new pictures

A friend is starting her photography business and took some pictures of the girls. I love them! Enjoy!!

Mother's Day Program

I am finally posting about Halli's pre-school Mother's Day program. It was very sweet. The kids did little plays. Halli was in "Chicken Little". She was the Wise Old Owl. I love the little glasses on her. She is just adorable!!!!

She waited very patiently to say her lines at the end. She kept watching me and smiling. She was very proud of herself.

After the little plays the class then sang songs for us. Halli couldn't stop smiling at me. I wish I would have brought the video camera!

At the end of this song they sang "I Love YOU!" Can you tell how much she loves her mom??? I love her just as much. I always tell her every Mother's Day that I get to finally celebrate this day because of her. If she wasn't my daughter, I couldn't be a mom. She always smiles real big and gives me a big hug.

Hope's Dedication

Here are some pictures from Hope's dedication. I forgot to bring my camera in and thank goodness they had a photographer. This is Andy introducing us and telling why we are dedicating our little Hope.

Then it was my turn to speak. I started off good.

Then I started crying...

and crying.... Pastor even came over and hugged me and said that I was doing fine.

I finally got it together and said what I wanted to say. I talked about Hope, her birthmom and how we chose Hope's name. We also had chosen a life verse, Jeremiah 29:11-13.

Pastor then took Hope and prayed over her.



It was a very nice dedication.

I've been told there wasn't a dry eye in church.

I guess when you really share from your heart people can tell.

Mother's Day

Today is Mother's Day. It was also the day to do Hope's dedication at church. Look at the girl. Isn't she the cutest? Andy's mom made the dress for Hope. It also has a matching hat and shoes. The hat got left at church and Hope took her shoes off and chewed on them.

This is my family. I am so blessed. My girls have given me lots of smiles and hugs today. Halli wrote a poem for me. It's really cute. She is a mommy's girl.

Even though I am a mom now I have not forgotten all the pain and saddness I had while going through my fertility treatments. I could not stand Mother's Day. Most of family could not understand how I was feeling even though some tried. I have some friends that are struggling right now and my heart goes out to them. I will always remember the ladies that are wanting to be a mom so badly, but it hasn't happed for them.

Here is Halli's poem: You are always there for me. You tuck me in every night. Your the first face I see in the morning. I LOVE YOU!

Update

Thought I would let everyone know that I did send an e-mail to Hope's birthfather last week. He has not responded. It will be interesting to see if he does. I think as it gets closer to June and he has not responded I will send another e-mail. He will need to know that he just can't come to OR and send me an e-mail asking to see Hope. He will need to establish a relationship with us first.

The joys of adoption. Always stretching me. Still always thankful for my beautiful girls!!!! I will try and post pictures later. Halli had her little part in a play today at school. It was very cute! Hope now has two teeth and the attitude to prove it.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!