Bluebonnet Pictures - April 2010

For Mother's Day this year, my sweet sister (Neely Floyd) photographed our family in the bluebonnets. The pictures came out so great! Here's just a very small sampling of the nearly 600 pictures that she took... Enjoy!

Sandbox Fun

This is how we spend many an afternoon... gettin' dirty... =)

Here's Reider hanging with some of his ladies - Keagan DeLaPorte, and Bekah and Grace Wells. Love these kids with all my heart (and their mommies)!

You Are My I Love You

I am your parent; you are my child.

I am your quiet place; you are my wild.

I am your calm face; you are my giggle.

I am your wait; you are my wiggle.

I am your carriage ride; you are my king.

I am your push; you are my swing.

I am your audience; you are my clown.

I am your London Bridge; you are my falling down.

I am your carrot sticks; you are my licorice.

I am your dandelion; you are my first wish.

I am your water; you are my deep.

I am your open arms; you are my running leap.

I am your way home; you are my new path.

I am your dry towel; you are my wet bath.

I am your dinner; you are my chocolate cake.

I am your bedtime; you are my wide awake.

I am your finish line; you are my race.

I am your praying hands; you are my saying grace.

I am your favorite book; you are my new lines.

I am your night-light; you are my starshine.

I am your lullaby; you are my peekaboo.

I am your good-night kiss; you are my I love you.

(Words by Mayann K. Cusimano - One of our favorite bedtime books!)

Easter 2010 - Reid's 2nd Easter

"Do not be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene who was crucified. HE HAS RISEN!..."

We had a wonderful Easter - so thankful that we have a risen Savior who died on the cross to forgive our sins! Here are a few pics from our day:

Reid's Easter basket - he got new books, balls, candy, animal crackers, etc...

Checkin' out his loot... oh yes, he caught on to the fact that the Easter baskets were all for him... very quickly =)

Asking Dad to open his candy...

After church services at Keystone Church, mine and Ben's families all gathered at my parent's house for lunch. We were also joined my the Pedersen's (my sister's soon-to-be-in-laws), the Wildey's, and the DeLaPortes... so fun!

My family

Goofin' around...

Reider with Doc and KK

Ben's family (we missed Uncle Joe and Aunt Candice!)

Reider with Grandma and Grandpa

Uncle Jeff!

Reid laughing with Uncle Craig and Mom

Reid's First Visit to the Fort Worth Zoo

Reid is 14 months old now and is at such a fun age - we are having a complete blast with him! He is walking, starting to talk (newest word is "please"), and has such a little mind of his own. The Saturday before Easter we took a little family outing to the Fort Worth Zoo and it was a wonderful day... here are some pics...

Laughing at the gorillas...

Watching with his Dad...

Exploring everything...

Reid LOVED the reptile center... (ewwwww...)

Especially the snakes...

Giving the snake kisses (yes, I was that Mom whose kid had their mouth all over the glass)...

Reider got really excited that the turtle was looking at him...

This is my FAVORITE picture of the day! Look at the pure joy...

Not quite sure what to think of the apes...

Looking at the elephants with his Doc and KK

Hanging with Mom...

Feeding the birds...

I have a feeling the zoo will be a regular outing with our little guy... what a fun day!

We are TRUTH. Adoption Blogger Day.

While our immediate family has not been involved with international adoption (Reid's adoption was domestic), we have many friends who have been... and it has touched our lives on numerous occasions. This week a story has been plastered all over the news, and our adoption communities are standing up for the TRUTH. Here is an email I received today from an adoption group we are involved with that I thought worth sharing.

The outrageous treatment of Artyem by his adoptive family has rightfully resulted in outrage by the Governments of Russia and the United States and all who care about children. The tragedy has cast a light on intercountry adoption that says it is not safe, the system failed and adopted children cause insurmountable problems. The heartbreak of Artyem Saviliev's abandonment has once again elevated a singular incident to a level which may result in the suspension of intercountry adoption. Suspending adoption, even temporarily, will only cause thousands of children to suffer the debilitating effects of life in an orphanage.
You, the community of adoptees, adoptive parents, adoptive grandparents, child welfare professionals and child advocates know that the outrageous and indefensible actions of one parent are not indicative of how children are treated by adoptive families. You know that families who encounter difficulties do not simply abandon their child. You know that help is available, that solutions are found and that families can thrive. And you know that suspending adoption does not protect children but only subjects them to the depravity of an institution...and an entire life without a family.
You, the adoption community know the truth. You live the truth. You are the truth.

COMING SOON!

I have tons of things to share about our little adventures with Michael Reid...I just have to finish sorting through the many, many pictures. =)

COMING SOON: The Zoo, 14 months, and Easter!

Stay tuned!