Still haven't deleted my blogspot blog... so click on over to read the latest!
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Monday, July 16, 2012
New blog
Apparently this blog is very sick. And after spending several days trying to fix it, I've thrown in the towel and moved my blog to wordpress. My new address is:
http://coupleinwaiting.wordpress.com
Please delete this blog from your reader and add the new url.
I will be deleting this blog Sunday.
Thanks!
Les
http://coupleinwaiting.wordpress.com
Please delete this blog from your reader and add the new url.
I will be deleting this blog Sunday.
Thanks!
Les
Friday, June 29, 2012
Thursday, June 14, 2012
What's new?
Moving. Adopting. Change of address. Change of name. Job change. Lots of changes happening in our household this summer. Changes that bring so much joy to our lives! Changes that I never saw coming, but am so thankful, blessed that they are happening.
Moving: We learned through a neighbor of a home that was going to be going on the market that was slightly larger than our current home and had an extra bedroom. We were able to look at the home before it went on the market, fell in love with it, and are closing on it tomorrow (Friday). The best part? Our mortgage won't increase which is nothing short of a miracle, but one stipulation we needed due to...
Job change: I'm changing jobs! But in a way, I'm really not. Changing hours might be a better way to describe it. I'll be working three days/week next year, homeschooling a 5th grader in our neighborhood. I'll have two extra days to spend time with A and H, as well as my hours on the days that I teach will be shorter too! I'm looking forward to a new challenge as I teach a new level. I'm thrilled that A and H will both be going to preschools/mother's day out programs that are Christian-based where they'll learn about God's love, His plan, His grace.
Adoption: We received the date of the adoption proceedings this week and I'm so excited! There are still times that I feel the need to pinch myself, so as to wake myself up from this dream I'm living in. As I was packing boxes this week, I came across a plastic tub of clothes labeled Newborn-Girl from our first months with H. I opened it up and laying on top was the tiny outfit she was wearing when she came to us. I couldn't help but pick it up and hold it to my face, smelling this piece of clothing that looks like it could only fit a doll. And A... there are days that I can't believe he isn't our biological child. He is such a carbon copy of D and has developed quite the sense of humor! I sometimes wonder if I am talking to a two year-old or a teenager with the things he comes up with! I find myself speechless when I try to talk about how much adoption day will mean to me. I can't find the words to describe my feelings. Saying that I'll be the happiest girl in the world on this day still doesn't capture the true joy behind it all. I'm overwhelmed with gratitude to God for placing these two in our lives, to the many family and friends who have prayed for us, encouraged us, supported us, and shared in our joy through this journey. Overwhelmed with a huge dose of humility as I realize daily how much of a blessing being parents to A and H is and how often I come up short on the parenting end. Feeling totally undeserving to have been given this opportunity. And more thankful than I could have ever imagined!
Moving: We learned through a neighbor of a home that was going to be going on the market that was slightly larger than our current home and had an extra bedroom. We were able to look at the home before it went on the market, fell in love with it, and are closing on it tomorrow (Friday). The best part? Our mortgage won't increase which is nothing short of a miracle, but one stipulation we needed due to...
Job change: I'm changing jobs! But in a way, I'm really not. Changing hours might be a better way to describe it. I'll be working three days/week next year, homeschooling a 5th grader in our neighborhood. I'll have two extra days to spend time with A and H, as well as my hours on the days that I teach will be shorter too! I'm looking forward to a new challenge as I teach a new level. I'm thrilled that A and H will both be going to preschools/mother's day out programs that are Christian-based where they'll learn about God's love, His plan, His grace.
 |
| H's foot in D's hand shortly after she was placed in our home at 1 month old |
Sunday, April 29, 2012
The next two months
Things have really picked up with the adoption of A and H in the past two weeks. We've read and signed off for H's case file, the other paperwork we recently sent has been received and filed, dates have been set, and our attorney has been contacted. Here's what the next two months will look like:
Now-May 22nd: we're still in the 90 day period where relatives can appeal the termination of rights, so waiting is the name of the game!
May 31st: Date of adoptive placement- basically, this is the day where we sign paperwork stating our intent to adopt and A and H's cases become adoptive and not foster.
June 28th: Our hopeful date of adoption- nothing has been set in stone yet, but this was our adoption attorney's guess as to when the likely date would be. And he knows his stuff! Have I mentioned how grateful we are to have an attorney like him? He's so knowledgeable because he does foster care adoptions every. day. For the past 10 years. In addition to his professional knowledge, he has adopted five children from the foster care system, so he knows what it's like from both angles.
Other foster families continually remark about how smoothly things are going in A and H's case. And it's true- our agency has nicknamed our story "The Fairy Tale." Things don't happen this way in foster care- and if they do, it's truly very rare. Many families face heartbreak after heartbreak as they see children they have invested in, loved on, opened their hearts to, return to broken, dysfunctional homes. Yes, there are success stories in foster care- when families are reunited and they stay that way, praise God! But the truth is, that only happens 10% of the time. Sadly, the other 90% return to the foster care system after being reunited with their family, to start the lengthy process over again, to deal with the hurts, the brokenness, the mistrust, the loneliness.
I've written before about the months leading up to A's placement in our home: my struggle with trusting God with our family, my unwillingness to give God control over the family I desired so much, the darkness that I let into my life as I stood between the One who gives light and life. January of 2011 was a time of turning over a new stone in my life- or rather, taking that stone out of my clenched fist and giving it to God, realizing (finally understanding and believing) that nothing is as important as my relationship with God. And I had allowed my desire to be a mother to get in the way of my relationship, replace my priorities, and removed myself from those around me who cared so much about me. I knew that if I ever took that back from God and gripped it in my fist, then I would be back where I started. And I never want to go down that road again.
So as I prayed for those making the decision about A's placement, I kept my palms open. And as I waited (so anxiously) for A to be placed in our home, I kept my palms open. As things didn't go as planned in A's first court date after his placement, I battled with the same desire of control and would struggle to keep my hands open to God's will. With H's placement in our home, my hands were too exhausted to struggle. I needed God's strength as I became a mother to a toddler and a newborn in the span of two months. Even as the decision was made to move H to foster home in a city closer to her biological parents, I trusted that this was part of God's plan. I cried tears of joy when the decision was reversed and she was to remain in our home. Throughout the past year, there have been many times where my hands search for that stone, to grasp control, to hold strongly to my desire of being the forever family for these two children that I already considered to be mine. When the future didn't look like I imagined, when the circumstances of the case clouded my ability to see God acting according to His plan. But each time, something would remind me to give my family to God. Maybe it was a verse I came across during my quiet time, or a song on the radio, or the wise advice of a friend- whatever it was, I was reminded that my joy was not to depend on the circumstances of life but rather on the Giver of Life and His continued faithfulness.
In writing this, I don't mean to give the impression that when one trusts in God, their life is made easier. That is certainly not the case. I also don't want anyone to walk away from reading this thinking that this fairy tale is due to anything I have done. It's not. If anything, it's in spite of me. I give all the praise to God anytime someone asks about our story. What I do want to communicate is that because I learned to trust God with the little things in life, before A's placement, I wanted to trust Him with the big things, too. And putting my trust in Him changed my perspective. Sure there were situations that came up during this past year that I could have chosen to be defeated by, and honestly, there were times I found myself sliding down that slope, but in the end, this was no longer about me. See, when I opened my hands and gave my future family to God, it was no longer my future family, but His. It would be His children that were placed in our home, His children that we would love and care for, and His children (if this had been the case) to be reunited with their family. And I would trust Him every step of the way. And I would find joy in every day. And I would love Him all the more for allowing me to play a part in the life story of these children.
Now-May 22nd: we're still in the 90 day period where relatives can appeal the termination of rights, so waiting is the name of the game!
May 31st: Date of adoptive placement- basically, this is the day where we sign paperwork stating our intent to adopt and A and H's cases become adoptive and not foster.
June 28th: Our hopeful date of adoption- nothing has been set in stone yet, but this was our adoption attorney's guess as to when the likely date would be. And he knows his stuff! Have I mentioned how grateful we are to have an attorney like him? He's so knowledgeable because he does foster care adoptions every. day. For the past 10 years. In addition to his professional knowledge, he has adopted five children from the foster care system, so he knows what it's like from both angles.
Other foster families continually remark about how smoothly things are going in A and H's case. And it's true- our agency has nicknamed our story "The Fairy Tale." Things don't happen this way in foster care- and if they do, it's truly very rare. Many families face heartbreak after heartbreak as they see children they have invested in, loved on, opened their hearts to, return to broken, dysfunctional homes. Yes, there are success stories in foster care- when families are reunited and they stay that way, praise God! But the truth is, that only happens 10% of the time. Sadly, the other 90% return to the foster care system after being reunited with their family, to start the lengthy process over again, to deal with the hurts, the brokenness, the mistrust, the loneliness.
I've written before about the months leading up to A's placement in our home: my struggle with trusting God with our family, my unwillingness to give God control over the family I desired so much, the darkness that I let into my life as I stood between the One who gives light and life. January of 2011 was a time of turning over a new stone in my life- or rather, taking that stone out of my clenched fist and giving it to God, realizing (finally understanding and believing) that nothing is as important as my relationship with God. And I had allowed my desire to be a mother to get in the way of my relationship, replace my priorities, and removed myself from those around me who cared so much about me. I knew that if I ever took that back from God and gripped it in my fist, then I would be back where I started. And I never want to go down that road again.
So as I prayed for those making the decision about A's placement, I kept my palms open. And as I waited (so anxiously) for A to be placed in our home, I kept my palms open. As things didn't go as planned in A's first court date after his placement, I battled with the same desire of control and would struggle to keep my hands open to God's will. With H's placement in our home, my hands were too exhausted to struggle. I needed God's strength as I became a mother to a toddler and a newborn in the span of two months. Even as the decision was made to move H to foster home in a city closer to her biological parents, I trusted that this was part of God's plan. I cried tears of joy when the decision was reversed and she was to remain in our home. Throughout the past year, there have been many times where my hands search for that stone, to grasp control, to hold strongly to my desire of being the forever family for these two children that I already considered to be mine. When the future didn't look like I imagined, when the circumstances of the case clouded my ability to see God acting according to His plan. But each time, something would remind me to give my family to God. Maybe it was a verse I came across during my quiet time, or a song on the radio, or the wise advice of a friend- whatever it was, I was reminded that my joy was not to depend on the circumstances of life but rather on the Giver of Life and His continued faithfulness.
In writing this, I don't mean to give the impression that when one trusts in God, their life is made easier. That is certainly not the case. I also don't want anyone to walk away from reading this thinking that this fairy tale is due to anything I have done. It's not. If anything, it's in spite of me. I give all the praise to God anytime someone asks about our story. What I do want to communicate is that because I learned to trust God with the little things in life, before A's placement, I wanted to trust Him with the big things, too. And putting my trust in Him changed my perspective. Sure there were situations that came up during this past year that I could have chosen to be defeated by, and honestly, there were times I found myself sliding down that slope, but in the end, this was no longer about me. See, when I opened my hands and gave my future family to God, it was no longer my future family, but His. It would be His children that were placed in our home, His children that we would love and care for, and His children (if this had been the case) to be reunited with their family. And I would trust Him every step of the way. And I would find joy in every day. And I would love Him all the more for allowing me to play a part in the life story of these children.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Adoption
Things with the adoption of A and H are moving right along! We received word on Tuesday that H's redacted file is on its way to our agency's office, and once it's there, we'll read it and sign it. When we read through A's back in December, it looked like this:
...so we're preparing ourselves for another heavy reading!
We've submitted other paperwork that has to do with A and H receiving extra benefits since they're siblings, and that paperwork should be filed and complete in the next 30 days. Once that's complete, the date of adoptive placement can be scheduled... and once that's scheduled, our attorney can schedule the court date!
We're also getting closer to H's gotcha day- it's so hard to believe it's been a year since she came into our lives! Celebrating H's first birthday a few weeks ago left me feeling like an outsider. I wasn't there when she was born. I didn't hear the first cry to escape her lungs. I didn't hold and rock her as her tiny body tried to gain weight so she could be released from the hospital. There's so much about her beginning that I may never know. But that doesn't diminish her birthday. April 7th, 2011 was the beginning of H's story. May 3rd, 2011 was the beginning of our story. The first time I held her, rocked her, fed her, laid eyes on her. It is the beginning of my story as a mother to a daughter. It is the beginning of us. And so while I have many emotions and memories tied to that day in May, we wouldn't have this day without the 7th of April- the day H entered the world!
...so we're preparing ourselves for another heavy reading!
We've submitted other paperwork that has to do with A and H receiving extra benefits since they're siblings, and that paperwork should be filed and complete in the next 30 days. Once that's complete, the date of adoptive placement can be scheduled... and once that's scheduled, our attorney can schedule the court date!
We're also getting closer to H's gotcha day- it's so hard to believe it's been a year since she came into our lives! Celebrating H's first birthday a few weeks ago left me feeling like an outsider. I wasn't there when she was born. I didn't hear the first cry to escape her lungs. I didn't hold and rock her as her tiny body tried to gain weight so she could be released from the hospital. There's so much about her beginning that I may never know. But that doesn't diminish her birthday. April 7th, 2011 was the beginning of H's story. May 3rd, 2011 was the beginning of our story. The first time I held her, rocked her, fed her, laid eyes on her. It is the beginning of my story as a mother to a daughter. It is the beginning of us. And so while I have many emotions and memories tied to that day in May, we wouldn't have this day without the 7th of April- the day H entered the world!
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
H's birthday and Easter
This past weekend we celebrated Easter as well as H's first
birthday. The theme of the party was taken from Eric Carle's book,
"Very Hungry Caterpillar." I had so much fun decorating, coming up with
ways that the food the caterpillar ate could be modified as party food,
and just making the day festive and fun. I had every intention of
snapping pictures of the party set-up before guests arrived, but sadly
it didn't happen. Such is life with two kids two and under! We kept the
invite list to family and a few close friends. Even limiting it that
way, we still had about 25 people who came to share in the joy of the
day. H loved her cake (of course!) and she was more interested in
trying to climb on A's four wheeler toy than opening her gifts.
Easter Sunday we were up early to attend our church's 8:30 service. A and H each had a basket waiting for them on the table when they woke up. A was so cute looking through his goodies. One of the items in his basket was a small Longhorn football. A asks, "Mama, what's that?"
"A football," I said.
"It's mines?"
"Yes, A. It's yours."
"Not Mama's? Not Daddy's?"
"No, A, it's all yours."
"Oh! Thanks Mama!"
He also got a kite, a Thomas bubble set, a Bible for boys (really cute! The stories rhyme!), a book about Easter, and of course, a chocolate bunny.
H wasn't quite as animated as A, but she showed her excitement as well. She loved her miniature bunny rabbit and her push-and-go jaguar that she already chases around the house. She also got a Bible (for girls) and a little Spring shirt.
After church, we came home for an egg hunt in the backyard and we even took some family pictures. We are the worst at remembering to document events so this was big! Then we had some close friends over for lunch and A and H went down for a nap. Later that afternoon, we met up with D's family to hang out and eat dinner. A even got to fly his kite with his uncle!
Celebrating Easter with A and H was all that I hoped it would be. We had a quiet morning/afternoon, just the four of us. Sometimes I get caught up in all the hoopla and miss out on the memory-making that comes with being still. Observing. Enjoying the moment. And we got to do just that Sunday morning. An amazing Easter service, celebrating the gift of life we are given through Christ's sacrifice on the cross, how humbled I am when I think that God loves us so much that he would send his son to die for my failures. My shortcomings. My mess-ups. My filthy sinner's heart. And when we sang "Happy Day", I couldn't help but tear up when we spoke the words:
"Oh! Happy Day! Happy Day! You washed my sin away!
Oh! Happy Day! Happy Day! I'll never be the same!"
I know that in His eyes, I'm not the same. I'm a new creation, transformed by his grace and mercy that allows my sin to be washed away. Every day is a happy day!
God's grace and mercy, His faithfulness and trustworthiness, have become so real to me this past year. He constantly uses the questions, doubts, fears that pop up in the mind of a foster parent to teach me to have faith. To trust in his plan. To rest in his promises. Not promises that he will give me everything I want. But that He will give me all that I need.
Easter Sunday we were up early to attend our church's 8:30 service. A and H each had a basket waiting for them on the table when they woke up. A was so cute looking through his goodies. One of the items in his basket was a small Longhorn football. A asks, "Mama, what's that?"
"A football," I said.
"It's mines?"
"Yes, A. It's yours."
"Not Mama's? Not Daddy's?"
"No, A, it's all yours."
"Oh! Thanks Mama!"
He also got a kite, a Thomas bubble set, a Bible for boys (really cute! The stories rhyme!), a book about Easter, and of course, a chocolate bunny.
H wasn't quite as animated as A, but she showed her excitement as well. She loved her miniature bunny rabbit and her push-and-go jaguar that she already chases around the house. She also got a Bible (for girls) and a little Spring shirt.
After church, we came home for an egg hunt in the backyard and we even took some family pictures. We are the worst at remembering to document events so this was big! Then we had some close friends over for lunch and A and H went down for a nap. Later that afternoon, we met up with D's family to hang out and eat dinner. A even got to fly his kite with his uncle!
Celebrating Easter with A and H was all that I hoped it would be. We had a quiet morning/afternoon, just the four of us. Sometimes I get caught up in all the hoopla and miss out on the memory-making that comes with being still. Observing. Enjoying the moment. And we got to do just that Sunday morning. An amazing Easter service, celebrating the gift of life we are given through Christ's sacrifice on the cross, how humbled I am when I think that God loves us so much that he would send his son to die for my failures. My shortcomings. My mess-ups. My filthy sinner's heart. And when we sang "Happy Day", I couldn't help but tear up when we spoke the words:
"Oh! Happy Day! Happy Day! You washed my sin away!
Oh! Happy Day! Happy Day! I'll never be the same!"
I know that in His eyes, I'm not the same. I'm a new creation, transformed by his grace and mercy that allows my sin to be washed away. Every day is a happy day!
God's grace and mercy, His faithfulness and trustworthiness, have become so real to me this past year. He constantly uses the questions, doubts, fears that pop up in the mind of a foster parent to teach me to have faith. To trust in his plan. To rest in his promises. Not promises that he will give me everything I want. But that He will give me all that I need.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
One
We celebrated one year of having A with us in our home today. It's hard to believe that D and I became parents to an 18 month-old this time last year. A has grown and changed so much that we find it difficult to think of what A was like when he came home.
Since A is still too young to really understand what today is all about, we did the decision-making as far as the festivities were concerned. I can't wait for him to be the one doing the planning. We went to a local pizza place and ate A's favorite food. H enjoyed trying some of our food and she loved laughing and talking to those sitting around us. She eats up the extra attention! A opened his gift which was this book:
Since A is still too young to really understand what today is all about, we did the decision-making as far as the festivities were concerned. I can't wait for him to be the one doing the planning. We went to a local pizza place and ate A's favorite food. H enjoyed trying some of our food and she loved laughing and talking to those sitting around us. She eats up the extra attention! A opened his gift which was this book:
And then he enjoyed his first taste of frozen yogurt. He loved it! I think we'll be frequent customers this summer when the Texas heat wave hits! On the way to the yogurt shop, A told us in the car, "Mom, I very sick. I need go see doctor." D and I had to laugh at how serious he was when he said that! Then he said, "Mom, I not tired. I wake!" I responded by saying, "Good! I'm so glad you're awake!" A says, "Yeah. Me too."
All in all, we enjoyed the evening together- our little family of four.
Monday, February 27, 2012
February 22, 2012
H's final court date. Her case will be transferred to the adoption unit soon and we'll get to move forward in adopting both A and H together! I spoke with our adoption attorney today as well as our AFS, and CPS came out for their monthly visit. It was a busy day- but we're so anxious to get an adoption date on the docket and finally have our forever family!
I have no idea when it will happen but I do know that it won't be before the end of May due to the 90 days that relatives still have to come forward. Maybe June? And then we are throwing a PAR-TAY!
It's so hard to believe that at this time last year, A hadn't even been placed in our home yet. What a difference a year makes!
As we begin filling out paperwork for the adoption, we have to decide now whether we're changing their names and what their new names will be. For A, we've decided to only change his middle name and we thought we'd do the same for H, but recently I've felt like this might be my only chance to name a child. Since H is still so young, a name change wouldn't affect her. The reason we were thinking to keep her first name is so we can keep that connection to her birth mom so when (not if, but when) she goes through that period in life where she hates us for adopting her, she might find comfort in knowing she had the name her mother gave her. Does that even make sense? What are your thoughts? We need advice! And if you have a name suggestion, feel free to throw that out too!
I have no idea when it will happen but I do know that it won't be before the end of May due to the 90 days that relatives still have to come forward. Maybe June? And then we are throwing a PAR-TAY!
It's so hard to believe that at this time last year, A hadn't even been placed in our home yet. What a difference a year makes!
As we begin filling out paperwork for the adoption, we have to decide now whether we're changing their names and what their new names will be. For A, we've decided to only change his middle name and we thought we'd do the same for H, but recently I've felt like this might be my only chance to name a child. Since H is still so young, a name change wouldn't affect her. The reason we were thinking to keep her first name is so we can keep that connection to her birth mom so when (not if, but when) she goes through that period in life where she hates us for adopting her, she might find comfort in knowing she had the name her mother gave her. Does that even make sense? What are your thoughts? We need advice! And if you have a name suggestion, feel free to throw that out too!
Monday, February 20, 2012
Sleepwalking?
Two weeks ago, D's dad had open heart surgery. He's doing really well considering the major surgery he just endured, so this past Friday night we made the trip to go see him. A and H had fun with their GiGi and Poppy, Uncle D and Aunt J. We ate dinner, gave them baths, got pjs on, fed H her last bottle of the night and loaded up to come home. We've learned that getting them all ready for bed before a car trip helps so much! When we get home, we can just put them straight to bed.
This past time, though, when we were pulling into the garage, A started crying, "Mommy! Mommy!" I looked at D and said, "I'll get him. You get H." I got him out of his car seat and walked him to his room. He was still crying and screaming, "Mommy! Mommy!" so I sat down to rock him. I kept telling him, "It's okay. Mommy's here." But he just wouldn't settle down. At one point, he was crying out for me and I was responding but it was like he couldn't see me. Then his little body started shaking so I put him down on the ground in front of me so that he could see me, cradling his little body. He continued to scream and cry. At this point, D comes into the room and thinks A is being a 2 year-old and trying to avoid bedtime, but as soon as he sees the look on my face and A's little body shaking, he knew something was up. D walked over, picked him up and just like that, A quieted down, his eyes closed and he was asleep in 30 seconds.
We walked out of the room, both kinda freaked out about what just happened. Did A have an episode of night terrors? Was he sleepwalking? Whatever it was, it was not fun to watch!
This past time, though, when we were pulling into the garage, A started crying, "Mommy! Mommy!" I looked at D and said, "I'll get him. You get H." I got him out of his car seat and walked him to his room. He was still crying and screaming, "Mommy! Mommy!" so I sat down to rock him. I kept telling him, "It's okay. Mommy's here." But he just wouldn't settle down. At one point, he was crying out for me and I was responding but it was like he couldn't see me. Then his little body started shaking so I put him down on the ground in front of me so that he could see me, cradling his little body. He continued to scream and cry. At this point, D comes into the room and thinks A is being a 2 year-old and trying to avoid bedtime, but as soon as he sees the look on my face and A's little body shaking, he knew something was up. D walked over, picked him up and just like that, A quieted down, his eyes closed and he was asleep in 30 seconds.
We walked out of the room, both kinda freaked out about what just happened. Did A have an episode of night terrors? Was he sleepwalking? Whatever it was, it was not fun to watch!
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
one year ago
one year ago today
i went to bed, anxiously awaiting the arrival
of tomorrow.
the day where a group of people we had never met
would make a decision that would
change our lives forever.
one year ago today
our home was empty
but our hearts were full of
anticipation
of what was to come.
we were more than ready to arrive
at our destination:
becoming a forever family.
one year ago today
i had no idea what tomorrow
might bring.
what the next year would bring.
no idea that in a mere 365 days
we would be blessed with the
opportunity to love on a sweet little boy
and his precious little sister.
one year ago today
i prayed so hard for the lord to
grant me the desires of my heart.
and to give me peace that passes all understanding
if being chosen wasn't part of his plan.
one year ago today
i fell asleep thinking
it would be an honor to have been chosen as
the final three.
one year ago tomorrow
i stepped out of my classroom
and prayed while the conference call was
taking place.
oh how i prayed!
one year ago tomorrow
my phone rang
and just like that, we were chosen to be parents
to a little boy we had dreamed of meeting
since the first time we saw his face.
one year ago tomorrow...
i got to hit the send button on a mass text message
that read:
We got him!
Friday, January 27, 2012
all of me
I first heard this song not long after a particular court date in October, where our world kinda came crashing down around us- and the possibility of H leaving our home became very real. The lyrics made such an impression on me, I looked the song up on iTunes and downloaded it right away. After listening to it on repeat for several days during my breaks in my classroom, I started writing down the things that came to my mind about H while this song played. What each line meant to me. What I wanted to mean to her. I began to compose a post, but life interfered and I never got around to finishing it. A few days ago, I was listening to my iTunes when the song came on. I remembered this post that I never finished and knew I had to complete it. Before I forgot the emotions I felt. Before I forgot the words I wanted to write. So this post has been a work in progress- but one I'm glad to be publishing. Finally.
Scroll to the bottom and click play on the video to listen to the lyrics while you read the post.
(Chorus)
You're gonna have all of me
Heaven brought you to this moment, it's too wonderful to speak
Scroll to the bottom and click play on the video to listen to the lyrics while you read the post.
All of Me
Matt Hammitt
Afraid to love something that could break
Will you stay with us forever?
Could I move on
Could I eat, sleep, love again?
If you were torn away?
If you were torn away?
How could I live without your presence in my life? I love you so much already.And I'm so close to what I can't control
Your tiny fingers, twirling my hair. Your toothless smile. Your giggles.I can't give you half my heart
And pray He makes you whole
Oh what I would do to keep you with us. Forever.
(Chorus)
You're gonna have all of me
Every minute. Every second.
You're gonna have all of me
You're gonna have all of me
When you take your first step. When you stumble and fall.
'Cause you're worth every falling tear
'Cause you're worth every falling tear
Even when loving you is painful. Even if you pull away from me as you grow older. Even if you miss the life you might have had with your biological mother.
You're worth facing any fear
You're worth facing any fear
I will love you even when I'm told you're being taken away.
You're gonna know all my love
You're gonna know all my love
I will trust.
Even if it's not enough
Even if it's not enough
Even when we're facing good-bye.
Enough to mend our broken hearts
Enough to mend our broken hearts
When things don't go our way.
But giving you all of me is where I'll start
But giving you all of me is where I'll start
I promise to always love you with every fiber of my being.
I won't let sadness steal you from my arms
I won't let sadness steal you from my arms
I will be strong for you. I will be your protector.
I won't let pain keep you from my heart
You are worth more.
I'll trade the fear of all that I could lose
I'll trade the fear of all that I could lose
My heart.
For every moment I share with you
Your excitement at seeing your brother. Your Daddy. Me.
For every moment I share with you
Your excitement at seeing your brother. Your Daddy. Me.
You're gonna have all of me
Every minute. Every second.
You're gonna have all of me
You're gonna have all of me
Every nightmare. Every stormy night.
'Cause you're worth every falling tear
'Cause you're worth every falling tear
The tears of joy when you stay. You're here!
You're worth facing any fear
You're worth facing any fear
Whatever. It. Takes.
You're gonna know all my love
You're gonna know all my love
I will never stop. Ever. I love you.
Even if it's not enough
Even if it's not enough
Even when I fall short.
Enough to mend our broken hearts
Enough to mend our broken hearts
When life is tough. When questions go unanswered. When our hearts break.
But giving you all of me is where I'll start
But giving you all of me is where I'll start
Always and forever.
Heaven brought you to this moment, it's too wonderful to speak
I'm speechless with how undeserving I feel to be your Mama. You are a gift from God.You're worth all of me, you're worth all of me
I've done nothing to ever deserve your presence in my life.So let me recklessly love you, even if I bleed
Never looking back, never questioning, just believing.
You're worth all of me, you're worth all of me
You're worth all of me, you're worth all of me
I love you, H.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
baby sisters and adoption
It occurred to me the other day as I was talking to the mom of one of A's classmates at 'school' that A must have a different sense of where little brothers/sisters come from. The mom was sharing with me that her son, J, was going to be a big brother and that she'd want tips on how to get J to make the transition from being the only child to being a big brother. And I thought, I'm probably not the person to give tips.
You see, we didn't prepare A for the arrival of H. In his mind (I imagine), he went to bed one night as an only child and woke up to a baby sister in the morning. Does he think this is what happens in all families? Now I know this happens in normal (not foster care) families as well- when moms go into labor in the middle of the night and a grandparent comes over to baby-sit the sleeping child while mom and dad go to the hospital to deliver. But those families have (hopefully) had 9 months to prepare for this transition- to talk about the change that was going to happen. We didn't tell A anything, not even when we put him to bed that night. I think, in our minds, we didn't want to say anything in case something changed before H arrived- which we've definitely learned can happen!
While A made the transition exceptionally well and he loves his little sister dearly, I can imagine that this change can be very tough on any family- even those who are given more time to prepare. I remember my nephews anxiously awaiting the birth of my youngest nephew, and constantly asking their mom when they were going to the hospital to pick up their brother. I think one even thought a brother was purchased at the hospital.
So maybe we missed our chances of preparing A for a little sister but I can't wait until we get an adoption date so we can start talking about that with A. I don't know why we haven't before, I guess I (again) feel like nothing should be said until we have a date to look forward to. I want him to be comfortable with telling others that he's adopted. I want him to know that he has a mom who loved him enough to give him to his Mommy and Daddy so we could give him what she wasn't able to. I want him to know that she gave him his name- that that will always be part of him and that we gave him his middle and last name, so he would always be part of us. I want the word adoption to be a commonplace word to him- no big deal.
And speaking of adoption, there's a very good chance that we will become the forever parents to two little ones- at the same time! We'll find out more leading up to our next court date in February, but things are looking more promising than ever!
You see, we didn't prepare A for the arrival of H. In his mind (I imagine), he went to bed one night as an only child and woke up to a baby sister in the morning. Does he think this is what happens in all families? Now I know this happens in normal (not foster care) families as well- when moms go into labor in the middle of the night and a grandparent comes over to baby-sit the sleeping child while mom and dad go to the hospital to deliver. But those families have (hopefully) had 9 months to prepare for this transition- to talk about the change that was going to happen. We didn't tell A anything, not even when we put him to bed that night. I think, in our minds, we didn't want to say anything in case something changed before H arrived- which we've definitely learned can happen!
While A made the transition exceptionally well and he loves his little sister dearly, I can imagine that this change can be very tough on any family- even those who are given more time to prepare. I remember my nephews anxiously awaiting the birth of my youngest nephew, and constantly asking their mom when they were going to the hospital to pick up their brother. I think one even thought a brother was purchased at the hospital.
So maybe we missed our chances of preparing A for a little sister but I can't wait until we get an adoption date so we can start talking about that with A. I don't know why we haven't before, I guess I (again) feel like nothing should be said until we have a date to look forward to. I want him to be comfortable with telling others that he's adopted. I want him to know that he has a mom who loved him enough to give him to his Mommy and Daddy so we could give him what she wasn't able to. I want him to know that she gave him his name- that that will always be part of him and that we gave him his middle and last name, so he would always be part of us. I want the word adoption to be a commonplace word to him- no big deal.
And speaking of adoption, there's a very good chance that we will become the forever parents to two little ones- at the same time! We'll find out more leading up to our next court date in February, but things are looking more promising than ever!
Sunday, January 22, 2012
H's first birthday
I know we're still over 2 months away from H's first birthday, and while we're hopeful that she'll never leave our home, we can't be certain that she'll even be here for the momentous occasion- but in the event that she is still here, I'm already planning her party. (Did that sentence even make sense?)
With the help of my good friend, Pinterest, of course...
As a kindergarten teacher, Eric Carle's books are some of my favorite books of choice to read to my class. The Very Hungry Caterpillar is one of A's favorite books to read and I hope that H will follow suit in loving it as well. She definitely likes to chew on it!
H's cough has improved greatly over the weekend. I'm so thankful she responded well to the breathing treatments. And we all enjoyed a quiet weekend at home- the weather was nice so A got to play in his sandbox for the first time since Santa brought it at Christmas. I was able to get all the laundry done by mid-afternoon Saturday- washed, dried, folded/hanging and put away. It was such a nice feeling! D got the garage tidied up, I was able to start some DIY projects, and we finally got the junk drawer cleaned out! Do you have one of those? Ours is the smallest drawer in the kitchen and it's amazing how much stuff we can cram in there.
We've been working on A with his manners- saying 'please', 'thank you', 'no, thank you', etc. This weekend, it was so cute to hear him remember these things without us reminding him. Today I was combing his hair and he said, "Kanks, Mom, combin' A's hair!" He always says it in a tone that makes him sound surprised that D or I would do something nice for him, which makes it even cuter. He also loves to come find us and say, "Hey guys!" I think that is one of my favorite things to hear him say right now.
With the help of my good friend, Pinterest, of course...
As a kindergarten teacher, Eric Carle's books are some of my favorite books of choice to read to my class. The Very Hungry Caterpillar is one of A's favorite books to read and I hope that H will follow suit in loving it as well. She definitely likes to chew on it!
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H's cough has improved greatly over the weekend. I'm so thankful she responded well to the breathing treatments. And we all enjoyed a quiet weekend at home- the weather was nice so A got to play in his sandbox for the first time since Santa brought it at Christmas. I was able to get all the laundry done by mid-afternoon Saturday- washed, dried, folded/hanging and put away. It was such a nice feeling! D got the garage tidied up, I was able to start some DIY projects, and we finally got the junk drawer cleaned out! Do you have one of those? Ours is the smallest drawer in the kitchen and it's amazing how much stuff we can cram in there.
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For some reason, I haven't been able to comment on several blogs I follow. I figured out last night that it has to do with the browser I use since I was allowed to comment once I switched to a different browser. So I apologize that my commenting hasn't been the greatest! I'll try to make up for it!
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Baby H has RSV...
... and an ear infection. Breathing treatments every four hours and as much cuddling and snuggling as possible are on the agenda for our sick little girl. If she'll allow it... the snuggling and cuddling, that is. H doesn't let a virus slow her down- she's got places to go, people! And fussiness? That's for the birds- our little girl is all smiles. One would never know she is sick. I'm so thankful I trusted my gut and made the appointment for her to see the doctor today, even though she hadn't been running a fever or seemed bothered by (what seemed to be) the common cold she had. The doctor ran tests, discovered it was indeed RSV, and after a breathing treatment in the office raised her Oxygen back to 100%, she was on her way home, napping soundly.
We'll be laying low this weekend, praying that the treatments continue to work as well as they have and that she'll be fully recuperated soon!
We'll be laying low this weekend, praying that the treatments continue to work as well as they have and that she'll be fully recuperated soon!
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
A and H update
H is 9 months old! I can't believe it- I can remember when she was first placed in our home, looking at the loads of clothes we were blessed with and sorting them by size, thinking there's no way she would ever fit into the 9 month clothing. And now here she is! But part of my prediction was true- she doesn't fit into the 9 month clothing- we're still pretty comfortable in most 6 month clothing.
At 9 months old, H weighs in at 16.5 lbs, measures 25 inches long, and is in the 10th percentile and 3rd percentile respectively. She's still tiny! But she's crawling all over the place, pulling up on everything and crying when she can't figure out how to sit down from that position. Her two bottom teeth are in and she's working on her two top ones. And on that note, there's nothing cuter than her baby-drool-grin she gives us. She's trying more and more table food- she had her first taste of Cheerio's this past week and she approves. Sliced avocado and brown rice are on the agenda to try soon.
A continues to make us smile daily. He's a spunky 2 year-old who loves to ask questions! He's a great big brother and we frequently hear him console H when she's crying saying, "Don't cry H. Mama's here." He tells us, "I wanna hold you," when he wants to be held. A loves cars and alerts me to any trash trucks or school buses when we're in the car together. Trash trucks, by the way, (according to A) take the poopie diapers away- boom! boom! He's very interested in helping me clean and loves to get the swiffer sweeper out of the pantry to push it around the house. It didn't take me long to get smart and make sure there was a dry cloth on there at all times! This morning, I woke him up and got him started eating his breakfast, then was going to go get dressed like I always do- which usually makes A unhappy that I'm not sitting there, watching his every bite. This morning, though, as I turned to walk away from him, A says, "A not cry. I ok!" Goodness, I love this boy!
A funny story- last week when I went to pick up A from his classroom, I was busy looking at the sheet his teachers fill out about his day when I realized his teacher had been talking to me. The reason I didn't realize it at first? She was calling me Mrs. D-, using A's current last name. I smiled and told her my last name and then explained that we hadn't adopted him yet. We had talked previously about H being in the foster care system, so I guess I just assumed that she knew that A was as well. Anyway, I got a kick out of it! We've had him for 10 months without that happening!
At 9 months old, H weighs in at 16.5 lbs, measures 25 inches long, and is in the 10th percentile and 3rd percentile respectively. She's still tiny! But she's crawling all over the place, pulling up on everything and crying when she can't figure out how to sit down from that position. Her two bottom teeth are in and she's working on her two top ones. And on that note, there's nothing cuter than her baby-drool-grin she gives us. She's trying more and more table food- she had her first taste of Cheerio's this past week and she approves. Sliced avocado and brown rice are on the agenda to try soon.
A continues to make us smile daily. He's a spunky 2 year-old who loves to ask questions! He's a great big brother and we frequently hear him console H when she's crying saying, "Don't cry H. Mama's here." He tells us, "I wanna hold you," when he wants to be held. A loves cars and alerts me to any trash trucks or school buses when we're in the car together. Trash trucks, by the way, (according to A) take the poopie diapers away- boom! boom! He's very interested in helping me clean and loves to get the swiffer sweeper out of the pantry to push it around the house. It didn't take me long to get smart and make sure there was a dry cloth on there at all times! This morning, I woke him up and got him started eating his breakfast, then was going to go get dressed like I always do- which usually makes A unhappy that I'm not sitting there, watching his every bite. This morning, though, as I turned to walk away from him, A says, "A not cry. I ok!" Goodness, I love this boy!
A funny story- last week when I went to pick up A from his classroom, I was busy looking at the sheet his teachers fill out about his day when I realized his teacher had been talking to me. The reason I didn't realize it at first? She was calling me Mrs. D-, using A's current last name. I smiled and told her my last name and then explained that we hadn't adopted him yet. We had talked previously about H being in the foster care system, so I guess I just assumed that she knew that A was as well. Anyway, I got a kick out of it! We've had him for 10 months without that happening!
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Happy 2012!
My birthday/Christmas gift this year:
to have our living room, kitchen, entry, and playroom re-painted...
and not have to do it myself!
Five days after Christmas, the painters arrived and the job was complete in about 6 hours, split between two days. And they did a much better job than if the job had been left to me!
and a white animal head similar to this one that I'm diy-ing...
book shelves using ikea spice racks
What about you? Does the new year cause you to re-organize/ re-decorate/ re-do anything?
to have our living room, kitchen, entry, and playroom re-painted...
and not have to do it myself!
Five days after Christmas, the painters arrived and the job was complete in about 6 hours, split between two days. And they did a much better job than if the job had been left to me!
Entry
Playroom (formerly the dining room)
We also did some furniture-rearranging and it's been nice to start off a new year, looking at our house through newly painted walls. Our walls are looking kind of bare, but I'm okay with that right now. This go-around, I'm waiting to find the things that I really love to hang on the walls, adorn the mantel of our fireplace, and place above our kitchen cabinets. The few things that are hanging are the set of three photographs that my dad took and had framed for us and a new canvas of one of the pictures my sister-in-law took during our photo session back in October.
I also have some projects up my sleeve:
like this quote of Mother Teresa's
and a white animal head similar to this one that I'm diy-ing...
book shelves using ikea spice racks
What about you? Does the new year cause you to re-organize/ re-decorate/ re-do anything?
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Looking Back
Wow. In just a few days, we'll celebrate one year from the first time we laid eyes on our A. January 4th, 2011 we received an email- a legal risk broadcast- about a little boy who was 16 months old. We read his information, looked at those adorable eyes, and emailed our adoption coordinator asking her to submit our home study. All in 3.5 seconds. Seriously. Less than a month later, we found out we were one of the final three couples chosen for him. A week after that, the call came that we were chosen- we would be A's foster-to-adopt parents.
Thinking back on those times, the not-knowing, the anticipation, the excitement of being chosen, the waiting to see if everything would pan out in the courts, the relief when his case became an adoption case- and then walking into his room each night before I go to bed, watching him sleep. The blanket slowly rising with his deep breathing. And realizing he's going to be ours. Like really ours. It still hits me- and the thankfulness, the gratitude, the feeling of how blessed we are is still as real as ever.
Less than two months after A was placed in our home, we got the call about Miss H. The sweetest little thing, weighing in at 5 lbs and already a month old, we were smitten from day one. To see her now as a smiling, laughing 9 month old little girl who crawls all over her brother, steals his toys and his sippy cup, it's hard to imagine that she was ever that small. She's still a petite baby, but as one doctor said who saw her when she was that tiny and then saw her again a few months ago, "I would never think this baby was the baby I saw back in June. She's become quite the Michelin baby."
2011 was the year we became parents. It was a year of growth for us, as a family, as a couple, as individuals. Here's our recap:
January: submit home study for A
February: we're selected to be A's foster-to-adopt parents and get to meet him for the first time
March: A comes home
April: I return to work after 5 wonderful weeks of bonding with A
May: H arrives, then she's supposed to leave, but the judge suspends the order and she stays!
June: Florida Keys and we celebrate 7 years of marriage
July: my younger sister gets married
August: school starts up again
September: A's case becomes an adoption case
October: after months of silence in H's case, things start to pick back up again
November: I celebrate my first birthday as a mom and our first Thanksgiving as a family
December: our first Christmas together and interesting developments in H's case that leave us hopeful
Though 2012 is looking like it will be remembered for adoptions and not appointments, I know there are many of you out there who are gearing up for tests, procedures, results. And you are never far from my thoughts. Anytime I drive past our local fertility center, I can't help but think of the couples inside, waiting for answers, desperate to know the whys. And so I pray. For strength, for endurance, for peace. Know that you are never forgotten. Back when we were going through the gauntlet of appointments, we would joke with our friends that we were taking one for the team since the statistics say that 1 out of 10 couples struggles with fertility. But the fact is, we haven't been able to protect many of our friends from traveling this same road. And that breaks my heart.
You know who you are. And know this- that you are loved. You are treasured. And you will be an amazing mother, no matter how God builds your family.
Thinking back on those times, the not-knowing, the anticipation, the excitement of being chosen, the waiting to see if everything would pan out in the courts, the relief when his case became an adoption case- and then walking into his room each night before I go to bed, watching him sleep. The blanket slowly rising with his deep breathing. And realizing he's going to be ours. Like really ours. It still hits me- and the thankfulness, the gratitude, the feeling of how blessed we are is still as real as ever.
Less than two months after A was placed in our home, we got the call about Miss H. The sweetest little thing, weighing in at 5 lbs and already a month old, we were smitten from day one. To see her now as a smiling, laughing 9 month old little girl who crawls all over her brother, steals his toys and his sippy cup, it's hard to imagine that she was ever that small. She's still a petite baby, but as one doctor said who saw her when she was that tiny and then saw her again a few months ago, "I would never think this baby was the baby I saw back in June. She's become quite the Michelin baby."
2011 was the year we became parents. It was a year of growth for us, as a family, as a couple, as individuals. Here's our recap:
January: submit home study for A
February: we're selected to be A's foster-to-adopt parents and get to meet him for the first time
March: A comes home
April: I return to work after 5 wonderful weeks of bonding with A
May: H arrives, then she's supposed to leave, but the judge suspends the order and she stays!
June: Florida Keys and we celebrate 7 years of marriage
July: my younger sister gets married
August: school starts up again
September: A's case becomes an adoption case
October: after months of silence in H's case, things start to pick back up again
November: I celebrate my first birthday as a mom and our first Thanksgiving as a family
December: our first Christmas together and interesting developments in H's case that leave us hopeful
Though 2012 is looking like it will be remembered for adoptions and not appointments, I know there are many of you out there who are gearing up for tests, procedures, results. And you are never far from my thoughts. Anytime I drive past our local fertility center, I can't help but think of the couples inside, waiting for answers, desperate to know the whys. And so I pray. For strength, for endurance, for peace. Know that you are never forgotten. Back when we were going through the gauntlet of appointments, we would joke with our friends that we were taking one for the team since the statistics say that 1 out of 10 couples struggles with fertility. But the fact is, we haven't been able to protect many of our friends from traveling this same road. And that breaks my heart.
You know who you are. And know this- that you are loved. You are treasured. And you will be an amazing mother, no matter how God builds your family.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Giveaway!
My friend Erin over at Worthy of the Prize is hosting a giveaway for the cutest printable and necklace from TheAdoptShoppe! Does that name sound familiar? If it does, it's because I gave away one of her cute bracelets this summer when I hit 20 followers.
My 2011 resolution? To find joy in the journey... yeah, I really want to win this!
My 2011 resolution? To find joy in the journey... yeah, I really want to win this!
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Different
Edited to add: This was supposed to post yesterday... not sure what happened.
"Not alike in character or quality; differing." I'm rejoicing in the fact that the holiday season is different this year. There's the obvious growth from a couple to a family of four that has taken place. There's the excitement of seeing Christmas through the eyes of a child who talks about Santa and signs Jingle Bells non-stop as well as the innocence of the season through the eyes of a child who trusts you so completely to care for their every need. There's the closing of the chapter of Christmases past where I told myself "This year will be our last Christmas without a child..." There's the keeping of traditions and creating new ones as we celebrate our first Christmas together. It has all been so wonderful, the feeling of contentment and satisfaction so overwhelming that, at times, I've been brought to tears as I rest in the newness of it all.
It doesn't take much to make me tear up these days... seeing our set of four stockings that a friend's mother made for us. Picking out and purchasing our tree together and watching A help D- the happiness in the eyes of both as they wheeled the cart around together in the cool night air. The basket of Christmas books A chooses from each night before bedtime- a new tradition we've started. The sock monkey ornaments with the names of A and H hanging on our tree. Adding two new people to my Christmas shopping list- getting them something they want, something they need, something to play with, something to read. Picking out a book for each was so special; writing a note inside the cover to A and H made me cry as well. I love these two more than words can say so trying to write a note to convey that love was difficult. I wanted to just squeeze the book as close to my heart as possible and say, "There- did you feel that? I love you so much my heart hurts."
We'll be spending time with both families over the holidays and just returned today from spending a few days with the foster grandparents. They are such a special presence in our lives- we love them dearly. We'll go to our church's Christmas Eve service and then eat dinner with a friend's family before coming home to let A and H open a gift (Christmas pjs). Christmas morning will be celebrated with just the four of us and I'm so looking forward to having the morning to ourselves, to open gifts together and to rejoice in the birth of our Savior. D's family will come later that day. We all live relatively close to each other so we do see each other more often, but it will be so fun to just hang out without having to be anywhere. Plus A and H love their aunts and uncles so I know it's a treat for the little ones, too!
Merry Christmas!
"Not alike in character or quality; differing." I'm rejoicing in the fact that the holiday season is different this year. There's the obvious growth from a couple to a family of four that has taken place. There's the excitement of seeing Christmas through the eyes of a child who talks about Santa and signs Jingle Bells non-stop as well as the innocence of the season through the eyes of a child who trusts you so completely to care for their every need. There's the closing of the chapter of Christmases past where I told myself "This year will be our last Christmas without a child..." There's the keeping of traditions and creating new ones as we celebrate our first Christmas together. It has all been so wonderful, the feeling of contentment and satisfaction so overwhelming that, at times, I've been brought to tears as I rest in the newness of it all.
It doesn't take much to make me tear up these days... seeing our set of four stockings that a friend's mother made for us. Picking out and purchasing our tree together and watching A help D- the happiness in the eyes of both as they wheeled the cart around together in the cool night air. The basket of Christmas books A chooses from each night before bedtime- a new tradition we've started. The sock monkey ornaments with the names of A and H hanging on our tree. Adding two new people to my Christmas shopping list- getting them something they want, something they need, something to play with, something to read. Picking out a book for each was so special; writing a note inside the cover to A and H made me cry as well. I love these two more than words can say so trying to write a note to convey that love was difficult. I wanted to just squeeze the book as close to my heart as possible and say, "There- did you feel that? I love you so much my heart hurts."
We'll be spending time with both families over the holidays and just returned today from spending a few days with the foster grandparents. They are such a special presence in our lives- we love them dearly. We'll go to our church's Christmas Eve service and then eat dinner with a friend's family before coming home to let A and H open a gift (Christmas pjs). Christmas morning will be celebrated with just the four of us and I'm so looking forward to having the morning to ourselves, to open gifts together and to rejoice in the birth of our Savior. D's family will come later that day. We all live relatively close to each other so we do see each other more often, but it will be so fun to just hang out without having to be anywhere. Plus A and H love their aunts and uncles so I know it's a treat for the little ones, too!
Merry Christmas!
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