Gotcha Days

This last Tuesday was our Hannah's "Gotcha" day. It was the first one she has been old enough to really get into! I LOVED it. She asked questions, that I was able to answer!

See, on their birthday's, even though I am their mama, I am not able to tell them the story of how they were born. I was not there. And so for me, gotcha day's are special. I was able to sit with Hannah and tell her how I could not sleep that night, being so excited to go pick her up. And how Daddy stayed home with bubba and me and mamaw drove up the BIG mountain. That we walked into the room...(here is where she put both her little hands on my face and said "and it was me! yittle tiny baby Hannah" ). I said "yes!" Told her about putting her in the car and driving her home, where he daddy ran out to the car excited to have her home! I LOVE being able to tell them their story. I may not be able to tell them about the day they were born, but I sure can tell them about the day they came HOME!

Also, I feel like "gotcha days" are important to the kids. I want them to know how happy we are that we "got" them! That mom and dad, are beside themselves with happiness that they were given to us! Tuesday night, we went to eat at Applebees. (it worked out perfect, cause the kids ate for .99 cents!!! whoo hoo!)

The waitress asked what the kids would want to drink and I said they could all have Chocolate Milk. She said "ok, you are sure asking for it mom" and I said " that is fine, we are celebrating tonight". We were able to tell her that it was Hannah's "gotcha day" and she decided Hannah could use a little extra special something...so they all came and sang to her and the kids got free ice cream!!! You could see it all over Hannah's face, she felt special and loved, all night.

And that is my goal. For them to LOVE being adopted, to have GOOD memories about being able to have a birthday AND a "gotcha day". To know that no matter what, mom and dad will ALWAYS be thankful that God brought them to us, and that it is something to CELEBRATE!!!!

Hannah chose a castle for her gift...(I know it looks huge and expensive! But it was 50% off and we only paid $40 bucks for it!! YAY!)

When we were thinking about what day to celebrate, either the day they came into our home, or the day the adoptions were final, we chose the day they came home. Because THAT is when they became part of the family. It was not like we waited the year and a half that it took the system to finalize the adoption, for us to accept them. The day they came home, they were ours. And so that is why, we make "Gotcha Day's" so big around here!!!

Friday's Favorite Things!

Friday! Friday means my FAVORITE things!! I am enjoying this and it has really helped me to see the good through the day. The MANY blessing the Lord has given me. Ever notice how something small can be such a HUGE blessing??? Friday's Favorite Things, has lifted my spirits and opened my eyes! So many many many blessings! God is good. Here is today's list!

-how Dan's heart is for our family

-feeling God's hand holding me

-For the reminder to "go into my closet" and talk to God. (thanks grandma)

-watching Ruth reach over and hold Ben's hand

-having 5 tooth brushes in the bathroom

-listening to rain

-My dad! (happy birthday!)

-having quiet prayer

-taking pictures of my kids

-carmel apple cider from star bucks

-having alone time with my piano

-hearing a first word, watching a first step

-Healthy children!

-Paperwork getting finished!

Friday's Favorite Things!

Today is the one year mark of my D and C. The day I became "NOT pregnant". What a terrible, terrible day that was! But God is good. Life is hard, God is good. SO, today I am gonna try something new. Kinda of a weekly "Count Your Blessings". Philippians 4:6-9 says-

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing with prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those thing, which ye have bother learned and received, and heard and seen in me, DO, and the God of peace shall be with you.

And so in my effort to keep my mind on the right, positive things, I have started a list. A list of "my favorite things". You know the song...rain drops on roses and warm woolen mittens...(sorry is that song stuck in your head now??) As a tool for myself, to help me focus on the good. I am gonna try and post my "Friday's Favorite Things" So here are this weeks, "Favorite Things".

-I get to meet my little Sprout one day! Praise the Lord!

-One year from losing my baby, I have a third baby to hold! Praise the Lord!

-How Ruth's smile can melt my heart

-when Ben wraps his arms around me and says he "wubs" me

-how Hannah can be so tough, and yet always need to "wock" with mama

-how Dan can lift my spirits, by simply walking through the door

-a closet floor full of little shoes

-singing deep and wide to Ben EVERY night!

-making breakfast for three hungry blessings every morning

-little arms reaching up for me

-listening to giggles in the bath tub

-laying down in bed at the end of a long day, with my best

friend.

"ARE YOU CRAZY????"

Am I? To tell the truth, I am. I am CRAZY! Since receiving our latest "blessing" in the form of a little girl, there have been several who have asked us "are you crazy?" The other day Dan came home and was telling me about some co workers who had said that to him, when he shared we were adopting another child. And we TOTALLY get how looking from the outside in, it can come across crazy.

The truth is, YES we are CRAZY! We are CRAZY about this little one year old. This precious girl who has stolen our hearts. Everyday she is here, she fits in more and more. Tonight, she cried when Dan left the room, reaching for him! This is the same girl who was scared of him when we first met her. We are CRAZY about how she plays and sings and dances with her brother and sister.

The adjustment from 2 kids to 3, is challenging, but going well. At the end of the day, I do feel a bit CRAZY, LOCO, and totally worn out. (who wouldn't be, with 3 kids 3 and under) But it is a good thing, like how you feel so good when you go to bed after a full days work.

So yeah, I guess the answer to everyone's question "ARE YOU CRAZY?" is a big loud joyful "YES" We are CRAZY about our new little daughter.

What was I doing...What AM I doing?

One year ago, I was laying in my bed. At the lowest I had ever been. I had just found out that the little precious baby I had inside, had passed away. I was waiting for my body to respond. The long slow minutes, and the sleepless nights. The wondering why and wishing it was not for real. The Lord was with me, carried me and saw me through it. That's what I was doing last year.

Today, what AM I doing? I am rocking a new little one. YEP! I may have lost our sprout, but today the remembering is a little less painful. I am distracted by this blue eyed beauty, needing me, reaching for me and smiling at me. How good God is. His timing is perfect. The Christmas I thought would be my hardest, was one of the best. These days that are the one year anniversary of my baby dying, are sweeter than I could have imagined. They are filled with a third baby.

And so today, while I still hold sadness for losing my baby, I am overwhelmed at how God knows, just what I need, when I need it. I NEVER thought these days, could be so sweet. God is good and I am grateful and blessed!

Gymnastics

Today B and H started gymnastics. It was so neat to see them so excited. Hannah was the little social butterfly! Walking around asking the other kids what their name was and telling EVERYONE her name :) Ben on the other hand took a little while to warm up. The kids needed to take their socks off, and that is when I realized I put tights on Hannah. So I took off her tights and then saw that the tights had been helping to hold up her pants! And that would not work, so I looked at our new little one (R), and noticed she had the same color pants on. So i took the 18 months pants of R and put them on H (our THREE year old) and it was a PERFECT FIT! So problem solved! The teacher came and got the kids, and Daddy, Mama and little sister R, sat and enjoyed watching them blossom! At one point the class sat on the mat and one at a time, each child would get up and do one of the tasks, and then the rest of the class would clap for them. Hannah chose the jumping mat, and when she was done and the class was clapping, instead of just sitting down, she TOOK A BOW!!! Yes, she took a bow! It was hilarious! Here are a few pics...

H, was into it right away. B was not so sure.

H, loving the "warm up" (B, still sitting and not so sure)

What's that??? The teacher talking about the new chipmunk movie, daddy just took B to see??? Ok, now B is READY!

Way to go H!

Perfect kick B!!!!!

"JUMP"

they have a GREAT teacher!

"climb that ladder!!"

Have You Ever Touched A Miracle?

Have you ever seen a miracle,
Beheld one with your eyes,
Seen the magic & the mystery,
The wonder & suprise?

Have you ever touched a miracle,
With your fingertips?
Have you ever kissed a miracle,

Brushed one with your lips?

Have you ever held a miracle,

Gently in your arms?

Knowing that you must protect

this precious gift from harm?

Have you ever loved a miracle,

loved right from the start,

loved with all your being,

loved with all your heart?

I have done all these things,

I do them everyday

I see miracles grow and learn

I see them laugh and play

I'm an ordinary person,
Not special at all, you see.
God gave me not one miracle,
He saw fit to give me three.

-Sue Saladino