Happy Thanksgiving 2013

2013 started out with a bang...

January brought a New Year's trip to see Michelle's parents in Florida, our first flight as a family of three, Vivienne's first visit to Disney World & the ocean, plus a brand new job for Dave - which he loves! The rest of the year was filled with a multitude of adventures - some expected and some total surprises! 

May - Vivienne turned 2 and is still the joy of our lives! We love being parents and we don’t call them the “terrible two-s” but we do realize there is truth to the saying... "The fundamental role of a 2-year-old is to rule the universe."

June – We had a great trip down to Illinois to see Michelle's family. Vivienne loved spending time with her cousins!

July - Mt. Rushmore & Custer State Park here we come! We spent a week in South Dakota with friends and enjoyed being tourists. The poor state of SD will never be the same!

 
August - We experienced our 2nd hail storm on the farm that damaged our house and our crops… but thank goodness for insurance… it all turned out ok in the end.

September - Michelle had emergency appendectomy surgery. They gave her photos of her lovely appendix but we decided not to share that photo with you. You’re welcome! :-)

We are celebrating Thanksgiving this year with Dave’s mom and we look forward to the upcoming Christmas season. Both Michelle & Dave's sisters will be in town Christmas week. We continue to thank God for the blessings in our lives including YOU!

All God’s love to you and your family,
Dave, Michelle and Vivienne

Positive adoption story in the news

I have to admit that I get frustrated that there are very few positive stories about adoption in the news/media. This video clip from NBC Rock Center, however, is a pleasant surprise. A wonderful story of birth parents, adoptive parents and one beautiful child all joined through the blessing of open adoption. Way to go NBC! There are so many of us experiencing parenthood via open adoption and loving it! Thank you for showing how open adoption can be a positive option.

Click here... Woman documents pregnancy, agony over adoption in revealing self-portraits

Vivienne Turns 2!

Happy Birthday sweet girl!

Mommy and Daddy love you so much!

Birthmother's Day

We celebrated Birthmother's Day this year at an Adoption Walk/Run with Vivienne's birthmother and other adoptive & birth families. We continue to get together with T. every other month throughout the year.
  

An Openly Adopted Child's Legacy

by Brenda Romanchik 

Once there were two expectant mothers.
One carried and cared for you beneath her beating heart
She became your Birthmother.
The other carried the hope of you within her.
She became your Mom.

As the days passed, and you grew bigger and stronger,
Your Birthmother knew that she could not give you all you needed after your birth.
Meanwhile, your Mom was ready and waiting for you.

One day your Birthmom and your Mom found each other.

They looked into each other’s eyes and saw a friend.
Your Birthmom saw the life your Mom could give you.
Your Mom saw how much your Birthmom loved and cared for you.

They decided that what you needed was both kinds of love in your life.

So now you have two families,
One by birth, the other by adoption.

And you have a home where you can get:
your questions answered,
your boo boos bandaged,
your heartaches soothed,
And much needed hugs.

And a place where you can find:
answers to your questions,
your image in the mirror,
a part of yourself,
And much needed hugs.

Two different kinds of families
Two different kinds of love
Both a part of you.

Winter Fun

Guess I've gotten a bit behind on our blog, huh?! It's been a really long winter but a fun one.

In January, Dave started a new job that he loves! He works less hours, makes more money and has more time with Vivienne and I. Perfect! The week before starting his new job, we took our first flight as a family of three -- to Florida to see my parents and Mickey of course!

 Vivienne has spent lots of time this winter coloring and cooking. Two of her favorite things!