Sibling Love

The kids all really love Norah! So far so good, when it comes to any sibling rivalry going on. They are all just in love. A few days after we brought Norah home, I had one on one sessions with Mylie, Preston and Lakin. I brought them each into Norah's room alone and talked with them about their new sister. They practiced being soft and got to hold her. We sang her a song together etc. I think it really helped them, and they have been so soft with her.
Savanah is a little mommy and still runs home from school so she can hold Norah and be with her. It's so cute!
Carsen has the cutest voice when he talks to babies. He is such a sweet little guy.
Here are some pics!

Kameron is 12!

Happy Birthday to my Kameron today! The new computer that we just got, got sent back... Pete didn't like it, so I can't post pics again. But, imagine a really pretty, now 12 year old girl, opening up her presents, and going to Young Woman's at church for the first time! Life is crazy and having a 12 year old makes me feel old. I'm so proud of Kams. She is just a genuinely good girl. I am so thankful that she is my baby girl and that we have the relationship that we do. I'm not worried for the "teen" years, or worried about anything with Kameron. She knows who she is, and what she wants out of life. She has strong character and I know she'll make good and responsible choices. She has already made up her mind about some things ahead of time, so when faced with a choice to make, she's already prepared! I am so proud of you Kameron. I love you so much!

Here is Kams on her b-day with Carsen who grabbed this toy out of his room to give to her for a quick b-day gift!

Here is my sweet Kams with Preston who watched and was impressed with Carsen giving Kameron a gift, so he went to the other side of the family room and picked up this ball to "give" her! Funny little boys, and one great big sis!

Lakin's Hat

Oh my sweet Lakin! You are getting your molars and are always a wet drooly boy. What a good little guy you are. The week before Norah was born, your molars were really bothering you at night. Dad and I loved getting you up after all the other kids were in bed and you ran around and played with me. Dad would say "it's time for bed" and you would run to me and laugh! You are a big brother now but will always be my baby boy. You are my little sunshine and make me so happy! I love you Lakin!

A couple weeks ago, I got Lakin this hat. He was so cute with it, and had so much fun wearing it and then taking it off, and then putting it back on. When any of the other kids would try to take it and wear it, he would yell... "miiinnnee" and I would come to his rescue. Isn't he the cutest boy ever?? So handsome!!

Baby Norah!

We got a new computer and I am finally able to post some pics. Norah is just beautiful! She is so fun to hold and cuddle. I really love her. Here are some pics from our stay in the hospital.

Norah and her beautiful birthmom

Two moms

It's a Girl!!

I have a new baby girl! She is beautiful!

Norah Hope
7 lbs. even
November 30th, 2009

She is healthy and happy and so alert. She looks like all my babies. Right when I saw her sweet little face, I knew she was my daughter. We signed the papers this morning. Her birthmom signed before us. I am so thankful to have baby Norah here. It's been a wild year and she is the end result. Our computer is broken so I'll post pics when I can. All the kids are so excited. My sweet Lakin is a big brother! He and Mylie loved watching the movie I took of her getting her first bath. When she comes home I will have to protect her from little siblings that love her a lot! I love you Norah!! Welcome to the world, and to our family! We have been waiting for you!!

Shhhh... It's a Surprise!

Kameron's birthday isn't for another month, but with Thanksgiving and Christmas coming we decided to celebrate early. Kameron's good friend Chloe and I planned a surprise party and she pretty much freaked out! She had a lot of fun! My oldest baby girl is going to turn 12. weird.

Upcoming Events

I got my tickets to see this...


I got my tickets to see this...


Now, just for fun, watch this...

Preston is 3!

Happy birthday to my Preston! He has been waiting for weeks for this day and he was so excited it was his day! He loved opening his presents and was thrilled to get his spider man bike... it's all he has been talking about and all he really wanted!

Birthday kisses!



Preston is such a good boy! He recently got a new bed. A full size twin bed and he is so proud and happy about it. He also just started preschool and he LOVES it!
He is getting so big and tall, but he still says adorable things that melt my heart. One way he tells me that he loves me is by repeating to me, what I have said to him since he was born..."you're my baby boy. You're my son" It is really sweet.

The cutest baby Preston in the world!

Preston, I love you so much! You are my baby boy! You are my son, forever! I am so thankful that you are my boy and that I am your mom! You make me laugh and you are such a big helper to me. I love it when you read Mylie a book and when you share your toys with Lakin. I love your smile. You are such a good and sweet boy! i love you!

A New Baby

A couple of weeks ago, we were chosen by a beautiful birthmom to be the parents of her soon-to-be baby girl. We couldn't be more thrilled! She is scheduled to have a c-section on Nov. 30th. I am so thankful for this little girl. I really wanted one more daughter and I am thankful beyond words that our new birthmom picked us!

I have been busy and trying to get everything ready. If you remember, a few posts back, when we thought for sure that we were going to adopt the sibling group and then our family would be complete, I got rid of all my baby stuff!

Well, it's been fun to get new stuff and I have been "nesting" and cleaning like crazy.

Pete and I were talking the other night about our new daughter. He told me he was really excited. There is just something so wonderful about having a brand new baby in the house. Every one's voices get quieter. Life seems to slow down. I love to watch my kids watch and look at their new sibling and adore their little features. I love so many things about babies. They smell like heaven. They are so new and small and clean. Their 20 inch little body is adorable when you lay them on your shoulder and their little tiny bum sticks up on your chest. I wonder what she will look like? I can't wait to meet her.

This year has been a wild year. For 6+ months this year I put total focus on older child adoption. I read everything I could. I talked to people and tried to learn from their experience. I thought up my own ideas related to bonding and attachment. I was really ready. I got the new kids rooms all ready. Pete and I prayed about this decision. Together and apart. We felt it was right. I was really sure that they were my kids, and I was ready to go for it. To be 100% committed to them as their mother despite the fact that it was going to be VERY hard for YEARS and we would be dealing with things that are very hard to deal with. We were still going to do it even though everyone thought we were crazy and we thought we were crazy too.

Then, as clear as can be, and as inconvenient as can be, and as devastatingly as can be, Pete knew it wasn't right. There was no logical reason why. Pete is such a logical thinker, and I think as humans having reasons help comfort us. I have learned a lot this year. A lot about faith and trust. I know without a doubt that things happen for a reason. Sometimes we get to know why. Sometimes we don't and maybe never will. We can be angry. We can make guesses to help us feel better, there are lots of different reactions we can choose, but ultimately we have to just let it all go and know that Heavenly Father does indeed love all of His children and He has a plan for each one of us. A big part of it is the growing and learning through experience. The soul stretching that in some cases, is just raw hurt. I believe that sometimes we are even given certain trials for our own personal tutoring.

I am thankful for all that I have learned through my recent experiences. I can't wait to hold my new baby girl and feel her warm tiny body against mine and again feel the humility, gratitude, and weight that comes with being given such a wonderful and precious gift. I don't take my responsibilities lightly. Where much is given, much is required.

I am so thankful.

Having Twins

I have loved having twins. Having 2 babies at once taught me a lot. Having 2 boys the same age will continue to teach me a lot. Caden and Carsen couldn't be more different, yet they love each other so much and play so well together.

The other day I saw this at preschool...

Naturally, I looked for my boys and saw Caden's first. It is so him. He is logical and helpful. To the point, and very knowledgeable.

Then I found Carsen's. I laughed out loud! Carsen is always making me laugh and his "turkey recipe" was so him. He has a big imagination and "thinks outside the box." He's full of emotion and doesn't mean to be, but he's funny.

Bones, teeth, and feathers? sick! Go to the forest and just randomly find a turkey? ha ha!

The boys preschool teacher tells me that they save seats for each other and look out for one another, but also reach out to the other kids and play with them too. Together and alone. My twins make me happy and are so cute. What a gift they are to each other and will be through out their whole life!

Happy Birthday Mylie!

My baby girl is a 2 year old!
From this...

To this...

She had a really fun weekend! We all did! Mylie's birthmom flew all the way from the east coast to be here for her birthday!
Do they look alike?

We went to the Bean Museum and saw all the animals. (I love this pic)



Then we went on a little hike.


Then we had Mylie's birthday party!! We played games.



We ate cake and Ice cream.


Opened presents and...

went to Boardwalk to get some yummy ice cream!

Mylie's birthmom, Bgreat grandma, and Bgrandma got her so many cute clothes!

Thanks for coming T. We love you!

Mylie, I am thankful everyday to have you as a daughter. You are a beautiful girl and have been blessed with so many gifts. You have a strong spirit that I know will serve you well in your life. You love life and like to laugh and have fun. Your smile, when you share it, lights up the whole room! I love you so much Mayabear! More than you'll ever know.

I took a few pics of the pretty colors around my yard a while back. I'm glad I did because now all those leaves are on the ground. I love the fall. It's my favorite time of year. I love November. It's National Adoption Month. Adoption is so special and important to me. Two of my babies were born in November. Soon to be three. Thanksgiving is in November. I don't like to cook, or cook all day, inhale the food, and then clean up, but I love the thought of thinking about all of my blessings. It makes me happy. It makes all the things I am working on, and struggle with, disappear and my mind is consumed with gratitude. Oh! I am so thankful. It's going to be a great month.

Burning Bush

Purple Ash tree

The Jazz

We took the 5 oldest to the Jazz vs Clippers game the other night. It was a lot of fun!

Here's some pics of Pete trying to make the game seem a little more exciting than it really was.


My favorite player is this guy... Deron Williams

During some parts of the game, they would throw out balls to the crowd and I caught one, and my boys thought I was awesome! Look at Carsen's face! Fun night.

Halloween 2009

Carving pumpkins







Here is a pic of Caden's sick dorky vampire teeth. Luckily he didn't wear these and he got a new pair of normal vampire teeth that even glow in the dark!

It's Friday

I love Fridays...my favorite day of the week! I got all the kids off to school wearing their Halloween gear. Skyler decided to go as "himself". I quickly told him that "in our family if you want to go trick or treating you have to dress up, so you better think up a costume quick". I wonder what he'll decide to be tomorrow.

The kids have been all excited about Halloween. Preston has wanted to wear his Obi Won outfit all day, for days.

Carsen is the cutest Ninja you have ever seen. Especially when he does his moves. He is by far my funniest child and he doesn't even mean to be funny, but he just is. I call him my biological baby and he is just so much fun. The other day when I picked the boys up from pre school he said... "Mom, I'm like the coolest boy in my preschool". I asked him why he thought that and in a convincing voice with so much drama, he said "C'mon mom! these are like the coolest pants! I love to wear these pants... they make me the coolest boy in pre school." wow! I had no idea he loved his jeans so much!

Caden is a vampire this year and Pete had the job to take him and buy some child size fangs. Well, they could only find "one size fits all" so although Caden is proud of his fang teeth and thinks they are cool, he is kind of a dorky vampire. I will post pics tomorrow. And you will see.

I rearranged Mylie's room and she is officially sleeping in a toddler bed now! She is so proud of her bed and likes to get in it and get out of it and sit on it. She wanted to show Pete and all the kids and wouldn't take a nap yesterday because she was so excited. She still isn't talking much, but she has a smile that lights up the whole room. She will have her 2nd b-day next weekend and her birthmom is coming for her first visit! We all can't wait!

Lakin, my little snuggle boy is just the cutest little guy. He has started complaining about things and it is really cute. In baby talk he'll come up to me with his eye brows raised out of concern and tell me all about whatever he is concerned and mad about. It is so cute! He finally learned how to go down the stairs and he is so proud. The last few days, he'll just take off and go explore in the basement. I'll call down the stairs to him and he appears at the bottom of the stairs with different toys in hand and a big smile! man, I love that boy!

Here is a clip of one of his tantrums. He wanted the lunchbox that Preston had, but Preston had it first so we tried to convince him that the other one was cool. He was not happy about it. I finally went and got the camera, but I didn't get the real good parts of the fit... only one head stand. He ended up getting to have the lunch box he wanted when Preston was done with it. Tantrums are funny, but kind of sad when you just have to try to ignore the behavior!

Brothers

and best buddies! I love this pic.

Some News

There is a 6 week old baby boy in Indiana who needs a family. His darling parents want to make an adoption plan for him because they want him to have a better life. They want him to have more opportunities. They want him to have the things that he needs. They love him that much.

Our profile is in the group that they will look at today! Please pray for this couple, that they will find the family that they want for their son, and if, it is His will, they pick us!

**Update: They didn't pick us, or anyone. They have decided to parent the baby. They can't go through with making an adoption plan, which I can totally understand. I just hope that baby doesn't end up in foster care. Pray for them... they are teenagers and have NO support.

Disneyland '09

We took a spontaneous trip to Disneyland last week and had so much fun!

Disneyland was fun! Preston cried on almost every ride. He is still little even though he is big, but I wasn't expecting him to be so afraid of everything. He liked "It's a small world" so we went on that a few times for him. It's a cute ride and so happy. Caden loved that one too and Lakin was the cutest baby ever on that ride! He was so happy and waving his hands with the music... he loved it!


Pete and I love "Pirates of the Caribbean" the whole family can go on it together and with the couple of drops, it's fun. Lakin and Mylie were so interested in it all and they loved the fake animals.



Eating at Disneyland is so expensive! One day I bought six hot dogs and a soft pretzel and it cost over $50!

Alert!! Never go on the "Canoe ride" You think it's a ride because isn't everything at Disneyland? But really you basically have to paddle your way around the whole island. It was the worst! The kids kept looking at me as we struggled to use the paddles. Preston kept spraying the lady in front of us and Savanah was furious at the guide. She kept telling Savanah "sweetie, you aren't doing it right" or "keep paddling, no one gets to rest" I just laughed but was as annoyed as the kids! After that "ride" my arm hurt because I was one of the adults and expected to paddle the best and it was just not cool. Funny thinking about it though.

Lakin loved the balloons!

During day 2 my flip flop broke, so I hobbled into a souvenir shop and bought a new pair. Not really my favorite shoes, but the kids thought they were cool!
On our last night there, the kids lined up on main st. and then would run while I took action pics. We also sat outside the park for a little bit and let the kids run around and dance to the music. It was a fun trip! Here are some pics...

CC

My awesome sister Denae got her foster baby back! I am so happy for them and look how happy CC is! I just love this pic!

Closure

I am finally ready to write and post this post. A lot has gone on the last few weeks, but the good news is that the sibling group is living together again. All three of them are together! It's been over 2 years since they have lived together as brothers and sister. They are with a nice couple who hopes to adopt them! I am really happy for the couple and I think the kids will get lots of love and attention there. It is kind of interesting that the husband is Asian and the wife, a white girl. They met the kids months ago and the kids remembered who they were too. They told the caseworker..."oh the people who look like Angie and Pete?"

I really hope that everything will work out. The caseworker says that they are happy there. I still miss them, but we are hoping that we will be able to keep in touch with them a little over the years.

One thing I was happy about was that I got to send them all their bedroom stuff. I bought it for them anyway and it was for them. Why would I want a bunch of Kansas City Chiefs stuff? Or, the ugly Dora bedspread with the big face. The kids were so excited about their rooms and now they get to have all of their stuff in their new rooms. I boxed it all up and sent it. Some Spongebob stuff too, for the youngest. It helped to mail it to them.

Now, I need to paint over the oldest boys name. I think I will have Pete do it. I really love Dereyon and he really opened up to me, and I really wanted him to be my son. It's funny because he was the one that we were the most worried about with the adoption transition and the future etc. but he has my heart.

Here is a picture of my "old kids". I will always love them. This is when I took them to the circus in Missouri.

Before



After

My Walker

T, this post is for you. i love you!

Not To Be

My heart is a little broken right now and I am taking a blogging break. I am fine and will be o.k. I am very confused. The sibling group adoption we have been so excited about, and felt so good about, is just not meant to be. We don't know why, and may never understand. I do have the faith and know that God has a different plan for these kids. I really thought that they were to be my children, but I guess not.

If you are a really good family and are interested in adding 3 GREAT kids to your family, please let me know. I have been to Missouri twice to spend the weekend with them and I really love these kids. They are so cute and such good, sweet, kids. I know they will richly bless whatever family that ends up adopting them.

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If you are a young person who is sexually mature, please don't be irresponsible.

THINK before you act.

If you don't want a baby right now in your life, and you are not capable of taking proper care of a child, then don't have sex.

If you have addiction problems and are still trying to "find" yourself, or are not through with the "partying" stage, then fine, but, don't have sex.

If you do end up pregnant, or are responsible for getting a girl pregnant, then MAN UP and do the right thing. Either grow up, step up, and provide a loving and suitable home for a baby, or make an adoption plan.

Why would anyone want to be responsible for an abortion? I wouldn't.

Please don't be selfish, wanting what you want, only to have the state take your children after they have been through and witnessed horrible things.

I am sick to death of child suffering. Why must children suffer because of bad choices made by others? Usually their own parents.

Drugs, guns, alcohol, porn, gangs, any kind of abuse and children don't mix.

Soccer 2009

Soccer is in full swing around here! 2 games a week and a practice for every kid. We are eating and breathing soccer all week! 4 different teams this year. The twins are on the same team, and it's their first year and they are loving it!

They are adorable and their little uniforms are huge! When Carsen's shirt comes untucked half way through the game, it goes down past his shorts! It looks like he is running around in a long shirt! Caden and Carsen were nervous at their first game, and Kameron snapped some great pictures of the boys holding hands and grabbing each others arms. They are the best of friends, but don't normally hold hands and stuff... it was sure cute and I guess it helped calm their nerves for the big game against the "green" team.

Oh! The dreaded "green" team. After the game I listened as the boys told me that one of the players on the other team told them..."you are going down" well, Carsen took that opportunity and threat and replied with..."well, you and your team is a loser!" My little Carsey... there is always something going on with my boy! I had a talk about sportsmanship with him. We talked about how the most important part of playing soccer, is to have fun! I told him if anyone on the other team is mean, to just ignore them, or come tell me. Telling the other team that they are "losers" isn't very nice.

Game two report... both boys scored their first goals and there were no name calling incidents! Here's a cool picture of Carsen and Pete that Kameron took. It's right after Carsen's cleat flew off for the second time and Pete helped him put it back on!

Kameron loves her team this year and she is having so much fun. Her coach has her play defender, but also left forward, which was the position I played way back when. She is really good and her games are fun to watch!

Skyler is having a fun year and scores a lot. He is fun to cheer on and boys are just plain more aggressive than girls so his games are a little more intense.

Savanah runs her little heart out! She too is a great player and when someone on their team scores, all the girls are thrilled! It is really cute! Savanah is fast.

The little kids like going to the games too. Mylie runs around during half time and Lakin tries to get to the game ball.

Famous Husband

My husband is famous! Check him out! Go Pete! It really is so funny to us. The kids love that their daddy is on the cover of a magazine, but especially Skyler who thinks the world of Pete. Here's the link to the article.
P.S. Pete, you are so cute and I'm so proud of you!

iPhone Pics

Here are some of my favorite iPhone pics that Pete has taken. Up until he got his iPhone, he never took any pics, so it's fun to see what he captures!








Lakin and his bio sister, Anilah!