The Christian Crew

And Give us AWESOME days like this! Yep, Misty FOG hanging in the mountains- so what did we do with it???  Go for a nature Walk, what else!!! GAVIN is a little Man now- love this crazy boy!  Holding the ANTLER , Brielle found!   CRAZY ORANGE FUNGI growing on an old log! Brielle took this picture too! giant MUSHROOM our locals! Slade is getting so big!

So... We chilled at home for 4 weeks after we got back from our visit with Jessica... NOT!!! We tried our BEST to ready the house, baby's room, and to really remain calm. I often chatted with Jessica and said could do what she wanted and if she felt different after birth- that would be her choice to parent or not. Literally taking the pressure off. These weeks seemed to whiz by and we still remained rather quiet about everything going on but, We did tell our MOMS and DADS and siblings! ( another story for another day- fun ways to tell other your adopting) Fast Forward to Memorial Day weekend. .. Friday Night, I was texting Jessica, who was doing everything to get PUMA to get out, walking, massages etc... But, she was starting to feel that He wasn't gonna budge for a while so, I said to ENJOY the weekend- b/c Being pregnant is better that post delivery pains, which is totally true. Even after the baby is out of your body, you are not "DONE". There is a ton of healing...

Today was a great day. It was the first day of the last year of my 20's! Yep, i hit the big 29 ! I can't believe it. I really can't!!! I feel youthful and Life is Just starting! I'm happily married, 2 girls, doing the mom, photographer, singing, arts thing. Being 29 doesn't really seem that old at all. I still like to do fun stuff like dance around the house with my girls and hubby. I can't wait to snowboard this season and i want to enroll in a dance class this spring too! I'm not one to sit on my rear all day. I like to get out and DO things!!! But, i do know what responsibility is and sometimes it STINKS to have to be responsible for everything. And sometimes i love it! I love watching and helping the girls grow into little learners and Christ-centered Children. There is so much a child needs from a mom and a dad in order to thrive and i LOVE giving my heart to them. Even if it means sacrificing a few of my personal wants in life. I know from observing ...

Our Colorado FSA Party was quite fun. The girls loved making graham cracker gingerbread houses and hand print ornaments. We made enough for Birth mom and birth grandparents too! I am still wondering if B's birth father ever wants any of these keepsakes or his parents. I'm not really sure on that. And i will respect whatever they want in that regard. daddy was a great help while i shot pictures for everyone. cutest little hands. Those ornaments were a hit. Next year, I'm going with more of an acrylic ornament so, i can ship them easier and they won't break. Here is some of Brielle's Art! She LOVES drawing and coloring and is getting quite good at it! I plan on enrolling her in an art class this summer. We plan on traveling more in the spring and sticking around here much of the summer so, they can do Ballet, Swim and Art. But plans change so, we will see.

Here's some pics of the girls and my father ( the dark haired man) Danny, and Brandon making the jack-o-lanterns. And some of the girls in their costumes! We had such a wonderful Halloween and are excited for Thanksgiving and Christmas and all the birthdays that surround them! aria didn't want to touch the GUTS! Grandpa Danny Helping out! Grandpa's Pumpkin! The cute Glinda and Dorothy! more dorothy and daddy and Brielle cleaning out the Gourds!

So today i had the privieledge of doing a Photo shoot for the Larson Family with their 2 kids and 2 BIRTHMOMS!!! It was unforgettable and I am so happy for them and a bit envious ( in all the best ways) too! I can't wait to have another amazing birth parent and child as part of our family when It's the right time:) Here's to waiting and hoping and praying!!! * This is the shirt B and A wore and IT'S almost an understatement!!! They really do have him wrapped around their little pinkies! Hope to learn more about our adoption family? Click on the words underneath our picture!

Hoping you will have a fun-filled weekend and remember to be SAFE! Love to you all from us and the girls!

...are MANY right now, as we prepare for Halloween! Here's Brielle's Dorothy outfit ( minus tights and possible a COAT the way this week is going ( freakin' freezing people!!!)! I'm halfway through Aria's Glinda Costume and we found a sweet Green blazer for Brandon so he could be THE Wizard of Oz. I , of course, will be the only other female character... The wicked witch of the West. I HAVE NEVER BEEN a witch before( so i can recall) so, this will be a new experience for me. We have 4 parties coming up and tons of things to do before then too! My dad, Danny is in town and the girls are having so much fun with Grandpa! He read them stories tonight and i was finishing the outfit downstairs and could here them giggle and getting tickled and it made me think back to my childhood a bit! Man, i wish i would have enjoyed my youth even more than i had! It's so fleeting but so very powerful. What you do and hear in your youth effects you forever. I'm glad i get to ...

Just so you know... I am very aware that everyone is going through something different in their journey of adopting a child. Some people are like eggs and crack under the slightest pressure. When People do Fall apart- they often show their weakest, worst character dimensions. Pay attention to that- searching expectant parents- friends- fellow beings of the world ( okay everyone) Here's some fabulous quotes on adversity ( or trials) If you click on that link and read on... You will understand exactly what I'm getting at... Trials can make you stronger- if you view them as part of natural life and not an event that happened to you... I've had my share- hence i have thickened up my Elephant Skin and very rarely am i offended by anything or anyone!!! Thank goodness for that!

Last week was so AMAZING and long . With 2 placements within 5 days and all the other day to day stuff i do with my girls and husband- it got a bit crazy BUT... I LOVED IT and i wouldn't trade it for the world! I Put up some Placement pics and hospital pics of Jessica on my photo site - so check those out. The 2nd placement will be on there shortly!!! PS. Birth Parents ROCK!!! Brielle's Birth mom turned 22 last week. Brielle made her some art and sent her a bag of candy corns b/c she said she wanted Kara to have treats on her Birthday! I sent her a SPA Day package for her to get pampered at a local spa( where she lives)! WE LOVE her and her whole family and miss them a ton but, GOOD NEWS... Looks like we will get to see them around Thanksgiving!!! We also hosted a B-day Party for our little friend , Cora, who turned 7! She has been so fun to get to know and a bunch of us moms and teachers are rallying around her to let her know of our love for Her! Her bio- mom is an addict ...

.. .my friends and i made hair clips for our girls ( mine have a ton already but, it is fun teaching others) and for upcoming holidays! I also got the chance to speak at the LDSFS Adoption Core training today. There are some awesome couples going through the process and I hope they all go where they are led in their search for a child to adopt! My advice to them was: Be HONEST with birth parent commitments Be Yourself - flaws and All- BP want to see who you are- not some plastic Ken and Barbie Have fun while you wait Advocate for the Cause- everywhere- not just their adoption but Adoption in general! Get involved with FSA- you will be so glad you did! It's for everyone and we NEED your energy! Don't get discouraged and do not fear- both of those are tools from the adversary! Know that God knows what you need when you need it- trust in him and DO all you can do to facilitate: faith without works is dead! Tomorrow we will go to the FSA activity at a historic farm with pumpkins ...