Clayton and the National Guard

The Fair

Warren and I took Cameron and Clayton to the State Fair on Wednesday.  This was the boys' first time to go to the fair.  They had a blast!  We looked at all the displays and the boys got to ride several rides.  They couldn't wait to do that.  :-)  The highlight of the fair for them was getting to ride a real live pony!  There was a live merry-go-round there.  The looks on Cameron and Clayton's faces was priceless!  The National Guard was there with their racing car.  They were taking pictures for free.  Clayton wanted to get his taken with a solider.  Cameron couldn't be convinced to even stand by the car even with all four of us.  We had fun and the boys are ready to go back next year!  

Microwaving Plastic Releases Cancer-Causing Agents

Once again the warning of cancer-causing plastics is going around.  Call me skeptical, that's alright, but I went to Snopes to get the scoop.  Yes, cancer truely is terrible, BUT you won't get it by freezing your water bottles or using plastic wrap in the microwave.  Here's what I found.

http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/cookplastic.asp

First Day of Kindergarten

The big day has finally arrived! Today Clayton started Kindergarten! He has been so excited! Just before we left to walk to school he had this funny look on his face. I asked him if he was excited and he very soberly says, "Not as excited as yesterday." I asked him if he was scared and he said yes. There were a few tears but by the time we left he was feeling better and seemed pretty anxious to get to school. By the time we got to his classroom he was a little unsure of himself but doing good.

So both of my babies (oops! guess they're really not babies) are off in the "big world". It's going to take this mommy some time getting used to this new phase in life. I'm proud of our kids and at the same time my heart cries a little!

CANCEL YOUR CREDIT CARD BEFORE YOU DIE

This is so easy to see happening, 

customer service being what it is today. 

A lady died this past January, and Citibank billed her for February and March for their annual service charges on her credit card, and added late fees and interest on the monthly charge. The balance had been $0.00 when she died, but now somewhere around $60.00. A family member placed a call to Citibank. 

Here is the exchange :

Family Member:   'I am calling to tell you she died back in January.'

Citibank :  'The account was never closed and the late fees and charges still apply.' 

Family Member  : 'Maybe, you should turn it over to collections.'

Citibank : 'Since it is two months past due, it already has been.' 

Family Member : So, what will they do when they find out she is dead?' 

Citibank : 'Either report her account to frauds division or report her to the credit bureau, maybe both!' 

Family Member : 'Do you think God will be mad at her?'  

Citibank: 'Excuse me?'

Family Member : 'Did you just get what I was telling you - the part about her being dead?'

Citibank : 'Sir, you'll have to speak to my supervisor.'  

Supervisor gets on the phone:

Family Member : 'I'm calling to tell you, she died back in January with a $0 balance.' 

Citibank : 'The account was never closed and late fees and charges still apply.'  

Family Member : 'You mean you want to collect from her estate?' 

Citibank  : (Stammer) 'Are you her lawyer?'

Family Member : 'No, I'm her great nephew.' (Lawyer info was given)  

Citibank:  ' Could you fax us a certificate of death?'

Family Member : 'Sure.' (Fax number was given ) 


After they get the fax :

Citibank : 'Our system just isn't setup for death. 
I don't know what more I can do to help.' 

Family Member  : 'Well, if you figure it out, great! 
If not , you could just keep billing her. She won't care.'

Citibank:  'Well, the late fees and charges do still apply.' 
(What is wrong with these people?!?)

Family Member  : ' Would you like her new billing address?'

Citibank : 'That might help...'

Family Member : ' Odessa Memorial Cemetery , Highway 129, Plot Number 69.'

Citibank : 'Sir, that's a cemetery !' 

Family Member : 'And what do you do with dead people on your planet??? 



(Priceless!!)  

At the Zoo

We went to the Alaska Zoo today with some friends. There were 4 of us moms, an 11 year old, a 15 year old and 7 kids 5 years old and under. It was actually fun. Clayton was very excited about going. It filled a day of waiting for him. This has been a long week for him as he is so eager to start Kindergarten. Anyway, here are a few pictures of our trip to the zoo.

Baby Musk Ox

Polar Bear

Yak

Brown Bear (a.k.a. Grizzly)

3 of my cubs

First Day Picture

Finally! Here is our big 2cd Grader!

First Day of School

Yesterday was the big day at our house. Cameron started school! His first day at the BIG public school! It sure seems funny with him gone all day. No, I didn't cry yesterday morning. . .OK, I'll be honest, I had my "Mommy Moment" the night before. :-) I know he's already in 2cd Grade but we've home schooled up to this point so having my baby (don't tell him I said that) go off to school is a little bit of an adjustment. I did take a picture of him all ready for his first day but for some reason it will not upload (tried yesterday and today). I will keep trying. He likes school so far. He talked all the way home yesterday telling me about his day. He likes his teacher too but says she "really is strict". He is so excited! He gets his backpack ready and lays out his clothes without being told. Wonder how long that will last?!? :-)

Clayton, who is in Kindergarten, is so excited he can hardly stand it! However, the Kindergarten doesn't start until Monday. It just about killed him yesterday to not be able to go to school with Cameron. He had a meeting with his teacher so that helped but he REALLY REALLY wanted to stay! This week the Kindergarten has what they call Roll In. The teacher evaluates them and shows them around. Yesterday morning it was all "I want to go to school now!" Then in the afternoon it was "When is Cameron coming home?" Today has been much better--thankfully!

Camp Out

Warren and I did something for the first time. This past Friday we left all 4 kids with Mom Hill and went camping. This is the first time that we have left the all the kids overnight. We didn't go far (we had things we had to do on Saturday) but we had fun. Just outside of town is a campground by Matanuska Lake. We took our tent trailer (my first time to camp in it) and spent the night there. It was so relaxing and I enjoyed the time with Warren. We walked to the lake and then sat by the fire and talked. Speaking of the lake, it was so smooth and the sky and trees were reflected so well. It was very pretty. Thanks, Mom, for babysitting. And thank you, Warren, for a great day away!

It's Over

Well, it's done. We just returned from the last visit for Nicholas. This was bio mom's "good bye" visit and it went well. I have to admit that for our sakes I'm glad it is over; however, our hearts go out to the bio mom. It is such a sad situation. We are thankful that Nicholas is safe and that we get to keep our son. For he is truly that--son of our heart!

Growing Up

We had a very excited little boy this morning! Clayton lost his first tooth! He has been waiting and waiting for this to happen. Friday he came in the house and told me he bit his football and now his tooth was loose. I checked it out of course and realized that the foot ball was not the guilty party. I told him that he had his first loose tooth (2 teeth actually). He was excited but seemed a bit stressed by the whole thing. I wasn't sure why. This morning after proudly announcing, "Mommy! Mommy! My tooth came out!" he said, "It didn't even hurt!" Now I understand his stress. He is anxiously awaiting the Tooth Fairy's arrival. Cameron on the other hand is plotting to catch the Tooth Fairy tonight using the 2 teeth the dentist pulled.

Mommy and Baby--6 months

A New Experience

Yesterday our family had a new experience. We walked across the street to the school and enrolled the boys in public school. Cameron will be in 2cd grade and Clayton in Kindergarten. School itself is not a new thing but we've home schooled up to this point so the registration process was different and just the idea of sending them off to school this year is new. The boys sure are excited! There will be adjustments to be made for all of us but we are looking forward to the experience. I'll try to keep you updated on their adventure.

Good News!

For those of you who haven't heard we found out yesterday we are finally going to be able to adopt Nicholas! This has been a long time in coming and is a big answer to prayer! We've contacted our attorney and once we get the paperwork done and a date for the adoption hearing we will be all set. Hopefully we should have a date within the next couple of months. It is so good to have the issue settled. We can't wait until he is legally ours!

Random Thoughts

We actually had some sun yesterday and it looks like it may clear up today as well. We just have not had enough sun this summer! Oh well! Summer is quickly coming to a close here--at least summer activities. School starts in 2 weeks. The boys can't wait! The summer has caught up with them I think. They are tired and bored. I've been gradually putting them back onto a school schedule. We went last weekend and did their school shopping. We got all the supplies on the list. Now all we have to do is get school clothes. I don't really want them going to school with holes in their jeans even if it is the style! :-) The boys were very excited about getting their school supplies, back packs and lunch boxes! Cameron has been reminding me all week about registration. It is all this week so Warren and I plan to walk over tomorrow and do that. Sending the boys to school instead of home schooling them should be an interesting experience for us. I know that I haven't said much about the new baby on this blog so here's a quick update on that. I am 6 months along and baby is doing fine. He (or she) is kicking up a storm in there. I am enjoying being pregnant but I am looking forward to seeing who this child is. Only 3 more months! :-) Well, enough of my rambling. i'd best get busy with my day.

Captions

OK for those of you who were wandering who all the people in the adoption pictures are I've put captions on them. I'm not sure why I didn't do that in the first place but the names are there now. I won't mention any names as to who complained. :-) Anyway. . .the names are there and now you know the rest of the story.

Amy's Dedication

The Sunday after Amy's adoption we had her dedicated at church. I wanted to do it while my parents were still visiting. Bro. Durr dedicated Amy and the Carters sang a song written especially for her dedication.


Dedication Service


Amy with her grandparents


Amy with Daddy and Mommy


Amy and the Durrs

Adoption Day

On August 1, 2007 Amy became Amy Jo Hill and our daughter--legally; however, she was ours in our hearts long before that day! Family and friends joined us at the court house to witness the occasion. We celebrated with a family dinner at my favorite restuarant, the Birchtree. Our family and friends joined us again the following Friday for a BBQ.


Daddy's Pride and Joy


Waiting for the judge


Our attorney and the judge with our family


Elaine, Mom Hetrick, Dad Hetrick, Janet, Clayton, Cameron, Nicholas, Mom Hill, Warren's Uncle Jeff


Back: Uncle Jeff, Mom Hill, Nicholas, Dad Hetrick, Elaine, Mom Hetrick, Janet, Timothey Carter, Bro. Paul Carter & Heather Carter
Front:Warren, Cameron, Clayton, Carla, Amy, Sis. Laura Carter & Heidi Carter

Amy's Story

Exactly one year ago today we adopted our little girl! Amy came to us on March 16, 2006. She was 3 days old--in fact, OCS had just picked her up from the hospital. She weighed only 5lbs. 4 oz. She was so tiny! I'll never forget the moment we walked into that office to pick her up, our hearts just melted! Amy was supposed to be with us for just a short time as there was an Uncle and Aunt that were to take her. Time went on and not much was happening it seemed as far as getting her placed with the uncle's family. It seemed like just as the case was moving along there would be some delay. As foster parents we made arrangements to have contact and visits with the family since Amy would be going there. However, the longer we had her the harder it was to think of giving her up. One year later Amy was still with us and we were preparing to celebrate her first birthday. I called the aunt to invite them to Amy's party and got quite a surprise. Auntie asked me if we still wanted to adopt Amy (we had talked before and they knew we would keep her if we could). I of course said, "Yes!" She then told me that they were stepping aside so that we would be free to adopt Amy. They had ripped up their paperwork the week before. She had already talked to the social worker and told her the same thing. She said that they saw how Amy and our family interacted and believed that this is where she belonged. I honestly didn't know what to say! "Thank you" seemed so inadequate.

Things went fairly quickly after that. We completed our Home Study and other paperwork and contacted an attorney. Our hearing was set for August 1, 2007. Amy is such a special part of our family! Each of our children are special and we are so blessed that God has sent them our way!

Here are some pictures of Amy: #1-January 07; #2-March 13, Licking the birthday cake bowl; #3-Birthday Girl--finally 1!; #4-April 07, napping at Grandma & Papa's house (the dog wouldn't use the dog bed but Amy loved it); #5-June 07, her favorite thing to do