Happy Muver's Day

My mummy who is watching me from up above...   

It's the end of the day and as I began posting my daily photo for the Instagram thread Photo a day May, so many thoughts and emotions came flashing by as I thought about Mother's Day and motherhood. Warning this may get a little sappy...

I first was woken with "Mummy, Happy Muver's Day, check under your pillow!" I guess I was sleeping on this card the entire night and didn't even notice. She's so sneaky. 
While we were getting ready for Sunday service she practiced the song that the primary children would be singing later that morning. I always melt into a blubbering ball of tears every year that I hear the primary children sing. I get so overwhelmed with emotions of how blessed I am to have been given such a precious and wonderful gift. 

We live so very far from our birth mothers so while I called mine on the phone, Maribel made this special card for hers. We delivered it the fastest way possible, posted on her facebook wall. Gotta love technology and social media.

After tucking my little red head into bed safe and sound with her favourite stuffies and sweet music, I recluse back to my room to take one more look at my Mother's Day goodies. 
I can't help but be grateful for this wonderful gift of motherhood. 

Today in one of the talks a mother related a story about how a mother was in a shopping line with her kids and while being typical kids in a checkout and a lady behind her says, "Aren't you just loving every minute? Treasure every precious moment because they grow up so fast." 
It's so true. As I look at how much my little onion has grown in these short years I really do try to enjoy as much of it as I can. I mean, I'm not perfect and yes there are days that I countdown til bedtime, but overall I have heard and have been told that they grow up so fast so I am doing my best to really enjoy this journey. I have been given this gift. Such a special gift she is to me since she was literally given to me to raise as my own and to love so deeply.
Adoption is just another word for More to Love. 
And so now I will bid you all a wonderful Mother's Day or "Muver's Day" as Maribel says it and take to bed a very full and happy heart. 

say cheese

"cheeeeeeeeeeese"

Bijou shooting me a grin for the camera. She's my kitty alright. I have to admit, this photo makes me giggle.
Happy Humpday!

>^..^<

our "other mothers"

For the past year I have been wondering what the best way would be to teach Maribel what adoption means and how special it is and how special she is. I grew up knowing I was adopted and have seen just how special it is first hand and I wanted M to have the same understanding and love for it as I did/do so I started with showing pictures of her biological mother and her younger half brother. She loves that she has a brother which takes a bit of the pressure off Joe and I because we kinda suck in that department.

About a week before we left for Alberta Maribel crawled into my bed while I was getting ready for work and I said,
Me: Hey Maribel guess what? (we like this game)
Maribel: What?
Me: Guess who we’re going to see when we go to Canada?
Maribel: Oh who Mommy?
Me: Your baby brother Dayce.
She smiled super big so I continued

Me: And guess who else you’re going to see in Canada?
Maribel: Who?
Me: Your Birthmother, Tia.
She gasped her super happy excited breath and threw her arms around me and said, "I’m so excited!" While we held each other for that precious moment I knew telling her was the right thing. I wonder if my mother felt this when she told me I had another mother?

The Beautiful mother who blessed me with a beautiful daughter.

Maribel love's her Mommy Tia and that really made me so happy. I've wondered if some adoptive mothers have the hidden fear of the first meeting. No fear from me, just love and gratitude. So much gratitude.

Maribel and her little brother Dayce

This little meeting really melted my heart. They clicked right away and my heart was over joyed. She loves her little brother so so much.

Me and my birthmother Joann

That weeked we also had the chance to visit my birthmother which was also M’s first time meeting her kokum and the rest of my birth-family. She clicked with her cousins right away and just made her self at home with her extended family. My heart was seriously starting to overflow at this point.

Me, my Kookum, My birthmother Joann, and little Maribel

4 Generations

Now take a look at this photo and tell me that this could have been planned only by our Heavenly Father.
Adoption is such a beautiful thing.

Happy Mother's Day!

>^..^<

home sweet home

Returning from my visit home was a little rough this time. I came back with a little more then I bargained for; a sinus and ear infection that I would have rather have left behind. With the two flights taking off and landing my ears felt like they were ready to implode and brought my hearing to practically nil which came in a little handy when little whiny face was exercising her newly acquired skill to try to get what she wanted. Oh the joys of growing up. But even with all of that the trip was wonderful and the food…oh the food….

This place was the first food joint we ate at and the last. Of course there were several meetings in between…*drool* My mother in law is seriously considering opening up one of these in Orlando. Yup, she's hooked. Don't' worry, I also indulged in some amazing Poutine, Cadbury's finest chocolate, Bison burgers, and of course some yummy Haggis. Yes, I like haggis. But oh the sweetness that is in the delicious form of chocolate Timbits…now those are something worth having over, and over, and over......*drool* okay onto the real reason for flying home...

Aidan’s baptism: The whole reason I came home.
This particular baptism was very emotional for me. I was so blessed to be there when he made his entrance to this world and now to be able to witness his covenant with our Heavenly Father filled my heart so full of joy that it spilled over…in the form of tears. Of course to add to everything I was asked to give a talk, and yes I cried through out the whole thing. I can’t help it, I’m a boob when it comes to spiritual things. I just love this kid so much and to see my dad there along side him was so SO awesome.

Up next: Be careful what you wish for because people may not appreciate it as much as you do...

>^..^<

sweet tooth

We’ve had quite the week of crazy events what with M’s dental visit and wicked thunderstorms that blew down our fence but I did manage a couple of Bento goodness for our little boo. Yay me!

For Monday’s lunch I wanted to see if she’d eat hard boiled eggs again if she was involved with the shaping process this time. If you remember her last reaction to the shaped egg she was less then thrilled to bring it back. But here’s how they work.

While the eggs are boiling prepare a med-large bowl of iced water then when the eggs are ready start peeling them while they are still warm but be careful not to burn yourself. I ran them under the tap to help take the edge off but when the egg is peeled quickly and gently guide it into the mold and seal shut. Place the mold(s) into the iced water and let it sit for at least 5 minutes or longer if you can.

Once the time is up and you are ready to make the lunch, just rinse off the egg, pat dry with a paper towel and serve. She loved it!

For her lunch I cut the egg in half and took out the “yucky” yolk and threw a little salt in the tiny bear container for seasoning. I also included vitamin gummies,sliced turkey rolls, pb&j sandwich bears, peanut butter cookies, and high heels with a crown shaped fruit leather. She ate it all. Yesssss.

Friday’s lunch had a bit of a theme that sums up our week. Since it’s been raining like crazy I thought a fish theme would be fun. Oh and teeth.

This lunch included chicken noodle soup with some gold fish crackers, vitamin gummies, sugar free apple sauce with some sprinkles, SpongeBob crackers, sliced turkey rolls, some cheesy pretzel fish and cheese molars. I was supposed to use a circle for the fish heads (eww fish heads? ok that sounded kinda gross) but all I had was an egg shape so I used that instead. I will be investing in some circle cookie cutters for next time fo sho.

I wanted to celebrate her bravery during her tooth extraction so I carved out some teeth from stringed cheese. I couldn’t help it. Hee hee. Although I would totally be alright if we never have to go through a tooth extraction again. Totally 100% okay with that.

>^..^<

spirit orbs

I snapped this photo today while walking around the Orlando Temple grounds with my Instax camera. If you are a believer in spirit orbs in photos (like I am) then you might understand how stinking cool this is and how I couldn't keep it to myself.

Are you a believer? What do you think?

>^..^<

sunbeam

Well the time has come that our little Maribel is officially in Primary. No more church nursery 'cause this chicky is now a Sunbeam. Love.
I knew when I was asked to conduct our opening exercises I might have a little issue with the tear ducts and.... I was right. I was great up until I saw my own little onion walk in holding hands and taking her seat. My heart was so full of love, joy, pride, and fear (yes, fear-you parents know which type I'm talking about) that my eyes couldn't fight back the flood any more. I love my calling so so much and I am so excited that I get to share it with my little monkey. :D

I'm gunna be a total wreck come Kindergarten.

>^..^<