Happy Memorial Day

Memorial Day always marks the beginning of summer - pools open, long weekend, typically warm weather, picnics, grilling out, extra family time...it a great weekend!

This year is certainly no different.  But each year on Memorial Day I genuinely try to stop and think about the real reason for this holiday.  I am so thankful for the men and women who defend our country and the freedoms we enjoy.  :)


And Kamdyn is celebrating too :)

6 Weeks

She's patriotic today because it's Memorial Day :)

5 Weeks

{a week late - sorry!}

4 Weeks

This week she has started really focusing her eyes, smiling more, and making noises as she is beginning to discover her voice.  In addition, she's really getting good at sticking her tongue out {as evidenced by this picture}  :)

I also thought it would be fun to share some random pics {since I have approximately 4,873 pictures each week}

Sooooo, here's a little photo dump -

Nap time with daddy is awesome!

chatting with sissy

On Mother's Day after she asked Kim to be her God Mother

Working so hard to use her hands!

Soooooo sleepy.  :)

That's it for this week!  Have a fabulous week, friends!

'Twas the Night before Mother's Day...

...and I cannot stop thinking about how overwhelmingly thankful I am to not be dreading tomorrow.  For the first time in 4 years, I am not wishing tomorrow would be over before it's even begun.

I would literally cry myself to sleep on the night before Mother's Day.  I would cry because I didn't want to go to church and see all the moms with their adorable children.  I would cry because when we went to lunch with my family I would need to smile an be happy to celebrate my incredible mom and sister for the wonderful mothers that they are...but I still felt left out.  I would cry because even though my sweet husband always did a little celebrating because I am Kaitlyn's step-mom, it didn't change the fact that I wasn't a "real" mom.  I would cry because every solitary place I went, there were mothers.  I would cry because quite frankly, it's not fair.

Tonight, as I'm sitting on my couch looking at the little miracle who has made me a mom - I cry for different reasons.  I am so, so thankful to be her mom.  And I have realized that while I think about Julie most every day anyway, Mother's Day will always be a day that she will be in the top of my mind.  While Kamdyn will grow up calling her Aunt JuJu - the reality is that Julie is her birthmother and Kamdyn wouldn't be here without her.  And I wouldn't be a mother without her.  So, not only will I be celebrating being a mom tomorrow, every year on Mother's Day, I will celebrate Julie...for giving me my reason to celebrate.

With all the thankfulness I have in my heart, there is still a little place of sadness for all the women who are sad tonight thinking about tomorrow.  I pray that I never forget what that feels like.  While that might sound strange to most of you, I actually think that pain makes me a better mom.  That pain reminds me how badly I wanted to be a mom.  That pain allows me to be compassionate and empathetic to all those women who are experiencing pain caused by infertility, loss, or loneliness.

I will spend my day tomorrow celebrating moms, being thankful that someone in this world finally calls me Mama, and praying for those who desperately wish they felt like they had a reason to celebrate tomorrow.  I hope you will join me.

Lots of Love -

3 Weeks

And a side-by-side from last week {which is deceiving because she's sitting up better this week.  Last week she was a little 'floppy' - but still, she looks so much bigger}!

She is such a good baby!  She is so calm and just goes with the flow...except when she's hungry - then she loses her mind.  That girl is serious about her food.  :)

That's all for this week -

2 Weeks