Adoption Awareness

November is Adoption Awareness Month. If you would like more information on National Adoption Day 2009, click the link below.

http://www.nationaladoptionday.org/2009/index.asp

Adoption Sunday is Coming

Adoption Sunday is coming this Sunday to our church!!! Many churches across the country will also be celebrating this beautiful event!!!

Did you know that November is Adoption Awareness Month??? Think about someone who has had their life touched by adoption.

Stay tuned for more information regarding National Adoption Day.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of our adoption journey. We love you all!!!!

So Exciting!!!!

I am so happy to be able to announce the exciting new our friends Greg and Laura have!!! They have been matched with a beautiful baby girl in China!!! Anna will be able to join her forever family in January or February. Check out their blog to follow their journey...it is in the sidebar.

Congratulations Greg and Laura!!! We are so excited for you!!!! We love you!!!!

Finally

I am finally making a post!!! I think it has been about a month since my last post. I guess that must mean that there isn't anything exciting to report...until now!!!

We have been working with Garrett to use the big boy potty!!! Actually, my folks have really been working the hardest with him. I got a call from my mom that Garrett used the potty for #1 and #2!!!! YEA!!!! He has been peeing in the potty quite a bit and he has started going poop in the potty!! Joel and I got to witness it ourselves on Tuesday night, and then again last night!! This is soooo exciting!!! I guess my goal of having Garrett potty trained by Christmas could really become a reality!! I don't know what I will do when I don't have diapers to change anymore. In a way, I think I will be sad. It will mean that my little munchkins are growing up!!!

I am home with the kids today. I am enjoying listening to their laughter, talking, and the sounds of fun!!

I will keep you posted on the potty progress!!!

FIREPROOF

If you haven't seen this movie you are totally missing out!!! There is a message for everyone in this movie. Enjoy this song and the scenes from the movie.

More scenes to follow!!!

Gotcha Day

Wow!!!! It feels just like yesterday and it also feels like it has been so long!!!! 2 years ago today Garrett was placed in our arms forever!!!! I actually looked at the clock today and saw that it was 3:00 pm...which is 2:00pm Denver time. That is actually the time it was when we went to the Cradle Care home to pick Garrett up. We got to the house and visited with Tiffany for a moment and then she handed Garrett to me...to hold in my arms and heart forever!! I will never forget that moment or forget the sacrifice that she made!!!

We had a celebration today for Garrett's Gotcha Day. Our dear friends and some of our family came to the house and we had munchies and cake/cupcakes. My dear friend Lindsey made a cake that said "Happy Gotcha Day Garrett" and said "You'll always be our sunshine" around it. It was wonderful and so true!! He is our sunshine and he brightens our day everyday!!!

For those of you who don't know our story, someday I will post our entire adoption journey for you to read. We feel very blessed to have such a wonderful support system and we thank every one of you for always being there for us!!!

Time flies

2 years ago tonight Joel and I were spending our last evening as a couple. A couple without children that is!!! We were staying at a great hotel in downtown Denver and walked to a cute little Mexican restaurant for dinner. After that we strolled around for a bit and then made sure we had everything we needed to go pick up our sweet baby boy.

Tomorrow we will be celebrating Garrett's Gotcha Day with family and close friends. We feel very blessed to have people in our lives that loved our little boy before they even knew him!!!

Happy 2nd Birthday Garrett!!!

It is amazing for me to think that 2 years ago we were sitting in a hospital room in Denver waiting for our little miracle to be born!!! Little did we know what we would go through...it was worth every second though!!!!

Garrett was just over 12 hours old in these two photos!!!First Birthday Cake!!!Present from Mommy & Daddy at Second Birthday Party!!

Thank you to everyone for loving our son!!! It was though your prayers that we were able to make it through everything we went through 2 years ago. We feel very blessed to be Garrett's Mommy and Daddy!!!!

Birthday party pictures still to come!!!

It's a PARTY!!

Today we are having Garrett's 2nd birthday party. I opted to have it at a park this year...what could be better on this gorgeous day??? The weather is awesome today. I don't know what I did to deserve to have this beautiful weather on the same day we are having an outdoor party!!!

Two years ago Joel and I were on our way to Denver!!! Oh my goodness...I can't believe that was two years ago!! Where does time go? I can not believe that my baby boy is going to be 2!!!

I will post some party pictures a little later!!! I hope you are having a wonderful Saturday, just like me!!

Love Ya!!

Rain, Rain Go Away

Our intention had been to get up this morning and take the kids to tot time at the pool. Unfortunately, we woke up to thunder and rain!! I was really looking forward to taking the kids to the pool and letting them play. I also was looking forward to getting a little sun myself, I guess we will save that for another Saturday!!

We had a great 4th of July. We spent the evening with Joel's family watching the fireworks in a small town not far from our house. The fireworks were great, the food was great, the evening was warm... Isabel loved the fireworks, Garrett was a whole different story. He hated the loud pop of the fireworks. We spent most of the evening with our fingers in his ears and then Joel had to take him into a community room where the sound wasn't as bad. He was very brave and loved the fireworks that he saw from the comfort of his car seat in the car!!!

Here are a few photos from our 4th of July.

Time for some music

Be sure to pause the music that is running on the right side of the screen.

Aren't we all lost in a sea of faces?

Having Fun

We have been having a lot of fun this summer. We take the kids outside every chance we get. During the week, I try to have dinner finished by 6:30 so we can take the kids outside to play for a while before it is tubby time. Not only is the fresh air good for all of us, the kids usually tire themselves out playing with Riley!!!

We planted a garden in the backyard this year. We have 8 tomato plants, 2 bell peppers, 4 cucumbers, 4 zucchini and 1 cilantro. The kids like to play in the dirt while I am pulling weeds. Tonight while I was working in the garden for a bit, I turned around and Isabel was eating the dirt!!! Once it was in her mouth she realized it wasn't something that she liked!!! We are patiently waiting for there to be veggies for us to pick!!! I did see 1 tomato that is beginning to turn red!!! YEA!!!

We are hoping to take the kids swimming this weekend. They have not been swimming yet this summer. I hope they will enjoy it. We took them last year and Garrett wasn't that impressed with the water. Isabel didn't mind it, but she was also only 6 months old. We have a couple options of pools we can take them to. I think we will start with the pool that has a great toddler section and then work our way up to a friend's neighborhood pool. I want them to get comfortable in the water before turning them loose in a pool where they can't touch bottom. (When I say turn them loose, I don't plan to toss them in and hope for the best!!! I just mean with their floaties while hanging on to Mommy and Daddy and not being able to touch the bottom.)

We are currently working with Garrett to go potty in the big boy potty. We have had a few monumental occasions where he has gone in the potty, but it is a slow process!! I don't know what I will do when I only have 1 in diapers....and then none!!!

Whoa!!

I am home today with the kids. My mom has to go to the doctor to have some tests done and I was the lucky one to get to stay home. Joel and I try to take turns when we have to take off during the week to stay home with the kids. I always love being home with the kids during the week. It does hurt that it allows me to have a 3 day weekend!!!

The title of the post comes from Garrett.....everything he plays with today he says "Whoa!". I am not sure what is so exciting about...Thomas the Train book, Mac (from Cars), Happy Meal toys...

Today I am going to lunch with the kids, my sister-in-law, and my mother-in-law. Today is Cindy's birthday day, so we are going to Mille's for lunch. That is an added bonus to being off today. If I was working, I wouldn't get to go downtown. I really enjoy going downtown...I typically don't go there and I really wish that I would!!! Last weekend I went with my sister-in-law downtown and we had a blast!!! We started out with drinks, then we went to a pub for a glass of wine, then to the tattoo parlor, then to dinner, then to a coffee shop for chocolate martini's and dessert...it was great!!! I am ready for another girls night!!!

That is all that is going on with us on this glorious, sunny day!!!

Happenings

We have now been home from Jamaica for 1 week. My poor munchkins are still making adjustments. I knew they would have adjustments to make while they were staying at my parents, but I didn't expect that they would have to make them again when we got home. While they were at my parents, they had a really hard time sleeping at night. We are now struggling with getting the kids to sleep at night and then keeping them asleep. I am hopeful that over the next couple of days they will start to understand that Mommy isn't going anywhere and that I will be there when they wake up in the morning!!



The kids are really changing!!!! I am constantly amazed by the things they are doing and the things they are saying. They both love to play outside, take walks in their "buggy" (which is the wagon or the stroller), play in the dirt, play with the water hose, watch Cars-the movie.......the list of things they love to do can go on and on!!! Isabel has learned that she can climb and sit on the coffee table or her kitchen-I guess that is why she has bruises all over her legs!!! Garrett is turning into a little boy and not my baby. He tells you what he likes and what he doesn't like, what he wants to do or doesn't want to do, where he want to go, what he wants you to do... I am amazed every day with the things the kids say. Isabel talks so much more than Garrett did at her age, I guess she is following his lead and wants to say everything that he says.



We took the kids to the zoo last Friday. They loved the animals. I think Garrett enjoyed being able to see real animals instead of the ones in the books that we read. He made animal noises as he saw the different animals, it was so darn cute!! We also took the kids to the Nature Center to walk, for those of you that live around us...I recommend that you stay on the paved trails if you have a stroller!!! Joel and I ended up carrying the kids and carrying the double stroller!!!



Joel and I both went back to work on Monday. It was really hard for me to leave the kids after spending 4 whole days with them!! I am also having a hard time getting back in the groove of things at work. I guess that is the nature of the beast when you go on vacation. I am wishing that we were back in Montego Bay soaking up the sun----with the kids!!! I don't think I could ever leave them again!! All of our vacations from here on out will have to be family vacations, at least until they are in college!!!!



That is what has been going on with us....what is going on in your world??

Back to Reality

We made it home from Jamaica!!! We had a great time spending time just the 2 of us. We missed the kids like crazy though. I hate to see my cell phone bill....we called to talk to the kids every night we were there.

Joel and I have decided we would love to go back to Jamaica some day. We don't know if we will be able to leave the kids though. I guess our next trip there will be a family trip. That will be a few years away...in the mean time, we will settle for trips to Florida or the Carolina's.

Enjoy a few pictures.

Jamaica Mon

I am sitting here enjoying a cup of coffee and watching my kids watch cartoons and play!! This is the best sight in the world. We are leaving this afternoon to drive to St. Louis and we will then fly out tomorrow morning. I am trying to soak up every ounce of my kids as possible until then!!!

Tomorrow afternoon this is the sight we will be seeing and we will be part of the sight!!!

I ask that you think of Joel and I and to keep us in your prayers...we are going to miss our kids like crazy!!!!

Back in Action

I am sorry for being out of commission for the last few weeks. We have been spending a lot of time outside with the kids. We get home from work and we take the kids for a walk, eat dinner, play outside and then it is time for the night to unwind. I will try to be better!!

We celebrated an exciting day during my time away...Sunday, May 10 was Garrett Day. That is what we call the day that we got the call that we had been chosen to be Garrett's parents. After we went to church, we took the kids and went to dinner at the same little Mexican place that Joel and I ate the day we got the call about Garrett!! It seems like it was so long ago, but it also feels like it was just yesterday. We are thankful everyday for the gorgeous blessing that we call Garrett!!!

We have had to change our vacation due to the Swine Flu outbreak in Mexico. We were scheduled to leave for Puerto Vallarta last Thursday. A couple weeks ago we changed our vacation and also the dates we were to travel. We are now going to Montego Bay, Jamaica, and we leave next Saturday!!! We have never been to Jamaica, but we are looking forward to it. It will be sad to be away from the kids for 5 nights, but it will be great for Joel and I. Now I have to start all of the packing!! YUCK!!!

Joel's sister is in town for a few months, so we have been trying to spend time with her. We are actually having a BBQ tonight to spend time with Joel's family. It will be great to have an evening with Jennifer and also with cousin Alex.

I hope you have a great Memorial Day Weekend!!!

Family Pictures

We had some family pictures over the weekend. Here are some of them!!!

Surprises

If you haven't seen this, you need to. If you have seen this, you need to watch it again!!!

Spring Has Sprung

For the moment Spring is in the air. Yesterday was such a beautiful day and today looks to be the same. I have been so patiently waiting for warm weather...for more than 1 reason. The main reason is because I am so anxious to get the kids outside and to enjoy playing in the backyard. We are also going to put a garden in the backyard this year. I want the kids to be able to go outside and see the wonders of things growing. I also want them to be able to go to the tomato plant or the strawberry plant and pick something and eat it!!! That should suit my children just fine, they love to eat!!!



Today when I sent the kids to my parents, I packed Spring/Summer clothes for them. I am anxious to see how cute they look when I pick them up this afternoon. I have a feeling they will be spending some time outside today. I think Garrett wants to help "Gampa" work in the yard. He loves to be outside and it you want to become his friends very quickly, offer to take him outside...you will have his heart forever!


It is hard for me to believe that our vacation is approaching at a very rapid speed!! We will be leaving in just over 1 month!! AUGH!!!! I have got to get in action and get some things done....tan (I don't want to burn at the beach), lose at least 10 pounds, start buying vacation clothes, exchange my swimsuit, give my kids a lot of extra love everyday before we leave, buy Joel some vacation clothes...the list could keep going. I guess I better get in gear!!!!!

That is all for now, maybe I will have more to post tomorrow...I am trying to get better at posting. How do you think I am doing?

Easter Pictures

ENJOY!!!

Happy Easter

Christ the Lord is Risen Today....Alleluia!!!

I hope you had a most blessed Easter. We woke up to a rainy, gloomy Sunday!!! At first I was disappointed because I knew we would not be having an Easter egg hunt at my parents with the kids. I then quickly realized that it wasn't as gloomy a day after all...Christ died for me and for my sins, what could be gloomy about that? We had a great service at church and then we were off to have a BBQ with my parents---and yes, we can still BBQ even if it is raining!!!

We enjoyed a great afternoon with my parents, Gene, Uncle Ricky and Aunt Karen. It was great to get together with the family for the afternoon. We enjoyed great food, great conversation, and great fun!! The kids loved their Easter baskets and the candy that was in them. The toys that the Easter bunny left them weren't bad either!!! The fact that The Masters was---an added bonus to the afternoon!!!

I hope you had a great Easter!!!

We're not in Kansas anymore Toto!!

So why in the heck is it so windy??? We have been living with some of the most awful wind for the last few days. I don't think it would be so cold if the wind wasn't blowing so hard. When I am in the master bathroom at our house, it sounds like the back of the house is going to come off at any minute!!! Yesterday we were laying around being lazy (everyone but me was taking a nap) and the umbrella that goes with the kids picnic table came out of the center hole in the table, was blowing against the back door and eventually went over the fence. YUCK!!!!

Yesterday was the Easter Egg hunt at our wonderful church. They have different areas for different age groups; I don't know about the other areas, but the area where Garrett and Isabel were looked like it had rained bright colored eggs!!! Garrett was so cute....he walked out the door, his eyes were wide and he squealed, "EGGS!!" It was the cutest thing!!! It amazes me everyday to see what he is picking up on. He says things that we say...last night Joel told Riley (our dog, for those of you that don't know) that he was bugging. The next thing we know Garrett starts saying bugging. I guess we better be careful what we say. Isabel did great during the egg hunt also. She walked while holding my hand and smiled the whole time. She didn't care about picking up eggs, she just wanted to hold on to her basket!!

Yep, you heard right...Isabel walked around while holding my hand!!! She has started taking a number of steps by herself. If we aren't watching her, she tends to walk further and take more steps. After she walks and then falls on her bottom, she looks up to see who was watching her and smiles the most precious smile. What is it about a child's smile that can make a mom's heart melt? That is one thing these two beautiful children have done to me!!! I melt just watching them, listening to them, talking to them... It doesn't matter what they are doing, I think they are the most precious, gorgeous thing I have ever laid eyes on!!!!

A shout out to Kevin, Mandy, Emma and Hannah...I am so glad you made it safely to Tennessee!! We missed you at the Easter Egg Hunt!!! Keep posting...that is how I am going to be able to follow you until we meet again!!! Love you guys!!!

I will try to get some pictures posted tonight!!!

Yuck!!

We woke up this morning to a cold, rainy day!!! I can't figure out why we get a taste of spring and then we are back to yucky wintry weather. Needless to say, it isn't 30 degrees, but it is cold and wet.

Joel and I got quite a bit accomplished this morning. I dropped the kids off with Joel's mom for a few hours and we both started on our lists of things to get done!! I went and had my passport photo taken, went to a 9:40 appointment, picked up 2 gallons of paint, met Joel (after he had gotten the car inspected, tire fixed and his passport photo), went to the Post Office and submitted our Passport Applications... It feels like we have been running all morning.

Passports.......we had been told we could get a Passport card (much cheaper) for travel to Canada and Mexico. When we got to the Post Office we were told that was only good if you were going by land. I certainly don't think we will be driving to Puerto Vallarta!!!! After a hefty fee, we left knowing that we should have our Passport in a maximum of 4 weeks. I have been being told that they are only taking about 14 days to get them back in the mail...we will see.

My parents are going to feed the kids dinner tonight, give them their tubby (bath) and get them ready for bed. Joel and I are going to meet some friends and drive to one of our favorite restaurants, Cantina Laredo...I hope we don't get too wet while walking to it!!!! I also hope to make a pit stop at the Brighton store that is right next to the restaurant. I absolutely love their jewelry!!! After a great evening with Rick and Jamme, we will pick the kids up (hopefully they will be VERY tired) and head home. I am hopeful that my parents will wear out Garrett and Isabel...I could really use them to sleep in a little tomorrow before church.

That is our plan for the day/night, what are your plans???

Bug Bite

I have been bitten by the Spring bug!!! The weather has been so nice this week. We were in the upper 70's yesterday and it is going to be just as nice today. YEA!!!!! When I picked the kids up at my parent's yesterday, they were in the backyard playing. Garrett's face was red and he was sweaty, Isabel was sweaty...they looked like they were having fun, but they were exhausted!!!

I have also been to tan a couple times...that always makes me feel like Summer is right around the corner. I am also gearing up for our vacation!!!! We are so excited to be going on vacation, but also sad about leaving the kids. I know they will be in good hands, but it still is hard to leave them for a week!!!

My boss is gone for the rest of the week so I am hoping to have a relaxing few days. I tend to always look forward to having some quiet time to get caught up on little things while he is gone but it never works out that way. For some reason when he is gone I feel like I run constantly!! I guess that is what comes with the territory when you are someones assistant!! On that same note, I just found out today that my desk may be moving. I don't currently sit right outside his door, but he is working on getting a desk moved right outside his office for me. Believe it or not, I won't mind being in that close of proximity. I like a little change of scenery every once in a while. I will also be blocked off a bit from everyone else that I am by now, and I won't be able to see everyone that walks in our door. I am hoping that will help me to have fewer distractions!!!

That is all that is going on with me for now. I hope the weather is as beautiful where you are as it is here!!!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

I hope you had a great weekend. Our weekend was anything but great!!! Isabel had the flu Thursday and Garrett had it Friday evening and Saturday!!! I think I finally have everything washed that could possibly be carrying and leftover flu germs. I feel like all I did all weekend was laundry. If it wasn't regular loads of laundry, it was loads of throw up laundry!!! I never dreamed that I would be able to handle this kind of thing. I am the kind of person that if someone throws up, I am right there with them throwing up!!! Thank goodness I am getting over that...at least with my kids.

I have to make a confession...I am the worst mommy in the world!!! I made sure I had green on today for St. Patrick's day, but I sent clothes for the kids that were not green!!! What was I thinking?? I think Isabel's shirt may have a little bit of green in it, but Garrett has an orange shirt to wear today...not a bit of green. I hope that Granny and Grandpa don't pinch them too hard!! I am sure they each have a bruise on them somewhere that has some shade of green in it.

Do you have any big plans for the weekend?? We are going to one of our favorite Mexican restaurants for dinner on Saturday night. If you haven't tried Cantina Laredo, you are missing out. We are hoping our friends Rick and Jamme will be able to go with us. There is a Brighton store next to the restaurant, so that gives me an excuse to go in there and see if there is anything I can't live without. I don't know that I have ever walked out of there without a bracelet, necklace, earrings...something!!!

Have a great week!!!

Gorgeous

It is already shaping up to be a gorgeous day!!! We have been up since 7:30 and have had the windows open...there is nothing better than enjoying a great cup of coffee and sitting with the windows open and a nice breeze blowing through the house!!!!! Joel is out right now washing my car, the kids are wearing short sleeves, I am wearing capris and flip flops---does it get any better???

I am getting my hair cut and colored today. I had decided to go back to my natural color and to let my hair grow...I should have know I wouldn't be happy with that. I truly believe I am a blonde at heart. I also think that for now I am meant to have short hair. I had been wearing it short, blonde and sassy---that is totally me!!!! I hope you agree.

After I get back from getting my hair done, we are going to spend the afternoon outside. We are going to put the Little Tikes castle together that my parents got Isabel for her birthday, let the kids play on it and enjoy the fresh air. I am anxious to get everything done in the back yard so we can spend time there and enjoy being together as a family. That time together is what means the most to me in the world.

I hope you are enjoying the beautiful weather just like we are!!!

Sunny Day

The weather has been horrible for the last week. A week ago I was off work for Isabel's birthday and the weather was so nice...I had the windows open at home. The weekend came and snow was on the ground, making some of the family unable to drive here for Isabel's birthday party. The sun is finally out today and hopefully the temperature is on its way up. I am sooooo ready for Spring. I am ready to get my garden planned out and ready to plant, flower beds created, outdoor furniture ready, outdoor toys assembled...and the list goes on. I guess you could say that I am ready to start spending time outside with the kids!!!

I think I will toot my own horn for a moment... I have been trying and struggling with getting the baby weight off and losing a bit more on top of that. I have joined Curves and have not been going as strictly as I had been going, but that is changing...I am going to go 3 times a week regardless of anything else that is going on. Since I started really watching what I was eating about 2 weeks ago, I have lost 9 pounds!!! YEA!!!!!!!!!!!! I am a few pounds shy of where I was before I found out I was pregnant. My goal is to get those pounds off and another 10. After that happens, I will stop, regroup and plan from there. I would like to get another 15 off after that, but I am going to take baby steps and celebrate the small goals!!!

On to the more exciting topic... The kids are really growing. That is another reason I am looking forward to Spring. I hate to buy anymore jeans and long pants. Garrett and Isabel both are outgrowing almost everything!!! I have bought them each a couple pairs of pants that fit them well, but all of the others are high waters!!! I am such a bad mommy...I try to always make sure they have on their "long" pants if I know we are going to be going somewhere. How bad is that? Isabel is getting really close to walking. I think she could do it, she just hasn't gotten her courage up yet.

Garrett hasn't been sleeping well for the last couple of nights. I am not sure what is going on with him, but he wakes up every couple of hours yelling "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy" until I go to his room. He get in there and he is standing in his crib like he is ready to get up. I had been contemplating taking the rail off his crib and getting a little rail thing to attach to the mattress (getting him ready for his toddler bed), but I think I have decided against that. I would die if I woke up and he was out of bed and I couldn't find him!!!! Maybe he will sleep better tonight, I need to!!!

Have a great day!!!

A Few Pictures

I promise to be better!!!

I am not sure if there is anyone out there that even checks in on this blog!!! I have really dropped the ball lately and I promise to be much better!!! One of my poor excuses for not posting lately is the fact that we have been without a computer for about a month!!!

Things have been really busy for us since the last post. We made it through the Christmas holiday...needless to say that the kids received more Christmas gifts than we knew what to do with!!! I have done a total overhaul on the kids rooms and gotten rid of anything and everything that they don't play with. I feel so much better when I go in their rooms and I can see my organization hand work!!! I don't know what has come over me....I am all about getting my house organized-I am doing quite well I might add.

The kids are doing great. Garrett is growing everyday. He looks more and more like a toddler all the time. He has lost the baby face that he had and he now looks like a little boy. It really makes me sad to see that my baby boy is growing up!!! Isabel had her 1st birthday on the 25th of February and we had her party over the weekend. It is hard to believe that she is a year old already...this time last year she was still in the NICU. She is almost ready to walk. She can stand and balance herself for a little while before she falls...she looks like she wants to take off walking---I am sure the day is coming!!!

Joel and I are doing well. We have scheduled a vacation for this summer. We are going to be gone for 5 nights...without the kids!!! My parents are going to take care of the kids for us while we go to the beach!!! We are going to spend our time at a fantastic, new resort in Puerto Vallarta!!! We may call the airport on our second night away and try to fly home because we miss the kids so much!!!! Now that our vacation is scheduled, I have a lot of motivation to get the remainder of my baby weight off...too bad it has taken me a year to decide that the last 10 pounds needs to go!!!

I will try to post a few picture tonight for your enjoyment!!!

What have you been up to????