Make & Take and a Sledding Date!

This morning, Lisa, Sue and I made our way to Make & Take where we prepared 6+ meals for later consumption. If you haven't tried it, I highly recommend it!! I felt like Rachel Ray!! :)

Afterwards, Howie and I took the girls sledding and for some outside play in the yard. It was SO MUCH FUN!!! :)

Crib Time

Gabi, Allie, and Mackenzy 1994


Cullen and Ellie Jan 1, 2009

I couldn't resist getting this shot of the twins when they were in Ellie's crib yesterday. Took me back to thier big sisters hanging out in there.

Farewell Bill, Farewell

Please join me in sending prayers to the Reardon Family as they say goodbye to Grandpa Bill.



Bill was without a doubt, an excellent father and grandfather. His greatest joys came from being with his family. He will be missed by all that knew and loved him.

Throw Back Pic of the Week......

Recognize these little sweeties?
Gabi and YaYa (aka Allie) circa 2005 :)

Autumn Days

Sue and I spent the afternoon shooting photos of the kiddos at a local waterfall. It was a beautiful day, and I'm not sure who had the most fun- the kids, the babies, or the Mommies!

Make a Smilebox photobook

BOOville!

Flower Girl

She was AMAZING!! That's right, she walked down the aisle like such a PRINCESS! We are so proud of her. :) What an honor for her to be chosen to serve as flower girl on Carrie's special day. We are so happy to have shared it with her and Don.

"Going to the Chapel...."

The whirlwind weekend has begun! Gabi is a flower girl in our friends Carrie and Don's wedding tomorrow. She has been counting down the days for a year now!! Tonight was the rehearsal dinner. I was afraid that she wouldn't want to walk down the aisle- which in itself would stink-but my fear was more about the way she would express herself! She tends to be er, LOUD when she is adamant that she DOESN'T want to do something. Thankfully, my sweet little girl did just fine! Her Daddy was at one end of the aisle, Mommy coaxing her from the other. Once she saw me, she nearly ran into my arms, but SHE DID IT! SHE WALKED DOWN THE AISLE ALONE!! OMG!! I'm not going to lie, I handed her a dollar bill when she reached the end. :)

Pray that tomorrow is the same. :)

Here's a sweet picture of her in the car on our way to the dinner.

Pink Poodle Cake

It is confirmed. Sue is AMAZING!! Check out this gorgeous cake she made for Gabi's "Pink Poodle in Paris" Party today. It is sooooo PERFECT!!!!!!!

More party pics later.......

Please Vote!!!

Please visit Adoptive Families to vote for Ellie and Cullen as the cutest pic!

It is titled "An Adoption Miracle"

Thanks!!! :)

Fun at the Falls

We spent Friday night and Saturday in Canada at Niagara Falls with the Reardon's. I'm so proud of Howie for his spontaneity in a last minute trip!!!

Summertime Sleepovers

Alex spent the night last night. I love how excited they get about sleepovers!!! When Sue brought her over, I snapped some shots of Cullen. How gorgeous is he???

"Excuse me please, God"

Oh my dear Gabi is at it again. This time her Gabism brought me to tears. Tonight, during our prayers, Gabi says "Excuse me please, God, I'm very sorry but I need to cut in here". After she apologizes to me, she says "Dear God, I'm very sorry I cut in, but this is very important, can you please watch over my friend Tyler until he comes home". I just lost it. I didn't even tell her he was back in the hospital, she must have just heard me talking about it.

Also, one other quick thing- tonight after she called me into her room for the 50th time, I told her she was just stalling. She asked what that meant, so I told her it was when she tried to keep me in her room as long as possible. I kissed her and walked out. She must have been processing that, because she yells out to me down the hall; "Yah, well that's just cause I love you"! Little stinker~ how could I argue that? :)

They're Here!

Thanks to our house dentist, "Dr. Sue" we can now officially declare that Elliana has not one, but TWO teeth!!! :) I wasn't sure if "the tooth" was in yet. Well, apparently not only is it in, but it's neighbor is too! Gooooo Ellie!!!!!

Happy Birthday, Sue!!!!

Love You!! Here's to many, many more!!!

Exhausted Bliss

Life is great. Exhausting, but great. Ellie enjoys getting up in the middle of the night. Daddy and Gabi are getting over colds. But still, life is great! Ellie had a visit yesterday from her little friend, Jagger. He is such a love. He is only 2 months older than Ellie, I can't believe the size difference!!!!

Playdate with Cullen

Oh, a week in review wouldn't be complete without pictures of Ellie and Cullen's first playdate. :)

Tyler

One of my "friends in adoption"- Jodie's son, Tyler was recently diagnosed with Lukemia. Another friend is hosting an online Tupperware party to help raise money for the family. If you are intersted please click here. She is going to be extending the date. Thanks!

Feel free to pass this along to your friends and/or link it to your blog!

Looks Like We Made It!!!

I keep playing that one phrase of that song in my head. "Looks like we made it, look how far we've come...we might have took the long way, but we knew we'd get there someday" I know its about a romantic love, but it also feels quite appropriate for today. We arrived home, safe and sound, from Indiana at about 10:30pm. It feels good to be home!!!

I am sooooo filled with happiness. I just may bust. In one of life's most surprising of twists, turns, and miracles my dearest friend Sue, (who has been keeping you updated on my blog) welcomed home her son today!!!

I am still not able to comprehend the magnitude of this. Our girls are two months apart. That was awesome. And now, Ellie and Cullen are 5 days apart! We can't wait to meet you, little guy!

Praise God!!!!

Prayers for Tyler

Please, Please, Please lift our little friend Tyler and his family up in prayer. Tyler is the son of our dear friends, Jodie and Brent. On Friday, he was diagnosed with lukemia. That horrible, terrible "C" word has infiltrated our world. The life of someone I love has been turned upside down by the utterance of one evil word and I'm PISSED! I hate when I allow myself to forget that life just isn't fair.

Tyler is the strongest little guy I know. He has overcome some pretty serious health challenges thus far in his life. He isn't even four yet. We are praying for you, Ty!

WE LOVE YOU!!