Reflection on 2008!

So this is probably going to be long, but that's fine! Christmas was so great! It is so much fun with kids! I didn't download my pics yet- but Gabe was super cute! I don't think that he really got it- but he loved opening presents and playing with them! I have been feeling really blessed this last little while and as I thought about it, the whole year has taught me amazing things! First- a year ago today exactly- is the day when our lives were changed forever! I got a phone call from the adoption agency and our caseworker explained to us a "special situation." She then asked if we would consider this little boy. I called Jon at work and talked to him about it and then we called her back and told her that we would be happy to! We set up a meeting with Gabe's birthmom for Thursday.
We went into the meeting totally nervous and bearing gifts! We brought a book about tractors and a ball that had elmo on one side and cookie monster on the other! It shook and laughed- I quite enjoyed it- but gabe was scared of it! Anyways- we met the mom and her foster mom and chatted a while. When we were leaving Gabe looked up and smiled at Jon and reached for him- it was so cute and it was that smile that melted our hearts! I called our caseworker the next day to see how it went from the other side and she just pretty much told us that there were other couples and that she would get back to us! The next day she called and said that the mom wanted to get to know us better-so we set up the meeting for Monday. We went into the meeting with bubbles this time and then his birthmom said "Why do you want my son?" I totally started rambling on taken back by the question and Jon saved us by simply saying that he had won our hearts when he smiled at us! Next thing we know the birth mom left the room and then the foster mom followed. I thought that we had blown it and that she was really upset, when all of the sudden the door flew open and there was the birthmom with this basket full of stuff and balloons! She picked us!
In one week our lives changed forever! We got to take him home with us for the day and it was amazing! That is how the first week of 2008 started for us. There have been rough trials but also so many blessings! Who would have thought that we would be expecting another!? Crazy but wonderful! I am so excited for the new year and all of the changes- good and bad- that may come our way! Happy New Years!

Almost Here!

I seriously can't believe that Christmas is almost here! I am getting to so excited to see Gabe's face on Christmas and see if he even gets it! I am also excited to get to talk to my brother Chase who is on a mission! We have had several parties and things the last little while so here are some pics!

This was at a Sunday dinner with my family. My mom had arranged for Santa to make a pit-stop at her house for the kids! Gabe didn't quite know what to think- but after he realized that you got a candy cane- he was all over it!
Here is Buck! He gets so cold- so you can almost always find him here in the kitchen- he squeezes all 3 lbs. of himself as far under by the heater vent as he can get! It's pretty funny to see!

On last Saturday as many of my Grandma Strands grandchildren and great-grandchildren that could come made gingerbread cookies and decorated them! I think that we all had a good time and I was glad that Gabe will have some memories of my grandma! She is so sweet! Unfortunately most of the cookies got eaten as they were decorated so there wasn't many to show!

Oh and yes- here is our tree- all decorated and waiting for Christmas! I hope that everyone has a great Christmas and I am sure it will be full of memories for all!

Christmas!!!

I love the Christmas time of year! On Saturday, Jon and Gabe went and found our Christmas Tree, unfortunately I wasn't able to go- but they had tons of fun! I've been spending Saturdays at my Grangma's house helping her with meals and whatever she needs! Here is the tree that they picked out! Check back later to see the final decorated thing!

Jon was excited to get the tree in the house, so he brought it in on Monday after the snow had started! So yeah, there are towels under it catching the melting snow. We have it stuffed next to our fireplace, but I love the smell of real trees and how they look decorated!
Here is Gabe making his "kissing" face! He is seems to get excited for Christmas things! I love this face- it has taken me months to get a picture this good- he always looks away- but this morning I got a good one!

Tonight we have our first neighborhood Night of Giving. We are all getting together to support a local charity instead of giving neighbor gifts. We take the money that we would have spent on gifts and donate it to the charity. This year Toys for Tots was chosen so we can bring an unwrapped toy to donate instead! I like this idea and hope that it will go over well!

I am thankful for:

I just wanted to share some of the feelings that I have been having this Thanksgiving and Holiday season! The first thing that I think of being grateful for is my own little family. I am so thrilled to be a mom and a wife and I feel even more blessed for having the opportunity to carry my own child! I love Gabe and Jon so much, they are each huge blessings in my life for so many different reasons. I am so grateful for my little brother who is serving a mission in Canada right now- he is such a great example to me of service! We spent Thanksgiving at my parents house this year and it turned out so nice! I love spending time with family. Especially at Christmas time! We have so many traditions and fun things that we do together, it just makes the memories so much sweeter! I am so excited to get started with my own family traditions and creating a wonderful holiday spirit and memories for them! I hope that everyone has a great Holiday Season!