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!! :)