Kounting Down The Days: Living the Life You Imagine

I am so excited that Ashley Mitchell is coming down for our AZ BirthMother Group! I can't wait to meet her in person. April 27th is definitely marked off on my calendar. Is two hours really going to be long enough though? Not quite sure that we can cram this exciting evening into 2 little hours.

I just wanted to post this on my blog to remind me, and also inform others who may not have heard of it yet. I truly am counting down the days for this awesome night.

Keepin' My Head Held High

The other day I received my Big Tough Girl Shirt in the mail. For those who don't know anything about this... Big Tough Girls are a group of Birthmothers (women who have placed a baby or babies for adoption). You can find out more about us on the Blessings in a Basket Blog http://www.blessings-inabasket.blogspot.com/ . I love advocating for such a wonderful and noble cause. My heart is so invested in adoption, and I love when I get the chance to speak to others about my amazing experiences with it. I am also excited that I received my shirt in time to go speak this month with Dara at a school for girls that have either chosen to single parent, or are pregnant.

My shirt came with this letter:

Dear Big Tough Girl,

I am so proud of you that you have come this far. Your journey is far from over but it can only get better from here. Only you can hold you back, only you can determine which direction your life goes from here. Don't waste your incredible experience. Don't let your pain and guilt get the best of you... you are a big tough girl and you have been given a second chance at your life. Keep the faith the sky is the limit and never forget the incredible gift that you sacrificed for the unconditional love of a child.

Thank you for letting me be a part of your incredible journey. Please remember that i love you and will always be here for you, no matter where your path takes you.

Blessings in a basket

Here Chelsey and I are soaring high with our shirts!!! It always amazes me what a simple shirt, or some kind encouraging words can do for you. Thanks so much BIB for all that you do, and also for giving us another reason to feel proud and keep our head held high.

Kan't Top This Day!!!

THIS BEATS ALL!

Today was a fairytale...

This beautiful Thursday truly was a Fairytale! Kade and I spent the morning over at my good friend Tawna's. Kade got to play with his friend Cheyenne (who is only 6 weeks older) and Kingston. When Tawna brought us back over to my sister Merri's house we realized that Kade had forgotten his shoes back at her place (Just like in Cinderella LOL). Tawna had to get to class so she said she would drop them by when she was done. I was really excited because then she was going to get to meet some of my very favorite people.

Tawna arrived and got to meet Dara, Azlyn, and Liam all for the very first time (and return Kade's shoes;) ). Dara was sweet enough to make a trip from Tucson up to Gilbert with her kiddos to spend the day with me. I love getting to share them with my closest friends who have been supportive to me throughout all of my ups and downs. It is rare to have such supportive and non-judgemental friends going through something as controversial as adoption TWICE!

You were the Prince... Liam Truly is a little Prince!

Today was a Fairytale. Time slows down whenever you're around... It's kinda hard to explain. Whenever they are around the time flies by so quickly, however everything else in the world seems to stand still. They bring such peace whenever they are here, and nothing else in the world can touch me.

Can you feel this magic in the air... Dara and I share a mutual love for these beautiful children. (Kade 3 1/2, Liam 4 weeks, Azlyn 22 months)

Today was a fairytale You've got a smile that takes me to another planet... Azlyn's beautiful smile brightens everyones day that comes into contact with her.

Azlyn loves being a big sister to baby Liam.
Kade and Azlyn play so well together. Kade loves being a big brother too.
Today was a Fairytale All that I can say is now it's getting so much clearer.

Look at them playing connect four together. This day truly KAN'T be topped.

Kade is such a proud BIG brother to little Liam. He loves feeding him, rubbing his head, and giving him love.

Nothing made sense until the time I saw your face. Today was a Fairytale. You never know the true meaning of love until you meet your beautiful babie(s). Seeing their face and looking into their eyes changes you forever. Everyday I spend with my beautiful son Kade I grow to love him more, and every visit I share with Azlyn and Liam and there parent's I am reminded of why I made the difficult yet right choice to place them with a loving eternal family. I love my three beautiful Angels.

Time slows down whenever you're around... In 4 weeks Liam has changed so much. He is so much more alert! I guess you notice more change when you are not with someone everyday.

Azlyn climbed up on Ryan's top bunk and had a blast playing with his fan.

I can feel my heart it's beating in my chest... I am in heaven holding this little angel, my heart is filled with joy knowing that I will forever be a part of his and Azlyn's life.

Liam is so relaxed. He must know he is safe and loved!

Two beautiful boys. They resemble each other so much.

My how time flies. It was already past 6 p.m. Time for Dara and the kids to head back to Tucson after a most amazing visit, and time for me to go to my Birth Mother group. Thanks Dara for making today so wonderful. I love you.

After our Birth Mother group we all went to Filiberto's for fun and food. I love you girls, and was so glad to get to meet our two new girls.

left to right: Chelsey, Katie, Trisha, Kaitlin, and Breauna.

Today was a Fairytale!

Kuoting Merri: It's About Love: An Adoption Story

Monday, October 25, 2010
It's About Love: An Adoption Story

My beautiful sister, Katie, after becoming pregnant, made the decision to place her baby boy for adoption. She chose a wonderful family, whom we know really well-they also adopted their daughter, Azlyn, from Katie, just 21 months ago.

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It was a party in the delivery room! Katie had quite the support team-myself, Dara-the adoptive Mom, our Mom, our sister Natalie, our sister Tiffany-via skype from Colorado, and good friend-Tamy. There was a lot of LOVE in that delivery room!

Katie is one tough Mama! She handled labor great! Here she is getting her epidural with Dr. Putnam.
Thumbs up = Good stuff!!

Baby Liam's heart rate looked great all through labor!

Two hot mama's! Dara & Katie can't wait to meet Lil' Liam!
When Katie got tired of wearing her pulse oximeter on her finger, Dara gladly did!

Dr. Alperin made Dara an offer she couldn't refuse! She got to deliver her own baby!

It was an incredibly spiritual experience witnessing the birth of this precious baby boy....and I've been present at A LOT of births. There was a calmness that came over all of us-especially Katie. We all watched in awe and silence as he made his way into the world....
And here he is....Welcome to the world Liam James!
Born: October 19, 2010 at 2:47am
6 lbs 14 oz, 19" long

The love of two mothers....

Baby Liam & Katie visiting with Tiffany in Colorado....

We're so glad he's here!

Dara & Liam....Doesn't she look proud?!

All 6 pounds 14 ounces of him....

Finally, room to stretch....

Katie's after delivery treat....McDonald's french fries and a Code Red Mountain Dew!

After a LONG drive down from Utah, Jim finally arrived. Here he is meeting Liam for the first time....

First family picture.....Jim, Dara, Azlyn, & Liam.

Look at that smile! Who cares if it's gas....he's happy!
Katie & Baby Liam had lots of visitors!
Here's big brother, Kade....
Ryan was so sweet with him....

Rylee LOVED him!

Our family talking to Liam....We love him so much!

Pop & Grandma....

I got to spend the night with Katie & Liam in postpartum. That was a special night! Lots of junk food and baby cuddling!

Kade loved to hold Liam....He was so gentle!

Natalie & Justin....Don't they look good with a baby?! (Hint, hint)

This is one of my favorite pics....

What a precious baby he is....

Here's Big Sis Azlyn getting acquainted with Lil' Liam....

Dara's parents got Kade a "Big Brother" shirt. He was so proud to wear it and match Liam....

Azlyn, Kade, & Liam....Aren't they darling?!
Katie & Dara....and their precious babies....

Heading home together....
After Katie & Liam were discharged home, everyone got take-out and came over for lunch.

A proud Mommy & Daddy....

We spent a fun afternoon together, visiting, holding, laughing....

Kade loved to help....

That evening we all went to the LDS Family Services Birthmom Support Group. Katie was proud to introduce Baby Liam and his new family to her friends....

Oh yum! Mom & Dad sent Katie and I this beautiful "Edible Arrangement". It was SO good!
Placement Day:
It was a beautiful day. Our friends and family gathered to support Katie as she signed the documents to officially "place" Liam with his new family. The Spirit was so strong as we took turns holding Liam and expressing our love for him. We were each given an opportunity to share our testimony and our thoughts. There wasn't a dry eye to be found!
Here is our Angel Katie.... Words can't even begin to express how amazed and impressed I am by her and her selfless actions. She loves this sweet baby so much, that she's able to give him a family with a Mom, a Dad, and a big sister who all love him too.

We love you Katie! You are so strong!

Our Mom and Katie...

What love!
I love this picture....

In the words of Michael McLean: "From God's arms, to my (Katie's) arms, to yours (Dara's)....
This baby is so lucky that he has two mother's who both love him so much!

After the official "placement", we had a sleepover....

Now how many birth/adoptive moms are comfortable enough to do that?! I am so glad that Katie & Dara are!!

Aunt Natalie holding Rylee who's holding Liam....

Sweet baby boy! And now he's going to be famous! Just today, he was chosen by a very talented photographer to be Baby Jesus in her new art collection. So exciting!

Liam, we love you so much! And we can't wait to watch you grow, and learn, and be all that our Heavenly Father wants you to be!

This adoption story: It's ALL about love....