Making Many Memories

Monday, December 12, 2011

Happy Gotcha Day Nevaeh

Sometimes it seems hard to believe that

it has already been 4 years.

4 years since sitting on this bench at Disneyland's California Adventure

when we got the call that brought

you into our lives.

You still love to watch this video I made for you

in December 2008 when were weren't sure how much longer you would be with us.

And this one from April 2009 when you started doing unsupervised visits

and weekend visits with your birth parents.

And this one from July 2009 right before court when we thought you

would be leaving us for good.

I am still in awe of the miracle that occurred and the

sacrifice that your birth mom and dad made

by allowing us to adopt you.

Last Gotcha Day was one of the best days every

because I finally knew that there would be many, many more celebrations to come.

This day will always hold a special place in my heart

my sweet little girl.

HAPPY GOTCHA DAY

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Gotcha Day Tradition

First I would like to say a big

THANK YOU

to all who donated or shared our iPad 2 give-away so far.

It is still going on until December 15th and you can click here to enter and

see all the great gifts you could receive with only a $5.00 donation

or sharing on your blog or Facebook page.

But I also wanted to share with you a great opportunity

you have to make really cute scrapbook pages

and cards by using this amazing software

My Memories Suite V3.

This new version just came out last month

and it is sooo fun to use.

Plus, if you purchase it using the code STMMMS69334

you receive $10 off and a $10 coupon to use on digital paper kits

and you receive 4 entries into our iPad give-away

because every time the software is purchased using

STMMMS69334

We receive $20 towards our adoption.

My Memories also has a fun Facebook page and blog

where they have challenges and contest.

This weeks contest is called Family Traditions

and I have entered our tradition of going to Disneyland every year

on December 13th because that is Nevaeh's Gotcha Day.

If you would like to read more about this fun day that we had

you can go here .

The other thing I love about this company is you can use

the digital paper they offer for free or

other kits you can find for free all over the internet.

Right now they have this free kit called Santa

Below you fill find some of the other

stuff I have been doing this past month while learning

to use this new program.

The layouts above our my first attempt

at making my very own personalized Christmas Cards.

Another plus is that I can upload these layouts to

any of the popular printing companies:

Shutterful, Snapwish, Winkflash, Picaboo, Walmart, Walgreens, CVS and on and on.

And at Costco I can print out a 12x12 page and stick it in a regular scrapbook.

I can even add embellishments after it is printed.

The list of possibilities are endless.

It would make my day if you would share

this wonderful opportunity with others.

Then they can become obsessed with digital scrapbooking too :)

Friday, November 18, 2011

All I Really Want for Christmas ...

Today is National Adoption Day...

Today as you think about what your

plans are for Thanksgiving and for Christmas...

Today think about what it might be like

if all you wanted was a family to

eat Thanksgiving dinner with

or wake up to on Christmas morning...

Today give words of encouragement

to those who have decided to

add a new member to their family

instead of telling them how hard it will be...

Today find out how you can help

those who have been abandoned by their families

or those who are trying to adopt or foster them...

Today as you think about how grateful you are

for everything you have....

Today go out and make a difference...

Because all they really want for Christmas
is a FAMILY

All I really want for Christmas is someone to tuck me in
A shoulder to cry on if I lose, shoulders to ride on if I win
There's so much I could ask for, but there's just one thing I need

All I really want for Christmas is someone who'll be here
To sing me happy birthday for the next 100 years
And It's okay if they're not perfect or even if they're a little broken
That's alright, 'Cause so am I

Well, I guess I should go, it's almost time for bed
Maybe next time I write you I'll be at home

'Cause all I really want for Christmas is someone to tuck me in
Tell me I'll never be alone, someone whose love will never end
Of all that I could ask for, well, there's just one thing I need

All I really want for Christmas

All I really want for Christmas

is a family......

I am so grateful that this will
be the last Thanksgiving and Christmas that our little one
will have to spend in an institution.

Because all we want for Christmas is for her to part of our family.

Monday, October 31, 2011

Happy Halloween with Daddy B

I'm afraid I haven't been very good about keeping up on my personal blog. The adoption has kind of taken up any extra time that I seem to have.

But today I took Nevaeh for her visit with her birth dad, Daddy B, and I wanted to make sure I blogged about it before I forgot.

You see, birth parent visits are getting harder for me. Especially now that I am so busy with the new adoption. Nevaeh was supposed to see Daddy B on her birthday but I forgot to even call him. It happens to be my son, Jared's, birthday too and I just got busy. Plus Daddy B works odd hours and I would always remember to call him when he was at work. So unfortunately, 1 month went by after her birthday without a phone call from us. I was actually a little afraid to call. I was feeling pretty guilty.

But when I did call, Daddy B made we remember why it is I want Nevaeh to still have a relationship with her. He apologized for not calling us. He told me he had lost his job and his phone had been turned off around her birthday. I told him I would love to bring her for Halloween so he could see her in her cute costume.

So we showed up at the local McDonald's, 15 minutes late like usual (although this time it was because I was picking up really cute pictures of her to give to him). He was waiting for her with open arms and presents.

I really dont' care if he brings presents because I know that he doesn't have any extra money. But the fact that he makes an effort to be part of her life and brings things he thinks she would be interested in really impresses me.

When we got there I asked if he wanted lunch and he said he had already eaten. He then gave me a gift card to McDonald's that his mother wanted us to have. And he kept thanking me for taking the time to bring Nevaeh to see him.

This is a completely different type of visit than what we have with Mommy M, birth mom. As a matter of fact, we did visit with her before Nevaeh's birthday, on Mommy M's birthday, and I choose not to blog about it :( So I am so excited to see that now that Mommy M is out of Daddy B's life he is not selfish at all and really cares about Nevaeh.

They spent some time putting the puzzle he brought for her together.

And of course Nevaeh's favorite part was being pushed around in the highchair like it was a ride at Disneyland.

So although my day was super busy and on the way there I was grumbling to myself about having to fit this visit into my day, I am so glad that we went. Because this child is loved by so many people. And I always want her to know that. Even if it means making me feel awkward or inconvenienced at times.

As a side note, I did try to call Mommy M to get her pictures to her but her phone has been disconnected again too. But that relationship still needs a lot of help. The next phone call with her will probably be an uncomfortable one as I have decided she has to meet us in a public place from now on. She has too many people in and out of her life and I think some of them do drugs, as she may be doing again due to very rapid weight loss. So meeting her at her apartment or driving her in my car is not an option anymore. I'm sure that is not going to go over well with her but I can't chance it.

And speaking of awkward, Daddy B asked for our address today. He was saying how he wanted to be able to send a card to Nevaeh in case he didn't have a phone again. Not real sure how I feel about that one. I skirted the issue by saying I would text it to him later.

Sometimes I feel so alone in this open adoption relationship thing. It is very different than your typical open adoption. These people have served time in prison. They have substance abuse issues. Just not feeling real comfortable about letting them know where we live. But how do you keep a good relationship and tell someone that?

So after our visit today we came home and went trick or treating. Nevaeh had a blast and Steve and I had a hard time keeping up with her. It will be very interesting next year when we are trying to keep up with two of them. We might have to recruit the older brothers to help out.