I'm featured TODAY

On Smitten-By! Please feel free to read all about our open adoption and how i feel about it!

Not My Will but Thine be Done!

Yep, I've said time after time that I chose to be on God's rollercoaster on how our family is to come to us! I've consigned my will over to Him who knows greater than me, than anyone of what we need when we need it!
So, I'm happily (and yet with reservation) announcing that I'm Pregnant!!!
Yep about 12 weeks( this friday) and feeling sick and nauseaous! It's horribly good! I cannot tell you how shocked i was considering 5 of my past 6 pregnancies have ended in miscarriage around 4-6 weeks and one at 13.5 weeks! I've been married 10 years this July and i guess the Lord wants this pregnancy to succeed but, I'm still nervous. I think once the baby is here- i will be done being nervous! In some ways having infertility issues and then getting pregnant is like adoption- you just don't believe its happening until it finally does happen! You trick your mind into thinking all kinds of things on why it wont happen then are pleasantly surprised when it does!
Here's how we told our family! We sent this out so they all got it For Mother's Day!

Looks like Im due the very end of November or very early December! Maybe it will be on Brandon's birthday! Who knows ! For now, i pray everyday that if this is what the God wants for us, please prepare this baby so it will make it here safely! We will see! But for now, we rejoice( after the gagging and nausea!

I will keep you posted!

So, Happy Mother's Day to you all! This day holds many memories for me. Both good, sad & all that made me reflect on the kind of mother i had and the kind of mom i wanted to be.

After 4 years of sitting through the Sunday service at church with empty arms while people went on an on about being a mother, our first little sweet girl was all snuggled up i my arms only 5 months old in 2006! Brielle was a dream baby and we were so blessed because of her birth mom , Kara!

So, every year, I try and make an effort to remember all the mom's in our family! This year we sent out some cute packages with small canvas paintings made by the kids, and some new photos for them too! I have been emotional about this b/c i see these kids growing up way too fast. It's bittersweet and i understand how my mom must have felt about me and my siblings!

Some people are crazy about Sharing mother's day and opt for celebrating birthmother's day instead. To each his own but, if you are a mother in any form- you are surely worthy to share this day with every other mother in the world, in my opinion.  I like birth mothers day but, I think that b/c these wonderful woman made me a mother to these sweet children- i am eternally indebted with gratitude and i desire to celebrate them on this day too! So, mothers and birth mothers- I love and appreciate all you do or have done for our family and I'm so blessed to call you family too! Happy Mother's Day Everyone!

Central region Adoption Conference

If you haven't registered yet- Do it now! This is going to be fabulous and full of great speakers, classes and food! You will get to meet many FC workers, adoption managers from various agencies and, birth parents and birth families and other adoptive couples. And we are excited to have YOU and your experiences shared throughout this event!

The Domino Foundation is sending Andrea from SLC to speak about trans-racial adoption support, which i won't miss! Tamra Dawn Hyde , a birth mother and spokeswoman for itsaboutlove.org will be our keynote speaker! We have a fabulous line up of other great speakers and teachers as well!

Siesta lunch break for 2 hours with lunch provided each day, babysitting for the whole event for your entire family for only 10.! Games and activities at lunch and great connections to be made here( 2 years ago, a couple ended up meeting the birth mom to be of their daughter at this event- magic but no guarantees on it happening for you!!!)

JUNE 8TH & 9TH in DENVER/ AURORA AREA!

here's the link to register ( birth parents are FREE)!

have ?'s shoot me an email or to coloradofsa@gmail.com

Foster Kids Room!

Setting up the Room has been an adventure...

One of the crib screws got stuck ( it was the wrong screw) we had a friend pry it out and then we put in the right one! I've moved the furniture about 6 times so far.

I used Aria's old Crib, our old Lay-Z-Boy and a few pillows i had in storage. I got the bedding from a sweet lady off CL. The Crib skirt, quilt, 5 wall decor pieces, night light, lamp( not pictured, bumper, 2 valances, breathable bumper( not pictured), musical things that hangs over the crib and a diaper stacker for 20.! Yeah, score, i know!

I bought the toddler bed off CL a year or so ago for 45. ( retails for 175.)
And i just ordered some cute wall vinyl for the room off ETSY...
The giraffe will go on the crib wall and this saying will go over the window in chocolate brown!

I think it's fitting b/c no matter where or what we are born into- we can go any which way we choose to go in life! Dr. Seuss in a Genius!

Now... to get a rad rug and to tackle this closet.
Plan is to put the dresser in, eliminate the plastic storage shelves and utilize the shelving better!

Oh what places we'll go!

Settling in...

I've been thinking about this as I've been moving boxes around, unpacking and decluttering!
It takes a while to really feel AT HOME in your new space. Its nothing you can rush, or it just ends up frustrating you to no end! The same goes with your birth parent relationships...

Remember when (if you've had this already) you first started communications with your child's birth parents? You'd respond in a timely manner, thinking things through before you said or wrote them. You'd spend hours thinking about them and how they were doing.

Sometimes when AC's ( adoptive couples) RUSH to UNLOAD on a EP ( expectant parent) it scares them away. NO one likes every bit of info thrust onto them about anyone.

TAKE IT SLOW. Don't avoid topics, just don't feel the need to pour it all out at once.
Communication is also like planting new seeds. If you give it the right soil( timing) and the right amount of nourishment (trust) something good is bound to spring forth! If you over-water or under-water the seeds- you will not end up with what you are hoping for!

BUILD a FOUNDATION. As you build that trusting friendship, you will feel more comfortable in your relationship and your abilities to share. BE HONEST and not eager to please your birth parents. There is wisdom in this as deceit will crumble any relationship almost instantly!
And when your relationship is strengthened, its time too...

SETTLE IN... Set some boundaries and open some other ones up for discussion. Find out what works best for all parties. Dive into REAL things and SILLY things too. Have Fun with your kid's birth parents and don't be afraid to call them if too much time has passed! They don't bite in most cases!

Our relationships are what you'd consider VERY OPEN and it works for us! Our son's BP's are coming for his 1st B-day ( most hopefully) and we couldn't be happier! Jessica is staying with us, in our home, which is not an issue for us.

I had a lady ask me about his birth parents a few weeks back... "How long do you have to Have them around?" I was unsure exactly what she mean by that but i replied " I get to have them in our lives forever! We are so blessed and lucky that his birth parents are amazing, wonderful people!" Her response was something like " Oh, really, Okay!"

*Don't forget to head over to the Colorado FSA blog to sign up for the Conference On June 8th & 9th!

CRaziNesS!!!

Yep, that's what unpacking is. I'm totally surround by boxes in a much larger house with an incredibly busy husband who cant seem to find anytime to help. So, I'm conquering it all little by little. Today is the girls room tomorrow its half the boxes in the living room downstairs...and so on!

My hopes are to plant a few seeds here and get the garden ready and to enjoy this change of pace in life.
After our annual conference last weekend, i really felt many of the speakers reaching out to all of us and giving us needed direction and focus to work on being better parents and responsible citizens in our communities....

President Monson urged members to avoid the distractions of life and remember the things that are of greatest importance: family, service, and living the gospel.

Dallin H. Oaks said:“Perhaps the most familiar and most important examples of unselfish service and sacrifice are performed in our families,” said Elder Oaks. Many also demonstrate unselfishness by adopting children—including those with special needs—and by providing for foster children."

Its so good to know that through all the craziness of parenting and preparing to foster, that Men of God are behind our efforts. I know its going to be hard but, I'm willing to do it anyway!

We set up the toddler bed, most of the crib in the foster room and i have to wash all the bedding and such but, it's exciting to think of whats ahead and how these children are going to teach us. it probably wont be till June but, that will get here faster than we know it! Just one more thing to add to my craziness- and i'm all for it!

thoughts for parents without kids yet...

Recently, there has been a mixed bag of emotions being thrown around FB and blogs and such
( what's new, right?) about Couples who have bio children and choose to pursue or even look into adoption.

I fully understand that we all grieve in different ways and in different times in our process. I'm not asking anyone to speed through their emotions or telling you that what your thinking/ feeling is wrong. I just want you to take a moment to stop before you criticize, or throw out harmful words b/c you are so full of emotion and the desire to have a child.

People have that same desire to serve and love and raise a child, regardless if they have children or not. Who are you to say things that make no sense at all like... " if you adopt a child and you already have kids, then that's one less baby for a couple without kids to have!" " why can't you just be grateful for what you have been given?" " Why don't you adopt an older kid from foster care- there is a need there and you won't be taking a baby from a couple without kids?"
As So On...

Let me be clear and spread the WORD that ANYONE has the RIGHT to choose ADOPTION!

I agree that when people say they want to adopt b/c they don't want to be fat or they hate pregnancy- it kind of makes me cringe! BUT...

When people have a genuine desire to adopt, regardless of having biological children or adopted children or no children- It should be WELCOMED! Heaven forbid, we have more people who choose to welcome a child into their loving families and raise a child into a well rounded, dynamic member of society!

And NO, you are NEVER taking a baby away from someone else- that is a sad little fallacy couples who are grieving tell themselves during their pity parties! When children join a family of any kind, they are meant to BE THERE! NO DOUBT- God has His ways of making sure kids end up where they are meant to be in this special and divine process.

Birth parents often choose couples who DON'T have kids naturally but, then some do. And they do that b/c it's the choice that is the RIGHT one for them! Plus, they like to know that their child is not being "practiced on" and the parents have some sort of experience in the raising and rearing department!

Yes, there is a NEED in foster care/ foster to adopt! YES we need more families to be informed on what this really involves too.

NO, you don't have to foster 7 yr olds and teens, there are plenty of small children and some babies as well and there is a constant intake into this system and not enough couples qualified to help.( and you may or may not adopt them but, everything has risk and sharing your heart is never something i would withhold just b/c you don't know the outcome!)

NO, you don't have to go OUT of COUNTRY if you already have bio kids- Unless you feel so inclined! Then do it! ( we hope to with our last 2 in about 5-7 years)

I would like childless couples to continue in their efforts to adopt- open as many windows as you can. Expand your search, choices and so forth. Save up the funds to work with an agency that has more intake of babies or birth parents if your slower agencies( yet more cost effective ) isn't working for you. Research all types of adoption and for goodness sakes, Wrap your head around Fostering. Many children and babies are placed in permanent homes and the ones who leave your home- at least you can know you did your best for the child while you had them in your care! A great way to expand you adoption Knowledge is to come to the

REGIONAL Families Supporting Adoption Conference in Denver this year!

JUNE 8th & 9th!
Plan on it and shoot me an email or leave a comment if you aren't involved with FSA already! We will get you connected for sure!

BIG NEWS( well pretty big)

WE'RE MOVING!!!

only about 28 miles away! But, we are moving in one month to a great home with 3,600 sq. feet of living space, 7 rooms, 2 living rooms, walkout basement and deck, ranch style and space enough for us to have a dedicated foster kids room! So very blessed that the Lord has let this happen and things have fallen in place. I really feel this will be so wonderful for us.

Yes, we will miss the new friends we have made ( but we will come to this area often for doctors appointments, temple trips, shopping etc) but, we are excited to see who the Lord has put in our path this time! For right now, we are moving over slowly stuff each weekend and in between we are getting stuff ready for FC. Can't wait to share more exciting news soon! Happy Leap Day!

*Our family at the ice castles in Silverthorne!

it's never too late for LOVE

Just a couple of quick pics from our Valentine's Shoot. Much more to come!

Man, I'm so blessed by these 3 crazy monkeys!

My Older Bro's Friend...

Russ, is a fantastic writer, great musician and all around funny man! He is also an adoptive father who BLOGS/WRITES about it. It easy to see his humor and candor and openness. Just check out his blog and sit a spell and read some of his funny stories too. I have tons of childhood memories of him and his siblings and parents. I will have to share a few sometime soon. All are fun or funny or taught me something pretty awesome!

Rock on Russ, You truly are a SUPER DAD!

2 through adoption= one in love

Both my husband and our sweet boy were brought into their families through the miracle of adoption!

This was taken just moments before we had Gavin's finalization! As I saw my husband holding and playing with Gavin, I couldn't help but think of how unique and special this is, not only for us but, for him. His parents also had an experience like this. They probably choked up when the judge said his/her final words as well. It's surreal and such a miracle! Jessica and Dustin- thanks in not even close to enough. Having Gavin join our little family is our pleasure, honor and joy! We will do everything in our power to be worthy of this little man and give him everything and most importantly a solid upbringing founded in Love and Righteousness! We will do our very best to provide and nurture all our sweet children into loving, honest, well-rounded and talented young adults! I imagine that Brandon's birth mother hoped and prayed for these same things for his life! I hope she is pleased with how Brandon has turned out! I know we are!

Love to everyone in the adoption world!
~C

A New adventure...

YAY! We are preparing for a new adventure into the world of foster parenting!!!

I know some of the readers are thinking I'm nuts and " i could never do that, it seems so hard" But, we are not nuts and it will be hard. Good things in life normally are challenging!

If you didn't know our story here's some details...

Before we ever had children we knew and felt strongly that we would one day be foster parents. less than 2 months after that feeling, we adopted Brielle. 18 months later, I brought Aria into the family! When we moved to CO, Aria was almost 3 and we put our papers in with LDSFS again and felt like we needed to keep the Foster Care option open. We took the classes October 2010 we finished our CPR class last april 2011 on the 7th and on the 8th of April , Jessica made her first contact with us. 8 weeks later Gavin was born & welcomed to the family! Both adoptions have blessed us with VERY OPEN contact on all sides! We love the relationships we have through this incredible and divine Miracle! We can never say enough about our wonderful birth parents ( Kara, Kyle, Jessica & Dustin) and thier parents and family members.

We still felt that we needed to press forward with Foster Care. the week that Jessica and I started talking on the phone, we were placed with baby H, our first glimpse of what it would be like to have a child in our home then prepare to place her back with her mom. God's timing was impeccable. Now, having our sweet baby Boy and having had that experience, we know we can do it! I have been blessed to have 3 other friends/couples who are on this journey with us too! They too are fostering or preparing to foster a child/ren.

I will let you know that we will have lots of homework and probably another background check, physicals etc to go through and we may need a different home too. Our lease is up in a few months and the timing again- couldn't be better! So, we will see if we move or not!

Also, I'm not at liberty to NAME or publish things about who we are placed with so. don't ask. I can be vague and leave names out or say we have a placement in general but overall- pretty hush hush! I'm looking forward to helping little children come to our home, worn down and or neglected and watching them transform with time, love, necessities that they are in dire need of. If the potential of adoption is an option wonderful but, if not, that's okay too. We are here to do our part and help children while they are with our family!

I imagine little feet that have longed to be guided and shown what it's like to be surrounded by love and grown ups that they can trust. I know separation will be hard and trying for these kiddos. And we will be viewed as strangers for a while to them. I hope that most Birth parents that have kids in foster care can get healthy enough to reunify. I hope they make those changes long term not just to get the kids back!

And lastly, when I meet God one day, I hope He will know we have done our part to protect, love and serve his hurting children, in their time of greatest need!

Adoption Tax Credit info

here's some articles about the adoption tax credit changes and FEB. 13th ...

http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=231663,00.html

http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=242932,00.html

http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=236174,00.html

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i8839.pdf

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f8839--2010.pdf

Also check this flier out!( below) Join with other families made through adoption and write/email your congressman!

http://www.nacac.org/taxcredit/awarenessday.pdf

mini man's growing up!

I can't believe he is almost 8 months now!
These are from a few weeks back and he already looks different! He is starting to fill out and get some rolls on his legs- It's cute!


We are truly blessed and so honored to be his parents and our girls parents too!

You know, I just am so happy that God has granted us these blessings and a great marriage. Yeah it's not all perfect all the time but, I'm married to someone I love and he loves me completely, even with my grumpy days! That makes a huge difference when you are parents b/c you rely on each other to get through the hard parts of life and parenting!

We keep thinking about how amazing and wonderful our next family member will be too! How will they find our family? Through foster placement, through a friend of a friend, we don't really know but, if our marriage wasn't solidly grounded we'd not even be looking forward to the future or having more children through any means!

I Hope and Pray that this tiny man will grow up to be an excellent, honest, dynamic young man one day and we will do our best to assure that his dreams are in reach too! That's what the choice of adoption brings a child- LIFE, LOVE, FREEDOM that wouldn't otherwise not be attainable in most situations where children are single parented, in financial crisis or poverty, in a relationship not based on trust and love and faith.

I THANK THE BIRTH PARENTS EVERY DAY for thinking of your child/ren first! YOU ARE HEROES and not enough can ever be said about your selfless choice! WE LOVE YOU ALL!

transracial adoption

So, I spent a couple hours trying to figure out the views and studies on transracial adoption. I read this article about the Transracial Adoption Paradox


In Summary of the article.... The current research literature on psychological outcome, racial/ethnic identity development, and cultural socialization suggests that transracial adoptees—both domestic and international—are psychologically well adjusted, exhibit variability in their racial/ethnic identity development, and along with their parents, engage in a variety of cultural socialization strategies to overcome the transracial adoption paradox.



And this blog has a great articles and resources. Of Course the RHOUSE always does!


This post on Iamablackmother has a great understanding of TA and Religion...

"I believe if I do my best with parenting my children, including my transracially adopted daughter, that our Heavenly Father will help with what I am unable to do if I ask."



There is much to be said and not enough understanding on this subject. I'd like to hear more from adoptees who were raised by white parents. like this book, In Their Own Words


I have my own feelings about this which are generally accepted... I think it's up to the individuals adopting! I think a child is a child no matter what race. And though it's important to embrace ethnic and cultural differences, it's just as important to embrace your families culture too. Every families lives differently than the next. What's normal for one may be odd for another.

I think it's imperative that people understand differences and celebrate them, not try play down the obvious and wonderful!

I'm game for whatever God wants to bring to Our family! I'd love and i do love anyone and everyone- no matter what they look like!

I grew up singing that song " Jesus loves the little Children" . When it came to the part about the colors, it sang like this: Red and Yellow, black and white... We'd add in our own words and sing Purple , polka dot and striped;) just for kicks.
ALL KIDDING aside, I'm happy that i have that ability to love all mankind, genuinely. It's taken years but, i think i always have had my grandpa beach's kind, open heart. Thanks, Grandpa B! I know you watch over all your kids from Heaven! Love you!

Resolve...

New Years Resolutions are all about making great changes, committing , and resolving to correct the things that are off in your life!

So, what are YOURS this year?

Are they about your physical body?

Using your talents more?

Being more charitable?

Accomplishing big goals in your work or life?


Sometimes we set goals that are just out of our control all together and we get disappointed when they don't happen! As far as adoption goes, we can't control all that much of the process but, Here's a few things you can ....

If you think your agency has forgotten you...
GET in their face- in the most helpful and least obnoxious way possible- volunteer with outreach programs they might have, join FSA or similar adoption focused groups and get to know your adoption manager. They won't forget you if are around all the time. And when you are doing good things for others- good things will come your way too. It's true!
ALL 6 of the couples that are highly involved on the FSA boards- had placements in the last 18 months. Our funny saying is " if you want to adopt- get involved with FSA"- 4 of us have babies under 8 months and 2 of them are over one and another is on its way!

UPDATE YOUR PROFILE...
You can never do enough updates on it or your blog- keep it fresh- clean, fun and true to who you are! No one wants to see PERFECT PASTED ON SMILES in every photo and plastic answers to what you think BP's might want to hear- BE REAL and Genuine. If your pics are old or not very good- get new ones that are very eye catching and done by a pro! Makes a huge difference!

GIVE OF YOURSELF- Use your talents and energies to support GOOD THINGS, whether its helping in soup kitchens, with HS students in an after school program, in your churches and organizations- get busy and FORGET ABOUT WHAT YOU DON'T HAVE! Focus on what you DO HAVE and give of your time and talents liberally! You will find out more about who YOU are and at the same time by making a difference in your community! You never know the connections you will make that may bring other possibilities your way as well!

FIND PEACE IN YOUR JOURNEY- This is probably the most important part in your life right now if you are a waiting couple. Coming to an understanding that GOD KNOWS WHAT YOU NEED WHEN YOU NEED IT, can be difficult for many people. It's excruciating when you are aching for a child to fill your empty arms, or trying to remedy the feeling of someone missing in your incomplete family but, YOU MUST ACCEPT, EMBRACE, then CHANGE the things or feelings that are making you upset, angry or disappointed. The Lord doesn't want you to sit around and pout or ask Him " why me, why now, why not, why them and not us?" I think He wants us to LEARN OF HIM and HIS WAYS of teaching through trials, patience and faith so that we are more in tune and accepting of HIS WILL and HIS TIMING.

What i have been saying as of the last 4 months in reference to life and adoption is : " I've decided to forget what i want and accept what He wants for me and my Family! I've jumped on board God's Roller Coaster and I'm letting him take me where I'm supposed to go!"

And truly coming to this has been a great journey. I have such a peaceful feeling that I no longer have to feel like i'm in control of everything when we all know we are NOT! I trust In Our Father in Heaven and KNOW that HE kNOWS ME and KNOWS what's BEST FOR ME too! Such a great sense of serenity and love!

No matter the twists are turns and upside-down loops, I'm Hanging on and Enjoying the Ride!
I know that this is where I'm meant to be, right here and right now!

---
May you all have a wonderful NEW YEAR and make those changes that are keeping you from finding Happiness! Love you all!
----
PS. I turned the big 30 last Wednesday and Brielle (pictured above) turns 6 this coming Thursday! Man, time sure flies!!!

Happy New Year !!!

Brielle stayed up for her first time in her life! She rang in the new year with us at Kenn's house! He had TONS of balloons prepared and his boxer had fun popping them which kind of wigged out Brielle. She did great overall and was one tired lil' sweetie! Daddy had way too much fun with the Balloons! Silly guy!

Can't wait to see what this year brings everyone and our family too!
Make the most of this year and each day!

Wishing you all...

A Very Merry Christmas!

may you make lots of memories and cherish every moment
with your children and family!

And Some special time with your birth families- if you are so blessed!

Have a Happy New Year too!
Be back after the Holidays!

Balancing Vacation Plans

SO, now that we have LOTS of Birth families in our little family- visits can be tricky. Here's a few tips I've come up with when it comes to planning your visits with family and birth families...

1. ALWAYS do what is BEST for YOUR immediate family first-not your parents or extended family.
You can't please everyone all the time so, quit trying. Focus on who you can please- your spouse and kiddos!

2. Make a MAP of your trip/ Timeline but, don't make a play by play list. LEAVE your plans open and flexible when it's possible. The coolest things/ experiences happen when they are not planned!

So for us, we have one afternoon/evening in UT on our way to NV to see Gavin's Birth mom and her entire family. We will have a dinner there but otherwise the rest if the evening in unplanned. We are open to whatever:) You can overbook your hours too quickly, stress out that you are not following your plan or way behind schedule and there goes your sanity and stress levels.

3. DO plan some special time for each birth parent to snuggle/ visit with your/their child.
After dinner, i know that Gavin will be tired, ready for a bottle and such. I let J have some time with him- all she wants to do some or all of these things. It's precious time to anyone especially birth parents. And don't plan one visit backed up to the other if your birth parents aren't on speaking terms. Make each visit- it's own day if possible or at least not right after the other. You are not a referee or a therapist so, avoid situations that would stress one or the other out! We see Dustin on our way BACK through UT after Christmas- a totally different time period altogether!

4. HAVE Grandparent time with your kiddos. Let your mom and dad bond with your child/ren without you interfering. Go grocery shopping and leave the kids with your mom & dad. It's important that grandparents also, have bonding time with your children and your newly adopted children too! which leads me to my next tip...

5. GET a bit of time in for YOU- whether that's going shopping alone, taking a long undisturbed bath, a long walk through your old town, going snowboarding, getting a pedicure etc. YOU need it and deserve it and you will enjoy your vacation more!

6. ALWAYS take tons of pictures with your birth parents and family! DON'T FORGET to send them some after your vacation too!

7. BE careful of other peoples time. If you can ONLY get in at midnight b/c your husband gets off at 9pm and that's it- then fine, leave then but, if you have any sort of flexibility- leave at a time so you can arrive at a decent hour to your layovers or destinations. It's funny to me when people think driving through the night will get them their faster but, then they don't wake up till 11am and what's the diff. if they would have gotten in at 11am anyways. What you try to make up for in time is made up for in sleep, normally!

8. HAVE a mini reunion playdate. You may not be able to plan everyone schedules but, if you plan for a get together- invite all your old friends and cousins, and birth family members- you will at least be able to see some people that you were hoping to see, even if for a short time! The key is low maintenance with these activities too.

that's my 2 cents- happy travels and Merry Christmas!

Flashback Friday

To Halloween and our visit with Jessica and Daylen!

The kids loved playing with both Jessica and Daylen! You know kids are the best filters for BAD/ODD people, right? So, if they can see and feel love in your eyes- you are free to jump all over them and play till they peel you off!* Thanks for being very patient with the girls, guys!

We attended a Church Halloween Trunk-Or-Treat, went to a dance and had dinner with friends and played games and such. It was relaxing at times and stressful at times too ( way too many parties and cold).

Jessica and I handled this beast of a pumpkin carving project! Food Network Challenge- here we come! Bring it! ( okay not really- don't call i won't answer)

Gavin IS the BEST Tootsie Roll EVER!

I let the Girls PICK what they wanted to be this year- Brielle chose Sleeping Beauty!

Aria chose Ariel. Both girls got their costumes for their birthdays but, i had to severely alter Aria's and add 7 inches to Brielle's so, i got a bit creative with fabric and such!

We had a wonderful time and can't wait to see them in a few weeks!

* at Ballet yesterday( my class) this sweet little four year old-teacher's daughter- walks right up to ME as we were entering class and smiles and throws her arms up in the air to pick her up! I spun her around and asked her ?'s and such about her mommy and her and her age. She was just so sweet and i really loved that experience b/c I LOVE KIDS- minus a few demonic children- I think it's just so natural to me to LOVE all of these innocent children. This tiny girl saw in me something good and recognized it! I saw in her the same thing!
I think it, although hard at times, it is going to be something i treasure when it's time to do foster adoption of older children( 2+). I am excited for it but, apparently, I am not living MY Plan- but, GOD's Plan for our family and I LOVE IT! Craziness and all. I'm willing to do whatever He sees fit for me to do- period.
I know that's not every adoptive parents outlook and that's okay, it's not meant to be everyone's.
I've said this before and i will say it again:
God will give you what YOU NEED not always what you WANT!
For Couples who have been waiting a significant amount of time to love and adopt a child:
It's time to look over your LIST of DEMANDS for a child! Throw it out and start over. Make a LIST of What God thinks of you- what you think of yourself and what you can improve and change while you are waiting! You will come to find that often times FEAR and lack of education on subjects has held you back from opportunities tha you weren't even considered for b/c of your special Check List.
Obviously, you need to have your Hard and Fast Deal Breakers but, all the others stuff on your list is like asking God to not only PART the SEA and Bless YOU with a Child but, BTW, Lord- can you make this Extreme Gift have purple and silver packaging and a flawless, twinkling, Irridescent Bow, while you are at it! That's all just, that! Oh, and a few Magic, Rainbow-colored unicorns! Thanks!

You get my drift! I have had more than a handful of friends who have ditched the LIST, Gave up their will to God's Will and within weeks or months, had a gorgeous child welcomed into their famiie!

Miracles...

Happen Everyday!
So, Adoption is threaded through my everyday LIFE. Not just b/c i have children who are adopted and a husband who is adopted or cousins and friends who are birth parents, But because I just seem to run into everyone who is associated with Adoption. Take the last TWO.5 weeks....

I was driving back from getting waxed and i stopped by this ladies house who was standing by some head and end boards in fabulous shape. I asked her if she was selling them, She said she was giving them away. Turns out 6 of her 7 kids are adopted!!! She got all the parts and such and later that day we got a Gorgeous Bunkbed for the girls for 0.00! Thanks a bunch, Margaret! pics to come soon- my phone won't email properly- grrr

In the store , the Checker is a birthmom and the lady in front of me is a Foster adopt mom with 3 adopted kids and one hopeful, underweight 2 year old she is helping get better.

The awesome Lady, Karel, who sewed up the quilt I designed for Gavin, is adopted!

A birthmom Friend, Jessalynn S. forwarded my info onto a person coming to CO to adopt a baby girl and we( michelle and I) are friends now. She has been visiting here with me and my fam till ICPC clears them to go back home! Here is precious pic of Abigail( yes ,she is sporting my swag!)
and Did i mention Michelle is adopted!


And This Friday, I will be speaking at Highlands Ranch HS about Adoption! I look forward to talking with Students and this is WHAT I LOVE DOING!

So many more posts to come! Rock on all you fabulous adoption Peeps!

Flash Back

to the first two days with Gavin....

Such a Tiny lil' Man!

Boys were exhausted from traveling and late nights!

Gorgeous Jessica, Gavin's First momma!

One Adopted Child kissing another adopted child! BLISS!
Love knows no Bounds!

Getting the idea of being a Big Sister now!

Gav's Aunt and her family- YES, this is where his RED comes from!

Grandpa MAX, Gavin's Birth grandpa!

Jessica and Brielle getting some Quality coloring and bonding in!

I love this head shot! It signifies the arms and life that Brought Gavin into this world before he was brought into ours! WE LOVE Our Birth Family and are so honored to have adopted again!

We often wonder what the future Holds and How long before the Lord brings another child into our family! We are in no rush at all but, we know our family is not complete yet. That may sound odd to some but, what lies in your heart and in your soul about your family, is individual and sacred to each couple. We will act upon our inspiration and follow the Plan God has For our Family, Even if It means ENDURING things unexpected or difficult. We are on the Roller Coaster and are hanging on for the ride and making the Best of every turn and bump and loving every minute of it! Adoption is such a joy and such a Heaven guided process ( in almost every instance!)!
love you all!

Whoa....

... Nellie! Yep, It's been very busy here with many things going on and little time to blog. So sorry if time is escaping me. It will be like that till mid-January! Here's Gav's 5 month pic from a bit ago. And We take His 6 months one in a week and a half( gees that went quick) still no finalization date due to circumstances out of our control but, whatever- it will be here before you know it!

We are so excited for the Next week off and I know we will all have fun and i will get some sewing done too! I have about 2 blankets, a quilt, a play apron, 2 dresses and possibly some small items too!
This weekend will be singing time and gingerbread decorating contest time. I had a nightmare last night about it but, thank heavens it was a dream. I woke up kind of angry!
Well, Happy Turkey Day and National Adoption Month , again! Share the love, please!

Cool side story, we got a free, designer ( good looking) bunk bed from an adoptive momma of 7 ( one bio six adopted). It is such a blessing! Pics coming soon and the full story!