (blach)  We even talked as though it might not happen and secretly wished the new family wouldn't feel comfortable moving forward.  After meeting them and learning how wonderful they were, we felt worse, not better.  We knew he could do well there, but just didn't think we could let go.  So we aren't!  We went back to DCF and asked for them to consider letting him stay here.  They were hesitant...probably because we kind of waivered once or twice before.  Whoops!  But we totally understood their hesitation and met with them this morning to hash it all out.  They asked hard questions which we answered and we committed to having Isaiah in our family, as he already is.  We just received word that they are going to allow him to stay and that they are happy that he won't have to move.  We will have a lot of work ahead of us, but as we are learning, that is just part of being a parent, which is exactly what he sees us as...his Mommy and Daddy!  So we are committed to working through our fears and frustrations and becoming a forever family.

Next will come some pictures of how he spent his summer, because, well he had a blast!

Until then...

WOOOO FREAKING HOOOOO!

Good morning~

Today is a blog post worthy day for sure, so I marched right downstairs and decided to update.

We found out yesterday that there has been a change to visitation between Isaiah and his mom.  He has been seeing her weekly since he came here over 9 months ago and those weekly visits have really made life more challenging for us all around.  Well as of yesterday he will now only see her once a month!  This is a huge relief to us as it really means we can start to see the child that will hopefully live here forever.  He has been still very hesitant and scared to attach to us because of his loyalties to his mom and seeing her so often.  We hope this will allow all of us to become more close knit!  Fingers crossed!

This weekend we went to a local carnival...here are some pics!

waiting in line with his tickets

can you guess what ride we're on?

surely his favorite part!

weeeeeeeee!

Remember us?

Happy Memorial Day weekend to everyone.  I know it has been MONTHS since I have updated the blog.  There really hasn't been much to update.  No movement in the case...still some struggles but we are getting there.  So today I was looking at some pictures and thought I should at least put some up here so everyone can see how much Isaiah is changing and all of the things he is experiencing!

Well, now that I think about it.... I guess there are some things to update.

Isaiah will be changing day cares in a couple of weeks.  We are moving him to a home based day care in August.  For the end of June and July...we have some interesting plans for his care.  (:

My mom will watch him for a week in June and then Gabe's mom will be coming out from Ohio to watch him for the last week in June.  I am taking the month of July off (gasp) and he and I will chill together having a ton of summer fun.  As a family we will also take a week long trip to the shore during July.  Then he will start his new day care in August AND he will start preschool at the local elementary school next year.  WOW!

We have had Isaiah for 9 months now...sometimes is seem much longer and other times it seems like it has gone by so fast.  What we know now is that the adoption will not be final any time soon due to many different reasons.  But we are okay with that.  We are still learning a lot about the little guy and are happy to have the support of the services provided by the state to help us as we learn.

 

New Turtle Sand box

Boating with friends

Getting comfortable in the water

Hanging on to Daddy!

New bike that was handed down by the neighbor!

Practicing his name

Hangin at the RecPlex

Sprinkler Fun

Pool Fun

Excited about something with Barbie!

First Time Camping

Playing at the campground

Watching the river flow at the campground

Us...minus JP.  (he was napping)

Pictures!

This link takes you to our Facebook album with Isaiah's pictures.  The most recent ones are at the end...Easter Egg coloring and the bunny blast on 3/28/10 at a local school.

Enjoy!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2034041&id=1431025088&l=e5d76f3b37

Figuring things out...we think!

Happy Sunday morning~
We are staying in bed a little longer this morning, just relaxing.  We've had a pretty good week this week, on all fronts.  I'll give you the bullet points version:

-Isaiah is doing a little bit better at his daycare.  His teacher is getting more firm with him and one of the negatively influencing children is no longer there.  So less climbing on tables, dumping paint and hitting people this week,  Phew!

-Isaiah started a Sports program on Monday evenings with Gabe.  He LOVES it.  It's for wee ones to help them build sports skills and agility.  There are stations that the kids go around doing all sorts of fun stuff.  Isaiah particularly likes the Basketball station.

-We have a PPT for Isaiah on 4/6 to find out if he will qualify for the town preschool program.  We hope he does, but never know.

-Gabe and I got a new attorney this week, who we REALLY like.  He really knows his stuff!!  All he does is child welfare work and we were impressed with his approach from the first phone call we had with him.

-DCF is filing the termination of parental rights petition with the court this week.  From there we will get a plea date, which will likely be near the end of April / beginning of May.  DCF suspects that Isaiah's Mom will consent to terminate her rights at the plea date to avoid a trial.  That would be great!  Fingers crossed.

Last night our cousin Katie came by and babysat Isaiah for a few hours while we went out to watch Basketball with some friends.  It was a much needed evening out.  Isaiah was uneasy by the end of the night, worried we may not be coming home, but in the end it was all great.  We are committed to getting out a little more and getting him used to babysitters, and to the fact that if we go out we will always come home.  That was inconsistent with his Mom.

Today we are going to one of the town schools for what's called the Bunny Blast!  The local Lions club chapter holds it for kids ages 2-8.  The Easter Bunny will be there, crafts and of course a bouncy house!!!  Barbie, Baby William and Alejandra are coming with us.  Will post pictures later.

Until then...

Swimming Lessons!

Isaiah started swimming lessons this Saturday.  

Here are some shots of him at the pool!

Boy that looks big!

Determination!