Happy Halloween!

This Halloween has been so much better than last year.  I continue to count my blessings that I am in such a different place.  

Last night as a family we carved pumpkins and watching the kids get so excited about how they decorated their pumpkin, I told myself to savor each second.  It hit me so much so that at one point I said, boys, someday I hope you look back when you are grown and have your own families and you remember how much fun we had doing this. Gabriel said, "I can't wait till I'm grown."  To which I felt compelled to share that I was going to miss it so much and that I didn't want them to grow up so quickly.  Michael said, "Mom, I will miss it too, but I want to be a dad some day and do this with my kids too." Being considerate not to hurt my feelings he said, "Mom, I'll miss it too, but you can come to my house and help me with my kids on Halloween too."

These moments are fleeting and I'm not going to let myself wish them away... In being so grateful for being in such a different place this year, I'm also very much aware of how we are never guaranteed another Halloween, let alone another day.

So this year we tried to enjoy as much of the holiday as we could.  Here are some pictures of our Halloween (Madelyn's 1st Halloween)...

Michael's creation

He used the cut outs from Maddie's pumpkin (her hands and feet) and added them to his to make a bigger pumpkin. 

Gabriel's pumpkin... and he offering a peace sign off to the side.

Here's a little Halloween video to share of Maddie with a toy shared from some kind friends from church... she loves her little bear.

Happy Halloween!

Until next time,
Angie

Deliciously Inspired...

It was the morning of September 24 and it was a typical Saturday... wake up early after not getting enough sleep, and being the race... the race that is this blessed, crazy life.  My mom happened to be in town and it was the weekend before Noah's Kindness Project.  I think if I'm being honest after getting Isabelle ready, feeding and getting Maddie ready, I pumped and yelled for all the kids to pile into the car so we could race off to archery.  On my way out the door I grabbed what sadly has become a way too common breakfast... a pumpkin cookie.  We were off.

While I love this life and wouldn't trade it for a million dollars, I admit it can often be hard to take care of myself the way I should or want.  Maybe its an excuse, (probably), maybe its being too tired (probably) and maybe its something I need to just make time for (probably), but I haven't been eating or exercising the way I'd like.  Its a habit I'd like to change and know it needs to begin with me.

Back to the morning of racing out the door... as we arrived at archery, 2 minutes early I might add, we unloaded and raced up to the area where the boy's coaches were waiting...

As the boys started doing their thing, I heard my phone ding that I had received a text.

I pulled out my phone and read this..,

Good Morning Angie - I have decided what I would like to do for my major Noah's Kindness project this year.  It came to me while I was dusting my blinds slate by slate and I had to stop and tell you because I got so excited because it is so God:  project: be kind to Noah's mommy.  Take care of her so she can do my work - help her continue to turn ashes into beauty.  So I am hoping you will accept my small gesture.  Starting Monday through the month of October - I will bring you breakfast, snack and lunch on your workdays.  Please know this is such an easy thing for me to do - I have the food out to pack my food and will be no trouble to make a duplicate.  Would this be okay with you? Hugs, Debbie

Reading her note, I was sooooo excited, and read it to my mom who was holding Madelyn.  "Mom, isn't that so nice?"  I continued, "Debbie is a great cook, she's already treated me to a few meals and they have all been so tasty."  Mom said, "Wow, that is really nice."  After we got home I texted Debbie back to tell her how nice her offer was and how excited I was that she had picked me as the recipient of her act of kindness for Noah's Kindness Project.  She has made my weekend!  I was so excited and couldn't wait to see what Monday was going to bring.

And let's just say, on Monday when I got to work, I was blown away by the care, love and extra attention she put in to treat me.  Here is what I saw waiting for me at my desk...

As as beautifully as she has it displayed and outlined for me as to the yummies awaiting my enjoyment, what's even better is how it all tastes.

Debbie has an AMAZING blog she authors with many many followers. Debbie's recipes are healthy, organic and are able to suit many different dietary restrictions.

For the past  month Debbie has been treating me to breakfast, lunch, drinks and even snacks in between.  Every day has been different, and she continues to impress me more and more each day.  Seriously, just being able to come up with so many different meals and snacks is a feat and yet, she seems to be able to do it with ease.

There have been so many new foods she's introduced me to.  For example take that apple wrapped above... that's what Debbie calls a natural cupcake.  Seriously it is SOOOO yummy.  It's an apple with the core removed, and then she's put natural peanut butter with a few dark chocolate chips and sprinkles in the middle.  Such a yummy snack.  Just one of the many new foods I've introduced to my family because of her. 

My kiddos are a fan of the natural cupcake... as is mom.

And then there was this breakfast waiting for me one morning...

That would be gluten free pancakes, with turkey bacon I believe and a spinach and mushroom organic omelet.  It was SOOOO yummy!

There have been so many great meals I'm not sure where to even begin to explain, but simply put, Debbie aka Deliciously Inspired is amazing.  I recommend everyone follow her website... www.deliciouslyinspired.com 

She includes tons of recipes, lists of recommended ingredients and she explains it in a way that even the most beginner (me) would understand.

While I find it hard to put into words just how much of a gift she has given me this past month in not having to try and fit in packing meals as I race out the door in the morning on the way to work, I want her to know that her gift goes beyond that.

Debbie has sparked an interest in me in learning more about the food I serve our family, about expanding my food options, and about being more conscious about the ingredients I'm using to serve my family meals.

And I've started to try and implement some of her ideas into the meals I'm making.  Here's a picture of the steel oats and quinoa breakfast I made for the kids.  I served it with a bit of organic granola and sliced bananas.  The kids LOVED it and have been asking for it. 

Debbie I am so grateful for the amazing gifts of kindness you shared with me for Noah's Kindness Project.  The food you shared with me not only nurtured my body but also my heart and sparked a fire in me to work harder at providing my family with the best food to feed their bodies as well.

Thank you for being a mentor and teaching me.  Thank you for sharing your amazing talents with me.  Thank you... thank you... thank you!

Until next time,

Angie

5 months...

This last Friday Madelyn turned 5 months.  It is so hard for me to believe it, I keep thinking she's only 4 until I look back and remember we passed that milestone 4 weeks ago.

Madelyn is such a joy.  I think we won the lottery when it comes to babies when we were blessed with her.  She is super easy going, such a happy baby and so much fun.

This month I think Madelyn is starting to stretch out.  While she still has cheeks for miles and the cutest chubby thighs and tummy, she is again growing longer and longer.  She's just about to outgrow the bassinet that has been her bed since she came home to us 22 weeks ago.  22 weeks, isn't that crazy?

 I remember being 22 weeks pregnant and praying so hard that she would stay safely inside and keep growing.  It was at 22 weeks that we had the scare I was going into early labor and put on bed rest.  It was the scariest time of the entire pregnancy and some days it seems like it was yesterday... and then I look over at the beautiful baby we have in our lives and I thank God my hope became my reality.

Madelyn loves to chew on her hands, fingers, toys, anything she can get.  While we still haven't seen any teeth pop through she is drooling and chewing so much we know it could be any day.

Mom, what are we trying to do here?

Seriously Mom, what are you trying to do?

 Madelyn loves to giggle and when she gets really going with her giggles, her whole body shakes and her tummy bounces.  Sometimes she gets so wound up that she holds her breath.  Its moments like these when I feel happiness like I use to remember.  Such a precious gift.

Madelyn is trying to sit up on her own and I've been impressed by just how well she can do.  She still needs support and sometimes does a complete face plant onto her feet, she loves to sit or stand up (what she does mostly).

Madelyn is still having strictly breast milk, but I can tell she's getting ready to start on real food as soon as possible.  She sits on my lap during our family dinner so she feels a part of our family and reaches for anything she can touch with her hands.  Also when I eat or drink and I'm holding her she pulls my hand toward her mouth as if she wants to take it.

Madelyn is now comfortably wearing 9 month clothes but can still fit into some 6 month clothes.  There are even a few 12 month clothes she's wearing.

 The older kids LOVE Love Love Maddie and smother her with love and affection at every moment they can.

Madelyn, we love you so much and you are such a perfect addition to our family.  You provide us with so much happiness and it is hard to remember what life was like without you.  May you always know that you are such a gift and deeply cherished.

Love always,
Mom and Dad

Halloween Parties, Festivals and the Farm...

October has truly been a crazy busy month.  I wish I had more time to post.  Just this past weekend, in addition to ASU Homecoming which meant mom was busy at work, we had the Fall Festival at school, a Halloween celebration with our adoption agency and we visited the farm for the Pumpkin and Chilli Festival... the fact that it was almost 100 degree's it sure didn't feel like fall.

Here are some pictures from the fun "fall" festivaling we'll been doing...

A ninja, a Ghostbuster, Rainbow Dash and Rainbow Bright (one of my favorite cartoon characters from the 80's)

Michael might just be Batman under that Ghostbuster suit.

Grandma came in for the weekend to help watch the kids as Dad was at a conference and mom had to work.

This is the BEST picture we could get after about 25 tries.

Our (almost) 11 year old was happy when he found the food.  Seriously we can't keep the boy fed... this is after his second breakfast.  

I'm usually the one behind the camera so I ask Mom to take a picture of me with my ghoulish crew.

Isabelle loved getting to "drive" the firetruck.

Isn't Michael's face painting cool?  He remembered some Halloween make up I had helped my cousin Alicia with a few years ago and wanted his done like that too.. I think it turned out really cool!

Madelyn was more excited to play with her chewing necklace than all the festivities.  

Grandma and Isabelle making a halloween craft.

And Gabriel getting in on the action too.

Finally, on Sunday dad was back from his work conference so we decided to head to the farm.  Dad and Belle taking a ride on the swings.

October has sure been a great month.  Not only did we celebrate Noah's Kindness Project, but we had a nice fall break, got to participate in several fall-like activities and our baby girl turned 5 months!  Yes 5 months!  More pictures of that achievement to come.

As we enter into my favorite time of year, I look forward to celebrating the holiday traditions and to spending more time with our loved ones.  I find myself reflecting daily as to how differently I feel this year compared to last.  Last year on this day I knew Madelyn was growing inside me and I felt so filled with anxiety in hoping she would be able to come into our lives, while dealing with a feeling of grief so overwhelming, I often felt stuck in my tracks.  It is amazing how God can restore faith in one's life and how my despair has been turned into hope for what this life has yet to offer.

We sure miss Noah and all of us think of him every single day, but if you were to ask, all of us, I think we'd all say, we know he is with us, we feel him and we give thanks for our littlest angel.  For many gifts he brought us.... just one of them is the constant reminder that life is so precious, and we only get to be here for a short time, so enjoy that time that we have and cherish the moments we share with one another.

Happy fall-festivaling!

Until next time,
Angie