Note to self

Idaho Thankgiving: more family than will fit in a house, a turkey that chases the kids before it is cooked, more food than can be humanly consumed, clay pigeon shoot out (I got 1 out of 4!), spent Black Friday at the Twin Falls temple and then shopping for camo and guns (only time of year my husband shops more than I do but I did), family movie night, laughing till you bust a gut and crooked pictures of Rishelle. Heck Yeah!

Paxton and I did start what I think will become a tradition for us. I have shopped Black Friday before but in my old 30+ age, I don't love the crowds. I do love to shop though so with a little planning I was able to do my BF bargain shopping online and still get the same killer deals. I just didn't have to get up at 3 in the morning and then wait hoping I would get one of the 10 per store.

I was actually pretty ticked that shopping has spilled in over to Thankgiving Day. We are all supposed to be thinking of what we are grateful for and all anyone is talking about is where they were going to go buy more stuff at some un-human hour of the morning.

So, I boycotted this year and we went to the Twin Falls temple instead of hitting the stores. I really appriciated the feelings of gratitude there in that sheltered, peaceful, beautiful place. I want to do that every year we can from now on. Now if I can just keep that feeling through the holidays and not let stress and business crowd out my favorite part of the season... we'll see how that goes :)

Dear Jacob

My sweet little boy, today I'm so proud of you. This week you auditioned for "The Tortoise and the Hare" and out of 150 kids and only 60 parts, you got one of them. I wasn't really surprised. You do have quite the flare for the dramatic at times :) I am so proud that you have found your own little talent and a place where you can shine. I'll be right there in front cheering you on.

It is hard to believe that it was only two years ago that we met you for the first time. I was so excited I could hardly sleep for the whole week before. When I got the phone call that we were chosen to be your forever family I started bawling and the first time we saw you my heart melted (I know it sounds cliche but I really felt so much happiness that my insides were bubbling). That night you came down, all by your shy little self, and came over and gave me a timid little hug and said, "I love you Mom." You changed my world that day. In the adoption process I was introduced to a world of drugs, crime and selfishness beyond what I could have imagined before. Now out of all of this came this perfect, loving, beautiful little boy that I am lucky enough to call my son. You taught me that whatever background you have come from you have a choice. Despite other people's decisions, you are the master of your own future, and somehow Jacob, you have chosen to love. There were so many guardian angels along your path that helped prepare you before we found you. We will be forever grateful to your aunt, your brother, your foster family, your teachers,  for showing you what what love and compassion are.

Jacob, sometimes I wonder what great things God has in store for you. I don't believe for a minute that you have ended up here by chance. I know that you have always been meant to be part of our family. I love and admire you more than you will understand for a long time.

Loving you forever,

Mom

Beautiful babies

How lucky am I? I have sweet, kind, loving, beautiful kids that make my world amazing. I am so, so very blessed.