Sprite or Water

Saturday, we went to dinner with Mya's birthmother and her son Ethan. We had so much fun visiting with them. It had almost been a year and a half since Shannon had seen Mya last. So it was a special night but like most 2 year olds, Mya did not totally understand how special that night was. Mya knows that Shannon is her birthmother, can point her out in photos and knows the story of how she joined our family by heart. It is so hard to know how much Mya understands but it is truely amazing to watch her comprehend more and more of her story each time she asks us to tell it to her. I am so glad that we are so open and honest with Mya about adoption. I get excited for the time when Mya has more questions for me. Adoption is so AWESOME!!!

Shannon and Mya

When we got to the resturaunt Shannon and Ethan were already there. Shannon had a few presents for Mya. Mya got a cute purse with an "M" on it, a little kitty toy from Ethan and a necklace with her name on it. When Shannon gave Mya the necklace she asked if Mya knew what it said and Mya pointed to the letters and said "M-Y-A, Mya!" I have to admit Scott and I felt like the proudest parents in the world at that moment!
We had a great dinner and just enjoyed sitting around chatting. Jesse was such a good baby and Shannon even held him for a little while. The night before we went to dinner Scott and I were reminding Mya that we were going with Shannon and Ethan. And Mya said "Does Ethan like Sprite or Water?" We told her that she would have to ask him when we saw him the next day. Mya love Sprite, we don't ever have it at home but when we go out to eat she knows that she will get a Sprite. So Mya continued to ask us the whole next day if Ethan liked Sprite or Water, it was hilarious! I thought I had lost my camera but come to find out it was just in a different place in my diaper bag. Luckily Shannon had her phone and we got some pictures with it. We took pictures, Mya sang songs, Ethan and Mya played, all in all it was a super fun evening. I don't know for sure but I think that it meant a lot to Shannon to see Mya and hear her cute little voice. Towards the end of dinner Shannon said to Mya "I love you, Mya" and Mya replied " I love you too!" Mya melted all of our hearts! Mya is one amazing little girl and we love her more than we can ever explain. Thank you Shannon for blessing our lifes! We love you.

Mya and Ethan (Mya's half-brother)

Mya, Ethan and Shannon


Mya and Ethan playing in the water

Silly Mya eating her ice cream

The whole crew

Like Princess Fiona

Last night I took the kids to my mom's house to visit while Scott went for a bike ride. When we were leaving Mya wanted to have a few of my mom's flowers to take home. Grandma siad that was okay and Mya brought them home very carefully so she could show daddy. When I told Mya it was time for bed, she asked if she could sleep with her flowers. I replied that she could keep them in her room but not sleep with them. Mya quickly replied as she was walking back to her room with her flowers "like Princess Fiona". I had to stop and think for a minute of what she was talking about. Then it hit me, close to the beginning of Shrek when Princess Fiona is still in the tower, she is laying on the bed with flowers. I pictured my little Mya laying there with her flowers! Mya is so cute. I love her imagination, it is blossoming right now and it is so fun. I just try and play along with what she says. Lately she has had a friend clown that comes to the door often and Mya lets him in. The clown doesn't have a name but he does have a painted face and he is nice, not scary. Such a fun little person!!

Lot and lots of pictures

On Saturday we woke the kids up early and went to Antelope Island for the Kite and Hot Air Balloon Festival. Mya loves balloons, so a little while ago I showed her some pictures of hot air balloons and told her that you can ride in the little basket. Mya has been talking about going up up up in a hot air balloon basket ever since. We found out that Antelope Island had a hot air balloon festival and I had to take Mya. She wanted to ride in the basket so bad but unfortunately the weather was not good enough, hopefully next time!!

Mya was so excited and couldn't wait to get to the Island

Mya is always asking Scott to show her his big muscles and I happened to have the camera out this time!

This is the whole crew, waiting for the balloons to get blown up.

The sun looked so pretty, I had to take a picture.

I love this picture of Mya and me. Too bad the lighting is so horrible.

Our little family

Jesse eating his bottle, such a good boy!

Gram Mary with all the little girls

Jesse did not know what to think of the big balloon or maybe it was too early in the morning for him to care.

I got to ride the little train with Mya :)

I love this picture, he is so cuddly

Some sand and a orange cone can go along way with a 2 year old

Mya and her cousin Abby

Mya's cousin Whitney climbing the rock wall, she made it to the top!

Mya was a little nervous sitting on the buffalo but Jesse thought it was great fun

Of course, Mya will give the buffalo kisses.

Jump, jump, jumping

Playing on the BIG blow up slides with Mya's cousins

Mya loves slides

Both kids were so worn out that they fell asleep on the way home and slept for 3 1/2 hours!

We need to do more things like this more often!

These are just some random picture that I love of my adorable kids

Mya loves her brother

Playing play dough with mom.

Nest, eggs and a birdie

I made this bird for Mya and she thought it was the coolest thing ever

Not the happiest faces but still a cute picture

Sweet Mya

Cute Jesse, love that happy little face

One of my favorite pics of Mya, she is beautiful!

All ready for dance

6 months old

Yesterday, Jesse turned 6 months old!! My goodness time flies when you are having fun. I started mush with Jesse a couple weeks ago but he had butternut squash and carrots for the first time this week. Jesse was not too sure about the solid foods at first but he is loving it now!! Such a cute boy! Here are his stats for Dr Rose:

Length: 26 1/2 inches, 52% for his age

Weight: 16 pounds 7 ounces, 45%

Head Circumference: 42 cm, 20%

Mya is doing great and is loving her dance classes!

A little tummy time!


Mya is riding her bike all the time these days! She is doing awesome. At the first of the summer Mya could pedal but turning was an issue. Now she can do it all. And she is having a blast. Scott can't wait to buy her a big girl bike!!!

Just some thoughts

It has been 4 weeks tomorrow since Jesse has come home and it has been an amazing experience. This post has been in my head for a few weeks now and it is mostly just for me to be able to get my thoughts and emotions out. Please forgive my for my thoughts will be very random. My heart is so FULL..my house is dirty and a mess but my heart is FULL! Jesse will be 6 months old tomorrow and I have not once been sad that we missed out on his first 5 months of life. I am loving having him here now!
I know that everything happens for a reason. It has taken me years to understand how it all works but I know now that Heavenly Father is watching out for us and gives us trials and challenges to prepare us for the things to come. My mother-in-law wrote a poem and she gave it to me the day that ALL the relinquishment papers were signed (about 3 weeks ago). I guess she started this poem a while ago, I hope she won't mind me sharing it. When I read it the first time I just cried because it so captures my feelings through this last adoption experience. Let me give a little background, Jane is a caseworker from Heart and Soul adoption agency. We had our profile with them and we almost adopted a 5 month old little boy back in March through Heart and Soul. We just didn't have a peaceful feeling about that situation. Judy is our caseworker at LDS Family Services.

The Labor

There isn't anything that quells the pain. What can you take that numbs the pain but allows you to go on? The only relief comes when she falls to her knees and cries to her Heavenly Father.

She rises from the pool of tears and feels His warmth fill her heart. The labor pains subside for now. She sees Mya's blue eyes and smiley face and knows it's all worth it.

The phone rings. "Hi, it's Jane...." The labor pains begin again....they come with a vengeance. Sometime they last for hours, sometimes weeks, other times even months.

When she catches her breath, the pain is quelled enough for her to think more clearly. She knows that this miracle is all part of Heavenly Father's plan. All will be well....

The phone rings....not expecting a call from anyone. It's Judy...what? Chosen? The tears flow and the joy makes her tingle all over.

The labor isn't over, yet. She and her husband go through labor together again. It goes on for a week....no medication stops the pain or eases the fears that rise up in their hearts.

Yet...through it all they feel that heavenly peace and warmth and know that the pain will end today. Jesse is theirs! Amy, Scott and Mya smile at their little guy knowing that all the labor pains were worth it.

Thank you Mary! Waiting for Jesse to find our family was very tough. I wanted Mya to have a sibling so bad!!! And I knew that she would be a GREAT big sister. We are very close with our families and Mya knows her cousins well but there is a special bond siblings have and I wanted it for her more that anything. And now to see my 2 precious, wonderful children together means so much to me. I am so BLESSED!!!!

Even after being blessed with Mya, I still was sad that I couldn't be pregnant or carry my children. But I learned a lot this time around. I am so thankful for the way that my children have found us. I appreciate their being in our home so much now. It is truly by Heavenly Father's hand. Heavenly Father not only prepares the birth parents for their sacrifices but He prepared us as well. I had 2 dreams right before we were told about Jesse. I dreamt that we were placed with a boy but it was not a newborn. I remember waking up and telling Scott all about my dream. A few weeks before we were told about Jesse, we heard the name Jesse and I remember Scott saying "we need to remember that name, I like it a lot." So when my caseworker told me his name was Jesse, I just started crying because I knew that this was our child. And last, the adoption that almost happened with Heart and Soul prepared us as well. Heavenly Father is amazing!!! We are so BLESSED.

Teeth

Jesse got his 2 bottom teeth this past week. I feel so bad because I didn't even know that they had came in. He is such a tough boy, he didn't even act upset. Good job little brother!

Mya's new big bed

Last Friday Mya got her very own big girl bed. She is loving it!!! When Scott got it all put together Mya said "Big like mommy and daddy's bed." Mya's new bedding has Ladybugs on it. I bought it a while ago but we never got around to getting her a twin bed, until now. She has been anxiously waiting to see her ladybug bed. Now I just need to get a few decorations for the walls.

Mya is growing up so fast and it seems that she has grown up even more since Jesse has arrived. She is such a good big sister and is always willing to get me diapers, blankets or whatever I may need. Mya has adjusted to our huge change so well and I am so proud of her. It is so weird to see her as the big sister! We are so happy that Jesse was able to find his way to us. And we are thrilled that Mya has a sibling.