We are Family

part 2

After the adoption we treated everyone to lunch at

The Family Cupboard in Bird in Hand.

Kirsten and Courtney

My mom and dad

Jaymes and Havanna

Jayden

It turned out to be a very special day.

I tried to make it a fun and memorable day for them.

I believe they had a good time and didn't have any misgivings

about this big change in their lives. 

WE ARE FAMILY

OUR ADOPTION

NOVEMBER 18, 2010

PART 1

The day that we have waited for finally arrived. We did foster care for almost 6 years and out of the ten children we have cared for God has chosen these three wonderful sisters to be our daughters.

Summer,8 changed her name to Olivia Summer

Violet, 6 changed her name to Madilyn Violet

Sara,12 months changed her name to Abigail Sara

We had the adoption at the Lancaster County Courthouse.

 Many of our family and friends were there.

There were quite a few other adoptions that day.

They got a little behind schedule so we had to wait awhile in the hall.

The girls' brothers and their familys were there too.

Their younger brother got adopted the same day.

Their two older brothers will get adopted together in a few months.

Preston and Grandma

Lois with her daughters Paityn and Petra

Abi and Grandma

Inside the courtroom where it all happened.

Us with Judge Hobert

He is a super nice judge and perfect to do adoptions.

Here we are again.

They have felt like mine for awhile

but to know they are officially mine is something I can't even describe.

It is wonderful not to have the agency hanging over my head.

I have never had a huge problem with CYA

but there are always rules and regulations to follow.

We are now free to do what we want when we want when we want.

Prepare for a lot of pictures of Preston.

I cannot say enough how much I'm enjoying my children right now!

Excpecially Preston.

Babies are so precious!

Every little expression and sound and smell!

They are so little for such a small time, I just want to remember every moment.

I love watching him suck his thumb although I do not encourage it.

Yep, this will be alot easier to take from you.

So at first I was trying to figure out why I didn't have any clothes on you.

Then I remembered that you had spit up all over your clothes.

 Your clothes are in your bedroom you share with Abbi.

She was napping so I decided to bundle you in this blanket instead of waking her up.

And this is the kind of stuff Abbi does when she is awake.

So gross and yet I ran for the camera instead of washing her off.

You can tell she's not my first child.

Yet I found her doing this twice that day.

Deann, seriously just close the door!

I love that girl!

What a stinker!

YEAH!!!

Abbi is finally walking.

She is 14 months old.

With a baby to carry I'm so ready for this "step" in her  life. 

It is so fun to watch her practicing.

She is so proud of herself.

It always amazes me that no matter how many times they fall

they just stand back up and try again.

As an adult I would have given up a long time ago.

Forget that! You guys can carry me everywhere!

Oh, and I'm not going to miss those dirty knees.

We interrupt this marriage for hunting season 

   Quintin LOVES this time of year.

His brother, Glendon and he go with a gang hunting for a few days.

They did really well this year. Quintin got this buck the first day.

As you can see he is quite happy.

Glendon also got this buck a few days later.



This is a sleeper that Quintin bought for Preston.

It is a big sized premiee and fit him perfectly so I wore it alot.

It had monkeys on it, of course.

Before I know it that monkey is going to be so tiny beside him.

Sniff.

Preston is  1 month old!

I am awake alot longer now

I eat 5 ounces at a time

I have lost my newborn look

My cheeks are getting chubbier

I'm starting to outgrow my newborn clothes and enter 0-3

Being naked scares me and makes me scream

I get red in the face when I scream

I also hate getting slicked up with lotion

My dad said "That's my boy. Lotion's for girls"

My dad always calls me his boy.

I have my mom and oldest sisters wrapped around my little finger

Still working on the youngest sister

she takes my nuk and bottle.

I'm wearing the booties my Grandma Martin gave me

They have monkeys on them.

I have lots of monkey things

Saying Goodbye 

Quintin and I have decided to ask the agency to find another home for Luci and Anthony,

It was a hard decision but one we firmly believe was the right thing for everyone. We just didn't feel like we could give everyone the attention they deserved.

As I'm writing this they have been gone for two weeks already.

Looking at the pictures of the last year does tug at my heart strings.

We had a lot of good times. 

Quintin and I took them in to go to their new family. 

It is a couple with no children. 

They were super nice people and it put my mind at ease to meet them and to know that they are Christians.

They seemed to be very caring people who would work with Anthony and Luci very well.

I just pray that all this shifting and moving around does not upset them too much. 

They were always well loved and hopefully that will help with any bonding issues they might have. 

Keep them in your prayers!