The Christian Crew

I can't believe they are growing up so dang fast! The FALL is in full swing and we have some interesting weather here. One day its 60, the next it's snowing! We have been enjoying it all and the wildlife eating our left over pumpkins and elk bugling. The girls are busy practicing Songs for Christmas and the Winter Sing that the school holds and this year they will be in a Holiday walk/parade on the main stage. They are so excited. Life is busy but, great most days and when it's not, I try and remember- things could always be much Worse. Brandon likes to remind me that We could live in a third or second world country where people are Really suffering! It's humbling to think about and my Girls are gearing up for Christmas and getting ready to tell Santa to send their toys/treats/food to the orphanages this year- Again! They have such huge hearts! The boys are staying busy with preschool , library, play dates, trips to the children's museum and more!  They are...

are hoping for an adoption miracle! These two are sweet and fun and Jess is a terrific lady that i love! You couldn't find a better gal around! Check them out here! Oh and check out all the new families that have been added on the side bar! Maybe you will find your match there! ( p.s. If you personally know me, please shoot me an email and i will feature your link there and spotlight you!)

Hey Peeps- I'm donating this sweet onesie and some adoption binks for the door prizes at the Area conference:) If you don't win it- you can purchase it at my etsy store :) Limited quantities! here's a few more to choose from! all new and all 100% cotton apparel!

But, Like most AP's - it's hard not to fantasize or daydream about our next child to be. Most of us can't go an hour without thinking about what he or she will be like, what the birth parents will be like, if it's a boy or a girl, if it will be sooner than later etc... Some of us AP moms start putting together ideas of what the rooms, car seat covers, fit take home outfits, nursery toys, names etc... And maybe that is wasted time, just maybe but, I think it's also therapeutic and i like getting mentally organized a tad bit. B/c with adoption- you just never know when your day will come! And having dreams, wishes, hopes, is what keeps us going through all the hard things we face. Like little to no contacts from birth moms, being judged for one thing or another, failed placements or almost miracles, stress at work or what have you! If we all stopped dreaming and hoping- what would happen to us? Maybe we'd become more cynical or callus or might some of us just gi...

on Thayne and Annie this exciting couple has had such a full life so far but are missing the ULTIMATE experience of being parents! I also met them at the Temple Night and Dinner and both are so fun. Thayne Cracks me up and both have the feel of someone you already know. They are REAL and fun-loving and have so much to offer a sweet child. Can't wait to chill with them some more as well! Annie is looking forward to serving in FSA here as well!

On My LONG TIME friends Jake And Traci ... I grew up with BOTH of these awesome parents. Traci had fun parties at her house and id choir with me and so did Jake. Jake and his brother were like brothers to me. We would GOOF off all the time and were dance partners for some choir productions like the song " Farmer Tan" or when we sang Valentine Grams to teachers and people's significant others. We sang to one of our teachers who had adopted 2 children. I remember walking into the house and seeing these beautiful kids and feeling the sweet spirit of adoption and love in their family, with Jake. Who would have known it would be part of both our lives... Please check out this family who has been through h*ll and back when it comes to life challenges with adoption. ( to put it mildly) They are so deserving and TONS of FUN to be around. read on ... Hopefully this will be their year!

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...

I'm finally catching up on pics! Bu, it has taken me a while so, i will be doing some FF's to speed everyone up.. Today we will highlight Brielle's School Holiday program from December! Brielle had a speaking part and she did it perfectly in her tiny, sweet voice! And she played a song with bells and did a great job too! at the end of the program SANTA walked in the room as a surprise to all the kids! He was a COOL Santa and Brielle knew- he was one of Santa's Helpers b/c his whiskers weren't real! Aria took forever to warm up to him but, finally did! Me and Dara sitting on the Fat mans lap! You can tell Aria is still a tad leery! But Not Brandon!!!! I have the funniest Hubby ever! Unfortunately, in the whole program not one actual Christmas Song was sung about the REAL meaning of the Season... Christ's Birth. Then a song was altered that ticked off Brandon and made me realize that we live in a world with shifting Morals and God is unchangeable despite these ...

Brielle's birth mother, Kara, and her baby boy are coming up this Tuesday. It was our Christmas gift to her to fly her up here to celebrate Brielle's Birthday. This is the first year we have lived in different states and will be the first of many to come. I am so excited for her to see Brielle and Us too. Aria LOVES Kara heeps and loves to "help " with the baby! This upcoming week will be a full week with 4 birthday parties, new school for the girls ( i will get to that) , Kara's coming , gymnastics , pictures , taking down Christmas stuff , doing a Highschool presentation on Adoption on Friday and getting stuff ready for my 2nd FB auction . I still have a bit of Baby Boutique products I'm auctioning off. I have decided to try and bead my way through the thousands of dollars of beads i have so, i will re-open my etsy store- mainly to sell jewelry till i run out. Otherwise, it would sit there doing squat!!! Plus jewelry takes up little space and time and can...