Youth Lock-In Part 1!

So, I planned a last minute back-to-school lock-in for all of my kiddos at church, and while I'm still recovering two days later, we had a BLAST!

We had a fabulous turn out of 19 kids! That may not sound like a lot but for our itty bitty church in the boonies, that is pretty legit! 

I am a huge fan of photo booths, so of course we had to have one, and it was a hit! Almost as much as the loads of Minute to Win It games we played! 

With the help of my lovely mother and cousin I was able to keep all kids alive and well and even managed to get them all asleep before 4 a.m.! 

After a short nap and a quick breakfast all of our kiddos were returned to their parents with a goodie bag full of school supplies and snacks. 

Enjoy our silliness and I will give all of the nitty gritty details for all of our fun games soon! 

getting closer.

via

I just wrote my baby boy's "new name" on an official document for the first time, and WOW, I didn't realize how emotional it would make me! These past 17 months have seemed so long at times and then others, like today, it seems like just yesterday I was picking up the most precious two week old baby boy from our DHS office.

This whole process has been so emotional, and like I said before, so long at times. I would get so excited for court every time we would go starting in January of this year because I had been told that termination would be taking place and the adoption process could get started.
Four.
This is how many times in the past eight months that termination was placed on hold and the adoption processed was pushed back. Four times my family got so excited, just knowing, that today is the day they will terminate! And four times it didn't happen.

17, almost 18 months since I first laid eyes on my beautiful boy, it is finally here! Termination has happened and now we wait again, but this time for the adoption hearing.

I could not be any more excited as I plan the days ahead, the adoption photos, the "name reveal" party, sharing photos of my gorgeous baby with everyone, and really just planning a life for myself and my downright rotten baby boy.

I can't wait to show you all his huge brown eyes and the cutest little grin in the whole world! And well, I think he probably has the best name ever. (Not even my closest family and friends know his name yet and it is killing them!!) ;)

Thank you for the prayers over these last months as we sat through such uncertain times. Those papers aren't signed yet but we're getting closer!

Shane & Ashley: Engagements

This big, strapping firefighter was much scrawnier (and whinier, sorry Shane, you know it's true ;) ) when we first met and became cousins many, many moons ago. Since our first meeting I have enjoyed watching him grow up to become a great man that loves his family unconditionally, works hard and has found the most precious girl in the world to put up with all of his crap! Ashley is a true blessing, not only to Shane but to our entire family.

I am so excited to see what the future holds for you two. I know whatever it is you two will make the most of it and be great!

Thank you for letting me have a little fun with these pictures even though you already had photos planned! I loved getting to spend some time with you two and Aunt Donna! 

Again, CONGRATULATIONS! Love you guys!

Lawrence & Bonnie: Engagements

Once upon a time I was a new "fomma" (foster momma) to a beautiful two week old baby boy. I was scared to death to send him to a daycare because, honestly, I had heard a lot of bad things. So I didn't. I kept this precious little guy with me or with close family and friends for the first eight weeks he was with me. 

After sneaking him to work meetings with me and working at home a little more than I should have, I finally decided to break down and check out some daycare's. 

At 10 weeks old I dropped my baby boy off for daycare for the first time. I handed this prized possession over to a stranger. A soft-spoken, petite, sweet stranger, but a stranger none the less. And this is where Miss Bonnie came in to our lives!

It has now been a little over a year and I am so beyond thankful for Bonnie and her love for my baby. And he now even has Lawrence wrapped around his little finger. ;) 

They have been there with us during all of the ups and downs of this fostering to adopt process we are going through and now we are more than excited to be able to help them celebrate this most precious time of their life!

Congratulations Bonnie and Lawrence! Bubby, the Girls and I love you guys and are so thankful for you both!