Happy Halloween!

From Strawberry Shortcake, her little sister (in real life AND in the movies) Apple Dumplin, and Daddy :)

(as the mover's were loading my truck, I was finishing these costumes. Don't remind me that I knew since August that Michaela wanted to be Strawberry Shortcake, or that Heidi would be Apple Dumpling, BUT let me remind you that I found out about the move two short weeks before it took place.) I think that they turned out wonderfully and the girls got compliments all night long!

Happy Birthday!

Dear Heidi,

You rock my world. Going from one kid to two was really hard for me. You cried a lot during your first three months and it really did rock my world. Now, you are just so sweet and easy going that sometimes we wonder if we made up those first three months in our heads! On a daily basis, I am speechless due to something you are doing, screaming, or giggling. Your laugh is honestly the sweetest thing I have ever heard. I love it when you make your sad little pouty face, and truly, I am sory when I do something to provoke it, but it's so darn cute that sometimes I just gotta see it. I have never heard anyone, or anything, screech like you do. I love, LOVE, how tiny and petite you are, you are my little monkey baby. I have loved every minute of having a baby with hair - tons of long beautiful hair! It is so fun for me to have my two little girls, I love to dress you in cute, matching outfits and show you off at Church. You are growing and learning so fast, I imagine at this time next year, I will be even more shocked at how much you've changed.

I want you to be happy. I hope that I can teach you or show you what you need to learn to know how much we, your family loves you. I hope you always remember you are a Daughter of God. I hope you always feel safe and loved, wherever you go. Daddy and I pray every night that you girls will keep close to us, each other and most importantly, Heavenly Father. We love you Heidi Baby, more than I can ever tell you. Happy, Happy Birthday my little love.

We should be packing but....

Sounds like a familiar title to me!We have had such a fun week, our last here in Ohio! We've been busy with Apple Orchards, Birthday Parties and Niagara Falls. And of course, some everyday fun here and there.

My sweet baby - stuck- in the playhouse!

A little quality time with Ericka

Another one of her stuck because I think it's funny :)

Niagara Falls- did I mention that Ericka came out here for Heidi's birthday?! We are so lucky!

Family Shot

Ericka's birthday was on the 7th, so we sang to her too :)

Heidi was pretty anxious to have her first cupcake!

She loved it!!!

See? This is what happened when it was gone :(

Michaela;s visit to the Apple Orchard. She was pretty excited to pick her own apples.

Finding just the right apples for her snack time that day!

Just us girls that day

My Pumpkins!

Just because it makes me giggle :)

So does this :)

What is so Cool about Brush Prairie WA?

Well besides all this..... Brush Prairie Washington is Beautiful, as you will see below. It is located right outside of Portland Oregon. A person or family who lived there could possibly work in Washington State and pay no income taxes...and shop in Portland Oregon and pay no sales tax! A different or same person or family could also visit either set of parents or grandparents, and a few cousins and high school buddies. A particular couple I know could go back to the Temple they were sealed in. So, I ask again, what is so darn cool about Brush Prairie Washington?

She is :)

And so is she.

We will be moving...AGAIN....Jordan accepted a position to get us closer to family :) We head out of Cleveland on the 25th of this month (gulp!) and he starts on the 8th of November. Here we come small town life we have dreamed of :)

Memories, brought to you, in part, by Ericka Lindy

Today is a very special birthday in our family! Heidi's sweet birthmother, Ericka is 19! In the year and a half that I have known her, I have constantly been amazed at her wit, her flare, her maturity and her baking. She has such a wonderful, giving spirit, that I do hope is as genetic as dramaticness seems to be! Ericka, we are so glad you are in our family, and so glad that you are all the wonderful things that make you - YOU! We love you ever so much :)

I have included some of my favorite pictures of Heidi, because Ericka's largest contribution to our life is her precious gift of our baby. Without Ericka and her selfless act of maturity, grace and compassion, our family would not be what it is today. We love our little Heidi Doll!

Look at this little burrito :) - she is 3 days old here

My two favorite heads - I wonder what each is thinking?!

Adoption isn't only about the birthmother and the adoptive family. It's hard for everyone. Heidi's birth grandparents had a really hard time with the feeling of a lost grandchild. I'm not gonna lie - it was HARD for us to get a long for a few. We persisted however, because with all that passion we knew there was an equal amount of love for Heidi, and we wanted her to have it, and them, forever. I am happy to say that they are very much her grandparents, and she will always know of them as that. We love you Grandma and Grandpa McClure :)

Sister's by Chance - Friends by Choice

Our adoption stories are so unique in adoptionland! Not too common for my best babysitter to also be one of my girls' birthmothers! Ericka has been able to be a big part of Heidi's life and the memories and photo's are priceless.

Happy Adoption Day sweet baby

4 Biological Generations

Sealed to us for Time and Eternity

I Fear (and hope) that things will always be as hectic as this crazy, wonderful day was!

Ericka, we are so proud of you. In this last year you have become such a beautiful woman. I smile with peace and delight to know that you are working, and in college and that your friends and family have embraced your adoption decision so well. I want your life to contain exactly what I want for my own daughters - peace, happiness, success(however you choose to find it), travel, friendship and love. You deserve nothing but the best, and I hope and pray each day that we are doing that for you - raising this sweet baby the best we can so you can be at peace each day with your decision. We love her, and you more than you can ever know!