The Christian Crew

Back in Nov of  2016, myself and Brandon were very content loving on our beautiful children. Our house was brimming with squeals and giggles and the occasional bit of sibling rivalry and loud noises. We were gearing up for the Holidays and couldn't be happier. One cold night as we snuggled in bed, we were recalling how quickly our kids were growing up and how blessed we are. "So, Do you think we are Done now?" I asked Brandon, as I had man other times. His response was the same as it had been the last two months. " I don't really know." And for the next weeks this question would keep coming up. Finally, 2 weeks before Celise's finalization for her adoption to be made complete, I asked again and he answered almost the same as He had before. But this time I said " If we are not sure now, then we are not done. We are not complete. " Brandon quietly responded " Yeah, We aren't done. " What followed was a week of contacting our ca...

Introducing Celise! She was on her way 14 days after we signed papers with LFS! Her tiny soul had been reading out to ours and our hearts were being prepared to receive her and her birth family! I will go into greater detail later but for now- she is a Healthy 10 week old princess and is the center of attention at our home and almost anywhere we go. Enjoy some before and after pics of her, her birth mom, Dausi and us!  OUR PRINCESS- Daughter of  heavenly King!  We still can't believe she is here so quickly! God is so good !!!

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 ...

 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 ...

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

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. D...

Advice for Friends of Adoptive parents Many times, well-meaning relatives, friends and co-workers do things or make comments that unintentionally cause pre-adoptive and/or adoptive parents unnecessary emotional stress. The following is a quick guide that may be copied and distributed to those people in an effort to educate them on how they can support you during the adoption process. DO... 1. DO accept our decision to adopt without question. 2. DO accept our choice of a child regardless of his/her race, heritage, age, 'social background, etc. 3. Do remain positive and enthusiastic during waiting periods. 4. DO offer to give practical help if you don't mind giving us your time. 5. DO respect our choice not to disclose details about our personal life and our decisions. DON'T... 1. DON'T tell us that if we adopt a child we will get pregnant and have a child of "our own." Adoption does not cure infertility, and our adopted child will be "our chil...