happy 2012!

Our new New Year's Eve party consists of staying home as of just two years ago.
Never thought I would want to be home but the reality of it is that I can enjoy being home...no pressure, get comfy, sit back and relax.

We can hang out in PJs or whatever we choose.

The kids get to eat junk, drink lots of hot chocolate, stay up late, watch movies, play games and what ever else makes them happy (for the most part).

Tonight is no different from the past two years...

The kids are on the front porch with the door wide open (yes, my northern friends it's warm...quite warm here).

We watch as about 5 neighbors shoot off beautiful displays. William has enjoyed this year more than I could have ever imagined. I told him today he had to wait until it was dark to see fireworks, as soon as the sun went down he asked to go outside to see fireworks.

The kids scream "shoot more fire works" until their voices grow weary. Gulp, take a breath and begin again:) They video the majestic scenes on their new Christmas gifts full of sheer excitement. Oh, the joys of being a kid again. No doubt our neighbors think we are nuts!

As I sit and reminisce about our last year looking at our photos I can't help but be thankful for all we are blessed with.

I also look at how much my kids are given the opportunity to do and it makes me sad to think there are children in orphanages waiting for a family. no fireworks. no friends. no celebrating. no life.

Although the Angel tree ends tonight it does not mean these children do not need us anymore. This year has been quite successful for the R/R angel tree, all of the children have reached the $1000 mark! Twenty children have had a family commit to them! Isn't God so good?

This New Year if you are trying to think of a resolution wont you consider doing something to help the children of Reece's Rainbow?

Would you become a prayer warrior?

We are their only hope.

If you cannot donate, you can always help advocate...spread the word, you would be amazed at how many people are interested.

Lastly, keep these loves in your prayers, praying costs nothing. These children need us, we are their voice. Benji

Bogdan

Please let's not forget how important it is to keep their funds growing this year. $1000 is amazing but they don't have a family yet. Spread their pictures and stories everywhere you can.

Happy New Year!!!

What a happy birthday!

Yesterday morning we got up and had breakfast with two great families. One is my friend C, her daughter shares the same birthday as Ragan. The other family is our sweet friend Penny from Penny's Peeps. I told her that its crazy I've been seeing more of her lately than some of my friends who live just ten min. away! But that's ok, schedules are not always the easiest to get together. I love that she frequents Louisiana like she does b/c we always get some time with her and of course her amazing boys!

Happy birthday Ragan and Brennan...

Top right clockwise: William and Brennan; two b-day girls; Catherine, Brennan and Brooke checking our Cracker Barrel's goodies; Forrest and William waiting for a meal the gang...
top right clockwise: Catherine and Brennan;, William holding Logan; Wyatt; Brooke and Logan

the mommas...

givin' the birthday a little hug!
After an adventurous day out and about shopping we picked up Ragan's friend who also just had a birthday 2 days prior to Ragan's.
It's kinda of strange when your child wants to make and decorate their own birthday cake.
Once John got home we brought the kiddos out to eat again (do you see an eating theme with this family?)

When we got back we celebrated Ragan's birthday with the yummy cake she and K made earlier with PawPaw John, MiMi, Pops, Meghan and Emily.Ragan and Emily (Leslie's youngest) celebrate their birthdays together (Emily is one year younger).

Ragan (12) Emily (11)

Happy Birthday girls!

Now for a day of rest...
...NOT :) !

gingerbread houses

Each year MiMi has the kids over to decorate gingerbread house. This tradition has become one that is cherished for all. Unfortunately we did not get to make the houses last year due to MiMi's illness but we were happy to resume our wonderful family memories this year. I told Ragan her house looked more like a Martha Stewart house with the whites and simplicity...the snow covered ground and rooftop as well and that warm little fire she has outside. The other kids houses looked more like the candy fair threw up all over....you are welcome for that image:)

Looking forward to next year's houses...

happy 12th birthday Ragan

Happy birthday my beautiful girl, we are so proud of all you do. There is so much I want to say to you but for now know that you are treasured part of our family and we love you immensely.

lets get 'em home

This holiday season has brought so much joy the past couple of weeks. It not the material things, the family or "off" time I am speaking about, however I am more than grateful for everything.

The joy I feel is from those around us. Some are complete strangers, other are people I know many were my children's friends. All of these people have something in common although they don't all know each other.

My friends, I am talking about those of you who have helped Benji and Bogdan. Those of you who have felt a little tug at your heart strings, compassion, love.... You understand and know the importance of these guys getting a family. Most importantly you believe they are worthy and important. They are loved. Children of God, just like us.

I truly don't know, other than the grace of God how these boys are being found but I thank each and everyone of you have donated any amount in their funds.

Some days I can't help but check B&B's funds a couple of times to see what has come in. To my amazement some days the boys have had several donations! Benji has has 2 $35 amounts so far today! Y'all rock! Thank you God for softening the hearts of others.

At times I am puzzled: What makes a family commit? How do they know when a child " is theirs" ? It's not always the amount of money in the fund as you can see from the angels already committed to. By the way, 19 children have had their family commit to bring them home since the angel tree started over the past month!

I pray each and every day one person would see the boys and realize they belong in their home. It only takes one family to commit to a child.

I look forward to the day to see themboth on the "My Family Found Me" page.

Could you all do me a little late Christmas favor and repost this on your fb page or email this to as many people you know?

Let's get this boys home!

christmas 2011 Part: IV... the last of Christmas 2011

and for the last of the Christmas pictures....

Christmas afternoon at MiMi and Pops' house....

the crew...

Brooke got the game Headbandz....the kids loved it

his very own "real" guitar...(he was saying "WOWWWW"~priceless)

PawPaw John stopped by Monday afternoon to wish us a Merry Christmas...this is the only pict I got the entire night. Brooke wouldn't take a picture and Ragan and Daddy are hunting (deer #3)! I promised I would post this pict. for PawPaw so he could see it.....at least I have one faithful reader:)

christmas 2011 Part:III Santa comes

before and after

it always amazes me how long CHristmas prereations take and how little time it takes for things to be torn aparta little something for the guy in the red suit....

Notes from Santa and stockings... iPods!!!

Christmas 2011 Part:II

One of the best things about this Christmas was that Uncle Brian and Aunt Brittany (aka Aunt Beatrice and Uncle B Dog....thanks to the girls wonderful nicknames) were able to be here. We love spending time with them when they are able to visit. I wish they lived closer but this way we enjoy every minute we can get with them and they are lots of fun!

Christmas Eve we spent at home while Aunt and Uncle B hung out with us for the day. Aunt B said Maw Maw did not put up a tree, so we decided to make one since we would be there for a bit that night opening gifts. Oh what fun everyone had painting and decorating!

bottom left corner: our Charlie Brown tree hanging at MawMaw's with gifts underneath:)

Aunt B made each girl a precious canvas made with buttons.....just another reason I love Pinterest:)

Christmas 2011 Part:I

There is much catching up to do in this little corner of my world so I figure today may be the day to get it done. I think the Christmas pictures will be in separate post according to families and homes for my sanity.

Anyway that is my explanation so here we go......

I hope everyone had a blessed Christmas, hard to believe it has come and gone so quickly and 2012 is going to be here in a matter of days. I have been asked by Ragan to leave the tree up until her birthday (on the 29th so I will refrain from tearing it down until the morning of the 30th)

The night before Christmas Eve we spent some time with our dearest friends, the B's.

The kids painted their initials and 2 ornaments b/c Aunt Stephanie is cool like that. (clockwise top right corner...Brooke, Maddie, Ragan bottom Meghan, Catherine, Emily Left Uncle John and William) Top right Brooke, Maddie, and William bottom William and Riley left B and W

Riley had been in Colorado and got home about an hour after we arrived. William was so thrilled to see R he could not contain that sweet smile.

Thank you Aunt Steph and Uncle John we love you all.

hidden angels: American Families...

If you weren't able to watch the Cox's journey to Mia (Kareen) you can click here to watch the clip and read more....
Hidden Angels: American Families Saving Children With Down Syndrome

What a beautiful perspective for us.

I wish in this clip they would show the children's faces (they did on TV), for more of a sense of reality....putting a face with this horrid problem.

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If you check Reece's Rainbow right now they are down due to so much new traffic, I think Im going to go do my happy dance right now then go to bed, hehehe:)

C'mon people let's help some babies!

It's a date TONIGHT....please join me!!!!

Tonight is a big night for Kecia and her family as they will be on ABC world news. We will get a glimpse into the adoption process they went through this past year as they brought their beautiful Mia home. Their girl is home where she belongs, she was surrounded by loved ones this holiday season, however so many loves are still waiting for a family to rescue them. Wont you join us and watch with an open heart and mind? This will be life changing for so many. Please share this with anyone you know and ask them to watch also.

Here is a post from her blog yesterday...

Literally it is big NEWS....

Last Feb. just after we had committed to adopt Mia we received a call from Andrea at Reece's Rainbow saying that she had been contacted by ABC world news and they wanted to do a story about Reece's Rainbow and wanted to follow a family in the process from start to finish. ABC decided to follow our journey to Mia.They came with us to Ukraine which was quite an adventure for them, and we were glad to have a few more English friends for a few days. We had lots of fun stories that we couldnt share at the time because we couldn't say they were with us. they were there with us when we met Mia for the first time and stayed with us for a few days there. Then when we got homemwith Mia they came to our home for a few days to film Mia in her new family and do a follow up. we had to keep this a secret for the last 10 months but now the story is supposed to air TOMORROW NIGHT MONDAY DEC 26 ON ABC WORLD NEWS TONIGHT WITH DIANE SAWYER. I beleive it is on at 5:30 mst so set your dvr and spread the word!when we were first approached about doing this my first thought was "no I do not want a national camera crew following this crazy, nerve wracking journey with me" but when we thought of the potential for good that this could have for the other waiting children on Reece's rainbow we knew we had to do it. our hope is that it will bring. More national awareness to Reece's rainbow and that more of these children will find their forever families before it is too late!So tune in tomorrow night with us! we can't wait to see what they put together!

Will you be watching?

Merry Christmas 2011