The Christian Crew

Man, I need to reformat the blog, update pics and so on. If you are following us on Facebook- you have more of an updated version of our family and adventures. Our community page is Brandon and Corrine- Party of 9.  Find us and read on. Even that needs updating too. A few things have kept me away from writing and rightfully so. These adorable little blessings are certainly worth it but, now they are 14 months and it's time to continue to open up, share and be vulnerable with ya'll who read or who are connected to us personally or through mutual friends. Adoption is HARD, life is Hard and all of us have hard things we are going through. I am often asked a few different questions to today, I will put these ?'s to rest... Are you guys going to adopt MORE? How did you get 4 birth moms/dads to pick you guys? What can I do to get chosen by an expectant mom / what advice can you give me? Q#1 Well, I think our Quiver is pretty full guys and 7 is a LOT OF KID...

Over the last couple of days, I have been talking with different Agencies and attorneys and I needed some time to reflect upon all this new information I've been processing. I've been talking to ones in the East and MAN, they do things very differently over there and I'm kind of taken aback- like WAY BACK- 50 yrs or so... WHY? Because one agency told me they are TRADITIONAL meaning they are not FOR open adoptions at all. In Fact, you never meet the expectant mom before she has the baby and you don't come to the hospital or anything until papers are signed. In my heart, that's not right- how would you NOT want to form a relationship with the woman who is choosing you to parent Her child? And in that sentence, I realized that back even 15-20 years ago- most women didn't even have the choice to meet the couples hoping to adopt. That just wasn't the way they did things. Any who, now things are different and We have the choice to build relationships if that...

B picked a Zebra, blues and yellows theme for her GLAM party! We Had so much fun having a Glamorous Party for Brielle. We decorated ( which she loves to do) found cute ribbons and zebra stuff over the last 6 months and had fun putting together goody bags! My kids think parties are boring without GOODY BAGS ( tee hee- once Aria asked if our adult friends party was going to have a pinata and goody bags and when we said no she replied "WHAT KINDA PARTY IS THAT GOING TO BE THEN!" it was hilarious! The bags had lip gloss , some treats and a mini cosmetics bag! Of course we played mother May I? and had stations for bow making, getting fingernails painted and ... Getting the Makeup done with a Princess mirror and a cute artist too! THIS YEAR is a year of cupcakes.. easy for me and Brielle wanted ones with her colors:) All the girls had a great time and everyone left with smiles and bows and fun memories! It was a nice p...

As presents to ourselves , Brielle & I got ourselves Powder passes to Copper Mt. Resort for this season! She had her first lesson ( from me) for the first 30 mins and enjoyed the magic carpet and practice Area- then we hit the Bunny slope- Green Acres! She loved it and begged for the BIG LIFT! I picked up boarding after a few sloppy runs and working out the kinks again ( it's been 2 ish years since I've been) and so we had a fun lunch then hit the first BIG run off American Eagle called Easy Road and See n Ski. B kept saying " see you at the bottom" b/c she would pass me often( i let her or would get stuck on the flat parts) and when it came to really going downhill- she got skiddish. I kept saying " just do the PIZZA the whole way down!" she went about 2/3 of the way on her skis and 1/3 on her bum! She whined at times and said how hard it was! But all in all - it was so much fun and we both can't wait to go again! Love having my big ...

It happened so fast! Can't believe He is already a toddler. ( not walking yet- thank goodness) He had a little monster party! He Had monster-good clementine& lime citrus cupcakes with Dairy free citrus buttercream! Ulubulu.com  had awesome monster bibs and targets dollar bin had reusable lunch totes with monster faces on them and cute flatware too! The kids made thier own monster finger puppets with felt, googlie eyes and pipe- cleaners & glue. Build-a-bear is a MUST for our kids 1st b-days and this little monster/alien looking outfits was just perfectly fitting for the party! Of course the  Monsters Inc. crew had to sneak into the scene as well! We had such a fun time with 3 of my fav. families and their kiddos! I got the adorable banner on ETSY and had streamers, and balloons in greens, blues and oranges! HE LOVED his first big treat! ALso, i picked up his MONSTER shirt at Savers! ( look around for one use clothing and don't waste your money on bu...

SO... myself, Slade and Brielle all had Birthdays this month! Slade is now 1- i can't believe it! I seriously and holding him and knocking him over when he stands so, he will just crawl longer and stay a baby longer ( okay not really knocking him- just not encouraging walking) It seems like weeks ago- He was just born. We were going to name him TROY or SHANE but, neither stuck! He was a large 8 lbs 14 oz. and a few hours shy of 42 weeks. He is a bundle of joy in every way! I will miss every part of His tiny-ness when he grows- just as i Miss all my kids being babies. I have to say- that Slade is the most cuddly baby we have had- and so chill ( except for hen he is teething!) I was looking back at Brielle's photos too...  Her  3rd bday!  Her first haircut after SHE first cut her hair!  After we moved to CO- she was 4.5 Brielle is about 5.5 here before we moved to our current home.  SHE IS A DIVA! And we are so blessed by her...

 GAVIN WAS ONLY ABOUT  6 MONTHS_ HE WAS SOO TINY!  look at TREVOR( on Todd's lap by Gavin- looks a lot like SLADE)  I LOVE GINGERBREAD SO MUCH- I THINK IT"S AN ADDICTION  Gavin's Birth dad and Birth family on that side! WE LOVE OPEN ADOPTION!