San Diego Vacation

We spent last week enjoying the sights of our favorite vacation spot, San Diego! This is the view from our room! I loved waking each morning and having a cup of coffee on our balcony as I watched the Navy base activity on one side and the Marina life on the other side. It was Lauren's first time at the ocean and she had a blast. She thought the ocean was "really, really cold!" but had so much fun finding sea shells, playing with her barbies in the sand and building sand castles.

So much love and fun!!

The trip wouldn't be complete without a trip to Sea World! This was Lauren's first time on the "tea cups" in Sesame Play area at Sea World. Our fearless 4-year-old loved them of course!

As we waited for the Shamu Show, I caught this pic just as Lauren yelled out, "Shamu is coming!" I love how it caught her excitement!

It was a trip we will never forget. We have decided to make it our annual tradition of celebrating our Gotcha Day Anniversaries in San Diego!

Astronaut Camp With Cousins!

Happy Birthday To My Wonderful Husband!

For Danny's birthday we headed out of town for a camping trip! We intended to tent camp, however, when we found out there were campfire restrictions at the campgrounds as well, we decided on renting a cabin instead. We stayed at Mormon Lake Cabins up near Flagstaff and had soo much fun. We hiked everyday and Lauren rode a horse for the first time! Her horses name was "Abby". She loved it so much that a cowboy came by and gave her a certificate for a free pony ride. The next day she used her coupon, but this time, chose a mule named "Barney"! Danny, you are an incredible man. I am so fortunate to have you as my husband. I knew you would be a great daddy to our daughter, but could never have imagined the father you are today. Wow, we are so blessed to have you in our lives. Happy Birthday! We love you!! :)

Preschool Graduation

Lauren's first graduation! When she went across the stage to receive her certificate, she was asked, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Her answer, "a policegirl"... Love you Lauren and mommy and daddy are so proud of who you are.

Mother's Day 2012

Mother's Day...For 35 years this was a day I celebrated my mom (and still do of course), but there were years when there was a sting associated with this day. A reminder that as the years passed, I was not a mom yet. Despite prayer, God said 'no', despite painstaking paperwork and waiting, we still had an empty crib in our home, year after year of people asking "Do you have children" and I would smile and say, "no...not yet".

 Today, there is something amazing beyond words to celebrate this day for the third time. As she looks at me and smiles, as she often will just off hand say, "Momma...I love you", I am filled with a joy only a mom knows. She has changed me forever. I find myself being brave when I would have shrunk back in the past. I care less what other's think and more about doing what is best for my girl. I am so thankful for her love. I remember before she was home with us, social workers and the like would remind us that there was a chance she wouldn't "attach" to us or that she may have difficulty opening herself to love or be loved. I prayed God would allow her to love me, wow, has He blown me out of the water by her love. She is one of the most loving people I have ever known. Her love has broken the walls around my heart like noone else.

 Danny and Lauren took me to my favorite restaurant after church today. Due to the hectic schedule recently, they hadn't had a chance to get a card so they sat across from me instead and told me what they loved about me. Lauren looked up at me and said, "Momma, when I'm not with you it's boring...I love to be with you... and we laugh and have soo much fun together. You're the best mommy ever...".

 It's true...Good things come to those who wait.

 Happy Mother's Day!

Easter 2012!

When you have children, you get to re-live your childhood in many ways. Our Easter tradition is one of those times. I remember waking up to a string attached to my bed and following it to my Easter basket each year. There were 5 children in my family, so that was a lot of string! Mom, kudo's to you!! :) Danny and I had alot of fun stringing the house and Lauren absolutely loves following her string all over the house, climbing up and over doors, cupboards, etc. and finding her Easter basket at the end! :) We had a really nice weekend filled with egg hunts, visits from family and friends, and most importantly, thanking Jesus for His ultimate gift of dying on the cross and rising again so that we may be with him forever! God has blessed us beyond what we could ever have imagined. Thank you Jesus! Happy Easter

3 years ago today...

I saw my beautiful girls face for the first time 3 years ago today...a face I had longed for year after year and who now I kiss several times a day. The following is a link to my post April 3rd, 2009, the day I received the best phone call of my life.

April 3, 2009
Mommy and Daddy love you more than you will ever imagine Lauren Elizabeth...

Hanging with Mommy and Daddy

Lauren and daddy love to make breakfast together! And what chef's they are! mmmm...


Mommy and Lauren hanging out in our "sock buns". If you have long hair, you will have to check these out. Lauren loves to have her hair up like mommy's and then in the morning we having "curly hair!".

Arabian Horse Show, Beautiful! ~

Meeting "old friends" finally...

Long ago, at the beginning of our adoption process, I "met" Kayce on her blog and instantly found a friend. As we journey'd together through the waiting process, encouraging eachother like many bloggy friends who we met on the path to our daughgters, Kayce has grown in my heart to be an "old friend". Funny enough, I finally got to meet her for the first time this weekend! It was absolutely wonderful sitting on the patio and just simply talking together about our girls, life, etc. What a dream come true to see our girls play together as well! I am blessed to have met so many wonderful friends through our adoption process and there is definetly a bond that was created over those uncertain years that is so unique and awesome...

~Daddy/Daughter Dance~

The house is quiet now, however, just seconds ago, it was filled with excitement. Lauren and Daddy just left on their first date, the Daddy/Daughter Dance at our church. They have been planning this for weeks. Today, I picked Lauren up from preschool and we headed to the mall to pick out her "Belle" Dress that she wanted to wear. We then went home and Lauren excitedly chattered about her dance with her Prince...She put on her new dress, slipped on her ballet shoes, and then we headed to the bathroom counter. I curled Laurens hair and added yellow butterfly clips, Lauren applied "mommy's makeup" to her eyes (just like mommy does to the tee) We then sat on our bed and Lauren looked through my jewelry box oohing and ahhing. We found the necklace that was perfect for her tonight and it happened to be the necklace mommy wore on mommy and daddy's wedding day!

Daddy then came home and brought Lauren a beautiful corsage made of baby white roses. Lauren placed this on ever so delicately and her smile showed how very special she was feeling tonight. Then Daddy opened the car door for Lauren and off they went to the Ball. Oh, to be a fly on the wall tonight and watch them dance and laugh together! What an amazing dream come true...

Thank You Peoria Fire Department!

Last night Lauren got a behind-the-scenes look at our fire department,but she was not thrilled about it to say the least. After work last night, I went to pick Lauren up from my mom's. I put Lauren in her carseat and as I was saying my goodbyes to my mom, Lauren started crying! I looked in the car and she held her finger up to show me that she had put a small washer part (I have no idea why this was in my car) on her ring finger and it was STUCK! Mom and I quickly brought her in the house, tried soapy water, vaseline,ice....nothing was working at getting this thing off! I called Dan who was coming home from a long day at work as well. Mom had the great idea to go to the fire deparment, so off Dan, Lauren, and I went to the fire house down the street from us. The firemen tried several different tools and were unable to break the washer piece...so another fireman stepped in, lubed up her finger and twisted and pulled until is was finally off! whew!! He did such a great job, there was not even a cut on her finger! Lauren was crying throughout the process, but as soon as it was off she stopped and smiled! She left with a fireman's hat on and a stuffed puppy they had given her. Thank you Peoria Firemen!! You are heroes for sure!

Fun (and yummy!) Blog!

The Pioneer Woman

I found myself watching the Food NetworK" today, which I really rarely do. However, I just loved this woman known as the "The Pioner Woman". I think I connected with her instantly because if I could live more than one life, I would live my other life as a cowgirl on a ranch. :) When she mentioned she was a blogger, I had to check this out! To my bloggy friends, you will love this! :)

PS: The spicy Dr. Pepper%^ pulled pork looks amazing!