Sunday, November 30, 2008
A Masterpiece in the making
Christmas is upon us and nothing like a gingerbread house to get the festivities started. Over the next few weeks the decorations will go up. Last year we spent Christmas with the Grandparent and extended family in Big Bear, although we had a great time, we were in the mist of the adoption process and not even sure if Faith would ever come home. This year all my children are where they are suppose to be, HOME. So I am really excited for Christmas this year. I'll be posting pictures as the decorations go up. Meanwhile, enjoy the gingerbread house pictures.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Random Thoughts
A year ago, this week, my husband and I were preparing to meet our fourth child, for the first time, in Guatemala. I'd like to say that I remember it like yesterday, but quit honestly, I don't. I remember being excited and nervous. Would she like us, would we like her, would it be hard to leave her behind not knowing when we'd see her again. A year ago seems like forever ago. Jayme and I had no idea at that time how much she was going to change our lives, forever.
I remember being a kid dreaming up what my future would be like. It couldn't be anything less than perfect because nothing else existed in my head. For those who knew me, knew I was never having kids, more or less getting married. I thought I was destined to be a socialite in Europe, traveling all over, partying like I would be 21 forever. When did I wake up from that dream. Every time I try and make a plan the exact opposite occurs, and probably for the better. OK, OK, so I never had the greatest plans to begin with.
It's amazing to me that it takes a holiday like Thanksgiving or Christmas to really think about all the things that we are thankful for, all the things that have impacted our lives and about all the people that we love so dearly. I often wonder why the Lord has blessed me the way he has. I have an incredible husband and am so thankful for all he does for me, the children, and all those he cares about. I'm thankful for my beautiful children, although they often drive me crazy, I couldn't imagine my life without them. I am also so very thankful for my family and Friends who love, care and support me on a daily basis. I am thankful for all my bloggers friend who continue to support, love and pray for us Riggio's.
My mind has been on a roller coaster this last year. First the adoption process, then bringing our daughter home and learning of her special needs, and then theres today. Today Jayme and I met with some therapist at a clinic that my nephew Joey goes to. The clinic was amazing and very different from where Faith attends therapy now. I've been frustrated with Faiths therapy and progress. Don't get me wrong, I am so thankful and excited about the progress she has made over the last seven months, however, I do feel that therapy, lately, has been going slow. I've also been trying to get her speech therapy and can't (it's a long story and would seriously bore most of you so I will refrain from getting into it). We met with several different therapist that deal with "alternative" therapies. We met with two gentlemen from Australian that put together an intensive home program that consists of 4-6 hours of therapy a day, as well as signed Faith up for Neuro suit therapy and Tomatis listening therapy. The Neuro suit and Tomatis therapy is a 3 week 6 hour a day, intensive program. I know it sounds like a lot, but I truly believe that Faith can and will benefit from these programs. We won't be starting until the first of January and I am very excited. The only downfall is that they are all very expensive therapies, luckily her progress, well-being and happiness is worth every penny. Today was a bit of a reality check for Jayme and I. We are realizing that Faith journey will not be a short one. The road will be long, but well worth the journey.
Thank you all for letting me share my life with you. Your love and support keep me going each and everyday. I read so many blogs and please excuse me if I haven't commented lately, I wanted to thank you all for your continuous support. And to my family and friends, LOVE YOU
I remember being a kid dreaming up what my future would be like. It couldn't be anything less than perfect because nothing else existed in my head. For those who knew me, knew I was never having kids, more or less getting married. I thought I was destined to be a socialite in Europe, traveling all over, partying like I would be 21 forever. When did I wake up from that dream. Every time I try and make a plan the exact opposite occurs, and probably for the better. OK, OK, so I never had the greatest plans to begin with.
It's amazing to me that it takes a holiday like Thanksgiving or Christmas to really think about all the things that we are thankful for, all the things that have impacted our lives and about all the people that we love so dearly. I often wonder why the Lord has blessed me the way he has. I have an incredible husband and am so thankful for all he does for me, the children, and all those he cares about. I'm thankful for my beautiful children, although they often drive me crazy, I couldn't imagine my life without them. I am also so very thankful for my family and Friends who love, care and support me on a daily basis. I am thankful for all my bloggers friend who continue to support, love and pray for us Riggio's.
My mind has been on a roller coaster this last year. First the adoption process, then bringing our daughter home and learning of her special needs, and then theres today. Today Jayme and I met with some therapist at a clinic that my nephew Joey goes to. The clinic was amazing and very different from where Faith attends therapy now. I've been frustrated with Faiths therapy and progress. Don't get me wrong, I am so thankful and excited about the progress she has made over the last seven months, however, I do feel that therapy, lately, has been going slow. I've also been trying to get her speech therapy and can't (it's a long story and would seriously bore most of you so I will refrain from getting into it). We met with several different therapist that deal with "alternative" therapies. We met with two gentlemen from Australian that put together an intensive home program that consists of 4-6 hours of therapy a day, as well as signed Faith up for Neuro suit therapy and Tomatis listening therapy. The Neuro suit and Tomatis therapy is a 3 week 6 hour a day, intensive program. I know it sounds like a lot, but I truly believe that Faith can and will benefit from these programs. We won't be starting until the first of January and I am very excited. The only downfall is that they are all very expensive therapies, luckily her progress, well-being and happiness is worth every penny. Today was a bit of a reality check for Jayme and I. We are realizing that Faith journey will not be a short one. The road will be long, but well worth the journey.
Thank you all for letting me share my life with you. Your love and support keep me going each and everyday. I read so many blogs and please excuse me if I haven't commented lately, I wanted to thank you all for your continuous support. And to my family and friends, LOVE YOU
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Update
I spoke with the Geneticist today and all of Faith's testing came back negative. The Dr. said that he has no further recommendations and we should follow up in 6 months, and I'm completely OK with that.
I forget about, with each kid we have, that period of adjustment. With Faith it seemed that the adjustment period lasted longer than usual. I'm not sure if it's because she was adopted or if it's her special needs, maybe both. I finally feel that period has passed. I feel very content and happy with the new structure of our family. I no longer concern myself with what is causing Faiths delays, rather I've accepted her as she is and look forward to watching her grow. I feel like supermom, I can conquer the world and anything that it throws at me.
Paris ad Roc are doing well. They have been busy with school, soccer, krav maga and Spanish class. Rex is 2yrs old, enough said, and Faith is progressing everyday. Her next goal is to earn to crawl. I ask that you pray for her to achieve that goal. Jaymes been doing well. He is still exercising and watching his eating, although challenging at times, he is powering through it.
I have an amazing family and although chaotic to most I love every minute of it.
I forget about, with each kid we have, that period of adjustment. With Faith it seemed that the adjustment period lasted longer than usual. I'm not sure if it's because she was adopted or if it's her special needs, maybe both. I finally feel that period has passed. I feel very content and happy with the new structure of our family. I no longer concern myself with what is causing Faiths delays, rather I've accepted her as she is and look forward to watching her grow. I feel like supermom, I can conquer the world and anything that it throws at me.
Paris ad Roc are doing well. They have been busy with school, soccer, krav maga and Spanish class. Rex is 2yrs old, enough said, and Faith is progressing everyday. Her next goal is to earn to crawl. I ask that you pray for her to achieve that goal. Jaymes been doing well. He is still exercising and watching his eating, although challenging at times, he is powering through it.
I have an amazing family and although chaotic to most I love every minute of it.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
We have a new member of our family
As if we didn't have enough going on, we got a puppy. His name is Rudy and he is a Goldendoodle. My Dad and stepmother run a Golden Retreiver rescue and one of the rescue dogs gave birth to a litter of Goldendoodles. We are all excited to have him as a part of the family. Well, Jayme may beg to differ.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
First photos as a Family of six
These photos are from our Celebrating Adoption Photo Shoot. They are our first photos as a family of six. Celebrating Adoption is a group of photographers that offer a special package for adoptive families. We got our sitting fee for free and 20free proofs. Of course, all the pictures turned out so amazing that you can't help wanting to buy them all. Our photographer was awesome and lives right here in our hometown. We will definitely be using her again in the future. Below is just a small glimpse of some of our pics.
My Favorite Picture
My Favorite Picture
Friday, November 7, 2008
Favorite Family Foto
These are my favorite family fotos. Unfortunately, the only ones we have of all six of us was taken during our Celebrating Adoption Photo shoot, and I don't have pics to share. So these are my second favorites. Hope you enjoy.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Happy Halloween
Halloween is my favorite holiday, because it's my Birthday. This year I turned 35. Where have the years gone. I had a great birthday this year. I spent the morning visiting with Stacy and Isabella. Thanks for the card and balloons, Stacy. Isabella is so beautiful and is an official toddler. She is walking all over. Check out the pics. Faith and Isabella are going to be life long friends.
Isabella
Isabella and Faith
We spent Halloween night at a Harvest Festival getting face paintings and jumping in a bouncing. We then went home, celebrated my Birthday with cake and then took the kids out trick or treating. Faith dressed as a Pink Poodle, Paris was Wonder Woman, Roc was some sorta Ninja and Rex was Batman. Some of our cousins also joined us for the festivities.
Every year I joke around about turning 22, again. Well after the kids went to bed and the babysitter arrived Jayme and I went out to have some drinks with friends. I was so hungover on Saturday that it was ridiculous. I realized that I can't drink like i was 22, because the recovery is a lot harder. Saturday, Jayme and I shipped the kids off to there Grandparents and drove up to Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort in Avila Beach, where I got the best Hot Stone massage EVER and slept for 12 hours. It was very relaxing and a much needed getaway.
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I am a SAHM who has been married for 10 years. My husband and I have 4 children. Our youngest who we adopted from Guatemala. We have 4 dogs and a Poppy and hope to add another child to our family through adoption. This blog is about us.
