The Christian Crew

 Our kids had so much fun seeing Santa this year. We had him all to ourselves for 45 minutes and He was wonderful with each one of them. He also invited us to do some charity work with him on Christmas day so, the big girls, Brandon and myself will be helping some families in need! God is good and I do believe Santa is a good symbol for Christ.  Here's a great book talking about the symbolism in it all! ENJOY the pictures and ENJOY your Christmas and New Years too!  

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....

Let. Me Preface this post- It's a Constructive  Criticism/ Analysis Post- one that should make some of us reflect! And, Not all Adoptive Couples or Hopeful Adoptive couples are the same- MOST are honest, loving and Secure enough to genuinely love their birth families. With that said, I'm seeing a Rise in Hopeful Adoptive Couples ( HAPs) and Adoptive couples ( AP's) Breaking the hearts of those amazing women and parents who placed a child in their arms. The Scenarios looks like this- Generally... An expectant parent ( EP) picks a couple to adopt her unborn baby. The HAP's give love and attention to the EC and shower her with praise, kindness and encouragement in fulfilling life goals. The EP trusts that this couple in genuine and when placement day comes she does the most unselfish thing every- she chooses placement and the HAP's turn into parents and she becomes a Birth parent ( BP), while she walks away grieving what might have been in another time o...

well, try moving 2 times in 2 years and adding two kids along with those moves-Oh and switch companies and become a business partner owner... That's how it all seems so fast! I can't believe we are planning Gavin's 4th Birthday already- it's bittersweet!  He is SUCH A JOY now that he is out of the terrible twos and is doing so much better as a big brother and overall, little person. I'm not sure if I ever shared his 2nd year with everyone but let's just condense it to a few words- Fecal fiesta- every other day, lots of dirt, yelling, messes and screaming! It was HARD and I'm so glad he is speaking so well now- most of his yelling was in frustration that we couldn't understand what he wanted or was try to say. Enjoy some BABY pics of this little man!!!   5 days old...       10 months old  7 months old  

Brielle's friends came to celebrate her 5th B-day with her. They made Hair flowers , danced around, then sat down to a fancy tea party ( some of kids took the princess thing to the extreme too) then a SPECIAL VISITOR CAME ! Sleeping Beauty! Brielle was totally in shock but, very happy and excited to see her. She said " how did you know to come to my party?" Many hugs were given throughout the event. ( and B's dress beat hers hands down- go Disney parks line:) She read stories and played games and took many pictures... and the kids got necklaces and rings and crowns too! Then it was time for cake fit for a QUEEN!( and of course ice cream) Luckily, it was chock- FULL of butter cream fondant and butter cream icing which the kids went to town on! Next time though, skipping the fondant and just adding cute marshmallow fondant details to butter cream. And she BLEW out a Fiery Crown with her tiny little blow! And all the kids had a blast and went home full of tre...

My girls are so lucky to have such great friends. All of them support us in our hopes to adopt again! We are so grateful that our girls have their best friends too. Once and a while the girls will play with their bears or dolls and play mommy! Yesterday, Aria put her baby in time out until she could be happy again! Some one listens too me!!! And they will be great big sisters again someday!