Ethan's Finalization

On September 16, 2008 Ethan's adoption was finalized!!

It was a perfect day and court couldn't have gone any smoother. The judge asked us a few questions and within 15 minutes Ethan was permanently our sweet handsome little boy. Ethan was great the whole time and could tell it was a special day for him.

My dad and Janene came into town to be here for court and my Aunt Kathy showed up too. It was perfect having family there with us and I knew they wouldn't have missed it for the world.

After court we went out to breakfast/brunch and enjoyed our time as a family. Ryan was able to have the whole day off and it was fun having him home.

This is just for me, but I want Ethan to know how special of a little boy he is to our family. We love you so much and I know you were meant to be in our little family. This day will always be a special day along with November 18th when Hollie's adoption was finalized. You two are two little miracle angels that have come into our life and have made us the parents we have always wanted to be. You have blessed our lives tremendously and we love you so much.

I will continue to update!

I have to get running, but I PROMISE I will update as soon as I can.
Enjoy.

A little visitor

One Friday night Ryan and Hollie were outside and found a baby frog. I was one that didn't think you could find baby frogs here in Hot, Dry Arizona, but I guess you can. This frog was Hollie's little pet for a few days. She named it Happy and would always make sure it was well taken care of. It was the first thing she wanted to see when she woke up and the last thing she wanted to say goodnight to when she went to bed. It was so cute and I loved listening to her talk to Happy. She was so loving and kind. She made sure she told me when it needed water, more grass, or rocks. We knew we couldn't keep it to long because he needed to get back to it's home. Hollie was very determined to keep Happy until papa got here on Tuesday. He did survive, thank goodness, and papa was able to meet Happy.

Keep Dreamin Boys!

So, we went to a wedding reception for a close friend of ours and there in front of the house were about 8 cars. Out of the 8 cars there in the front sat a Lamborghini. Let me just tell you the boys were just loving it! There was also a brand new corvette and a really nice mercedees (okay, I admit I am not good with cars so I couldn't tell you the models except that they are definetly not cars we would all have and drive around town as "mommy" cars.) Anyway, Ryan, KC (my brother) and Ethan had to take a picture by it-pretty cool!

I guess I should explain why the cars were at a wedding reception. Well, the couple that got married met over a car magazine. From my understanding, she likes cars and he was over at her apartment for ward prayer and asked whose magazine it was and she said mine. Now, you don't hear of that pretty often. The cars on the lawn were the brides dad's idea and it was a pretty good idea and drew LOTS of attention. Way to go Tracy!! It was a great wedding reception and lots of fun.

Hollie's first "real" haircut

Hollie and I were able to have a mommy daughter day and it couldn't have been more perfect. We started our day out by going to Lollilocks (I would highly recommend it for those of you in Arizona-Way Cute!!) to get Hollie her first haircut. I tell you I stepped in there are it just brought back memories from when I was a kid, except this place also had a room where your little girl can get a manicure and pedicure and it was full of girly hair accessories and rhinestones. Hollie ofcourse chose the pink elephant to sit on. She did great! Although in the pictures she doesn't look to happy, she really did fantastic. Her hair turned out so cute and they even had Hollie pick out a hair-do out of their little book of four designs. When we were all finished and the cape was taken off Hollie looked in the mirror and said, Look mommy I'm a "pincess". I just about died. She is just too cute and I love it!

Our next destination was Target and then to Jo-Anne's. I have read a lot about these books called Lifebooks for adopted children. I am very anxious and eager to start Hollie's, so we went to Jo-Anne's to pick out her lifebook. We have been talking a lot about adoption lately because we are wanting to plant the seed. Ofcourse, she picked out a "pincess" one and I thought that was just perfect. Yes, we are very much into "pincess' around here. After Jo-Anne's we were on our way home. I was asking her what she wanted for lunch and, ofcourse, her response was, hot dog mommy. It's her favorite food. I said okay and then there was a moment of silence. She then, out of the blue, asked, mommy Amanda (her birthmom) Hollie's house? I said, no sweetheart Amanda is at her house in Idaho. Hollie said, Idaho. I said, that's right she is going to school there. Then she said, Mommy's tummy "boken", Hollie Amanda's tummy. Tears welled up in my eyes, I couldn't believe it- she get's it. I responded and said, that's right Hollie. Mommy's tummy is broken and you came from Amanda's tummy and grew in Mommy's heart. I then expressed to her how much I love her and how lucky we are to have Amanda in our life and how much we love her. I cannot explain the feeling in the car that day. I just cried. Ofcourse, they were tears of joy and accomplishment. My little 2 year old understands that her mommy's tummy is broken and that she had to come from Amanda's tummy. Can I just say these are the joy's of adoption. I couldn't be more grateful for adoption and for my 2 sweet angels. Wow, what a great day!

This month is all about adoption for us as we finalize Ethan's adoption and are able to be sealed to him and bless him. What a wonderful month!

Can you believe he is 6 MONTHS!!!

Our little Ethan is 6 months old! I cannot believe how fast time fly's by. He is growing up and is turning into a little man. I thought I would just show how cute he is and what a handsome little man we have.

Health update. He seems to be doing better than he was. He has his moments but overall I think he is going to grow out of this. We went in to see Dr. Shienkein (the pediatric GI) for a check and she wants us to keep him on the prevacid for a little while longer. I agreed. And while she was examing him, she turned to me and said, "I think this boy just needs to start walking"! I couldn't have helped but to fully agree. He is one BUSY boy and just wants to get around and move, but is unable to because he is still so little. We have mastered sitting up, so our next step is crawling. Watch Out!!

Children's Museum

On Labor Day we decided to take the kids to the Children's Museum in Phoenix. We have heard a lot about it and thought it would make for a fun day and boy did it. We had a blast!! It is definetly a place for young kids even kids Ethan's age. Here are a few of our highlights.
On Our Way. She may not look excited, but she is. She just doesn't smile for the camera.
We started out by going to the art room. There was painting, playdough, and crafts. We did them all and Hollie LOVED it.
Then we were onto the room for 3 years old and younger. This was perfect for our kids. Hollie was climbing on everything, playing house, reading books and just having fun. You would be amazed at the creativity that went into this place, it's amazing! This room even had stuff for Ethan, it was great and he enjoyed himself too.


Then we were headed to this big open area where they had big beanbags, and tubes to climb through-this was Hollie's favorite place. It seemed to be a popular place amongst all the kids and parents too.Okay, I have to add a funny story in because I about died. I was sitting in the reading area where it was semi (keyword) quiet trying to feed Ethan and all of a sudden I see Hollie come running towards me. She was playing in the tubes and Ryan was waiting for her at one end and she came out the other and I could see Ryan in a distance with a frantic look on his face-he couldn't see me. So I go to pull my phone out of my pocket and Hollie says, "mommy potty" I said okay just one second. I called Ryan and in that second Hollie was off and running (laughing like it was funny) with her pants at her ankles!! You should have seen the look on some of the parents faces. I quickly shut my phone, didn't talk to Ryan, and carried Ethan, who was half asleep and chased after Hollie. I swear I think parents were staring at me and laughing, it was a funny sight. Finally a mom stopped Hollie, pulled up her pants and I quickly grabbed her hand and we were headed straight to the bathroom. In the meantime Ryan was still frantically looking for Hollie and so once I got Hollie on the toilet and yes we made it in time, I called Ryan and said, I got her and boy to I have a funny story for you. We both ended up laughing and we still had lots of fun. I tell ya, it's always an adventure and I absolutely LOVE it. When we came out of the bathroom parents where just looking at me with a BIG smile on my face and the only thing I could say was, we made it!!
After this we headed to one of the rooms that was made into a restaurant- a pizza shop. Hollie mad us pizza and even got to put it in the brick oven and cook it for us and it was yummy (pretend).
After eating LOTS of pizza we headed to the grocery store where the kids shopped with shopping carts, and were able to check themselves out. I tell ya, if I was a little kid I would have had a BLAST here. I did anyway, and I am an adult. Hollie did lots of shopping and even got the opportunity to weigh some beans.
As you can see we had a wonderful time! The kids were both worn out and we were not in the car more than 5 minutes and I turned to look back and I saw this beautiful face. She is just gorgeous!!!

A Sunday Afternoon at the Temple

Last Sunday we went to a missionary farewell up in Scottsdale. On our way home we decided we would stop by the Temple and see a movie at the visitors center and then walk around. It was a beautiful day outside and the sky was so blue. When we walked into the visitors center the first thing that Hollie said was, "Mommy I see Jesus". As you walk in the visitors center there is a large statue of Jesus Christ and Hollie was so excited to see it. I felt a sense of achievement in knowing that Hollie knew exactly who He was. I was so proud of her. We sat and listened to the words which were spoken by Jesus and Hollie was very much intune, she just listened and stared at Jesus. We then went on to an interactive movie called the Plan of Salvation. After that was over we headed outside to walk around the Temple and explain to Hollie that she was sealed to mommy and daddy here in the Temple and in a few weeks we are going to have Ethan sealed to us too. It was such a good feeling being able to explain this to her. I feel very blessed to be able to have the Temple in my life and the blessings it brings to my family. I cannot wait for September 27th to come, it will be one of the best days of my life. Ethan will be sealed to our family for time and all eternity. What a great blessing we have to live with our families forever.

Splash Pad Fun

Last weekend we had some friends over and it consisted of LOTS of fun in the backyard. I think we were all out there for over 3 hours! The weather wasn't to hot and it was just perfect. Ethan even joined us in his bumbo chair and had a blast. He was so content and LOVED watching the kids and putting anything he could get his hands on in his mouth. The kids enjoyed pouring water on eachother, even Ethan, and we all just had a blast. Everyone was on the swingset, sliding down the slides, playing in the sand, running on the grass, hiting golf balls, and playing with all the toys.
I have to admit, I was the one that really wanted a pool and after this weekend I was grateful we didn't have one because I really didn't worry as much as I would have if we had a pool. I would recommend a splashpad to anyone, they are great!!
Here are some pictures of our Fun weekend.

Potty Trained

HOORAY FOR HOLLIE!!! She is potty trained and has been doing a FANTASTIC job! We are so proud of her. I have to say she really wasn't all that difficult to potty train. Ofcourse, we had a few moments of frustration, but other than that the girl has got it down. Believe it or not the easiest part was going number 2 (you know what that is) on the toilet. After going potty on the toilet for a couple days she quickly and quietly accomplished the going number 2 on the toilet. I will explain. One afternoon I was making dinner and she said, "mommy potty toilet, by myself." I said okay, let me know if you need help. Next thing I know she comes out of the bathroom all excited saying, "mommy poopoo's toilet" I about died. I went and checked and sure enough, I was so proud of her . I pulled out the M&M's (yes those are her treats for going poopoo on the toilet-Ryan really liked how I chose chocolate, but hey chocolate is her favorite) and I gave her about 10. Since then it's been poopoo on the toilet. So easy and so great!
A few things I have learned about potty training are;
1. When you are out in public she HAS to go about every 5 minutes and guess what, she really does go-unbelievable!
2. When she tells you she has to go it means she HAS to go.
3. Make sure you don't go anywhere where there is NOT a potty-that's TROUBLE
4. Princess panties are it.
5. Doing a potty chart and having her put stickers up when she goes potty and having a prize after she goes so many times on the toilet-works great!
6.Patience, Patience, Patience.
7. Make sure you bring treats with you WHEREVER you go. Pez candies work great around here. She get's "only one" every time she goes potty on the toilet.
8.Don't make a big deal about the times she does go potty in her panties-it happens.
9. ALWAYS keep an extra pair of panties and shorts on hand. You never know when you may need them.
10. Give LOTS and LOTS of praise. She loves it and I always make a big deal about her going on the potty.
I have to say, potty training Hollie has been fun, adventurous and a great success. My little girl is growing up right in front of me and it's happening way to fast. I look at her every day and say to myself I remeber when she was just a baby and I was holding her in my arms and she was so dependent on me. Now she is a growing girl who is going potty all by herself and who is becoming Miss Independent (I don't know who she is learning that from, but I am sure if you ask my dad he can tell ya.) I love her so much and I LOVE watching her grow and learn.
Good Job Hollie I am SOOOO proud of you!