Pool Fun

We decided to get a pool for the boys to play in this summer and they really enjoy playing in it! Even Sheba had fun. 

We found out the last time we had the pool full that all 4 of us will fit rather nicely, as long as no one moves around! 

Sorry, but I didn't get any pictures of all of us in the pool.  :(

David's Kindergarten Graduation

Wednesday, May 30, 2012 was the Kindergarten Graduation Ceremonies at Stephen F. Austin Elementary School.

David's class was 2nd in line and he did really well!  We are so proud of him!

Waiting for the kiddos to walk across the stage.

When we got there (30 minutes early), there weren't any seats left,
so Michael entertained himself on the portable basketball goal post.

The Principal of the school speaking at the beginning.

Now that they are all done, they sang to us.

See, I did it!!

David with his teacher, Mrs. Mahar.

Life is absolutely crazy (and not in a good way)....

Things have been crazy in our house for the past few weeks!!

*Our outside AC unit started acting up about 2 weeks ago, and last week it finally died.  As in, Totally Dead!  We have a Home Warranty company that we really like (most of the time!) and so I called them last Monday night and they assigned it to a repair company who came out on Wednesday (23rd).  The motor is shot and the wiring is really bad, so they totally disconnected the unit from the electrical supply to prevent any further problems (fire hazard??).  They then contacted the warranty company to get approval to replace the entire unit, who then said that they wouldn't pay for some things (removal of old unit, removal of old R-22 freon, acid cleaning of copper lines going into the house & placement of a sight glass on the new freon line=$525)  We approved the first 3 things but declined to accept the 'Optional Up-Grade of the Sight Glass ($150).  The AC company then said they wouldn't put the unit in unless we said we would pay for the 'Optional Up-Grade of the Sight Glass'.  Apparently, future reading of the freon won't be accurate if they can't 'see' the level.  I thought the freon was checked via the pressure.  Guess I was wrong!!  Anyway, as of Friday (25th) afternoon, I had contacted the AC repair company: approved the charges of $375, declined the $150 Sight Glass; contacted the home warranty company who then contacted the AC repair company and got 'official approval' to order the new unit.  The home warranty company then pushed the order through and it should be sitting in the 'Orders to be Filled' box at the suppliers when they open for business on Tuesday.  It is really hot in our house and we are praying that the order gets filled on Tuesday, the AC repair company can get it installed on Tuesday (Wednesday at the very latest!) and the house can get back to a normal temperature (most anything below 95 degrees would be great!!)  It would also be nice if we all could get a good nights sleep!!  Although Chris and I have both lost weight........

*We got 'The Letter' from the IRS on Thursday (24th).  Was so hoping that we wouldn't have to deal with this.  Basically, 'The Letter' is a form letter stating that the IRS is going to 'Examine' your tax file to see if you really qualify for the exemptions that you claim, regarding adoption expenses in our case.  Since we only make about $75,000 a year (between the 2 of us) and are expecting to get around $30,000 back (most of it is a one time thing since you can only claim international adoption expenses one time after the adoption is finalized), I am not entirely surprised that we were 'Red Flagged'.  I spent 20 minutes on hold then 30 minutes talking with a really nice lady at the Philadelphia office of the IRS Examination Office.  I put it rather bluntly to her: What (exactly) do we need to do to get this processed correctly and completely the first time?  What exactly do we need to send in?  What exactly do you (IRS) want to see?  What do I have to do to the individual papers (put Chris' name & social at the top of each and every one)?  After she got done laughing (apparently most people don't ask those questions), she told me exactly what papers/documents/receipts to send, what to put on each page, how to send it in (certified, return receipt requested and we sent it in a flat-rate Priority Mail envelope) and the basic time line to expect (30-45 days to 'review', if all is okay and file is closed then we would get a check in 2-6 weeks).  Not really happy about having to wait any longer!!  We really need that refund right now, but we know that there is a reason it has been delayed and that God will provide for us through this time!!  Anyway, made the phone call Thursday night, got the papers organized Thursday night, put name & social on papers Friday and made copies Saturday morning then dropped it off at the Sugar Land Post Office around 11:00 Saturday morning, sent in a flat-rate Priority Mail Envelope, certified mail and return receipt requested.  According to the USPS website, it is on its way and is scheduled for delivery in Philadelphia on Tuesday, May 29.

*The last week of school is upon us (both David & Rachael) and I hope things go well (and that we don't sweat to death before the AC gets fixed!!)  David's Kindergarten Graduation is Wednesday May 30 and we are really excited!!  They have decided to promote him to 1st Grade next year, with ESL support.  We (us and the school) decided to keep him in the ESL program which will give him the extra support and time needed for reading.  He is doing great (mastering) everything else.  This summer I will work with him specifically on reading to help make sure he is ready for 1st Grade in August.  We are all so ready for Summer Break!!!!

My new classroom & computer lab...

Wednesday afternoon, Chris, the boys and I visited my new campus and saw my classroom and computer lab.  The building is still under construction, so we weren't in there for long (less than 10 minutes total) because the boys were making a construction supervisor nervous!  It looks AWESOME!!!   I can't wait to see the room with all the stuff that is missing: computers, wall-mounted Smart Board, tables, washer/dryer, supplies, etc.  Here are some pictures that I was able to take before we left.

Looking down the room; notice the TILE FLOORING!!
(against the wall where the Smart Board will go; to my right is the main classroom door going to a main hallway)

One of FIVE kitchens that I will have

Some built in storage in the corner; not sure what is in the cabinets: tote trays/ shelves??

Looking down the room at the end where the first picture was taken
(standing in front of the 'back door' that leads to the side hallway)

Standing in the next to last kitchen, looking towards the windows that look into the computer lab

The computer lab.  The dividers can split the room in half, so that the Tech Ed teacher can use one part and I can use the other.  He has already told me that he is not really interested in using the computers often (if at all!).

Standing in the doorway from my room to the computer lab, looking into the computer lab.  Love all the windows!!

Shelving in my very large pantry/laundry room.  Huge room!!

Standing in the doorway to the pantry/laundry room.  Shelving is behind door, as well as on the wall to the left
(seen in picture above this one).

Long Overdue Posting...

Time has gotten away from me again! 

**March 24, 2012 was our One Year Gotcha Day!  We officially became a Family on March 10, 2011 and the boys joined us on March 24, 2011 in Arkhangelsk, Russia.  That is our Official Gotcha Day!!  We didn't do much in regards to celebrating, but we did have a cake to commemorate the event.  Chris looked at pictures on the computer with the boys and talked about it all.  David seemed to remember some of the events, but Michael didn't really seem too interested.  He just liked the pictures!

**Easter this year was pretty quiet.  Our neighbors (Joann and Benny) brought over Easter Baskets for the boys the night before so that they were surprised when they got up.  Mama was mean and wouldn't let them get into anything until after we got home from church and lunch.  Unfortunately we don't have any pictures.  We keep forgetting to take them!

**Davis is doing really well in Kindergarten and we are looking forward to 1st grade next year!  We already have the supply list and have started planning on buying everything early (we decided not to go with the pre-packaged supplies this year).  We are also looking into a 2 or 3 day a week preschool program for Michael at a couple of local churches.

**Rachael will be the Home Economics teacher at Seven Lakes Junior High next year!  It is the newest junior high (will open this summer) in the district and she is excited about the opportunity to open a new building and program.  There is nothing quite like trying to spend a large amount of bond money to buy supplies for a department when you have only seen the rooms once and can only use a limited number of places to order from!  The challenges of a teacher.....

**Chris is still working hard as a CSM at Wal-Mart.  Some days are better than others (especially when working with the public), but he still enjoys the challenge (most days, that is).

**We are all looking forward to summer vacation and being able to spend time together as a family and have fun with day trips: Houston Zoo, Children's Museum, Blue Bell Creamery in Brenham, etc.

**The boys enjoy playing in the backyard when the weather is good.  The only thing that would make it better is if they had a play structure or swing set of some sort (maybe this summer after we get our tax refund back??).

Playing with a Rolly Polly

See my 'house'?

Mama said to smile pretty....

Spring Break 2012

This year Spring Break was interesting.

Monday: Chris woke up early very sick.  The boys and I went and ran errands in the morning to give him time to sleep and do what he needed to do with the trashcan.  We had a somewhat quiet afternoon and Chris stayed home from work that night.

Tuesday: Rachael woke up just before midnight sick.  Chris was feeling better and dealt with the boys while Rachael was sick.  She lost 5 pounds (but has gained it back since).  The boys were quite concerned that Mommy was sick and helped by piling up blankets and all the stuffed toys on top of her while she was sleeping.  They said it was to make her feel better. 

Wednesday: Everyone seemed to over the stomach bug (or what ever you want to call it) and we stayed home.  The boys learned how to play Candy Land with Chris on Tuesday and pulled it out to play on Wednesday.

Thursday: We went to the Zoo.  Maybe not the best choice of activities, since it seemed that at least half of Houston was there, but we all had fun.

Friday: Stayed home and relaxed.  Ran some errands.

Saturday: Went to breakfast at IHOP before Chris had to go to work.

No, I'm supposed to be here...

Having fun playing Candy Land

Future Drummer?

I just like to make noise!

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day hasn't really been a big day or holiday for the Larkins household, but this year things changed a bit.  Now that David is in school, there are certain activities that we have to be a part of.  One of those is Valentine's Day.

About a week before Valentine's Day, a note was sent home to let us know that there would be a box decorating contest and card exchange at school on February 14. 

David chose the Avengers cards.

David was to write all of his classmates names on the cards he wanted to pass out, as well as his name.  We were told to allow several days for him to accomplish this.  He and Rachael sat down and within an hour got all the cards signed and labeled. 

As far as a box, he could have parental help and Chris helped him with it.

The instructions regarding the cards specified 'no candy, etc' to be given out with the cards.

Yeah, right.  Apparently we are one of the few parents that actually followed the instructions, since we didn't attach candy to his cards.

Anyway, he had a good time at school with all of this.  Don't think he won the box decorating contest since he didn't say anything about it.  He liked his box and that is what we wanted.

David's box

The cards & candy from his classmates

Looking forward to next year.........