Happy Easter

Just wanting to wish everyone a blessed Easter! Last night we colored egss with the boys and it went rather well. Rylan started off with a tantrum of some sort that I'm not sure even yet what it was about. Eventually he scraped himself up off the floor and came out to the kitchen. Once he saw what we were doing, he loved it! Both kids did a nice job on the eggs, and NO spills! We have a couple cracked eggs... but hey, I expected that. Today we started off our morning with Cameron first jumping into our bed hollering "Happy Easter"! Rylan, whose normally an early bird and up by 6-6:30am decided to sleep until 7:15. Cameron had a LONG 1/2 wait for his brother to get up, but once he did, they were SO excited about the Easter Bunny having been here! Once again, there was no shortage of candy, but the good ole Easter Bunny gets more and more crafty each year! This year some of the eggs were filled with quarters, dimes, nickels, and pennies! There were also small gifts like art supplies that Cameron loves and some hot wheels cars that Rylan loves, not mention a few cans of silly string! Way to go Easter Bunny! These were some very happy, non-sugar high, kids!
We're off to my mom's around 2pm for dinner. Turkey and all the trimmings, yum! Then to John's parents for dessert. I have one more day off work tomorrow... YIPPIE! Althoug the boys and I will be going to the dentist for their first appts. I can't guarantee that will be a good time. More pics to follow on that!

Happy 6th Birthday Cameron!

Wow, I can't believe my guy is 6 years old today! I couldn't sleep last night as I kept dreaming about his birth. I think I'm having a hard time on this birthday because it's a transition from a preschooler to elementary aged boy! I can see him growing up so fast, yet am thankful he needs me yet in so many ways. You won't find me rushing him through these years. I enjoy every moment, even the "pull your hair out" days!
Let me take you back to the days leading up to Cameron's birth. We met his birth mom when she was over months 8 month pregnant. She had picked us from a book of waiting families wanting to adopt. When I received that call from the adoption agency telling us a birth mom wanted to meet us, it was like a rush I've never felt. So many years of unsuccessful pregnancy and loss came down to that moment! Just a short couple weeks later, we were at her school meeting her, her mother, and her social worker. She was just 14 years old. John and I were so nervous that we could barely contain ourselves! Once we met the family, we hit it off almost immediately and conversation flowed well. At the end of our meeting birth grandma invited us to a doctor appt birth mom had scheduled. We were able to meet her doctor and were introduced as the baby's parents! The doctor was very receptive and we were so excited. Cameron's birth mom was very shy. I thought we'd be sitting in the waiting room while she had her appt, but she allowed us in the room.... but we did leave during the "exam". She didn't know what she was having, which was even more exciting! During the exam the doctor let us hear the baby's heartbeat, which was the first time I'd ever experienced anything like that. I couldn't help it, I cried and was barely consolable! It was then that Alicia told us that she intended to have an abortion, until she heard the heartbeat early in her pregnancy. It just wasn't the right option for her. I give this young woman all the credit in the world. She carried this child for 9 very long months, gave birth, and made a responsible adoption plan that would allow her to go on with her life, and for this baby to have his. I can't imagine the ridicule she faced at school for this. The responses she might have got from strangers as she told them of her plans. People not understanding how she could so this. She had a sense of peace with it but that didn't mean it wasn't hard....
Around 11pm on April 3rd we'd received a call that Alicia went into labor. The weather was horrible, there was a sleet storm. They told us we didn't have to come....but this was something that I wasn't about to miss! John and I packed up and got out of the house before midnight. The trip normally would take about 3hrs. That night, it was well over 5hrs of driving in the worst conditions ever before we arrived. We checked in at the hospital desk and took a seat. It wasn't but 5 min before we were ushered back. We stood outside Alicia's hospital room door and watched as our son entered the world! All 8lbs 13ozs of him!!! The nurse whisked him away to clean him up and brought him out to us. I was frozen. She extended her arms to mine and said "congratulations mom and dad, you have a new son"! More crying.... I'm crying now! It was incredible! I got a hospital bracelet to enter the nursery and we were put in a room next to Alicia with the baby. She completely trusted us. John fed him his first bottle, I did his first diaper. We would go back and forth from room to room to visit with Alicia, yet not spend too much time in there with the baby. She was feeling uncomfortable and we could tell. We gave her space and we gave her alone time with the baby. When it came time to do the birth certificate, she told the nurse that we would be naming him. And so we did, Cameron James. Although we felt certain that this adoption would go through, there is alway that possiblity that something could happen. We had issues, that's to the say the least... but Alicia never wavered from her decision. She knew this child was meant to be ours. And so the story goes... you all know the ending!
So today not only do we celebrate the incredible birth of our child, but we honor his birth mother, Alicia. Without her, we wouldn't have this amazing little person in our lives. She gave us the opportunity to be parents! She will always have a piece of our hearts.

Cameron, immediately after he was born... what a bundle!
Bathtime! Even then he knew how to "cover" himself!
Proud Daddy!
Daddy and Cameron all decked out in their Harley Davidson gear!
Some of my favorite pictures of Cameron were taken in this pumpkin patch!
He still loves daddy's boot!
Adoption Finalization Day - Dec 2003
Christmas 2003! What a happy boy!
Swimming Classes when Cameron was about 2yrs old!
Mother's Day pictures at 3yrs old. I cherish this picture!
John and I holding on to our BIG boy!
He loves his trains!!!

St. Patty's Day - From my mom!

My mom sent me this! Cameron and Rylan thought it was hillarious! It's me and both boys of course with my sister and my niece. Enjoy!!!

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The Caped Crusader!

Not only does Rylan think he's a warrior, but he's now our caped crusader! We like to call him "Super Teddy".... Not only does he have a new "Super Hero" cape (courtesty of his daycare mom's toy box) he found the perfect teddy bear winter hat to match! He flies around the house waving his cape doing some pretty snazy moves! No one better get in his way as he takes his job very seriously! I couldn't get him to smile for pictures. He was SO serious! This is where my kids are very different. Cameron owns nothing with a super hero on it. I mean that! He's never like them. Looks like we'll be buying a few new toys for Mr. Rylan soon. Maybe these he'll get to be the boss of for once!!!

Nearly a Year!

I am amazed that we're approaching a year since Rylan came home! I thought it was time for me to share some pictures from his life while he was living in Guatemala. On my visits in both May and December 2007 I left several disposable cameras, along with some that I sent in packages with friends who were visting their children. I realize how lucky I am to have some pictures during the time we missed with him, but in another way... it makes me pretty sad to look back on how they live their every day lives. It almost makes me feel ashamed of complaining about the small things in life here. March 20th we entered the USA with our son, a day I will never forget! But the journey didn't end there... it has only begun.
The above picture is Rylan in the bath/shower. Notice the mold growth surrounding him. When I saw this picture I was sickened. I wanted to seriously go and scrub and disinfect it! I felt sad. Sad that this is their normal. Not only is this not healthy for a growing baby, it's not healthy for anyone.

Here they took photos of Rylan playing with some of the toys we sent over. His foster mom worked at a school, which I think was more of a daycare, so we sent several boxes over for all the children to share. That felt SO incredibly good to do!
And here they were showing us in the clothes and footie pajamas we sent over. We appreciated their effort knowing they were using all we gave them!!! Even as much as I notice Rylan, I notice the backgrounds in these pictures. Not good living conditions most of the time.
This is the bed Rylan slept in, which was a playpen in foster mom's bedroom. It was extremely dirty and falling apart....And in the playpen with Rylan was the lawn mover he LOVED! I took this over on my visit in December 2007 and he pushed it everywhere! We never saw it again, same as all the clothes and toys we sent... but I don't care, I'm sure they got put to use somewhere! I left happy knowing some other children out there were using everything we brought over.Happy boy no matter what the circumstances! Looking back I see major malnourishment and a child who was also in desperate need of a cleaner environment. I had noticed no use of his legs at 10 months old on my first visit and that his color was pale. He would eat, and eat, and eat 24/7 while I was there! After just a day or two together you could see him improving. I'm not by any means saying the foster mom was neglectful. Unfortunately she did the best she could with what she had. Thus explaining why I left a suitcase (literally) full of stuff during both visits in May 2007 and December 2007 and sent other packages and money as I could! It is a 3rd world country and standards of which they live their every day lives are way different than ours. Our foster mom was considered to have average wealth there, here she would have been well below poverty limits. Babies for the most part can't be put down on floors to crawl because they are dirty or made of dirt. They don't brush their teeth or have dental care. The doctor is only used in a near death situation. And food doesn't come easily. Babies are fed beans and coffee leaving their growth stunted. None of it intentional, that's just how it is. An d this is for the average family. Imagine the families living outside in the mountain areas! You couldn't even begin to dream of how difficult life is for the majority of people there. You have to see it. And when you do, it forever changes your life. I'm thankful to have changed the life of one child, and seen the lives change for many more. I don't believe one bit that this is where it ends.... I can feel it just starting!

Our first photo together in May 2007 during my incredible visit! I still can't describe the pain that was left in my heart the day I had to leave him. It was horrible... yet I left so happy! Doesn't he look a million times better on this last day of our visit together!?

All cleaned up after being dropped off by foster mom and the attorney's assistant during my first visit in May 2007. Already he looked at me with those big dark eyes begging me to take him home! I kept wondering how I could get away with smuggling him back!

Rylan enjoying the jumper in the baby room at the Marriott Guatemala City during our first visit in May 2007. His little legs at 10 months old had barely any muscle tone at all. It was obvious he hadn't been given the chance to use them.

December 2007 visit out by the pool enjoying some much needed and nutricious food... french fries! Yum Yum!!!!Rylan during my December 2007 visit just before Christmas. He was such a happy little boy. even then! By this time, he was walking when I came...
Some of you may remember that I traveled with Sonja, who lives near me and I was able to meet before we even considered International Adoption. We also met up with Anna, another family sharing the same agency as both of us. We met her in Dallas, and flew onto Guatemala together. All of us meeting our children for the very first time! May 2007, Kayla (Sonja's daughter) on the left, Rylan in the middle, and Libby (Anna's daughter) on the right. I adore this picture....

This is Anna is with Libby on our first visit! Look how tiny Libby was. As you can see from the picture below, being home with her momma has made all the difference in the world! What a cutie pie! I think I will be shocked going from seeing her as a baby to seeing her for only the 2nd time in person as a toddler! I can't wait Anna!!!!

And above is Sonja with Kayla on our first visit, the first time mother and daughter met! Kayla's a gorgeous little girl with a spunky personality that we love! She's now home and a thriving, happy, well-adjusted little girl, as you can see from the photo below! We get the pleasure of making plans to see one another on a regular basis!
And here is my cyber friend Michelle! We've never met, but have known each other for 2 years! What we thought was the worst news of our live,s our agency collapsing and being exposed for fraud, ended up being just the start of some of the best days of our lives! Little Lexie is gorgeous and I can't wait to meet them both in person! From the photo below, you can see how she has blossomed as well.

And above is a referral picture of the newest member of our "family" to make it home, Abbie! Her family started the adoption process just 3 months before us, and this sweet little girl just came home..... yea!!!!!
Here is Abbie and her momma just last week on the plane coming home. I think Terri is going to have a Diva on her hands! She is such a doll!
I had to put in a picture of Abbie once home, as she joined her little brother Isaiah who was also born in Guatemala! I think these two are going to have some fun together! Congratulations again Terri and family!!!

There were several other families from our agency that we met over the course of our adoptions. Lisa, Wendy, Paula, Dixie, and so many others! All incredible, all courageous, all determined. I didn't want to post pics of them without permisssion. I knew the other above were fine with me doing it ; )

What an amazing past couple of years for all of us! Thanks ladies for always being there for me, especially on the not so good days. You all are incredible mothers and friends!

Warrior Rylan!

Rylan runs and flips through this house like a force that is not to be reconed with! He is one solid kid. He is always making karate like moves (and yes, sometimes on others). He even imitates the sounds and arm/hand movements! Now, we don't really get into watching any movies like that. None of us are karate experts. No clue why he does it, only that I am convinced he is going to be one power house of a kid! Short and stout!!! That is the one difference in personality I notice between the boys. Cameron is trains, trains, trains. Rylan, he has found a passion for trains too, but he likes a variaty of things more than Cameron ever has. Like monster trucks, being a warrior, and sports! Interesting watching these two develop their like and dislikes.

Fun Pictures!

It's been awhile since I've been on to blog. Seems like when I'm on lately I'm working on Ebay! I've been back to selling again and trying to deplete my stock.
Since Rylan's accident with the stitches we've been pretty much worry free and healthy again! We are so looking forward to spring coming and being able to spend more time outside. The winter is getting long and drawn out. We had another snow storm this week and school was dismissed early one day. That left one little 5yr old smiling from ear to ear! I picked him up off the bus with Rylan and we got to spend an afternoon home in our pj's! Now that's living!!! I guess winter comes in handy for something once in awhile.
Cameron's really looking forward to summer break from school. This year he'll go to the YMCA and he seems very excited! Little does he understand that in the fall we go back to the same routine of daycare in the morning and then a full day of school in 1st grade! I'm also not going to be the one to tell him right now that he'll be doing this for oh.... about 11 more years at least! The weeks get long for him, but he's doing great! It's amazing how much he's learned. He is also growing SO tall. Most people think he's 7 or 8 yrs old. I think he's going to tower over all of us in this family.
Rylan continues to learn new things every single day. He's very active and spunky and shows is independence a lot! Talking still seems to be a bit delayed from where he should be, but he tries. He is just way more interested in jumping, rolling, and all that little boy rough play! He is a stalky little guy and I think will be built like a brick house as he grows older!!!! He is a joy to watch though. He is very comical and you can't help but laugh at him. The life of the party!
Both kids together are doing extremely well. We have our moments and more of them than I'd like really... but a vast improvement in the past year! Yes, a year!!! Rylan will be home almost 1yr on March 20th. Amazing!!! The two kids believe it or not do share some very tender moments at times. Rylan adores Cameron.... he really does. He is always trying to kiss or hug him and copies everything he does. For the changes these two kids have been through, I am very proud of them. We are very lucky parents to have such amazing, healthy, happy and well adjusted boys! Did I mention though that they EAT us out of house and home. I'm not kidding. It's non stop! WOW!
A couple last notes... A huge congratulations to my friend Terri and her family on completing nearly a 3 year battle to bring their daughter Abbie home from Guatemala!!!! Check out her blog link that is on the right side of mine!
Also, a huge congratulations to Sean and Sonja on completing their re-adoption of Kayla! YEAH!!! I am so happy that you have that one last hurddle behing you.
And to my friends Michelle and Anna, and Sonja and Terri, I am grateful every day that I have come to know you and the others! How I would have made it through the adoption and the trials after Rylan came home, I have no idea! I can't wait to see you both in June and meet all the kids!!!!! I am SO excited!
Cameron enjoying baby food, yes, he still eats it! He just loves the Banana Mixed Berries. He thinks it's yogurt and I'm not going to tell him otherwise. Chalk that up to one healthy thing the kid actually eats!

And here's our Rylan, Mr. Messy himself. And yes, that is chocolate pudding! This is how Cameron used to eat. A vast improvement for one, and a work in progress for the other!
And when you don't use a spoon, this is what how that messy face happens. Or maybe he did use the spoon but decided to try to lick the remains out of the cup?
And here is how Rylan came to me with his coat on the other day. Cameron and I laughed and laughed! At least he tried!!!

Cameron giving us the rear view! John was waiting outside to take the boys in the tractor to plow snow, that's what the hurry was. You know you can't get ready fast enough for that!
And here are some pictures from last weekend and John's parents. We had a chili lunch over there (they live 1 mile from us) and the kids got to enjoy some sledding! It was freezing out but that didn't stop them!

Nope, the cold never bothers Rylan. Coming from Guatemala you'd think he wouldn't have the toughness to take it! Not him though, he's a rough neck I tell you!!!