Happy Birthday Tami!

So my friend Tami is having a BIG birthday today. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

She used to live near me in Mesa but moved to Chicago a few years ago. What's the best thing about having a friend in a big, exciting city? A free place to stay of course! Here's some pictures of my visit out to the midwest from September of 2007. I went with a few of my favorite girls, Dyan, Marie, and Laurie!

You can check out more of Tami and her family at: Lake In the Hills Latest


This is Laurie, Tami, and Marie in their confused state at a public park in downtown Chicago. Good thing Dyan and I were there to help them find their way!


Here we are at Lake Geneva in Wisconsin on a Sunday afternoon. It was beautiful. There were so many houses with a backyard that backed right to the lake. Most of them even had their own dock for their boat so they could just walk right out and be on the lake! I found myself dreaming of a house that backed to Lake Powell but somehow I don't think it would be as beautiful.


This is us actually sitting on the steps of one of those houses, in front of us are the steps to their own dock. The houses along the lake were amazing!


And this, my dear friend Tami is a special birthday gift just for you, your very own picture of Marie sleeping on the plane! Everyone needs a pic like this for their very own, so here you go! Hope you have a wonderfully happy birthday!

If I didn't have a sleeping baby in the house...

If I didn't have a sleeping baby in the house I would be screaming! I know several of my friends and family have read this book and several of you have not. So out of respect for those who have not read it I will not spoil it (please do not tell me what happens if you have read it).

But I am on page 127 of These Is My Words by Nancy Turner and I am dying! WHAT IN THE WORLD!?!?!? And that is all I am saying for now!

Shake Your Money Maker....he's not a fan.

So I never realized that the song Shake Your Money Maker is a "stripper song" (I was informed by several people). I think it is a funny song and when you are alone in your kitchen with your new babe it is a fun song to dance too. As you can see, Zad is not a fan.


But here's proof that he has huge alligator tears, poor little guy.


This picture just makes me sad...I had no idea he was so frightened until after I had taken the pics and was reviewing them. So I have officially become a great mother, singing stripper songs to my baby and making him cry.


Good thing Steve is around to be Super Dad and make everything all better.

Zad at 2 Months!!!

I've been a little slow at posting but here's Zad's latest stats:

12lbs. 14oz. weight (75%)
23.5 inches long (75%)
16.5 inches head circumference (90%) AKA: Big Head

He got shots on this day and did pretty well but was not quite as social as he normally is for a few days afterward. He is rarely a fussy baby as long as he is fed, warm, and around people. He hates to be left alone in a room. He just likes to be around people, he is already socializing.

He started smiling a lot this last month and one day even lifted one eyebrow and gave me a big grin at the same time. All I could think was that we are in BIG trouble if he can do that as a baby and look that cute!

He also rolled over for the first time. I know you will all think I am awful...but I let him sleep on his tummy. He loves it and that means I love it too. But one day I heard him awake from his nap and there he was on his back! I couldn't believe it!

He has started talking more making cute little cooing noises and right before he sneezes he lets out a big, "AAAAHHHH!" It's hilarious.

Lauren's Coming Home!!!!

So my friend from work, Mardi and her husband Dan have been anxiously awaiting THE CALL for over 3 years. THE CALL to inform that their daughter Lauren who has also been waiting for them in a Chinese orphanage finally came this last Friday!

Mardi was one of my first friends in adoption. I knew of her at work but when we each discovered the other was also seeking to adopt we became fast friends. One of my first thoughts after Norma chose us was, "I hope Mardi gets her call soon." Not only because I have looked forward to hearing of her success but because she had been waiting nearly 3 times as long and I really wanted her to have her baby when I received mine.

I just looked at her blog and saw her beautiful pictures of her new little one, Lauren. She and Dan will be heading to China soon to pick her up, I can hardly wait to see her and hear all about their journey. To see more of her story and upcoming adoption, check out her blog Laurens Journey Home on the right sidebar.

Congratulations Mardi! I am sooo happy for you!

Another Great Adoption Story

I don't think I will ever get tired of hearing an adoption story, especially from the side of a birthmom. I want and feel an obligation to put as many positive ideas about adoption out into the world...so here's another great birthmom and her story.

Natasha's Story

However....I am still quite partial to Norma's! Who could blame me, look at the little guy! :)

The Temple and Warrior Zad

We went to the temple last night, it was our first trip back since having Zad. I was overcome again with immense gratitude and love for Norma and our incredibly loving Heavenly Father. Last night during our worship session a prayer was said for the children and babies of the parents who were there. They were blessed to be "warriors against the evil one." All of a sudden I could see in my minds eye, Zad years from now with the look and attitude of a Stripling Warrior; strong, brave, couregous, valiant, and determined to choose the right above all else. I had a moment of feeling so honored to be asked to be his mother; not only by Norma but by my Heavenly Father as well. What an amazing responsibility and blessing I have been given!