Birthday Boy!

Happy Birthday to Nick! Today he becomes . . . a TEENAGER. Oh my - the day we've been dreading. Mike and I are now the parents of TWO teenage boys. Yikes. LOL!

We celebrated yesterday with both sets of grandparents and had a great family party. Logan's Roadhouse was Nick's choice for lunch -- and he probably wished he would have never suggested that place after they made him stand up on a chair so the entire restaurant could cheer "Happy Birthday - Yee Haw!" in his honor! The look on his face said it all - a cross between mortified horror and total pride. :o)

Sigh. Seems like just yesterday that we were in Seton Northwest Hospital in Austin, Texas anxiously awaiting the arrival of our little bundle of joy ... and finally, at approximately 6pm he entered the world after refusing to budge even one measly inch during a day of Pitocin induced labor, then ultimately wrapping the umbilical cord around his neck so as to warrant a C-section for Mom. Yes, this is a child who demands attention -- he did before he was born, and he still does to this day! LOL!

Happy Birthday, Nick!!! We love you!

Birthday Letter to Carly

Carly's 6th Birthday
February 12, 2010

Wow! I can't believe my little sweetie is 6 years old! I'm so excited about her birthday, but at the same time, a piece of my heart is grieving today. Six years ago today, Carly came into the world not knowing what was in store for her. Six years ago today, her mommy dressed her in a blue flowered shirt, took her to the sugar factory on Tangchang Road in Guiping City, laid her down on a concrete bench . . . and walked away. My sweet baby girl spent her first night in this world in the Guiping Social Welfare Institute, where she would live for the next 13 1/2 months. I can't fathom what Carly's birth mom must have felt when she laid her newborn daughter down that day. I wonder what she said to her little angel baby as she told her goodbye. I wonder if she turned to look at her sweet face one last time, knowing she would likely never see her again. I wonder if her heart broke that day.

One thing is for sure - it is because of her sorrow and sacrifice that I have my dear daughter today. So, while I feel incredible sadness about how Carly's life began, I also feel an overwhelming, indescribable sense of gratitude for the two people who brought Carly into this world. I wish there was a way for them to see Carly now and to know how much she is loved and treasured. She is a beautiful, vivacious, happy, loving, compassionate, intelligent, adorable little girl. She is part of my heart and soul. She is so much a part of our family that it is hard to remember what life was like without her.

Circumstances may have dictated the things that happened six years ago today, but fate and destiny brought our lives together. People often say, "What a lucky girl" when they hear Carly's story. But in all reality, she isn't the lucky one at all - we are.

Happy birthday to my precious baby girl! I love you with all my heart.

Birthday Girl!

Guess who's turning SIX years old today???? Yep! CARLY JADE!!!! Happy Birthday to Carly!!!

Carly then . . . (approximately 6 months old)

Carly now . . .

Return to Reality

It always kinda stinks to come back to reality ... especially after a week of being pampered and picked up after and cooked for ... etc., etc., etc! Mike and I got home Saturday night after a wonderful and relaxing 7 day cruise to the western Caribbean. The weather was good, the ship was amazing, and we had a GREAT time. Many thanks to my wonderful parents who stayed with the kids, allowing this little escape for the two of us! Check out the slide show (on the right side of the page) for a sampling of the pics I took during the week .... great scenery and lots of fun in the sun!