Life is good!

As Christmas approaches this year, I have so much to be thankful for. I have two beautiful daughters, great friends, an amazing family, a lot of time off work, only 4 more weekends of Grad school, and much, much more. Things with McKinley are going great. She is a really good baby. She has been having a lot of tummy troubles with gas and stuff, but overall she is doing wonderful. Abby is getting so big. I love our relationship. She is so fun to hang out with. I have been very busy with Grad school work, but I am almost done! I can't believe I will have my Master's Degree in 4 months. Then my life will finally calm down a little! Well, time to go feed the baby! Just wanted to give a quick update and of course attach some adorable pictures! I hope everyone has a great holiday season!!

Let's try this again!!

So, ever since Charlotte (Annabelle) left, I have been waiting patiently to be a mommy again. Well, 15 months later, I finally got the call. There is a 4 day old baby just waiting for me to take care of her. I went to visit her tonight. What a doll! She was so alert and curious. She is perfect! I decided to name her McKinley Grace. I have always liked the name McKinley and Grace means "blessing"....well, that is what she is! Please pray for our forever union! This may be a rough road. Her birth mom really wants to try and get her life together, and could possibly get her back if she does things right. I of course am very nervous because I do not want to lose another baby. I am going into this with my guard up but hoping this is forever. Abby is so excited. She did not get to go with us to the hospital tonight but she has not stopped talking about her new baby. Again, please pray for McKinley to be able to stay with us forever and for strength during this long process of foster-to-adopt. Thanks for all your support! I have the best friends and family in the world!!

Grand Lake Vacation

Grand lake has got to be one of the most beautiful places I have been. The weather was perfect, the lake was stunning, and the scenery was gorgeous! My grandmom and two of my aunts came to visit from New Jersey. We decided to spend a few days in the mountains to show them how beautiful Colorado really is. My sister in-law's family has a house in Grand Lake so off we went. Tiff and I decided to take the girls and get a hotel room on Main street. There were just too many people for one house. So, we rented a room at The Inn at Grand Lake and it was perfect. It was across the street from the lake, a park, and many fun stores. This was the first time the girls had stayed in a hotel so they were thrilled! The first day, we rented a pedal boat and took the girls out on the lake. The girls and I had a blast but Tiff was a little nervous....lol She does not like large bodies of water. But she was brave for her daughter!



That night we took the girls to the park and then down to the lake. It was so pretty! It was nice to not have to think about anything but relaxing and enjoying our time with the girls.




The next day we were off to the lake again. Only this time we were with the whole family and we were going on a pontoon tour of the lake. That lake is surrounded by million dollar homes. They were awesome! I would die for a million dollar summer house on the lake. Some people have all the luck! :)





That afternoon we took the girls to the stable and they both got to ride a horse. They were very brave. Abby said next time she wants her horse to run! LOL


The next morning we were off! But before we went home, we went through Rocky Mountain National Park up Trail Ridge road. WOW! What a beautiful sight. I was in awe! Then we spent the afternoon in Estes Park. I love that place! I just had a the best 3 days I have had in a while. No work, no school, no stress. I really need to do this more often!!

Busy but blessed!

Between starting a new grade level, getting my Master's Degree, turning 40 years old and raising a 4 year old daughter, it's amazing I can hold my head above water. I am fighting for air everyday but at the end of every night when I lay my head down, I am very thankful for everything in my life. I have a beautiful daughter, great friends and family, a job I LOVE, and much, much more!

I turned 40 years old on July 29th. Turning 40 made me think about my life and what I have accomplished. I have done many great things so far. I have received my Associates Degree, my Bachelor's Degree, and now I am getting my Master's Degree. I have a fabulous daughter that I was able to adopt on my own. I struggle at times, but being Abby's mom is so worth it! I have a super job, my dream job as a matter of fact. I love every minute of it! There are a few things I still have to accomplish (i.e. getting married and having more children) but I would say, over all the first 40 years of my life has been wonderful!

Tiff threw me a surprise party for my birthday. It was so much fun! I do not have pictures yet, but my friend Rebecca took some pictures for me. I will post them when I get them. Many of my friends and family members chipped in money and bought me a new camera for my birthday. I love it! I have been taking pictures like crazy. I love it!

And last but not least, I was very blessed to have a visit from my new pseudo family Salina, Chris, Charlotte, and Cooper. Charlotte (Annabelle) and her family were in Colorado for a visit from California. They came over and we ordered pizza and got to know each other a little. Seeing Charlotte was a mixed bag for me. It was very emotional in the sense that she doesn't remember me (which I expected) but she is also at an age where she wanted her mom and dad and did not want to be held by strangers. So, as bad as I wanted to squeeze and hug her, she would not have it. that was the hardest part. The best part was meeting her new family. She is so lucky to have such a great family. I really enjoyed getting to know Chris and Salina and look forward to getting to know them more over the years.







Abby also started a new preschool year. One more year, and she will be in Kindergarten! I love her preschool, I am looking forward to another great year!

Loving First Grade!

Well, I have just finished my first two weeks of teaching 1st grade and I have to say, it is exhausting but SO much fun!! Not only did I have two weeks in a new grade level, but I had my Master's classes last weekend. So, I have not had one day to myself since July 4th! I know, poor pity me, but I am beat! I can hardly function right now...I am so tired! Oh, and we had Back to School night last night. That is always mentally stressful! I am looking forward to having all day tomorrow to just relax and not think about work. And then I have to go back to school for a few hours on Sunday, UGH! But if I don't, I will never get caught up!

Well, so enough whining from me! The girls have really been starting to like soccer. Abby scored her first goal last Saturday! (Of course I was at school, so I missed it but she called me and was very excited!) Hopefully she will score another one soon so I can see it! I am just glad she is really enjoying it. I am hoping to sign her up again, but I also want her in dance. I do not want her doing too much so I am trying to decide which one. Anyway, I will keep you updated!

I can not believe it but I am getting ready to turn the big 4-0! I can not believe I am going to be 40 years old on the 29th. I do not feel like I am 40. Well, maybe physically...lol But I will always be 25 at heart!!

We had a pretty eventful 4th of July but not in a good way. First we had NOTHING to do! So, then we decide to go shopping at Good Will (I can always find great books for the classroom!). Anyway, as soon as we got to Good Will, I had a migraine so I had to go sit in the car until my vision cleared up. Then it started pouring cats and dogs! So, we go to Walmart to pick up something for dinner and I accidentally locked my keys in the car WITH the car running! So, $75 dollars and a lock smith later I got my car keys. We then went to my moms house and watched her neighbors light fireworks. I decide to check my car because we had the interior light on for a while and I wanted to make sure the car would start...well, low and behold...the car was dead!! I had to have Lyal jump start me. And that was our 4th of July. Pretty exciting huh??

Waterpark Fun!

We actually had a nice day yesterday with beautiful sun in the morning. SO, we took the girls to Great Plains park (off of Tower and Iliff...if you have never been there...you should go soon!). Anyway, we packed some watermelon, a blanket, and sunscreen and headed out to the waterpark. The girls had a great time!