I can't tell you what this photo does to me. Such a beautiful moment for each of us.
Monday, March 29, 2010
No Need for Words
I can't tell you what this photo does to me. Such a beautiful moment for each of us.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Quickie
We are all doing well!
To all you parents out there we do have one question...
Eventually do you not feel as tired as the beginning? You know, does your stamina pick up? Or have we entered into a commitment that entails eternal sleep deprivation?
Just kidding, kinda. Actually we are getting a lot of sleep, that's really not the problem, we just both feel really tired. He is really good too, I've done alot of child-care in my college/nanny years and not to mention having six younger siblings, he is an easy kid. Our energy levels just feel well below the normal level.
This is us about 20 minutes ago... it's crazy how much you can love a little boy you've only known two weeks.
To all you parents out there we do have one question...
Eventually do you not feel as tired as the beginning? You know, does your stamina pick up? Or have we entered into a commitment that entails eternal sleep deprivation?
Just kidding, kinda. Actually we are getting a lot of sleep, that's really not the problem, we just both feel really tired. He is really good too, I've done alot of child-care in my college/nanny years and not to mention having six younger siblings, he is an easy kid. Our energy levels just feel well below the normal level.
This is us about 20 minutes ago... it's crazy how much you can love a little boy you've only known two weeks.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Home at Last
Yes, we are home again.
I could almost stop the post at that and call it a day, but not only do I want you to know the emotions and happenings of today, I also need to reflect and process today.
Starting last night I could not fall asleep. Try mixing a 6yr olds excitement for Christmas, with the anticipation of a bride the night before her wedding. Throw in a few drops of caffeine I had with dessert after dinner, and I was a mess!
Briefly for those of you who weren't aware of our transition schedule, it went like this;
Tuesday: Few hours at foster family's home.
Wednesday: Start at foster family's home then do a day out in the community. ( We played at the park, ate lunch out, took a nap in the car, went to the book store, did a little shopping, and headed back to the park.)
Thursday: We picked him up from the foster family's house and spent the whole day with him and had him with us over night as well. It all went really good and by this day he was really warming up to us.
Friday: We took him back for his last night at the foster family's home and their goodbye day.
Saturday: We went to the foster family's home around 9am and headed out for our house around 10.
I can't really explain to you why the emotions come and go like they do but I was feeling really excited, and really tired from the last two weeks. Once we were a few miles from the foster family's home, I started to be completely overwhelmed with emotions. I don't know if I really know everything that I was feeling, I just tried to feel it and be in the moment. I knew that these days in one's life are rare and I wanted to savor every feeling.
We said our goodbyes and there were some tears in almost everyone's eyes, even Zach felt the emotions and was fussing. How strange it is to take your little boy from the only home he knows. We knew they didn't want to adopt him, and yet we also know they love him deeply. Trying to hold both without analyzing everything, we knew we were the ones that were meant to bring the little boy home. STILL, I just can't explain how strange a feeling. Now with that I was (and still am!) feeling butterflies every time I think that he is our son. His sweet face, beautiful eyes and soft skin. I asked him for a kiss tonight and he gave me one right on my lips and the tears started pouring again. How truly blessed I am.
He is kissing us, smiling, dancing and babbling like we've known him forever. Now, I also know there is a honeymoon period, but for now we are so thankful for the happy little boy he is. We are enjoying the utter joy and deep happiness of our first day as a family.
This is what I'm looking at right now.
I will be posting more photos soon. I have SO many!
Also I've been thinking of doing a small series of adoption posts relating to the actually process on our end. I've had some other adoptive families come to my blog recently, and I know there wasn't much on the web about specific subjects when it comes to State Adoptions.
Also, I know some of you who live close will want to meet him and we can't wait to share him! We are going to wait a bit to get settled in and we will let you know when you can stop by. He came from a foster home with 11 people living there, so he does really well with people, we just don't want to share him. Just kidding, we just feel like we will know when it is time to introduce him to our friends. Thanks for understanding!
Lastly, Thank YOU! ALL so much for the love, encouragement, text messages, comments on the blog, letters, gifts, prayers and everything else. YOU have been a part of this and have made it a bearable and even an enjoyable process through each step. Thank you!
I could almost stop the post at that and call it a day, but not only do I want you to know the emotions and happenings of today, I also need to reflect and process today.
Starting last night I could not fall asleep. Try mixing a 6yr olds excitement for Christmas, with the anticipation of a bride the night before her wedding. Throw in a few drops of caffeine I had with dessert after dinner, and I was a mess!
Briefly for those of you who weren't aware of our transition schedule, it went like this;
Tuesday: Few hours at foster family's home.
Wednesday: Start at foster family's home then do a day out in the community. ( We played at the park, ate lunch out, took a nap in the car, went to the book store, did a little shopping, and headed back to the park.)
Thursday: We picked him up from the foster family's house and spent the whole day with him and had him with us over night as well. It all went really good and by this day he was really warming up to us.
Friday: We took him back for his last night at the foster family's home and their goodbye day.
Saturday: We went to the foster family's home around 9am and headed out for our house around 10.
I can't really explain to you why the emotions come and go like they do but I was feeling really excited, and really tired from the last two weeks. Once we were a few miles from the foster family's home, I started to be completely overwhelmed with emotions. I don't know if I really know everything that I was feeling, I just tried to feel it and be in the moment. I knew that these days in one's life are rare and I wanted to savor every feeling.
We said our goodbyes and there were some tears in almost everyone's eyes, even Zach felt the emotions and was fussing. How strange it is to take your little boy from the only home he knows. We knew they didn't want to adopt him, and yet we also know they love him deeply. Trying to hold both without analyzing everything, we knew we were the ones that were meant to bring the little boy home. STILL, I just can't explain how strange a feeling. Now with that I was (and still am!) feeling butterflies every time I think that he is our son. His sweet face, beautiful eyes and soft skin. I asked him for a kiss tonight and he gave me one right on my lips and the tears started pouring again. How truly blessed I am.
He is kissing us, smiling, dancing and babbling like we've known him forever. Now, I also know there is a honeymoon period, but for now we are so thankful for the happy little boy he is. We are enjoying the utter joy and deep happiness of our first day as a family.
This is what I'm looking at right now.
I will be posting more photos soon. I have SO many!
Also I've been thinking of doing a small series of adoption posts relating to the actually process on our end. I've had some other adoptive families come to my blog recently, and I know there wasn't much on the web about specific subjects when it comes to State Adoptions.
Also, I know some of you who live close will want to meet him and we can't wait to share him! We are going to wait a bit to get settled in and we will let you know when you can stop by. He came from a foster home with 11 people living there, so he does really well with people, we just don't want to share him. Just kidding, we just feel like we will know when it is time to introduce him to our friends. Thanks for understanding!
Lastly, Thank YOU! ALL so much for the love, encouragement, text messages, comments on the blog, letters, gifts, prayers and everything else. YOU have been a part of this and have made it a bearable and even an enjoyable process through each step. Thank you!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Transition Update
Sorry I haven't blogged lately. I honestly haven't been thinking of it as a priority. I talked to my mom last night and she was telling me how everyone at home is dying to know what is going on and how everything is going. I've been getting quite a few texts so I know people would like to know how it is going. I tried doing an update last night but I couldn't sign in so I have a few minutes right now.
This is day 3 in our 5 day transition to bring our little boy home. Today we have the whole day with him. We have him until tomorrow morning and we are so thankful that he is doing so well. Yesterday was the first time we got to take him out. We played at the park, which he loved! It was 70 degrees here so we ran barefoot in the grass, layed on a blanket and enjoyed hour after hour outside. We had lunch with my sister and walked around for a while. Without boring you of all the details, we had a wonderful wonderful day!
It was cute this morning on our way to pick him up, David told me he felt like something was missing last night after we dropped him off. He said he could hear his little voice at the end of the day and missed him. AWW!
He is real quiet and reserved at first, but once he warms up he loves to hear himself chatter! It is so cute and we were wishing we brought our video camera, then remembered, we get to bring him home with us! (And yes, it is still sinking in that he is ours!)
We are staying at my aunts house and it has been really relaxing to have him here. Today it's raining, so we are playing inside. He just cuddled for a half-hour or so while we fed him is bottle and now it is all charged up to play again. He loves making faces and rocking on his little horse. I've been taking lots of pictures so when I get home I will show them to you all!
Everything is going so well, we couldn't be happier. Sorry this is rushed, but he is upstairs and I just don't want to be downstairs any longer!
This is day 3 in our 5 day transition to bring our little boy home. Today we have the whole day with him. We have him until tomorrow morning and we are so thankful that he is doing so well. Yesterday was the first time we got to take him out. We played at the park, which he loved! It was 70 degrees here so we ran barefoot in the grass, layed on a blanket and enjoyed hour after hour outside. We had lunch with my sister and walked around for a while. Without boring you of all the details, we had a wonderful wonderful day!
It was cute this morning on our way to pick him up, David told me he felt like something was missing last night after we dropped him off. He said he could hear his little voice at the end of the day and missed him. AWW!
He is real quiet and reserved at first, but once he warms up he loves to hear himself chatter! It is so cute and we were wishing we brought our video camera, then remembered, we get to bring him home with us! (And yes, it is still sinking in that he is ours!)
We are staying at my aunts house and it has been really relaxing to have him here. Today it's raining, so we are playing inside. He just cuddled for a half-hour or so while we fed him is bottle and now it is all charged up to play again. He loves making faces and rocking on his little horse. I've been taking lots of pictures so when I get home I will show them to you all!
Everything is going so well, we couldn't be happier. Sorry this is rushed, but he is upstairs and I just don't want to be downstairs any longer!
Friday, March 19, 2010
Here He is World!
Yep! In one short week this sweet little guy will be home! He was born the same week we contacted DHS about foster care/pre-adoption classes. One year later, here we are!
Our family threw us a shower last night and as we got started my sister read this:
"Once there were two women who never knew each other. One you don't remember, the other you call mother.
Two different lives shaped to make you one. One became your guiding star, the other became your sun.
The first one gave you life, the other taught you to live it. The first gave you a need for love, the second was there to give it.
Once gave you nationality, the other gave you a name. One gave you talent, the other gave you aim.
One gave you emotion, the other calmed your fears. One saw your first sweet smile, the other dried your tears.
One sought for you a home, that she could not provide. The other prayed for a child, and her hope was not denied. "
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Zachary
We are so happy to tell you that we were selected at committee today!
I cried and cried and laughed and kept crying! What a feeling.
We don't know very much right now but we do get to meet little Zachary in about a week! I'm so full and excited, I feel if I keep writing it will just be the same thing over and over.
Thank you to all of you who have shared in this journey with us! Please don't go anywhere 'cause it's just started!
xoxoxo
I cried and cried and laughed and kept crying! What a feeling.
We don't know very much right now but we do get to meet little Zachary in about a week! I'm so full and excited, I feel if I keep writing it will just be the same thing over and over.
Thank you to all of you who have shared in this journey with us! Please don't go anywhere 'cause it's just started!
xoxoxo
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
More from Grandmas...
I'm home. I had the most wonderful time with my grandma.
This is the most beautiful view from her kitchen table. Hmmm... I miss that! I need to get out and shoot the beautiful mountains of this gorgeous Baker Valley.
This is my dearest friend that graces the earth with his furry four legs.
And to think, when he was a pup he was deathly afraid of my camera. I've trained him well! We enjoyed our walks together.
I think this photograph says a lot. Today, I think it is showing how light gives life. Have you seen some Light today?
This is the most beautiful view from her kitchen table. Hmmm... I miss that! I need to get out and shoot the beautiful mountains of this gorgeous Baker Valley.
This is my dearest friend that graces the earth with his furry four legs.
And to think, when he was a pup he was deathly afraid of my camera. I've trained him well! We enjoyed our walks together.
I think this photograph says a lot. Today, I think it is showing how light gives life. Have you seen some Light today?
Monday, March 1, 2010
Travels | Part 1
Hello world! I have little to no cell phone coverage and absolutely no internet access. I came down to Starbucks in town today to do alittle paper work for our adoption committee next week. Though I will admit that I am a technologically addicted young adult, I have deeply needed and enjoyed the time to unplug. I think I will even work hard on cutting back my dependency. I haven't missed anything important. Ok, I will admit when I call David to say goodnight, he checks my email for me and reports, but I still have unplugged for the most part!
I have so much to write home about (I'm at my grandmas)...
For now I'll just do a small recap of my time.
We have stayed up way too late every night talking. We both had a good cry last night and the dogs (I brought Jack) found us downstairs and came to cheer us up, which in turn made us laugh uncontrollably while the tears were still coming. (If you haven't tried laughing and crying at the same time, I highly encourage it. It can do wonders for the soul) We found an old cedar box full of black and white photographs. We carefully looked at each one as she told me the story of each and all the people who have been in and out her life. We have mended an antique quilt I found, though it isn't finished yet it is much better shape already. We are in the process of making a quilt top out of vintage quilt squares she found in Idaho. We are buying and reporposing used fabric and vintage china. We consider ourselves saviors to our landfills. We haven't missed a cup of coffee yet! We hosted dinner to a family of 13. Don't worry there will be more later on this wonderful event! We are starting to make some grocery bags out of recycled upolstery samples I found in Portland. We have had pie and monster cookies everynight. She has told me the stories of each of her collected cake stands and vintage dolies. We've seen the sunset everynight and have yet to make it out of bed to see it come back up. Before we said goodnight, she hugged me and said how much she has needed this visit, if she only knew how much she has done for me. How much this visit has restored many pieces of me and deeply encouraged me, brought Grandma and I together, added a few pounds of cookies to my midsection, and given me a chance to be refreshed. Not to mention what it has done for my love of junk collecting! Sorry David!
To be continued...
I have so much to write home about (I'm at my grandmas)...
For now I'll just do a small recap of my time.
We have stayed up way too late every night talking. We both had a good cry last night and the dogs (I brought Jack) found us downstairs and came to cheer us up, which in turn made us laugh uncontrollably while the tears were still coming. (If you haven't tried laughing and crying at the same time, I highly encourage it. It can do wonders for the soul) We found an old cedar box full of black and white photographs. We carefully looked at each one as she told me the story of each and all the people who have been in and out her life. We have mended an antique quilt I found, though it isn't finished yet it is much better shape already. We are in the process of making a quilt top out of vintage quilt squares she found in Idaho. We are buying and reporposing used fabric and vintage china. We consider ourselves saviors to our landfills. We haven't missed a cup of coffee yet! We hosted dinner to a family of 13. Don't worry there will be more later on this wonderful event! We are starting to make some grocery bags out of recycled upolstery samples I found in Portland. We have had pie and monster cookies everynight. She has told me the stories of each of her collected cake stands and vintage dolies. We've seen the sunset everynight and have yet to make it out of bed to see it come back up. Before we said goodnight, she hugged me and said how much she has needed this visit, if she only knew how much she has done for me. How much this visit has restored many pieces of me and deeply encouraged me, brought Grandma and I together, added a few pounds of cookies to my midsection, and given me a chance to be refreshed. Not to mention what it has done for my love of junk collecting! Sorry David!
To be continued...
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