The Christian Crew

Our Court Day was Epic! Of course a few things had to be changed up... like our judge, our courtroom and a few people getting lost in the changes but, overall. It went well! The kids got to answer ?'s and it was unlike any other court date we have had. I hope and pray our kids will remember this and retell Celise about the Day she became an Official Christian Family Member! Here's a CUTE shoot i did of all her sweet little rolls, creases and bit parts too. It's so important to enjoy every day as kids grow so quickly and life on Earth is short. As a mom, i feel like I'm becoming the Mom on The Goldbergs ( if you haven't seen this show- it's hilarious and about the 80's90's) . I want to KISS and snuggle my schmoopies until they can't take it any more. I know why my mom always wanted a hug , a kiss a time with just me- because time is fleeting! In a blink- they are off to college and starting families of their own ( well not...

We had a Very Long vacation and it's best to divide it up based on our travels. SO, this last summer we left at the end of July and went to my mom's place, in a little town called Fallon, NV! It was pretty cool to drive down memory lane but, as I get older, this is less of my town and more of the past. This town holds very special memories and some sad ones as well. Like performing as Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof, helping out with the Local ARC with the special needs adults and students, meeting some of my Best good friends here, singing at the Christmas tree lighting, swimming at the pool, playing at the parks I played at as a kid, passing by the schools and soccer fields I once frequented and so much more! I will always have a love for little Fallon and the great people I know from this town who helped me become the woman I am today! We got to see a few friends and the zipped off to June Lake and Mammoth , CA to visit my grandma's gravesite and walked again down Memory...

We had the honor of not just attending the wedding but, of being part of it! In open adoption, we have become each others' family in the most beautiful way! I really believe this is divine- us all meeting and becoming a pretty awesome family through adoptions. The boys were the Ring bearers and the girls the flower girls! They all did wonderful and it was fun to watch the boys start off with a good slow walk, then see Josh pull out the candy sticks, watch Slade start running and Gavin trying to hold him back! Both girls were a bit nervous but did fantastic and the ceremony was fun and beautiful. All of Sarah's family were so great to meet and I was able to even meet a few cousins who flew in from the east. I didn't realize that she only has a couple cousins b/c you just figure we have like 30 + cousins, right? Dustin looked dapper and Sarah looked like an angel/ fairy/ bride. Her hair was whimsical with the baby's breath in it and the gorgeous curls! She is ...

Yesterday,we lost a huge part of our hearts! It is hitting me extra hard b/c we just saw him on Monday! We stopped by for a short visit to see him and Tammy and whoever was roaming around. The kids helped him feed the goats and collect chicken eggs and the whole time my phone was saying" full" so I was trying to delete things to get space on my phone to take pics but, I didn't do it in time. So, we just talked and visited instead of me worrying about it. I can't change the fact that I didn't capture the moment but, I can tell you and share with you many of our special moments... We met Max the day we met Jessica! She was pregnant with "puma" as she called him and we were in his house before he was home. So, he entered his home with a couple of strangers and their 2 girls just hanging out! I am not sure what He thought of us at that moment but, we spent the rest of the evening, just chatting with everyone and checking out the cats, dogs and bunnies....

  We all NEED to have courage and live each day to the fullest without FEAR of the unknown. It's easier to SAY then DO... for adoptive hopefuls-the unknown can be scary and tumultuous. The WAIT time before placement or matching can be DRAINING and full of unrest on WHAT MIGHT BE! As Birth parents the ROAD after placement can be all of the same- exhausting, scary, full of twists and turns and unknowns. As expectant parents- the thoughts of adoption and placement are ALL of those things and MORE! And everyone's support system is so VASTLY unique and different. It's SO important that we all LOVE AND SUPPORT each other as we go through these changes- even if we can't see what's ahead- WE CAN BE BRAVE enough to TRUST in GOD and our abilities- and SOAR to places we never have been before- in our lives, our hearts and minds!   We can GROW abilities and characteristics through our journeys and learn to EMBRACE the EXCITING UNKNOWN instead of ...

YUP, lots of re-homing is going on over here! Our sweet Furry boy, Hemi, just spent 6 days with his new family. He has 2 other mastiffs and a boston terrier to run around with. He has 2 fenced acres and lots of love and attention by his new parents. It is very bittersweet for us. He has spent 2 yrs in our care! He will be missed but we know He will have such a better life than we can currently offer him. He will get more walks, more playtime, more "siblings" more love and attention and be cherished for the great Dog He is! Hemi's new dad is almost out of hospital, recovering from surgery and His new mom will be picking him up from us shortly. We are privileged to have an open adoption and have been watching Him while surgery has been taking place.  ALSO  WE ARE RE-HOMING TOO! Yep, We found a home in the mountains and are excited about the 2.4 acres, and almost 4k square feet of living space. It will be such a new adventure and our family will See if we ...

This is NOT MY article but, i will link you to it- SINCE IT's FABULOUS! and Insightful! this pic is of my friend , Miki, and her family! She has such blessings after such heartache! She lost 3 babies then held her niece for 3 weeks before the niece went to her forever family! She later had 3 kids and was told she would die if she had anymore! So, she hoped to adopt for 3+ years then, it happened and Shaylee ( in yellow) joined the family b/c of a selfless birth mother! Now, the Watt Family also waited 3 ish years and had a beautiful baby girl placed with them- only to be reunified with the Father who does'nt stay clean( but wanted the govt' handouts for this sweet girl). Then about a year later a loving couple who chose them placed their big BOY with them on FATHERS day weekend! It was an amazing day to say the least! Adoption blesses many lives, the child, the parents and the birth parents but, we must consider what we say and educate others as we LI...

So , its been 7.5 years since our first open adoption and here's where we stand with everyone.( at least from my vantage point)... Brielle's Birth mom, Kara, has a full open adoption relationship- we visit when we can ( she is two states away) . Her parents and siblings and grandparents all keep in touch. We all visit when we can which is at least once a year but we shoot for more. we last saw her and the family in June! We love and miss them and are sad they are so far away but that's life! We have our birth families stay in our home when they visit and we stay with them when the opportunity arises. ANd we look forward to planning a vacation together next couple of years! Brielle's Birth dad- Kyle is still keeping his distance and still keeping his eye on us through FB and this blog but, that's all he can do right now and we respect that. His parents want more communication but we need to figure this all out again- its been 7 years since we have seen them. th...

 So, before we made it over to my mom's for Christmas last year,  We stopped in for a visit with Jessica and her family! They spoiled the kids as well!  Jessica got the girls an ice cream maker!  Grandpa MAX giving snuggles!  Great Grandparents Phil and Mary-Jo!  Jessica ( g's beautiful birthmom) & gpa Max  ( her dad)  Aunt Morgan opening G's gifts for him!( yep good looks run in this family!)  Opening more gifts!  Gav loved his playmat from Jessica! I know this next baby will get some use out of it as well! So, as you can see - Open adoption for us WORKS wonderfully! I know it may not for every situation but, in ours it's perfect harmony ( most of the time)! You can never have too many people that love your kids, your family, you! As long as the people are healthy ( mentally, emotionally etc.) than i say bring it on! And i do remind the birth families that my KIDS don't NEED lots of ...

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! I...

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 ...

I always LOVE editing my adoptive couples with their birth parents! Right now, We are getting ready for the FSA Fireside in a few weeks and pulling photos together for a montage/slide show! It will be awesome! Here's my friend, Jessica L., with their baby and adoptive couple! She turned ONE! I can't believe it happened so fast! Next thing you know Gavin will be ONE! Don't blink anyone, hold your breath... Time just flies by! ( now breathe if you haven't let it out, silly!) ALSO... This awesome couple is CURRENTLY HOPING TO ADOPT AGAIN! YEP, they are eligible now that she is over 1 year! If you'd like their email, Shoot me a quick email b/c they aren't up on the IAL website quite yet!

I have posted on this before and i wish to post on it again in a different light! I found a perfect article that sums up my feelings about gift giving! If you read my last post about this. I told you that i really don't like gifts, getting things that are meaningless, or just random stuff. I like them to be thoughtful and heartfelt or something i really needed/wanted! I've been gearing up for the holidays and on our last FSA CENTRAL meeting call i found this article by Henry B. Eyring and He gave it the year I was born. 1982 ( yeah, I'm almost 30!) And I love what he says... "Great gift-giving involves three things: you feel what the other feels ; you give freely ; and you count sacrifice a bargain." I thought about that in the context of adoption. And about Expectant Parents who choose to place. As they are looking at so many profiles of couples hoping to adopt a baby. they FEEL for US. Adoptive Couples fe el for what our birth parents may be going through...

I'm going to be a little lagging in posts for a week or so b/c i have to finish all my clients work but, have no worries. Things are GOOD here! So, Here's some pics of our visit with Gavin's Birth father and Birth grandma, Tammy! Tammy had to Spoil the girls and get fun cookies to decorate and pumpkins to carry their Halloween Candy in! She is such a Sweet lady and we are so grateful for her enthusiasm and desire to be a part of our fun and crazy family! Brielle was very meticulous too! We played at the park on a couple occasions and enjoyed getting to know one another. The girls love Dustin and He learned how to handle Tiny Girls who like to crawl or rough house with anyone who will let them! Aria was sort of confused at first when we told her that Dustin and Tammy were coming b/c she thought it was Tami, Jessica's Step mom( lovingly called Grandma Tami). So, Aria asked her this: " Can i call you Grandma Tammy too?" She was sweet and obliged! So, we now have ...