Keeping Up with Yesterday

I am starting to get our Happy New Years cards together to send in the mail. What? You've never heard of sending out Happy New Years cards? Well, that's what happens when you have procrastinated so long that you missed sending Christmas cards *sigh*

I have received so many beautiful cards from friends and family and I feel awful that I have had nothing to send them back. I found some cards today that I can put a picture in... step one: complete. Now I just need to decided on a family photo (I knew we should have had professional pictures taken this fall), print them, address envelopes and send them off. I should be able to accomplish this, right?!?

I have a good helper, but don't be surprised if I sign your card in crayon...

Ho Ho Ho

Every time you say "Santa Clause" in front of Aliyah she will reply, "Ho ho ho!" Although, it didn't start out that pleasant...

Our first visit to see Santa this year was December 1st. We put our name on the waiting list and when it was Aliyah's turn, we took her up to Santa while she shook her head "no" the whole way. She wouldn't even look at him. She refused to give him high-fives or fist bumps or tell him that she wants a baby doll. She never cried but reached for the door the whole visit. We never forced her to sit on his lap.

Santa Number Two: We were walking around Oak Park Mall one evening and decided to jump in the line of other excited kiddos waiting to see Santa Clause. We waited for about 5 minutes before it was Aliyah's turn. She again shook her head "no" over and over. People probably thought we were crazy because we waited in line just to walk in front of Santa and wave hello and then we left.

At this point I felt like it was border-line torture... I needed to do something different. We watched lots of youtube videos of kids sitting with Santa Clause. We looked in books and talked about him a lot. We had such a great time seeing Santa with both of her grandmas last year and I knew they would want to take her again this year.

Santa Number Three: This time, her YaYa had an idea - she brought along her old baby doll (which Aliyah adores) to sit on Santa's lap too. It worked! She didn't smile but Aliyah tolerated the whole situation and sat long enough to get a picture.

Santa Number Four: Aliyah's Grammy had to work the day YaYa went on our Santa adventure, so we went with her yesterday. This time, Aliyah waved to Santa while we were in line and when it was her turn, she took off with her arms open wide practically jumping into his lap. Aliyah gibber jabbered who-knows-what to her new pal. She gave him plenty of high-fives and hugs before waving good-bye. Success!!

She loves to see herself and Santa together pointing to the picture with a loud, "Ho ho ho!"

I had to throw in this picture that I found from last year. It's the same Santa!!

She Got the Moves

Sometimes you have to bust out your dance moves in a parking lot...

I Love You Like Crazy Cakes

I first came across this book when Tyler and I were foster parents to our two sweet girls in 2009. We had joined a group at church called F.A.I.T.H - fostering, adopting, inspiring, to Him. There were all different kinds of families: Interracial, International, Local, Teens, Babies, etc... It was a pretty amazing group to be connected to!

We were at the book store looking at adoption/foster care books for our friends who had just left to pick up their baby girl form China. I saw a book called “I Love You Like Crazy Cakes”. It’s a beautiful story told from the perspective of a mother to the little girl she adopts from China. Sitting on the floor of the bookstore, I couldn’t even get through it the first time I attempted to read it.

We ended up getting the book because it was such a touching story. Last night, Aliyah carried it over to me and sat down in my lap. I started reading it to her again, and by the end my voice was cracking once again.

Tyler leaned in from the other room to ask me, “Why are you crying?” with concern.

“I read the Crazy Cakes book again!” I said back, laughing through my tears. It really is the most beautiful story.

There has always been a calling in my heart to adopt a child. Tyler feels it too. There are so many factors to explore - the money, planning, legalities that come along with adopting - but it’s an echo in my soul that can’t be ignored.

I know it sounds crazy to even be thinking about future children when we still have a little one and hoping to one day be blessed with another pregnancy... but I believe all dreams deserve to be acknowledged, no matter how far off in the future they might be.

Reading Crazy Cakes to Aliyah has me thinking more and more about the definition of mother. of father. of family.

I talk often about the experience of pregnancy and birth as defining my entry to motherhood - But that’s only because it is what I know. There are so many paths to becoming a parent. All of them precious. And honestly, we had a small peek into parenthood with our sweet foster babies. Despite the differences in the experiences of all mothers and fathers, we all hold one common denominator - the thing that resonates within every one of us gifted with the role of “Mama” or “Daddy”. Hearts are forever changed. A world is forever widened by the distinct blessing of calling a child your own.

Happy Birthday Chase

These are a few of Aliyah's good buddies! Chase (the monkey in the middle) turned ONE on Saturday and we were so lucky to celebrate his big day with him. His parents threw such a wonderful monkey themed party with great food, the cutest decorations and even banana martinis. I am so glad someone (I think Amy) got the kiddos together to get a picture of this special day. Jackson will turn one in 2 weeks and Aliyah is just about 6 month older than the boys.

 I love these babies!!!

Special Delivery!!

Pintrest

(OHHH A PUPPY... IN A SWEATER! Somebody pin it!)

How many of you out there are on Pinterest? Oh.. my… goodness. I’ve found it to be more addictive than burt’s bees chapstick, fudgesicles, and the macaroni and cheese from Boston Market (and THAT is saying something!)

Thanks to my friend, Amy, who introduced me to the world of pintrest, I have been pinning up all sorts of ideas!!

One of the things I’ve loved discovering on Pinterest is all of the cool ideas out there for crafting, creating and learning with your small children. Check out some of the easy and fun activities for toddlers and preschoolers that I have found. You can find all of my pin boards HERE.

Next on my Pinterest agenda - creating a delicious things to eat board! Oh and adding more Christmas stuff to my holiday board! I’d love for you to share some of your favorite Pinterest finds - I wanna pin you!