Christmas Excitement!!

I am so excited for Christmas.
I put up our Christmas trees this weekend... yes... trees!

However, the reason I'm excited about this Christmas isn't because I'm excited about family time, vacation or my Christmas list.  I'm excited about a child.

No, we aren't pregnant.  Don't worry we haven't adopted yet (well, not legally).

William and I are adopting a child from my school.  We will give a kid "Christmas".  And I'm incredibly excited about it.

By far the hardest part of my job has been watching a few kids on my caseload walk the halls and know that they are hungry.  (Well not when they are at school).  I have been incredibly touched by a particular child at my school.  He doesn't eat at home.  He has no toys.  Most nights I think he sleeps on the floor at his dad's night job.  But he is happy.  He is the sweetest child I've ever met.  And while he may struggle, he never stops smiling.

I can't request to sponsor him, but I know someone from my school will and that makes me happy.  He is so deserving.  So while we won't know if we are sponsoring him or some other child, we are going to make some kid really happy.  And we can't wait!

Colin Turns 2!

Possibly one of my best pictures!

Lucy's A Little Angry!

William and Lucy have been playing this game recently.  He puts her blanket behind him and then just tempts her to get it.  Sooo mean.  So mean that she has to tell him about it!

1st Annual Stephens Pumpkin Carving Contest!

You decide the winner!
Email me or post a comment to vote.
William says we shouldn't disclose the artists until after the voting is finished... but I think it might be obvious whose is whose.

Things Kids Say

During a meltdown over Harry Potter #2 being checked out from the library.. he is crying hysterically and shredding a tissue:
Child: I need to go somewhere and pull myself together.
Me: Okay let's go to my room to cool down.
Child: That sounds good... can we play a game?!
Me: No this is a time to cool down... not play a game.
---We read a book about getting angry, which calms him down---
Me: Wow... you seem so calm now.
Child: Yes, I liked that book.
Me: Okay great well I think it's time to go to PE.
Child: (turning on the waterworks) I'm not feeling calm now... I REALLY NEED to play a game.

I have a child with severe autism (okay I have a few)... but this particular child has some "angry" tendencies... not violent... just angry.
Every time he sees me...
Child: NOOOOO STEPHENS.... NOOOOOO SPEEECH!
Me: It's not time for speech... calm down.
Child: NOO STEPHENS.
Me: What's your favorite food?
Child: ICE CREAM SUNDAES!!!
(It works every time!)

During a game... same kid as above:
Me: Okay Billy it's your turn.
Child: I'M MAD.
Me: Billy... you are always mad.  Take your turn.
Child: NOOOO. It's Sally's turn.
Me: No... it's your turn. Pick a card right now or you won't get a sticker.
Child: I'M SO MAD. (while turning over his cards).
Me: Was it a match?
Child: NOOOOO STEPHENS. IT'S DIFFERENT. I'M MAAAAAAD.

A child working on R's was in my room on Friday.
He looks at me and says: How did you get those spots on your face?
Me: They are called freckles.  I was born with them.
Child: I have an angel's kiss.  (Show's me a birthmark on his arm).
Me: Yea mine are like that but I have a lot more... (showing him my arms).
Child: WOW you have a lot of them.
Me: Yep... pretty much a million all over me... even on my knees. (He bends over to check... but I had on jeans).
Child: (He looks very seriously at me at says.) How long will it take for them to go away?
Me: (I was laughing hysterically... and he was still looking incredibly concerned) Um... I'm stuck with them.
Child: Oh... I'm sorry Mrs. Stephens.  I hope they find a way to fix them one day.  Like cancer.