Always and Forever Ours

Who wore it best?

2012-01-23T15:59:00.000-06:00

Jeremy, November 2010:

Zachary, January 2012:

This adorable outfit was a gift from my cousin and his family for Jeremy when we adopted the boys, and it has been one of my favorites! Gotta love having two boys! Hand-me-downs are the best! Zachary is currently wearing many of the clothes that Jeremy was wearing this time last year. It's so fun and amazing to watch them grow!

Beautiful Brown Skin

2012-01-19T13:09:00.001-06:00

Dear Jeremy,

I'm in the process of working on our family photo book for the year 2011, and I just finished a page with the above images. I would entitle it "The Many Faces of Jeremy" because it totally shows what a character you are and how expressive you can be.

Sometimes when I'm putting baby lotion on your skin, I'll say, "Jeremy, what's beautiful?" and you'll enthusiastically reply, "Beautiful skin!" It's become a bit of a ritual, and a little fun thing that we do. You and your brother both have such gorgeous skin, and I hope you'll always embrace it as one of the many wonderful characteristics that God gave you when He made you.

Sadly, you may encounter people in the world who will try to tell you otherwise. One of the things that breaks my heart is the thought that you might (and probably will) encounter people with racial prejudices. They might say hurtful things or act in ways make you feel inferior, less than. I wish I could protect you from all harm, and I hope the world you are growing up in will be a kinder one than generations past.

My only advice to you is to disregard that negativity as much as you possibly can, and remember that you are exactly who God created you to be. You are "fearfully and wonderfully made"! (Psalm 139). I want you to know, also, that our little ritual isn't just my way of trying to build your self-esteem (although I hope it does!). It is the truth. You and Zachary both were born with the most beautiful skin--just look at the photos above...it is just radiant!!!

And what is most beautiful to me (even more than your gorgeous skin!) is your radiant spirit. May it always shine brightly! Thank you for lighting up my world!

Love,
Mama

Legacy

2012-01-04T13:48:00.001-06:00

"May the tenure of our life on earth be characterized by one simple word: Jesus." ~Beth Moore

Dear Jeremy and Zachary,

Dad and I recently spent the better part of a day completing an exercise called "My Life Plan". The workbook we used plainly stated that in order to make a plan for your life, you have to know where it is you want to go. In other words, you must begin at the end and then figure out the steps you want to take to get you there. The idea is to visualize how you would like to be remembered by the important people in your life, and then to make a plan accordingly. The workbook suggested that I take a moment to imagine my funeral, and then to think about how I want to be remembered by God, my husband, my children, my parents, my colleagues, and my friends.

I had no idea what an emotional experience it would be to write down my thoughts about all of this, and I was most moved writing about how I want to be remembered by you, so I thought I would share my thoughts with you here:

I want my children to remember me the way we remembered John (my stepdad) at his funeral: as someone who spoiled us with his love. If my children remember me for nothing else, I want them to remember me as a mommy who loved them so lavishly and fiercely that there is absolutely no doubt in their minds that they were the apple of my eye. I want them to remember me as their champion--that I was on their team, not matter what. That I was their protective Mama Bear when they needed someone to defend them. I want them to remember me as their cheerleader, the president of their fan club, the person who believed in the beauty of their dreams, the person who believed in their ability to achieve their dreams, the person who believed in them. As they become adolescents and adults, I want them to remember me as their dear friend and confidant--the person they could come to with absolutely any thought, any question, any hurt or heartbreak, any joy or triumph, any issue to process. I want them to remember me as someone who gave great hugs. I want them to remember me as being both gentle and fun. I want them to remember me as someone who gave them the gift of my time. I want them to remember me as someone who prayed for them and helped introduce them to Jesus. And even when I'm long gone, and their memories of me begin to fade with time, I want them to remember me when they look in the mirror at themselves--not because we look anything alike, but because the Light that shines in their own eyes and hearts will be the same Light that shone in mine...the Light of Jesus. I want them to feel the love of Christ resonating in their souls when they remember Mama.

I love you with all my heart,
Mama

So my new year just started off with a moment of sheer panic....But the story ends happily.

2012-01-01T11:00:00.000-06:00

Our morning started off as most Sunday mornings do. Brian leaves the house to get to church around 8am (he's a pastor, so he gets there early and stays for the day, just like a regular work day), just as the boys and I are starting to wake up. The boys and I get up and dressed and they sat in their high chairs happily munching on toast as they watched Jeremy's latest favorite movie: Rudolph's Shiny New Year.

For some reason, I thought it would be fun to start the New Year by giving Jeremy the New Year's resolution of potty training! So we kicked things off with a bang and bi-passed the diaper and went straight to "big boy pants". I told him that if he needed to go, just tell Mama. Otherwise, I would set a timer to go off every hour and we would visit the potty then.

The timer went off, and I paused Rudolph to take Jeremy to the potty when he admitted that he already went in his pants. "I'm, sorry. My fault, Mom." Well, at least the kid knows how to own up! I told him that I wasn't mad, and I changed his pants and left the two boys downstairs to finish watching the movie while I ran upstairs to update my Facebook status.... Yes... Five years ago today, Brian proposed to me!

Just as I updated my status, I realized that things had gotten very quiet downstairs, so I went to check things out, and I could not find the boys. Both the front and back door were still locked, so I knew they hadn't gone outside (plus, we have an alarm that beeps any time the doors open, and I never heard that). But they weren't in any of the rooms. I yelled, "Jeremy!" Then a slightly more panicked "Jeremy!!!!" as I searched every room and bathroom. Finally a full-on, sound the alarms "JEREMY!!!" And the house was silent. Not a sound, and it was horrible.

I realized that the one place I still hadn't looked was in the pantry, so I opened the doors, and both boys were sitting down hiding under a ledge. I immediately picked up Zachary and held him as I broke down in sobs of relief. Jeremy ran to us and held my leg, saying, "I'm sorry Mom. We play hide-seek." I hugged and kissed them both and told them that when Mama is calling, they NEED to answer. By that point, I had calmed down enough to wipe away my tears and take a deep breath, and Zachary looks up at me and cheerfully says, "Hi, Mom!" and holds out a half-eaten Oreo, he helped himself to while in the pantry. I giggled at the hilarity of it all, and decided that if ever there were a time to comfort us all with Oreos, the time was now, so the three of us sat on the kitchen floor, clicked our Oreos together as we said "Cheers" and toasted the new year.

Being a Mom makes me feel a lot of things ranging from pure joy to boredom, sheer panic to utter relief, exhaustion to energized...but one thing's for sure, it makes me feel so ALIVE!!!

2011 in Pictures

2011-12-31T14:47:00.000-06:00

I love looking back over the past year and seeing how the boys have grown and changed!

January 2011:

February 2011:

March 2011:

April 2011:

May 2011:

June 2011:

July 2011:

August 2011:

September 2011:

Beca, our friend/summer nanny was here!

October 2011:

November 2011:

December 2011:

So thankful for a great year in our family!

The Dude Can Wield a Lightsaber!

2011-12-28T23:58:00.000-06:00

Christmas Day was a fun celebration, and I have a ton of photos, but this series is by far my favorite! Jeremy has never seen Star Wars, but the way he handled his new "flashlight sword" makes me think he might be training with Obi Wan Kenobi on the sly.

Thanks to Bucky and Elaine for giving him such a perfect gift!

Merry Christmas from our Family to Yours!

2011-12-22T03:54:00.000-06:00

Dear Family and Friends,

2011 has been a year of truly enjoying our sons--they are wonderful, loving, full of energy and lots of fun! May God bless you and your family with a very Merry Christmas and a joyful 2012!

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." ~Isaiah 9:6

Preschool Christmas Program

2011-12-14T22:15:00.000-06:00

Today was Jeremy's preschool Christmas program. I was proud of my boy for getting up on that stage and hamming it up! :) He really did a great job, and it was fun!

Love him!

Merry and Bright!

2011-12-06T05:23:00.000-06:00

Santa!

2011-12-03T13:47:00.000-06:00

The boys went to see Santa Claus, and it went well! Jeremy told Santa that he wants a big balloon that goes way up high! Zachary just sat there and looked adorable. :)

We Are Family! (Or...a few pics from Thanksgiving)

2011-12-02T00:16:00.000-06:00

Sisters!

With Monica... She was our foreign exchange student that lived with us 21 years ago! She has been wonderful about keeping in touch with us and coming over every few years for visits. She's our Spanish sister!

Zachary swinging with Dad.

family of four

The Triumphant Trio!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-23T12:01:00.000-06:00

This year, I'm so thankful for the blessings of my little family!

Wishing you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving!

My adoption story part 2: My Birthfather

2011-11-20T19:00:00.000-06:00

After meeting my b1rthm0ther and learning the details of her relationship with my b1rthfather Karl, I honestly thought I would never be able to find anyone from his side of my family. You see, my b1rthfather was not a U.S. citizen. He grew up in Bermuda. And when my b1rthm0ther's pregnancy with me was confirmed, Karl vanished, never to be seen or heard from again.

Occasionally I "googled" his name or looked through Bermuda's on-line white pages but I couldn't find him, or anyone with his last name. My only option was to hire a private investigator and that seemed so risky. Plus, I had mixed feelings about meeting someone who took off at the news of my existence.

Since I was more than satisfied with what I had learned about my biological roots from Alice, I let go of the possibility of ever finding Karl. Until one afternoon two years ago when curiosity got the best of me.

On that day, I was reading a memoir by a man who spent part of his childhood in Bermuda. My mind drifted to Karl and out of nowhere, I thought, "I wonder if he's on Facebook." I opened up my laptop and entered his name in to the Facebook search page. A handful of Karl ____'s came up, none listed in Bermuda. I copied a picture of one who seemed about the right age and sent it to Alice. "Nope," she said. "Not him." I searched again on Facebook, this time entering his name plus the country of Bermuda. A Joseph ____ popped up. Younger than me. A relative perhaps? The only way to find out was to contact him. Nervously, I sent Joseph a message through Facebook. Not wanting to give away all of my cards, I simply introduced myself as a someone doing genealogical research on a Karl ____ who grew up in the region of _____, Bermuda, and asked if he might be related to him.

Joseph replied within a few hours. Yes, he knew who Karl was...Karl was the younger brother of his father Eric and why did I want to know?

I nearly fell out of my chair.

I knew that Karl had an older brother named Eric. I had found my cousin Joe and was one step closer to finding my b1rthfather.

Joe was reluctant to share more information with me until he knew my identity. I was hesitant to reveal too much, fearing that the door might close forever. I finally emailed Joe my phone number, and asked him to pass it along to Karl.

About two hours later, the phone rang. It was Joe. "Before I can tell you about Karl, I need to know who you are." Reluctantly, with no remaining options, I confessed, "I'm his son."

"There has been a rumor in the family about you for years," he replied, recalling a time as a child when he walked in on his parents (or grandparents, I can't remember for sure) and heard them talking about a child that Karl might've had.

Sadly, Joe told me that Karl had died of a drug overdose in the early 70s. Based on what little I knew about him, I wasn't entirely surprised. Tragically, I only have two surviving biological family members from my birthfather's side of the family, my cousin Joe and my aunt Allison, the daughter of my grandfather from his second marriage. She is actually a few years younger than me.

Through a later phone call with Allison, I learned that my grandfather passed away only a few months prior to my contacting the family. He lived to age 90 and spent much of his life, including his last few years, in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. I spent 5 years living in Miami so we actually didn't live too far from each other during those years. Allison put me in touch with her mother (my "step-grandmother" for lack of words) who was the only remaining family member who knew Karl. She told me everything she remembered about him. I learned where he went after his disappearance and what happened in the remaining years of his life. since he was in their wedding, she had a picture of him somewhere. (see below). I also learned that my grandfather played football for the University of Florida and was a great ballroom dancer. (So, which of these two abilities did he pass along to me...sigh...the dancing. The redhead loves this about me but man I wish I had a decent arm for throwing a football!).

It is saddens me to look at the pictures below and see a smiling, happy young man who made a series of selfish self-destructive choices that eventually led to his untimely death. The blessing of adoption always involves a loss of some sort. Like all adoptees, I have things to be thankful for and things to grieve. My sons will be no different but hopefully, by navigating my own adoption journey, I will better equipped to guide them through theirs.

Ultimately, this journey into my past has made me grateful. Grateful to have reunited with both sides of my family tree, grateful to have met welcoming family members on both sides, grateful for the family that raised me, and grateful to God for his hand in all of it. I have much to be thankful for this holiday season.

Karl at my grandfather's wedding. I have his wavy hair and complexion.

The wedding party of my grandfather's second marriage. Karl is next to last on the right.

My adoption story

2011-11-07T21:42:00.000-06:00

(Since November is national adoption month, Brian is sharing part of his own adoption story of reuniting with his b1rthm0ther in the hopes that this will give you some perspective on one adoptee's experience of meeting his b10logical family).

Seven years ago, I found myself standing before an aisle full of Mother's Day cards at the local Hallmark store. This would be a Mother's day like no other. As a present for Mother's day, I had flown my Mom down to Miami for the weekend (where I was living at the time). My life was undergoing a major alteration and in the midst of this transition, I needed to her to know that her place in my life would remain unchanged. I hoped the weekend in Miami would help ease any anxiety she might be feeling.

Mom hadn't arrived yet and I was looking for the right card. But this card wasn't for her. I'd already purchased her card. This card was for someone else. Someone I had known about my entire life but had never met. This one was for my b1rthm0ther.

Several months earlier, after resisting years of gentle encouragement from my Mom (whom I was convinced was watching way too many positive adoption reunion stories on Oprah), I finally got my nerve up and contacted the archives unit of the Children's Home Society of Florida, my adoption agency.

Thirty seven years earlier, my a nineteen year old b1rthm0ther found herself with an unexpected pregnancy. At the insistence of her mother, she left her home in Connecticut and moved in with her cousins in Tarpon Springs, FL until I was born. She gave birth to me that summer on June 10th. Seventeen days later, on June 27th, I was adopted by a young couple in Clearwater, FL.

Betty, my adoption caseworker, conducted the search for my b1rthm0ther. I thought it would take months or even years to find her.

She located her in about two hours.

"She sounds really nice. You've got four siblings, five nieces and nephews, and one more on the way."

I hung up the phone in shock. Brothers. Another sister. More nieces and nephews. It was almost too much to absorb. My mysterious past suddenly came into focus. My life-long questions began to have answers.

A few agonizing months later, in March of 2004, I received my first letter and photo from Alice, my b1rthm0ther. I learned about my "half" siblings: three brothers and a sister (who later insisted that we drop the "half"). That April, we spoke on the phone and heard each other's voice for the first time.

We met that summer on June 27th at the duck pond near her home in Connecticut. Ironically, it was the same day I was adopted into the Owen family thirty-seven years prior. Her husband Hank, (not my b1rthfather) was with her. He walked up to me, threw his arms around me, and with his thick New England accent, said, "Welcome to da family!" I gave Alice a big hug, not realizing that this was the first time she had ever held me. She feared not being able to go through with the adoption process had she held me as an infant.

Though there is much, much more I could share, suffice it to say that my reunion with Alice and her side of my b10logical family has been a postive one. Honestly, my reunion story is so positive that at times, it feels like I won the "adoption lottery." Sadly, not every adoptee's reunion story is as positive as mine. My adopted Mom has been a great support through it all and Mother's Day hasn't been the same since.

Seven years after our reunion, Alice (now Grandma Alice to my boys) and I still keep in touch and see each other from time to time. I was honored to have her at my wedding four years ago where I received something I thought would never be possible. A photo of my wife and I standing between my moms. It still seems unbelievable at times.

Me and my Moms at my wedding in June of 2007 (Mom on left, Alice on right)

Got questions about adoption?

2011-11-05T16:50:00.002-05:00

Hey friends. A rare post from Brian.

November is national adoption month and I'm wondering if any of our blog readers are considering adoption or are just curious about our decision to pursue international adoption. If you've got a question about adoption in general or our specific choice to adopt internationally, leave a question in the comments and I'll try to answer it.

Unexpected Blessings of International Adoption

2011-11-02T13:17:00.001-05:00

When we were preparing to adopt across cultural lines, part of our training included watching some videos. One of these videos talked about the importance of not just trying to keep your kids tied to their culture of origin, but for the entire family to become a little bit (in our case) Ethiopian.

It's a tall order, and one which I hope I'm successful in filling. One thing that I really love about our church is their annual "Nations Sunday" in which there is a focus on world missions. On this particular Sunday each year, many of the world's flags are paraded in during a special procession and the entire congregation is invited to dress in clothing from other nations. For our family, it is a natural opportunity to celebrate our sons' Ethiopian heritage and for them to wear their special outfits we bought them when we were there adopting them.

Our family

One unexpected blessing of becoming "a little bit Ethiopian" is that I've become much bolder in introducing myself to people if I suspect they may be Ethiopian (or from any other African country, for that matter). Consequently, I've made friends with some wonderful women, one of whom has become particularly dear to me. Her name is Sophia, and I met her last year on Nations Sunday. She is a beautiful woman--both inside and out--and last year, she was wearing a gorgeous dress from her native Kenya. I introduced myself to her and we've been friends ever since. She is also the mother of two little boys.

About six months ago, she traveled to her homeland for a visit and returned with a surprise gift for me...a beautiful pink dress!!! It is a Ghanian style dress, and this year's Nations Sunday was my first opportunity to wear it. I love it, and most of all, I loved that my boys could see how proud I was to wear a beautiful African dress...it was a celebration of them as much as it was a chance for me to feel pretty!

Sophia (left), her two sons, and her aunt.

I'm so grateful for the ways our adoption of Jeremy and Zachary has opened my eyes and my heart to people and experiences I might not have otherwise known.

Our family was asked to be part of the flag procession this past Sunday, and when I saw the Ethiopian flag, I found myself dashing over and saying, "May I carry that flag? It's my sons' country!" I couldn't have felt more proud and somehow unworthy at the same time. I'm so blessed and humbled, too, to be a little bit Ethiopian.

Jeremy, you totally get it!

2011-10-18T14:27:00.003-05:00

Dear Jeremy,

I have heard all my life that the people in the family who are most alike tend to get on each others' nerves the most. Sweetheart, we are no exception. One of the things I marvel at with our adoption of you and Zachary is how much you and I have in common. We are both actors, we both have a flair for the dramatic, we are joyful souls, we have artistic talents, and we both want the complete attention of whomever we are talking to. Don't get me wrong, with all this in common, we aren't constantly at odds with each other. In fact, we get along famously! It's just that we also know how to press each others' buttons. So it's more like we're constantly getting along AND bugging each other all at the same time! It's not uncommon for us to be laughing one moment, bugging each other the next and then hugging and making up two seconds later. That just seems to be how we roll.

But my do we have FUN! Since I love photography, you have grown accustomed to regularly mugging for the camera, but you're not always in the mood, which results in many of photos of you ignoring me, making silly faces or running around like a crazy person. Imagine my surprise and delight when this morning, you put your arm around Zachary while you were sitting on the sofa and said, "Mama, take picture!"

"Yes!", I thought to myself, "Jeremy totally gets it!"

After that, you wanted me to take pictures of you dancing. Your one-man dance parties consist of you hurling yourself across the floor in a break-dancing sort of way, accompanied by an occasional somersault, and general swaying to the rhythm of the music. It's awesome.

This morning, during one of our many regular mall walks, we passed an open door to a closed off warehouse area, and through the door, we beheld the beauty of many Christmas trees and decorations being prepared to deck the halls of our local mall.

"What are those?" I asked you.

"Trees!" you responded.

"What kind of trees?"

You paused for a long while, then a look of cautious optimism flashed across your face as if you weren't sure you wanted to risk saying it out loud. "Christmas?" you asked so hopefully.

"Yes! Christmas!" I confirmed.

"Mama! Me feel SO HAPPY!"

Mama does, too, Jeremy. Mama does, too.

In that moment, I felt so grateful and thrilled to have a son who is so much like me, who delights in the same things that I do. I don't care that Halloween hasn't arrived yet. I LOVE seeing the store windows beginning to be trimmed with lights and trees. Jeremy, I look forward to a lifetime of sharing in the sheer JOY of Christmas with you, year after year after year!

God bless us, everyone!

Love,
Mama

Book Review: No Biking in the House Without a Helmet by Melissa Fay Greene

2011-10-03T23:20:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago, as I stood with my sons in front of the carousel at the mall, I was approached by someone with a vaguely familiar face. Tracy?, she wondered aloud. It was a high school friend who I haven't seen for the last 19 years. She was with her husband and their beautiful four year old daughter. Immediately, I wondered if their little girl was adopted, since she looked distinctly Latina. I wasn't sure, though, because my friend's husband had dark hair, and I thought maybe he had the dominant genes that were passed on to their daughter. Also...I've learned as an adoptive mom that sometimes you just don't feel like talking about your adoption story every time someone asks. I decided to keep my mouth shut and just enjoy catching up with a long lost friend, but after a few minutes, her husband said, "So I just have to ask. Are your sons adopted?"

As it turned out, their daughter was also adopted, and we had a wonderful conversation about our families' adoption journeys. I learned that my friend's husband had biological children from a previous marriage. Brimming with pride and love for his adopted daughter, he gushed, "It's no different from having biological children!" I knew instinctively what he meant. Of course, the journey that adoptive parents and adopted children take to become a family is very different from the way a biological family is formed. He was simply saying that his love for his adopted daughter was no different from the love he has for his bio kids. His bond with her was no different. She was his daughter--full stop!

As an adoptive mother who will more than likely never give birth to biological children, I have felt the pangs of envy when I see my friends and even perfect strangers with round, pregnant bellies. I have wondered how Brian's genes and my genes would combine--what those strawberry-blonde, freckle-faced cuties would look like. I have longed to be able to nurse a baby at my breast. All these things that in some way I've felt that I'm missing out on, I have grieved and grieved deeply.

However, I've also marveled at some of the things I've experienced as an adoptive mother that biological families will never know. Some of these things are nothing short of miraculous, and I am humbled and honored that God has allowed Brian and me to be part of a life experience so precious and transforming as adoption: the way our sons (with DNA all their own) fit so seamlessly into the fabric of our family. The way Jeremy has his birthm0ther's gleaming white teeth, but he has my smile. The way I felt the first time Zachary was placed in my arms--like Heaven itself had descended to Earth and given me a gift so beautiful, words will never be able to aptly describe it. Suddenly, the tables had turned and instead of feeling sorry for myself, I felt a little bit sorry for those poor fertile couples who will never know this special joy, the uniqueness of this special journey!

Melissa Fay Greene expresses it beautifully in her adoption memoir No Biking in the House Without a Helmet:

Down a narrow, rocky lane we bounced, then parked outside the cement walls of Layla House, AAI's orphanage. Selamneh [my driver] honked for admission. I was beside myself with excitement and a kind of stage fright. For the second time in my life I prepared to meet a child who was going to call me Mama.

There can be no other demarcation of time, no other "life-cycle event" as significant a crossing-over as this one. Marriage is momentous, but in most of the modern world, brides and grooms stand at the altar beside their beloved. Childbirth is a major event, but it, like marriage, follows a deep prior connection. Now the elderly guard pulled open the gates and I prepared to meet a person who would join, and change, my life permanently.

I remember that moment with both of my children. That first meeting that would change my life forever, for the best!

No Biking in the House is a wonderful book, detailing the path her family took as it grew from a family with four biological kids to a family with nine kids total (the additional five by adoption from Bulgaria and Ethiopia). Greene is a masterful wordsmith and I enjoyed the story of how her family came to be as much as I enjoyed the way she wrote about it!

Her tone is loving, her stories both triumphant and heartbreaking, but her style is never preachy. After I finished the book this morning, I had to spend some time processing the myriad feelings I had--joy, heartbreak, and a burden to do something to help make a change in the world. I realized as I processed these feelings what a genius Greene is--she inspired so much thought in me without ever hammering me over the head with it! She simply told her family's story, and in doing so reminded me what a big difference a family can make.

Three!

2011-10-01T22:33:00.001-05:00

Dear Jeremy,

You're three! I feel like we've been celebrating your birthday for days because, well...we have! On Wednesday, you got to bring cupcakes to preschool to celebrate your birthday with your classmates. You've been asking for "cupcake football" for weeks, and finally the day was here. The result? Pure JOY!

The next day was your actual birthday, and I just had to do a little photo shoot of you on the day you turned three. You are truly beautiful inside and out!

Nana came over on your birthday to spend some time with you and to give you this awesome birthday present...a see-saw!

After your nap, I asked what you wanted to do the afternoon of your birthday, and your reply was "cupcake"! (Do you see a theme emerging here?) So Nana, Zachary and I took you to a local bakery for a special treat. You loved the sprinkles!

Today, we had your birthday party. Because you can't get enough of baseball, football, basketball and soccer, we went with a sports-themed party. We all decked out in sporty clothes!

Even Zachary was a little slugger!

We had a soccer ball piñata...

football and baseball cupcakes...

...fun with family and a few close friends...

...and oh, how you love opening presents! You definitely understand the concept now, and the best part of it is that you respond with the best and most expressive comments. Here you said, "Boots! Me cowboy!" With each gift you shouted and squealed with delight, and I'm not kidding when I say that you were hoarse by the time the party was over from all of that joyous squealing!

The family really loved watching your expressive reactions to each gift you opened....

...and the big hit of the party was this gigantic inflatable soccer ball that your aunt, uncle and cousins gave you. There are openings for a child to climb inside and then they can be rolled around the yard. It was so much fun--even Aunt Jilly climbed inside!

Jeremy, one of the things we love most about you is your zest for life. You live "in the moment" and I stand in awe of the way you truly are so full of life and joy!

We are so glad God gave you to us to be our son, and we are so excited to see the journey God will take you on through the months and years to come. God bless you, our precious son!

Love,
Mama and Daddy

17 Months Old

2011-09-14T22:29:00.000-05:00

Today, my baby is 17 months old! During his first year, I did a photo session with Zachary every month. Since his first birthday, I haven't been doing them every month, but he looked so cute in the outfit he was wearing this morning, I couldn't resist! Here are some of my favorites!

First Day of Preschool!!!

2011-09-07T09:58:00.000-05:00

Dear Jeremy,

Today was your first day of Preschool!!! You started at a new preschool this year, and I think you're gonna like it a lot. :) This morning, Daddy and I dropped you off together, and you were just so proud to wear your backpack and to hold your nap mat and lunch box.

When we arrived at your room, you found your photo on the door and your teacher greeted you.

When she asked you if you wanted to help her bring something into the classroom, you said "yes" and you were on your way! Daddy was unexpectedly teary-eyed saying goodbye and tried to get a hug from you, but you were pretty much into your playtime already. So we said "Bye-bye" and started to walk out, and then you ran for hugs from Mama. In truth, this totally melted my heart, because usually, you're all about Daddy! ;)

Jeremy, we love you and are so proud of you! You're growing up so fast, and we pray you have a great year of preschool!

Love,
Mama and Daddy

Return: Volver

2011-09-06T21:53:00.000-05:00

On Thursday, Rebeca (our summer nanny) will be returning to Spain to continue her university studies. What a fun summer we've had with her here! We took advantage of overcast skies and cooler temperatures today to do a photo shoot with her and the boys. Rebeca, thank you so much for all you've done for us this summer! You were wonderful with the boys and a great friend to me! We love you and will miss you so much!!!

A Few Pics Taken on Jeremy and Zachary Day!

2011-09-01T12:17:00.000-05:00

August 30, 2011 ~ One Year as a Family of Four!

Jeremy and Zachary Day!!!

2011-08-30T00:22:00.000-05:00

A year ago today, our sons were placed in our arms and we became a family!

And here we are, one year later! What a difference a year makes!

Jeremy and Zachary, we love you so much! You brighten up our world so much, and it's hard to remember our lives without you! We're so glad that God placed you in our family. Hearing you call us Mama and Daddy is brings us so much joy! Happy Jeremy and Zachary Day!!!

The Starshine Report: It's Back On, Baby!

2011-08-27T19:07:00.001-05:00

The other day, my own dear Mother wrote this on my Facebook wall:

"Missing you on the starshinereport :("

When Mama comes calling, I try not to disappoint!

I was very excited when I found out that the theme for September blogging over at NaBloPoMo was "Return". Here is their explanation:

September's theme for daily blogging: RETURN. Returning -- or turning again -- is about reflection, about going backwards, about revisiting a spot or memory. Sometimes people think that it can be a negative thing to live too much in the past, drowning in nostalgia. But a lot can be learned by mentally returning to a moment, replaying what happened in your mind, especially if lessons are learned in the process.

That seemed like good inspiration for me. So check in during September! I'll be writing! xoxo

The Help

2011-08-21T14:42:00.001-05:00

Last night, I stayed up suuuuuuuper late to finish reading The Help. I really wanted to finish it before I see the movie. Can't wait!

As I mentioned in a previous post, we have had a nanny this summer (who is an old friend of mine), and she has been a huge help with the boys, not to mention a wonderful friend to me. Her name is Rebeca, and the two of us often find ourselves rolling our eyes/snickering at Jeremy because, oh my stars...the boy is so BOSSY!

"Mama, me ketchup!" he demands if he wants ketchup for his fries.

"Beca, me get down!" when he is ready to get out of his high chair.

We are constantly letting him know that bossing around any adult is a no-no, but as Rebeca says, "He is a real "jefazo" (bossy dude).

Hearing my black son boss around his white nanny struck me as such a wild juxtaposition against the scenes I've been reading in The Help, which is all about the black maids of the 1960s and the white families they served/the white children they raised. I'm so thankful for the courage of the civil rights activists of the '60s. It is not at all lost on me that our adoption of our beautiful African-born boys would have been absolutely unheard of just 50 years ago, and very likely frowned upon by our society.

I know that we, as a country, still have some serious strides to make in terms of overcoming our racial prejudices. Looking back, though, I'm so thankful for how far we've come over the past 50 years. My sons are growing up in a different America, and I hope with all my heart that no door will ever be closed to them because of their race.

I can't wait to see Jeremy's journey unfold before him. He such an amazing boy--loving, smart, communicative, and handsome! Now if I can just get him to stop bossing me around!

My 37th Birthday ~ ¡a la española!

2011-08-08T13:01:00.000-05:00

Before I get too far into this post, I need to introduce you to Rebeca. I met "Beca" 8 years ago while I was living in Spain. She was just 10 years old at the time. Now she is nearly 19, and she's about to start her second year of university. She contacted me a few months ago to see if I knew of any families who might like a summer nanny, and I told her that I did happen to know of one...MINE!

Rebeca has been so wonderful to have here for the past month, and we're thrilled that she'll be with us through early September! She's great with the boys, and they just ADORE her! And of course, this Mama is very happy to have had some free time on my hands to do things like complete our 2010 family photo album, etc!

Since Rebeca has been with us, it's been so much fun to reminisce about my time in Spain, and we decided one night that to celebrate my birthday, we would prepare a traditional Spanish dinner, complete with red and yellow (Spanish flag colors) streamers and balloons!

My extended family came over for a tapas style dinner of gazpacho, sangria, tortilla de patata, olives, salad and Spanish rice pudding for dessert. ¡Delicioso!

When it was all over, we had a balloon launch! FUN!

Zachary is Walking!

2011-08-06T11:38:00.000-05:00

One Year Ago Today: Meeting our Boys!

2011-08-02T00:00:00.000-05:00

One year ago today, we were in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia meeting our sons for the first time! It was one of the most JOYFUL moments in my life!

Zachary was so laid-back and sweet. He warmed right up and then fell asleep!

Poor Jeremy was so upset! He had been taken out of his room where he was having fun, and he was not so happy about being introduced to Mommy! Eventually, he wore himself out with the crying and then he fell asleep. Then Mommy cried tears of joy to be holding my son!

We are so thankful to God for entrusting these boys to us to raise and love. They are wonderful sons!

Faux-Hawks!

2011-07-29T14:16:00.000-05:00

I've noticed quite a few adorable faux-hawks being worn by little boys this summer. I've always been a fan of the faux-hawk, so I'm happy to see its resurgence this summer. Not one to miss out on a fun hair trend, I took the boys in to get these cool summer cuts!

I must say, they turned out quite cool indeed! After seeing their curls going down the center of their heads like this, I thought "fro-hawk" might be a more apropos name for their new look. :)

"I got my car, my football, my muscle shirt and a cool new 'do. Don't mess with me!"

"I might have a rebel's haircut, but I'm still a cutie pie!"

Balloons!

2011-07-27T13:58:00.000-05:00

Jeremy LOVES balloons!

April Vacation in Florida

2011-07-01T00:00:00.000-05:00

Back in April, both grandmothers came and stayed with the boys so that Brian and I could go on a vacation together. It was the first time we both had been away from the boys since we adopted them, and it was really nice to reconnect a bit. :)

Brian grew up in Florida, so he wanted to take me to his hometown to show me his roots! He grew up on the Gulf of Mexico, so it was a GREAT place to go for our vacation!

Clearwater Beach:

Dinner at Burn's, home of one of the world's largest wine cellars. This was just one aisle of many!

All in all, it was a relaxing and rejuvenating getaway!

Virginia Vacation!

2011-06-30T00:00:00.001-05:00

We spent last week in Virginia visiting Brian's side of the family, and had a great time introducing the boys to their extended family. Here is Zachary hanging out with his Great Uncle Graham and his doggies:

Jeremy with Great Uncle Graham:

Zachary with his Great Aunt Anne:

Zachary and Monica:

Zach with Aunt Jennifer:

Jeremy enjoying a cupcake for brekkies! Hey, we were on vacation, right?!

I'm not sure why I don't have any of the boys with their Grandma Jo-Jo. Hmmm...I think they might be on Brian's camera. :) We love you, Jo!

Che-Che, Mama!

2011-06-29T15:32:00.000-05:00

Ever since we adopted the boys, Jeremy has said, "Che-che, Mama!" if he wants me to hold him or to sit by him. It's really cute, so we've kept it as part of our family vocabulary. One day, my mom met an Ethiopian expat living here, and she asked her, "What does "che-che" mean?" Her response was that it is what they say when a mother carries her baby on her back.

I love knowing that Jeremy remembers that, and it's funny because when we first brought them home, he used to ask me to carry him in the baby carrier on my back, and he LOVED it!

A few weeks ago, I decided to try carrying him on my back using a wrap my sister made me. It worked great (although he was HEAVY!), and it was so fun to be able to "hold" both of my babies at the same time!

Haircuts!

2011-06-29T12:21:00.000-05:00

I just love my boys' curly hair! Jeremy had his first haircut (with us) shortly after he came home, and then I let it grow for the next 8-9 months, just because I wanted to see how it would look. Well, his curls are looser, so rather than stand straight out in a cute 'fro-y sort of way, they just looked pretty. After being asked by an Eritrean man if he was a girl, I decided it was time to take action.

So off to the hair dresser we went. He sat on my lap during his hair cut. Here he is before with his hair all picked out:

And here he is after...my handsome boy! :

Jeremy's hair grows really fast, and he likes getting haircuts, too. So the next time he asked me for a hair cut, I decided to do it myself! (I was emboldened by this post...Go Team Buster!)

Thanks to his curly hair, if my cut isn't precision, it's very forgiving! Here he is before Mama cut it:

And after! :

And finally.... Zachary's first haircut! I'd been waiting as long as I could to cut it, but it was getting too matted in the back, and well...poofy if I didn't wet it every day! Here he is before, with his hair all picked out. Yea for baby Afros:

Look how long his hair was!

Getting ready to make the first cut:

And after the haircut with Daddy:

It's always a little shocking how much more grown up they look right after a haircut!

Zachary's first haircut! I saved all these curls in a ziplock baggie!

Couple Friends Reunion

2011-06-12T00:00:00.000-05:00

Last weekend, our dear friends Dave and Jenn flew in from California for a visit. It was so wonderful to see them! They were our closest "couple friends", and we have really missed them since we moved to Texas. This was the first time they met the boys and our first time to meet their precious daughter!

Isn't she adorable?!!

Friendship is such a treasure, and I'm so glad that in spite of the distance our hearts have remained close!

A visit from Sarah and Maya!

2011-06-10T00:00:00.002-05:00

When Brian and I traveled to Ethiopia to adopt the boys, I got to know these two other adoptive moms. They are both such awesome ladies, and I'm so glad to still be in touch with them!

I was so excited when Sarah (pictured at right) called to tell me that she and her adorable baby Maya would be coming to TX for a visit!!! Maya and Zachary were born in the same hospital two weeks apart. As far as we can tell from some paperwork, they made their first airplane flight together from Mekele to Addis Ababa when they were newborns, and they were roommates at the Gladney care center.

Sarah and I were so happy to see each other and for these two to have a little reunion!

I couldn't resist doing a little photo shoot while they were here!

We love you girls, and we hope to see you again real soon!

April Fun in Photos

2011-06-09T16:00:00.000-05:00

Summer started early in TX! Here are some fun pics of my boys taken in April that I'm just now getting around to blogging!

The boys love splashing and playing in the water, and by "boys", I mean Daddy, too!

Happy Memorial Day!

2011-05-30T19:06:00.000-05:00

Happy Memorial Day! We have had such a fun day today. Nana came over last night and spent the night, and all of us went to a local kiddie water park this morning with the boys. It was nice and warm, but not too crowded, and the boys had a great time splashing in the water. So did we adults!

Here are a few pics of my All-American Ethiopian baby and me wearing our patriotic colors! Oh, how I love this boy!!!

I'm feeling very thankful for my precious family, and I'm thrilled that my aunt and uncle and two cousins will soon be moving to Houston from Florida...our local clan is growing!

I'm also thankful today for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to give me and my family the freedoms we so enjoy (and quite frankly take for granted). God Bless America!

One Year Since our Referral! (It's our Match-a-versary!)

2011-05-24T00:00:00.001-05:00

Dear Jeremy and Zachary,

One year ago today, Daddy and I got the telephone call we had been waiting for and hoping would come for months! It was our caseworker, Sara, from the Gladney Center for Adoption saying that we had been matched with TWO BOYS! We were so excited! We had hoped and prayed and officially told Gladney that we would like to adopt a sibling group, but had also said that if a sibling group wasn't available for adoption, we would happily adopt one child. We also said that we would happily adopt girls or boys, so hearing "TWO" was the first delightful surprise, and hearing "BOYS" was more exciting news! When Daddy and I heard the words, "TWO BOYS", we looked at each other like this:

Then Sara told us she was sending us an e-mail with your photos. She told us that the younger brother was a one month old baby named Biruk and that the older brother was a 19 month old named Robel. We fell in love when we saw your sweet faces, and we didn't stop gazing at those photos for a long time!

Now here we are one year later. You've been home with us now for almost nine months, and it's hard to remember our lives before you joined our family. It's as if you've always been a part of it. You are such wonderful boys, and I'm so blessed to have you as my sons and to be your Mama!

These photos were taken during the past few weeks. Look how far you've both come in a year!

Jeremy Robel: 31 months old!

Zachary Biruk: 1 year old!

You've come such a long way, both in miles and milestones. I'm forever grateful for the miracle of adoption, and the way God has woven you both into this family so perfectly. Perhaps more wonderful still, is the way He's woven you so perfectly into our hearts.

We love you always and forever,
Mama and Daddy

My First Mother's Day!

2011-05-11T00:00:00.000-05:00

I remember last year on Mother's Day, we had been on the waiting list for our boys for many months, and I was sad. I remember calling Emily, another waiting mom, and we comforted each other over the phone and across the miles, knowing it would be our last Mother's Day to be without children, but still wishing we knew who they were. Only days later, we both got our referrals.

And now look! I'm a Mama, and it's kind of hard to remember what life was like before these fabulous little guys became a part of our family!

Mother's Day was lovely and laid-back.

We kicked things off with a family brunch at our favorite restaurant.

Then we came back to the house, played with the boys for a bit, and took naps!

The best thing about the day for me was getting to be with my own mother, my husband

and my kids for my first Mother's Day. I'm a family gal, so togetherness means the world to me.

The mimosa with brunch was pretty awesome, too! ;)

Happy belated Mother's Day to all you Moms out there....

that includes you Moms-in-waiting, as well!

My One Year Old!

2011-05-10T12:16:00.000-05:00

Easter/Brian's Adoption Outfit

2011-05-01T15:35:00.000-05:00

Ever since we found out that this little blue and white outfit was the one Brian wore the day his own adoption was made final in a Florida court, we've been waiting for the right opportunity for one of our boys to don it. Easter was just the time, since it is a super cute little outfit to wear to Easter service, and Brian's mother was here visiting that day, too. Here is a photo of Zachary wearing Brian's baby outfit!

And here's one more of my three handsome guys together!

Birthday Boy!

2011-04-28T11:08:00.000-05:00

I wanted to get these photos posted much sooner, but Brian and I left for a vacation two days after Zachary's birthday party, and I'm just now getting around to it! So with out further ado...here are some photos from Zachary's birthday party, which was a small gathering of family and neighbors.

I tried to recreate my own first birthday cake that my mom made for me. It's supposed to look like "ABC" blocks with his initials!

Here's the birthday boy, hanging out in his jumperoo!

We had a cool motorcycle piñata. Zachy got to take the first swing. :)

Here's big brother giving it a shot!

Brian's mom "Gramma" was here for the festivities!

And here is Zachary with his godmother, Melanie. They have a sweet connection:

Singing "Happy Birthday", I confess I got a little teary eyed!

We gave Zachary his own piece of cake, but he just wanted to take a nap!

After his nap, we opened presents, and he was in a much better mood! Boxes are fun!

Happy birthday, Zachary!

Happy Birthday, Zachary!

2011-04-14T11:11:00.000-05:00

Dear Zachary,

Today you are one year old! Happy birthday!

I took this photo of you yesterday, on the eve of your birthday, and it really captures the essence of you: sweet, happy, laid-back, and always tuned in with your intense gaze!

I am both proud of you, and a little sad, too, that my baby is growing up. You are a dream-come-true for me. I couldn't have asked for a more wonderful baby. Thank you for being my one and only YOU! God bless you, Zachary!

I love you always and forever,
Mama

A Texan Right of Passage

2011-04-05T12:10:00.001-05:00

Dear Jeremy, Zachary, Sam and Gus,

It is April in Texas, which means one thing: BLUEBONNETS! Yes, our beautiful state flower is blooming in all of its wonderful glory along country roads and highways, which means Texan mothers everywhere are plopping their adorable children down right in the middle of these blue blooming beauties to snap away on their cameras. It's a Texan right of passage, and you boys have been initiated!

It was an absolute JOY to see Jeremy and Sam gleefully playing/wrestling/squealing with happiness as you tromped through the wild flowers! I love seeing your bond as cousins grow.

Gus and Zach are becoming pals, too! What fun for you cousins so close in age to get to grow up together!

And let's not forget about brotherly love! Oh, my goodness...scrumptious!

Sometimes, I'm stunned and amazed that God has entrusted me, with all of my imperfections, to be your mother and your Tia. It is a great responsibility, and also my great joy.

I love all four of you...Always and Forever!

Love,

Mama/Tia

Two and a Half Years Old!

2011-04-02T12:17:00.000-05:00

Dear Jeremy,

You recently turned 2 and a half, and what a joy you are! When I describe you to friends who haven't met you yet, I tell them that you have a wonderful BIG personality! You really are Mr. Personality PLUS!

You enjoy accessories of any kind: sun glasses, a hat, necklaces--look out!

You also love reading...even on your rocking sheep!

Expressive? Oh, yea!

And you're just so much fun!

You understand humor and have a real mischievous streak!

You've taken to calling me "Mom" lately, instead of "Mama", which is a little sad for me. But you're just doing what little boys do...you're growing up! And we couldn't be more proud.

Daddy and I love you with all our hearts, and we're so glad God gave you to us to be our son!

We love you always and forever,

Mama and Daddy

Baskets in the Backyard

2011-04-01T00:00:00.002-05:00

A couple days ago, Brian took Jeremy with him to run some errands, so I took advantage of having Zachary all to myself to do a quick outdoor photo shoot. I'd been wanting to photograph him in a basket, and Easter-time just seems appropriate for that!

After a while, Jeremy and Dad came home, and Jeremy hopped in the basket for a photo op! He's just so photogenic!

This one, of both of them, was my absolute FAVORITE! I just love seeing them interact as brothers!

Happy Spring, everyone!

He's SUPER!

2011-03-31T11:14:00.000-05:00

Eleven Months Old

2011-03-24T11:55:00.001-05:00

Dear Zachary,

You're eleven months old! You're growing so fast and I'm just loving this stage of life with you!

The last six weeks or so have been so much fun...you're crawling, pulling up and becoming more independent...and with that independence your personality continues to emerge. You smile easily, laugh, babble and SCREAM the most high-pitched screech!

This morning, at breakfast, I noticed that your fifth tooth (a top tooth) has broken through the gum. I feel so proud of each and every one of your milestones.

Daddy and I fall more and more in love with you and Jeremy every day (if that's even possible)! We're so taken with your handsomeness. :) It seems like we would be used to it by now, but we daily marvel at what handsome sons we have!

If we're charmed by your good looks, we're over-the-moon thrilled with the inner you that shines through each and every day. You have a beautiful and sweet spirit, and I'm so excited to see how your personality continues to emerge as you continue to grow.

I love you...always and forever,

Mama

Rock Star Cousins

2011-03-10T07:16:00.000-06:00

On the move!

2011-03-08T23:05:00.001-06:00

"Hey Mom, look what I found!"

"Don't worry about me, Mom... I've been pulling up on things for days now!"

Six Months Home

2011-03-03T22:01:00.001-06:00

Today marks our six month anniversary home together as a family of four! All I can say is, "Ahhhh." It feels natural now, like we're in a groove and a routine that is working. Brian and I are still tired at the end of the day, but we're not exhausted like we were during those first few months home.

Our sons are doing great! They are so well-adjusted and we love them so!

In honor of being home for six months, Zach decided to do a new trick today! See for yourself!

Awesome visit with another ET Adoptive Family

2011-03-01T12:11:00.005-06:00

Ten years ago, I got to know a wonderful woman named Carrie. At the time, she was pregnant with her first child. She now has five children, the youngest of whom they adopted from Ethiopia about a year before we adopted our boys. They live overseas, but are currently stateside, so we seized the moment to get our kids together and to catch up a bit. She took some wonderful photos of the kids that I want to share with you:

Selah and Zachary... they loved each other!

Makaria and Jeremy. Don't they look adorable in their matching colors?
(We went to a parade over the weekend, and Jeremy LOVES his Mardi Gras beads!)

Three Ethiopian-American cuties!

God has been so gracious and good to me, giving me sweet times with old friends lately. And I'm very thankful for this visit! I'm also thankful that we've gotten to know so many other families who have adopted from Ethiopia. I think it will be so wonderful for these kids to grow up knowing other kids who share their story and history!

Ten Months Old

2011-02-22T11:17:00.000-06:00

Dear Zachary,

You're ten months old now, and you are no longer my little baby...you're my squirmy, vocal, growing-by-the second baby! You are TALL! The outfit you're wearing is the photo below is size 18 months! Wow! Jeremy's preschool teacher commented the other day that you have the long, thin fingers of a pianist.

Over the past few days, you've begun to crawl--only one or two "steps", but I can tell that it won't be long now before you're going to be all over the house and into everything.

I'm so extremely proud of you. Your every accomplishment makes my heart swell with pride! Whether it's learning to crawl, getting a new tooth, or just engaging me with a smile, it's all I can do not to tell every person I know what a wonder you are! (I guess I'm kind of doing that now, huh?)

Even so, my favorite moments with you are late at night when I get you out of bed to give you your last bottle of the day. You're usually sleeping and cuddly and I relish those sweet moments because I know the days of holding you in my arms won't last forever. Oh, dear...I never saw myself becoming a huge stereotype who spouts stereotypical clichés, but here I go: No matter how old you get, you'll always be my baby boy.

I'll be forever grateful to God for giving me YOU for a son, Zachary. As you continue to grow, become more independent and follow His path for you, know that I'll be here for--praying for you, loving you, and forever holding you in my heart.

I love you always and forever,
Mama

Warmer Temperatures = Backyard Time!

2011-02-18T21:19:00.000-06:00

Early College Guidance!

2011-02-15T00:00:00.001-06:00

Daddy's Little Seminole:

Mama's Baby Bear...Sick 'Em!

My Funny Valentines!

2011-02-13T15:43:00.001-06:00

Dear Jeremy and Zachary,

It's amazing to think that you've been home with us for five months already! In some ways, it feels like the time has flown by, and in other ways, it's hard to remember our home and family without you...like you've always been here.

The two of you are the most wonderful boys! It's so fun to see how much you love each other and look out for one another, too. You also love to laugh with each other!

On this our first Valentine's Day together, my heart couldn't be fuller! Remember that no matter what...

I love you always and forever,

Mama

Jeremy - 28 Months Old!

2011-02-02T15:00:00.000-06:00

As it is in much of the country, it's far too cold to even think about going outside, so to fight the stir-crazies, I decided to do a photo shoot of Jeremy while the baby was napping this morning. I tried to shoot Jeremy in the same style that I shot Zachary in this shoot.

These are probably far more photos than any of you care to see, but what can I say? I'm a proud Mama! So here ya go:

Family Photos

2011-01-24T13:32:00.001-06:00

Brian's Mom is in town this week, so we decided to take some family photos while she's here. We met up with my mom, as well as my sister and her family at a photo studio and took lots of fun pics!

Three generations: my mom, me, and the boys!

The triumphant trio: my mom, sister and me.

Zachary (9 months old) and Jeremy (27 months old)

Jeremy

Our family with both grandmothers (Nana and Gramma).

Zachary aka Mr. Adorable!

My honey and me.

Our little family of four!

Mama, Daddy and the boyz!

Gramma (Brian's Mom) and the boys

Nana with all four of her grandsons.

Both grandmothers with grandchildren.

The whole family!

Nine Month Old Photos!

2011-01-19T09:05:00.000-06:00

My baby is growing up so fast! He as four teeth now, and he's becoming more active every day! I love seeing his personality blooming, and these photos show some of his cute expressions.

Photos by Starshine Photography.

More than Half

2011-01-16T00:00:00.002-06:00

Dear Zachary,

Today marks a special today... Today you have been with us longer than you were without us. I'm not sure why, but it somehow feels like an important milestone.

Words cannot fully express what a joy you are! My heart brims over with happiness and contentment just thinking about you, my son. I suppose that every orphan's story has either a sad beginning or a sad chapter. While I'll never understand why God allows suffering and pain, I'm thankful that He is a God who can and does redeem difficult situations. When I really think about it, I'm amazed at what God has done! He knew two little boys in Ethiopia needed parents, and He knew a married couple in Texas who wanted two little children. Then He brought us together and created a family. A forever family. I may not have been in your life for the first four and a half months, but now that we're together, I'm here to stay. You're part of our family, and you always will be!

May you always feel secure in our love,

Mama and Daddy

If his Mommy had a magic wand...

2011-01-13T15:37:00.000-06:00

I had a wonderful chat on the phone this morning with my sister-in-law who lives in the Dallas area. She said that she shows her kids pictures of Jeremy and Zachary whenever we send them. Recently, one of her kids (after looking at pics of J&Z), said, "Mommy, I would like brown skin please!"

Eight Months Old!

2011-01-11T13:10:00.001-06:00

Dear Zachary,

You are actually almost nine months old now, but this has been a big month for you, and I want to write about it before time slips away!

While you were eight months old, so much happened! You had your first Christmas! I'm not sure if all you wanted for Christmas was your two front teeth, but if that was your Christmas wish, it came true! You got your first tooth on your last day of being 7 months old. It was a top tooth. A week later, the other top tooth broke through. And about a week ago, you got your first bottom tooth. The second bottom tooth is trying to break through, so I'm guessing you'll have a total of four teeth any day now!

At eight months old, your personality is coming out more and more. You're such a delightful boy! You love to be held and your smile lights up your beautiful face (and warms my heart, too, by the way)!

You're not crawling yet, but you're very strong, and you have no problem pushing up on your hands. You can roll all over the place and scoot yourself backward. It's really adorable, but sometimes you get frustrated because you end up backing your legs under a piece of furniture and you get stuck! Fear not, though, Mama and Daddy come to your rescue!

I'm so happy that the sweet personality you came to us with at four months old is truly a part of who you are. You're such a laid-back baby boy, and your Daddy and I can't get enough of your adorableness!

Today, you had a real landmark achievement. When I put you in a sitting position on the floor in our living room, you sat there playing with your toys for about five minutes unassisted! Way to go! That is definitely the longest you've been able to sit by yourself without losing your balance. Yea, Zachary!

Zachary, I'm so blessed, honored, and humbled that God placed you in our family. It truly is a miracle, this adoption! If Dad and I could have searched the entire world, we couldn't have found a more perfect match than Jeremy and you. I give all the glory to God for making this match for us, and I thank Him for working in such a beautiful way.

I love you, little bear, and I always will!

Hugs and kisses,

Mama

P.S. Here's a video!

Simply Having a Wonderful Christmastime!

2010-12-28T23:15:00.000-06:00

Here are some photos from our first Christmas with Jeremy and Zachary.

All He Wants for Christmas is His Two Front Teeth!

2010-12-24T00:00:00.000-06:00

And look! His Christmas wish has already come true! On December 13, my sweet baby got his first tooth--a top tooth! I had him on the changing table and he flashed me a smile and I saw a little white tooth peeking through!

Then, on December 21, again, on the changing table, he flashed me another smile, and there was the other top front tooth!

And today, just two days later, look how much it has already grown in!

My Zachary has his two front teeth just in time for his first Christmas! Oh, how I love this child!

My family and I put together this special Christmas Dance just for you!

2010-12-23T00:00:00.002-06:00

Merry Christmas from our Family to Yours!

2010-12-22T00:00:00.001-06:00

With love,

Brian, Tracy, Jeremy and Zachary

A Visit from Uncle Bucky!

2010-12-21T00:00:00.000-06:00

Uncle Bucky is my Mom's brother, and he was always my favorite uncle growing up. He LOVES kids and is so good with them! So it was extra special to have him here to meet my own two kids and for them to meet their Great Uncle Bucky!

Thank you for coming to visit, Bucky!

Christmas as a Family of Four!

2010-12-20T00:00:00.000-06:00

Twas the week before Christmas and all through our home,

we hear two little voices--we're no longer alone!

Our stockings are hung by the chimney with care,

This year there are four...last year just two hung there!

Now Jeremy and Zachary are finally here!

We have our two sons, which makes one more thing clear...

Brian and Tracy's stockings now have NEW names!

We're "Mama" and "Daddy", and life will never be the same!

Our house might be messy, and this poem might be sappy,

But life in our family has never been so happy!

Brothers!

2010-12-17T12:37:00.000-06:00

Hanging His First Christmas Tree Ornament

2010-12-09T23:54:00.000-06:00

Santa Claus!

2010-12-07T20:12:00.000-06:00

We had our visit with Santa Claus! Zachary was adorable!

Jeremy wasn't so interested in sitting on Santa's knee, so we coaxed him into it with a family photo. We couldn't get him to smile, and in this shot, Zach was looking away, but the photo was taken for posterity!

Happy Holidays, y'all!

Three Months and Many Hugs Later

2010-11-30T20:46:00.001-06:00

Dear Jeremy and Zachary,

Today is our three month-a-versary as a family! That's right--three months ago today, you were placed in our arms, and our lives were changed forever for the best! I could go on and on about your accomplishments, the milestones you've reached, and how you've grown...so I will. :)

Jeremy, nearly everyone who meets you comments on your language skills--that includes people who know you were adopted three months ago from Ethiopia as well as complete strangers who think you've been an American since birth. You are very sociable and say "Hi" to anyone who crosses your path, and then you say "Bye-bye!" and throw them kisses with your hand as you part with them, as if the bank teller (for example) was a long lost auntie. The hair on your head that I accidentally buzzed shortly after your arrival, has grown back into handsome curls. Most notably, you are crazy about your Nana. Everyday, you ask if we're going to "Nana house?" or if the white car on the street is "Nana beep beep?" or if that was Nana who I was just talking with on the phone.

Zachary, you are growing like a weed! When we brought you home, you were on a diet of baby formula only, and today you had baby food three times in addition to your bottles of formula. The stick straight hair you had when we brought you home has grown into a head of beautiful, dark, silky curls. You love watching Jeremy's every move, and no one can make you laugh like he can. My favorite sound is when we are driving along and I can hear Jeremy saying "Boo!" from his car seat and then hearing laughter coming from you on the other side of the back seat.

Today, I woke you (Zachary) up from a nap and rather than perking right up and looking around like you often do, you nuzzled into me and put your arm over my shoulder as if you were giving me a hug or holding tight. It was wonderful. As I came downstairs with you, Jeremy ran up to us and threw his arms around my leg, giving me a great big hug.

Two wonderful hugs from my two wonderful sons! Jeremy and Zachary, I love you so much, and I want you to know that as many hugs as you have for me throughout your lives, I'll have just as many to give right back to you (and then some)!

Love,
Mama

P.S. Before we knew you would be our sons, your Dad and I used to wonder if God would give us affectionate children. Both Daddy and I are affectionate people. We love hugs, and we were a little bit nervous that perhaps we would adopt non-huggers. How unnecessary that worrying was! Jeremy, you must be the most affectionate child I've ever known. You have an endless supply of hugs for Mama and Daddy, which we LOVE!!! And Zachary, if your post nap nuzzle today was any indication of things to come, I'm gonna be one loved-on Mama. Just further evidence that our little family is a match made in Heaven!

So much to be thankful for this year!

2010-11-25T21:15:00.000-06:00

Laughing Brothers

2010-11-22T23:01:00.000-06:00

Two Lil' Texans!

2010-11-20T23:16:00.000-06:00

Our foreign adoption decree has been officially recognized by the court here in Texas, and today we received original birth certificates for the boys issued by the state of Texas!

They are really neat! It has their new names, and it lists us as their mother and father, and it says they were born in Ethiopia. Not too many people have Texan birth certificates stating that they were born in another country!

Receiving these birth certificates is the last step in "finalizing" their adoptions in the United States. Because they entered the U.S. on an IR-3 visa, they became United States citizens upon entry, so we didn't have to "readopt" them in the U.S. courts. We just had to have a local court officially recognize the adoption decree issued by the Ethiopian courts, and when that happened they were able to get Texan issued birth certificates!

Next stop? Social security office to get them their numbers/cards. And eventually, U.S. Passports!

~~~~~~~~~~~

On an anecdotal side note, my nephew Sam gave Jeremy a hand-me-down pair of cowboy boots a couple weeks ago. Jeremy loves to wear them and says, "Boots!" I'm thinking he's feeling real comfortable putting down roots in TX!

Keepin' it Real

2010-11-18T13:41:00.000-06:00

I got a sweet message from a friend today who is another adoptive mom, and she commented that in my Facebook profile pictures, I make motherhood look so easy-peasy.

I had to chuckle to myself because I'm such an idealist, and I realized that the pictures I usually share on Facebook and my blog are my favorite moments where everyone is behaving well and getting along. Plus, the beauty of digital photography is the "delete" feature, so I usually just delete the pics where someone is whining or grimacing.

So in the interest of keeping it real, I thought I'd share these photos that I asked my neighbor to take of us one day because the boys and I were all color-coordinated. Here are the results:

Time with Nana

2010-11-17T00:00:00.003-06:00

For those of you who don't know this, my husband and I moved from California to Texas a year and a half ago. One of the joys of living back in Texas (and now raising our kids here) is being close to my Mom (aka Nana). Instead of living half a country away, we are now just an hour away. I'm thrilled that my kids will grow up with a close relationship with her. When I was a child growing up in Texas, one set of my grandparents lived in California and the other lived in Florida. I loved them and knew them, but only saw them once or twice a year. So the fact that my kids see their Nana every week is special.

Jeremy is nuts over Nana. Every time my cell phone rings, he wants to know if it is her. He asks if we're going to Nana's house, and when he sees a white car, he proclaims, "Nana! Beep beep!"

My mom has started coming down to my house once a week to hang out with us, and we LOVE it! Thank you for being in our lives, Mom/Nana! We love you.

My Seven Month Old

2010-11-16T00:00:00.001-06:00

Dear Zachary,

You're a seven month old! I couldn't have asked for a more delightful baby. You are sweet, laid back, content, and happy. I love your smiles and coos. And what a handsome boy you are!

Your Dad and I met you for the first time when you were just three and a half months old, so I guess you could say that we've known you for about half your life!

When we brought you home just two and a half months ago, your hair was straight as could be. Not anymore! Your curls and waves are starting to come in, and I love them!

Most of all though, I just love you.

Hugs and squeezes and kisses on your cheeks,
Mama

Our Adoption Announcement

2010-11-15T00:00:00.001-06:00

This is the adoption announcement that we recently sent out to our close friends and family. Obviously, the original is prettier than this, but for privacy's sake, I decided to blot out the boys' birthdays, birth cities and our last name. But I couldn't resist sharing the announcement here.

It was designed by another adoptive mom named Laura at One Family, Many Lives. She is a freelance graphic designer who is creating adoption announcements for adoptive families to raise money for her own adoption! Her price is VERY reasonable, and she's one talented lady! So if you're looking for a unique adoption announcement to tell your loved ones about your family's newest addition, head over to Laura's blog to find out the skinny on how to order your very own custom designed announcement! I was so pleased with how ours turned out!

Loving our Jeremy

2010-11-12T00:00:00.001-06:00

Just look at this face:

Jeremy is definitely not lacking in personality! He is full of fun, has a touch of mischief, and is very sweet and affectionate with his family. We are crazy about him!

He loves to be outdoors, and our afternoons are often spent in the backyard playing.

He loves cars and hearing horns honk. He calls cars "beep beeps". Our playhouse has a wheel that he likes to steer while saying, "beep beep"!

He also enjoys the slide...

One thing's for sure...he keeps us on our toes!

We love you, Jeremy!

Loving our Zachary

2010-11-10T00:00:00.001-06:00

Zachary is such a wonderful baby, and we just love having him in our family! He's sleeping through the night now, and we usually wake him up at 10 p.m. to give him one last bottle before bed. When he's done with that last bottle of the day, we love to cuddle with him and listen to him coo before we put him back in his crib to sleep.

Here's a little sample of his late night cooing. Brian's long legs are in the backgroud, and he wants me to assure you that he did have pants on!

He's awful cute at bath time, too...

Kissing his little face is bliss!

In the afternoons, Jeremy usually likes to play in the backyard, so I bring Zach out with us in his bouncer for a little sunbath...

I just love the above photo.... His features look especially Ethiopian to me in this pic.

We love you, Zachy!

Crazy Exhaustion, Certificates of Citizenship, Bonding with Zachy, Charmed by Jeremy

2010-11-02T22:37:00.000-05:00

Over the past few weeks, I've been fighting some serious exhaustion. I could write a really long post about it, but the bottom line is that I still have no idea what was/is going on with me. After a week and a half of feeling so sluggish that I could barely peel myself off of the sofa, I went to the doctor. He examined me and ran blood tests and basically told me that he couldn't find anything wrong with me. My main symptoms were exhaustion, headaches, occasional fever, sweats/chills. I started to feel really frustrated and depressed because I wasn't getting better, or I'd think I was getting better, but then I'd relapse. I started to wonder if I was dealing with Post Adoption Depression Syndrome (because exhaustion is one of the main symptoms), but after listening to a talk on it, I don't think that's what it was. My best guess is that something viral is just taking its sweet time running through my system. OR I've been pretty exhausted ever since I came home from Ethiopia and it just gets worse at different times and it manifests itself with flu-like symptoms. Thankfully, I seem to be bouncing back this week, and I hope I'll be back to my normal self soon!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The boys each received their United States Certificate of Citizenship in the mail! I forgot, though, that it doesn't have their new names on it. So I'm guessing that after we complete their Recognition of Foreign Adoption Decree and receive their state-issued Birth Certificates with their new names on it, we'll have to reapply for the Certificate of Citizenship reflecting their name changes. Hmmm. Have any of you other adoptive families thought about this one yet?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In other fun news, Zachary fell asleep in my arms today! This was a first and for me it felt like a significant step in our bonding. Typically, he'll take his bottle, and even if he's sleepy after being burped, he won't fall asleep in my arms. He prefers to be swaddled and put in his crib with a pacifier. But today, I fed him a bottle and he fell asleep during the feeding. Then I burped him, and he was still sleepy, so I cradled him in my arms and he just fell back to sleep. I got all teary looking down at him sleeping in my arms. Sometimes he even smiles when he's sleeping. It felt so special to me because it's as if he is trusting me more and he's learning that I'm his Mama, and a safe place to doze. I just love that! And I love him so!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jeremy continues to charm me daily. Last week, I was a little chilly, so I threw on a cardigan over my t-shirt, and Jeremy looked at me and said, "Wow!" That pretty much made my day! Love him!

Happy Halloween!

2010-10-31T23:14:00.000-05:00

Lions, and tigers and bears....

OH MY...It's the Wicked Witch of the West!

Papa Bear and Baby Bear!

Get 'em, Tiger!

Mama Bear and Baby Bear!

I love my boys!

Dad's Helper

2010-10-28T22:34:00.001-05:00

Jeremy really likes to feed "Gacky" his bottle!

2010-10-26T22:06:00.000-05:00

Learning English!

2010-10-25T07:00:00.002-05:00

Here's a little video of my sweet boy showing off his mad English skillz.

Portraits of a Six Month Old...

2010-10-22T07:00:00.000-05:00

Lessons from a two year old

2010-10-20T07:00:00.005-05:00

"A child kicks his legs rhythmically through excess, not absence, of life. Because children have abounding vitality, because they are in spirit fierce and free, therefore they want things repeated and unchanged. They always say, "Do it again"; and the grown-up peson does it again until he is nearly dead. For grown -up people are not strong enough to exult in monotony. But perhaps God is strong enought to exult in monotony. It is possible that God says every morning, "Do it again" to the sun; and every evening, "Do it again" to the moon.

It may not be automatic necessity that makes all daisies alike; it may be that God makes every daisy separately, but has never got tired of making them. It may be that He has the eternal appetite of infancy; for we have sinned and grown old, and our Father is younger than we." Orthodoxy G.K. Chesterton

My two year old son is full of boundless energy. He simultaneously delights and exhausts me. Yet he also invites me to pay attention to the world in ways that I overlook. He opens the eyes of his blind father, who fails to notice the glimpses of God on display right in front of him.

On a more sober level, my son also invites me to ponder the junk in my heart that I would rather ignore, the anger that flares up so easily when I am annoyed by his stubborn will or his consuming curiousity, the reluctance I have to embrace him when he lashes out at me with the typical intensity of a two year old.

How have the ordinary relationships in your family served as a mirror to your soul or the world, revealing things unnoticed or ignored about yourself or God? What are your pint-sized teachers revealing to you?

How are your children raising you?

We get 'em learnin' early in our family!

2010-10-19T00:00:00.000-05:00

I couldn't resist this photo of Brian and Jeremy both staring intently at their laptops. Grandma and Papa sent Jeremy this adorable green laptop for his birthday. It's actually very cool and has some fantastic learning tools on it!

My little techno-nerds! Love them!

Baby's First Food!!!

2010-10-17T21:06:00.002-05:00

Being a six month old means Zachy got to start eating baby food!

Here are the pictures to document his first "sweet peas" experience!

The best part of having all that good food in his tummy is that he slept for ten hours last night without waking up for a bottle--woo hoo! I'm hoping tonight will be as much a success...

Six Months Old!

2010-10-14T13:05:00.003-05:00

My baby boy is six months old today!

Where does the time go? It's hard to believe he was three months old the first time I held him, and now he's already six months! In the last month, he has become much stronger in his neck and back, and about a week ago, we introduced him to his exersaucer, which was an awesome gift from my dear friend, Laura.

Look how he's standing on his feet! He looks so tall to me in this picture!

Zachary continues to be our sweet, smiley baby boy, and we love, love, love him so!

A Word of Encouragement

2010-10-11T12:57:00.007-05:00

Yesterday, I went out to take a walk with the boys in our double stroller. Along the way, Jeremy spotted a dog and said, "Puppy!". As we got closer, it was, indeed, a Jack Russell Terrier puppy. He was on a leash and was acting crazy and wired, as Jack Russells are prone to do.

"My son loves dogs," I told the puppy's owners, as we slowed to a stop for Jeremy to admire the pooch.

My son. My son! It rolled ever so naturally off my tongue, as if I'd been saying it for years!

"Don't let him get too close," the dog owners, said, "He's a crazy dog!"

"I understand. My father had several Jack Russells!"

"They never get better!", said one of the dog's owners.

"No! They're always crazy!", I yelled back to them, as we continued on our way.

"Thanks for saying that..." she replied, sounding somewhat disappointed.

I thought that was an odd final reply to an otherwise pleasant exchange, but as I continued walking on, I realized that she didn't actually say, "They never get better!" Instead, she must have asked me, "Do they ever get better?"

Whoops! She asked me if it ever gets better, and I told her "No!" Poor woman!

It reminded me of our first week or two home from Ethiopia, when we were more tired than we'd ever been, jet lagged, and still getting to know our children. It was a stage of life that I refer to as "the post-adoption haze". We were walking around like semi-zombies doing the best we could. When people would tell us that we looked like we were doing great, Brian would humorously reply, "We're just faking it!"

Occasionally, when someone would ask how we were doing, and our reply was "tired", their response would often be, "Well, get ready... It will be like that for the next 18 years!" Hearing that would make me want to throw up a little.

While I still don't feel as well-rested as I'd like to be, I feel much better than I did during that first jet lagged week or two, when we were muddling through "the haze".

I'm writing this for all of the adoptive families that are about to travel to Ethiopia to bring your children home (and also for my own encouragement, because we still have some really hard days): When you are home with your kids and you're tired and it's hard because you're in the haze of post-adoption and that stinkin' jet lag just won't stop, remember that you read on some blog that it does get easier!!!

And one day you won't be quite so tired, and you'll be on a walk of your own, or at the grocery store, or at church, and you'll say "my son" or "my daughter" in passing, and you'll be amazed at how naturally it rolled off your tongue, and just how far you've come.

The Little Lion Outfit Comes Full Circle

2010-10-07T00:00:00.000-05:00

On our first trip to Ethiopia, the day we said goodbye to our little Biruk (August 6), he was dressed in this cute little outfit with a lion on the front:

On our second trip to Ethiopia, the day we took placement of the boys (August 30), he was brought to us wearing the same adorable outfit!

I noticed that a caregiver had stitched his name in Amharic onto the shirt. Of course, I'll hold onto the little outfit because I'm a sentimental gal.

Once we arrived home and fall-like weather arrived, I couldn't resist dressing him in it again and taking a photo of him here with us (taken Sept 28). The little lion outfit made the journey with him!

And I just couldn't resist showing you these sweet pics of him with Nana:

Oh, we love him so!!! He is such a sweetheart and such a joy!

A Visit from Grandma and Papa

2010-10-06T00:00:00.000-05:00

A couple weeks ago, we had a wonderful visit from Grandma (Brian's b1rthm0ther) and Papa. Brian was so proud to introduce the boys to them. It's hard to tell in this picture, but Brian is holding both boys--one on each hip!

Getting acquainted:

I love Papa's proud face in this picture:

It didn't take long for the boys to warm up! This photo was taken the morning after they arrived. Jeremy and Grandma were looking at pictures of our Ethiopia trip together.

The blessing of adoption has touched three generations of our family, and it is really special to have Grandma and Papa in our lives, and also in the lives of our boys!

My Three Guys

2010-10-05T00:00:00.000-05:00

The other morning, Brian got up with the boys so that I could sleep a little longer, and when I walked downstairs, this was the scene. How cute is this?!...

Celebrating Jeremy's Second Birthday

2010-10-03T22:22:00.005-05:00

Dear Jeremy,

I am officially the mother of a TWO year old! Even though your birthday was earlier in the week, we waited until Saturday to have a small celebration with our family. Since we were celebrating a special occassion (YOU!), we decided to dress you and your brother in your traditional Ethiopian outfits.

Can I stop here to say what a handsome little guy you are? Your smile is wonderful and it lights up a room!

It was so fun having you dressed in your traditional outfits, because in walked Nana to the party, all dressed up in HERS! I thought she looked so beautiful in the dress she bought when we were in Ethiopia!

We had cake and ice cream for your birthday, and you blew out the candle all by yourself!

You have a great sense of fun...

...and we're just crazy about you! When it came time to open presents, you thought it would be just as much fun to climb on top of the boxes as it would be to open them!

I love the way you're looking up at your Daddy in this picture:

You love him! Even though you know his name is Daddy, you usually call him "Baba", as you have since we adopted you in Ethiopia. "Ababa" is Amharic for "Daddy", and you just shorten it to Baba. Frankly, I love hearing you call him "Baba", and it won't hurt my feelings at all if you never stop. We were told by an interpreter who met us at your first doctor's appointment here that you have a 20-30 word Amharic vocabulary, and I just love hearing you speak Amharic. You are constantly asking me for "Babo" (bread, food), and saying "che-che" (sit here, or pick me up). I know these words will soon fade and you'll be speaking English before we know it, but it's sweet to hear these words you learned in Ethiopia still coming out of your mouth.

Happy birthday to my big boy! I love you so much, and I'm overwhelmed with gratitude to God for the gift that He gave me when He placed you in our family and made you my son.

May God bless you in this new year of your life!

Love,

Mama

Cousins!

2010-10-01T00:00:00.001-05:00

My sister and I both have two boys, roughly the same ages, so we've had so much fun getting the cousins together to play! Zach and Gus chilled out doin' a little tummy time:

Then Gus got tired:

So they laid on their backs for a while:

Jeremy and Sam are buddies too.

See? Sam helped Jeremy drink his juice:

And Jeremy offered Sam his brother's paci! Such gentlemen!

I don't know if my Mom ever imagined she would have four grandsons, but it sure is a lot of fun!

Gramma Love

2010-09-30T00:00:00.000-05:00

Brian's Mom is "Gramma" to our boys, and she loves them sooooooo much! In her, I have a wonderful mother-in-law, and the fact that she is an adoptive Mom, too, is an added bond that we share.

We love you, Gramma!

xxoo,

J and Z