Duluth Weekend

This Saturday we headed up to Duluth to spend time with the Arlts and the Paulsruds for our annual winter getaway. We had a great time at the Edgewater and taking time-out of our busy lives to spend some time together.
Anthony took a bit to warm up to the water, but eventually had a great time. He loved playing with the balls - no surprise there! - and spending time with all of his friends.

Miss Ella Bella taking a little break to get snuggled in and watch some cartoons. Our little goddaughter is quite the cutie patootie and super brave! She was the only kid who would go down the kiddie water slides all by herself. What a big girl!
Anthony and Clara enjoying an after dinner treat - Sweet Tarts. Clara is now four, but, as usual, seems much older. It's amazing how she swims! No life jacket needed for this girl and no fear of jumping into the water and swimming away. It was a joy to keep watching her in the water.
SAMMY PANTS! He has gotten so big and is quite the smiley guy.
Lucy Marie! (Are you loving the hair?!) This was her first adventure with all of us and she did a great job. She's such a good baby and super cuddly too.

We had a great time being together and spending lots of time in the water. It's amazing to think that it's been ten years now since Mol, Rach and I lived together. (And to think about how much has changed in that time!) It was fun, as always, to get together and have most of our focus be on kids. (We're almost outnumbered now - five kids to six adults!) Life continues to be busy so I'm glad we have our biannual get togethers to enjoy the kids and reconnect. I'm already looking forward to camping this summer, but am hoping this year the weather will be much warmer.

Birthmommy Christmas!

"Ooohhh"
"Aaahhh"
Who knew my mom's caramel bars - which was requested - could elicit such a response?

Birthmommy and A spending some quality time together.

A mommy sandwich!
What a lucky little boy to have TWO mommies that love him!

Last night we had our last Christmas celebration of the year - Cynthia and Jim came over for supper, presents and taking the time to visit and catch up. It was wonderful to see them once again. Even though we try to talk once every week or two I always end up missing her.
The last time we got together was for Anthony's birthday party in August, which is already over four months ago. During his party he was busy playing with friends, trying out new toys and having tons of fun outside. This visit was a lot different. He knew his birthmommy was coming to visit us and kept saying her name a day or two in advance. Before she got to our house I thought he was going to go nuts! He kept saying her name over and over again completely excited to see her. It was super cute!
Our visit was too short as always, but special and meaningful. Anthony loves to entertain with his jumping, dancing, screaming, running and I think Cynthia loved watching the whole "Anthony Show". Opening presents was a lot of fun and he absolutely loved his wooden train. The choo choo was so popular that he didn't really want to open up anything else. Great job picking out a perfect toy for him, Birthmommy! The best part of the evening was just being able to talk, be together in the same room and give lots of hugs and love to our hero.

It's been through word of mouth as well as our family blog that others have contacted me with questions regarding adoption. It really has been a joy to talk with others these past ten months answering questions, giving advice and hopefully squashing any lingering fears that exist. I know that no two adoptions will ever look the same. When we adopt our second child it will be a different experience for us. However, I want to welcome any readers out there who simply keep tabs on us because you are in the same boat or would like to adopt to use us as a resource. I can guarantee you there will be many highs and lows when going through this process, but it will be completely worth it. Hopefully in the end you'll hit the jackpot, like us, and be matched with a wonderful birthmommy who you'll connect with so strongly and feel such a deep love for.

Thank you, Elmo!

Today I was shocked! Astounded! Filled with motherly pride! And left wondering if this could be for real this time around. Cynthia got Anthony Elmo's Potty Time for Christmas and he carried it around with him for most of the morning "talking" to Elmo. Then he started carrying around his potty chair. (I was delighted just to see interest in it because he has only been using it as a step stool to make bubbles in the sink or brush his teeth.)
Surprisingly, he told me he wanted to go potty like Elmo, which left me shocked. (Again there has been NO interest and I had completely stopped trying.) Within a few minutes he peed and POOPED on the potty chair!! He was really worried about it and kept saying "uh oh" until he saw my reaction. Of course I was singing and dancing and giving high fives until he started getting excited and doing the same. He picked out monster (a new favorite) stickers - one for himself and one for the potty poster (which hasn't had a sticker added to it since last spring) - and then we had to jump and dance some more.
I'm trying to be realistic --- this very well could be just a one time shot and maybe he won't be interested in it again for awhile. Any thoughts on how to proceed? Should I encourage him to use the potty again or should I continue to let this be his idea? I don't want to push too hard, but if he's ready I want to help him out and be supportive. (One can be supportive with a two year old going potty, right? Sounds a bit goofy, though...)
In any case, this momma is so excited!
Way to go, Bubsa Boo!

Welcome 2009!

Mark and I had plans for New Years, but then he became sick and we decided to stay home. We had a low-key evening of pizza, setting goals/making predictions for the upcoming year and then watching the family favorite - America's Funniest Home Videos.
Then Jenn called from the party giving me a play-by-play of how much fun they were having and who was dressed as what. After hearing about Michael being the Karate Kid and Charlie with a mohawk, I decided to venture out by myself after Anthony went to bed.
Here was the result ---
I had a great time visiting with friends for a couple of hours and welcoming yet another new year in 80s style. Actually the night was a great balance of family and friends with the realization that I've been greatly blessed in both areas of my life. I'm looking forward to another year with all of it's highs and lows and thankful I have so many wonderful individuals to share my life with.

Completely Inspired

I found out on Saturday while catching up with the Kare 11 website that my former facilitator while I completed my master's program, Amy Taylor, died at the age of 34 from cancer. Needless to say, I was a bit shocked and in a state of denial.
It wasn't because I had a remarkable relationship with her or because I knew her extremely well. Rather, it was because after hearing her story I was in awe that I was able to be in her presence for two years of her short life.

If you had the key/magic potion to solve any world problem,
which problem would you solve/fix?

My potion would suck out fear, loneliness, hopelessness, insecurities, apathy, and greed in people. Then it would replace those characteristics with faith, love, hope, confidence, conviction, and compassion. Just imagine what the world would be like! Maybe that’s what it’s like to be an angel in heaven.

- Amy Taylor

After reading more online about Amy and watching the Kare 11 Extra on her I am left in tears and inspired by this amazing woman. I'm thankful I was able to be in her life for a short period of time and hope her message of leaving a legacy and truly living life can be one that I adhere to no matter how short or long I live.

Overwhelmed....

and completely thankful.
This was the view of the "the bus" aka Maxine on the ride home from up north. It was completely packed with thoughtful gifts for all three of us.
We were definitely overwhelmed with the scene and, as stated before, thankful. We have such loving parents who are thoughtful not just at Christmas, but the whole year through. Our moms - Carol and Kathy - have loved becoming grandmas and have been so supportive. In the ten months that Anthony has been home we have purchased one box of diapers and two containers of wipes. That's it. They continue to buy and give and enjoy helping out.
Once again all of that giving leaves me feeling overwhelmed. To tell them to stop would be pointless so I have accepted that this is what happens. However, I'm plagued not with guilt, but rather with how to truly say thank you for the magnitude of their actions. I know they give out of love and without expectation while I continue to accept with a heart full of gratitude. However, it's still overwhelming.
Without a doubt, we are blessed. Not because of the gifts that we traveled home with, but rather the relationships we have with others. We have an amazing network of family and friends who love and support and give throughout the entire year. Even if we traveled home with nothing extra I would still feel the same.
My goal throughout the upcoming year and throughout my life is to give to others what individuals have given me. Hopefully I can be as gracious in my giving, as thoughtful with my words, and as caring with my actions. Hopefully the love I receive from others can be given to those around me leaving them feeling well cared for and truly blessed.

Christmas Day

Christmas morning was a bit of a rough one. We kept Anthony up until 10:30 the night before to celebrate with the Johnson side. Needless to say, Mark and I have learned that keeping him on somewhat of a schedule is always a good thing. There was lots of crying even though he was excited that "Anta" had visited him and brought his stocking to Grand Rapids! (Santa is so amazing, huh?!)
After checking out the stocking and seeing what Santa brought we drove over to Chisholm to celebrate with Mark's side of the family. After visiting Great-Grandma Jean we ventured over to Jocie's house. Anthony was excited to see Jocie and kept saying her name in the car. Even though he was extremely tired he was in love with the toy room. He spent most of his time in there playing and when he wasn't in there Jocie was trying to figure out a way to get him back in there. Super cute!
After leaving Chisholm and taking a much needed nap we celebrated with Mark's parents - Marv and Carol - at their house in GR. Anthony would bring every gift to Grandma to help him open it. His new book Me and My Dad is super cute and one he loves! Plus it's super appropriate since he's such a daddy's boy! (We've probably read it more than five times today. Then we had to email dad at work and then call him at work and then look for him in the house and then...)
Finally! He got Fillmore from Cars! (As well as a remote controlled Mater from Grandpa!) We have learned that you really could never have too many cars. That is something he has consistently loved from the get go.