Haleiwa, Hawaii

So, there is this town on Oa'hu, called Haleiwa. I am sure if you have ever been to Oa'hu you have been to this town. Holly and I went almost EVERY night for some reason or another. The day before the workshop (I know it was Sunday...I have to say I was paying my "tithing" just not to my church. ROFL...) we stopped through the little town. There is this little church there that does this "Huli, Huli Chicken" every Sunday. It is like a weekly fundraiser. There is just this huge BBQ with this amazing dood just standing out in the heat making the chicken. They baste the chix with a fertilizer spritzer from Ace Hardware. Ace definitely is the place, 'cause man, the chicken was goooooooooood!
It doesn't look like much. I got this and a bottled water for $5. This is what they call 1/2 a chicken. Holy cow, did I mention how good it was? Huli Huli sauce is like a mixture between a really sweet teriyaki and I dunno...heaven. (I love chicken so...).
Anyway, the thing about this place is...well it seems to be a kick'n place. I saw this huge set up of band equipment, this church must rawk out during services.

They send you out back to eat your chicken on some picnic tables and this is what you see roaming around your feet:
I don't think he was too excited that we were eating his friends. They sure tasted nice tho.


The day before our trip we heard that THE best place to get Shave'd' Ice was at Matsumoto's. I guess the place has been around FOREVER. This sign dates to 1976...so we're talking longer than that. I'm not one for 'snow cone like creations' but this, holy cow this was GOOD SCHTUFF!

So love the '70's feel of this sign. I really wanted a Matsumoto's hoodie but couldn't talk myself into it. It really was all it was cracked up to be and more...
You may or may not be aware that Adam Sandler is one of my FAVORITE actors. 50 First Dates which just happened to be filmed in Hawaii is probably one of my all time favorite movies. While standing in line Holls and I saw this photo. That is Adam Sandler professing his love for the all mighty Matsumoto.
Check out these people...lined up forever. This side enjoying the fruit of the wait...
And mine. Bubblegum. My favorite flavor of anything ever. Since I was a kid it was bubblegum Slurpee's and ice cream from Baskin Robbins. Anyway, what makes this so special? They put a scoop of the most delicious vanilla ice cream on the bottom, so when all of they syrup runs down it makes this yummylicious mixture of bubblegummy Shave Ice goodness.
I've been a little weepy this week. I am missing the Hawaiian warmth and sun. The sun here just isn't the same. I am missing the Shave Ice. I went to Baskin R's twice for some bubblegum ice cream. It just wasn't the same either. Oh well...just gives me a reason to go back!

PLEASE! Take time to read the post below. Tim and Cassie are some of our DEAREST friends, and they need our HELP!

We LOVE Your GUTS!

Kidneys especially.

About 5 years ago, Tim was diagnosed with Kidney Failure. We were surprised, but not shocked because 2 of his siblings also have kidney failure and have had to have transplants.Over the last 5-ish years, Tim has been seeing a nephrologist regularly every 3-6 months as requested by his doctor. They've monitored his B.U.N. and creatinine levels closely and determined late last summer that transplant time was getting close. We then met with a transplant coordinator, social worker, financial coordinator and surgeon. 13 vials of blood were drawn and labs ran. The goal for Tim during this time was to have him ready for transplantation before it became necessary for him to go on dialysis. This included, for us, finding a living donor.We've talked to many people about donating their kidney to Tim. Not asking anyone specifically, but just throwing it out there so people know what's going on and if it's something they would be willing to do, we'd be willing to take them up on it. So many have said it's something they would think about, and we appreciate SO MUCH that they would even consider it.At Tim's appointment today, his doctor had his name put on the waiting list for a kidney. Within the next week or so, we'll have the results of his blood work to know if he'll need to start dialysis. (His last labs read that he was at 12% kidney function, dialysis usually starts around 10% funcion.) As he has been feeling pretty good, we're hoping dialysis will be put off for a few more months.This is where you come in.Have you seen the billboard on the highway that says something like "Donate a kidney/car to the kidney foundation"? Well, if you've been thinking "hmm... I have this spare car lying around, but I also have a spare kidney.... what to do... what to do..." We'd like to encourage the kidney donation. :)Here's what you do.Call Cathy at 801-507-8311 or 801-507-3380.Cathy is Tim's transplant coordinator. She'll schedule a time for you to get a work up done to see if you're a match for Tim.What you need to know.Tim's blood type is A+, however, if you are A+ OR A- you can still be a match. If the sub-grouping is necessary, it will be determined later on.Recovery time for the donor is 4-6 weeks on average. You would be in the hospital for 5-7 days. You can't drive for 2 weeks or lift anything over 20 lbs for 3 weeks.Either our insurance or Medicare covers both the donor surgery and the recipient surgery, so there is no out of pocket cost for you.That's it. So now if you're thinking "I only have one kidney... I'm diabetic... I'm the wrong blood type... I hate hospitals... I'm terrified of needles... Tim? Who's Tim?" I have one more teensy weensy favor to ask to help us out. For all you bloggers out there. Link us! Copy this and post it to your blog, put a link, copy and email to friends and family, whatever. But please help us spread the word and find some new guts for my hubby.If you do decide to be tested, please e-mail me at tim_and_cas@yahoo.com so we can follow up with the coordinator.Whew! If ya got through all that,

THANK YOU!

You can keep tabs on us and the kidney updates by visiting our blog. http://www.thedaysofcassie.blogspot.com/
Thanks Everyone!

Cassie and Tim

Aloha!

Aloha everyone. I am FOB from Hawaii. My sincerest apologies for the lack of blogging. Our lovely hotel (and I say that with all the sarcasm I can muster) who claimed they had wifi, never once did they indeed have internet access for us. So, it is kind of hard to blog when you have no way of bloggin. ;)

Needless to say it was everything Hawaii is cracked up to be. The workshop was amazing, fantastic, and life changing...needless to say, a lot of things will be changing in my vision, my photography, my offerings, and my company. I am really excited to share with you about the workshop as soon as my film is back. I figure it will be more enjoyable to share that experience with you when I have photos to go along.

For now, I am JET-LAGGED and didn't sleep a wink last night and I have two kiddies waiting to be LOVED on!

Missed you ALL!

Sledding Fun

I feel so lucky, I got to take Jothan on a little "date" Saturday. Just me and him. It was WONDERFUL. I have not been sledding since I was LITTLE! He had a blast. He talks about it all the time and wants to go back and do it again and again. I can't wait to take him! It was an activity for our local FSA. It was so fun to spend some time with some of my best friends and just enjoy the day.

I have been feeling like TRASH today. I am getting that cold that is going around, and I am NOT happy about it. I leave for Hawaii in two days and I am really struggling with leaving my family, and getting everything I need done before I go. I hate leaving them. It hurts so bad. I have been an EMOTIONAL train wreck tonight. I don't know why I am doing this to myself. ;)

I am also sad I won't have time to check blogs or to read, comment, or enjoy until I get back. I am hoping that you all understand, and I can't wait to catch up when I get home!

I hope you all have a fabulous week...I will be posting from the beautiful state of Hawaii though, so stay tuned!

Pardon the Interruption.

Casey here. I'm rudely butting my business in at Kim's blog because most of the gentle people at my place won't get the humor I'm about to lay out there. (Mormon humor, it's simply the best.)
This picture is from the moosh's Barbie as the Island Princess coloring book:














Cody pointed out it looks more like a page from the "Heroes of the Restoration" coloring book. As if there were such a thing, is there? There probably is. But it probably doesn't have princesses in it. I'd have a hard time convincing the moosh that it's FUN! to color Prophets throughout the ages.
(If you're not LDS, sorry, the joke is probably lost on you, my apologies.)
But LDS or not I KNOW you'll all understand this one:














This is my husband washing dishes after he cooked dinner.
REAL! DINNER! It involved chopping and sauteing two different kinds of vegetables.
If I didn't have the constant urge to vomit from my new medication I would totally make out with him.

Right, well, as you were.

Week in Review

I wish I had a photo for today. It was a lazy day for me around here. I photographed a wedding yesterday, it has been a few months, I forget how physically and mentally draining they can be. Every muscle in my body hurts. I hurt in places I forgot I had. Looks like I need to hit the gym twice as hard! ;) I had a young woman come and job shadow me. She was SO nice and it was so great to meet her. Hope she decides to come back and maybe help out a few times this summer with the weddings we are booking like crazy.

Luckily, this week I have only had a few mild headaches, hoping that by avoiding some of the things I think have been triggering my migraines, I can avoid them, or avoid as many as I have been having.

We got a new vacuum today. I made the mistake of letting a vacuum salesman into our home the other day, did you even know such things existed? He left the vacuum for a few days. Seriously like four, and Flav, being the vacuum man around here (it is one of his TWO chores) really liked it. The thing can SUCK...it has some massive sucking power, even I was impressed with, never saw anything clean so powerfully even with a FULL bag. YES, the bag was FULL after going over our entire house. Disgusting. So, the dude was trying to sell it to us for this insane amount of money. Flavio, being a terrific sales-person himself talked him down to an insane amount of money on the other end. We vowed not to repeat that insane price. I think we won. Tee hee. Is it strange to be so excited about a vacuum?!

Let's see. My husband made a boo boo this week. Claiming he talked to me about some MAJOR purchase, which, in fact he did not. Oops. I forgive him. I think. ;) Sorry honey, just have to put it out there for the wold that you, in fact, did NOT discuss it with me. I still love you though!

My kids are weeds. WEEDS I tell you. Emms hair has grown an inch overnight I swear. Leaving me the need to put "pretty ponies" in her hair everyday because it is SO insanely long.

I was able to do some presentations for a local junior high school on adoption this week. Miss Carly had asked me to join her. As I had mentioned earlier, with my crazy busy week, it was the last thing I thought I could fit in/do. I am so thankful that I did. I know there was a reason I had to be at those particular presentations, I felt like we really got through to some of the students there. Three girls in particular, two of which had older sisters who were parenting. It was really neat to get their perspective. Also, one young lady in particular who was SO hard at the beginning of the presentation, SO much attitude, who, by the end had softened and was so utterly respectful as to why we were there. It was great. I love to get them thinking, thinking about the statistics between those choosing to single parent, those who choose to abort, and those who choose to place. The numbers are astounding, I like to see the looks in their faces when they realize, in their own words how "messed up" that is. It truly is messed up. I hope that they can take what they learned this week and always keep it close to their hearts, and share that adoption is a beautiful option in this crazy world who would have us believe otherwise. Thanks for the call Carly!

Well that is about it. Long posts with no photos are hard to get through I know...here, let me dig you up an oldie but goodie...

I call this her "ugly face". Sounds mean, it isn't . I say, "Emm, show me your ugly face." She contorts her features until this is what I see. Usually with a lot less tongue and more teeth. Anyway, this is the face she makes when she is "whining". I hate whining but that is another post entirely. Enjoy your weekend. I am off to bed!

A Baby Story

I have been working on some images from this weekend. I got a call late Saturday night/early Sunday morning (whichever you prefer) at around 1:30 a.m. from my gorgeous friend Wendy telling me she had been admitted to the hospital and was dilated to a six. From my experience with both of my pregnancies that can mean one of two things, the baby is going to be a while, or the baby is coming right away. I rushed on over to the hospital and we did what everyone does. We waited and waited. We waited twelve hours, some of them agonizing to watch my friend endure, some of them amazing, spiritual, and life altering.

I remember the day Wendy asked me to capture this for her. It was almost a year and a half ago. Long before she was pregnant, but she knew that she wanted to be a mother, and that she wanted this day captured "the right way" forever. I feel so honored that she trusted me with this huge responsibility. At times I was really nervous if I could hold up to my end of the deal. I worried I wouldn't capture the "moments". As I have been working on these images, tears are coming to my eyes as once again I feel the spirit of that day. This image in particular says so much to me. Wend was on the verge of needing a c-section, and her hubby and I were just praying and praying and praying so hard for her. She didn't want that to happen. She wanted more than anything to be able to give birth and not have to endure a major surgery after so many grueling hours of labor. This tender moment just catches my breath. I have known Wendy for a long, long time now. Many years, she has been one of the greatest people in my life. I look up to her in so many ways. She has been there for me, and I have seen her grow into this amazing woman. She always was an amazing person, but now this spiritual giant! Her husband is amazing, a match for her in the most perfect of ways, he knows how lucky he is and that to me is a testament of what a wonderful man he is.

Hop, hop, hop.

Could this get anymore classic? Halloween jammies, Halloween tote bag, bunny ears. She is not even my Halloween Baby...this one is:
Had no idea he knew how to impersonate a bunny. Way to go dude. You surprise me every day and keep me smiling. One of my BEST friends and favorite people on the planet. So thankful for you two munchies.

As for me...well I had an interesting weekend, and when I can get around to working on a few photos, I will be happy to share. It was good. Just eventful and LONG. For now, because of the length of my Saturday and Sunday, I need to get to bed. Hope everyone is doing well. I have missed blogging, even if for a few days.

New baby goodness.

How cool to have your birthday on Valentine's? Way.



Holla to the beautiful natural light in this facility!

Seriously, one of the most beautiful shots I have ever seen.
Loved this shot. Loved the logo on the back of the t-shirt. (Edited for content.)
Some of our BEST friends in the ENTIRE WORLD had another little baby join their family yesterday on the day of hearts. Tayvie Noon. She is just oodles of fun. Why is that when one of my friends has a baby, all I would like to do is spend all my time over at their house cuddling the little bundle? I think I can wait a few more days to see her again. Congratulations Tony and Lacie. I love her to pieces!

Happy Heart Day!

Try this next time you have nothing else to do...

Anyway, you can go here to figure it all out. Got the idea from Miss Allie. It takes FOREVER, and is only worth it if you can love your handwriting. I may 'redo' mine. When I have another two hours to spare. Just thought it was super fun! If anyone decides to do it, send me your font via e-mail and we can share it with everyone. Have a fabulous day!

A four year old, and a two year old.

So, lately I have been needing to take photos of my little four year old, and my new little two year old. I haven't. There are certain spots I drive by all the time thinking...that would be a good place to do it. Why haven't I? Too freakin' cold here. Then I came up with this brilliant idea. Why not have someone else take them? Someone with UBER talent and inside, WHERE IT IS WARM?

Hence THESE.

I couldn't be happier. She captured something in my children that only I see, but for some reason can't make appear through my lens. I'm not sure why that is, but for her, I am grateful.

Angie is a very talented photographer. I have been following her work for a little over a year. I remember coming across her work and something about her just kept me going back for another look. She is very inspiring to me, and I only hope to continue to grow in my own photography.

Anyway, thank you Angie for these beautiful captures of my sweet ones. It is appreciated more than you'll ever know.

True Story.

"Are you a princess Emmaree?"
"Can I be your knight in shining armor?"
"Emma-wee a Pincess"
"Ya!"

Oh how I love!

Hi.

How is everyone? Thank you all for your concern regarding my recent bout of headaches. I have received some consultation regarding them. I, unfortunately am the last one to take care of myself, (I wonder what you call laying on the couch all day long with a migraine?). I was hit AGAIN today, HARD. I was fine until about 4:00 p.m. and wham! I just had SO much work to do that I had to come in and work tonight. It probably wasn't the greatest plan, considering I have to get up early for a session. But then again, I am not sure I can even sleep, my head is pounding so hard. Anyway, my plan is, try to figure out what is triggering them, if there is anything, and also I am going to start visiting a chiropractor, in hopes that this will solve the problem. Otherwise? I'm going to demand that there may be a deeper problem to these massive beasts.

Sorry for another post about a migraine. Blech. Just want them to move on so that I can post new beautiful photos of my sweet kiddos...

Hope all is well with everyone! Kiss kiss.

Sneaky Peekers

I rarely mix my bloggy blogs, but since I know Lil's checks this blog...thought I would give you a treat. This may very well be my favorite photo, my favorite session EVER. (So, so sorry for all my other clients (this was also the most recent...so there is still time to top it.)) But seriously, have you ever?

Oh, and another thing, Lil, sorry it took me so long to get your photos posted. Let's talk I have had THREE friggin' headaches that have put me out of commish in the past week! Ug.

Enough with the excuses though! Wasn't this past week just great? Even though I have been in an F-U-N-K...looking back it was a really happy, happy week for me. I can't really pinpoint why. I have loved the snow, I have just enjoyed being at home with my kids, and spending more than one lazy day on the couch with them.

How about you guys?

Feeling Bloggily Challenged

Please note: I did not take this photo, I googled Starburst, and this is what I found. I much prefer Original Fruit myself ;)

So I thought I would share with you what I did today. I ate a Starburst. In fact, I ate about eight of them. Why is this significant? It has been 6.75 years since I last ate a Starburst Fruit Chew. Why? Cause the last time I did, I gorged myself and made myself sick. I know you all have a food you associate with that feeling. Well, I have to say, they were just as good as I remembered. I am happy to report I am feeling no ill effects, but will be careful not to over do it since I would like to enjoy another in the near future.

Moving on, I polished my nails today (on my hands). It has been over 3 years. Yes, I said THREE years since I have polished the nails on my hands. Why? Plain and simple I was bored. I came across some polish while rummaging through a drawer. It was clear, so I thought, "What the heck?" And you know what? Holy self esteem, all day I have been staring at them, thinking how pretty they look all shapely and taken care of. I think I will keep it up, at least for a while.
Why is this significant you ask? Well, pitifully enough, I used to be a Nail Technician. People used to PAY me to make their nails look good, and just like a personal trainer...you only go to one who looks good right? Right. Anyway, I have been neglectful. Of my nails and my blog. So, there you go.

Have a wonderful weekend. Ours is going to be full now...(thanks bishop). But that is okay. I am really looking forward to tomorrow night, we are going out with some friends, and I can't tell you the last time we went out...alone, sans children. I might even lug my camera along for the ride.

Hope all is well.

Have you EVER?

Seriously, just saw this, and think I had a coronary.

CAUGHT!

Seriously, never, NEVER thought this would happen to me. And by my little two year old no less. I left my makup bag (closed) for five minutes. I came back to THIS! I am quite impressed with her ability to put the items in the correct places. Blush-cheeks, eyeshadow-eyes, and of course mascara-"eyelashes". Well, almost. She coated them pretty good though...


OOOOOOOOooooooo have I told you how much I LOVE HER?

Gordon B. Hinckley 1910-2008

Words cannot adequately express the love in my heart for this man, or the joy I am sure he is experiencing reuniting with his sweet wife. He was my prophet, all through my growing up years. I looked to his counsel on many occasions. It was six months before I married my eternal companion that I attended his birthday celebration, and helped nurture a relationship with one of my best friends Wendy, who later joined the church. It was that particular evening that my love for him was strengthened. Even in something seemingly simple as a birthday party, he had this miraculous way of being a missionary.

What a spectacular person he was. How close to our Heavenly Father. What an example of what we all need to be.

We'll miss you President Hinckley!

"2" cute, "2" funny, "2" beautiful, "2" smart, "2" silly, "2" adorable...

I think that "2" might very well be my favorite birthday. For that reason! We spend the whole week thinking of things that they are "2"! OOooooooo squeeeee. I love this little girl. This is her new "give me a big smile" face and I LOVE IT! I could just eat her up! So thankful to have her here, even after her rocky start...just so thankful for her! And as for this man. Can't think of anything cute to say about "30". Hmmm, maybe "30" headaches, "30" gray hairs, "30" inch waist, "30" something, "30" thousand dollars...I dunno I am reaching here. But honestly, he is THE love of my life. I hope you had a good day sweetie! I don't know where I would be without you!
...but seriously, would love that "30" inch waist of yours!

Love, Me!

Hoping to Adopt (Again) Part 4

Meet Ben, Amanda, and Isaac.

It has been my honor to meet this family a little over two and a half years ago as they were beginning their adoption journey. It has been wonderful to watch Ben and Amanda become parents. Amanda is such an amazing mother. When I talk to her, I know that she takes this job seriously and helps me want to be a better mother myself. Ben is an amazing person as well. He is very kind, smart, and caring to his wife and his son. I admire that in a husband.

I would love nothing more than to see this wonderful family grow through adoption. So, keep them in your prayers, and please, if you know of someone who is considering adoption. Consider them!

What?!

I'm not all crazy about Hollywood. But this surprised me. Wow.

No Photographs Today

Sorry!

I feel so bad. I haven't picked up my camera for ME in about two weeks. So, I have nothing of personal worthiness to share. I feel like this last week I was out of the loop. I thought the migraine was gone by Thursday. It wasn't. It had me in it's awful grasp from Wednesday until Saturday morning. Blech. We went to the temple on Friday night and embarassingly enough I almost passed out during the session. I just had to go, had to make it to the temple, and then my head was pounding, and I felt like I was going to lose everything I ate that day right there on the session. Luckily (or unluckily) some of my friends noticed and demanded I sit down. I made it through the session a'ight though. I just about died on Sunday as I was walking down the hall and my dear bishop stops me and says, "You look much better today!" Thanks for noticing. Anyway, SO I haven't looked at ANY blogs since last THURSDAY. Blogs are like a drug for me. There have been no late nights for SO many days, it is weird to be up late again tonight. But, alas, duty calls and I am up late working as usual.

Just thought I would give you all an update. I'll try to pick up that camera and capture some goodness from my life.

Wishing...

...in this case, that floating was a good thing. Just had some odd stuff happening lately. Just wish I had more understanding in some areas of my life. Glad that you all understand those feelings too! ;) I needed that today!

Ever felt...

...like you were floating? Ever wonder why things happen? Ever wondered for answers? Ya, me too.

Kinda Cool

There's this blog I visit sometimes. It's perty cool. Anyway, she did a little ditty on DT, and she used our faces. Totally rad. We have some awesome faces!

Migraine

I have had THE worst migraine today. Complete with wanting to barf and everything. I hate the fact that I feel like I can't take anything two weeks out of the month for fear I may be pregnant. I pretty much hate taking medication for anything. So, barring on the safe side, I didn't. I even went so far as to go to Arby's for the loverly sandwich (minus the Dr. Pepper). That usually does the job. I knew that it has to be combined with a DP to do the trick. Needless to say, I am still sitting here with a horrendous headache that Tylenol only wishes it could touch. Anyway...coming here and seeing an old post made me sick, so...here's a photo. I love it, one of my faves. Enjoy.

M.I.A

This is what our room has turned into: Almost every night. I think this was actually a nap, hence the Spidey jams. I won't let him wear them to bed. Anyway. Good times. Can anyone make my kids SLEEP in their own beds again? Ug. So irritating. They have HUGE bean bags which luckily they sleep on. They were so good to sleep in their rooms though. Don't know what to do. Anyway, SO not the point of this post.

School started again. I am once again swimming in craziness, and fear I have once again bitten off more than I can chew. Today I signed up for a three day class in May with our school to go to L.A. I am freaking out a bit about all the travel I will be doing this year. I don't handle flying so well, and well, right now I have three trips which require it. Hoping that I can get over that and just have fun! I am sure it will all be worth it and so utterly exciting. I'll tell you more as they approach.

Anyway, I don't handle stress the best, so I am trying to slow down and "let go" of some things, and hold tight to others. I definitely want to spend more time with my kiddos. They are at the top of the list. I am trying to schedule my sessions this year on certain days of the week, so once I get all of that worked out, I will be excited to launch that, and the site. I just realize as much as I love photography, I need to keep my family my top priority. These years go by so fast I just don't want to miss anything they have to offer. School is a big enough struggle without feeling like I am neglecting my family for my work. Anyway, I hope no one takes this as I am complaining about my photography. I am thankful for the blessing Heavenly Father has given us for me to accomplish this. I see him blessing us in new ways so I need to devote my time and passion to my family again. I am excited for the new year though, for meeting new people and all the fabulous photos I will get to take.

Just an update so you don't have to come to the same old post again. Loves.

Ready, Set? GO!

As of today, we are OFFICIALLY waiting for our first foster care placement through the state. We had our final interview, and turned in the final clump of the mountain of paperwork to the worker and we are finished and waiting.

What does this mean? Well, it means we are still hoping to adopt, that isn't changing. What it means is that we will be helping little children who are displaced from their parents for various reasons. Whether it be neglect, abuse, parents on drugs, failure to thrive, etc. While we are considered foster parents there is the likelihood, with each case that a child that comes into our home may stay indefinitely. Chances are, probably not. The State of Utah has a really high rate of reunification, and the goal of the foster care system is not adoption, but instead to help parents get on the right track to keep their children. This is not to say that we may never be able to adopt with the state, the chances vary so much.

So, I ask you, each of you out there to just remember us in your prayers, once, maybe tonight that the right child(ren) will come into our home, and that hopefully we will not have to have our hearts crushed too much if our sweet baby/child is to come to our home through foster care. Either way, I am excited, eager, and undoubtedly ready for this quest and can't wait to add another brother or sister into that little line up, up there!

Hoping to Adopt (Again) Part 3

Meet Tim, Cassie & Alyssa

If I could use one word to describe Tim and Cassie...H I L A R I O U S !

I met them about, oh what? THREE years ago? Seriously? It seems like I have known them forever. We met this fabulous couple during our adoption education classes when we were first beginning our adoption journey. I think we sat by them, like the entire time? Even then I had this overwhelming LIKE of this couple. A couple of months later I was asked to serve on our local Families Supporting Adoption board, and luckily so were Tim and Cassie. I was so excited to finally get to know them better and to work with them. I fell IN LOVE with them.

I remember when they were announced to (told that Alyssa would be joining their family). We were all gathered for a new education class, and their worker pulled them aside. I was like...."Here they go!" I remember sitting breathlessly waiting until they came out of that office. When I saw their faces and the tears, I lost it. And I lost it the other day when Cassie retold it.

My heart has ached this past year for this couple. Who is so deserving, and so wonderful, and yet given so much trial...I want them to have another child so badly!

Tim and Cassie are specifically looking for a child through a Designated Adoption. Meaning they need to find their. own. birth. mother. This is not an easy task. More than likely their adoption will be private. So, their situation is a bit different, so if any of you out there may know of a birth mom who fits this category, let's hook them up!

Good luck on your journey to #2 Tim and Cass!

Hoping to Adopt Part 2

Meet Ron and Jessica.

I had THE wonderful opportunity to meet Ron and Jessica a little over a year ago. I met them through our chapter of Families Supporting Adoption, right as they were finishing up their paperwork (right? I am right? Right?!) What can I say about them? They are funny, witty, honest, and most of all? They love eachother. It has been so fun getting to know them better, and so hard to not see them as parents. Go. Read. About. Them. If you know of a birth mother for them...please contact me, them, us...

If anything, they blog...HE blogs. And that is totally cool.

Birthday.

When I think of the starting of a new year I always think of my birthday. I feel I was a lucky one. (I didn't always feel this way.) Lucky that each new year I get to start fresh with a new year of my life as well. (It sucks having your birthday two weeks and one day after Christmas, and my birthdays haven't always been what I would call memorable...especially a few that stand out in my mind I would like to forget...) As I grow older I appreciate this chance I am given to start some things over in myself, on my special day, and work toward that person who I want to be. One of the things I hope to do this year is learn to "let go". A few of my blog friends have chosen words this year. As I think over what my words might be..."let go" keeps coming to my mind. I need to let go of so many things I have been holding onto, and just BE.

I need to LET GO of MY:

insecurities

incessant NEED to be PERFECT

less than ideal body image

low self-esteem

bad eating/spending habits

excuses

past

need for approval

need of things

impatience

etc...

That list could go on and on and on, and it does, but some things remain in my heart and unsaid. But there is a change about me. I see it in the last two months of my life. My heart is growing, I feel the hand of the Lord leading me, and helping me onto this new path. It isn't always easy to love ME. I find it most difficult to forgive myself. I am looking forward to letting go of so many things in my life, and holding tight to so many missed opportunities because of these other things which have been clouding my eyes.

Looking forward to the wisdom that comes with each passing year. Hoping to find some extra this time around.

Hoping to Adopt Part 1

Meet Andrew and Sarah.

In my first installment of Hoping to Adopt, I would like to introduce you to Andrew and Sarah. I met them through the lovely Mrs. R. While I hardly know them, I feel impressed to share a little of what I do know about them. They are desperately wanting a child, and they have one of THE best "how did you meet" stories EVER. I had the opportunity to meet them In. Real. Life. a few weeks ago when Mrs. R and Mr. R. were sealed to Mr. T. I can only say the best about Andrew and Sarah. There is a spirit that radiates from them. There is a sweet sense of love that shines through them. After meeting them only once and speaking with them for only a short time, my heart aches for them to become parents.

I just ask that if ANY of you out there may know of a birth mother who would be a good match for them, please don't be afraid to SHARE what you feel in your heart.