Happy Thanksgiving!

“When we lose one blessing, another is often most unexpectedly given in its place”

~C.S. Lewis

This year I’m most thankful for every unexpected blessing in my life.  I may not appreciate or even understand them at first, but over time I've realized that out of each trial we experienced, came a blessing.  And I’m grateful for each and every one. 

Happy Thanksgiving!  

Happy 'Friendsgiving'!

On Sunday, we had our very first Thanksgiving with friends that one couple coined 'Friendsgiving'.  I like it.  'Friendsgiving' is a start to a new tradition that Kris and I will now look forward to every year.  Twelve of us squeezed around our dining room table (room for 8 normally) shared great conversation, flowing wine and who could forget the delicious meal prepared by all who attended.  It was a wonderful night and we even got to celebrate my hubby's soon-to-be 29th birthday.  Thank you all for coming and for your generosity.  Kris and I are thankful for each and every one of your friendships. 

I had plans of taking pictures of everyone throughout the night, but after everyone showed up, there was lots of visiting, preparing the meal, enjoying a glass of wine (or two!) myself and well...the camera got forgotten.  But, I have before pictures!

 

Here we sang Kris 'Happy Birthday' and someone reminded me to grab my camera. But  it was too late...

With a baby in hand and at the very last second I got two crummy photos of the night with no one 's face in it.  Oh well.  I had the fixed 50mm lens on and no room or time to adjust.  

It's officially Kris' birthday week and I have 2, possibly 3, other celebratory days in store for him and more photo ops to come.  I will remember to capture those memories. 

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
Enjoy the holiday with your families and cherish those sweet memories. 

Happy National Adoption Month!

For those of you who don’t know, November is National Adoption Month.  I’ve been meaning to post something regarding this very special topic, but between planning an adoption event for Gladney, planning our own Thanksgiving with friends this month and lots of life happening in between; I’ve been a little busy.  It’s only November 21^st, so I made it just in time!

A friend recently shared with me this blog, 30 Adoption Portraits in 30 Days and I think it’s the perfect way to not only educate those unaware of the many different perspectives of adoption, but also celebrate the miracle of adoption.  You can read the adoption stories of birth parents, adoptees, adoptive parents and waiting adoptive parents just like us.  Reading these stories may give you chills, these stories may bring tears to your eyes, but in the end, families are formed and that should leave you with a smile. 


30 Adoption Portraits in 30 Days

Nov. 1: The Waiting is the Hardest Part by Merrin Donahue
Nov. 2: Lost Connections by An Anonymous Birthmother
Nov. 3: Being the Adopted Kid by Kim Wilkes
Nov. 4: An Unpredictable Journey of Faith by Debbie Mumm
Nov. 5: I Drove Home Without Her by Jill Barber
Nov. 6: We Nearly Decided To Give Up by Rob Duval
Nov. 7: Adoption Would Protect Her by G, birthmother
Nov. 8: If Not Me, Then Who? by Dawn Berger
Nov. 9: I Found Out I Was Adopted Because of Facebook by Andrew Cadieux
Nov. 10: I Had Missed the Call by Cathy J.
Nov. 11: Pain Among Beauty by Gretchen Helgeson
Nov. 12: The Lifelong Detective: Still searching for my birth family by Marian Rogers
Nov. 13: What Dreams May Come by Diana Perrone
Nov. 14: Katie's Custody Day: A Strong Girl from the Start by Carrie Goldman
Nov. 15: Real Life, Not the TV Version by Kat Szmit
Nov. 16: A Strange Bird Cry Announces Our Daughter by Jeremy Cressman
Nov. 17: My Oldest Daughter And I Shared Our First Hug by Amy Conn
Nov. 18: Afraid of Being Left Behind by Melissa Miller
Nov. 19: The Reality Started to Set In That I Was Never Going to Be Pregnant Again by Jodie Tallman
Nov. 20: When the Name "Mother" Has Multiple Meanings by Sarah Werthan Buttenwieser
Nov. 21: A Cast-Aside Child Comes Home by Alice Bengel
Nov. 22: Where Are The Babies? by Jennifer Allwood
Nov. 23: Could I Open My Heart to Trying Adoption Again? by Deb Bart
Nov. 24: He Can Make You Smile Even On Your Worst Day by Josh Graham
Nov. 25: Not All Adoptees Find a Happy Home? by "Rachel"
Nov. 26: We Are Not Complete by Dana at Life Unexpected
Nov. 27: I Had To Do What Was Best For All Of My Children by M, Katie's Birthmother
Nov. 28: An Adoption Postcard From My Side of the Edge by Kim Strickland
Nov. 29: The Big Problem Facing Foster-to-Adopt Families by Betsy White
Nov. 30: When Adoptive Family + Birth Families = Happiness by Collen Walsh

Shopping for Baby

Yesterday, my mom and I set out to purchase the baby bedding and crib mattress for Baby Simpson.  We have had both picked out for some time, but Nest and Cot (the store we purchased from) mentioned last month that we should wait to purchase the items if we can and use the Holiday Card.  If you don’t know what the holiday card is, look no further.  You can purchase this card for a minimum donation of $70 to the American Cancer Society and with that you can save 20% or more at hundreds of stores in the Houston and surrounding areas.  It really is a glorious card.  

Anyway, one trip to Nest and Cot to purchase the bedding and crib mattress led to a mini shopping spree for Baby Simpson.  I just couldn’t help myself!  After all, I’ve been waiting for over two years now to shop, plan and prepare for our baby’s arrival and now the time is finally here.  

Baby's new mattress

The boys had a little fun in there!

I really hope our baby is not allergic to doggies or I'm in t.r.o.u.b.l.e. 

George liked it so much he needed a rest. 

Oskar is into everything that we buy for his future brother or sister. 

Here are a few of the new baby clothes that I purchased for our baby.  It is extremely difficult to find gender neutral clothes, but I tried my best.  Really I just want to have a few things so that if we get a call and only have a moments notice to pick up our baby, I want to be as ready as I can be.  That's the plan anyway...

This one is my favorite - they are mini Oskars!

Baby's 1st UT gear!

I’ve walked upstairs no less than five times to look at those baby clothes today alone and last night while Kris was in Canada for work, he jokingly told me not to sleep in the crib now that we have a mattress.  Can you tell I’m excited?!