I can't express how great it is to be home, though I did love spending so much time with my sister and her family. The ride home took us 12 hours, but I have to say how wonderful both Clara and Abby were. They just couldn't have been any better. I came home to pink balloons in my front yard (Thanks Patricia!) and a sweet welcome home sign from my kids. Grandpa and Grandma were there to meet us. The rest of the family were at pack meeting, so we had to wait a while to see them.
I had another surprise when I walked into the house...it smelled horrible! Two nights before I got home, the washing machine flooded over and soaked the whole hallway. The kids and Angie cleaned it up, but the pad underneath the carpet was still wet, thus the horrible smell. It was really bad. After talking to my insurance agent and a company who cleans up disasters, we decided we would rip up the carpet (I have wanted to get rid of it for some time anyway)and work on putting wood flooring down. Not something we planned to do so soon, but need to out of necessity. And since we are doing the floors, it would seem logical to do the painting as well, don't you think? So here we go. I am quite excited.
Anyway, the rest of the family arrived and were thrilled to see us. I just love how they have all fallen in love with Clara. Wesley's words were, "I am addicted to her". Now we have something new to argue about, "I want to hold her!" and "I want to feed her!" and "I want to sit by her!" They really are so cute with her. I think Clara had a hard time coming here with all the new people and new surroundings, but she seems to be okay now.
It really does feel good to be home and be "MOM" again. Friday night I cooked dinner, and we sat down as a family to enjoy it. It was such a great feeling. I missed them so much, and I know the feeling was mutual.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Newest pictures of Clara
This one is for my friend Dawn, who loves Bret Favre.
Big sister Abby with little Clara. Abby loves her new baby sister and is a huge help to her mom.
Don't you just love that hair and those big eyes. She is just beautiful!
I'm Coming Home!!
My lawyer in Utah called me today and said, "Come on home!". I have been waiting for those words for weeks, and somedays thought they would never come.
I picked up my dear friend, Angie, today at the airport so she could ride back with me tomorrow on my trip home. She has been an absolute angel for me through all this, words can't begin to thank her. Also, I have the greatest sister and brother-in-law. They took me into their home for all these weeks and took care of me and supported me through all this. They are true gems. My dear parents have helped out with all the yard duties and with taking care of my children. I have had so many e-mails and phone calls of support and encouragement from friends and family that helped me get through all this (Thanks Dawn!) I am so blessed to have so many who love and care for me and my family.
This truly has been one of the hardest trials that our family has had to go through, but the blessing of having this sweet little daughter in our home has made it totally worth it. She has already brought so much joy.
Everyone knows that I am a terrible picture taker. Angie is back on the project, so we will have pictures posted soon.
I picked up my dear friend, Angie, today at the airport so she could ride back with me tomorrow on my trip home. She has been an absolute angel for me through all this, words can't begin to thank her. Also, I have the greatest sister and brother-in-law. They took me into their home for all these weeks and took care of me and supported me through all this. They are true gems. My dear parents have helped out with all the yard duties and with taking care of my children. I have had so many e-mails and phone calls of support and encouragement from friends and family that helped me get through all this (Thanks Dawn!) I am so blessed to have so many who love and care for me and my family.
This truly has been one of the hardest trials that our family has had to go through, but the blessing of having this sweet little daughter in our home has made it totally worth it. She has already brought so much joy.
Everyone knows that I am a terrible picture taker. Angie is back on the project, so we will have pictures posted soon.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Still here
I am still here, going on my 5th week. I had some major developments, now it is just getting through the ICPC (Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children). Basically, I hand in all the paper work to Wyoming ICPC, they look over it and hopefully approve it. Then they send it to Utah for approval. Then if all goes well, I can go home. I am really hoping for the end of next week, because I so want to spend the 24th of July with my family. Wish me luck!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Trip to Evanston
I never thought that I would be taking a trip to Evanston, but you do what you have to do. The 5 hour trip there wasn't too bad, I only had to stop 3 times. I actually was able to stop in Lyman, which was really quite a detour, but it was a cute little town.
Brian was the first one to greet me and his first response to Clara was priceless, "Oh my littleness!" How quick we forget how small these wee little ones are when they come into this world. She is little and teeny. We then went to surprise the kids. They were so excited and everyone wanted to hold Clara. I was showered with hugs, kisses and gifts. It felt so good to be reunited with them.
The one that I was most nervous about was Wesley. I didn't really know how he felt about getting yet another sister. But he just loved her and wanted to hold his "little baby sister". It was too sweet.
I can't make an entry about Evanston without telling about our accomodations. We went a little on the cheap side in order to get two rooms, so we wouldn't all be squished in one room. Well, you get what you pay for. I won't mention the name of the hotel, but it was absolutely horrible. Brian explained that we were on a Chevy Chase Vacation, and he wasn't exaggerating. We couldn't get out of there none too soon. We did enjoy swimming at the Rec Center though.
We parted the next day after breakfast. Abby came with me. Just as we left, she started crying and said, "I am going to miss them." She pretty much cried all the way past Rock Springs. I had her call her dad, but she could hardly talk because she was so upset. I then gave her a Werther's candy and that seemed to change her mood. Sugar can really come in handy sometimes. I only had to stop once on the way back, which was awesome.
All in all it was wonderful to be with them and hard to come back. I am still hoping to be home next week, but it is in the Lord's hands.
Here are some pictures we took of Clara meeting her family. I realized that we didn't get any pictures of Clara with her dad...oops! We will make sure we do that when we get home. Sorry about the side picture of Maddie. I tried fixing it, but it didn't work.
Brian was the first one to greet me and his first response to Clara was priceless, "Oh my littleness!" How quick we forget how small these wee little ones are when they come into this world. She is little and teeny. We then went to surprise the kids. They were so excited and everyone wanted to hold Clara. I was showered with hugs, kisses and gifts. It felt so good to be reunited with them.
The one that I was most nervous about was Wesley. I didn't really know how he felt about getting yet another sister. But he just loved her and wanted to hold his "little baby sister". It was too sweet.
I can't make an entry about Evanston without telling about our accomodations. We went a little on the cheap side in order to get two rooms, so we wouldn't all be squished in one room. Well, you get what you pay for. I won't mention the name of the hotel, but it was absolutely horrible. Brian explained that we were on a Chevy Chase Vacation, and he wasn't exaggerating. We couldn't get out of there none too soon. We did enjoy swimming at the Rec Center though.
We parted the next day after breakfast. Abby came with me. Just as we left, she started crying and said, "I am going to miss them." She pretty much cried all the way past Rock Springs. I had her call her dad, but she could hardly talk because she was so upset. I then gave her a Werther's candy and that seemed to change her mood. Sugar can really come in handy sometimes. I only had to stop once on the way back, which was awesome.
All in all it was wonderful to be with them and hard to come back. I am still hoping to be home next week, but it is in the Lord's hands.
Here are some pictures we took of Clara meeting her family. I realized that we didn't get any pictures of Clara with her dad...oops! We will make sure we do that when we get home. Sorry about the side picture of Maddie. I tried fixing it, but it didn't work.
A new perspective
My sweet Maddie had our dear friend Lauren transform me and Clara into royalty. It really makes me think of things on a more eternal level. I thought it was quite sweet! I especially like my dress.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Progress
I guess you could say that I am not a very patient person, I really hate to wait. I had been here in Wyoming for two weeks and really nothing had happened in the progression of this adoption. Feelings of hopelessness and doubt kept coming upon me, as well as always wondering if I would ever get to go home. Well I am happy to say that things started to move this week, and we have made some progress. It looks like I might be able to come home in two weeks, which still seems like a long time, but atleast there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
I have to admit that I have truly felt the adversary trying to stop this whole process, and through my natural eyes I didn't know if it would ever work out. But the Lord has been by my side the whole time, and I can always feel Him pick me up when I start falling. Anything that could possibly go wrong seems to do so, but then by some miracle it all works out. It has been quite the roller coaster ride.
Clara is doing very well. I am grateful for this time that her and I have had to bond with one another. I wouldn't have been able to have so much one on one time with her if I would have been at home because of all my other responsibilities, so I see the blessing in this time away, even though it has been hard. I am truly grateful for this experience, it has humbled me and strengthened my testimony more than I could imagine.
I have to admit that I have truly felt the adversary trying to stop this whole process, and through my natural eyes I didn't know if it would ever work out. But the Lord has been by my side the whole time, and I can always feel Him pick me up when I start falling. Anything that could possibly go wrong seems to do so, but then by some miracle it all works out. It has been quite the roller coaster ride.
Clara is doing very well. I am grateful for this time that her and I have had to bond with one another. I wouldn't have been able to have so much one on one time with her if I would have been at home because of all my other responsibilities, so I see the blessing in this time away, even though it has been hard. I am truly grateful for this experience, it has humbled me and strengthened my testimony more than I could imagine.
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