Valentines Day

For Valentines day this year we continued our tradition with a heart shaped pizza and a movie. I really love decorating for the kids. They get so excited to see all the balloons and goodies. The whole family has been dealing with a little flu bug so we kept things very low key. It was a great night.

Happy Valentines Day!!

Forever Family

February is the month we celebrate the adoption of our little Nicholas. What a day for our family! We were so excited to have him become a permanent member of our family but also scared at what would lie ahead. Through lots of therapy we learned that he had RAD (reactive attachment disorder). We were relieved to find out what was actually wrong and why his behaviors were so extreme. But, we also were given the information on how much work it would be to raise a child with RAD. Fortunately for us we knew all of this before our adoption. We did not go into this blindly like so many others have. There have been days that I have wondered If I am really the woman that he needs as his mother. Am I strong enough? Can I give him the unconditional love he needs, regardless of how many hurtful things he says or does to me? Can I forgive him every single day? Then I always come back to the fact that I cannot do this alone. This is bigger than me or my husband or any therapist. It is only with God's help that I am able to be compassionate, forgiving, patient, and give unconditional love to this little boy. God placed Nicholas in our lives to teach us. To teach us that even when things seem impossible...God is bigger than impossible! Here he is three years later, living happily in our home, going to school with other "normal" children, showing compassion, saying he loves us, giving us hugs and kisses, coming to us for comfort when he is hurting. These things are nothing less than a miracle! With that huge Nicholas smile, I can see he knows how much we care. Even if he is unable to show it at times. We love him beyond words. Here is a slide show in celebration of our adoption of our son, Nicholas Gabriel...our treasure that is forever revealing Gods love for us.

Happy Birthday Tyler

For Tylers birthday this year we planned a snowboarding trip and an overnight at one of the Hot Springs. We had a wonderful weekend with our birthday boy! He's not so much a little boy anymore but is becoming a wonderful young man. We feel so blessed to be his parents. We love you Tyler!! Happy 11th Birthday...


Oh yah, he's the man!!


The Hot Springs were calling his name!!

Mountain of Terror

So, we have the new Jeep and we had to go check out the four wheel drive capabilities. Of Course!! Jason and I thought it would be fun to take the kids sledding. To an area we couldn't have reached before with our van. Well, this adventure took us to a mountain side that didn't look as steep as it actually was. Fun fun family time right? We all climbed the mountain side just to figure out that we didn't all fit in the toboggan. I decided to stay behind and take the next ride down. SOOOO glad I did. As they went down I quickly realized how insane this really was. They all went air-borne and Faith flew off. No one was holding on to her!! She landed in front of the sled and then proceeded to get run over. Talk about being horrified! Thankfully the snow was really deep and she didn't get hurt at all. She just got kind of smashed down into the snow. Face first. :o( She's a tough girl. Tyler brought the toboggan back up to the top to bring me down. After what I just saw I was very unsure about riding that thing down. I'd like to think I'm not a chicken about stuff but I was VERY worried about this ride. Jason took some pics as we went down...


Oh yah...I'm totally freaked out!! I was holding onto my 10 year old son and counting on him to save my life. Of course he's loving it as any boy would. Crazy boys!!

We did end up going airborne and flying off at the end. Tyler thought it was the best sledding trip ever. Not sure that I would agree with him. But then again I'm not a 10 year old boy.

We did end up finding a "kid friendly" area to take the kids. They were much more stoked about their non-scary ride (except for Tyler). Me too!

Happy Birthday

January 6th was Jason's birthday. Just another year wiser!! We had a nice celebration dinner at Red Robin with all the kiddos. They were really excited when all the staff came out to sing to their Dad. He must be way cool!!! Or so we think so :o)


The yummy sundae that Jason ended up giving to the kiddos. What a nice Dad.

Am I lucky or what?!?


His Birthday present!!! After driving the same vehicle for 8 looooong years, it was time for an upgrade. He picked out yet another Jeep. We love Jeeps! The difference this time is that it holds our whole family. Oh...and it has a Hemi.
Happy Birthday. We love you!!!

Catching Up

We had a very nice Holiday season this year. Lots of good memories! Since Christmas day is usually very busy with two different Christmas' to attend (not including our own) my parents came down on Christmas Eve. This is a new tradition for us and I think its one that is going to stick! Everything was much more relaxed and enjoyable.

The kids waiting for Bammy to read the "Real 12 Days of Christmas".

Even with the gifts waiting near by they patiently listened to the story.

Haha! Bailey was in the middle of all the gift opening. It was very noisy and she just layed there snoring. Nicholas was making sure she was okay. Who can sleep through all that?!?


This picture sums up Faith's Christmas. PINK! Pink and girly. No need to say more.

We decided John should receive the "Most Enthusiastic" award. He was so serious when he opened his gifts and then would always loudly declare what the gift was.

Tyler and his "Crazy Face". He was very happy!

Yeee Haw Cowboy! At Grandma Judy's Nicholas received his sheriffs badge to go catch some bad guys.

Rachel came down the following weekend to celebrate with us. We always love to see Aunt Rachel!!

Happy Holidays