and now we wait

some may know that when Erica and Timothy were born Tim had not yet become a part of our lives.  :(
some may also know that even before Tim and I were married Timothy and Erica were already calling Tim 'Dad'  - it went from New Dad to Good Dad to Dad.
Tim has been their dad for all these years that it isn't even a thought.  He is their dad. that is all.

so the story in a nut shell is something like this. when Erica was 3 and Timothy was 6 months we packed the tiniest of diaper bags and split!  it really was a - well, we'll just say that we chose life.
ever since that day Erica has been wanting to change her last name.  when my divorce was finalized she asked if she was Erica Osborne and I was very sad to have to tell her no.  then when Tim and I got married she was not yet 8 years old and asked if now she was Erica McGinnis.  sadly no.  but anyone who knows her knows that she goes by McGinnis.
15 years.  a long 15 years have finally come close to the end.  we have filled out the paperwork.  she's been fingerprinted for her background check and as of 4 days ago the papers have been filed.  the prints have been sent. and the fees have been paid.

Now we wait.  we wait for the background check to come back and the court date to be set.  it is almost over.

in 3 more years Timothy is up for the same process.  

I'm so nervous and excited for Erica right now.  and at the end of it we'll have a party - name change/graduation party.
then we wait for 3 more years and do it all over again.

slow going on the blogging front

this week has been a difficult one for blogging.  not because anything is particularly difficult around here (except that everyone is getting a head cold and that even counts Kellan - poor baby)
no.  it's because we've had two days off from school this week and not only is my computer being held hostage in a way, but I have also decided that NOW is the time to finally read the Hobbit and follow that up with The Lord of The Rings.  I guess my next few weeks are booked.  (terrible pun not intended)
in many ways this is (we'll call it) an oversight that I am truly embarrassed about when ever my kids and I talk about the movies.  I am a believer in the saying "the book was better" and the movies are favorites of ours.  people who only ever watch the movie miss so so much of the actual story. but I am still trying to be careful that in my quest to not miss the actual story I don't end up missing the rest of my family.

Kellan is growing normally.  He is talking more and more every day.  it was so funny, when he started trying to make sounds to practice talking he was really quiet about it.  it was like he was very shy.  I kind of think that it's a hereditary thing, shyness.  Both Tim and I are very introverted.  it takes me a really long time to warm up enough to someone to allow myself to be myself.  most of the rest of the kids are the same way.  Emma and Connor spring to mind with Emma in the lead.  I think Kellan is going to be the same way.

Connor had a bad dream the other night.  it involved Willy Wonka.  I may have to tell it some time (before I forget it)

well, I am abruptly ending this entry because we need(ed) to buy Ronan some pants that don't have holes in the knees.
I know... exciting!

the difference a sibling makes

Kellan and I were chatting today and having a good time.  I thought "oh!  I'll grab the video recorder" then this is all he did

I'm not sure what he's trying to do to the camera... maybe taste the light on the front of the recorder?  but it had me cracking up.

then a couple of hours later when the kids were home from school they gave it a whirl.  the result was VERY different 

-I had a little longer video in which Kellan was even more talkative but I guess it was too big to upload since blogger wouldn't let me  :(   -

I suppose the camera is just much more fun to make faces at than to talk to me all alone at home.  the sisters are definitely more fun than the camera

brothers

today Kellan was feeling a little confined being held all the time.  but put him on the floor to roll around and give him some room and he was very lonely.  Ronan is usually the one looking over someone's shoulder to see the video game but today he laid down next to Kellan and Ronan became the big kid allowing the little brother to watch the video game.

Ronan is so good at being a big brother.

- I had wondered how he would behave as an older sibling.  I was very happy to see how well he took to being a big brother.  It really was a night to day difference.  when the kids first got to the hospital to meet Kellan I was stunned to see Ronan walk in the door looking older than ever before. -

the video game didn't keep Kellan's attention for very long (of course) but it helped keep him happy for a little while and it helped Ronan feel like the awesome big kid