Reccuring Revelation...

Today, as I was putting away precious little shirts and dresses in multiple shades of pinks and purples, fumbling across a floor covered in brightly colored board books, dolls and toys, I listened to the background noises and heard the pidder padder of tiny feet  and enthusiastic clapping to "if your happy and you know it" playing through the speakers and it hit me (again!) I'm living it:

my dream come true!

Thank you Lord!

"For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition which I asked of Him." 1 Samuel 1:27

A pumpkin for my pumpkin!

Well, since I can't seem to keep up with one blog, I've decided that having a separate picture blog is going to be too much. So, I'm going back to sharing the picture love here on this blog! So without further ado here are pictures from our recent pumpkin patch visit and 1st pumpkin carving experience!

 

When we first got to the Pumpkin Patch Lovebug was SOOOO excited to see all the pumpkins!!

 

 Signing for Daddy to help pick up the pumpkins..

 

I think she found a keeper!

 

Showing Lovebug the art of scooping out the guts while Titan waited to eat them!

 

Look Daddy! Slimy!

 

Lovebug was so excited about Mickey! she actually dances every time she see's it!

Halloween's approaching quickly! I hope these two can make it until then!

Blog Award!

Woohoo! Today my sweet friend Amber from Bumbers Bumblings gave me this awesome award! 

Thank you Amber!We certainly are long lost twins! Hope we can meet out of blogland one day!!

The Liebster (German for friend or love) Award spotlights up-and-coming bloggers with less than 200 followers. Now it's time for me to pass the torch.


THE RULES

Upon receiving the Liebster Award, you must do the following:
1. Show your thanks to the blogger who gave you the award by linking back to them.

2. Reveal your top 5 picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.
3. Post the award on your blog.
4. Bask in the love from the most supportive people on the Internet – other writers.
5. And best of all – have fun!

 

Ok, my picks for the Liebster award are:

 

1. Of course my girl Amber at Bumber's Bumblings. Not sure if I can't nominate you again, but I'm going to anyway ;)

 

2. Melissa over at Along the Narrow Road.  Her devotion to her kids and to God is always awesome to read about as is her ability to share her story!  

3. My dear friend Kierstin at Our Family Building Adventure . We love this family and love being able to encourage each other along the path of being Mommies through adoption!

4. Another blogger that always makes me smile is Ashley at Expecting Miracles. As another fellow Mommy through adoption, it's always so awesome to be able to follow along with their story and relate to each exciting new milestone

5. Nicole over at Live to Love. Nicole and her husband are in the process of adopting through our agency. I can't wait to watch their beautiful story unfold not only in real life, but also through her awesome blog!

Open Adoption Interview Project!

If you haven't heard already Open Adoption Bloggers is conducting an Adoption Blogger Interview Project that everyone, no matter the openness of your adoption, is welcome to participate in!

Wanna know how it works? Here's an excerpt the the website:
 
How does it work?

Everyone who registers by October 28 will be paired with another adoption blogger. You will have two weeks to get to know their blog and send them some questions by email. On November 17, you'll post the interview on your blog and your partner will post their interview of you.

Sound fun? If you haven't already, head over and sign up for this unique experience!! You must sign up before Friday so hurry!! Open Adoption Interview Project

Celebrity Advice...don't adopt internationally?

Just came across this article and wanted to see what everyone thought of it?

Apprently Jilli.an Michaels is adopting from The Democratic Republic of Congo and has decided she's not a fan of the international adoption process saying “I honestly don’t know how somebody without money and help could ever get this done. It’s a full-time job,” and would like to warn us less fortunate to steer clear and go for the "easier" route... state adoption?

Jillian, maybe you should stop giving adoption advice whining and stick to what you know best and go lift a weight. Adoption might be time consuming and expensive, but isn't giving a child a home worth it? Would you warn someone against getting in shape because is time consuming and hard work?! Why don't you leave the hard work to us poor folk who somehow make this crazy  process, of giving a child a loving home, work. Sheesh.

Anyhow, read the article and tell me what you think?

Jilli.an Michaels warns against international adoption

Her Mama.

I remember not too long ago talking with some girlfriends, who are also all moms through adoption, and someone asked a question like "when did it finally feel real?" or some form of a question basically asking "when did it sink in that you were finally a mom or your childs mom?" We all shared our experiences and one of the girls, who's baby was only about 6 months said that although it felt real now, that she really couldn't wait to hear her daughter call her Mama and feel and hear that audible validation that she was in fact "Mama", her daughters Mama. I wasn't sure at the time that hearing that word would make me feel anymore of a mom than I already did, but as time went on I thought about it more.

Lovebug started babbling "mama mama" very early on. I used to tease Hubby because it was her first babbling sound and everyone would tell us that "dadada" was usually first. Fast forward a few months (11 months old) and Lovebug began using meaningful words. She'd point to a ball and say "ball" or to a horse and say "neigh". I'll never forget when she looked up at Hubby and said "Dada". It may have been the sweetest sound I had ever heard... up until that point. But, then as time went on,  and she added more words to her vocabulary, I couldn't help but notice there was one particular one missing... MAMA! I thought back to what my friend said and those words rang so true. I wanted so bad to hear it from Lovebug lips. Mama. Her Mama. I'd repeat it to her over and over, usually hearing Dada in return :)

Until one day, early in the morning as I left the living room to go get dressed for the day, I heard this tiny voice running after me saying the sweetest words I'll ever hear. "Mama, Mama!" As I turned around I saw my baby; arms stretched out and eye's locked onto mine. As much as I didn't think it would make me feel more her mom, it somehow did. Just to hear her call me Mama melted me to a puddle and continues to do so everytime she says it.

I'll never forget what it felt like to hear her call me Mama for the first time. Her Mama. Forever.