So last night I felt like a bad mommy because I fixed a frozen pizza for supper. The ironic thing is that I had to rush dinner so I could go to my meeting about fixing healthy foods for my kiddos. Then Katy asked for a picnic and I agreed so we could keep the kitchen table clean for a little bit longer. Some pieces of crust were abandoned on the back patio. This morning if you would have wandered into my backyard you would have seen three faces pressed against the sliding glass door, fogging it up, watch ants devour the pizza crusts. We had a blast!

I will try to post some more Hannah pics soon. I’ve been taking lots and lots! She loves it!!

We are home safe and sound! Peter has Hannah tucked in for the night. Mom, Gramma Grape, Warren & Marjean all stopped by tonight after 10pm to meet her. They weren't disappointed. I will definitely miss all the extra babysitting help we were getting in Utah, but it's great to be home.

One of my favorite shows is from TLC and it's called "Clean Sweep." The homeowners are given two days to completely reorganize a room or two in their home. What I found when I came home is that Kourtney, Juan, Sarah, Mom, Kathy, Karli and who knows who else have been "clean sweeping" our entire home while we were gone!!! I will have to post pics later because it's super late but I can't stop walking around and peeking in closets and drawers. I absolutely love all that they did!! Such original storage ideas! So creative and effective!! YUM!!

We are more blessed than we could ever deserve to be. Just like we could never repay our Savior for His gift to us. I am simply overwhelmed with love for Jim, Tara, Marie, our family and friends. Words cannot even begin to describe how I feel. I think I need to go kiss some sleeping babies.

Well, I have written quite a bit about my feelings for this process. I love Hannah already. She is the answer to the prayer that was in my heart. I love my Lord for hearing that prayer and blessing me more than words could ever say. In lieu of words, I will post pictures.

"If parents can love more than one child, then surely a child can love more than one set of parents." - author unknown

Katy has been drinking Hannah up like a stranded desert traveler who has finally found her oasis. Allen...not so much. But he did offer to share some of his night time milk.

It's official! Jim signed off on Friday at the lawyer's office because it had to be notarized. Then a social worker came on Saturday to their home and Tara signed. We had all the kids (except Hannah) out for a walk to give them time together. Jim said it was even harder to watch Tara have to sign than it was to sign for himself. They didn't have to relinquish in a courtroom, and we're very grateful for that. I wanted them to have privacy and be in comfortable surroundings for it. I cannot even imagine how much love they have for Hannah to be able to do this. They are so inspiring to me as parents. I know that Hannah and Allen will KNOW they are loved, and will know that this was the hardest thing Jim and Tara have ever done.



After that happened we spent Saturday helping them move into their new place. The old one had way too many unresolved issues that the landlady refused to fix. It was turning into a negative situation, and the landlady must have known it because she didn't even ask them why they were moving out so early. Then we spent the night with them in their new home and had lots of fun. Friday night Allen had his first slumber party and stayed with them in their last night at the old place. He took a bath with Jamie and Brendan and splashed with them. He played to his heart's content. And Tara was sweet enough to call and tell me that he was doing just fine. I wasn't worried, but I sure was glad to hear it.



On Sunday we went to church with them and were able to meet some of the people who have meant so much to our adopted family. It was great to hug them and tell them how much we appreciate them. I even told one special lady how much I knew that Tara's family must appreciate her because she has been extra dear to Tara. After church we went to the Cracker Barrel for our 1:30pm lunch. They were just closing their doors because nearby construction was going to shut off the water supply. We barely made it in time to have our traditional meal there. It seems like no time has passed at all since Allen's adoption. And we love that we're so popular up here - everyone wants to see us. I know it's really the kiddos they want to see, but we love it!



Today Hannah has a check-up so we'll head over and spend more time with Jim and Tara and the boys. They seem to be holding up pretty well, but I think they're just thoughtful enough of our feelings that they aren't letting us see them in their grief. I truly appreciate that because my heart has felt broken at every adoption. It is a beautiful thing, and truly God's work, but it is so painful, too. I remember that Marie tried to not cry in front of us, too. And when she placed Katy in my arms, I was sobbing so hard that she was comforting me. It's truly a miracle to see how our babies come into our family.



Well, that's it for now. I'll try to post pictures again soon.

Hannah Leigh was born on March 12th around 4:30 in the morning! She weighed 5 pounds 11 ounces and measured 18.5 inches long. She is the sweetest, most satisfied little mini-nugget ever! And SOOO beautiful! We can definitely see the family resemblance. Later I'll try to post an Allen newborn pic for comparison. Tara only had to push twice and Hannah was here! Both Tara and Hannah got a clean bill of health from the hospital today and they were discharged around lunch time. Jim was nice enough to call us right after Hannah's birth to let us share in the joy. We were somewhere near Lubbock at the time and he won the bet that we wouldn't be out of Texas before Hannah arrived! Katy will barely let Hannah out of her sight and wants to give her "love pinches." Allen is happy to see her but doesn't really want to do anything with her. He can already say her name, too!

Today we spent the day together as one big happy family. Tomorrow at noon we will officially become Hannah's parents, but we're going to continue to hang out with Jim and Tara and the boys for the rest of the week. Tonight Allen is having a slumber party at their house. Usually Katy is very protective but she actually didn't put up a fuss about it tonight when we left without him. I'll try to post more pictures in the next couple of days. Right now I'm totally exhausted and tomorrow is going to be a big day.

So today is my birthday. And the kiddos have done tons of fun things in the past few days but I am going to make today's post be all about ME.

Some friends of mine tricked me into a birthday luncheon a few days ago by telling me it was for someone else. I showed up and received some gorgeous daffodils plus a yummy lunch!

Then this weekend my family surprised me with the Wii game player plus the Wii Fit Board, which I really, really wanted but didn't think I would get. The entire family had to go in on it, but Sarah made the coordination happen and it all came together just in time. They surprised me at Emily's birthday party, presented me with the gift bag AND a piece of cake, plus they sang to me. Too cute

Today was a laid-back day with the kiddos helping me bake my own cake. We had tons of fun so I didn't even mind doing it. I read a book for a little while. Then we joined Peter at Casa Ole for lunch. I probably wouldn't have even gotten dressed otherwise. And tonight Warren & Marjean stopped by for some cake and to give me my present.

I had calls and text messages from all members of the fam. I am basking in love. The nuggets were pretty good today. Peter worked late but at least apologized. All is well in my world.