Adoption Ramblings

November is National Adoption Awareness Month. 

I love adoption.

Yesterday Jonathan and I went to the Southwest Region Adoption Conference. 

It was amazing.

I had a feeling we should go when I saw the class line-up. And miracle of miracles, Jonathan had the day off. My sweet mother-in-law babysat the girls so we could go. It was such a blessing to be there with my husband and know that the kids were having so much fun with their Grandma at home. 

Now, let me just say, that we are not in the adoption process right now. If I am still not pregnant when Jonathan is done with residency, we may start again. It's just that we never got to go to something like this conference when we were going through the process with Sami. And people told us it was awesome. It did not disappoint.

We took classes on raising a blended family (meaning adopted kids and biological kids), how to talk to your kids about the birds and the bees, how to help an adopted child develop a sense of identity, and classes about adopting trans-racially. It was so informative and I thought a lot about Sami, our experience, and her birth family.  

I also learned that foster parents are my ultimate heros. That our birthmom is really, really amazing. And that we were really blessed with our birth family and our experience. Things that I often taken for granted should not be taken for granted.

We came home and the girls were so excited to see us and that always makes my heart happy. That night for book time, Sami brought me the "How I Was Adopted Book," which I thought was interesting. So we read the story and talked about her adoption. I am pretty sure that Janie thinks she is adopted too. Sami's birth family are so thoughtful, they always remember Janie too. So I am sure they will claim her too until she comes to terms with the fact that she was, in fact, not adopted. Because adoption is pretty cool in our house. 

HaLLoWeEn WeEkeNd

On Saturday we went to the ward trunk-or-treat. We were so glad that Jonathan got to leave the hospital in time to take a quick nap and join us. The girls decided to change up their costumes from the preschool party. Sami went as Belle and Janie went as Barbie Princess Annalise. My mom sent the Barbie costume and it arrived in the mail two hours before the party. Janie just knew it was her costume! It was love at first sight.

And I got my witches hat and plume for a quarter at a yard sale on Saturday morning. The girls loved that I dressed up and was a witch. I felt kind of goofy, but it was fun.

My favorite part of the weekend was the primary program. It was our first primary program! Sami was so, so cute. There are nine sunbeams in her class and their part of the program was to sing "Jesus Wants Me For a Sunbeam." When it was time to sing, Sami went right to the front of the microphone and sang her heart out. Now, if I was totally honest, I would say that she kind of hogged the microphone. But since she is three, and so cute, and I'm her mother, I thought it was adorable! Jonathan had requested Sunday off so he could see her sing, and I must say we were such proud parents. Grandma Trish and Aunt Tami also came to see Sami sing, which was an extra special treat for Sami. I wish I could have videotaped it. As soon as Sami sat down, Janie started making her way out of the pew, determined to be with Sami. She kept saying "I want Sami." Next year is going to be just as fun with both of them up there. I can't wait.  

I wouldn't change it...

This past Tuesday night, Jonathan and I went to dinner to with his team of doctors that he is working with this rotation. Five female doctors, Jonathan, and I were at a Thai restaurant in downtown Scottsdale. I was a little intimated at first. I was the only woman at the table who wasn't a doctor (and Jonathan is the only male doctor on his team, poor guy) and we were the only ones who have children (although a med student there was pregnant with twins; I can't imagine residency with twins!).

There was a lot of talk about the hospital and medicine. These women are sharp, no doubt. But as I walked away and got in our dented minivan with the pink car seats in the back, I realized again how much I LOVE my life. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father has let me be a mother!! Not only that, but I get to stay home with them. I wouldn't change it for anything.

This week we also went to Sami's Halloween party for her preschool. Talk about fun. And organized. Her teacher is amazing and I am so glad Sami got in with her. With all of her little friends too. 

For Halloween, I just opened up the dress-up trunk and let them pick what they wanted. Both wanted to be Cinderella, but it was easy to talk Janie into another dress.  

My favorite part of Janie's costume is the back of her hat-the long, blond braid. So funny.  

This is Mrs. Carole. Sami wasn't sure about her costume at first, but Mrs. Carole is so nice, it was pretty easy to warm up to her.

Let the Halloween festivities begin! 

Party On!

Yesterday Sami went to two birthday parties, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Janie got to go to party in the afternoon. It was at a dance studio with most of the kids their age from church. They had been looking forward to it for a long time and of course, they loved it. I think they felt like true dancing princesses. And the cake and punch was pretty fun too.

All week they have been playing this AWESOME game where they tell me they are going to surprise me and that I have to go to my room and read. So I sit on my bed and read (heaven!) while they run around and clean up all their toys. Then they come into my room and yell "Surprise!" Then I go out and tell them how proud I am of them and give them hugs and kisses and give them a big treat. I didn't even care if the treat ruined their dinner because this type of behavior must be reinforced at all costs!! It's like Mother's Day or Christmas everytime they do it. Because clean up time has been a fight at our house lately.  I hope they keep it up. But if today is any indication, they are getting tired of the game. But I sure hope not. It's the most beautiful game that I've ever heard of...

One day this week when I was getting Sami ready for bed, she told me I was her best friend.

That melted my heart. Made my week.

I love you, Sami.

Fall

The weather has finally cooled down some. I am so grateful.

This week we went to a farm/corn maze. It was perfect weather and we all had fun. 

The girls loved this cow, where they could sit and "milk" her, and water came out. It was funny. And we got a kick out of how much they loved it.

After the corn maze walk, we were all hungry. Especially Janie. So we had a picnic.

And for Mary Anne (anything for you ☺)...our Halloween decor.

This is my Halloween corner. My friend Suzanne taught me how to make these bat clips and they have been super fun. 

And this mirror has a few decorations.

So we are all ready for Halloween. 

We talk about Halloween everyday and what the girls are going to dress up as. Princesses, although which princess changes often.  And they are so excited to go trick-or-treating. We talk about that a lot too. This is the funnest stage for the holidays. They understand how it works and it is all exciting.

Weekend Love

I always love General Conference Weekend. Although I feel like I have watched a lot of tv after it's over.  But I love it all and I feel so edified by all the talks. The girls mostly just played throughout all the sessions, but I took this picture when Sami was paying attention to the prophet. I hope she is always pay attention like this. When he came on, and I told the girls he was on, Janie broke out in song singing the chorus to "Follow the Prophet."  ♥ Cute.  

And I decorated the house for Halloween this week. I pulled out one pumpkin and the girls got so excited. It surprised me how much one pumpkin meant to them. When I was growing up, my mom didn't decorate for Halloween and I understand why. She had six kids and worked full time. So I didn't know the girls cared that much. So if they were excited about one pumpkin, I knew they would be excited after I hung up paper bats, a banner, a few printables, and cheap decals all over the windows. :) I was not disappointed. It was fun.