Child of my heart, a video for my daughter about adoption, healing and t...

Christmas is a week away?? huh?

I can't believe Christmas is a little more than a week away. WOW..we have been busy as bees at
our home. I was just getting used to the idea that it was "almost December" and now, here we are..a week away. When I realized what day it was, I ran to the kitchen and there was a symphony of banging pots and pans..never have I waited this late to start my Christmas baking. In fact, we barely get the Thanksgiving dishes put away before I start pulling them back out..I found myself in the kitchen until the wee hours of the morning baking treats for Gabbie's teachers, yes, the LAST day of school until break. well, I never...

The kids are excited!! :) Ava Grace is having a blast with our Elf on the Shelf ( Sam) As soon as her little eyes pop open in the morning she makes a mad dash to his previous spot, and then the hunt begins. Oh my how I love the squeal of laughter that comes after she discovers his new hiding spot. :) At the risk of sounding Cliche' she is growing like a weed..I can hardly believe that she has been home with us almost 3 years now, in some ways it seems like it was yesterday, other times, I try to think of life before her, and I can't. Sometimes I can't help but think about all of the times I asked God why he put 97 children in our home in the past 9 years and why, knowing the desire of my heart..did he send those 97 children to different forever families, and now I know, she was my daughter before she was ever born. God gave her to me in HIS time, sometimes I just get a little impatient. The other babies, are where God intended them to be, and how blessed are we that we still get to share in many of their lives. They are still and always will be our children. The only thing that comes to mind when I think about how many times ( and there were many) I questioned God, is to just say " I'm Sorry, I should have trusted you" which is usually followed by flowing tears and a million ( or two) "thank you's"
She is smart, funny, incredibly sweet, beautiful..add a dash of mischevious and you have our darling Ava Grace. :)
Gabbie, my sweet Gabbie. :) She loves music, it isn't unusual to walk into our home at any given moment that you won't hear her singing to the top of her lungs in her room..she gives a concert like no other! ( especially, when she thinks no one is watching ;) She loves peace signs, cotton candy, lipgloss, high heeled boots, purple fingernail polish and Justin Bieber. Gone are the days of the hairbows so big that you need a forklift to put them on her head..gone are the days of butterfly murals, smocked dresses and black patten mary janes. I have found myself smack in the middle of raising a preteen girl..how did we get here so fast?? She can get to a ringing phone faster than a mom on Black Friday. She is funny, witty, quirky, beautiful, add a pinch of Drama and you have our Gabba!

Logan, I can hardly believe as of July of this year, he is officially a man. He has always been one of the funniest people on the planet..You can not be in a room with him for long before you are doubled over with side splitting laughter. Not to mention he's got the moves like Jagger. Logan is my right hand man, I need something..and he comes running. I love that he has never been embarrased to hug me in front of his friends, I love that he invites them over and has them call me mom, I love how he is always on guard to protect his little sisters, He is a joy and I am honored to be his mom. I am so proud of the man he is becoming, sometimes I find myself sitting and looking at pictures of him as he was growing up, and while part of me misses that little boy, the other part of me is excited to see the direction his life takes. ( oh, and all the little girls around here think he's Justin Bieber) haha.

SO there they are..My gifts. They along with their dad, are the most amazing gifts I could have ever hoped to receive. I am blessed beyond measure. So while December has crept up on me and I have missed every festivity so far..I am content. Merry Christmas !!

An update :)

A friend of mine started a blog and well...that made me a little homesick. :) Life at the Bradford house has been busy to say the least. We said goodbye to our sweet "K" that we had the privilege to raise for over a year, that was tough. We miss him terribly but continue to pray every day that his life is filled with love and blessings. We haven been given the chance to take care of one year old baby "T" and one year old baby "J" until they are able to return home, If I said they keep me hopping, that would be quite the understatement!

Here is what's happening in the Bradford home~

Ava Grace is growing so fast, as much as I beg her to slow down, she just won't. I can't believe it's been almost 2 years since she became my daughter, I am in awe of her everyday and just can't believe my good fortune. She is funny, smart, sassy and totally squeezable. She turned 3 in Feb. and still tells everyone who will listen about her "princess and the frog" party. She loves people and if given the chance to talk your ear off, she'll take it. :)

Gabbie, Oh Gabbie. When people told me the drama that came with having a girl, they went easy on me. D.R.A.M.A. but, she wouldn't be my Gabbie without it. She is a straight A student and is very excited to be on her way to 5th grade. She amazes us everyday with her wit and charm.

Logan will officially be a man in July!!! I can't believe it's been almost 18 years since I sat in that hospital room thinking I had just given birth to ET. Thank goodness the Dr. told me that it's normal for a baby's head to look like that after 21.5 hours of labor. What a handsome man he turned out to be, wouldn't you agree? He is such a joy and I couldn't be more thankful for the kind of son he is. He is so talented and so funny, oh but this boy is funny! :)

So in a nutshell, it has been one of the busiest years of our lives, and a very trying year as well, Terry's work is almost non existant, we just keep praying and we are keeping he faith that things will turn around in that area of our lives, but never do we forget how blessed we are to have each other, and these amazing, amazing kids. God is good!! :)
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I have a new website! :)

So I had to let my website go a couple of years ago when business was so slow, but of course after I did, I started getting busy again! I have mostly been selling on Etsy and Ebay, but I stumbled upon Wix, a great little site where you can design your own website for FREE. Of course you can always upgrade to a paid site with more features, but until I see how busy I will be, I think the free site will suit me just fine! :) I even got to design it myself..love that! You can use one of their templates and just add to it, or you can design it from scratch which is what I chose to do. anywho...here it is! :) send me a message and let me know what you think! :) ( keep in mind that it is still a work in progress! ;) )

Pied Piper Originals

So yea...Ava Grace is 2 now!! ;)

Her birthday was in February, but I wanted to share her big day. The child is an absolute NEMO fanatic. Do you know how hard it is to find NEMO party supplies these days? I did score some paper goods from ebay, but other than that, I was on my own. We didn't get to spend her first birthday with her, Her adoption party was a celebration of her 1st birthday and a welcome to the family party combined, even though she was over a year old. I just needed those 1st birthday pictures for her baby book, we weren't too far off..she was 14 months old. Hard to believe that she is already 2 and been with us for over a year now...how time flies.


( we had a bubble machine, she loved it)
The party table

blowing her candles out, she didn't quite get it. :)

My sister and I stayed up all night making her cake

it was great together time..I loved it, she is still in FL

so it was nice to spend that time being creative together!

I don't normally like character clothes, but I wasn't going to deny my sweet pea a NEMO outfit for her special day. My intention was to applique it all, but time got away from me so I ended up painting it instead. I made her a hairbow, necklace, bracelet and shoes to match it and we were good to go..she loved it..and I love her..so there ya go. ;)

It was a good day..lots of love shared, lots of tears shed..happy tears..Well, I can't go now without sharing the story..I was a bit teary all day, just kept pinching myself y'know? this is really my daughter, I am really throwing a 2nd birthday party for MY daughter..those kinds of things. I thought I had myself composed by the time we started to sing Happy Birthday. Terry was on one side of her and I was on the other and as we were singing, she reached out one hand to Terrys face and the other to mine, stroked our cheeks and said " MY MOMMY, MY DADDY" in the most loving little voice. well..I dont have to tell you that the tears started flowing, not just from Terry and I, but I looked up and everyone around us was crying. People that listened to my fears that she didn't really know that I was her mommy because for so long she called everyone she saw mommy. In that moment, all of the confusion was gone....Indeed, it was a very, very good day!! :)

So, it's been a while

Oh goodness, I promised many more posts after our adoption, because of course I had to brag and show her off, what I didn't realize is how limited my time was about to become. I can't believe it's been almost a year since my last post!! I would say life with 3 kids is amazing, but what I NEED to say is, life with FOUR kids is amazing! :) No, we haven't adopted again, but we did decide to still foster, something we thought we would not do anymore after adopting Ava Grace, we did take a year long break and decided that it's just who we are, it's what we do, and as happy as we were, we just missed it..meeting all of those precious little people who have changed our lives in so many different ways..I came to realize that I needed them, as much as they needed me, and so here we are..I believe right back where God intended for us to be and who knows.. I may be putting another adoption announcement up again in the future ( don't tell my husband I just said that! ;) ) and so we are lucky enough to have been trusted to raise 8 month old baby "K" for a while. I can't post pictures of him, but trust me when I say he is simply scrumptious!

Alot has happened this year, our first Christmas with Ava Grace was wonderful, I think we all had more fun watching her than we did anything else! :) something wacky is going on and I can't seem to load pictures, I will get to that tomorrow because you simply MUST see how the kids are growing! ;) and there is some crafty goodness going on in my house too!

Happy Autumn

Custom Building Blocks

YAY.. my heirloom blocks are now being carried by Simply Spoiled Rotten Boutique. Each set is handcrafted with attention to detail, non toxic, completely custom, choose your colors and personalization. you can visit them on the web at http://www.simplyspoiledrotten.net/ or you can always message me if your interested in a set.

Adoption Bug

I discovered the most awesome facebook group called Adoption bug, It is a group where adoptive parents, pre- adoptive parents, birth mothers and adoptees..can share thier stories, offer support and meet others going through the same experience.
I have met so many great people that have gone down the same path, had the same fears, shared the same tears. Couples that have their children home with them and those that are still waiting. It has been such an inspiration to hear the stories of love shared. It's just amazing!! They have a new website now, if you have adopted, or are in the process of adopting, you might want to check it out. pretty cool stuff! ;)

Welcome Home Ava Grace!! :)

We had a Welcome Home/Birthday party last weekend For Ava Grace!! What a special day!! We combined her Adoption party and her first birthday party because we got her after she turned a year old, so we wanted her 1st birthday pictures for her baby book. She had so much fun and couldn't understand why everyone was making such a huge fuss over her... We've been dreaming of you for a long time baby girl.. That's Why!! ;)

Her guests arriving and signing her welcome home banner.. all of the guest wrote their wishes for her and we will have it laminated.

Opening presents with Mommy's help!

Her Welcome Home sign.
it has her adoption announcement up top and our court picture below..

My pictures are a little backwards.. ;)

I could just gobble her up!! :)

My angel! :)

Her cake.

I melted here..( in case you didn't notice my face and all..) when she finished opening her gifts, she ran to me and threw her arms around me.. what a wonderful, beautiful child!!!!

Here's to a lifetime of happy memories baby!!! Mommy loves you!!!!!!

Our Dream Come True!!

I have been waiting a long time to write this post. Maybe you remember my post about the new journey my family was taking to adopt through the foster care system. We went to orientation and we were preparing ourselves for the long wait that we were told we would have. God had other plans for us ( I think he realized how old I was getting!!!) On March 17th we were blessed with a beautiful baby girl through a private adoption only a few short months after we took the first steps to adopt. What do you say to a mother that has done something so selfless, and put the needs of her child above all else? who made the agonizing decision to let someone else raise her child? I find myself thinking about this all the time. Thank you doesn't quite cut it.

I know that I have a miracle lying next to me right now, I realize people wait years for a baby, I don't know why God chose to bless my family with this precious, perfect child, but I am so thankful that he did. I say that we just decided to adopt, but I have always known that I would adopt, even as a child, so in some ways, it seems like it happened so fast,and in other ways, it's been a lifetime.

I will be posting more often now, it's been torture for me to post and not share this news, but I really wanted to wait until it was final before posting pictures and talking about her too much. We have had custody of her for a couple of months now, but she is now officially my daughter!! So please let me introduce you to our dream come true!!

Breanna Ava Grace

With mommy and her baby(Faith) that we gave her on our finalization day.

I'm sure I don't look too proud in this picture!!

Ava Grace,

I knew from the moment I held you that you were my daughter, I prayed for you and God answered my prayer. For seven years I have been watching other parents dreams come true, now I know that God was waiting on you. You have brought such a light into my life and I will be eternally greatful that I was chosen to be your mother. I love you!!

after our finalization court hearing.

Our first official family picture!

I think they love each other.. what do you think?

Who could ask for more?

With her big brother! He's so proud of her!

So get ready for lots of bragging posts!! there comin'

Amazima Ministries= AMAZING

If you have never heard of Amazima Ministries, Please check out the website.. They do incredible work! I am amazed at how God can take one girl and change thousands of lives, If you want to be inspired, if you want to see Gods amazing grace and love, if you want to make a difference, go to Katies blog..See what God is doing through her and her amazing staff over in Africa.

Over at Just Stuff they are taking volunteers to sew rag dolls for the children. I was so happy to be able to contribute in a small way to the great things that are being done over there. The thought of a child holding and hugging a doll that I made.. makes me all warm and fuzzy! :) My dream is to go to Africa one day and just sit and rock children from sun up to sun down..one day..:) Until then, I will just be happy knowing that I had a small part in bringing a smile and comfort to a child that needed it.

Here is a finished doll ( Gabbie named her Grace!)

Cut out and ready to made into dolls..I have a boy doll in the works!

If you sew, and would like to contribute dolls, please visit Just Stuff for information and to fill out a volunteer form. Lets make some children SMILE!! :)

Praying for Daddy

My dad has been in the hospital for over a week, he was in ICU for 4 days and then moved to a regular room on the floor...he was released Sunday afternoon and by Sunday night, we were back in the ER. Please say a prayer for him.. he's a very special man. I love you daddy!

I'm still here...sort of..

I can't believe I have neglected my poor little blog for so long..and all of my bloggy friends..so sorry. Alot has been going on around here lately that has me a bit preoccupied.. but I hope to get back to blogging soon. stay tuned! ;)

Great contest over at Momdot!

I am still drooling over this highchair!!! I want it, and I want it bad!!! if you have never checked out Svan High Chairs you might want to... run over to momdot and check out the contest!!

BLOG PARTY!

I'm new to the whole blog party thing... but it looks like loads of fun.. 5 minutes for mom is hoasting the Ultimate Blog Party! there are some great prizes and it's a great way to check out all those great mom blogs you could be missing out on! :) check it out!! :)

Awesome giveaway!!

I love giveaways.. and this one is really great!! head on over to The Fabric Shopper for a chance to win Amy Butler Design Kimberly Bag pattern and a $25 gift certificate to Fabritopia... does it get any better than that?? I think not!

some crafty stuff..

I have been painting sign for a long time now, but I wanted to try something different, so I decided to try fabric room signs.. I am a fabric addict after all.. I'm surprised it took me this long to come up with it!! Here are a couple of samples that I took to a local boutique.

I made this shirt for a very special big brother that we just met..( more on that later!)

and this for a very special baby!!

( more on that later too.. betcha can't guess...)

Contest Winner

We have a winner!!!

Thanks to everyone who participated.. I plan on having more giveaways, so check back often! :) I'm planning my next one now! :)

Random Sequence Generator

Here is your sequence:
8
6
7
14
2
1
9
4
5
3
12
10
13
11
Timestamp: 2009-02-28 13:09:29 UTC

AND THE WINNER IS:
Comment #8


CanCan (MomMostTraveled) said...
I travel all of the time, I would love to have my own little travel tissue cover! Too cool! :)

Congratulations.. I will be emailing you for your mailing information!

My very first giveaway!

Time for my first giveaway!

I make lots of stuff..lots of stuff..

so I thought I might like to have a giveaway here and there..whatcha think?

Winner will win a travel tissue cozy or cover ( which ever you prefer to call it, fine with me)

Winner will be chosen by...well, if I can figure out the Random.org thing.. then Random.org.

If I can't ( and it's quite possible..if you know me, you'll understand) I will have my trusty assistant AKA Gabbie, pick a comment out of a hat ( do I even have a hat? maybe a bag.. I know I have bags! ;)

Winner will be chosen on next Friday, Feb 27th.

Here's whatcha gotta do to enter..leave a comment on this post.. that's it!

to earn extra entries you can do one or all of the following. just leave me a seperate comment for each.

1. subscribe ( or let me know that you are already a subscriber)
2. twitter this post ( and leave your twitter name)
3. grab my button and add it to your sidebar ( or let me know if you have my button)
4. blog about this giveaway
5. follow me( or let me know that you are a follower)
6. add me to your blogroll ( or let me know that I'm on your blogroll)

Please make sure to leave your email if you are a non blogger so that I can contact you if you win!

I am thinking about an apron giveaway next.. so stay tuned! :)