Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Our very own Cindy Lou Hoo...Welcome Christmas!





The first picture is Steve with his siblings on Christmas morning...and my then my favorite picture of our dining room with our tree...followed by Miss Nora with her stunning pony tail!! She reminded me so much of Little Cindy Lou Hoo from The Grinch...
I will probably be posting a few pictures of what our tree will look like after Nora discovers it!! This year will be the year of plastic ornaments:)

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Thanksgiving Blessings.






This morning I wanted to post some of my favorite pictures of my family...they just seem to capture the love that I feel for them and the reasons why I am so thankful for them, everyday. Most of the pics are from years ago but the love that I feel when I look at them never fades. Happy Thanksgiving~
Xo
Kelly

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Sweet Smile:)



Today Nora turned 14 months old...she is beginning to take more steps on a daily basis but still prefers crawling and the latest, CLIMBING!! I am not sure how we are going to manage the climbing...it scares me. We will be visiting my sister and her family for Thanksgiving, Nora's first over night trip...I think I am bringing more baby equipment for "damage control" ...the best part is that there will be a ton of cousins to keep an eye on Nora! 4 dogs, 9 kids, should be interesting!! Cannot wait to be together....

K

Saturday, November 20, 2010

The Tough Stuff


So, I have debated whether or not I wanted to share these thoughts publicly on this blog...I decided I would for several reasons...because it's important for me to remember and it might help another adoptive parent...This past week "it" finally became real for me, "it" is hard to describe in words really, hard to explain unless you have been there as a parent. I finally felt the feeling I have been waiting to feel through out this entire journey to Nora, "it" finally felt real and genuine. Nora has been with us for three months and these months have been filled with sleepless nights, crazy schedules, celebrations, dr.'s appts. and of course the everyday obligations of real life, the obligations that don't stop just because you have a new baby in your house. I think for three months I was just in survival mode, on automatic pilot, trying to keep my house together, trying to still be a mom to four kids and a wife, friend, daughter and somewhere in the chaos I was trying to feel what I wanted to feel for our newly adopted child...I wanted to feel like I was Nora's mom and not just a care giver or a babysitter...other adoptive moms told me that the day would come and "it" would just feel right, the feeling would wash over you and you would know that you were exactly where you were meant to be with this child, the love that you were waiting to feel would become real...I have to admit I had my doubts...but something has changed over the past two weeks for me and I think for Nora as well.

Nora has shown me what I think and know in my heart is true, genuine love...and in return I have been able to give that back to her. The day she was placed in my arms I knew that I loved her but I wasn't "there yet" fully and completely, I cared for all of her needs, physically, but I wasn't so sure if emotionally I was touching her heart, or she was touching mine...the love was there but it was different than with my bio children, not less, just different...and this is the part that I struggled with for so long..why does it feel different and will it ever feel the same?? Well, I am not sure if it will ever feel the same, but then again I love all of my children equally, just differently...they each bring something unique to my heart, they each fill a space up fully and completley but in different ways...and that is how I have come to the realization that "it" has become real for me with Nora...I love her fully and wholly, as much as I love my three older children and I know that this feeling will continue to grow even stronger as Nora is with us longer...in reality it has only been THREE months, so much has happened in her life that to expect her to love me back wiht her whole heart is not fair...she will get there someday just as I will get there, we will walk this road together...and isn't that what we do with all the loved ones in our life? We promise to be there no matter what...she has lost so much already in her short lifetime but her determination and courage is what keeps me going in my everyday life as a mom, I am so glad she waited patiently for me to show her the kind of love my heart was waiting to share with her...

I love you Nora with all of my heart...thank you for letting me in.

K

Monday, November 15, 2010

I can hear the bells...


Today Emma auditioned for her school's spring musical, "Hairspray." The musicals in middle school are a big deal here...there is alot of history of some pretty amazing shows, set designs, costumes, and just really talented kids...Emma is in 8th grade and would probably turn purple if she ever read this..but I was so proud of her today. Emma sang "I Can Hear the Bells" a song from the show and it was not an easy song...I promised her I would not sit in the auditorium like a stage mom and hover but I couldn't help myself, I actually ended up standing outside the door and peaking in after she gave me one too many dirty looks...and I had Nora who was loving the sound of her own voice.!!

I know how nerve wracking it can be to audition and at 13 it is even harder but I was so amazed at how supportive all of her friends were, cheering and clapping for everyone, even kids they probably didn't know that well...and that is what I love about theater, it is just a great bunch of kids supporting one another...I hope that she lands a part, doesn't matter what role, just to be involved with something that gives her self confidence and a chance to form lasting friendships.

Watching Emma audition brought back so many memoriesof when I used to do musical theater and I realized how much I missed it when I was crossing my fingers for her and mouthing the words to the song, she sounded like an angel to me singing on that stage..so sweet and innocent...and just so Emma...Good for you Emma, no matter what, you won today.

I am so proud of you.

Mom

Sunday, November 7, 2010

A Beautiful Day for a Baptism...






Today we baptised our daughter Nora...our dear friends were her Godparents...Nora was very "vocal" in church but the Deacon was so wonderful and loved interacting with Nora. She introduced herself to him by pulling off his eyeglasses!

It was a very special ceremony surrounded by family and friends...the best part was watching Nora splash in the baptismal font, this was much easier to do with newborns but not half as much fun ( according to the Deacon, what an understanding man:)

We invited everyone back to our home, unfortunately Nora was so tired she missed her delicious carrot cake but she woke up after all of the guest left and asked for a piece as soon as she woke up.

November is a time of Thanksgiving and we are so thankful for all of our blessings.

Love
Kelly