A Busy April

April has flown by! We have had a lot of family here in town visiting and enjoyed every minute with them. Earlier in the month Erik's family was here and the same day they left for home, my brother, Marty, flew in from Washington. He came in on the 12th and left yesterday. He surprised everyone, especially my mom. While he was here we celebrated my mom's birthday. Happy Birthday Mom!

Here are some pictures of the fun we had last Sat. at Tim and Tanya's pool.

Looks Who's Standing

Carly is standing more and more without support! Will she be walking by her first birthday??

I Love My Lips

I Remember

It was Sunday evening, April 20, 2008 when we received a phone call that changed our lives.

• I remember sitting and watching some TV with Erik's parents who were in town visiting at the time.
• I remember the phone ringing, seeing the caller ID, wondering why would Darlene be calling me at home, and then walking in the other room to sit on the couch to talk.
• I remember listening to Darlene tell me about Carly's birth mom and saying "wow" probably at least 50 times during our conversation.
• I remember thinking to myself....am I really hearing her right....did she just say we could possibly have a baby girl?
• I remember hanging up the phone with some disbelief of this really happening, cause after all, is this something the birth mom really wants.
• I remember thinking that this could happen and I wanted to call everyone to tell them our exciting news.
• I remember telling myself ....be careful....guard your heart.
• I remember talking and praying about it with Erik even though we both knew in our hearts we had to say yes.
• I remember saying good bye to Erik's parents the next morning and before they left they asked about the phone call, and I blew it off like it was nothing really, only because I afraid to get my hopes up.
• I remember calling Darlene and trying to calmly tell her "yes...let's move forward."
• I remember waiting on pens and needles for birth mom to call.
• I remember feeling discouraged because I didn't hear from birth mom for 3 days.
• I remember seeing the caller ID on Thursday morning, realizing it was her, feeling my heart rate double in speed and my hand shake as I answered the call.
• I remember the joy in my heart when the birth mom said she wanted to meet us!
• I remember talking to God every minute of the day and committing this baby girl to HIM and having to trust HIM for what ever the outcome would be.
• I remember telling God....I want your will for this baby.
• I remember the birth mom calling us just as we were getting ready to leave for our meeting and making sure we were still coming.
• I remember the hope that gave me for that moment to know that she would be there.
• I remember making eye contact with her and we both knew instantly who each other were.
• I remember the love in my heart I instantly had for her.
• I remember seeing how lost she looked.
• I remember her smile.
• I remember the joy I felt the moment she said she wanted us to be the parents of her baby girl.
• I remember saying good-bye
• I remember my heart feeling heavy.
• I remember thinking.... I can't believe this.
• I remember saying to myself...guard your heart.
• I remember saying to God...she is yours.
• I remember thinking....now we wait.

His New Look

Well....Carter has glasses. We had a feeling he would need them by the way he tilted his head, squinted his eye and complained of the letters looking funny. He was excited to get them and show them off, however, now he seems to be having a hard time getting the *feel* of them. It will take time....but we think he looks great!

hanging with Papa

Easter and Family

Last week we had Erik's family in town visiting. His sister and the family, as well as his mom and dad. We had a great time and kept busy! I am a little bummed though that I did not get more pictures, especially of the kids on Easter Sunday.

Eleven Months

Not Much To Report

OK....so I couldn't go a whole month without posting something! So here are just some random pictures of the kids. We really have not done too much but that will change next week. We have family from Washington coming in to visit. My camera is charged and ready!

Kaitlyn came to spend the night.

Connor gets Kaitlyn GOOD!

Future choir director!