The Christian Crew

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...

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 !!!

You would think after being involved with Adoption for so many years, that I would be jaded by how AMAZING other people's stories are- BUT, I'm not Jaded! I LOVE hearing, reading listening to how God works out all the details and all the timing to help expectant parents find the adoptive families and how both parties are an answer to each other's prayers! I happen to GROW up with this guy as a Pseudo- older brother! Russ was best friends with Todd, my oldest brother. I watched them play sports together, dub over Muppet movies and star wars, have fun on the lake, going to youth dances, going TP-ing, sliding down sand mountain and jumping off the 27ft drop into the river! Life was GOOD when you were hanging with the Elkins family! A few years back we all connected on FB and found out that He was an adoptive dad and He realized I was an adoptive mom, married to an adoptee! That was pretty cool to see this connection in our lives. Among us, we have about 10 other coupl...

SO, in February, Grandma Dawn ( Kara's mom) asked us to come to Las Vegas. She wanted to have some time with Just the girls ! She bought tickets for the girls and I purchased one for me so we could all visit & I could see my friends and family while we were there! We took 2 days off school and the girls got to fly on an airplane for the first time, as bigger kids! The girls had fun meeting the capt, getting their wings, watching us take off and land and all the bumps along the way! ( this was good prep for the upcoming trip they are taking with us to Hawaii next spring!) We landed safely and were greeted by Brielle's birth mom , Kara and her mom Grandma Dawn! Over the next couple of days the girls had time with Just the Grandmas and great Grandma Maxine too!- spending a Day with Grandma Betty- going to jumpstreet out to eat, doing nails, Going to Adventure Dome, restaurants & going to Chuck E Cheese, getting presents and ice cream and pretty much being SPO...

HI Everyone! I know it's been a while since I have been involved in Sharing the adoption love in this state but, I have been doing what I could while my life was going through some changes, like welcoming a child and moving to a new home ( which btw is still in semi construction and boxes) ! I'm always reaching out to others about adoption and foster care and opening my mouth about how beautiful our OPEN adoptions are with our Birth families! I never really stopped after FSA! WHY? B/c as a matter of fact- THIS IS WHAT I LOVE! It's implanted in my SOUL and every fiber of my being! I know that being a mother is a DIVINE CALLING and HELPING UNITE FAMILIES is my other Calling in life! I've felt this for a Very long time! I knew at a Young age( 15) that I'd struggle to have children and the mission to know about adoption started for me. I LOVED and memorized the Song *" From God's Arms, To My Arms, To yours" (* this video is amazing b/c it was ...

SO... (drumroll please) WE BOUGHT A HOUSE! YEP, we did it. Sorry for the lack of pics right now- you will get them soon! We found a place up in the Mountains of CO and we are LOVING IT! Though we haven't moved in yet- every time we visit it- it feels a bit more like home. We did demo on the house last friday and i sledge-hammered the kitchen tile today and we have had lots of help to get it to the 89% completely demoed phase. There is still more stone to remove from the fireplace and more flooring and tack strip to remove but, WE ARE SO CLOSE! Next is gas lines ran to the kitchen, upgraded and new furnace and HVAC stuff, some plumbing and electrical work then THE GOOD STUFF- new floors, new paint, new counters, new appliances, new doors , new trim etc... We are however doing some RECLAIMED projects too ( another day i'll talk about it). Today, the Rainbow play set got installed in our yard ( did i mention it's 2.4 acres?) G-man also locked the KEYS in our car! Luckily...

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 ...

G-man is growing like a weed and will be 3 in May! He is working hard learning is words, colors, shapes etc. He is 90% of the way potty trained, loves cars, trucks, and most importantly CHOO CHOOs !!!  He plays well with Slade and teaches him funny things ! He loves his HUGE doggie- Hemi , and crawls all over him.  He loves anything physical and enjoys hugs kisses and snuggles and is very affectionate and friendly. He hates going down to sleep and doesn't like certain foods these days but that changes day to day! He is roughly 30.5 lbs and is a SOLID little guy. Not much body fat on him ( except in the two cheek areas:) We are so blessed by our little man , our open adoption with his Loving birthmom and birthdad. Seriously- we are LUCKY and overjoyed by this FUN, loving Mini Man!

My kids had so much fun over the break and Holidays! more on the winter break and Christmas soon!