Best Buds

Hollie and Collin (our next door neighbor) have become best buds. They play almost every day outside and have so much fun together. Hollie was invited to Collin's 3rd birthday party last friday and got to go to Bounce U, without mommy and daddy. (It was a big deal for me because it just confirmed that she is becoming a BIG girl and can go to parties by herself). She had a lot of fun and loved bouncing and jumping on all the fun slides.

Collin got a jeep for his birthday and almost every day has come up to our house in it and asks if Hollie can go for a ride. It's SO DANG ADORABLE!! Those two have the time of their life in this jeep. Yes, they run into everything, up on plants and rocks, into houses, into trees and into people, but they are laughing and having SO much fun. These two are so cute and love playing with eachother. I could just sit and watch them forever because I love watching 2/3 year olds interact, so much fun! I have to say I laugh hard when these two drive it, because they don't know how to steer it, or how to reverse they just step on the gas and GO!!! It's hillarious and lots of fun.

Hollie's first trip to the dentist

Last Friday Hollie had her first visit to the dentist. We had prepared for it as much as we could and told her that a dentist is going to look at your teeth and make sure they are healthy. I wasn't to sure how it was all going to go until we walked in the door.

The first thing Hollie sees when she walks into the door is this;

Can you believe it, a LARGE play center in a dental office? There was a train, a playhouse above the slide and a few other fun things. I was shocked, but it started our dental visit off VERY well. She played while I filled out all the necessary paperwork, it was great! She kept coming up and telling me, "mommy, dentist look at my teeth, it's okay, no big deal. (It's okay, no big deal are Hollie's famous words and how she says it is even funnier). Anyway, soon it was our turn to go back. They took us back to an "open bay" area with a tv connected to the sealing above each chair. We first took two x-rays and Hollie was fantastic! There was a train going around the ceiling and that kept her pretty occupied. She got to her chair layed back and overall was really good.
She didn't like the "bib" on, but quickly got over that. Once the wonderful dentist came she talked to Hollie told her what she was going to do and then proceeded to put on her mask, so she wouldn't get "germs" on Hollie. Well, Hollie promptly was up out of her chair and said, "that scares me mommy". Hollie didn't like the mask and the dentist was so kind she asked Hollie if she wanted her to take it off and Hollie said, "yes, please, scares me". It was so cute. After that the dentist looked in Hollie's mouth and within 10 minutes our visit was complete and Hollie has great teeth, Hooray!!! It was a great visit and I was SO impressed with my little princess.

We will definetly be back when we are due for our next appointment.

Enjoy Every Moment

Today as I was mopping my floor this song came on and I LOVED it.
It's called "It won't be like this for long" by Darius Rucker.

He didn't have to wake up
He'd been up all night
Lying there in bed and listening
To his newborn baby cry
He makes a pot of coffee
He splashes water on his face
His wife gives him a kiss and says,
"It's gonna be okay"

"It won't be like this for long
One day we'll look back laughing
At the week we brought her home
This phase is gonna fly by
So baby, just hold on
It won't be like this for long"

Four years later, 'bout 4:30
She's crawling in their bed
And when he drops her off at pre-school
She's clinging to his leg
The teacher peels her off of him
He says, "What can I do?"
She says, "Now, don't you worry
This'll only last a week or two"

"It won't be like this for long
One day soon you'll drop her off
And she won't even know you're gone
This phase is gonna fly by
If you can just hold on
It won't be like this for long"

Someday soon she'll be a teenager
And at times, he'll think she hates him
And he'll walk her down the aisle
And raise her veil,
But right now she's up and cryin'
And the truth is that he don't mind
As he kisses her goodnight
And she says her prayers

He lays down there beside her
Till her eyes are finally closed
And just watching her it breaks his heart
'Cause he already knows

It won't be like this for long
One day soon that little girl is gonna be
All grown up and gone
And this phase is gonna fly by
So he's trying to hold on
It won't be like this for long
It won't be like this for long

Ha, I fixed it. I guess there was music on my slide show. Anyway, enjoy.

How do I get This "stepping stones" song OFF my BLOG???????? And where did it come from???
If anyone has some input PLEASE let me know. This is the MOST ANNOYING song EVER!!!!!!

Why in the WORLD are there two songs playing on my blog at once. And where did the "stepping stones" song come from? Sorry, to all those that have been listening to it. I usually have my computer volume down, so who knows how long thats been playing. SORRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
For now I have taken off the music, so I hope you enjoy the peace and quiet.

Words I LOVE to Hear

Today, we were at the Acura dealership, patiently waiting 2 hours, for our car to get an oil change and the air conditioning checked. Thank goodness for their little kids room because if it wasn't for that we would have had a 2 1/2 year old and 11 month old running wild. Though we did take a few breaks and walk around a bit I receieved numerous compliments about my kiddos. Can I just say when I left there I felt like I was on top of the world. Everyone was saying how adorable my kids are, how well behaved they are (ha it was a good day), how Ethan was charming everyone and smiling at everyone that walked by and just being his precious little self. He even made one guys day that you could tell was not having a good day and just made him smile, I couldn't help but smile to myself and the guy walked away and said that little boy smiled at me and made my day, WOW. Hollie was talking up a storm, telling people her car was getting fixed and just being a cute little princess. And then there was this lady, who worked there, that told Hollie "words I love to here" and that was how much my sweet she looked like her mommy. When I hear those words I just can't explain the feeling that comes over me. More than anything it just confirms that my little kids were always meant to come to us, but just through different avenues. This lady had no idea that Hollie and Ethan were adopted, but she just gave me the compliment of a lifetime. I LOVE IT!!!!

Our visit to Utah to meet Baby Owen

This last weekend we were able to take a quick trip up to Utah to see our new nephew/cousin Owen. It was a very special trip for our princess because she got to come all by herself and have mommy and daddy all to herself. (well, she just had to share us with baby Owen). It was a great trip and Owen is one cute little boy. I think he takes a lot after his daddy, especially the hair color...I think it's going red. He is such a calm, relaxed little baby. He hardly cries and when he does it's so soft. He hardly fusses, sleeps all the time and only wakes up twice at night!! Yes, I would say he is a perfect baby. I had to laugh because our sweet Ethan is still up atleast once a night and he is 11 months old!! But, that's okay because he just needs his momma for a couple minutes and then he is right back to sleep.
We had a great time visiting with KC and Brookie and they both seem to be thoroughly enjoying parenthood. I loved watching them with Owen, they are so cute. Hollie LOVED baby Olen, that's what she calls him. She LOVED holding him, giving him kisses and watching him. She would say the cutest things and we would just smile and laugh. Oh, she is so adorable. We had a great time and LOVE our new nephew/cousin.
Spending time with our princess was priceless. I think there was some much needed mommy daddy time and it couldn't have come at a better time. Ryan and I loved spending time with our girl and don't get me wrong we MISSED ourEthan terribly, but I knew he was in great hands and having a ton of fun, which he was. Having one on one time with Hollie was great and I look forward to more times when we can have that with each child. I think it is very important to have "special" time with each one every now and then. It reminds them and us how much we love them and how truly special each one is. Ryan and I both look forward to when we can do that with Hollie and Ethan. Oh, the good times ahead.
It was a great trip and oh how we LOVE and MISS our little baby Owen. Can't wait to see you guys again.

His first Shinner!

I am sure this will not be the last shinner my little boy gets. As Ryan said, "Kerri this is only the first of many."

It was Monday January 26th and we had finished family night and were all on the floor playing. Hollie and Ethan were being so cute and Ryan and I were just enjoying ourselves watching our kids be absolutely adorable, when Mr. Ethan decided to walk around the coffee table and somehow trip and fall; hitting his head on the coffee table and cutting it open. I jumped up as fast as I could, which as we know we can never move fast enough when something is wrong, and I went and picked him up and his forehead, just above his eyebrow, was bleeding. We ran into the kitchen, put a cold towel on it and applied pressure for a few minutes. He layed his head on my shoulder and Ryan looked at the cut. It didn't look deep enough for stitches so Ryan went and got his firstaid kit and butterflied it. Within 10 minutes Ethan was up walking around, playing like nothing ever happened. I couldn't believe it! He is one tough kid. He never touched the bandage and from then on acted like nothing had ever happened. Gotta Love it!

My adorable daughter

I just have to post about my sweet Hollie. This little girl is my sweet angel. I love her so much and am so grateful that she came to our family. I couldn't imagine life without her. Yes, she definetly tests me and gives me a run for it, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. She has taught me more than I ever thought I would ever be able to learn from a little girl I call my daughter. She brightens each and every day. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the moments she comes up to me and says, "hold you mom 10 minutes". I just melt and cuddle her up for the 10 minutes. I love spending time with her and doing "girly" things, it's the best. Yes, she doesn't wear hairbows, but that's okay. She loves to wear necklaces and braceletes and get her hair done when she wants to. I definetly take advantage of those moments. She will never know the joy that her sweet little spirit brought to Ryan and I almost 3 years ago. (wow, does time fly) February 18 will be 3 years that our amazing birthmother contacted us and told us she was looking at us to be parents of her precious baby girl. That day, that email I will never forget. I could tell you where we were at, where I was sitting, the weather, those that were around, every possible detail, it was simply amazing and very nerveracking all at the same time. So many emotions coming at all directions. I am so grateful for how things turned out and that through the miracle of adoption our sweet Hollie was able to come into our family. I am so grateful for her and for the person that she has made me since she has been here on earth. I love her with all my heart and she truly is our Princess.