Heading to Iowa...

We are heading to Iowa today, for Chris' grandmothers 80th Birthday Party!! Should be fun visiting with family and friends. I will add lots of photos ;) Have a great couple of weeks, we sure will!!

Stopped raining...

Today it wasn't raining so I thought I would get my bike out and head to the park. Funny story...Chris bought me this $500 bike before we were even married(10 years ago) and I can count on one hand how many times I have ridden this bike. I don't know why I haven't ever ridden it...maybe because when we moved to Texas 5 years ago Chris sold his, so I didn't have a riding partner ;) Sounds good to me...although I'm sure Chris would beg to differ.

Anyway I bought a used childseat for the back of my bike and attached it today so Tessa could just sit back and relax while I took us to the park. Well we were down the road and she was having a great time but when I came to a stop she screamed "Mom, this is re-duc-ulous" She says that so funny that I couldn't help but start laughing and she was really mad at me. I asked her what was wrong and she said "It's re-duc-ulous that there are so many bumps in the road"

She was very upset that it wasn't a smooth ride...oh I tell ya some of the things that come out of her mouth...!! I really don't know where she comes up with this stuff.

Friday we headed out to the Capital EX festival here in Edmonton. We were told this was the biggest festival in Alberta. It was pretty cool. Here are some photos...



Hope everyone had a great weekend!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!

Today is my mom's birthday!! This is also a really awesome day as today 4 years ago, was the day we found out that we were going to be adopting Tessa!! Mom have a wonderful day and I will see you in a week

The Zoo and a little dance video

This weekend was pretty busy.... Friday Chris Golfed allday... Saturday we woke up had some breakfast and headed to the zoo only to find out the zoo is very small. It took us a total of about 1 hour to walk thru the whole thing, but it was enough for a 3 yr old!! Here are a few photos:

























Then on Sunday, we woke up and did our normal routine...Starbucks for our coffee and Tessa's pumpkin bread. Then off to church. We checked out a church that we really think is going to be a great chuch. Unfortunatly they are going thru some changes with loosing their pastor after 14 years. But things seemed great and everyone was very nice. After that we headed home to work on unpacking MORE boxes, I don't think it's ever going to end. And I caught this video of Tessa. She stands on our coffee table where she can see herself in a mirror and sings. At this particualar moment she is intermixing 2 songs...Santa Claus is coming to town and some song from Snow White. I will let the video speak for itself

Celebrating Forever Families

As most of you know Adoption is very close to our hearts. Tessa has been the greatest blessing to Chris and I. I get so many questions from people about the adoption I just thought I would share our thoughts with you...

1. Do you talk to Tessa about it?
Defiantly YES. We have purchased several children's books that we read quite often. I understand some of the folks out there that think it should be a private thing, but I don't want to hit that point in Tessa's life where she starts asking me questions about her grandparents and why she doesn't look like us(I know she looks identical to me now, but that could change;)). I don't want her history to be a lie. Chris and I were really concerned about this at one point but after talking to our social worker he said it is best for everyone to not keep it as a secret. She is only 3.5 but she understands that she didn't grow in my belly.

2. Will you allow her to see her biological mother and father?
ABSOLUTELY. She is more than welcome to visit with them. They are apart of her life, after all they are the ones who gave us the greatest gift anyone could ever give. We thank them everyday.

3. Do you feel like she is your child since you were not the one who gave birth?
Yes, I actually get this question... 150% feel like she is our child. Only a adopted mother or father can understand. From the time we saw Tessa in the birthing room we have bonded the same way a bio mother/father and child does. It's a awesome feeling knowing you were able to give this child a home, love, and support.

Those are the main questions Chris and I get anytime someone finds out that we have an adopted child. I was browsing the books store and I of course always look at the parenting books. Not that any parenting book can tell me how to raise my child, or tell me what to do when she is throwing a tantrum in the middle of the grocery store because I won't buy her that sugar filled cereal! I found the new book "Chicken Soup for the Adopted Soul." I read a few stories standing there and had to stop if I actually can get thru this book without crying it will be a miracle. It's a very cute book and I'm looking forward to reading it! It's filled with inspirational stories about all aspects of adoption. Includes stories from birth parents, adopted people, and adoptive parents. You should pick it up!!


I also just finished another book that may peek your intrest...
"Another Place at the Table" by Kathy Harrison. GREAT BOOK if you have ever thought about doing foster care, this book will make you want to start tomorrow. It's about a family who has almost a hundred children thru her home.