Captured Moments

400+ photos taken
3 different days
1 cute boy
Attempting to capture the perfect Christmas picture.
Oy vey!

Christmas Eve

We chose to celebrate our little family's Christmas on Christmas Eve this year; since we would soon be leaving to celebrate Christmas in Nevada with family. What a blessed and special time we had as a family of three!

We began our morning wishing Grandma, a Merry Christmas. We're sorry we missed Grandpa since he was teaching. We miss you both, especially during this season. But, we are thankful for Skype that allows us to keep in touch almost every week to one another.
After talking with Grandma, we went out to see our semi-white Christmas. Titus again, was less than impressed with the snow.
Daddy then read the Christmas story from Luke chapter 2, while Mannheim Steamroller's Silent Night played in the background. If you've never heard this version you have to listen to it. You can almost hear a narrator reading Luke 2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTSkS0Abas4&feature=related

Our Little Stair Master

Merry Christmas

Baking Christmas sugar cookies with my little one is something I've dreamed of for many Christmases. Finally, the year had arrived! Since, I wanted Titus to enjoy at least a small bite of one Christmas cookie I decided to put aside my tried and true, trusty, never failed sugar cookie recipe and try a healthy version. Gluten-free, dairy-free, and very little sugar.

Now the title, SUGAR cookie should have been an indicator for me. These aren't supposed to be healthy. Nevertheless, I attempted to make a healthy sugar cookie. Titus and I mixed everything together and the dough was delicious. Titus' eyes lit up with the first bite. He helped me cut each cookie and we laid it on the backing sheet. After 10 minutes of baking. This is what my bells came out looking like-big huge blobs. And the second batch wasn't any better.We continued to bake cookies and each set kept looking like the first. For whatever reason the cookies refused to hold their shape, even after being chilled for several hours. I guess, the important thing is that they taste good, right? However, what am I going to do with 30 big blobs that aren't even all circles? I started perusing the internet for creative Christmas ideas and finally came up with a plan.

Melting Snowman Cookies

I changed a few things from the original idea. However, I think the end result was that the semi-healthy sugar cookies were saved, they're tasty, and cute!

Who's more excited about Christmas cookies, Daddy or Titus? :)

A chat with the cat

Titus and Aly always know where the other one is located. And, it's not because they are best of friends. Titus would love for the former to be true. However, Aly well, she's a cat and would rather not be bothered by a small, unpredictable, loud little boy. Her methodology is to lay low and always have an escape route. The other day, she did not plan well. Also, she knows the rules; she is not be on the furniture. So, I think the treatment that she endured was punishment enough. :)

Big Boy!

For a month or two, we have been trying to teach Titus how to pick up his puffs and feed himself. We knew he could feed himself. But, for whatever reason Titus had a serious aversion to touching his food. He would scream and throw a huge temper tantrum every time. So, I gave up and decided it shouldn't be that stressful and we would try again after Christmas. However, at each snack time I would always leave a few puffs on his tray, just in case. ;) Lo and behold, I turned around to make a cup of tea this morning and the puffs were missing. Hmmm... I popped one in his mouth, scattered a few on his tray, grabbed my camera and waited a few seconds. He looked at me and popped a puff in his mouth, like a pro. And, he continued to feed himself the rest of his snack. So proud of him!!!

10 years and counting...

Take my hand.Take my whole life too.

For I can't help falling in love with you!

My beloved is mine

and I am his.

Song of Solomon 2:16

First Snow Day

All bundled up and ready for some fun in the snow.

Showing off all his teeth.

Less than impressed!

Definitely not a snow baby!

Busy Boy

Our little boy has become a toddler overnight. He's crawling EVERYWHERE and pulling up on EVERYTHING! He wants to walk so bad and keeps trying again and again. Slow down, Titus...slow down. My days are spent training him, keeping a very close eye on him and watching him do just what he should be doing-learning, growing, and discovering. Such a fun age, and definitely never a dull moment!

This was just one morning of our boy's busy day.

Sitting on the box is much more fun than
playing with all the toys already on the floor!

I left Titus playing on the floor in the living room and went to the kitchen to get a few things done. All of a sudden it was really quiet. No Titus. The gate going down the stairs was shut and locked, he wasn't in the bathroom, he wasn't under the dinning room table, he wasn't under the Christmas tree, or behind the chairs. Where could he be?

In a box quietly playing with Thomas, or course.

One more fun adventure-Dada's computer desk with all the cords and wires underneath a BIG NO, NO!

What?!?
As innocent as a baby goat. HA!

Notes from Novemeber

November was a crazy month and I purposely didn't blog much. However, we are alive and well!

We took our first fall family get-away to Branson over Veteran's Day. We started our fun by attending the annual Veteran's Day parade in downtown Branson. It was fun to see Titus hold his little American flag and wave it excitedly.

Our proud little American

The best float of the parade

Since Christmas is one of the best times to visit Silver Dollar City, we just had to get there for their Christmas season! I grew up spending many seasons at The City, and have many wonderful family memories. It was fun to reminisce and share this magical place with Titus. Titus could ride a few rides and enjoyed them immensely.

Daddy was a little green after this jumpy ride

One of my favorite things about SDC, is that they place the real meaning of Christmas, Jesus, all over the park. They are not ashamed to share the Gospel message.




Titus also heard the Christmas Story for the first time on the train ride. "Grandpa" is a great story teller!


The next big highlight of November was of course, Thanksgiving. We drove to Kevin's oldest brother's house and spent a fun filled weekend with aunts, uncles, and cousins galore. Never a dull moment! Thanks C&J for hosting Thanksgiving for us all, once again!

Slicing the beautiful bird-yummy!

First taste of meat ever

What a delight that Titus' 9 month birthday and Thanksgiving fell on the same day this year! We could not be more grateful and thankful to God for our precious child. We spent Thanksgiving week relishing our newest blessing. This time last year, we had NO IDEA what the Lord had in store for our family. It was definitely more than we could of imagined! We are so thankful and grateful to God for all of His blessings, but this year we are especially grateful for our Titus.

Our prayer for Titus this Thanksgiving is that he learns to live a life of gratefulness. And, that he will live to see the goodness and blessings of God in his life everyday. May everyday be a day of Thanksgiving.

More than ever before our little family spent the month of November finding reasons to be thankful. We have learned a lot this year. We have been in some tight spots. We have experienced new things. We have been the beneficiaries of the Lord's grace and mercy and provision. We are thankful!

Going Private, December 1st

After much thought and consideration, we have decided to make our blog private. Also, out of respect for our family’s decision please do NOT post pictures of our family on your blog, Facebook, or any other website without our permission. We are so appreciative of everyone who has encouraged us and prayed for us in our journey to Titus, and we look forward to continuing to share our lives with you. In order to continue reading our blog, please leave us a comment (under this post ONLY) and include your email address if you would like an invitation to continue reading. Or for your privacy, you may send us an email so you can be added to the list of readers.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding!

National Adoption Awareness Month

It's wonderful to me that National Adoption Awareness Month also falls in the same month as Thanksgiving! I have much to be thankful for, and this year I'm especially thankful for my son, who made me a mama through the miracle of adoption.

I remember so clearly the night I knew in my heart that adoption was our path to parenthood. We were in the midst of painful infertility treatments, but there was no peace in it. Something was missing. While, Kevin and I had always been open to adoption, there always seemed to be a million hurdles in the way, or rather excuses for why it wasn't the perfect time in our lives. I remember the night we finally allowed all the excuses dissipate, and like a ton of bricks falling on me, God's grace fell on my heart. I sat and sobbed quietly in the dark, knowing that I had found relief from the pain that had been gnawing at my soul. Our biological hopes and dreams might be put on hold, but not the dream for a family.

Adoption is a miracle of God's grace. It is the chance to bring family to a child who needs family, love to someone who is hurting, and permanence to a life that needs stability. It is not stealing or buying or doing a humanitarian act. It simply is love. Adoption was not a cop out for us. It was not a last resort. It was not Plan B. It was God's plan. In fact, I'd do it all again a thousand times over, struggle with the pain and anger, the hurt and wondering because I KNOW that Titus was meant to be our son.

When we allow God to become part of our lives, when we get to the place where we accept that we need to change our lives to mirror Jesus, then we become adopted into God's family. Adoption into God's family is not about what we can do or what we've done, it's about WHO God is, and WHAT HE has done. He gave everything up just for you and me. He opens his arms wide to accept us for who we are, flaws and all.

Adoption is not a second rate way to become a family. It is a first rate way of experiencing true grace and love.

Thank you, Father for allowing us to see a glimpse of your heart through this beautiful miracle. We are blessed beyond measure!