42 years

Happy Birthday to Me, Happy Birthday to Me. Happy Birthday Dear old wrinkled woman. Happy Birthday to Me. Okay, so maybe not too old and wrinkled but I am definately feeling my age. Maybe having a toddler at 40 will do that to you. I had a great night out with my wonderful sweet husband. We went to El Torito to celebrate because I am the coupon queen and received a free meal coupon from them. I then was sung to and had this beautiful sombreo place upon my head and I received a free ice cream. The boys watched Nevaeh for us and it was nice to get out for some alone time with my sweetheart. He is away at work so much and I am busy with the children so we don't get out a whole lot by ourselves. Of course, I couldn't help remonise about how depressed I was last year on my birthday. What a difference a year makes.

Celebrating at Disneyland

We checked into the Paradise Pier yesterday and then headed over to California Adventure. We had stopped to eat at Islands in San Diego after the adoption was finalized and so we got a little later start getting to Disneyland than planned. Nevaeh enjoyed lunch but it was extra special when she was allowed to sit on Steve's lap and share his.

Joshua, Jared and Jacob enjoyed their lunches too. The hambugers were so big we had Josh and Jared share. Steve decided he needed to be silly in Jacob's picture. Steve's true personallity comes out when he is with his family. Don't let him fool you into thinking he is this shy, quiet guy. We all know differently.


It took longer to get to Disneyland than I had thought and we did hit a little bit of traffic. I knew that California Adventure closed at 7:00 p.m. so I was anxious for us to get to the hotel and get checked in. The cast member who checked us in was very sweet. When I told her what we were celebrating she came back with a bunch of balloons for Nevaeh and a certificate to take over to the gift shop and purchase a stuffed animal. Nevaeh had a hard time deciding but she finally chose Minnie Mouse.









After getting up to our room and changing our clothes, we rushed out so fast that somehow the security lock to the room shut behind us. The problem was Steve had not brought the diaper bag in from the truck and the passes were in the diaper bag. The keys to the truck were in the hotel room. So our trip was delayed another 30 minutes. We finally made it into California Adventure and had just enough time to stop by "The Bench" and take pictures. The boys rode Mulholland Madness and Nevaeh and I sat on "The Bench". We had come back to were it had all started 2 years, 4 months and 10 days before. We had finally come full circle. No more wondering, no more worrying, no more trips to Disneyland thinking they could be her last time. Our journey to adopt "Nevaeh Heaven" was finally over and the journey of our lives together with "Nevaeh Arlene" were just beginning.

It's a Girl - Officially

Well I didn't think this day would ever come and now that it has I am so tired from all the events of the day I really don't feel up to blogging. Nevaeh, on the other hand, is keeping everyone up with her singing and saying hi to all of us. Apparently, the two 15 minute naps she got in the car was enough to make her want to stay up all night.

Anyway, our day started out by driving to San Diego in the rain. We had to pull over because I was afraid the stroller would be too wet to use if we left it in the back of the truck. So it ended up in the cab next to Nevaeh. I was hoping she would fall asleep since it was 12:00 p.m. But instead, she played with Jacob until about 15 minutes before we arrived at the courthouse.

I had wanted to come prepared because I wasn't sure how long we would have to wait before we saw the judge. But the longest part of the whole courthouse experience was getting through the metal detector with all of our belongings (computer, stroller, diaper bag) We kept making the alarm go off. I think it took about 10 minutes for us to get through the dumb thing.

We checked in right at 1:30 p.m. and I wasn't sure how long we would have to wait. We barely sat down when they called our name. I was not prepared for that and it seemed like the whole process with the judge was just a blur. We went in, Nevaeh immediately jumped down and went over to the toys they give to the children being adopted and we signed a paper. Then they took some pictures of us with the judge and shoved us (well not really but it felt like that) out the door.

We went outside and took a few more pictures with all the social workers who had been involved with the process. And that, my friends, was it. It was almost anti-climatic. Maybe because all the real drama and the knowledge that she would be ours forever happened back in July.

I had been emotional all week and even broke down when the lady at Kohl's asked me why I was purchasing coordinating outfits for my family. I had listened to some of my Wicked songs again and cried during them. I thought for sure I would be very emotional at court today. But I think it all happened so fast I didn't even have time to blink.

Picture with the judge.




Nevaeh with her people (Karly, County Social Worker, Maggie, Angels Social Worker, Jill, Walden Adoptions Social Worker)





One tired baby on her way to Disneyland. But I am too tired to blog about that tonight so maybe after we our finished tomorrow I will take the time to do that.

2 years, 4 months and 9 days

Wow. So today we finally got the call that told us when we could go to court and finalize our adoption. I was beginning to think this day would never come. Between furlow days, State holidays and sick workers, I wasn't sure anyone was working at the adoption part of the court house any more. So 2 years, 4 months and 9 days from the day Nevaeh was placed with us we will finally be finalizing her adoption.

We were told that the day would be either the 15th of April or the 27th of April. So imagine our surprise today when I received the phone call and the social worker said the 22nd of April. We had been eager to get the date because Steve was offered a new position at work and he needed to make travel arrangements. After he heard the date was either the 15th or the 27th he made arrangements to go to Maryland the week of the 19th. So much for trying to plan his trip around the adoption date.

I had been hoping that they would call and say the 30th since that is my birthday and so far every big day in Nevaeh's life has happened on someone in my family's birthday. She was placed on December 13th (my sister Mary's birthday). She was born on September 26th (my son Jared's birthday). Her sister was born on April 6th (my dad's birthday). I figured our birthday run was over. So this morning I was amazed that she will now be adopted on April 22nd (my brother Tim's birthday).

I was on my way out the door to have her pictures taken this morning to celebrate her upcoming adoption. I can't believe our long roller coaster ride is coming to an end. Whatever will I do with my emotions without all the drama in my life-Take a well deserved break and just enjoy the calm for a while.





You are my Sunshine, my only Sunshine, You make me happy when skies are gray. You'll never know dear, how much I love you. Please don't take my Sunshine away.