tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024472412978507820.comments2023-10-07T09:40:51.521-04:00Single Mom by Choice or CircumstanceMama Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11731917736362150072noreply@blogger.comBlogger421125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024472412978507820.post-62431479599492341732013-09-04T21:24:00.486-04:002013-09-04T21:24:00.486-04:00Oh, yes, the family you have made is as real as it...Oh, yes, the family you have made is as real as it gets. Some people can't handle real. Can't even handle thinking about it. But that's their problem. You are a strong woman providing shelter both physical and emotional. I've said it before and I'll say it again, you are an inspiration.<br /><br />Thanks for sharing--I love hearing about your family and how they are growing!Laraf123https://www.blogger.com/profile/13283945251427328960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024472412978507820.post-27629875179900337272013-04-27T10:30:48.636-04:002013-04-27T10:30:48.636-04:00Very cute pics! I hadnt checked your blog for a c...Very cute pics! I hadnt checked your blog for a couple of weeks, but thought about it this morning. I smiled at your comment about all the fun things we do at her age. Auntie E totally agrees. When Mia's a teenager, We can take her sky diving! Lol, well zip lining for sure. i have no desire to jump out of a plane.ellenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08504737251839776732noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024472412978507820.post-7098719691599885062013-03-28T21:09:58.251-04:002013-03-28T21:09:58.251-04:00I'm so excited for you. I know how much work ...I'm so excited for you. I know how much work it is to work full time and work on your master's. And I did it before being a mom--I was exhausted. I could never do it now (plus be a foster mom? Wow!) I can't wait to hear all about graduation!Laraf123https://www.blogger.com/profile/13283945251427328960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024472412978507820.post-49429107119709447212013-02-09T18:11:49.705-05:002013-02-09T18:11:49.705-05:00Happy New Year! What a great way to celebrate! I...Happy New Year! What a great way to celebrate! I can tell Lil' M had a great time!Laraf123https://www.blogger.com/profile/13283945251427328960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024472412978507820.post-47937976282579440682013-01-21T04:06:57.433-05:002013-01-21T04:06:57.433-05:00She's lovely!She's lovely!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10117921014914525269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024472412978507820.post-80070477420110113522013-01-11T19:25:37.169-05:002013-01-11T19:25:37.169-05:00Such a fun picture!Such a fun picture!ellenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08504737251839776732noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024472412978507820.post-22205196169112506182013-01-07T14:22:33.995-05:002013-01-07T14:22:33.995-05:00That's exciting! We are still waiting for thi...That's exciting! We are still waiting for this milestone at our house :)Laraf123https://www.blogger.com/profile/13283945251427328960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024472412978507820.post-8755859703955361302013-01-04T19:37:40.512-05:002013-01-04T19:37:40.512-05:00Happy New Year--great photos!Happy New Year--great photos!Laraf123https://www.blogger.com/profile/13283945251427328960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024472412978507820.post-17238020599028220712012-12-03T21:25:42.985-05:002012-12-03T21:25:42.985-05:00I'm not feeling so amazing tonight, that's...I'm not feeling so amazing tonight, that's for sure!! I *can't* wait until school is over. A couple of these classes have just out-right sucked (sorry)...<br /><br />I was going to give up my fosters, but haven't been able to convince myself to that yet. I'm not perfect, but what if they get somewhere else that's bad for them. :( You'd like to think not, but it happens... I'm going to reevaluate in January, though.<br /><br />Thanks Lara. You made me feel a little better tonight... one of those nights I'm having a pity party (for no reason, except i can't fully get this homework and i really need an A on this one!!)<br /><br />Melissa<br />Mama Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11731917736362150072noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024472412978507820.post-33037934520527907552012-12-03T21:21:28.870-05:002012-12-03T21:21:28.870-05:00Sorry--I just have to say it again: You are an am...Sorry--I just have to say it again: You are an amazing mother.Laraf123https://www.blogger.com/profile/13283945251427328960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024472412978507820.post-4010527492846201152012-11-07T20:37:40.332-05:002012-11-07T20:37:40.332-05:00I'm so sorry to hear about your job situation....I'm so sorry to hear about your job situation. Boy, life sure does take it's twists and turns, doesn't it?<br /><br />I'm amazed at your generosity--you've opened your home and heart to a newborn on top of everything else. It's wonderful that you make it possible for these two sisters to be together at such a critical time in their lives.Laraf123https://www.blogger.com/profile/13283945251427328960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024472412978507820.post-80217446396821551852012-08-11T12:42:26.352-04:002012-08-11T12:42:26.352-04:00Thanks, Lara! :) She's my sweet girl. How are ...Thanks, Lara! :) She's my sweet girl. How are you these days?!Mama Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11731917736362150072noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024472412978507820.post-80119975680520747332012-08-10T21:09:57.577-04:002012-08-10T21:09:57.577-04:00Lil M is just beautiful. I love seeing her smile ...Lil M is just beautiful. I love seeing her smile in these pics!Laraf123https://www.blogger.com/profile/13283945251427328960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024472412978507820.post-84506206179845783892012-06-10T07:52:29.332-04:002012-06-10T07:52:29.332-04:00I don't know how you juggle it all but you lea...I don't know how you juggle it all but you lead an inspiring life. I hope this summer is a relaxing one for you and your family.<br /><br />It makes me so sad to read about the lives of foster children. I know it's reality and I know that things could be a lot worse (think 19th century) but oh, how sad not to have a forever family. Thank goodness for all the love and care you show them on their journey.Laraf123https://www.blogger.com/profile/13283945251427328960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024472412978507820.post-54763048141859890092012-03-20T21:10:27.973-04:002012-03-20T21:10:27.973-04:00I wish you peace as well. Your journey hasn't...I wish you peace as well. Your journey hasn't been an easy one--I hope whatever comes next is just right for you and Lil M. (I know you'll make sure of that.)Laraf123https://www.blogger.com/profile/13283945251427328960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024472412978507820.post-23537668789730192012012-03-15T07:32:37.419-04:002012-03-15T07:32:37.419-04:00And she would say the same about you :)And she would say the same about you :)Laraf123https://www.blogger.com/profile/13283945251427328960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024472412978507820.post-40378917549255463872012-02-23T13:19:34.931-05:002012-02-23T13:19:34.931-05:00thanks lara. it's getting better day by day......thanks lara. it's getting better day by day... and i'm really trying to remember to focus on Lil M! :)Mama Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11731917736362150072noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024472412978507820.post-62555398463577286712012-02-21T21:25:36.904-05:002012-02-21T21:25:36.904-05:00Oh, I'm sorry to hear this. Yes, you are abso...Oh, I'm sorry to hear this. Yes, you are absolutely right. You need to take care of you before you can take care of others. Easier said than done, of course. Believe me, I know. Maybe the trick is to take care of you while taking care of others. I'm still not sure how to find the balance myself.<br /><br />Take it easy--I know you'll do what's best for you and Lil M.Laraf123https://www.blogger.com/profile/13283945251427328960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024472412978507820.post-73185445579079519702012-01-13T07:29:58.856-05:002012-01-13T07:29:58.856-05:00Oh, my goodness! I can't believe how big Gabe...Oh, my goodness! I can't believe how big Gabe is now--he's almost a toddler! I'm so glad he and his mom are living with you. I hope she enjoys college this semester!Laraf123https://www.blogger.com/profile/13283945251427328960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024472412978507820.post-36153054217488954212011-12-22T21:29:10.304-05:002011-12-22T21:29:10.304-05:00Merry Christmas to you and all who share your home...Merry Christmas to you and all who share your home!Laraf123https://www.blogger.com/profile/13283945251427328960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024472412978507820.post-72729633965118273992011-10-22T08:07:52.398-04:002011-10-22T08:07:52.398-04:00Oh, my--you've had a full house and full life ...Oh, my--you've had a full house and full life this past month! It's wonderful that you can provide a safe place for all these children. I don't mean safe as in a roof over their heads, I mean safe as in a soft place to land. A home where they can be themselves and know that they are loved no matter how the big, scary world treats them. You will never know how far your loving example reaches into the future but I imagine your example will touch many lives through these girls.Laraf123https://www.blogger.com/profile/13283945251427328960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024472412978507820.post-12954417425380385402011-09-18T10:07:05.906-04:002011-09-18T10:07:05.906-04:00Oh my. The Baby has the same backpack. Serious goo...Oh my. The Baby has the same backpack. Serious good taste!SECRET PEPPER PERSON:https://www.blogger.com/profile/06434583043459305729noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024472412978507820.post-23589841765306175372011-09-18T10:05:39.829-04:002011-09-18T10:05:39.829-04:00Some serious loot accumulated at this party. Looks...Some serious loot accumulated at this party. Looks like such a fun time in the pool, etc! And that cake! I think l I will tell my older girls I want a cake like that for my 60th birthday!SECRET PEPPER PERSON:https://www.blogger.com/profile/06434583043459305729noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024472412978507820.post-62548899489959971292011-09-18T10:01:49.303-04:002011-09-18T10:01:49.303-04:00I always cry at this one. This morning was no exce...I always cry at this one. This morning was no exception.SECRET PEPPER PERSON:https://www.blogger.com/profile/06434583043459305729noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024472412978507820.post-77844444019501163002011-09-18T10:00:09.200-04:002011-09-18T10:00:09.200-04:00I'm down to "The Cat" who is 15. Dai...I'm down to "The Cat" who is 15. Daisy died at 18, Periwinkle at 17 and Emmett at 21. At his 20th check up I asked the vet if I should be feeding him anything special. He said, "Lady, at 20 he can eat anything he wants!" I have a mental image of the three of them greeting Manna at the pearly gates. Daisy would be informing Manna that she was the alpha cat, Periwinkle would probably have a tray of tuna sushi and a casserole for Manna and Emmett would take her under his wing and show her around. RIP Manna. You are in good company.SECRET PEPPER PERSON:https://www.blogger.com/profile/06434583043459305729noreply@blogger.com