10 on Tuesday…

1.

Randomly picked this up on a road trip and I’ve been obsessed ever since. SoBe Life Water Pacific Coconut. Try it.

2. Pretty obsessed with the Olympics these days too. The gymnastics is by far my favorite, right next to the diving and do I dare admit this but… I kind of like the synchronized swimming too! ha! 

 

The kids totally fell asleep one night watching the Olympics. ♥

 

3. On the same lines as gymnastics, we found this CUTE American Girl Doll App for the iphone. It’s Called McKenna’s Gymnastics. Love it. Brooklyn thinks she wants Santa to bring her an American Girl Doll for Christmas. ;)

4. Finally took the kids to a Summer Movie. Super cute. My favorite thing was that all the kids in the theater kept breaking into laughter at all the same parts! 

5. I really love this blog. She is full of cute ideas!

6. Does anyone else HATE these new blogger ads? Grrr.

7. I ordered this journal to help me study my scriptures better. In love. Go HERE to check out her system.

8. My friend Annalee posted this song on her blog, loved it. I love being a mom. Even on the hard days. It’s almost been a year since we put our adoption papers back in. I don’t like to admit it but I worry and wonder if our little family is complete. Moving on, so I don’t start dripping tears on the keyboard. :(

9. I love our garden. Confession, more than half of it is growing my decorative pumpkins for my porch this fall. ♥

10. Favorite quote today  {I used it in my lesson on Sunday}

“A friend is more concerned about helping people than getting credit. A friend cares. A friend loves. A friend reaches out.

We can strengthen one another; we have the capacity to notice the unnoticed. When we have eyes that see, ears that hear, and hearts that know and feel, we can reach out and rescue those for who we have responsibility.

Often small acts of service are all that is required to lift and bless another: a question concerning a person’s family, quick words of encouragement, a sincere compliment, a small note of thanks, a brief phone call. If we are observant and aware, and if we act on the promptings wish come to us, we can accomplish much good.” President Thomas S. Monson

I want to be a better friend.

Campfire Eclairs & a Super Hero…

So you know when you get super comfortable with your life and things are going just fine, and then Heavenly Father realizes it’s time to make you stretch and grow?! Well that’s my life right now. I guess it’s a good thing, but man, sometimes growing hurts a little. I bet you can all relate. To tell you the truth it’s my own fault, I have been praying for Heavenly Father to mold me into the person He wants me to be, to bless me with patience, compassion & more humility. Looks like He has a plan. I hope I’m ready.

I just got called to be back with the Young Women (the youth group in our church) I’m a little nervous. I serve with the most amazing women & I already feel very inadequate, not to mention I don’t know how I will ever have the energy to  keep up with these incredible young girls! ha!

We had our first activity, and I already learned something new and YUMMY for that matter!

We made Campfire Eclairs

recipe & picture from {family spice}

1. Pre-soak your large sticks in water for 20 minutes to prevent burning
2. Cover your stick with butter, to prevent sticking.
3. Open and unroll:
   • 1 package refrigerated biscuit dough
4. Stretch out and flatten one biscuit round in your hand.
5. Stretch the dough over your stick, smoothing out any creases. For quick and even cooking, make sure dough is about 1/4-inch thick,
6. Place dough covered stick over the flames and cook until evenly browned, about 5-10 minutes. Rotate stick continuously to prevent burning.
7. Biscuit shell is done when all sides are browned and inside is cooked through.
8. Carefully, remove biscuit shell from stick.
9. Fill inside with:
   • pre-made chocolate and/or vanilla pudding
   • strawberries, sliced
10. Top éclair with:
    • whip cream
    • chocolate sprinkles or candies

 

 

 

Trust me just, GO HERE & look at THIS it’s beautiful! I love the reminder!

 

 

Do you or have you ever dealt with Infertility? I came across this beautiful post and had an AHA! moment!! Go read her blog. I think you will probably be able to relate. Some people just have a way with words.

 

Particularly this part:

Dear (insert your name here),

You are a good mom. You love your children.

Heavenly Father knew that you could handle this trial.

He CHOSE you.

It is hard.

You can do hard things.

Sometimes when you feel your blood boil, and you want to scream at the top of your lungs,

"IT'S NOT FAIR"

It's ok.

Because it's not fair.

Life is not fair.

And that is what makes it all so beautiful!

You are right, it would be far easier to have a body that works.

But yours does not.

And even though you are learning and growing so much because of it,

sometimes the pain feels like it might suffocate you.

But your infertility is not about you.

It is not an attack of your character.

It is not a punishment for something you have done.

It is not because you are incapable of being a great mother to many.

You are not broken on accident.

Heavenly Father did not skip over you because you were undeserving.

You were not forgotten.

Instead, He hand chose you out of the crowd, and precisely changed you to be the person you are. I believe he took you aside, put his arm around you, and with tears streaming down his very own face, knowing it will break your heart, asked if you if could carry this burden.

He promised you would never be alone. And he would bless you!

But, he would need to make you differently.

Not to break you.

But to create miracles for your eyes to see.

Every day.

You were not stripped of the most sacred act of multiplying and replenishing to your hearts content, because you were not worth it to be made whole.

You may feel broken, and forgotten, in your divine right of motherhood.

But you were made from scratch!

Everything you have been given, has been given by God.

"The Lord giveth, the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

Cry until your soul hurts. Because it is hard.

But don’t ever feel broken.

 

I am feeling grateful today. I truly am blessed. I know that our Heavenly Father has a plan for each of us. He knows us better than we know ourselves. He is there waiting for us to reach out and ask for His help. I’m always amazed at how He is right here, involved in the big miracles and in all of the little details in our lives as well. We must trust in Him, we must have Faith in him. We must look around and notice that He is directing our paths. We must realize that we are enough & He will take care of the rest. He is in charge, and I’m okay with that, more than okay, I find great peace in those words. I am not alone, and I don’t have to control all the details (which is often hard for me, but I am working on it!)

 

And is this not the cutest little super hero EVER? Seriously. ♥ I turned my head and you stole a piece of my heart. – unknown

This little guy told his teacher @ church that his dad makes money and his mom makes cookies! I've laughed all day about it!

 

Meeting Mrs. R…

As many of you know, yesterday we had an amazing fireside! We were privileged to hear from Lindsey or many of you know her from her blog at, www.therhouse.blogspot.com where she writes as "Mrs. R." She spoke to us about Finding Hope through Infertility and Adoption. Her message was uplifting, and buoyed each of us up who were in attendance. I'd like to share some highlights from her message.

Lindsey talked about surrendering our old dreams, because as we all know infertility can be crushing news. However there is much hope in each of our journeys. As we surrender our old dreams the Lord replaces them with new dreams. Sometimes it is hard to let the old ones go, however we must in order to let our new dreams grow.

::
She talked about the ways hope may come into our lives, through prayer, the scriptures, priesthood blessings, compassion for others, service, and being proactive in our approach to adoption. Because when we have hope, we are happy! We should always be hoping!

::
Lindsey also shared this quote with us.
"Perhaps strength doesn't reside in never being broken- but in the courage required to grow strong in the broken places."

::
What an honor to have Mrs. R speak to us. She is truly a great advocate for the adoption world, and inspires so many. Feel free to check out more of her inspiring words at www.therhouse.blogspot.com

It’s not really that I don’t have anything to post about, because I do! I just haven’t wanted to take the time out of my day to do it. I think this quote sums up my feelings right now:

" We live in a world that is filled with options. If we .are not careful, we will find every minute jammed with social events, classes, exercise time, book clubs, scrapbooking, church callings, music, sports, the Internet, and our favorite TV shows....Families need unstructured time when relationships can deepen and real parenting can take place. Take time to listen, to laugh, and to play together."

-M Russell Ballard

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I do have a new obsession lately. It’s THIS.

Just go look at it. I am a foodie wannabe. I can cook, if I have a good recipe, but someday I want to make food look this beautiful. This is a really fun site, it’s called Stumble Upon, and it’s not just for food and recipes, there are other areas you can search through too.

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Another AWESOME blog called We are ALL Mother's , LOVE it! If you have dealt with infertility, miscarriage, etc. Check her out. Even if you haven’t she’s an awesome photographer, crafty and creative! Very inspiring and one of the sweetest girls ever!! One look at this blog and I knew I would be adding it to my list of favorites! What are you waiting for? Go check her out! She’s fairly new to blogging, so leave her a comment!

::

Brooklyn and I made Glitter Play dough last week while Braxton was napping,. When I saw the recipe I knew it would be a hit with Brooklyn, her 3 favorite things were all involved: Pink, Glitter, and Play dough! She loved it.

Glitter Playdough

2 Cups Flour 2 Cups Water 1 Cup Salt 2 tsp. Cream of Tartar 2 T. Glitter Food Coloring of your choice Combine all ingredients in a medium sized saucepan. Stir well and continue to cook on medium heat. Continue to stir until mixture forms a soft ball. Let cool.

::

I’m planning a trip to the Library next week, we need some new books to read.

Any suggestions? What are your favorite books?

I thought I’d share with you a few of our favorite books right now.

{Brooklyn’s Favorites}

{This one is from when I was a little girl, I had to have it bound because it is falling apart! }

{These are Braxton’s two favorite books right now.}

{My 3 summer picks.}

Hope you are having a great week!

A little catching up...

Hello friends! Another {CRAZY} week has begun! :) My little sister Angie was here from CA last week! LOVE when all my sisters get to be together!! It's such a HUGE blessing for me to have such beautiful women surrounding me! Plus if you didn't know 2 of them are expecting and we found out last week they are both having boys! We are used to girls in our family... and now the boys are starting to out number us! We made some of those cute beaded watches! ♥ them! Pretty much addicted to making them now! SO fun! I am so grateful that I can volunteer a small portion of my time with our local chapter of FSA (Families Supporting Adoption), we had the great opportunity of putting together a small dinner in honor of all the birth mothers in our area. (look at these cute favors Candise made up. I ♥ them! And dinner was to die for... she sent me the recipes, so hopefully I'll get a second to post them after I make them again! )

I came away from the evening with a renewed love for my family, for adoption and of course Bri and Shanna! We have truly been blessed. There were birth moms who had placed only weeks before and some who had placed 16 years ago! It was inspiring to say the least and I felt privledged to hear their stories. With Mother's Day being Sunday, I found myself looking back on past Mother's Days, ones that weren't so great for me, ones when we were childless. I just wanted all of you beautiful women who are dealing with infertility to know that there will come a day when you will want to celebrate Mother's Day. A day when you will rejoice and look back on the past with a smile, and say, "it was all worth it." I wish I could reach out and give you all a big hug. Keep going, I can honestly say all those years of pain and heart break were worth it! Natasha asked me to be a guest blogger and write an article about our infertility and how we dealt with it. If you want to read my article about part of our journey through infertility go HERE.

Sunshine = Happiness...

I feel like the days go by quicker than I can snap my fingers lately! I hosted recipe group this month, such FUN girls! A few of us even stayed up talking until 1:30 am! Yikes! Get us girls together and we can gab! hehee. You can find all of the delicious recipes RIGHT HERE .

{ My centerpieces & a little favor}

Also made a strawberry pie on Sunday, for a great recipe for homemade Desserta try THIS ONE

(Way better than store bought, and seriously easy as pie!)

And mad some homemade Strawberry Jam for the boy. Zach loves this stuff! Now if I can just get some time to make homemade bread for him! Summer is on it's way!

Okay and last of all I wanted to share one of my new favorite blogs with you all! She has a bunch of CUTE ideas! I have bookmarked almost all of them, here is our first one that we actually carried out... Tutorial HERE

Perfect since we have extra jelly beans laying around our house from Easter.

Also if you have dealt or are dealing with infertility, check out my friend Laura's blog, Beyond the Rain. She's a great writer and really puts things into perspective.

I just went to see if Brooklyn had made any progress on cleaning her room and look what I found....

Sometimes it stinks being the mean mom who has to make such a cute little girl clean her room.

A Light at the End of the Tunnel...

Image courtesy Flickr

{Thank you all SO much, for the kind and encouraging comments you have shared with me. I love to read each and every one! You know you always worry a little when you share something this personal, you are so vulnerable when you put yourself out there. Really they mean so much to me. I can not take credit for being "amazing" or "inspiring" like your comments read, really, if the Lord did not help me through these trials, my natural man would have sureley kicked in and I would have easily turned into a bitter and cynical person. We are truly powerless and nothing without Him. I just in no way wanted anyone to think I was bragging about how I handled this particular trial in my life. I assure you there was much darkness and bitterness at different points throughout. I guess that is the miracle of it all really. }

It is July and we get a call from our caseworker. He tells us there is a little boy that is half Caucasian half African American that will be born soon. The birth mother is looking for a family to place with. He asks us to write a letter to her and he will send our profile to her in Michigan. A few days go by, of course we are hopeful, but we don't allow ourselves to get our hopes up to high. A week or two goes by and we hear that she has chosen a friend of the family to raise her child. It is always hard for some reason. It feels so personal, it feels like they did not choose you because they weren't sure if you would be a good mother or not or maybe you weren't cute enough, or they thought you looked like a boring stuffy mom...i mean who knows?

You know a child is out there though and that is what keeps you going, you just don't have any idea what you can do besides wait. Sometimes I feel like I am dressed in a hospital gown (you know the ones that fully expose your back side?), only I'm always dressed in it, I must go to work in it, wear it all around town, everywhere I go I am exposed. Let me explain why I feel this way. When you fill your adoption papers out, you fill out many many questionnaires, that ask dozens of personal questions like... "How would you describe the intimacy in your marriage?" Hmmm.... I know there must be reasons for these questions, but I myself just can't figure out why they need to know that and how exactly I should answer it for that matter. They come to your home and you take them on a tour of it. You wonder if they think it's clean enough, or if it is kid-friendly enough. Hundreds of questions about being "good enough" run through my mind. Don't get me wrong here, we worked with WONDERFUL people throughout our adoption process, they were very kind to us. However when you are faced with people who's job is to come into your home {your personal space} and their decision will either make it possible or not for you to have a future family... it's easy to get a little anxiety over the whole situation. When all this over then you are asked to write a one page letter to your child's future birth mother, and attach a collage of pictures of yourself. How important is it for you to say "the right words" and how are you supposed to decide on say 10 pictures or so that will show her what you are all about. It was nerve wracking to say the least. You can imagine how "exposed" we were feeling. After all the poking and prodding, I wonder why some people can carry a child and no one asks them a single question about their background, or their abilities to raise a successful, self confident child. No one asks them if they will be willing to love and cherish a child, no one comes into their home and asses their readiness to bring a child into the world. Maybe if we did, we wouldn't have a need for the Foster Care system.

It is late August and I am sitting at my desk at work. I check my e-mail right after lunch and notice I have gotten an e-mail from Eve at LDS Family Services regarding a birth mother's question. My heart skips a beat. I open the e-mail quickly. It is a birth mom and her mom writing to ask us a few questions about our life. They had seen our profile on http://www.itsaboutlove.com/ So I reply and immediately call Zach to tell him. Zach is much more cautious than I, because of our previous failed adoption. I can't help but get excited about it, but realize that it's just a few questions that they are asking. A few weeks go by and I can't stop thinking about the e-mail, wishing I knew more and hoping that this girl is finding the right family for her child.

September comes and goes, and we start into the month of October. I am again at my desk at work checking my e-mail. Another e-mail from Eve! It is the same sweet birth mom that we first heard from back in August. We get a few more details about her pregnancy. She is having a girl and is due in December. Bri & her mom tell us a little more about their family and their life. A few days later she sends me a few pictures. They look so familiar to me. Zach continually reminds me not to get my hopes up, he is trying to protect me from heart break again. I decide I don't care. What if this is the one... I ask myself. What if I hold back all my excitement and happy feelings and it works out, then I will have missed my opportunity to celebrate possibly the happiest moments of my life.

The Lord Truly Works in Mysterious Ways...

Image courtesy Flickr

{The next part of our story is not one we often talk about, if at all. However it is an important part of our journey none the less. }

Zach & I seemed to be spending more and more time on our knees these days. We needed answers. We knew that we wanted to put our Adoption papers in and that the time was right. We finished our paperwork about a week before we moved to Texas. Zach took a job for the summer at the King Ranch. He was in heaven. I was not. We had been there for about five months when I started feeling like we needed to move home. ( Zach thought it was just because I was homesick.) However soon the spirit was working on him too, (or maybe it was the fact that I had a huge meltdown and told him I was moving home without him. hehehe.) and we decided to move home and finish up school. I believe it was the day after we moved home, that our case worker called to tell us the news. We had been chosen by a birth mom.

We were elated! I remember picking up the phone and listening to those sweet sweet words. She wanted to meet us. She was having a girl! We were having a girl! We called everyone. We set up a time to meet with her. She wanted a closed adoption. She was local. Her boyfriend wasn't ready to be a dad, and she wasn't really sure she was ready to be a single mom. She didn't have much support and had been raised in the foster care system much of her life. I wanted to take her home with us. I wanted to put my arms around her and tell her everything would be fine, that we would take care of her. She was so lovable. She brought us ultrasound pictures. We discussed names. We told her a few names we liked. She told us how she loved the named Abigail. It was a beautiful name. It didn't feel right or seem to fit for us. Abigail was to be born in May. We were so excited, some nights I couldn't even sleep in anticipation of what was to come.

I was still working at the time. In our town there is a website that announces the babies that are born at the local hospital. I often (okay pretty much everyday), liked to go to the website, look at the beautiful babies and see what names were popular etc. (I know, I know. Silly. I was SO baby hungry though.) Our due date was approaching, we only had a few more weeks. One day I got on, and saw a beautiful little girl had been posted. Her name was Abigail. I scrolled down to see the parents name... my heart sunk. Could it be?She wasn't supposed to be here yet. I didn't even have to ask, I knew. I called Zach sobbing. Something is wrong. Very wrong. I called our caseworker. He said he knew nothing. He'd get back to me. After what seemed like an eternity plus ten thousand years, I got the call. Holly... yes it is Abigail. She is still trying to decide what is best. She had some major complications and this could possibly be the only child she will ever be able to carry. Please come in tomorrow and she will have an answer for you. We went to the Temple that night. We prayed. I wanted SO badly to be holding her. On our way home Zach said, well what do you think? I lied. I said "I don't know I didn't really get an answer, I still think she will be ours." Zach looked me in the eyes and said. "Holly, she's not ours." He was right and I knew it. I just didn't want to face the reality of it all. It was like taking that pregnancy test each month, and seeing the negative, only worse because this time you really, I mean REALLY thought it was going to happen. ( I personally have never had a miscarriage, but I remember thinking that this must be what one feels like.)

We went in the next day to meet with our case worker. He was so kind. I held most of my tears in until we got back in the car. On the way home, I did the sobbing cry, you know the really ugly one. The one that you can't get control of. I felt like I had been hit by a car. I wasn't mad. I was just heart broken. That's when I knew that the Atonement was real. I honestly wasn't mad. I couldn't be. Horribly sad yes, but angry no. As we were driving home this song came on. I knew the Lord had heard my prayers and He knew my pain. These were the words we listened to as we drove. " Your heart is weary... but can you hear me? Calling you, reaching through the darkness, I am calling you wherever you are. When your hopes and your dreams and your best laid plans are falling through. I am calling you."

I knew we would be okay. I knew She would be okay. I knew Abigail would be okay. Zach & I went home and went to bed. We held each other. We cried. It was Saturday and tomorrow was Mother's Day, I thought it was going to be MY first Mother's day. I opted to stay home. I cried some more. I cried until there were literally no more tears in me. I needed much comfort and healing. Comfort & healing that no one else could give. Not my family, not Zach, and not even myself. I needed the Lord. I needed the Atonement.

I went to work on Monday. I put on my happy face. I went about my work like my little world was perfect and had not shattered into a million little pieces over the weekend. (Besides a few trips to the bathroom to dry a few stray tears.) I worked at a doctor's office. I volunteered to stay through the lunch break and then take a late lunch. Half way through lunch She walked in. I greeted her. Heavenly Father held me in His arms. I didn't cry. I gave her a hug. I told her I was so happy for her (and I really was). I actually had a box in the car for her of Abigail's things, that I was planning on taking it to the agency for them to give to her. I got to meet Abigail. I met Abigail's dad. I held it together. (I've often wondered if Heavenly Father sent Angels down to plug my tear ducts.) It was perfect. Really, it was PERFECT. I needed that closure. I needed her to know that I wasn't angry with her for her decision.

The Lord truly works in mysterious ways.

New Life, New Hope...

{I have decided to write our story in a series of posts, some of it is difficult for me to write. It seems when you open up your heart, and pour out the feelings that are inside, you sort of relive the emotions that come with them, and it can be exhausting! I have written this post several times this week, wanting it to be perfect and above all not wishing to offend anyone.}

Almost 8 months after Zach & I were married, we decided we were ready to start our family. Little did we know that we were headed into many years of heartache and sadness. I made many trips to the doctor, I gained weight (my doctor said that might help), I took fertility medication (which made me even more emotional) poor Zach! and tried everything they told us to do, but after 3 years of crying my eyes out each time we attended a baby blessing, took a pregnancy test, someone announced that they were pregnant, or another Mother's Day rolled around, we decided we might want to consider other options. (By the way it wasn't at all that I wasn't happy for those around us that were pregnant or celebrating, I was just aching to feel that same joy.)

I think that most people in general are fairly sensitive to those who can not have children, but there are the few that are misinformed or those that just don't think before they speak, they don't realize what it is like to have your dreams crushed. But it's better now, my pain is not raw. I've learned that I don't have to take offense. I think that when you come to grips that you are labeled as "infertile" that you go through a type of grieving process, I felt broken, & betrayed. I felt like I was sort of a freak, everyone around me could make a baby, but I could not, I did not have the divine gift of creating a life. Some of the secret thoughts that went through my head at this time... Did God love me less or did He not trust me enough to carry a child. Maybe I would be a terrible mother, maybe it was better this way. Why would he make me broken? Why did it have to hurt so much? Was I being punished for previous sins? Was it because I had struggled with an eating disorder and I myself had ruined my body?

I had so many quiet and shameful questions that raced through my head through this time period.

I also found that those around you either lift you up and share your pain or they want you to keep your pain hidden, they don't want to deal with it, it makes them uncomfortable, so just pretend your life is perfect, because after all you are the lucky one, you aren't the one getting up at 2 am to feed and change a little bum, you and your hubby can still go out on date nights and be spontaneous. Yes, that's right you are the lucky one.

But out of all this pain came some of the greatest blessings of our lives! Our testimonies grew. I came to more fully understand the power of the Atonement. I became more compassionate and aware of others struggles around me. I felt the Savior there with me through my trials. I knew the Lord was watching over us and preparing a way for us to have a family!

We started to recognize that we had other options. For us adoption was always in the back of our minds. Zach has 2 BEAUTIFUL sisters who are adopted. We had done foster care growing up and my parents were very open to the idea of adopting also. In fact they had been through a failed adoption. So we started searching for answers to our questions and concerns. The Lord started leading us through our exciting journey!

My purpose in telling you this part of our story is not to depress you or even make you feel sorry for us, it is only to help you understand what BEAUTIFUL miracles the Lord performs, He truly does take away our shattered dreams and He replaces them with ones that are even better than the ones we had planned out for ourselves.

A trip to Australia...

I saw this on Janeal's blog who saw it on someone else's blog. Don't you just LOVE the blogging world?! I do! Thanks Janeal!

Deciding to have a baby is like planning a trip to Australia. You've heard it's a wonderful place; you've read many guide-books and feel certain you're ready to go. Everyone you know has traveled there by plane. They say it can be a turbulent flight with occasional rough landings, but you can look forward to being pampered on the trip. So you go to the airport and ask the ticket agent for a ticket to Australia. All around you, excited people are boarding planes for Australia. It seems there is no seat for you; you'll have to wait for the next flight. Impatient, but anticipating a wonderful trip, you wait --- and wait --- and wait. Flights to Australia continue to come and go. People say silly things like, "Relax. You'll get on a flight soon." Other people actually get on a plane and then cancel their trip, to which you cry, "It's no fair!" After a long time the ticket agent tells you, "I'm sorry, we're not going to be able to get you on a plane to Australia. Perhaps you should think about going by boat." "By BOAT!" you say. "Going by boat will take a very long time and it costs a great deal of money. I really had my heart set on going by plane." So you go home and think about not going to Australia at all. You wonder if Australia will be as beautiful if you approach it by sea rather than air. But you have long dreamed of this wonderful place, and finally you decide to travel by boat. It is a long trip, many months over many rough seas. No one pampers you. You wonder if you will ever see Australia. Meanwhile, your friends and family have flown back and forth to Australia two or three more times, marveling about each trip. Then one glorious day, the boat docks in Australia. It is more exquisite than you ever imagined, and the beauty is magnified by your long days at sea. You have made many wonderful friends during your voyage, and you find yourself comparing stories with others who also traveled by sea rather than by air. People continue to fly to Australia as often as they like, but you are able to travel only once, perhaps twice. Some say things like, "Oh, be glad you didn't fly. My flight was horrible; traveling by sea is so easy." You will always wonder what it would have been like to fly to Australia. Still, you know God blessed you with a special appreciation of Australia, and the beauty of Australia is not in the way you get there, but in the place itself.

It's a good thing that the Lord knows me better than I know myself, and sent me these two perfect little angels. I wouldn't trade my journey by boat to Australia for anything.

I Would Die For That...

I was browsing blogs, and came upon this you tube video, I didn't have a clue it would hit me so hard. I know I've been sharing ALOT about adoption lately, maybe it's because Mother's Day is coming up, I've really been thinking about how blessed I am to be apart of such a miracle! Enjoy.