Our Growing Family of 4

My New Website

2011-03-23T21:51:00.003-05:00

Be sure to check out my new website www.littlesweetspot.blogspot.com

I am offering a great giveaway right now on my new site. Be sure to check it out and try to get as many entries as possible!!!!

I Love Snow!!

2011-02-02T14:56:00.003-06:00

I know I am one of those crazy people who was begging for the snow!! I think it is absolutely gorgeous and fun. The only part that hasn't been fun is not having my kiddos with me. DH and I decided to take the kids to my folks Monday night so we wouldn't have to try to get them there Tuesday morning. They spent the night last night so we wouldn't have to worry about getting them out of our house and to my folks house this morning in the snow. We have now decided to let them spend the night again tonight so I don't have to get them over to my folks in the sub-zero temperatures.

It has been so weird not having the kids in the house. I made dinner last night and DH and I ate, I cleaned up the kitchen and then was lost. Usually after dinner there are a couple fights I have to break up, someone is always having to go potty, someone is crying, someone is ready for a special treat... I didn't have anyone asking me for anything!! DH and I did have to have a special sweet treat even though the kids weren't there (I hope the kids don't notice that some of there treats are gone).

The only thing that would make this snow storm 10 times better; being snowed in, not having to go to work, making snow ice cream with my kiddos, baking cookies, watching movies... I am going to hope the next snow storm hits while the kids are home with me and then we are going to hunker down and stay inside; all 4 of us!!!!

Missing

2011-01-31T12:37:00.004-06:00

Do you ever feel like something is missing? Someone is missing? Hope is missing? I have been there lately and I hope someday that the hurt goes away. 3 weeks ago someone very special was taken from me. My dear friend Yvonne's body was found a little over a mile from her home.

The day started out a little different than normal, but I had no idea how my world was about to be tossed about. I had called in to work because we had been up late while spending the last hours of Gramps life with him. I wouldn't have changed that moment for anything in the world. Gramps went to be with the Lord on Sunday, January 9, 2011 surrounded by his family; we all blessed to be with him as he left his earthly home and went to his eternal home.

I took the kids to school and then headed to WalMart to do some much needed grocery shopping. About half way through the store I received a phone call from a dear friend and co-worker. I will never forget her words. "I don't want you to hear anything on the news, Yvonne is missing." I can still hear those words as if they were just spoken to me. The next moments went by so quickly, I ran to pay for what was in my cart and jumped in the car. I was on auto pilot as I drove to Yvonne's house. I kept looking on the side of the road because I knew I was going to find her sitting in a ditch on the side of the road with an injury that wouldn't allow her to get home. I was also thinking about how I was going to lecture her on being out on her bike or walking in January. She would have expected me to lecture her about that because I know if the roles were reversed, she would be lecturing me!

I finally made it to Yvonne's house and I was completely shocked to not find her there. I knew she had to be there because this couldn't be happening! She couldn't be gone. After waiting, wondering, speaking with the police, more waiting, crying, worrying...we left the house to go to the police station. I had heard on the news that a woman's body was found about a mile from Yvonne's house and my heart instantly exploded. I knew with everything in me that my friend had gone to be with the Lord. Many hours later I was told that it was Yvonne who was found that morning.

I still can't believe she is gone. I keep thinking about everything that happened 3 weeks ago while I was praying for her to be alright. She can't be gone, she is my 2nd mom and I need her to be here. I wonder how long I will feel the way I feel. I come to work and convince myself that she is just on vacation; she will be back. I don't know how I will ever learn to not have her with me every day. I have learned that every day is precious and I need to be sure to tell everyone how much they mean to me.

Dear Yvonne,
I miss you so much. I keep thinking you will be back. I keep hoping I will see your beautiful face again. Your smile is something that keeps me smiling. I look at the picture that was taken of us a little over a week before you were taken from this earth. The person sitting next to me is the person that I was lucky enough to have in my life and lucky enough to have a my 2nd mom. I don't know if I ever told you how much you mean to me. I hope you can feel how special you are to me. Your opinion has always mattered to me and you are someone who I could always talk to. I keep asking myself if I ever told you that I loved you. I makes me very sad because I can't remember. You were always supposed to be there, so I didn't have to tell you. I know that sounds silly, but you were suppose to know. I am trying to do things that will make you proud. I hope you are looking down right now and you are proud of how I have been handling myself and this situation. I hope you can see and feel how much I love you and how special you are to me.
Love,
Misty

To a Wonderful Grandpa!!

2011-01-10T21:39:00.000-06:00

Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home: Obituaries

The Missouri Heart Gallery

2010-11-09T10:14:00.003-06:00

This past Sunday we had a display set up at our church from the Missouri Heart Gallery. The display was absolutely gorgeous!! It is hard to look into all the beautiful faces and realize they don't have someone to call Mommy or Daddy! I would love for you to take a look at some of the faces of children who are waiting to find their forever family. Please click the link below to view their website.

The Missouri Heart Gallery

Keep watching for a fantastic give-away; just in time for the holidays!!!

Help an Adoptive Family

2010-11-08T20:58:00.002-06:00

Follow this link and purchase a CD for $10. Your $10 will go directly to the Blair family to help with their adoption. Just $10.....don't eat lunch out one day, 2 lattes...you can really make a difference!!!

http://theblairfamily-dawn.blogspot.com

Orphan Sunday

2010-11-07T19:59:00.002-06:00

We participated in Orphan Sunday at church today. It was absolutely wonderful!!! I was part of a team that put together all of the resources at our church. We had a great display set up with multiple reference pieces, a display of children waiting to be adopted, an opportunity to sign up to be part of a support group... If one heart was touched I feel like I did what I was meant to do.

I also did something else today that is out of my comfort zone. I gave our adoption testimony in two of our four services. I love talking about adoption, I love telling our story, I love advocating, I love helping other people; but I am not a public speaker. It was a wonderful feeling standing up at the front of our church and explaining our story and I hope I touched someones heart today. Our story is a wonderful one and I hope everyone enjoyed seeing a glimpse into our life. If you are ever interested in our story, let me know; I would love to tell you all about it.

There are so many ways to help save an orphan. For as little as a few dollars a month you can make a huge impact on someone. If you would like to help save an orphan, message me and I will give you some ideas of what you can do to help.

Happy Adoption Day!!!!

Another Fun Day

2010-10-12T15:23:00.004-05:00

I had another fun day yesterday!! It was my turn to volunteer in G's classroom again. I love being in the classroom with my son. It is so awesome to be able to see him grow in so many ways. He is learning so much; here are some of the things he is learning about:
Sharing-this is huge since he doesn't always like to share with his sister!
Being a friend
Manners-WOW!! He knows to raise his hand when he is finished with his snack.
Singing fun songs
Learning what God did each day while creating the earth
How to use scissors
To go potty ALL BY HIMSELF!!
The list could go on and on!! I am so proud of G and everything he is doing! It is hard to believe that he is growing as quickly as he is! I can think back to 3 years ago...I had just returned to work after being off with my new baby!! We were getting ready to take a trip to Colorado to finalize our adoption, trying to figure out the perfect Halloween costume for our gorgeous baby boy, enjoying every moment! Now he is learning things I never even thought about!!

Now that I have bragged on G; it is I's turn!! WOW!! That is one way to describe my baby girl. She is a motion machine. I don't think she stops from the moment she gets up until the moment she finally falls asleep. She is so much fun and is certainly a ball of energy. She is really enjoying going to school and is always excited to go back. The unfortunate thing is that I don't get to volunteer in her class. The class she is in does not have parent workers due to the age of the kids and the attachment to their parents. I can't wait until next year when I can see for myself all the things she is doing.
Here are some of I's favorites:
Singing
Talking on her cell phone
Dancing
Going potty
Playing with her babies
Tormenting her Daddy
Listening to her Daddy read a bedtime story
Helping Mommy in the kitchen

Our lives are as normal as normal can be. What we view as normal some people may think is chaos!! How many families normal is having a 2 1/2 year old and a 3 year old? Just us!!! We like our routine and our home full of noise!! I bet if you drive by our house between the hours of 5:00 and 7:00pm you will be guaranteed to hear all kinds of chaos, yelling, singing, stomping... Quiet---what is that???

Fun Day

2010-09-22T13:51:00.004-05:00

Today I had a SUPER fun day!!! It was my scheduled day to volunteer in Garrett's classroom. I could spend every day in his classroom!!! It was very interesting to see how Garrett interacts with his teacher and with the other kids. Something tells me he acted a little differently today with me there.

I finally am getting to learn some of the songs that I have heard Garrett singing. His speech is great but I have been having a hard time understanding and figuring out the words and the tunes of the songs. It is great to finally know what he is saying, now I can use those songs at home....the pick up song is great and I hope I can get him to scamper about and pick up toys the way he does at school.

Isabel's class doesn't have a parent helper. The thought is that kids her age aren't able to adjust to everything taking place in the classroom with mommy there. I totally understand what they mean!! I did get to see a glimpse of Isabel with her classmates while she was on the playground. Garrett's class was on the big kid playground playing when Isabel's class came out to play. I was hoping she wouldn't see me and get upset. I watched her playing and swinging with kids...and then she saw me. It was so totally cute!!!! She started yelling across the fence, "Hi mommy!!!, Hi mommy!!!!" We waved at each other and then she went back to playing with her friends!! Goodness, my kiddos are growing and getting so big and independent!!

Tomorrow it is back to work; I could get used to spending the day helping out at the preschool and then spending the rest of the day with my munchkins!!

Here are a couple pictures for you!! I will try to get better at posting! My goal is to start posting at least once a week!! I am sure everyone is itching to know what we have been up to!! Ha!!!

Feeling Sad

2010-08-21T10:20:00.002-05:00

It has been a week since my brother accepted a new job. He called last Saturday to say he had accepted a position with a company that he thought was a chance in a lifetime. He also said he was leaving Sunday morning...like the next day!! I am happy that Chad is on a new adventure and that he is doing something he really enjoys, but I still miss him!!

Chad was in the Air Force and was gone for a few years. It was difficult for me to tell him goodbye then and each time he was home and then left again. All of that came back to me last Saturday when I had to tell him goodbye. He will be working all over the country and I don't know when he will be back again. I know in my head that he will be back sooner than I think, but my heart is still sad that he is not here. I guess I had gotten really used to seeing him multiple times during the week. I also got very used to him spending the evenings with me and my little family!!

Garrett and Isabel also miss their Uncle Chad. They have asked me a number of times this week if "Is Uncle Chad coming over?". That shows me they have gotten used to him being at our house and that they have gotten used to Uncle Chad being at my folks when they are there.

I wish my brother all the luck in his new job and his new adventure!!! I can still be sad though!!! I guess that shows how much I love him!!!

Sierra Leone needs our help!!

2010-07-29T19:44:00.000-05:00

A girl I went to High School with is the founder of The Raining Season. Please visit the website at www.therainingseason.org to see what they are all about!! Erica's daughter is adopted from Sierra Leone and is giving back!! TRS purchased a building in Freetown to provide safety and shelter for the orphans of Sierra Leone. As you can imagine, they have outgrown the building they recently purchased. TRS has been raising money to be able to move the kids to a larger home. They are $16,000 shy of being able to pay for the first year in their new facility.

I have teamed with TRS to help raise funds for their new facility. Go to my website www.mistywhitten.scentsy.us and place your order under the Sierra Leone party and 15% of the sale will be given to TRS to assist with their new endeavor!!! 15% is over half of my commission!! This is something that I feel very strongly about and something I want to do to "give back"!!!! Will you partner with me and pass this information on to everyone you know??

Think about it......147,000,000 orphans world wide!!! Can you imagine being able to help just 1??? I am ready to do my party and help as many orphans as possible!!!!

Prayers Please-Ethiopian Adoption

2010-07-09T09:47:00.002-05:00

Please pray for my dear friends Brad and Missy. They are in Ethiopia right now with their daughter Quilla. Prayers were answered when they passed court yesterday--typically families do not pass during their first court appointment!! Quilla is sick and need our prayers!! We pray that they will get the earliest possible Embassy appointment; Quilla needs to be home with her mommy and daddy!! We pray that she begins to feel better and that she doesn't catch chicken pox; this is something that is going around with the some of the children!

Please take a moment and say a prayer for Brad, Missy and Quilla!! Also say a prayer for Brad and Missy's son, Zeke, who is at home waiting for his mommy and daddy to return!

Welcome Home!!

2010-06-25T08:29:00.002-05:00

A HUGE welcome home to my brother-in-law Jason!! Jason has been serving our country in Iraq for the last 10 months!!! I would love to be there to see my niece and nephews face when they see their daddy coming home!!! I am sure they have some fun and exciting things planned for today!!

Joel and I can't wait to see Jason when his family comes to town for the 4th of July!! Thank you Jason for fighting for our freedom!!!! We love you!!!

Swagger Wagon

2010-05-18T10:41:00.000-05:00

This is hilarious!! A friend of mine sent this to me...he knows I would love to have a minivan. I know I am totally cool and there would be nothing wrong with me rolling in a van!! I would make the van look soooo cool!!!

Congratulations!!!

2010-05-13T18:58:00.002-05:00

I would like to say a HUGE congrats to Darin & Alina...May 13, 2010 is the Gotcha Day for their beautiful little girl. Darin & Alina have been in the process of adopting from Kazakhstan. They have been in Kaz for about 2 1/2 months now and they finally got their little girl today. Please say a prayer for all 3 of them while they start adjusting to their new life together as a Forever Family of 3!!!

THE Call

2010-05-10T15:33:00.006-05:00

It is amazing to think that 3 years ago we received a phone call that would forever change our lives!!! Thursday, May 10, 2010 at 10:03am we received THE phone call telling us that we had been chose to be Garrett's mommy and daddy!! I remember that day as if it were yesterday, the weather was drizzly but the sun kept poking out, I remember what I had on, I remember what Joel had on, I remember who I was talking to when my phone rang... I really do remember it like it was yesterday!!!

I am so blessed to have been chosen to be Garrett's mom! He brings joy to my life that I never knew existed and he has opened my eyes to so many wonderful things. During this exciting day, I also remember how blessed Joel and I are to have been chosen. Garrett's birthmother decided to sacrifice something in order to give her son a better life. Joel and I will always be grateful to Tiffany and we will never forget how it felt to be told that she had chosen us to be his forever family.

Tonight we will go to dinner at one of the little mexican restaurants that we like. We ate there on that special night 3 years ago...we had to have a rushed dinner because Joel had a softball game that night (that ended up being rained out), so we wanted something fast...we will eat there every May 10 for dinner as long as they are there!!!

This is a picture of Joel finally making it to my office after we got "THE CALL".

My first gift from Garrett!!!

Mother's Day-To All Women

2010-05-09T13:13:00.003-05:00

I am so blessed to be the mommy to two gorgeous children!!! I will never forget a very memorable Mother's Day--3 years ago. 3 years ago, I announced to our congregation that I was going to be a mommy in a few short months. A few days before that Mother's Day, I received a phone call that would forever change my life. I will post more about that tomorrow---that is the actual day!!!

I remember what it felt like to hear Happy Mother's Day being said to all the women around me when I so desperately wanted to be a mother. After feeling what I felt, I want to wish ALL women out there a Happy Mother's Day. If you don't have children, you are very important to all mothers and their children. Whether you choose to not have children, want children but are unable to have them, are in the process of adopting a child...you are special to someone out there and a child out there looks us to you and thinks of you as their 2nd mom!!!

Wahoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-05-07T08:13:00.002-05:00

Congratulations to our friends Brad and Missy!!! Zeke is gonna be a big brother!! Brad & Missy received their referral yesterday for their little girl in Ethiopia. If you are interested in following their journey, you can find them here: www.ourjourneytake2.blogspot.com

Infertility Awareness

2010-04-28T16:03:00.002-05:00

National Infertility Awareness Week is April 24-May 1, 2010. Below is a little something I found online today. I often post about adoption awareness and adoption stories. I certainly don't want the issue of infertility to go unnoticed!!! Joel and I tried for a number of years to have a child before we decided to head down the road of adoption. I thank God everyday that we went through the struggles that we went through. At the time, we didn't think it was a blessing, but He had another plan for us.

It would probably blow your mind if you knew how many people struggled with infertility. Chances are that there is someone you know who is or has faced that struggle and you may not even know it!! There is a link on the right sidebar that goes to Resolve...send this link to someone you may know that may benefit from the site. If you ever have anyone who has questions or just needs to talk, tell them to contact me.

Take Charge: 7 Things You Can Do in 7 Days

Educate yourself. Do you need to see a specialist?

Design a plan. Insurance info, options, support, we got you covered.

Become an advocate. No matter why you care, it’s easy to make an impact.

Get inspired. Read an entry from our What IF: Bloggers Unite Project.

Impact your community—volunteer, host a support group, raise awareness.

Navigate the Costs of Family Building

Find Support. Do you need help coping with your infertility diagnosis?

A New Heart

2010-04-22T21:50:00.002-05:00

Just a quick note... The baby I wrote about in the previous post (Audrey) has a NEW heart!! Today Yvette was given a beautiful gift; she was told that there was a heart available for her little Audrey!! I found the news out from my mother-in-law. I instantly burst into tears and felt a wave of emotions that I never would have expected; I have never even met Audrey. I got news about an hour ago that Audrey was out of surgery and her new heart was beating wonderfully. I ask that you keep the Pearce family in your prayers. While you are sending a prayer up for Audrey, please also pray for the family who had to say goodbye to a loved one in order for Audrey to live on!! What a wonderful gift to give; your loss allows someone else to live!! WOW!!!

Love With All Your Heart

2010-04-19T20:22:00.002-05:00

When you stop and think about how many times you reference your heart in everyday living it is amazing!! Joel always tells the kids that he "loves them with all his heart". We use terms like, my heart is broken, I will hold you close to my heart, you will always be in my heart... Have you ever stopped to think about what an amazing piece of art the heart is? Without the human heart, the human body go on. If the heart stops beating, everything else will fail. As adults, we are able to comprehend these items. Can you imagine being 5 months old and being told that your heart isn't working properly?

A couple from our church are going through a very difficult time right now. It is amazing how people come together...Joel knows Matt from football, I know Yvette because she was my boss at The Limited when I was 17 years old. Matt and Yvette have 3 children, one of which is 5 months old. Audrey was born on December 1, 2009 and has been struggling during her little life. Miraculously, it was found that she had a heart defect while the doctors were looking for something else. Currently, Matt and Yvette are having to consider the possibility of a heart transplant for their little miracle. I ask that you check out their website and read about their amazing journey. http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/audreypearce

I ask that you pray for the Pearce family. I also ask that you take a moment to stop and thank God for the wonderful gift of a healthy heart; without it, we wouldn't be able to go on.

Love to all of you, with all of my heart!!!

Prayers Please

2010-04-17T17:11:00.003-05:00

We have a couple in Kazakhstan right now in the process of an international adoption. Darin and Alina left from here on February 27 and they still are waiting. They have been spending time sightseeing and learning the culture, along with spending time with their baby and getting to know her. It seems that they could be there a while longer. We are hopeful that the current adoption situation with the Russian adoption doesn't play a part in their adoption finalization. We ask that you pray for Darin and Alina and their current adoption situation.

If you are unaware of the Russian adoption I am referencing, please click here.

I hope you are having a great Saturday!!!
Love to all!!

Great News!!!

2010-03-25T20:29:00.003-05:00

Thanks to Greg and Laura for the latest news!!! If adoption has ever impacted you, this is something that was there to help you, if you have ever considered adoption, maybe this will help you make a decision. Every child out there deserves a home!!!! If you are interested in adoption, message me and I will do everything I can to help you or get you in contact with someone who can!!!

From The Christian Alliance for Orphans Blog:

Amidst the intense controversy of the health care bill signed into law by President Obama yesterday, there’s at least one provision every orphan advocate can cheer. The adoption tax credit was preserved for another year…and increased in value!

To encourage and support adoption, the adoption tax credit was expanded by President Bush and Congress in 2001. This increased the value of the credit from $5,000 to $10,000, and indexed it for inflation (meaning the credit would increase each year to keep up with inflation.) For 2010, its value had risen to $12,170. However, the 2001 increase was scheduled to “sunset” at the end of 2010. This would mean that any adoptions finalized after December 31, 2010 would be eligible for—at most—a credit of only $5,000.

This sunset has now been extended one year. That means that it will need to be extended again before the end of 2011. For the present, however, this extension comes as very welcome news for families considering adoption or in the adoption process.

Specifically, the provisions contained in the health care bill include:

•The current adoption tax credit has been extended until the end of 2011;
•The value of the adoption tax credit has been increased from $12,170 to $13,170.
•The increase is “retroactive,” meaning that any adoption occurring after January 1, 2010 is eligible for this higher credit.
•The credit is now refundable. This means that even families that owe zero taxes can receive the full tax credit in the form of a tax refund to help with their adoption-related expenses.

Long time no post

2010-03-16T08:57:00.003-05:00

You would think we have been super busy given that I haven't posted in a while!! I guess when your life is pretty boring, there isn't much to post!!

We had Isabel's birthday party on Saturday, February 27th. It is always fun to get friends and family together---even if it is at our house. That is the only downside of having birthdays in the winter. Luckily Garrett's birthday is in the summer so we can always do his party outside.

We have been filling our weekends with fun family time. I love it when our little family of 4 is able to spend the weekend together doing fun things. I guess if people were able to look in our windows at us, they would think we were boring and crazy, but it is fun to us!!

I have the day off today to spend the morning with my munchkins, I need to run to the courthouse to get my notary renewed and then I am meeting my sister-in-law Robin for lunch. I think we are going to head to the mall after that and add to the chaos at the mall!! I will have my two kiddos, Robin will have her 4 and my mother-in-law will have my two nephews!! Look out mall, here we come!!!

I hope you have been having a great winter!!! Bring on the sunshine!!!

Happy 2nd Birthday Isabel!!!

2010-02-25T15:36:00.006-06:00

It is hard to believe Isabel was born 2 years ago tonight!!! She has been such a blessing and we don't know what we would do without her. It is amazing to think that 2 years ago she was born; it feels like she has always been with us!!! Birthday party pictures to come later!!

Isabel is on her way to the NICU.

First night home!!!

Happy 1st Birthday!!!

The Raining Season

2010-02-15T12:15:00.003-06:00

A girl I went to high school with is the founder of The Raining Season. She and her husband adopted a beautiful girl from Sierra Leon, Africa. I have enjoyed watching their story unfold...what can we do to help save just 1 orphan???

Be sure to pause the music in the righthand sidebar!!! You don't want to miss this!!!

YEAR END Accomplishments! from The Raining Season on Vimeo.

God is Good

2010-01-12T19:02:00.002-06:00

Greg and Laura have their gorgeous little Anna with them. Their first night was rough, but they have another night under their belt and it was a good night. As I was reading Laura's most recent post, Anna was still asleep. The Lord heard all of our prayers and He answered them.

I ask that you continue to pray for Greg, Laura and Anna. They finally have their forever family together!!! I can't think of anyone more deserving than them!!!!

6 hours!!!

2010-01-10T14:29:00.002-06:00

A quick update...Greg and Laura should be sleeping at this moment...I wonder if they really are asleep or if they are too excited to sleep!!!??? 6 hours from now they will meet their guide and head to the civil affairs building...and then meet Anna!!! Say a prayer for Greg, Laura and Anna as they embark on this wonderful journey!!

Made It

2010-01-08T09:14:00.002-06:00

I just checked in on my great friends Greg and Laura. They have made it to Beijing and enjoyed their first dinner in China. Needless to say they are exhausted!! Please continue to pray that they will have safe travels on their in-country flights and that they are able to get well rested before they meet their beautiful Anna!!

A link to their website is located in the sidebar if you would like to follow them on their journey.

A picture of Greg & Laura for those of you who do not know them.

Prayers for my dear friends

2010-01-06T08:51:00.002-06:00

My dear friends Greg and Laura are leaving for China tomorrow to bring their gorgeous daughter Anna home!!! They are schedule to leave tomorrow morning to begin their long journey to China. The weather here is supposed to be getting nasty this evening. Please pray that their journey will be smooth and they will not run into any delays. We know God will be with them and will be making a path for them.

Greg & Laura---I love you both dearly and I can hardly wait to see your forever family come together!!!!! Anna is so blessed to have you as her parents!!!

Adoption Awareness

2009-11-07T15:57:00.001-06:00

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

2009-11-06T20:02:00.001-06:00

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!!!!

2009-10-31T15:14:00.003-05:00

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

2009-09-04T10:27:00.002-05:00

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

2009-08-01T09:20:00.001-05:00

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

2009-07-25T16:24:00.003-05:00

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

2009-07-24T21:18:00.002-05:00

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!!!

2009-07-20T09:37:00.002-05:00

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!!

2009-07-18T13:17:00.003-05:00

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

2009-07-11T10:29:00.008-05:00

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

2009-06-30T18:58:00.001-05:00

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

2009-06-29T20:38:00.003-05:00

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!!

2009-06-22T09:39:00.002-05:00

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

2009-06-11T10:08:00.002-05:00

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

2009-06-06T15:25:00.005-05:00

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

2009-05-29T07:23:00.003-05:00

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

2009-05-23T15:44:00.002-05:00

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

2009-04-21T18:24:00.009-05:00

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

Surprises

2009-04-19T17:56:00.001-05:00

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

Spring Has Sprung

2009-04-16T09:09:00.005-05:00

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

2009-04-13T19:01:00.006-05:00

ENJOY!!!

Happy Easter

2009-04-12T14:43:00.001-05:00

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!!

2009-04-06T15:56:00.003-05:00

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!!

2009-03-21T13:47:00.002-05:00

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

2009-03-18T12:31:00.002-05:00

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

2009-03-17T08:15:00.002-05:00

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

2009-03-07T10:24:00.002-06:00

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

2009-03-04T11:39:00.002-06:00

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

2009-03-02T19:25:00.007-06:00

I promise to be better!!!

2009-03-02T15:56:00.002-06:00

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????

Twas the Night Before Christmas

2008-12-24T15:22:00.002-06:00

I hope you are having a wonderful Christmas Eve. We always have a busy evening and then a busy Christmas day. We always go to my parents for homemade chicken and noodles and finger foods. Family friends come over and we have a great time. We then go to Joel's parents for snacks and fun times. Santa always makes an appearance...bearing gifts and all!!!! We are anxious to see how the kids react to Santa. We didn't take the kids to see Santa...I know, I am a horrible mom!!! I hate to put them through the suffering of having to sit on a strangers lap and then being miserable!!

Tomorrow morning we will have Christmas at our house with the kids. We will have breakfast together and then get ready to head to my parents. We will then exchange gifts with them and have Christmas dinner. After we spend time eating and being merry, we will go to Joel's parents for more holiday fun.

I feel very fortunate to have our families so close and being able to share in the holidays with them. I also feel so very fortunate that I have my beautiful family of 4. I think back to a couple of years ago...it was just Joel and I. I thank God everyday that he gave me Garrett. Then He blessed me even more...and brought Isabel to me!!! This is going to be a great Christmas season!!!

Love to all of you. Hug those that are close to you and hold those that aren't with you right now in your heart!!!

Merry Christmas!!!

Fabulous Friday

2008-12-19T12:08:00.003-06:00

I am so glad it is Friday. We are having my folks and Joel's folks over tonight for coffee and dessert. I always love having everyone over and entertaining. The only thing I need is a bigger house....then I could really entertain!!! The only downside about them coming over is that they will see that my house is a mess. It seems like we have had things going on non-stop!!! I already have a New Year's resolution in mind...I will fill you in on that at a later date!!!

I am hoping to get the kids picture with Santa sometime this weekend. We didn't get Garrett's picture last year and I have kicked myself for it. I guess if I have to stand in line for an hour, I will. I know Joel won't, but I will hold our place in line!!!!

Please say a prayer for a friend of mine. Her daughter Lila had heart surgery yesterday. Everything went well, but a prayer never hurts!!!!

That's all for now...of to get my yucky car washed!!!

At last!!!

2008-12-18T08:21:00.002-06:00

Joel and I have been waiting so long for Isabel to have a tooth come in. We were even starting to get worried...what if she didn't have teeth???!!! We went as far as to ask the pediatrician if it was normal for her to not have teeth, when should she have her first tooth, when should we be worried that she didn't have any???

The worry is over...Isabel has a tooth!!! Garrett had his first tooth at 4 months, so the fact that Isabel is almost 10 months old and toothless was beginning to scare us!!! Was she going to be drinking formula for the next 5 years???

YEA!!!!!

The goose is getting fat

2008-12-10T12:11:00.002-06:00

I always loved that choir warm-up....Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat!!!

I hope you are having a wonderful holiday season. We have been having a great time. I love this time of year...a nip in the air, the smells of Christmas, beautiful lights, baked goods... What could be better? I spent the weekend baking and cooking. That is something that I love to do and I feel like I haven't done a lot of in the past year. I am getting back in the habit though.

I have to toot my own horn for a moment. I have reached a point in my life that I have decided-I am the person that is in charge of my own well being and happiness. I started Saturday and did it again on Monday....I went for a jog. For those of you who know me well, know this is not something I enjoy. I do not like to sweat, I do not like to exercise. What kind of mommy am I if I can't show my children that they have to take care of the only body that God gave them. I am the person that is supposed to show them how to be healthy. I can say that I have enjoyed my 2 jogging trips. I am going to try and go again tonight. I have decided that I will go outside and jog on the evenings when Joel goes to pick up the kids. I can get home and changed clothes and get outside and back home about the same time they get home. I do need to be motivated....so pump me up!!!

We are taking the kids and my folks to Silver Dollar City this weekend to see the beautiful Christmas lights. I am sure Garrett will LOVE it!!! When he sees the lights now he says "Wow" or "Cool". I can't imagine what he will think when he sees a million lights!!! I am sure Isabel will have a great time also. I do need to buy them each a pair of mittens to keep their little fingers warm. I am hoping to spend Sunday after church baking. I would love to make some Christmas cookies and let Garrett help me frost them.

That is all we have going on for now. What do you have going on??

Love being home

2008-12-02T11:30:00.003-06:00

I am home with my kiddos today. My mom had to go to the doctor, so I unwillingly stayed home with my kids!!! It is so fun being able to spend the whole day with them. We have had breakfast together and now they are both taking a nap. After breakfast they played so hard that they needed to sleep!! Once they wake up we will have lunch and then we are going to make Christmas cookies or Christmas cupcakes. I haven't decided which one we are going to tackle yet...I guess I better get to deciding though!!!

We had a great Thanksgiving. We spent the morning at home enjoying each other. We then went to my folks for lunch and then to Joel's folks for dinner. I always seems like we are running during the holidays but it is well worth it!!!

The kids and I spent Black Friday together. We met Joel for lunch and then we hit the mall. I didn't thnik it was as bad as it has been before. Joel thoght we were crazy for even thinking about going!!! I did pick up a few things for the kids...and I can now say...I am done with my Christmas shopping!!!!

Isabel is now up, so that means I better decide what we are going to have for lunch and what we are going to bake. The decision has been made, we are going to make Christmas cupcakes!!! Maybe you will be a lucky recipient of some of our baked goods!!!

Happy Holidays!!!

OAMC

2008-11-23T18:23:00.003-06:00

Do you know what that stands for??? I will fill you in on it in a bit.

The kids are doing wonderful. Isabel is crawling like a champ. I need to borrower my mom's video camera again and post some videos. Isabel loves to say da-da. She is totally a daddy's girl. She has said ma-ma a coupe times, but she prefers to talk to her daddy. She is also eating like a champ. She has moved up to the Gerber 2's, she can eat 2 veggies and 1 fruit at each sitting!!!! We have worked our way down to only having 2 or 3 bottles a day...it will be so nice to not have to buy formula anymore!!! I guess we will have to eat baby food forever....Isabel still doesn't have any teeth!!! Joel says that she is going to be drinking from a bottle until she is 4, because that is how long it is going to take her to get teeth!!!

Garrett is getting in to trouble constantly. He is always in to things he knows he isn't allowed to be in. Garrett and Daddy just got in trouble for throwing a ball in the house. This is something that Joel likes to do and Garrett has started asking him to throw it. The ball just bounced off a shelf and knocked one of my Demdaco figurines off. Lucky for both of them it didn't break. I yelled at Joel just like I would yell at Garrett. I think they both found it rather funny!! Garrett is also fighting a terrible cold...that he has passed on to me!!! Why is it that mommy always gets sick when the kids get sick??? Garrett's newest, funniest thing...he looks at daddy and says, "Joel". It is so funny!!!

Joel got all the lights on the house yesterday and today. We also got lights in the bushes, a decorated tree on the front porch, lights around the front door....Joel has bee making fun of me. He says that I have gone all out with the lights this year. I keep telling him that I want the kids to go outside and be mesmerized with the lights. I will work on getting the house cleaned during this week and then decorate inside over the weekend.

Now.....OAMC--Once A Month Cooking!!!! This is a fancy new idea that I have found online!!! You gather all your ingredients and prepare meals that will last you all month. You devote one weekend to preparation and then all you have to do is thaw and cook everything!!! I didn't do

enough to last us for an entire month, but I have enough to last us 2-3 weeks. Believe it or not, it didn't take me all day. I started about 9:45 and worked off and on until 12:30. That may seem like a while, but I took a shower, put make-up on, fixed my hair, dressed, played with the kids, put them down for a nap, had lunch...so it really didn't take me very long. I also used recipes that I had the staples of the recipe already on hand. I am anxious to see how long the meals last, how good the recipes are, how we like the leftovers...I will let you know!!!! Have any of you out there ever tried this???

That is all that has been going on with us...we are preparing for the Thanksgiving festivities and getting ready for Christmas.

Fall is in the air

2008-10-25T10:15:00.002-05:00

I love the fall season. I can't imagine living somewhere that did not have all 4 seasons. The leaves are changing, the air is crisp, the sound of football games on Friday night....awwwww does it get any better??

The kids are doing great. Garrett is walking like a champ. Isabel is on her way to crawling. I have a feeling she will be crawling in the next couple of weeks. She has started something new...she says da da. It was great. Joel had been home with the kids all day and I came home and sat in the floor with Isabel and started saying da da to her...she then said it right back to me!!! I am sure Joel's heart was melting!!! It is great to hear her little dainty voice say da da and then hear Garrett's deep (animal) voice yell DAAAD. Too cute.

The kids are enjoying their little drummer set that MeeMaw (Joel's mom) bought for them, I am having a cup of coffee, Joel is getting ready and then we are off to the mall. We enjoy our Saturday's as a family. Sometimes we don't do anything but stay home, but we do it together!!!

That is all that is going on with us, how about you?

With all our love,
Joel, Misty, Garrett & Isabel

Pumpkin Patch

2008-10-13T10:58:00.003-05:00

We took the kids to the pumpkin patch over the weekend. Garrett was memorized by all the "balls". It was a warm day...I had wished for a cooler fall day. The weather this coming weekend is going to be more like what I was hoping for. Maybe we can find something else fun to do!!!

Isabel is growing like a weed. She is trying so hard to crawl. She is going backwards, but can't quite get the forward motion. She can get up on also fours by herself and rock, but that is as far as she can go right now.

My mom has gotten a new video camera and is letting us play around with it. I have found it to be really handy. I wish we would have had a video camera from the very beginning. I feel like we have missed a lot of great video opportunities with both of the kids. I hope you enjoy the videos!!

Long Time

2008-10-08T21:14:00.004-05:00

Long time, no blog!!! Sorry for being missing for so long. Things are going great for us. The kids are growing like little weeds. Garrett is walking like a professional now!!! Everyone laughs about his walking form...it is more like a march. He goes 90 miles an hour all day long. Very rarely does he crash and burn...he goes and goes and goes!!!

Isabel is trying to crawl. She is moving backwards all over the floor. I know that after going backwards, all of a sudden one day she will crawl forward!!! She is quite the night owl!!! She does not nap during the day...thus you would think that she would crash at night...Oh NO my dear friends!!! There are nights that it is 10:00 and she is still going strong. By that point, Joel and I are ready to go to bed and get some much needed sleep, but she is still wanting to play!!!

We have been having a great time with the fabulous weather. We have been spending as much time as possible outside. Last Saturday, we walked around the outdoor mall and had a great time enjoying the sunshine, the breeze, and the fall weather!!! We are taking the kids to the pumpkin patch this Saturday. Joel and I have never been, so we are very anxious to discover all the fun things there!!!

A SUPER congratulations to my dear friends Brad and Missy!!! They brought baby Zeke home from Vietnam a couple weeks ago!! I was fortunate enough to be able to go to the airport and share in their beautiful homecoming!!! They are a gorgeous family of 3!!!

Love to all,

Misty

On the Way

2008-09-13T11:20:00.002-05:00

Brad & Missy are on their way to Vietnam as I type!!! Please pray that they have safe travels and everything goes smoothly. I can hardly wait to see them again...as a family of 3!!! I just ask that you keep this family in your prayers!!!

Not much going on with us. Both kids are down for a nap. Garrett has been sleeping for almost 2 hours...it is amazing how much he sleeps during the day when he has a cold. Once the kids are awake, we are heading to the mall to do a little shopping. Garrett needs some long pants. I am hoping that the weather starts to cool off and he doesn't have any long pants...maybe if I buy some, the weather will change!!!

That is all that is going on with us, what is going on with you?

Vietnam or Bust

2008-09-08T10:04:00.002-05:00

YEA!!!!! Brad and Missy received their approval today!!! They are not sure of the travel arrangements yet, but they will be on their way to pick up Zeke very soon!!!!! Congratulations guys!!!! We are so happy that we have been able to share in this journey with you!!! Zeke's 1st birthday, 1st Halloween, 1st Thanksgiving, 1st Christmas...are going to be so very special!!! This is going to be the best fall of your lives so far!!! Our little adoption support group is growing!!!!!

With all our love,
Joel & Misty

Happy Anniversary

2008-09-03T21:11:00.006-05:00

Joel and I celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary on Sunday. It is amazing to think that we have only been married for 6 years, but also in the same breath it feels like it has been forever!!! We decided to take the kids and stay in a cabin for a couple days and hang out. We went to dinner Saturday night for our anniversary. We got up Sunday morning and had donuts for breakfast and then took the kids swimming. It was the first time for them to swim and they seemed to enjoy it. After swimming the kids were worn out and took pretty good naps. We then went to do a little shopping and having fun as a family. All in all, we had a great wedding anniversary weekend!!!

Yesterday the kids went to the doctor for their checkup. Garrett is thriving as always!! He weighs 26 lbs...he is in the 95th percentile for height and weight. He is off the chart for his head circumference...I say that is because he has a big brain and is soooo smart. Isabel is also doing great. She weighs 15 lbs 10 oz...she is in the 50th percentile for height and weight and is just over that for her head circumference. They say she is doing really well and is right where she should be developmentally. They had told us that she would probably be 6 weeks behind due to her being a preemie, but that doesn't seem to be an issue right now!!!

I hope all is well with you. We would love to hear from you!!!

A Fun Shower

2008-08-24T15:48:00.006-05:00

Yesterday I had a baby shower for my sister-in-law Sarah. She is truly ready to pop any day now!!! We laughed that now that the shower was over she could have Noah. I had the shower at a quaint little tea room close to the college campus. We had a great turnout, great food, great games, great conversation and GREAT gifts!!! I hope she got everything that she wanted. Hopefully we will meet baby Noah Matthew soon!!

Not much going on with us. The kids are doing wonderful. Garrett has started taking a few steps on his own. He can actually walk, he just chooses to crawl. He is doing really well. Isabel has developed quite an attitude!! My mom says she certainly reminds her of someone!! I guess she not only looks like me, she acts like me!!!

Beyond that, we are doing our usual daily activities and having a great time as a family!!

What is going on in your world??

WHEW!!

2008-08-14T18:00:00.002-05:00

Did you think we were MIA? I guess we have been lately. I don't really have any excuses for not blogging!!! We have been spending a lot of time together as a family. We are watching Garrett and Isabel grow right before our eyes!!! As I type this, Garrett is walking around the exersaucer, Isabel is sitting in the exersaucer and I have my hands free for a moment!!!

Garrett isn't walking by himself yet. He has taken a few steps, but who wants to walk when he can crawl as fast as lightening!!! He is growing up so fast!!! It makes me so happy to see him growing but it also makes me very sad. He is my first baby!!!!

Isabel is growing also. She weighs about 14 pounds now!!! She is holding her head up very well, rolling over, and is having a great time in her saucer!!!!

Joel and I haven't been up to much. Enjoying our family time, keeping up with the day to day things, and getting some golf in (Joel, not me!!). I am getting to the point that I am about to go crazy with all of the "stuff" being everywhere. I am going to start weeding everything out and getting rid of the things we don't need or use anymore. I get like this every once in a while and I start hauling stuff to my mom's house. My folks house is the storage area for garage sale items!!! I guess they better get ready...I am ready to do some junk removal!!!

More to come later...I promise!!! I will try to be better about posting!!! Off to clean up Diet Coke that Garrett just pulled off the kitchen table!!!

GOTCHA

2008-07-25T21:06:00.002-05:00

Today is our gotcha day for Garrett. One year ago today, Garrett officially became ours!!!! After 5 days of uncertainly and many, many, many prayers----we signed all of the paperwork and went to the Cradle Home to pick up our little bundle of joy!!! That day seems just like yesterday. I was going through the day looking at the time and going back in time remembering what we were doing at that very minute.

To celebrate our gotcha day, we went out to dinner and then went to Target with the kids. The day we got Garrett we went to Cheesecake Factory for dinner.....not having a Cheesecake Factory here, we went to Outback instead. We had a wonderful dinner and Garrett thoroughly enjoyed a Grilled Cheese and Fries!!!

Happy Gotcha Day my beautiful boy!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday Garrett

2008-07-20T14:16:00.003-05:00

Today is Garrett's 1st birthday!!! It is amazing to think that 12 months have gone by. It seems like just yesterday that we were waiting on pins and needles to find out if we were going to bring our precious little boy home!!!!

We are getting ready for his birthday party right now. We will be having family and close friends over for a BBQ and cake!!! After cake, the little ones will be able to get in the pool to wash themselves clean!!! Pictures will follow!!!

Happy 4th of July

2008-07-04T16:19:00.003-05:00

I hope you are having a fun filled 4th of July!!

We have hung out around the house today. I got up this morning and made potato salad and got some homemade ice cream going!!! Thanks to Greg and Laura, I bought an ice cream maker last night---I hope mine is as good as yours!!! We grilled out hot dogs and brauts for lunch. I just pulled some brownies out of the oven and we will have those with ice cream later.

I hope you will take a moment to stop today and think about those that you know who have helped fight for the freedom that we all have. Those people don't have to have fought in war to have made a difference!! I would like to take the time to thank...my dad, my brother (Chad), Joel's Gramps, Joel's dad, Jennifer, and Jason. Today we honor YOU!!! Thank you for fighting for what you believe in and for giving us the freedom that we are enjoying today!!!

I'm still here

2008-06-27T13:25:00.002-05:00

It seems like I never have time to post anymore!!! I will try to be better!!! I took the day off from work today!!! YEA!!!!!!!!!!! A whole morning alone with my munchkins!! Joel went golfing this morning with his brother and a good friend of ours. I am now waiting for Joel to get out of the shower so I can get his shower stuff packed. Packed??? Where are we going??? We are leaving and heading to the lake for the weekend as soon as Joel is ready. It should be a fun, crazy time!! There will be Joel's folks, his brother and his family, his other brother and his family, and us!!! For those of you that might not know how many people that is...15!!! We are staying in a 4 bedroom 4 bathroom cabin on a beautiful golf course, just a few miles from the lake. Hopefully we will have a great time!!!

Not much else is going on...I think this weekend will be good for me. Things at work are a little chaotic right now and it is only going to get worse for the next little bit. I think I need a little bit of rest and relaxation (is that possible with 2 children under the age of 1?).

I will try to post some picture when we get back Sunday!!
Have a great weekend!!

Woof Woof

2008-06-09T20:01:00.005-05:00

We had a great weekend and are planning to have a great week ahead. We went to the mall Friday night and had our family dinner at Chick-Fil-A at the food court. Pretty fancy!!! While we were at the mall, we exchanged some of the kids clothes, Joel got a new pair of tennis shoes and I got a new digital camera. My camera has been giving me fits for the last couple of weeks. I had had my camera for a good 4 years, so I was due for another one. I am still trying to get everything figured out though.

Saturday we had our family pictures taken and then we went to Greg and Laura's for dinner. They cooked brauts for us. Oh my goodness...the brauts were so good. They come from a little town not far from where we live and I am now wanting to buy some. Luckily they have a website and they will ship them right to your house!!! They also made homemade ice cream...yummy!!! I am going to have to get an ice cream maker!!! Garrett enjoyed the ice cream with me!!! Thanks guys for having us over!!!!

We went to church Sunday and then we went to Sheep and Wool Days. It was a cute little outing at one of our most beautiful parks. The big kids really enjoyed all of the old time stuff used to sheer sheep. The only unfortunate part of Sunday's is Sunday night...knowing that we have to go back to work Monday morning.

You might be wondering where the name of this post came from... Since Garrett started crawling, he is all over the house. We are constantly trying to figure out where he is, making sure he hasn't drowned in the dog water, isn't crawling into Isabel's travel bed, isn't stealing Isabel's paci, isn't pulling at electrical cords, isn't trying to get in the dog food, isn't getting into something that could hurt him...and the list goes on. Tonight Garrett was crawling around and Joel was getting him to laugh (doing the things they always do) and I told Joel that Garrett looked like he was drooling more than usual. The more I watched him, the more he was drooling. Finally Joel picked him up and was trying to see what was in his mouth...he turned to me and smiled really big and caught a glimpse of a piece of dog food!!!!! Luckily he hadn't begun chewing it, just sucking on it!!! It doesn't matter what is on the floor, he is all over it!!! My folks carpet has a design on it and he is always trying to pick at it and get the flecks picked up!!!

Joel just got back from taking Garrett for a walk and I asked Garrett why he was foaming at the mouth, Joel's response "it is the dog food". I guess he is now going to foam at the mouth like a dog when he gets hot!!!

That's all for now!!!! Have a great week!!!

Great Day

2008-06-06T08:23:00.002-05:00

Another great Friday!!!! I love getting to work and seeing that our Federal Stimulus payment is here!!!

We are going to have a full weekend...

We usually go out to dinner on Friday's (Joel and I have started a little tradition for our little family of 4). I would like to go to the mall tomorrow. I have a TON of stuff to take back. I went through Isabel's closet and removed everything that isn't going to fit her during the right season. I have a feeling I have about $150 worth of stuff to take back. You know what that means...I can buy more stuff!!!! Saturday evening we are having family pictures taken. They are supposed to be outside, but I am not sure how that will be if the rain keeps up. After our pictures, we are going to Greg & Laura's house for a BBQ and fun. We enjoy spending time with Greg & Laura, Joel and Greg are going to practice on Greg's new chipping net...Laura and I will enjoy a few laughs watching!!!! We will go to church Sunday morning and then (if the rain hold off) we are going to have a family picnic in the park and then go to a sheep thing. I don't remember what it is called, but the kids will be able to see sheep, watch them have their fluff sheered off, and much more!! Should be fun!!!

I hope you have a fun weekend planned!!!

Sex and the City

2008-05-30T10:45:00.005-05:00

Could today be any better of a day???? Let me tell you what a fabulous day it has been and is going to be...

1. It is Friday

2. It is payday

3. It is girls night out

4. Sex and the City debuts tonight

5. Garrett waved bye bye to me this morning

6. I have the 2 most beautiful children in the world

7. I have on my best Carrie Bradshaw outfit

8. My sister in law and her kiddos are coming into town

9. I ran an errand, went to the License Bureau, and back to work---in 30 minutes

10. Federal Tax Returns

As you can see, today is a wonderful day!!! I am going out with a group of girls tonight after work. We are going to have dinner, share a cosmo or 2 and then going to the Sex and the City movie!!! After I dressed this morning, I looked in the mirror and thought to myself...this is totally a Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) outfit!!! What makes that even funnier, is that when I have taken numerous Sex and the City quizzes, I always come out having her personality!!!

Tomorrow Joel is going to go golfing and I am going to take the kids to the mall. I need to get Garrett a new shirt to wear Sunday to church and I would also like to get a new outfit for church Sunday. In case you forgot, the munchkins are getting baptized Sunday. Hopefully a mall visit with both kids and possibly no help doesn't turn out to be a disaster!!! We'll see!!!

I hope you are having a wonderful Friday!!!

Time to Chat

2008-05-28T17:13:00.004-05:00

Ok...I know I have been MIA for a while, but I promise to be better!!! I really am not sure where to start filling you in!!! Joel surprised me with a wonderful figurine for Mother's Day. HE said it looks just like me after I put Garrett to sleep!!!

Garrett turned 10 months old on May 20th and then Isabel turned 3 months old on the 25th. They are both doing great. Garrett is everywhere!!! Since he has learned to crawl, I am never sure exactly where I will find him. He seems to get himself into some pretty strange places. It is amazing how quickly he can travel on those little arms and chubby knees!!! Isabel has learned to smile. She also loves cooing at her daddy!!!

Garrett has also learned a new trick...if he climbs on one of his toys, he can then climb up on the coffee table. He has done this a couple times now. He is quickly instructed that we aren't wild animals and we don't sit on furniture like that. I am not sure that he believes me when I say we aren't wild animals, given the fact that he usually makes some noise at me that resembles a monkey!!!

I took the kids to the doctor today. Garrett now weighs 25 lbs 6 oz and is 30.5 inches long!!! Isabel is up to a huge 10 lbs 9.5 oz and is 22.25 inches long. It is really amazing to watch her grow. She was so tiny, so now she looks big!!! Even though she is getting bigger, her 0-3 mos clothes are still too big. I have resorted to dressing her in them anyway...I am so tired of the same clothes she has been wearing for 2 months!!!!

As for me, I am suffering a sinus infection right now. I am hopeful that the antibiotics I started today will kick in...NOW!!! My head is so foggy!!!

We are having the kids baptized this Sunday. It should be a great time!!! My sister-in-law and her kids will be here just in time for it. We will have quite a crowd Sunday morning!!! After church we are all going out to lunch together!!! I am sure it will be a zoo, but it will be a great time. I will post pics of the blessed event hopefully Sunday afternoon.

I promise to post more frequently, don't give up on me!!!

Happy Mother's Day

2008-05-11T19:10:00.002-05:00

What a blessed Mother's Day I have had!!! On top of the wonderful day with my kids, my husband and my family, we are also remembering a very special day!!! I woke up bright and early this morning to find a bouquet of roses and a card from Joel (that he said Garrett picked out). We got the kids ready and went out to breakfast as a family. It is so fun to order for ourselves and then ordering for Garrett from the kids menu!!!! He is such a good eater...he had a cheese omelet, hash browns, and some of daddy's gravy. We then went to church and had a great service. It was so awesome hearing everyone wish me a Happy Mother's Day. They all know what we have gone through in the last year and they have been very supportive.

What else are we celebrating??? Yesterday marked the 1 year anniversary of the day we were matched with Garrett. 10:03 am marked our 1 year anniversary. Can you believe that??? It seems like just yesterday, but it also seems like he has been with us forever. Thank you to everyone that has been there for us and has prayed for us during our wait for Garrett, his birth, and his coming home!!! We will never forget you. Now that we have Garrett home, it is our turn to pray and support those who are still waiting for their precious children to come home!! We love all of you-Happy Mother's Day to you!!!!

Love to All!!!

Tears

2008-04-27T15:57:00.004-05:00

Well...tomorrow I head back to work. Please say a prayer for me, my kiddos, and my mom. I have been off work since January 22nd and I am not ready to go back. I have gotten used to being a stay at home mom and I wish I could stay one!!! I know that when it is time for me to walk out the door in the morning, I am going to have a really rough time. I also worry that my kids are going to notice that I am not there and begin to wonder where I am.

I have gotten used to the normal routine that we have everyday. I get up, shower, get ready, and then I get Garrett up and we have breakfast together. I enjoy a piece of toast and coffee while he enjoys his oatmeal, then we share a banana!!! While we have breakfast, we sit in the kitchen with the windows open and listen to the birds chirp. Cute little Isabel hangs out in her swing sleeping the majority of the time. I don't put her in her bed for a couple of reasons. If Garrett and I are going to be in the living room, I want to be able to watch her while she sleeps. I also don't put her in her room because she still has a spitting up issue. I worry that she will choke on her spit up...she does that sometimes when she eats. When she gets choked up, she sometime quits breathing and I don't want to worry about that happening while she is in her crib.

All of that being said, please pray for me to have the strength to go back to work, pray for my kids-I don't want them to think I have abandoned them, and pray for my mom-she will be taking care of them while I am working.

Maybe someday I will get to be a stay at home mom again!!!

2 Months

2008-04-25T21:55:00.003-05:00

I know, I know, 2 posts in 1 day!!!

Isabel Grace is 2 months old today. Actually, she isn't 2 months old for another hour, but close enough. It is amazing to think that she has been with us for 2 months. In a way it feels like she has always been with us. I guess the reason that is, is because she has always been with us- in our hearts.

As I type this, she is asleep in her swing. She looks so beautiful laying there. I have become accustomed to calling her my little princess. I have always called Garrett my angel, so it seemed fitting that I would call her a little princess!!! I am constantly amazed that I have been given these two very precious gifts!!!!

Happy Birthday my little princess!!

Will you still love Him

2008-04-25T10:35:00.001-05:00

"If the Lord never gives us children, will you still love Him?" This is a question that is posed in the beginning of this fabulous movie. If you haven't seen Facing the Giants, you are missing out on something very special.

The time leading up to our decision to adopt was a difficult one. I have been through hearing the "negative" and it is one that cuts right through your heart. Once Joel and I decided that adoption was where God was leading us, we had complete peace. I told myself that I had to turn everything over to Him completely. Once I did that, I knew everything was going to be fine. Even during our difficult times right after Garrett's birth, I knew that everything would turn out in our favor. I never gave up hope and trusted that the Lord would get us through.

Please keep tuned in for more wonderful scenes from this movie that brought such joy to my life!!! If it weren't for this movie, I don't know that I would have ever found my dearest and best friends...Greg and Laura!!! You guys are the best and I don't know what I would do without you. The Lord works in strange and mysterious ways and I know all this happened to bring us together!!!

9 Months

2008-04-20T14:57:00.008-05:00

9 months ago a very special little boy was brought into our life!!!! Garrett is 9 months old today, and boy has he changed in that time!!!! He came into the world weighing 7 pounds 15 ounces...he now weighs over 23 pounds!!!

We are so blessed to be the Mommy and Daddy of this great kid. We can't imagine what it would be like if he weren't with us now!!!!

What a BIG boy he is now!!!!!

Weight Watching

2008-04-17T16:19:00.002-05:00

I took Isabel to a new pediatrician today. Both Isabel and Garrett will be switching to a wonderful Nurse Practitioner that I have found. She was absolutely wonderful (Isabel and Katrina)!!!! Isabel now weighs 8 pounds!!!! If you don't recall, the last time she was weighed, she weighed 6 pounds 2 ounces, so she is putting on some weight. Thank goodness for the weight gain, I have so many cute clothes for her and she hasn't been able to wear them. She is in the 5th percentile for her height and weight and in the 10th percentile for her head circumference.

More Weight Watcher news...I went to my WW meeting last Saturday after following WW strictly for 1 week, I was down 4.4 pounds!!!!! I am sure every week won't be like that, but that she gives me some motivation!!!! I have struggled a bit this week, but I am still watching everything I eat and I AM going to lose again this week. My mom brought some DVD's over for me. They are the Walk Away the Pounds by Leslie Sansone. My goal is to start with the 1 mile walk and work up to the 2 mile walk next week. I have no excuse for doing the DVD's, especially if I can get it done while the kids are napping and Joel is at work!!!!

That's all for now, put I promise to post more often!!!

I'm a weight watcher

2008-04-05T22:07:00.002-05:00

Well...as some of you know, I have struggled with my weight over the last few years. While we were in the process of adopting Garrett, I had worked so hard to lose about 20 pounds. We brought Garrett home, found out I was pregnant, and the rest is history. I had a goal for myself that while I was pregnant, I would gain any more than 40 pounds. The day Isabel was born, I had gained 38 pounds...I guess it is a good thing I didn't make it to my due date!!!! I have since lost 18 pounds, but I know the rest is going to be difficult.

I have jumped in and joined Weight Watchers. Two of my dear friends have been on Weight Watchers and are going back for a refresher. I am sure they are going to help motivate me...and hold me accountable. We will be going to weekly meetings on Saturdays, where we will weigh in. I am going to try and post my progress (not my weight!) weekly. I expect you all to hold me accountable also!!!

Garrett and Isabel are doing great. We went to some friends house for dinner tonight and Garrett was great!! He sat in his booster seat at the table with us and was quite a charmer. He has learned that if he makes you laugh at something he does, he keeps doing it. He then laughs at himself...he is a mess and the sad thing is, he knows he is cute!!! Isabel was quite a little pill tonight. She is having some tummy issues and tends to be a bit fussy. Joel tried to quiet her down while I was eating, but she was too fired up. My friend Missy then went to take her so Joel could eat, and voila, she quieted right down!!! I guess she just needed to hear a woman's voice. She must have worn herself out completely, she is still asleep!!!!

More later!!

Due Date

2008-04-03T22:49:00.002-05:00

Can you believe that Isabel wasn't due until today? She is already 5 weeks and 3 days old!!! It is amazing to think that she was still supposed to be cooking. We are so glad that she is already with us. Looking back, I am also happy that my C-Section is over and the recovery is almost over!!! I still have a little soreness from my section, but that is it. I wouldn't trade any of it though...I have to most beautiful little girl in the world!!!!

Cinderella

2008-03-30T16:47:00.001-05:00

I told you back in December that I would share some videos by Steven Curtis Chapman...so here you are. This song is a terrific reminder that times flies by so quickly. It is hard to believe that Isabel is already over a month old!! She will always be our little princess. If you would like to view the new video that has come out please follow the following link.
http://www.stevencurtischapman.com/cinderella.htm

Lazy Saturday

2008-03-29T16:50:00.005-05:00

We have had quite a lazy Saturday!!! Garrett and Isabel let us sleep in today. Isabel woke up about 6:30 and decided she didn't want to sleep by herself anymore. I picked her up and put her in bed with me (I know...that is terrible, but she likes to finish her sleep while resting on my chest), and she slept longer than Garrett. Garrett started babbling about 8:00 and at 8:30 I went in and got him out of bed. Joel stayed in bed with Isabel for a little while longer. Garrett and I had a fun morning watching cartoons and having oatmeal. Joel and Isabel then decided it was time to get out of bed. Joel's dad came over and they changed his car headlight and I have cleaned the kitchen and worked on some laundry. Other than that, we haven't done much else!!!!

Miracle

2008-03-26T17:38:00.003-05:00

Joel and I are so thankful for our 2 beautiful miracles-Garrett and Isabel. It is still very important to us that we continue to think about other couples who are struggling with the same things we struggled with-infertility. Joel and I struggled with unexplained infertility for about 3 1/2 years. During that time, everyone we knew, knew we were trying to have a baby. Unfortunately, not everyone understands the heartache and emotions that go along with it.

After dealing with infertility, we decided that it was in God's plan for us to adopt a baby. Boy was that ever in his plan!!! We now have the most beautiful, precious little boy in the world. Having him sure makes everything we went through worth it. God also had something else in mind...He knew that we were meant to be Garrett's parents first and then He would bless us with another child. We were fully prepared for Garrett to be an only child, but He had other plans!!! We were once again blessed with God's truly unending love and grace...we were given our precious Isabel Grace (thus where her middle name came from).

We have been on the end of things where we were happy for someone that had a baby, but we were also heartbroken about our own situation. It is very important to us that we continue to love, pray and support everyone that is going through the same thing that we went through. We know that God has a plan for each one of us, we usually don't know what that plan is until something else is brought before us. I know that we were given Garrett because He knew how much we wanted a child, and then we were meant to have another child. Most people will say, "That always happens...adopt a child and then you will get pregnant." That is not why we adopted Garrett, but we will take it. That doesn't mean that everyone that adopts will also be given the miracle of pregnancy. That doesn't mean that one couple is more deserving than another. Why does it happen that way for some couples...I don't know. The only thing I do know is that we are all truly blessed by His love.

Please click the link below and go through the infertility journey with all of us that have been there, or are still there.

www.tearsandhope.com/emptyarms_video.html

Today

2008-03-25T22:02:00.005-05:00

One month ago tonight, Isabel Grace came into this beautiful world. It is amazing to me to think that she is actually 1 month old!!! She has really grown since she was born. In the NICU, she got down to 4 lbs 11 oz, now she weighs 6 lbs 2 oz. Her preemie clothes are beginning to get a little tighter. She used to swim in them, and now she fits into them quite nicely.

Let me know if you can see the resemblance in these 2 pictures...

We are making it

2008-03-17T21:16:00.008-05:00

Did you think that I had lost my sanity??? I haven't posted in a while due to the craziness of my schedule!!! Isabel is doing great. She sleeps great during the day. I often times have to wake her up to feed her. The nights are a totally different story though. She tries to get up every 2 hours if possible. We are working on making sure that doesn't happen. We do everything we can think of to try and calm her down before giving in to feed her. I know some of you have gotten to see our beautiful little angel. I made a few stops last week to show off Isabel. I went by my office one day last week and then I went by Joel's office. We also made it to church on Sunday. We weren't able to get around quite fast enough to make it to Sunday School, but we did make it to the Easter Cantata. We spent the remainder of Sunday with Joel's family, his sister was in town with her family, so we enjoyed some family time with them.

The only way we are making it while Joel is at work is because my mom is coming over to help me. I don't think I would be able to handle it otherwise. I had both kids by myself for about 1 1/2 hours today. During that time, I experienced my first bit of chaos!! Both of them were crying at the same time. At that point, I had to decide who I could get calmed down the fastest. Garrett won that fight. I knew I could get him calmed down in a couple minutes and down for a nap, so sweet little Isabel had to cry for those few minutes. It is so hard for me to let either one of then cry, but when Garrett is crying, looking at me with tears in his eyes, and reaching his arms for me, I couldn't feel any more like a loser!!!!

A few pictures for those of you that have been asking...

Our Family of 4

2008-03-07T20:31:00.002-06:00

Is HOME!!!! I went to feed Isabel this morning at 10:30. Shortly after I got there, the neonatologist on for the day came over to give her the once over. She asked me a number of questions and then sprung this one on me, "So, do you want to take her home today?" I had to asked her if she was serious a couple of times!!! I guess she was serious because as I type this, Joel is being a great husband and making me a peanut butter and jelly for dinner, Garrett is playing with his cars in the floor, and Isabel is sleeping in her cradle.

We we released from the NICU at 5:50 this evening. At discharge, Isabel weighed 5 lbs 7 oz. She is putting weight on like crazy!!! She has gained 2 oz since yesterday. We will go to the doctor Monday morning and they will do a weight check on her to make sure that she has continued to gain weight while home with us this weekend.

Garrett was pretty cute to watch as he checked out his baby sister. At first he stared at her and then he started reaching for her. Joel put his face up to Isabel's head and stuck his lips right on her head!!! Her first kiss from her big brother. Too cute!!!

I'll let you know how the night goes when I get up tomorrow. No more sleep filled nights!!!

Are you hungry?

2008-03-06T23:01:00.002-06:00

Isabel is sure hungry!!!! We have been fighting hard to get a full 24 hours without using her feeding tube. Well.......she has accomplished her final goal!!!!! Her feeding tube was removed today at 2:00pm. That is actually a couple hours prior to her 24 hour period, but the doctor felt very confident that we weren't going to have to use her tube at her next feeding. She did not have to use it then, or at her 7:30 feeding!!! I am anxious to call the NICU in a few minutes to see how she did at her 10:30 feeding.

Now what??? Isabel's nurse told us that they would probably monitor her for a few days to make sure that she is still eating, still gaining weight (she weighs 5 lbs 5 oz now), and doesn't have any episodes where her heart rate goes down. A common occurrence with preemies is the heart rate drop. These precious little babies don't quite know how to suck, swallow and breathe at the same time. When this happens, the milk is held in the back of the throat and they don't know that they need to swallow it and then take a breath. She hasn't had an episode of her heart rate going below 80 since 3/5, so we are hopeful that she won't have that happen again.

Call it a hunch, but I have a gut feeling that we will be home as a family of 4 by Monday.
I go to the doctor tomorrow to have my incision checked, so say a little prayer for me. I am hoping that there isn't much pain involved in this appointment!!!!

Keep those prayers coming!!!!

Love to All!!!!

Slow Progress

2008-03-05T15:45:00.002-06:00

Isabel is making slow progress. In order for her to have her feeding tube removed, Isabel has to be able to take all of her feedings for at least 24 hours. We will almost make it through our 8 feedings, but then she will decide that she is too tired to finish eating. We know that she is making progress because she is eating her entire feedings most of the time. Once she starts taking her feedings, her feeding tube will be removed and then we will be ready to go home!!!! YEA!!!!!

Isabel is sure starting to show her personality!!! She is little miss attitude. (I don't know where she gets that from!!!!) Joel went to visit her this morning around 7:45 and she was crying. As soon as Joel held her, she stopped crying. He then put her down and she started crying again...and she didn't stop until I got there to feed her at 10:30!!!!!! Needless to say, she didn't eat her entire bottle at that feeding...she was too tired!!!!!

Garrett is growing like a weed. Joel took him to the doctor while I was in the hospital. He now weighs 22.6 pounds!!!!! He is a MONSTER!!!!! 7 months old and 22.6 pounds----whew!!!!! It is amazing to see how he is growing and changing every day!!!! He eats baby food for lunch and dinner, he then has bottle in between those feedings. He is also able to entertain himself for longer periods of time. Yesterday we sat him in the floor with some of his toys and he played by himself for about 45 minutes!!! He amazes me everyday!!!!! We are anxious to bring Isabel home and see how Garrett reacts to her. I think he will stare at her in complete awe.

That is all the excitement that is going on with us right now.

Love to All!!!

Isabel Grace has ARRIVED!!!!

2008-03-03T16:27:00.002-06:00

I know it has been a while since I posted, but we have had a lot going on. Here is the story...in a nutshell.

Monday, February 18-I went to the doctor for my usual visit and non-stress test. After they saw that Isabel wasn't moving very much, my doctor had me have an ultrasound done. Everything looked great, but she still wasn't moving. I then saw my doctor and she sent me to Labor & Delivery for a few hours of monitoring. I was monitored for about 4 hours and then they finally sent me home.

Tuesday, February 19-My mother-in-law came over to check my blood pressure after she got off work. As usual, it was quite high...just much higher than normal. She told me that I needed to call the on-call doctor. Luckily my doctor was the one on-call. She told us that I needed to be taken to L&D right away and to pack a bag. She figured I would be staying a couple of days to be monitored.

Wednesday, February 20-I met with a perinatologist and she was the lucky one to break the news to me....I was going to be admitted to the Perinatal Intensive Care Unit until I was 36 weeks. To say the least, I was not happy about being away from my house, my husband and my beautiful little boy!!!!

While in PCU, I was not allowed to do anything. I mean anything...I was allowed to shower, after riding in a wheelchair to the shower!!! I think I took the longest showers in history while I was there!!!!! The only other time I was allowed up was to walk the 10 feet to the bathroom. I thought I was going to totally go crazy!!!!!!

Monday, February 25th was a normal day for me. Normal until about 5:30 that evening. My blood pressure spiked again, and never went down. My doctor was on-call again that evening, thank goodness!!!!! She finally made it to see me around 8:45. During that time, my blood pressure never went down. My doctor told me that I was going to have to take it easy and I was going to continue being on bed rest until I was 36 weeks (March 5). She left my room and within 5 minutes, she was back. She had consulted with the Perinatologist and they agreed that it was too dangerous to wait for my blood pressure to get any higher!!!! It was time for a C-section!!!

I called Joel and told him that he might want to get to the hospital. I also called my dear friend Vicki and asked her to go to the house with Garrett. He was already in bed and I didn't want Joel to wake him up and take him to the babysitter. I also wasn't sure if there was time to do all of that!!!!!! Joel made it to the hospital just as they were finishing putting my IV in and hear about all of the "risks" of a C-section.

I am not sure what time they wheeled me in to the OR, but at 11:16 pm Isabel Grace arrived into the world!!!! She weighed 5 lbs 1 oz and was 18 1/2 inches long. I was able to see her briefly before they wheeled her off to the NICU. I was finally allowed to see her when she was 23 hours old!!!! Let me tell you...she is pretty darn beautiful!!!!!!!

I was discharged from the hospital Friday. Isabel is still in the NICU, but she is getting stronger every day!!!! She has actually been moved from an isolette to a "big girl bed". She now spends her time in a bed that all the babies in the regular nursery are in. She has already learned to regulate her body temperature and now she has to learn to eat like a big girl. Preemies have a hard time coordinating suck, swallow and breathe. She is really starting to get the hang of it though. The Neonatologist is quite sure she will be able to come home by the middle of March...if not sooner. It strictly depends on her. If she is able to eat this week and to keep her weight up, she will get to come home sooner. Everything is dependent on her. She is the one in charge right now. She will also be the one in charge for many years to come I am sure!!!!!

We would like to thank everyone for your thoughts and prayers during this crazy time!!!!!
Hopefully pictures will be posted sometime this week. It depends how crazy things are!!!!

Love,
Misty

Craziness

2008-02-14T18:39:00.003-06:00

I think the craziness of my life has begun!!!! After not having much trouble my entire pregnancy, now it has begun!!!! As if bed rest isn't bad enough...Joel and I were out on the roads bright (not really-it was still dark) and early this morning. I had a headache yesterday, but it wasn't too bad. Around 8:00 last night, I started having some serious issues. I took the medicine that my doctor had given me when my headaches began, but it didn't touch it!! I went to bed hoping that it would go away while I was sleeping. Yea right!!!! I was up all night, and I kept Joel up all night. One of the warning signs of my blood pressure increasing, is a terrible headache. I began to get a little scared, and I was afraid that Isabel wasn't getting enough oxygen, or blood flow. We called the doctors office and had them get in touch with the on call doctor. She said that we definitely needed to go in to Labor and Delivery. At 4:15, I was calling my mom to have her come over to watch Garrett while we went in. I didn't think we were ever going to get there. We finally got to L & D around 5:20 and they got me checked in. I didn't think they were ever going to give me anything to take the pain away, but they finally gave me a shot and it made me really sleepy. Joel said that once I went to sleep, my blood pressure went down. Thank goodness!!! They let us go home around 8:00. Needless to say, I have slept all day and now I am afraid I won't be able to sleep tonight!!! We'll see!!!!

33 Weeks
~Amniotic fluid is at its highest level during your pregnancy.
~Your baby's head size has increased 3/8ths of an inch due to rapid brain growth.
~Neurons and synapses are developing in huge numbers -- forming connections in your baby's brain will give him the skills he needs to thrive as a newborn. This week, he may be able to coordinate sucking and swallowing with breathing.
~While most of his bones are hardening, his skull is quite pliable and not completely joined. The bones will be able to move slightly to make birthing easier.
~You baby takes intermittent deep breaths -- of water! That's okay, though since she gets oxygen from the placenta. This breathing exercises muscles and encourages her lung cells to produce more surfactant (a protein essential for healthy lung development).
~If your baby is a boy, his testicles will be descending from his abdomen into his scrotum. Sometimes one or both testicles won't move into position until after birth.
~Your infant is now 17.2 inches (43.7cm) long and weighs 4.23 pounds (1918gm).

Love to All!!!