happy Valentines

been a while...

Wow, I can't even begin to explain how many things have changed around here... 

We've had a pretty crazy few months and as we have prayed

for about 9 months we are now a 

family of 9! 

 We got through the torturous transition period of visits, overnights and having to return her.

It was horrible, painful and long (even if it was only 14 days) 

Of course per rules we aren't allowed to share pictures online until after we finalize our adoption.

No, I don't know the time frame on that... I'm good with tomorrow though!

In the mist of all of that 

because our family has to do everything with a flare;

Carter's health took a sudden plummet

He had a beyond terrifying allergic reaction

then two weeks later he dropped to his knees with a horrible scream.

For a kid who never complains of true pain 

(except paper cuts) 

this was a big deal, I watched him cry on the couch and as I examined him it became 

blaringly obvious that he was in serious need of an immediate trip to the ER.

My suspicions were quickly confirmed that he was suffering from acute appendicitis

(because he had eaten at lunch they had to wait until the next morning to operate) 

My precious friend joined us at the hospital and we giggled as the anesthesiologist 

gave Carter J "I don't care meds" 

he started to giggle and when I asked him what was funny in a loopy way he answered

"I don't care" 

recovery has been a bit hard but all in all he is slowly on the mend, he's only asked for 

pain meds once today 6 days post op!

Jaden made a trip to the Allergist and we discovered he is a SEVERELY allergic guy...

He also has a big cyst type infection in his sinuses all being

 treated and not effecting life beyond that traumatic visit!

I've hesitated to blog partially because I found myself in a frame of mind of wondering 

what on earth would I have to share right now.

So many blogs are focused on showing off all the wonderful amazing ways people are 

creative, or parenting, or walking with the Lord and on and on. 

We got a big trampoline!

Our family isn't any more spectacular than the next. 

I'm not sure really what I have to offer.

Except;

I've got reality

The joys, the sorrows, the pain and the gain!

I am what I am, there are no false images 

I'm just me and I suppose I'll try to start sharing that again.

Lydi is getting LOTS more hair!

I just REALLY wish I could share with you all the newest part of my heart....

Prayerfully we will finalize soon and I can! 

Until then... Enjoy some pictures of recent times 

(that I CAN share) 

a little photography

Been enjoying a little creativity and photography for a few friends...

Love

Happy Easter!

Spring is upon us!

 March has been a good & busy month for us

I thought I'd share just a small sampling of the hundreds of pictures I've taken this month

We've been busy working as fast as we can through all the requirements to get approved to adopt through our state, I think our home study gets reviewed and either accepted or denied on Friday.

Praying that A is ours!

Asthma has reared it's ugly head around here with a vengeance this month, I hate asthma.

Caleb's pet crab died, Squeeber had been a part of our home for more than 2 years

I of course seeing my child's heartache got the idea that perhaps a gecko would soften the blow.

So I decided to surprise Caleb and Jaden and: Thus, Elsa and Olaf entered our zoo!

(I also got Taye, Carter and Evie each a beta fish) 

Lots and lots of hiking and walks!

spring is upon us! 

St. Patricks Day

Lots of peak a boo! 

Caleb is learning to be an AMAZING cook, he made us spinach artichoke Mac N cheese, 

seriously, it was AMAING! 

What is March without some snow?! 

Cousins

Piano recitals

New spring sandals (always a favorite thing of mine to get my kiddos!)

More hiking, and history

Chocolate and chips for dinner 

When daddy leaves town, mommy is CRAZY!

(I wanted them to have some great memories, not just be sad the whole time!) 

just love these kids!

random

Just a random post, of random things...

My beautiful curly girls...

I simply couldn't walk away from these cute summer dresses a while back, we're wearing them with 

long sleeves under for now... 

Still been working away on the house, (kids rooms) 

We painted the middle boys room gray for a change of pace, (before the carpet went in) 

I redid their walls and have been having fun putting it all back together...

There is still quite a bit to do before I do a full blog post about how the room works.

But be on the lookout (especially those with SPD) kids... 

I'll be showing you ALL the great sensory details soon.

I had a pretty awesome "moving" crew for some painting help and 

to get all the

 furniture moved out of and back into

the kids rooms! 

These guys seriously rock! 

We are aching for the "wind" of spring to go away but the nice 

weather to go ahead and arrive wind free

(Lydi is wearing a cute Beautiful Brown Eyed Girl Boutique skirt here) 

my gorgeous kids... 

The girls adore their carpet too... I can't say how many times evie has thanked us for putting

soft fuzzy carpet in her room! 

9 x's the delight

"A cousin is a ready made friend for life" 

Together

Some of you may remember this photoshoot of my children, 

CLICK HERE

it went out as our Christmas Card in 2011. 

The other day when I told my kids I wanted to redo that session with Lydia now HERE

my kids all jumped at the idea, they were so happy and one of them even mentioned how much

better it would be to do this session without an empty chair.

This time of year, specifically September 27th has been a date of great sadness for me for years, 

that was the day we lost our first baby on our first journey of adoption.

But now, 5 years later that date is redeemed. Now my daughter turned 9 months old on 

September 27th.

The Lord is so good, His plans are perfect and He gives us such precious little gifts.

He didn't have to choose the 27th for the day she was born in December, but He did.

He knew that September 27th would be precious to me when it rolled around,

He also knew our second loss took place throughout the 27th to the 31st of December,

He redeemed those days as well by bringing our last daughter into our arms on those days!

I could never put into words what this year has been like for us as a family, 

such much healing, so much pain in it
and such a treasured bond between these 6 siblings I can't even describe it.

They each love Lydi SO much, they treasure her deeply.

We all treasure her, she is such a precious gift from the Lord

Fearfully and wonderfully made just for our family.

She is the perfect fit

She is our precious jewel

It is also precious to my heart that I was able to have the girls clothes made custom 

for this special date, there is SO much symbolism in this session of my crew SO much

Beautiful Brown Eyed Girl Boutique 

She is so much more than just an amazing designer of clothes, she is a dear friend and

once I realized that Lydia's 9 mos fell on this date, she helped me create exactly the look I 

wanted these pictures to have!

While we may not understand why we had to face a total of 5 losses on our combine adoption 

journeys, we do know that the Lord had purpose in those losses.

Or any hardship we face in life, they are all going to be worked to His glory

because we love Him and are called according to His purpose, 

and He loves us and desires to draw us closer still to Himself.

"Let Sorrow do it's work, send grief or pain;
sweet are thy messengers,
sweet their refrain.
If they but work in me, more love, 
O Christ, to thee,
More love to thee, more love to thee."
~Hinds Feet on High Places~

And so, we continue to walk this broken road of life, together at last

Cake smash!

My precious nephew turns ONE tomorrow! 

In honor of his birthday his mama made him a great cake to MASH!