Sunday, March 23, 2008

A Memorable Weekend










As many of you know this weekend we had the amazing opportunity to take our children to the Temple. It was such a great experience. For some reason I am really having trouble with my keyboard. So, I will write more later.

For more pictures you can go to http://www.flickr.com/gp/18963296@N05/YvZ604.

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Two down...Two to go!

Well, yesterday was part one of this wonderful adventure. Lonnie and I finally FINALLY got to adopt Mason and Michelle. We had a wonderful turn out of wonderful family and friends to support us. The hearing only lasted about 20 minutes but it sure felt good walking out of there knowing that these are our children. We can do whatever we want with them! (by this I mean we can take them out of the county without permission). I felt so at peace and just comforted all day yesterday.

I've been trying to get Michelle to learn her full name. Yesterday, of all days, she finally said "I Michelle Durham"! Okay, so it's not her full name but it is so cute! She has some type of little wanna be accent that is hillarious!

All day yesterday and today Mason has been going around the house saying "Mommy". It's almost as if these sweet children know what happened. How truly amazing they are.

Thank you all so very much for all of your love, prayers, support, tears, and just for being there for us. You will never know how eternally grateful we are!

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Only 3 Days Left!

Are we absolutely sure we want to do this??? You BET! :)

So for today I thought I would give some information on foster children. Currently, there are over 10,000 children in the foster care system in Arizona. Fostering and adopting children who were the unfortunate victims of child abuse or neglect is very rewarding, very challenging, and will change your life! You’ll be pleased to know that many friends and relatives will totally support you in your decision, while others may think that you’ve lost your mind!

I know many of you are shaking your heads "yes" to the last part! :)

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Four More to Go!!!!

This week is already flying by! We heard from our Aunt Kiki. She is doing better in Paraguay. We are all so sad that she is going to miss this really special time in our lives, but we know that she is serving the people of Paraguay at this time for an important reason.

So for day 4 here are 4 things that you may not have known about both Mason & Michelle.

Mason
1) He only eats a select few foods.
2) He is very into how things work and trying to figure it out.
3) He loves to read books. He could read for hours...and sometimes we do!
4) He will be named after his daddy, grandpa, and uncle.

Michelle
1) She loves to eat raw spinach.
2) She loves to sing songs...especially Christmas and Primary ones!
3) Her toes are exactly like her daddy's.
4) She will be named after her mommy! :)

Monday, March 10, 2008

In FIVE

M emorable
A mazing
S incere
O ptimistic
N eeded

M iraculous
I ntriguing
C ompasionate
H umorous
E motional
L ovely
L oved
E nthusiastic

Sunday, March 9, 2008

Let the Countdown Begin!

So, the official countdown began yesterday. We are now officially 6 days away from adopting Mason and Michelle! I cannot believe how long this process has taken. There have been so many mixed emotions throughout our little journey. However, I must say that I would not change any of it. From the four beautiful children we had placed in our home only to have them move on and the heartache that caused...to the fasting and praying that so many participated in on our behalf for the four beautiful children we now have. I am so grateful for the challenges of having a family that me and Lonnie experienced. I know this may sound ridiculous but we have both grown in ways that I know we could not have, individually and as a couple, had we not been given this challenge. I know that our Heavenly Father is truly the Father of us all..that has become so apparent to me throughout this process. So many times, as their mother, my heart would hurt for these children, for the things that they have already experienced in their little lives, for the things that they have yet to overcome because of their past, and for the uncertainties that we have faced. I know the love that I have for these children and I cannot comprehend the amount of love that our father in heaven has for them.

I am so grateful for Mason who came to us at when he was two months old only weighing six pounds two ounces. He truly has taken a hit for the team. This little guy was so terribly drug exposed that he has many obstacles that we are still trying to overcome or better. Had he not been born drug-exposed none of his siblings would have been removed. I know without a shadow of a doubt that this little guy was sent to this earth for an amazing reason. He has such a strong spirit about him and he is so loving. With everything that this little one has gone through, there is absolutely no reason he should be here with us today! How I love you Mason!





My sweet Michelle. Where do I begin. I have never seen or been around a child or any human being, for that matter, who has such a tender heart. She has always been so kind, helpful, and truly amazing to me. I learn so much from her. She is the one that helps me keep my head on straight. I love the fact that I am blessed to have this sweet spirit in my home and to be an example to me. I love you beyond words can say and I am so grateful for you Michelle!




I feel so overwhelmed at the responsibilities that I have to be a mother to these children. I know what an amazing job this truly is. I am so eternally grateful to my father in heaven for entrusting these children to Lonnie & I. I am honored to be their mother.

I look forward to March 15th to finally make everything official. However, I cannot wait until March 22nd when we get to take these two angels to the House of our Lord and be sealed. Michelle and I drove by the Temple last night and she said, "Mommy that's a Temple...sealed?" I pray that she somewhat understands the significance of what we are going to be doing. I cannot wait to see them dressed in white and in the Temple with Lonnie and I.

I have posted some pictures of both Mason and Michelle of when we first received them to recent. Enjoy!