Eye Doctor

Tod took Michael to the eye doctor yesterday, so last night at the dinner table he was telling about it. He said "and my piples were huge Mom". We all laughed. Sometmes he says the cutest things!

Our first Christmas as a family was great. We went to Ohio to visit family, and Michael was awesome! He got to meet my Dad and Step-Mom for the first time, and we had a great time at their house! My Father is a real outdoorsman, and Michael loves to be outside, so they got along great! Dad took him on a 4-wheeler ride as soon as we got to their house. This was sweet...on our way to their house Michael said "Mom...what do I call him" I said "who?" he said "your Dad, what do I call him" I said "you can call him Grandpa" a few minutes later he said "can I give him a hug" I said "yes of course you can, he would like that" tears welled up in my eyes. He is such a sweet boy. So while on their 4-wheeler ride, they found a deer carcass, and Michael came home with the deer's lower jaw bone. He thought it was the coolest thing ever! He got a real Coleman tent from Dad and Maureen. So Dad put it up in the living room, and Michael of course wanted to sleep in it that night! Dad wants us to bring Michael back this summer so they can go camping (Dad has a hunting camp in southern OH). I always thought my Dad should have had a son, I guess a Grandson that loves the outdoors as much as he does, is the next best thing! I am so blessed to have my Father in my life, he is a great man and terrific Grandfather.

We got to visit lots of other family, and my extended family including my cousins, aunts and uncles. Michael did well with everything, and when we got home Tuesday we had our Coles family Christmas. Michael got an electric scooter, which was on the top of his list, so he was very excited!

All in all it was a great Christmas, now it's time to get ready for 2012, and hopefully a finalized adoption. Happy New Year to all! Love - The Coles Family

Yesterday was the Holiday Party at Michael's school, and being that I am the "Lead" Room Mom, I was in charge of the class party. Which is exciting and scary at the same time. Not having a child in school until a few months ago, I dont know what goes on during these parties. So I asked my asst Room Mom, and she said a movie, snacks and maybe a craft. CRAFT...what? I am not crafty! So I worried about this for a few weeks, and then decided to have the children decorate holiday cookies... not Christmas cookies, because that involves religion, and Michael goes to a public school *gasp*. So I bought gingerbread man cookies and icing, and sprinkles and M&M's etc to decorate. The kids loved it! Other Mom's brought snacks (lots of sweets) and juice boxes, and when the party was over..I was glad to be going back to work...because Michael was on a sugar high!

It was really fun to be there with him. I think he was very proud to have me there, as several times he came up to me and put his arms around my waist. Kinda like he wanted the other children to know...this is my Mom.

Now the big fun begins, we are driving to Ohio tomorrow to visit family for 5 days! It's our first Christmas with Michael, and we are pretty excited. I will post and let you know how it goes!

Special shout out to my dear friend Donelle, she mentioned today that she reads our blog! I sometimes wonder if anyone reads this...but it's fun posting anyway. I am hoping that someday Michael will read this. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

Leftovers

So Thursday night dinners in our house are typically leftover night. We cook Sunday Monday Tuesday and Wednesday nights, so by Thursday it's time to clean out the refrig. Last night Tod had a wedding consult, so it was Michael and I eating the leftovers. I heated up something we had earlier in the week for Michael, and he said "this was really better the first time". I could tell he wasn't liking it. So I said ok lets throw that out, would you like some Chicken and Stars soup. It's one of those microwave in the bowl soups, he said sure! So I'm putting it in the microwave and he looks at me and says "you really DO care about me, don't you". It's amazing to me that something so small, is so impressive to him. I actually felt bad that it was just soup, and not a home cooked meal. But to him it was more than soup. Yep...I care so much, that I microwaved soup for you, but in reality buddy...I would do anything for you.

Be thankful for what you have.

Christmas Gifts

So at Michael's school they do a "Santa Shop", where the children can bring in money, and they get to shop for gifts for their family. The gifts range in price from 50 cents to $5 each. So I gave him $10 to shop with. Last night when I got home he wanted to give Dad and I our gifts...he was so excited. Dad got a money clip that says "Dad"! Nice! Mom got a green plastic pen in the shape of a thumbs up! Really? How did he know I had been looksing for a pen just like this forever? The best part is...the pen was only 95 cents! Now he had $10...but good thing the pen was only 95 cents, because the necklace he bought himself was $3 and the ring he bought his girlfriend was $2. Basically he got gifts for himself, girlfriend, Mom and Dad and had $3 left over. Which of course he put in his pocket. I'm not really sure how that works out, but thank God I have a green thumbs up pen! I can't wait till Christmas morning!

Funny!

Michael has an alarm clock next to his bed, and he wakes up to it each school morning. Well last Friday afternoon the power flickered, and we had to reset all the clocks. His alarm clock has dual alarms, so you can set it to go off at two different times. Last night Tod couldn't sleep so he was up late working on the computer. At midnight, he hears Michael's alarm clock/radio going off. A few minutes later Michael opens the door and looks over the railing, and says "Hi Dad". Tod says "Hey Michael". Tod thought he was sleep walking, so he just sat there a minute. He finally decided to go upstairs and see what Michael was doing, because his light was still on. When he gets to Michael's room, he is making his bed! He thought it was morning! Well in his defense, when he gets up for school, it is still dark outside. Tod said "aren't you a little tired" Michael said "yes I am". Tod explained that it was midnight and he could go back to bed.

We have him trained so well!

He continues to AMAZE us!

Michael got his report card last week, and it was really pretty good. He got an A in math! That is great news for us, because both Tod and I are really not good at math. Once we get his reading and writing skills up, he will be in great shape. His hand writing is not very good, but I joked with his teacher that Doctor's have bad handwriting...right?

All in all he is really doing well. On the weekends he just wants to play outside with his friends in the neighborhood. They run around for hours playing ball, riding bikes, building forts, going back and fourth between eachothers houses. It's really neat, to see that he is so well adjusted. I love it!

Last night Michael was watching the Michael Jackson Thriller music video, and he said "I thought Michael Jackson was white"? Tod said "Oh that video was made before he turned white"! lol

Fall Family Fun!

Another fun weekend at the Coles house. Saturday Michael's little league baseball team had a tournament game and they WON 12-4! So now he will play the championship game on Thursday! That night he had a baseball party, which we went to, while Tod was at a wedding. Michael really had fun playing with his team mates.

Yesterday was church, and then Natalie and Brock came up and we carved pumpkins! I made a huge pot of chili and we went to pick out our pumpkins. When we came home everyone got creative! Michael had never carved a pumpkin before, so he was very excited. Not to worry, Tod helped, and he used child friendly tools! After the carving, Tod and Brock played football in the back yard with the neighborhood kids! It was so cute to see them all out there! I have posted pictures of our carving and of Michael and his neighborhood friends...his posse! It's so great that he has friends and feels at home. I think he is finally getting comfortable with our family life and confident that we are not going anywhere. We are here to stay...the 3 of us.

Big Crazy weekend!

Friday night we went to Denver Days, which is a little festival not far from our house! Michael and Tod both took a friend! We had fun, until the last ride, Michael's friend Kyle did not feel well when he got off the ride. So we headed home, which was fine because we had to get up early Saturday morning!

We had been talking to and prepping Michael, about what it means to volunteer and what a charity is, for a few days. Because this weekend was gonna be a big one!

We started out Saturday morning at 530am! We headed down to Charlotte for the annual Susan G. Komen, Race for the Cure. For those of you that don't know, my very best friend Shelli passed away 4 years ago from breast cancer. Each year Tod and I either walk, or volunteer. This year we volunteered as course monitors. We are assigned a spot along the course to sit/stand/cheer people on! Michael was great! He told the runners/walkers "you're doing great" or "your almost there" or "good morning"! And he stood with his hands out so the runners would slap his hand, as they ran by! Many said "thank you buddy I needed that". It brought tears to my eyes to see all of those people walking/running for one reason...to put an end to breast cancer.

Tod and Michael left the race a little early, so they could go to Michael's baseball game. Which they won! He told me "we won for breast cancer, Mom. And for you and Shelli". What a sweet boy!

Then it was off to a baby shower, for our great friends Jen and Christiaan. They are expecting a girl (Lyla) in December. While I was at the shower, Tod took Michael to a wedding. I picked Michael up after the shower, and Tod headed to another wedding.

Sunday morning we got up early to go volunteer at Touch A Truck, which is an event held every year, to benefit Addi's Cure, a local charity which raises money for lung cancer research. Another of my dear friends lost his battle with lung cancer about 2 years ago. So each year Tod and I volunteer at this event. It's always great to see our friends and their families! Thanks to everyone that came out to support a great charity. Michael had a great day, he just ran around and chatted with people he knew and hung out with some new friends! He would come and check in with us every one in a while. It was a beautiful day, and I am sure Bo was looking down on us and smiling.

We got home from Touch A Truck , Michael went outside to play with his friends, and Tod and I layed around watching football. What a weekend! I am so proud of my family for all the great things we did, for great charities. I love my boys very much, and you make me proud!!!

It has been rainy for about 10 days now. I know we need the rain, but I need to see the sunshine! Michael's baseball game saturday was delayed 1 hour...for rain, but they ended up winning 17-4! This was the first win of the season, so it was very exciting. Natalie and Brock both came to see him play.

Brock stayed with us saturday night, while Tod and I went out to dinner. That was a nice treat, date night!

Sunday we went to church, and then watched the Panthers win their first game of the season! Lots of first wins this weekend...maybe it's the rain. lol

I made meatloaf for dinner, and Natalie and Kevin came up. So we had a house full of family...which I just love! There were so many years that Tod and I lived here in NC and had no family here. It was just the two of us. And now with Natalie, Kevin, Brock and Michael it's like we have a family now. And I just love it!!!

This week will be a crazy one, with baseball tuesday, thursday and saturday. The Susan G. Komen race on saturday morning, a baby shower saturday afternoon along with 2 weddings. Then next sunday is Touch A Truck, which we always volunteer to work. We had a talk with Michael yesterday after church about volunteering, and why we do it, and what it means to us. We volunteer at the breast cancer walk in Charlotte in honor of my best friend Shelli. And we volunteer to work at Touch A Truck in honor of my friend Bo. I will post pictures next week!

Love - Tod, Christina and Michael

Wow...it's been a while since my last post. We had lots of fun over Labor Day weekend. My friend Cindy (whom I have know since we were 5) and her family, came to town friday night, and stayed with us. They were on their way to the beach, and stopped to visit. It was great to see them, and catch up, and the boys played together so well! I'm so glad she got to meet Michael.

Last Monday Tod and Michael decided to build a fort in our back yard. The very back part of our yard is thick with trees and brush, and they worked on that fort for several hours. On tuesday night Tod noticed small bumps on Michael's legs. POISON IVEY! And we are still battling raging poison ivey. Tod went to the doctor wednesday and got a shot and a steriod prescription. He took Michael to the doctor thursday and got a prescription...we have been through 3 bottles of calamine lotion, and they are still itching. If it's not better in the next 24 hours, they will both go back to the doctor, and the fort will be abandoned.

Other than that, we are getting along pretty well. We decided last week that we need to hire a tutor, for Michael. He is slightly behind with school work, and after we work all day, doing 2 hours of homework is killing us. So that will start this week.

Between our everyday lives, work and Michael's activities we are keeping very busy. Michael did meet some boys that live in our cul-de-sac that are his age, and he has been to their house to play a few times. That is nice for us to get a break from "what can we play next"? I really wish I had time to "play" with him, but unfortunately the laundry fairy has not visited our house in quite a while. Where has that chick been?

Last night was the first baseball practice! Michael is really good at baseball, he has a great arm. He just needs to learn to control it. And the boy loves to slide, he slides into base even when he doesn't need to slide! The coach even said something to the team about Michael sliding more than the other players. Great...that just means more dirt in my house!

I am finally recovering from Carowinds. My voice is pretty much back to normal! One other thing that happened after we got home from Carowinds...Michael was very tired that night, but Tod insisted that he take a shower before he went to bed. So he was standing in the shower, and he decided to fill the tub and sit down. Tod walked into the bathroom to make sure he didnt fall asleep, and Tod starting scrubbing Michaels back with the scrubby thing. Michael said with his eyes closed..."no one's ever cared about me like this before". If that doesnt put your life in perspective...

Carowinds!

Wow...another great weekend! Saturday morning, Michael woke up to find a ticket to Carowinds on the kitchen table! He said "are we going to Carowinds someday" and we said how about today! He was so excited!!! We got into the park about 11am, and it was beautiful. I'm not sure if it ws the fact the school had started back, or if people were afraid or hurricane Irene, but there were almost no lines! It was about 88 and partly cloudy with a nice breeze...the perfect day. Michael loved the roller coasters. Unfortunately there were a few that he was still not tall enough for, but I just reminded him that next year he will get to ride all of them! Tod and Brock took some time to ride the big rides, while Michael and I had fun riding others, just the two of us. I did find myself sounding like my parents several times throughout the day...no, we did not come here to play games, we came to ride the rides...no you cannot have an airbrushed baseball cap...no, we did not come here to play games, we came to ride the rides...no we are not buying you a giant plastic tube of powder candy...no, we did not come here to play games, we came to ride the rides! He did play one game and won a stuffed monkey! We spent almost 11 hours in the park, and he was great...exhausted but great! I lost my voice from screaming on the roller coasters, but that's how my Daddy taught me to do it...scream so you dont cry! And we all had blisters from walking so much, but it was worth all the fun we had!

Yesterday we laid low. We got Micael some new clothes and shoes. He told us he wanted dress shoes. Tod asked "what kind of dress shoes"...he said "like those hyphens" Tod said "do you mean loafers"? Yep thats what he meant. I'm not sure how Tod got loafers out of hyphens...but ok. It's so cute that he wants to dress like Tod, I love it actually...it's much better than t-shirts and those shorts that boys wear.

Tomorrow is his first baseball practice. He has been looking forward to baseball starting! I can't wait to see how he does!!!

New School Year!

So yesterday was Michael's first day of 4th grade at his new school, St. James Elementary! So I got up early in the morning and made him waffle's. He loves my home made waffle's...he said they are the best things on earth! After a belly full of waffle's we all four walked to the bus stop (Michael, Tod, Zoe and I), which is at the front of our neighborhood. It's about a 2 minute walk fro our house. No on else was at the stop, which surprised me. I guess everyone else in our hood will be drive their children. Michael was excited about getting to ride the bus! While we waited for the bus, Michael looked a little nervous. I gave him a hug, told him that we love him and that we are very proud of him. We also reminded him to be a good role model.

When the bus pulled up, he jumped on...and he was gone. I had a little tear in my eye. Then all day yesterday, I kept thinking about him...what ws he doing...was he being good...having fun...scared...did he eat his lunch? When I got home last night he told me that yesterday was "the best day EVER!" He told us about his day, and he sounded really excited. When we put him to bed last night, we always say prayers, and ask "what was the best part of your day" and he said "making new friends". Another tear in my eye...

Tod doesnt have any weddings this weekend, so we are going to try and get to Caroinds tomorrow or Sunday! That should be fun with a 9 year old!

Brushing Teeth

Last night I asked Michael to go brush his teeth before bed.

Michael "how about I don't brush them tonight, and I brush them 2 times tomorrow"
Me "no, you have to brush them tonight"
Michael "how about 4 times tomorrow".

I tried to explain that if he doesn't brush his teeth then the ice cream he just ate will root his teeth while he sleeps!

Fun weekend!

We had another fun and busy weekend at the Coles house! Friday night we went to the Hopewell High School football game. My dear friend Rochelle got us tickets, because her awesome boyfriend Todd is a coach at Hopewell. Michael had fun cheering for Hopewell, and they beat Providence HS 41-13!

Saturday we had a typical morning at our house...lots of chores to get done! But no weddings. Michael was a trooper with the chores, he helped me iron clothes (ok he set up the ironing board) and helped Tod clean up both cars! Then we went to the pool for a few hours. Since Michael had such a good week, he got to pick where we went for dinner, so it was wings at Hickory Tavern for dinner.

On Sunday we cooked a big breakfast, with Micahel's help. Then we played a couple innings of whiffle ball in the back yard, then off to play on the lake with the Jost's and McKinnon's. We had lots of fun!

Tomorrow Tod and I will celebrate 13 years of wedded bliss! I'm not sure how we will celebrate since we have a 9 year old in tow. But I will be happy whatever we do. After 13 years I dont expect a big celebration dinner anymore, and that is just fine with me. I just thank God that we have made it 13 years, and we are still in love. gush...

Well...we knew it would happen sooner or later...Michael has Poison Ivy. In the very back of our yard, we have poison ivy growing like crazy, and apparently Michael found it! He has it on both legs. He has been a trooper trying not to itch, and today Tod is taking him to Barium Springs for a scheduled doctor appointment, so that works out!

We have been pluggin along, no issues. Last night I came home and the boys were working on putting together a pitching net. Hopefully it will get alot of use! School starts next week, and Michael will be riding the bus. He seems pretty happy about that!

We hope that everyone has a great school year!

Great week

On Tuesday morning my sister, Paul and the kids left for Wrightsville Beach. They left Mom here with us, which has been great! She has had time to hang with just us, and get to know Michael better. And she has been a wonderful babysitter! Tod has had alot of wedding consults in the evenings, so he will bring Michael home and leave before I get home, and Mom will stay with Michael.

I think it's been nice for her to see our new family function. I wish she lived closer so she could spend more time with us. Oh and I almost forgot, she also brought him a new game for his DS, Tony Hawk something. The Wii has also been a huge hit with Michael. She is spoiling us!!!

Yesterday Miss Melanie (from Barium Springs) came for her weekly visit, and when she walked in the door, Michael said "Miss Melanie, I have someone I want you to meet...this is my Grandma". Sweet boy...

Busy Weekend!

So Friday night we went to dinner with Kyle, Doug, Natalie and Kevin at Halcyon Restaurant in Uptown Charlotte...it was delish. They didnt have a kids menu, actually Michael was the only kid in the restaurant, and the service was slow, so we had to wait. But he was so good! I was very proud of him. He enjoyed meeting Aunt Kyle and Uncle Doug, and Aunt Kyle made him an adorable photo album with pictures of the family, so he could remember everyone! It was very sweet.

Very late Friday night/very early Saturday morning, my sister (Valerie) arrived with Paul, Zach, Erin, Drake and my Mom. So Saturday morning Michael got to meet more family. He and Drake hit it off right away, and had so much fun playing. We went shopping for school supplies, and while we were out, Grandma bought us (the Coles family) a Wii. Then Aunt Valerie bought Michael a pillow pet (the monkey)! That afternoon (in the heat of the day) we went to Panthers Fan Fest. We got to go in the studium, and watch the Panthers practice!

On Sunday we had a great day on Lake Norman! Tod made us a big breakfast, then we packed sandwiches and loaded onto the boat. We were out for over 6 hours! The kids got to swim and went tubing, we even got my Mom into a raft! We came home (sunburnt) and then had a cookout. Aunt Kyle, Uncle Doug, Brock and Kevin all came up and we grilled bugers and dogs. Then everyone went to the backyard and played wiffle ball. It was so wonderful having family at our house! Living 500+ miles from all of our family...well it doesnt happen often that I have a house full of family...it was really great!!!

School registration

This morning we took Michael to St. James elementary to register him for school. He is so very excited! I had to fill out lots of paperwork, we got to meet the principal, and we got a tour of the school. It's a very nice, and fairly new school. Michael said it is bigger than his previous school (Rock Springs elementary). This weekend we will go shopping for school supplies, and his first day is August 25!

Finally!

On Friday we got word that all of the DSS paperwork was in order, and Michael is now permanently in our home! So no more transition, back and forth to John and Marsha's house. That was good news! So now we work towards finalizing the adoption...which I am thinking will take a while...unfortunately.

We had a good weekend. Saturday morning Tod had a wedding at Latta Plantation, which we all went to. It was really nice, but so very very hot! Saturday afternoon I took Michael to see the Smurf movie, then shopping for some school clothes, while Tod had another wedding. And I still cannot get the Smurf song out of my head lalalalalalalalalalalalala.

Yesterday we went to church and brunch with the Militello's, and when we got home the boys did some work around the house. It was so cute to see Tod and Michael working on putting a kick stand on Tod's bike. Michael was so proud of himself and Tod is really good about teaching him how to use the tools, and the names of the tools.

Cute story, while we were at brunch yesterday, Lexi said "Christina, what does Michael call you". I said "Well sometimes he calls us Tod and Christina, and sometimes he calls us Mom and Dad". She was fine with that answer, but Tod and I have said that if we referred to each other as Mom and Dad, he would probably call us that more often. I think we will work on that this week.

Big weekend coming up, lots of family coming to town! I know they are excited to meet Michael.

We will post new pictures on the website soon...I promise!

Summer Vacation

Last week we were on vacation! We left home on Saturday July 9 and headed to N. Topsail Beach, NC, about a 4 1/2 hour drive! We joined Kelly (Tod's sister) her husband Todd (or as we call him Buddy) their 3 children Mia (8) Clay (7) Laney (3) and Marcella (Tod and Kelly's Mom) for a few days. We all had a great time! The kids spent every day, all day, either in the ocean or in the pool. On Wednesday The Coles family left N. Topsail and went to down the road about 30 minutes to Wilmington. We wanted time to be together just the 3 of us. So we stayed at the Holiday Inn Resort on Wrightsville Beach. Which is a great hotel for families, and not the type of hotel we would have ever thought of staying at, until Michael came along! We spent 2 nights there, and drove home on Friday July 15. It was a great trip! Michael got along so well with the other children (his new cousins), Marcella cooked for us and everyone just relaxed.

This week has been back to normal life, working and day care. Michael is doing great, he hasnt had any "meltdowns" as I refer to them, in while. He loves to give us hugs, and cuddle on the sofa and tell us he loves us. Tod took Michael to the public library earlier this week and he got his first library card (he wrote his name on the back...Michael Coles)! He was so excited to put it in his wallet! They did check out a few books and we are having Michael read to us each night before bed. We have found that it calms him down (makes him sleepy) and it's also good practice. He really needs to be reading better. I am sure that it's not just reading that he needs help with, so we will try to get him some tutoring this school year. I cannot believe that school starts in 1 month (Aug 25).

Funny story - last Friday night, we went to dinner, and we were home, Michael was in bed and I looked at the clock...it was 9:08pm! I looked at Tod and said...wow have our lives changed. A few months ago, we would have been just having dinner at 9pm, then we would have gone out for drinks!

Good news, my sister Valerie and her family will be coming to visit us in 2 weeks. She will be bringing her boyfriend Paul, Erin (16) Drake (9) and Joan (my Mom) with her! They are all very excited to meet Michael...funny how they haven't come to visit us in years, but now that we have Michael, everyone wants to come and visit us.

Adoption update - We are still in "transition", which means we are waiting on one more form to be filed/completed, then Michael can move into our home permanently. Right now he spends a few nights with us and then goes to John and Marsha's (current foster parents) house for a night or two. We are hoping to have him with us permanently in the next few weeks.

That's all I have to report for now. I hope this finds you and your family happy and healthy! Love - Christina, Tod and Michael Coles

July 4th Weekend

Wow...we had a great weekend! Friday night I picked Michael up and we ran some errands, haircut, WalMart, the mall. Tod was going to be late, so I asked Michael where we should eat dinner. Mexican, Italian etc. or we could eat in the mall food court. He said "we can eat, in the mall?" I honestly dont think he had been to a mall before! So we ate dinner in the food court. We was also amazed by the escalator. I had to hold his hand getting on and off, and he was concerned about stepping off, he thought he would get sucked in! While we were walking through the mall, he said "this is like Mom and Son day". I said yes Michael it is!

Saturday we went to a neighbors house, on the lake for swimming, eating and fireworks! Sunday we went to church, and Michael made me a bracelet at Sunday school. I wore it the whole weekend! Then we went to my friends Leslie's house and swam in her pool all day! It was another great day.

I think Monday July 4th was my favorite day of the long weekend. We took Michael to the YMCA pool for about an hour...we didnt know they were closing at 2pm! But the Y has a great pool with water slides. Well...in order to be allowed to go down the slides, you have to pass a swimming test! So after we practiced for a while, Michael decided he was ready for the test. He had to swim (without touching the bottom or stopping) about 60 feet, then he had to tread water for 1 minute! We were both in the pool with him, cheering him on! He passed, and the lifeguard gave him a plastic necklace that he has to wear at their pool, showing that he passed the test. You would have thought they gave him the moon. He was so proud of himself. He said "this necklace means I passed...I did it" he said he would wear it to day care, to show his friends. He actually wore it all day yesterday. When we put him to bed we always ask "what was the best part of your day" he said getting the necklace. Tod and I also said that him passing the swim test and getting the necklace was the best part of our day also!

We had another party to go to yesterday afternoon. Our friends (the Faunce's) moved into their new house on the lake recently, and we got to swim and eat again. We went home to watch fireworks, and then went to bed. It was a great weekend for all of us. Now we get ready for the beach! We leave this saturday morning for Topsail Beach for a week!

Cute question

I love the cute things he says! Last night Tod asked him to go upstairs and brush his teeth and get ready for bed. Michael said "how about if I don't brush my teeth tonight, and I will brush them twice in the morning?" Nope...sorry buddy...that is not how it works!

Another Home Visit

Last night we had yet another visit from another social worker, interviewing Tod and I seperately. I'll tell you this...they know just about everything there is to know about us, our childhood, our relationship, our families etc!

We have a busy weekend coming up, Tod has a wedding Friday and Sunday, and Monday we have a party to go to. I'm hoping to get out on the lake, and we will definately go to the pool! The party Monday will be the first time that a bunch of our friends will get to meet Michael. I know there will be lots of kids, food and fireworks! Oh shoot, that reminds me, Michael wanted to do sparklers last night after dinner and I forgot. There is so much to remember being a new Mom!

So currently Michael goes to a day care not far from our house, Mon-Fri. It's the same place he went for after school during the school year. But he told us that he would rather not go to the day care, next school year. So I guess I need to enroll him in the St James Elementary after school program. Also we need to register him to play fall baseball...or as he refers to it "Fall Ball". He is very excited about playing baseball again. Tod thought he should try football, but he said no, he loves baseball. And he's really good at it!

Last night we were unpacking some of his toys, and getting him settled in his room. I reminded him that if he has any toys that he no longer plays with, that we could donate them to Barium Springs Home for Children. He liked that idea!

We are also getting very excited about our upcoming beach trip. I am the crazy organizer, so I told Tod last night "I feel like I need to start packing"...we dont leave until July 9th! Tod thinks I'm insane, but I have never forgot anything!

We hope everyone has a happy and safe July 4th holiday. And remember if you are headed south this summer, we would love to see you!

Continuation

We have upgraded from a blog....to a website, so welcome to our website! This will be the place to go for all things involving the Coles family and our journey in life. Thank you to our friend Pete for getting this up and running for us! We will post pictures and updates on our adoption as we proceed. We are currently in "transition" as they call it. Which means Michael is slowing moving into our home. He stays with us for a few days, then he goes back to John and Marsha's house for a few days. We are hoping that he will be with us permanently by early July. He is such a great kid, and we have so much fun with him.

This past week, Tod got a call from his sister Kelly, saying her family is going to Topsail beach July 9, and she asked if we wanted to join them! Well of course we do...we love the beach!!! Michael is very excited to go to the beach, but also to meet his cousins, Mia, Clay and Laney. A big shout out to the Ross family for the invite! Thank you so much!!!

Last weekend we took Michael shopping. He LOVES the NY Yankee's, I think he gets that from John. So we got him a couple of Yankee paintings for his bedroom. We also got him some new shoes and clothes. 

This was a cute conversation...so Miss Melanie (she works for Barium Springs) was telling Michael that when the adoption is complete,that his last name will change to ours! She also told him that he can change his middle name if he wants. So one day in the car he said to Tod "what's your middle name" Tod said Eric, so from the backseat Michael says "Michael Eric Coles"! Too cute. Tod told him that he doesn't have to take his middle name...that he could chose mine...Michael asked what my middle name is and he said "Marie" ...and Michael said "that's too girlie". Really Tod...what were you thinking?

The other day he asked if his name will change when he moves in with us, and we had to explain that he will have to wait until the adoption is complete before his name will change. We also told him that it could be awhile before the adoption is complete. I have been saying next summer...that way if it happens before that we will be pleasantly surprised. 

For those of you that have met our crazy dog Zoe, you will be happy to know that she likes Michael! And she doesn't like too many people. But the first time he stayed with us, he just ignored her...and she ignored him. One of his chores is to feed Zoe, so I think that helps! Speaking of chores...I would love to hear from other parents what chores you give your children and how it works out. It has been hard right now, because he is back and forth between our house and John and Marsha's...but we have asked him to help us with things around the house...like remembering to feed Zoe, watering my tomato plants in addition to his personal chores like making his bed and picking up his room. I think we will also give him an allowance...so he has some money of his own! We're not sure how that will work yet.

The Beginning...sort of

Welcome to the Coles Family blog! I have never done this before...so please bear with me. I have a feeling this first entry will be a long one. Where to start?

Tod and I decided a few years ago to look into adoption. We spent a lot of time researching the advantages/disadvantages of international and domestic adoption, along with several other options. We ended up contacting Barium Springs Home for Children in Troutman NC (a huge thanks to your good friend Nikki Bender for the suggestion) in the spring of 2010. We spent hours in classes and then we had TB tests, physicals, home inspections, CPR training, finger prints, background checks, personal interviews about our childhoods, a home inspection by the fire marshall and on and on. You would be amazed at what we have had to go through. We kept reminding ourselves...God is teaching us patience! We finally got approved in March of this year! woohoo!!! So then we wait. We discussed the fact that we were open to siblings, boy or girl, no real age specification etc.

You all know me well enough to know, that I was raised by catholic parents and I have a strong faith, and…I know that God has a plan for us all, and He knows better than we do, what we really need, and when. So we put it in His hands.

On May 2nd we received a phone call from Sara, the social worker at BSHC asking if we would be willing to keep a young boy, who is currently in foster care. His foster parents (John and Marsha) were going to the beach for a week, and they needed someone to watch Michael while they were gone. If you know me well enough, it wont surprise you that...my first comment to Tod was "crap...can we do this?". And if you know Tod well enough, you know the look he gave me, as you have probably seen it before (kinda like why did a marry a crazy woman), he shook his head and called Sara back to say yes of course we would keep Michael for a week. So on May 4 we went to meet John, Marsha and Michael at his baseball game. Michael didnt have much to say, but I'm sure it was because he was excited that they won their game!

So on Sunday May 8 (Mother's Day) John and Marsha dropped Michael off early. I made waffles and sausage for everyone! We took Michael to church, which he enjoyed, and then we went to WalMart. Because we needed some toys! Michael LOVES to play outside, so we bought a wiffle bat and ball (which he called a waffle ball...well...we had just eaten waffles!), a kickball, a football and a golf set. We played in the backyard the whole day! And then we had a low country boil (if your from the south you know what I'm talking about) with Brock and Natalie. That week we took Michael to school, baseball, did homework and played outside, every chance we got. He even got to go to 3 weddings with us that weekend! He had never been to a wedding before, but it is the family business so we took him along. And he was so well behaved! The week ended and he went back to John and Marsha's.

About a week later Marsha called to say that they wanted to go away Memorial Day weekend (to celebrate her birthday), and could we keep him again. Well now we are experts at this, so of course! So I picked him up at after school on Friday, Tod was at a wedding rehearsal, and it was raining outside. We went to the house and watched TV waiting for Tod to come home so we could go to dinner. About one hour passed and he said to me "did you know that I am out for adoption". And "out" is NOT a typo...that's what he said. I looked at him and said "oh really...well how do you feel about that?" he said "good". The next morning we woke up and he said it to me again "did you know I am out for adoption?". I said "yes I remember you mentioned that yesterday". Through the course of the weekend he said it at least once a day to Tod or I. We had another wedding saturday, and after we took him to a hibachi restaurant...which he loved! Of course...who doesnt love a good hibachi restaurant? On Sunday we drove up to the NC mountains (Blowing Rock) because our dear friends the Militello's have a house up there, and they invited us up for the night. We had so much fun with Christiaan, Jen and Lexi. Roasting marshmellows, having picnics, swimming!

So after that weekend we decided that we would like Michael to move in permanently. Michael's parents had Terminated their Parental Rights in March 2011. When the social worker told Michael that he was in fact "out" for adoption, the first thing he said was " what about Tod and Christina" they said "Well that is a possibility we will have to call them" he said " can you call them right now"? He did nt know at that time that we had already inquired about adopting him. So now the transition begins.

The Start

Wow...I just started this blog and I'm not really sure how to start. Let me think about this and I will get back to you. But there are exciting thing going on in our house!