My *best* friend

Just yesterday I received the BEST message on my cell phone. That was from my BFF Jess! She just told me she was thinking about me!! I loved that...she also said she despised Facebook...that's because all her dear friends don't post on their blogs anymore because of it!! So, in honor of my dear friend I'm going to try and do better. She and I have been friends since we really didn't know we were friends. We grew up in the same church, in the same nursery doing the same silly things...we are six months apart and were in the same grade in school. Even though we live in the same county, we don't see *nearly* enough of each other. Living at opposite ends of the county just doesn't work well. She is an AMAZING Homeschooling Mama of four kiddos, Jake 9, Savannah 8 and twin boys, Honor & Justice that turned 1 in August. We have seen each other through lots and lots of ups and downs in our lives. We went shopping for training bras together, ok...I already had mine I just went along to give moral support....stole road signs together...I wasn't in my right mind...my boyfriend and I had just broke up, that's my excuse...wore more make-up at age 12 then we do now...gotta love the bright blue & green mascara....went along with all the fads including stirrup pants and long sweaters as well as matching shirts from the "Cube" to start off our high school years. I remember riding in her blue Chevy Luv to a District Basketball game and scrounging through her ash tray for enough change to buy two "Cheeseburger All-American" Meals. She has been with me through the death of my Dad and my infertility and she was one of the first to call me after learning about Halle Grace. She makes me smile and challenges me in my faith. She knows how to put me in my place gently, when I most need it. She has loved me through ALL stages of my life. Jess is one of those friends who could move away (she did right after high school) for years and when she comes back....it is like she's never been gone. You pick up right where you left off!! I can count on her to eat my Snickerdoodles, Mac-N-Cheese & Monster Cookies. She also got me in big trouble, I had to make dinner for a week, when I was in High School. I said our dinner looked like dog food....she told my Mom I said dog *poop*...not so good!! AND...guess what I still love her!! I love her so much I had to dig up this picture of her and I on her wedding day.....I wish I had a picture of the two of us together now! We're going to work on that....I love you Jessica Mary!!! Thanks for reading my blog......xoxoxoxoxox

Wordless Wednesday--Soooo CUTE!

Our TEXAS Adoption Journey - Part 2

I had to go back and see where I left off. We had just received the phone call from Christian Homes and received the pictures of OUR daughter...Halle Grace. We made the necessary calls to family members right then and there at Aaron's work. I asked my Mom is she was ready to be a Grandma...she wasn't sure right then, I insisted she better figure it out....she now had a Granddaughter. Aaron's Mom cried.....as did almost everyone I talked to that I called. I called Miss Dena right away with the news...I knew she would want to know. Those moments I will treasure forever. I love all the enthusiasm we got from each and every person who loves us! I did go back to work that day, but...I don't think I got very much done!! Everyone at work gathered around as I pulled up the picture of our daughter....oh...it was so cute. We spent the next week preparing to leave for Texas. I washed more pink clothes than I had my WHOLE life. Everyone wanted to shower Halle with gifts. Grammie & Auntie Amber went shopping and bought practically a whole wardrobe. We packed our suitcases and really didn't know how long we would be gone. Aaron could only stay for a week so, we were praying we would be back in a week with Halle. AND...that would be Thanksgiving Day. During this time I contacted a friend of mine, Rachel. A friend I had only met over the internet through an infertility website I have posted on since 2005 when Aaron and I had begun the long journey of trying to conceive. Rachel lives very near Austin, TX and had offered her home for us to stay in. We chatted on the phone and it felt like I had known her FOREVER! If she lived here or I lived there we would so be friends forever!! We took Rachel up on her offer. The plan was this. We would fly into Dallas (we used air miles and could only fly into that airport)...drive to Tyler, stay there for three nights and drive to Austin to stay with Rachel and her family for as long as we needed. Wednesday night before we left neither Aaron nor I could sleep..we were so excited! Our flight left at the crack of dawn...5:40am...but, that didn't matter we were too excited. We arrived at the airport, empty infant car seat in tow, faces aglow. I can not tell you how many people asked about that empty car seat. It was a good lead-in for the story of Halle. Our flight to Texas was uneventful...for that we were glad! We arrived in Dallas and made our way to the rental car counter. Can I just tell you how glad I was to have my husband with me. He is so great with all of this stuff and had it planned out. We finally got our car and began our journey to Tyler...first stop..."Sonic"...at the time we didn't have one near us and we couldn't wait to experience that. We arrived in Tyler after a small detour. Well, this city has a two *loops* in it...everything is on a loop...kinda confusing, but...we finally found our way to our hotel. A Marriott of course, Residence Inn I think. It had a small sitting area, table & chairs and little kitchen. We we got into the room the "Pack-n-Play" was already set up for little Halle. That night we ate dinner at "Chili's"...that's another place we wished we had here. We just don't have one close enough! Aaron and I immediately noticed the Texas hospitality...we have NOTHING like it here in Washington. I wanted to take our waitress home with us!! HEHEHE! We wanted to get a good night's sleep as the next day we would meet Halle, her Birth Mom & her foster family. How does one prepare for that?? Well, we prayed a lot! AND...I didn't eat much breakfast the next morning...I was way too nervous. I spent time on the Hotel's computer the next morning updating this very blog and my Facebook status....the clock on the computer was wrong and I only had minutes to pack Halle's diaper bag and get to the car....and we were off to the agency to meet Halle Grace.....

Daddy's Pick...

He calls this one, "Two Brown Bears"....seriously how cute is this? Hal was using her bear for a pillow!! This bear was used in our wedding and now Halle gets to love on it....

So Sweet!

Just a sneak peek at a birthday pic! This is for you Grammie Mary!!

Happy FIRST Birthday!

Miss Halle -- 1 year old

Tomorrow is Halle's first birthday...I seriously can't believe it! WOW! She has been with us for 10 whole months. In a way it seems like just yesterday we arrived home from Texas. BUT...in other ways I feel like she's been ours FOREVER!! This little girl is the light of our lives. She brings us so much joy and LOTS and LOTS and LOTS of laughter. So, here dear sweet little girl is your birthday letter from Mommy!!

Dear Halle Grace,

Mommy can not believe you are going to be one tomorrow....the time has flown by!! I was telling Daddy just the other night that I can hardly remember what it was like when you were so tiny. When you came to live with Mommy & Daddy you were about 9lbs...now, you weigh 20lbs and you are so looooonnnnnggggg....you get that from your Birth Mommy! Words can not express how much I love you little girl...I will NEVER take for granted that love. I will kiss your cheeks until you grow too big and won't let me any more and, just for the record, that's going to be a long way off!! You sweet brown girl fill Mommy's life with smiles, laughter and so much fun. I love, love, love that you love music just like your Mommy & Daddy. Dancing is one of your favorite things to do! And you have more rythmn than either one of us has. You face life head on with no fear though we're not sure if that's good or bad, but...I'm going with good. This would be the reason that tonight you got your very first bloody lip. For the same reason, we're pretty sure it won't be your last. We're working on saying some words right now and I seriously, never want to forget how you say "dog". It's the cutest thing....you have to concentrate really hard and then at the end you don't get the whole "g" out but, lots of spit comes instead! You little girl could charm the socks off anybody...the checker at the grocery store, Grammie's friends at the bank and more than anything your Daddy!! You love your Daddy so much and that makes Mommy so happy...I love to see your face when you see your Daddy after he's been away at work. You use your ever so speedy crawling skills and get to him as fast as you can. You follow him EVERYWHERE...and even wait outside the bathroom door for him. Your Daddy waited a very long time to have a little girl like you, Halle Grace. There are so many things I don't want to forget....like how you get so excited when we come to get you out of your crib, I sometimes think you might jump right out you're so excited. Or, how you tip your sippy cup back so far when you're drinking you almost fall over...you makes us laugh sweet girl! And all the silly games we can play with you and your blankie. We can get you giggling so hard....But, my most favorite thing of all is snuggling with you sweet girl. I rocked you for just a *little* bit tonight before you went to bed...I was remembering when you were so tiny your feet hardly made it to my waist...and you'd tuck your legs up with your little bum in the air. Now your legs are so long they hang down to my knees when I'm sitting. But, just like kissing your cheeks...I will rock you until you won't let me anymore! Halle, Daddy and I pray that this year will be one of wonder and delight for you. That your little brain will retain lots and lots and you will learn more and more. We pray our Jesus will bless you baby girl...that He will keep you safe and away from harm. But most of all we pray that when the time is right you will ask Jesus into your heart to be your Lord and Savior. We love you Halle Bear....you truly are a gift from God!!!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Mommy (and Daddy too!)

Miss Halle -- Two days old

From a pumpkin....to a bunny!!

I was thinking about fall today...and Halloween...which led me to think about a costume for Halle. I remembered that Auntie Lisa had given us cousin Eden's costume of a bunny and wanted to see if it would fit!! Guess what...it does PERFECTLY!! And seriously, have you seen a cuter bunny?? With that little brown face. She LOVED having the costume on...she was so silly and crawling EVERYWHERE...I could hardly get a good picture of her. AND...in comparison...we have a picture of Halle last year at Halloween...thanks Mary Lynne & Robbie!! We're so glad Halle got to spend the time with you all!!!