My bonus kids.

Here are my step-kids. My incredibly smart, sweet, and kind step-kids. We love them and miss them when they're not with us. Walking into an already formed family can sometimes not be an easy thing, but thru prayer and God's grace we have all come a long way. And most importantly, we all love each other. They may not have come from me, but I love them like they did. They are so special to me.

It's the little things that matter.

Oh my goodness....I could cry. I have been brainstorming ideas for Adilynn's 1st birthday. The choices are endless. She doesn't like any certain disney character or TV character (probably because I don't put her in front of the TV unless it's Sesame Street) and even though she'd probably like it- I'm not going to do an Elmo theme! She's a girly-girl so I think I'll go with a flower theme. Or a tea party theme. Tune in later to find out which one I go with.

So anyways...back to the crying part. I know I say this all the time, but I honestly can't believe so much time has passed already. Will every year pass this quickly?! It seems just like yesterday I was fat and waddling everywhere, unable to wear my wedding ring, and craving crushed ice. It seems just like yesterday I was hearing her heartbeat for the first time in the doctors office. It seems just like yesterday I was asking for an epidural (HA! natural childbirth is NOT for me) and then 14 hours later being wheeled away for a C-section. And it seems just like yesterday that we brought her home, and she was sleeping in a bassinet next to our bed. But...the reality is this: this little one is growing so quickly that I don't want to miss a second of it. I am so blessed to be able to stay home with her, and I am so thankful that Orrin works hard to make it happen. I definitely have my moments of "man, if I was working, we'd have that. Or we'd be able to go here. Or get a bigger house. Or do this." But none of those things matter compared to staying home with Adilynn. I don't think there's a bigger or better role than being a mommy. (and...I was just telling Orrin this morning that I'd like to try for another little one next summer. The more the merrier!)

Oh yeah, and we'll be able to cart all those little ones around because we just got a honda pilot last weekend. It's black, seats 8, leather seats, the works. It even has a DVD player. (It's not something we asked for, just something that came with it) My car was paid off, so it's going to be different to have a car payment again. But that's okay.....everything happens for a reason and we will just work hard to pay it off!

Okay, so back to the birthday party. I'll have to narrow down a theme, plan the food, and order the cake. Although I'm not sure about the cake.....I can't stand store bought cake!!!! I like homemade cakes much better!

As for now....my little cupcake is snuggled up warm and cozy in her bed taking a nap. When she wakes up, I'll go thru the same routine we do twice a day after each nap. Hugs and kisses, pull back her curtain, turn on her radio (she starts pointing to her radio as soon as I walk in the room!) and we'll "talk" as she plays and dances in her crib. Ahh....it's the little things in life that matter.

And I can't post a blog without posting a picture....so here it is. She was two days old in this picture and sawing logs!!!!!

Our little lady....

......turned ten months on saturday. I was looking thru pictures recently and found this one from when she was four months old. Where does the time go?!? Look at those sweet, little innocent hands!!! Those hands now hold onto furniture while cruising around, find every piece of lint or fuzz on the floor, bang kitchen pots and pans and softly hold onto my hair as she's falling asleep. And oh yes, those hands have also recently discovered how to open up kitchen cabinets and drawers! Thank goodness for safety locks! What a sweet little angel....God is good!

LIFE GROUP!

Orrin and I have wanted to get involved with a Life Group at James River for quite some time now. We wanted to do it last year, but with Adilynn on the way we just didn't feel it was the right time. Last night we went to the Group Link meeting at church where we met with several other couples and several group leaders who host the groups in their home. You had to walk around and meet all the leaders and then decide which ones you wanted to go with. It was a little intimidating at first, and we felt a bit like we were speed dating. However, we met an awesome couple and we signed up right away with their group. We start this sunday night (I think!) and we are really excited!



On Tuesday Orrin and I celebrated our two year anniversary. He is a wonderful husband and there are many days when I feel I don't deserve him. We went to eat and also went shopping for an SUV. (how romantic, huh?) :) I am so glad that he is here with me and that God protected him two and a half weeks ago in the car accident. We continue to pray for the family that lost a loved one, and that somehow God is glorified thru all of this. So as you can see by the picture....we have to find a new vehicle. We are looking at Honda Pilots and Nissan Pathfinders. Our car was paid off, so we aren't looking forward to having a car payment again, but oh well. Now that we've been car shopping it's fun to think about getting something new.


Adilynn had a doctor's check up a couple of weeks ago and all is well with her! She's 23 pounds and 31 inches tall. She continues to be off the charts in length and is in the 95th percentile for weight. This is the first time she's been ON the charts for weight! She turns 10 months on saturday.....which means I have two months to plan her year birthday party. Ugh....I am so NOT a party planner so this should be interesting. She is FINALLY GETTING HAIR!!! It's taken ten months, but it's really starting to come in now. And it has a bit of a wave to it, which isn't a suprise because I have natural wave in my hair.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Thursday!