Our Big Day

As promised, here are pictures of our big day yesterday! We met in Lima at the Golden Corral (yummy)!!

Jon and Aliya waiting in the car for everyone to arrive!


Opening her gift from Jocelyn and Gladys


D got her the most adorable doll, first things first, it needed it's diaper changed!


Showing Gladys her new baby


Aliya and her half brother, can't tell they're related can you!!!


D was smiling while Aliya kept tapping him saying, "boy" it was really funny


Aliya and her tummy mommy, Miss Jocelyn


Saying our good byes


Once last group shot (I should have asked someone to take it so Jon could have jumped in, oh well, there's always next time!


We had the most amazing time. I was like we've known Jocelyn for years! We didn't talk about meeting up again, but I'm sure we will see them again! I would love to take Jocelyn out for a soda/coffee some time, just the two of us to talk and really get to know each other. We are only 2 years apart in age...and I think we could be good friends.

We had so many people praying for us yesterday and we could feel God's presents at our table. It was the most relaxed dinner (until Aliya decided it was time to go) and I didn't want the night to end. We owe this woman so much for giving her daughter life and giving us her... What courage and strength...what love.

Meeting our Birthmom...

Well, today was a big day at our house! We started this morning off with a trip to the mall to get Aliya's 2 year pictures taken, but as we turned into the parking lot we hear a sound coming from the back seat, followed by a smell that is unmistakable. You guessed it, puke. All over. It was nasty. Aliya had been eating a piece of string cheese and must have bitten off more than she could chew because up it came! Needless to say we didn't take her in for her photo shoot, but we did reschedule for tomorrow at 3:40p.

Once home and cleaned up she relaxed with daddy as I headed out to the post office and to Target. I was floored that the post office was closed today, who knew?! But at least my Target trip was successful! You see, we were meeting Aliya's birthmom and brother at 4pm and we couldn't show up empty handed!!

So, at 2:30p we loaded up Jon's car (still airing out the van from this morning YUCK) and headed up the highway. I couldn't believe how calm I was. One year ago today we traveled to Lima to meeting Grandma Gladys and I thought I was going to pee my pants the entire trip, but for some reason today was different. No fear, just a bit of excitement. I had asked a few people to pray for us at 4pm today and their prayers must have worked because I had no fear walking into Golden Corral.

We were greet by Jocelyn, her son "D" and Grandma Gladys. Gladys looked different (she later shared with us that she's been diagnosed with cancer...please keep her in your prayers). D was as handsome as they come and couldn't stop staring at Aliya. Jocelyn gave us each a hug and we exchanged the normal "it's great to finally meet you" moment. Once seated Jocelyn beamed from ear to ear, you could just see the joy in her eyes to be together. We ate, laughed, exchanged Christmas stories and exchanged gifts. D picked out a new baby for Aliya (it's way cute) and from Gladys and Jocelyn, a new running suit to grow into, it's a beautiful coral color, it looks amazing against Aliya's skin! We gave D some robot/transformer/Lego thing, Jocelyn a picture frame, photo album and journal and Gladys a candle set and a bamboo defuser (is that what they are called?). They all seemed to enjoy their gifts! It felt good to give them each something.

There was no fear, no uncomfortableness, it was great. It was like we were eating dinner with old friends. Jocelyn shared with me how thankful she is that we send her pictures and we wanted to meet her, knowing we don't have to do anything for her (her words). We made small talk about work, but once we were alone at the table, she shared how nervous she'd been today. She said she was just afraid of the unknown, but so excited at the same time. It was a really cool "real" moment, she didn't hold back she was just herself, it was great! When we hugged good bye, our hug lasted a bit longer than the others and she said that we made her Christmas! We took a few pictures and then headed our separate ways!

I have a few pictures to post tomorrow!!!

Merry Christmas

Twas The Night Before Christmas...

And all through our house, Aliya is sleeping and quiet as a mouse.
Joel's playing wii and Jon's trying to help, in hopes the next level soon will appear.
The presents are wrapped and under the tree, will Santa fill the kid's stockings like he promised this year?
We've been to see family and then on to church, Aliya didn't sit still, but she could have been worse.
The countdown has started, it's almost time for bed, thanking God for our blessings and all that's ahead.


Okay, really stupid I know!!!

Merry Christmas everyone!!!!

2 Year Well Check

Today Aliya and I went to see Dr. Nina (who told us today she is leaving the practice at the end of the month...sad face) for Aliya's 2 year old well check. Aliya was BEYOND excited to see Nina this morning, as we have been talking about it all last week and even reading a social story book on going to the doctor at night (her "Nina book" as she calls it). We arrived about 10 minutes last, as I couldn't remember what time her appointment was exactly. Aliya marched right in and made herself at home, announcing her presence to the entire nursing staff. After about 8 minutes of waiting it was our turn. She proudly marched back to room 5 where we were greeted by the digital scale (first time for this one). It was much easier and faster to get her weight: 26 lbs. 26 pounds is actually a few pounds less than I was guessing. Anyway, then it was on to the next room to strip down to her diaper and socks. Normally Aliya would be thrilled to take her clothes off, but not this morning. She clung to me for dear life. We had to tag team her down to get her measured, 35". Just as I thought things couldn't get any worse out came the stethoscope, heaven help us! She was squeezing my neck at this point while standing on my lap (I was sitting on the exam table with her) screaming, "ouuuuch mama ouuuuch" that ended quickly and the nurse was done. Before excusing herself from the room she said that Nina would be in shortly. Aliya grabbed her shirt and with a huge smile exclaimed, "DONE". Within a few minutes Nina entered and Aliya screamed again, only this time is was a happy scream, "NINA"!!!! It was like Santa had entered the room, Aliya immediately calmed down and helped Nina hold the light to check her ears, nose and mouth. Aliya has met her 2 year milestones and passed her exam with flying colors! We chit chatted a few minutes while I got Aliya dressed and headed down the hall to check out. Aliya waved and said bye to everyone she passed. Then just as we were almost out the door she stopped dead in her tracks and said, "mama sticker". I had completely forgotten I had promised her a sticker for being good, thankfully our little ladybug has a memory like an elephant! So a few more good byes and one doggy sticker later we were out the door!

We will be sad to see Nina leave, as Aliya obviously loves her!

"I'm 2 Today!!"

Here are a few things I'm up to these days:

*I wear size 2T clothes and size 6 shoes
*I'm still in a 4 diaper, but a 5 overnight diaper
*I think I am hilarious, most others do too
*I am very concerned when people cry
*I am really into giving hugs and kisses right now
*My favorite foods are still pizza and noodles
*Be careful what you say in front of me, I repeat EVERYTHING you say!
*I like making lists of my family and friends, "mommy, daddy, Joel, Madeline, Emmy..."
*I LOVE to sleep on my pillow in my bed
*Flushing the toilet is way more fun than actually sitting on it!
*I will sit for about an hour for mommy to do my hair at night
*I LOVE to color, with anything, on anything!
*I still love to go bye bye whenever I can!!
*Shopping is still a favorite for me!
*I ask "why" about everything
*My night night is still important to me
*I like to get naked and surprise mommy in the shower!
*I think pants should be optional when at home
*My new phrase is, "mommy, where are you?"
*I love to "talk" on the phone, but when someone is actually on the other line I get shy
*Still not a fan of strangers (or people I know well for that matter)
*My mom thinks I should stay in my class at church on my own, I'm still not too sure about this plan, but I'll be moving up to the 2 year old class soon, so I better get used to it!
*I had my party yesterday and LOVED seeing my friends and family!
*Back off kids, those presents are MINE

Thoughts and Feelings

Here is what is in my head right now regarding my grandma's death

* I'm too young to loose a grandma
* My kids are too young to not have their GG just down the road
* I can't breathe
* Can my grandpa breathe right now? If so, how is he doing it?
* What is going through my dad's head right now, his mom is gone, I can't imagine
* Is she bossy in heaven? (chuckle)
* Will Aliya remember her?
* I miss her so much already
* Who will fix grandpa's lunch for him now?
* Why did no one from their church come to the hospital?
* When do the tears stop?
* Was she in pain?
* Could she hear us say good bye?
* Is there macaroni and cheese in heaven?
* She had an amazing gift
* I was supposed to go to her house on Saturday morning, I called and canceled Friday night...I had one last chance to see her and I didn't
* No one knew it was coming
* My family is amazing
* My God is amazing
* "I will rise when He calls my name, no more sorrow, no more pain. I will rise on Eagle's wings, before my God fall on my knees and rise...I will rise"
* cold veggies with Italian dressing
* her spaghetti and meatballs
* Will grandpa stay at their house? Will he move?
* They were planing their 60th anniversary party...who will call everyone and tell them what happened?
* Are my uncles okay?
* Are my little brother and sister okay?
* She loved my kids so much, do they know that?
* How do you explain to a 2 year old that her GG is with Jesus w/o crying?
* I miss you grandma, I miss you so much...