Adopted Mommy

Yes, I know!  It's literally been 3 years since I've last blogged.  I've been a little busy working full time and working on my master's degree.  It's way too complicated to write at the moment, but most of you pretty much know what's going on.  Well, since I'm back, I thought I'd share something about the kids (as I usually do).  We just celebrated David's 3rd Adoption Day anniversary on Thursday.  It was interesting that as we reflected on this special occasion that Katarina this week brought up our family situation a few times this week.  It all started with "Mommy, you're the best Mommy I ever had!" when I said goodnight to her one evening.  She's known for a long time she didn't come from Mommy's tummy.  Katarina asked me when she was 3 years old why brother was blue eyed and she ended up being brown eyed.  Of course, I answered with, "God made you both that way."  Then, when she saw others with "bellie...

Wow! Has it really been that long since we've added to our blog? Well, here's some of the stuff that happened during October.... Of course the kids went trick-or-treating! Katarina was Tinkerbell (her choice) and David wore his dragon costume (Old Navy has the cutest costumes). Dina's brother and sister-in-law invited us all over to their house in Stockton. It was fun to be able to spend Baby Maddox's first Halloween with him (and David's first Halloween as a Graves). Justin showed us around the neighborhood and the kids had a wonderful time getting candy! David's pumpkin after being carved! :) Katarina's finished product. She drew the eyes, nose and mouth! So, of course, it's a little small. :) But, she had fun! It's even better when it's their own design! Sunday, October 25, we took the kids to Dell Oso farms to the Pumpkin Maze. Lathrop/Manteca is known for its' pumpkins. While we didn't stay too long, the kids had fu...

Well, Justin and Monica finally tied the knot! It was yesterday that a small group went to Tahoe to watch them exhcange vows at Harvey's wedding chapel. After the ceremony, we had dinner at Hard Rock Cafe. It was a lot of fun! The drive wasn't the greatest (especially with 2 littles ones). But, Katarina and David were on their best behavior all day. Dina was asked to be the official photographer. She wanted to make sure she got exactly what they wanted. Over 200 pictures ended up being taken. Hopefully some of them will be what the new Mr. and Mrs. wanted. The guys (including little Maddox) wore Tuxedo t-shirts while the girls wore tank tops Monica had made. (Please see picture for phrase!) LOL! After the reception, Monica went back upstairs to their room and put on her Mrs. Rabara tank top! A very proud wife! :) Next year will be the big hoorah and Katarina will be the flower girl. She and David will walk little Maddox down the aisle in a wagon or fire truck. ...

Katarina has been talking about her birthday for months (LITERALLY)! Awhile back, she went through a party store catalog that Dina gets in the mail and saw the Hello Kitty set. That's when she told us she wanted Hello Kitty for her birthday theme. Fine. Done. Princess once again gets her way! LOL! This year, with money being VERY tight (as with most Americans), we decided only to invite a small group of people for cake. It was very simple and not much needed to be done, which was nice. Katarina, of course, was spoiled rotten as usual! She already has her Halloween costume (a Tinkerbell dress up outfit from her Nino & Aunt Monica). Her day care lady, Miss Angel, bought her a Hello Kitty bath towell and gold fish (which she LOVES). A balloon was waiting for her when Jeff dropped off the kids yesterday on her real birthday. Cupcakes were served at snack time with her friends. We think she had a very good birthday! :) Isn't this picture so adorable? She's g...

Well, it's official! David's adoption was finalized by a judge on Monday, August 18, 2008! We were very happy how quickly this all came about. It was certainly overwhelming, with both Dina and Jeff starting new jobs. But, it was joyous occassion we were happy to share with immediate family. David was just so cute in his little outfit walking around the courthouse! Katarina was extremely well behaved even though it wasn't her day. :) Jeff started his new job with a lumber company in Livermore as an operations manager. It is a bit overwhelming learning everything and with there being so much responsibility. His shift will be later in the day, so he has been taking the kids to daycare in the morning so Dina can get to work early and then Dina picks them up after school and takes care of dinner and bath time. So far, it's worked out as far as that goes, but that still doesn't leave much Mommy & Daddy time. Dina started up her school year with her new cla...

It's been a crazy summer and it's almost over! David is now walking and is into EVERYTHING!!! He doesn't listen very well! LOL! We are also proud to announce that his social worker turned in the paperwork for our petition for adoption and we should have a court date very soon. We look forward to the judge stating our son's name as DAVID ALLEN WILLIAM GRAVES!!! It will be a wonderful celebration! Dina has been working hard to get her classroom set up for the upcoming school year. She's very excited and nervous at the same time. Tomorrow will be her first day in teacher meetings and her new class of 5th graders will start on Wednesday. Time has flown by so quickly, but Dina thinks she's prepared to take on the challenge! The kids will start daycare, too, which will be good for their socialization. They have had a couple of playdates there to get them accustomed to the surroundings. Katarina told Jeff that she likes her new friends! David apparently h...

Baby Maddox is here!!! He was born on July 15, 2008 at 7:10 P.M. He weighed 7 pounds, 7 ounces and measured 20 inches long! Big boy! Justin is a very proud daddy and Monica did a wonderful job. The meds they give these days do wonders apparently! LOL! It was a wonderful experience to be a part of. Dina was thankful Jeff had the day off so he could stay with Katarina and David at home while she was at the hospital. It was a long day for everyone, but the newest Rabara is doing great. He is a very chill little guy and it is interesting to observe Justin interact with his son. Maddox knew his daddy's voice and calmed down when Justin would speak to him. It was amazing! July 3rd Justin graduated from the Contra Costa Fire Academy and is now working in Clayton. It was a proud moment and Monica got to pin his badge after the ceremony. All that hard work (litterally blood, sweat and tears) finally paid off. It will take him a year to get off probation, but in the meantime ...