Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice. . .

Sugar and Spice. . .
We are so blessed to not only have had one shower, but two. . .Gracyn is already so loved! My Mother-in-law and 2 Sisters-in-law hosted the toddler shower. . .The favor tags read: Sugar and Spice and Everything nice, That's what little girls are made of. . .the little spice jars were filled with a variety of gummy bears, M&M's, Teddy Grahams, and Gold Fish!

There were many family members, but not sure how they feel about having their photos on our site, so there is one picture of me with one very special lady. . .she's been my life line through this journey. She gave Gracyn the beautiful jewelry chest in the slide show and the precious "Gracyn" beaded bracelet. Thanks Val - aka my 5 minute friend. What would I have ever done without you. "Our" Gracyn is almost home. . .I've always wanted a jewelry chest or box and never really had one like this. . .I've dreamt of one for my little girl, and you made that dream come true. Love you!

Peyton couldn't resist trying out his sister's new stuff! You'll see him looking in the mirror, and he licks his finger and then starts "touching up" his face! He even liked the Little Mermaid ride-on. Sshhhhhh! Don't tell his Dad! Yay! A girly ride-on toy!!! I promised not to buy stuff we already have but in girl colors, but when it's a gift, you can't help but keep it and enjoy all that pink and purple!

We were spoiled with a Momma and Baby Panda Bear Set, clothes, jewelry, a journal to track the journey, and our very first copy of "I love you like Crazy Cakes", a must have for all adoptive families. It made 4 of my Aunts tear up just flipping through the book. And the card that made me just laugh read. . .Fashion Baby (on the front) and Don't be surprised if her first word is "mall." (on the inside) There was a prize for the "Heaviest Purse" weighing in at 6 lbs, and a prize for the person with the most items in their purse - ironically the one with the heaviest purse took the lead in both games!

And last but not least, I must mention that my DH brought me flowers this morning and said, "Happy Shower Day Hon!" - What a sweetheart. . .he's come a long way considering when Peyton was born there were no flowers, no balloons, not a thing for either one of us! He's my strength, my love, and my best friend.

Socks and Gloves. . .
Speaking of my DH. . .after the shower we joined the "Socks and Gloves" group and had the opportunity to serve our Father by bringing food and clothing to those in need. We prepared and delivered hot dogs, snacks, and drinks to about 100+ people. It touched my heart after being spoiled at a shower, to have the opportunity to experience this with my husband. It was incredible, and heart-wrenching all at the same time. I ended my day with a sight I will never forget. . .I looked down before me, and saw at least a half dozen hands or more. . .wide open, all asking for the last two hot dogs. We had no more food. We made multiple trips back for more, and at the end of the day I still couldn't fill each one of those hands. For those who we couldn't help tonight, I especially want to lift them up in prayer. I pray that they were able to find nourishment before the night was over. I pray they know that we wish we had more. Thank you Father for providing us with the means to serve your children. Please continue to guide us and use us. Use our hands, our feet, and all that we are to serve You here on Earth. Thank you for a most glorious day.

More "Giftys". . .

We received more "giftys" from Sarah H. (Jer and Jo's Mommy) and Tami (Noah's Mommy). Gifty is a word coined by Tami - I'm just borrowing it! Sarah is waiting to bring home Jo, and I have been entrusted to bring him a care package. He's not at SLC, but with a Foster Family, and through Independent Adoption. Tami leaves one week after I do to bring home Noah!!

 

 

Peyton caught me taking pictures and said he wanted to be in one. . .that's odd - he usually doesn't want me to take pictures of him. . .so, I took advantage of the opportunity and had him hold up the perfect shirt. . .from Sarah! He can't read yet. . .oops! Love it Sarah - thanks! In case anyone is wondering, yes, Peyton still uses a paci. It was only supposed to be at bed time, but the last week or so he's regressed. . .He must know Gracyn is really coming home.

 

Isn't the "I Love the USA" dress just perfect for a little girl who's about to be united with her forever family and call the United States her new home?! Thank you Tami and Noah!

 

And here are the gifts that Mommy and Daddy picked out for Peyton while Mommy is in Taiwan. . .one for each night, with a special gift from Gracyn for the night we arrive home. Hint, Hint - we saved the Thomas the Train stuff for the "BIG NIGHT!"

Target. . .again

Yep, I went to Target again. . .Got that bottle brush we HAD to have, and along the way, found some lavender lotion for me and Gracyn, (Peyton hates lotion or anything on his skin), another Big Brother Gift from Gracyn. A cool Thomas Take Along set that has tracks to race! Granola Bars, Hot Tamales, York Peppermint Patties (I think I go through a bag a month! Do you think the 70% Less Fat really works? What if you eat 3 a day?), Life-Savers Pep-O-mints, Infant Tylenol, Tums, a gift for my Mother-in-law's birthday, hmm. . .I think that's it. . .Other than the gift - it's all for the trip.

On my to do list - Cheerios for Gracyn. (Yes, they have those at Target too, but they only had the GI-normous box that will inevitably go stale.) We'll pick that up over the weekend. . .What am I forgetting?!

Target should offer Adoptive Moms a discount for 30 days before we travel. . .

17+ Target Trips since First Decree on 7/7, and counting

How many times have you been to Target while waiting for your Final Decree? I haven't left on a plane yet, but I counted my receipts, and I'm at about 17 trips. . .some quick, some long, some times 2 trips in a day at different locations.

What do I buy at Target? That's a silly question. . .everything. . .food, bottles, bibs, socks, PJ's, cotton-gauze T-shirts for me for HOT Taiwan, shoes, more shoes when you think you've purchased the wrong size, car seats, toys, a voice recorder to tape the responses at SLC to our questions. (Yes, we'll videotape too!)

Target Highlight: Purchased a Britax Marathon Car seat on "Clearance" for $229. Returned it because I found a pattern I liked better. When I was at the counter, the kid said, "You know this is only $69 now?" (or something close to that). I said, how much? Can I buy it back? He said it had to go out to the floor, but then another kid walked up and I asked if he could take it out, and he said sure. . .out went the kid and the car seat, oh, and let's not forget my husband, who I had stalking him down the aisles so we could put the car seat right back in our cart to purchase for a price I've never seen associated with Britax. Pretty good shopper, I am, huh?

I love Target. . .In fact, need to go get a bottle brush and baby meds soon! You see, 17 Plus, will become something like 20 trips. Proud? I don't know. . .a little embarrassed perhaps.

Blessings on the Journey to Gracyn

I leave in 9 days, and I get to hold Gracyn in my arms in 12. The journey to Gracyn has been one filled with many blessings. I've met wonderful people across the states, I've had the opportunity (to try )to be patient, I've been lifted up in prayer, I've met a Pastor in the area in which Gracyn has spent the first 2 years of her life, my faith deepened, my marriage strengthened.

We are blessed to have photographs of Gracyn's Foster Family. I feel funny even referring to them as "Foster" - They are her family. The only family she's ever known. A family that has held her in their arms, when I could only hold her in my heart. A family that has been there for her during her first cold, her first tooth, her first steps, her first smile, her first words, her first 2 years of life. I pray that I have the opportunity to meet the family in person, and to thank them, language barriers aside, from the bottom of my heart. Gracyn is who He always intended her to be. Her family, however, has influenced who she has become, and have provided her with a warm, safe, and loving home. For this blessing, words can never express my gratitude.

Thank you Heavenly Father for entrusting us with your daughter. We will love and cherish Gracyn. We will help her to grow into the person you've intended for her to become. We have been blessed to have had extra time with our first-born as an "only child." While the journey was longer than anticipated, Your timing makes perfect sense. Peyton is ready to be a big brother, and Mom and Dad are ready for the "score to be tied," 2 Kids vs. 2 Parents!

I am blessed to be the Mom to two adorable sweet peas. My heart is filled with joy!

 

I survived Taiwan Lucy, and they're coming home!

Lucy's Mom Jackie leaves in 18 days or so, which means I leave in 11! YIKES! Time has flown by. However, the journeys to Lucy and Gracyn have been long ones. . .It's only appropriate that we have shirts to remember the patience it required to bring home these precious girls! I ordered a Mommy and Daughter set stating, "I survied the journey to Taiwan Lucy" and the best thing is, all the funds raised go to help bring Noah home!

 

Peyton or Phelps?, Whatever, and "Did God maDe doots?"

Peyton is becoming such a big boy! Yesterday at my cousin's for a birthday swim party, Peyton was out in the pool with Daddy. Someone came in to get me and said, "Your husband and son want you to come out and watch your son swim." I thought, oh, how cute, he's got all his gear on, vest, swimmies, and he's learning how to put his face in the water. I go out a few minutes later, he has nothing but his trunks on, and they say, "watch Mom." - I thought, great, he's going to "swim" a couple of feet. And, then it happened, he swam! Like, he really swam!!! Lap after lap across the width, not length, of the pool! About 15 feet across! Someone called him "Phelps" - He's super fast and rarely comes up for air! I'm so proud of him!

Great Dialogue!
Me: "Peyton, what do you want me to bring home for you from Taiwan?"
Peyt: "I don't know. . .(pause). . .whatever (with a smile)"

Great Dialogue part deux (two in French):
Me: "Who made you?"
Peyt: "God made me."
Me: "God made everything."
Peyt: "Did God maDe doots?" (paci's)
Me: "Yes."
Peyt: "Did God maDe blankets?"
Me: "Yes."
Peyt: "Did God maDe walls?"
Me: "Yes."
Peyt: "Did God maDe Costco?" (HE LOVES COSTCO PIZZA!)
Me: "Yes."
Peyt: "Did God maDe horses?" (HE LOVES HORSES!)
Me: "Yes."
Dad: "Who does everything belong to?"
Peyt: "Me."

We were almost there. . .such a hard concept to grasp since we all say, "It's mine." - from "Who's drink is that?" - "Mine." To, these are "MY children." - daily conversation uses "mine, and my" all the time. . .Not sure if I can teach this concept to a 3 and a half year old yet. . .