Life as a Family…Mommy, Daddy, Baby, and of course our Doggies

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Just wanted to share a praise that we are re-adopting Elizabeth in the state of California this Friday.  I love our baby, who is more of a toddler now.

Haven’t posted here much.  We’ve moved!!!!!  Our new house is great and we are very happy…though we miss our neighbors:  George and Doreen, and Leanne, Alan, Max (we forgot your birthday, but don’t worry, I remembered…) and Hannah (whose birthday we have not forgotten).

Some photos:

and me and Elizabeth, with cousin Marlene, who came for a visit from Arizona:

I don’t normally share my deep feelings here, but I wanted to share this.  On a message board that I belong to, Parenting after Infertility, an adoptive mom asked when did you fall in love with your child.  Here is what I wrote:

For me the moment Elizabeth was placed in my arms, I thought, finally I have MY baby. I really do think I loved her instantly. However, about 2 days later, I found out my mom had cancer (which as most of you know she died from). I had a very difficult time after that news making Elizabeth my priority. I just wanted to be with my mom and I felt burdened by Elizabeth. If it wasn’t for Elizabeth, I would have been with my mom and taken care of her. I have admit that I resented Elizabeth and being a mom. How sad is that after wanting and waiting to be a mom for 6 years. I’ve never actually admitted this to anyone, not even to myself before now. I’m just begining to mend from losing my mom. I never stopped loving Elizabeth, but there were times when she was not what I wanted to be doing. I wanted to care for my mom and not my daughter. Now that my mom is gone, I find myself, enjoying Elizabeth more and my heart no longer feels as divided.

My experience was a bit different. Becoming a mom and losing my mom at the same time was difficult. I am so thankful for my little girl.

We are in escrow for a new home (new to us).  The home is in the same city that we currently live in, but across town.  The home was built in 2000.  It has a pool.  The school district is excellent.  Here’s some photos:  (note the furniture is the seller’s not ours)

front of home

side yard

leading up to the front door

backyard (we will be putting a gate around the pool)

backyard

kitchen

kitchen

open cabinets, where I will put my mom’s china

kitchen

dining room

front door

they are using this an office, but we will use it as the living room

family room

master bath

master bedroom

walk-in closet in the master bedroom

this will be Elizabeth’s room
(keeping the paint…she will have a beach themed room)

Elizabeth’s playroom, that someday will be a guest room,
keeping the paint

this will be our office, changing the pink for blue,
but leaving the brown

guest bath

and last but not least, and indoor laundry room~
our washer/dryer are currently in the garage

Mike and I took Elizabeth for her 1st haircut (though she did have her hair cut/shaved at the orphanage).  She did well.  No tears or screams, just a few whimpers.  Thanks to Ronni, my hairdresser, for being so sweet.

~my beautiful girl after her haircut~

Merry Christmas!

our Christmas tree, placed on the buffet, out of reach of little hands and doggie paws

our mantle

Elizabeth’s stocking, that I made three years ago. 
How amazing that I am able to hang it up this year!

Elizabeth’s little tree in her bedroom