Changes

Last weekend we packed up everything we own and headed north to the beautiful state of Oregon. After visiting my parents for over 12 years, we finally decided to make the move. It still hasn't hit me that we don't live in California anymore. I've lived in Cali my whole life, most of it on the Central Coast. It's really weird to think that's not my home anymore. We still have family and friends in the area so, of course, we will be back often to visit.
Oregon is beautiful and if we ever get to move into our new house (hopefully Monday), I think it will start to feel more like home here. I am so super excited to be so close to my mom, dad, sister, brother, grandma Sugarplum :-), and other family. We have lots of plans and exciting things to come!! Pictures to come...

Happy "Gotcha" Day!!

One year ago today Josh and I boarded a plane headed to Haiti to pick up our little boy. It had been a very long two and half years of waiting. There had been dozens of sleepless nights, thousands of tears shed, birthdays and holidays missed, paperwork sitting, and lots and lots of praying. But on this day, March 3, 2009, none of that seemed to matter. It was all worth it for this one moment. This image will be forever burned in my memory. My Knight in Shining Armor with his strong arms, the same arms that had held me through all those sleepless nights and tears, wrapped around my little Haitian Sensation, carrying him to the plane that would take us to the USA! Nobody could stop us now... we were going home!



Happy one year home my sweet little man! We love you so much!! You have been such a blessing to our family and so many others.

Moving Day is Closing In

In two weeks we will be leaving the Central Coast of California and heading up to Southern Oregon to begin our next journey. For the last 12 years Josh and I and eventually Mason and then later, Kenley, have been going to visit Papa, Grandma, Aunt Dani, Uncle Mac, GG and lots more of my side of the family. We love the area and are finally at a place in our lives where it makes sense to move. I am soooooo excited to be within minutes of my family!!! That said, leaving this place is hard. We are so established here. There are so many people and special places that it kills me to say good-bye to. I love a new adventure though, so.... here's to a new adventure!

This is the entry to our soon-to-be new house. Escrow is supposed to close on March 10th. Praying that is does since we are coming on March 14th. You know how we do it!?! We like to keep life on it's toes!!

"The Earthquake"

This is the first post of 2010 and what a year it has been already. Since my last post we have celebrated Kenley's first Christmas, first New Years and his first Birthday Party at home. Pretty big stuff, man! I will post more on all of that later.

On the afternoon of January 12th, we got news of "The Earthquake". I had no idea at that moment that my days and weeks to come would be spent stalking my computer at almost the same rate I had when I was waiting for news on our adoption process. There are so many amazing people that we have had the pleasure of meeting in Haiti. Are they OK? What about the kids? What will happen now? Are they being evacuated? What about the paperwork in those buildings that collapsed? It has been quite a roller coaster and my Haitian baby is already home! I cried many tears for the families that lost loved ones, for the tummy's that were hungry, for the adoptive parents that felt so helpless. The struggle is far from over and there is still so much pain. Over the last couple of days, however, there have been many, many miracles. Lots families have been united with their children months, if not years, sooner than they would have been. Some of these families just started the process of adoption and many of them have been waiting far too long already. It makes my heart happy to know that so many of these kids that have just been through a very traumatic experience are now at home getting the love and comfort that they need.

So... how has all this affected our family? I am so thankful that Kenley came home before this tragedy. Why do I feel so bad saying that? Ugh! I am anxious to find out if his birth parents and other family members are still alive. Will I ever know for sure? I am sad for the country that my son was born to. The people of Haiti have suffered so much already and now this has swept the legs right out from under them. Please pray.... for Haiti as a country, for the spirit of It's people, for Kenley's birth family. I don't know what else to do. Give money if you can, and pray.

My "Little Girl Fix"

I can't believe my Maddie-Pie is 18 months old. I've gotten to see her quite a bit this year. Between a couple of weddings, a surprise visit on my birthday, and our trips to Oregon for Summer vacation and Thanksgiving, we've gotten to see my side of the family more than usual. It's been great!!

Because I just love her to pieces...

Because I want a baby girl...

Because today is Thursday...

Because I've had way too many chocolate mint Lindor truffles this morning...

I bring you some Maddie-Pie pics. Please click on these to make them bigger... they will change your life. Sorry, have I told you that I love her to pieces?

She was sooooooo totally into Mason's cowboy boots! She would find them laying around and put them on all by herself.

No explanation needed!

The 3 musketeers! Apparently one of them has gone gangsta. What's up with the homeboy pose Mason?

Halloween... belated!

LOOK OUT!!!! IT'S IRONMAN!

Kenley's 1st time trick or treating... he caught on like a pro. "Wow, you mean I just walk up to the door, say 'trick or treat' and they will give me candy?? This is the best holiday EVER"

A good feeling

When you wait for someone for two and a half years, there are many moments that you "can't wait for". With Kenley one thing I remember longing for was to give him a bath, lather him up with lotion, put him some jam-jammies and snuggle on the couch. It seemed like that day would never come. I have to be careful now to not take it for granted. That... is a good feeling!