A Shoe Box Christmas for Children in Need!!

The holidays are among us and life is about to get crazy. I am just bracing myself for what is yet to come! I look forward to good food, time with family, and sharing Christmas with my kids. Our home has been so blessed this year. We have been given the ultimate gift of a new baby and all three of our guys are healthy. Life could not be better so I feel it in me , more than ever this year, to give back.
In relief society today a woman made announcement about "Shoe box Christmas gifts gathered for children" . An article was published in the paper with all the details. She passed the article around the room and it touched my heart. Here is a direct link to give you a better idea www. samaritanspurse.org. The shoe box gifts are for needy children worldwide. The Christmas project hand-delivers eight million gifts to children in over 90 countries. Children who are suffering from natural disaster, war, terrorism, disease, famine, and poverty. Things are children will, hopefully, never experience in their lives.

The boxes are filled with simple things like school supplies, toys, necessity items, candy and a letter of encouragement. The web site brakes down exactly what supplies, toys and such to buy. A donation of seven dollars is needed to ship each box also. My first thought was to put together several boxes but seven dollars adds up. Sooo........If you fell inspired by this cause you can make a box. I know money is tight, so if you can only do one thing that is wonderful. Call me and I will come pick it up. Every bit counts!

It ends November 22, which is this Saturday, so I will be gathering the boxes Friday. If you have questions call. We all have big heart and want to big back for the blessing we have. Here is a terrific chance to teach our children to give back. What a fun way to spend FHE!!

Big News! Our adoption is Final.

We have a final date for our adoption. On November 13 we go before a judge and sign legally for our Braylon. We have been waiting four months for this day to come. What a journey our family has been on. I don't think I have ever been this emotional drained. Even though we have had some struggles he is so worth it. Braylon has brought so much love into our family I cant wait to see what the years have to bring us. Everyone who meets this little boy cant help but love him!

The adoption will be final for Mike and I when we can take our family to the temple and have our little Braylon sealed to our family. I can not wait to have my whole family in the temple. For one day we will have a taste of heaven all dressed in white. My little boys will be able to feel and see what the temple has to offer them. I can not wait to share this experience with them.

Many thanks are in order. Thank to our family who never questioned our choice and welcomed Braylon in. Our parents have played a large part in helping Mike and I anyway they could. We love you so much! Thank you to friends who have brought yummy dinners and diapers for the babe. We still have not yet bought diapers for our 4 month old. Thank you for taking that pressure off our budget. A quick thank you to Laura Allen. She is my running buddy and good friend. We are training to run a half marathon together in Janaury. She has picked the pieces up many times for me. She has let me cry as I need it on our runs. Thank you Laura you are much better than thearpy (cheaper too:)!!!!). Thank you must go to Nicke Cutlure also. Her back ground as a social work came in very useful to us. We needed it as weed through different lawyers and adoption agencies. Many phone calls were made to Nicke those first few weeks. I have a cell phone bill to prove it (money well spent)!!! Thanks Nick!!!! We are surround by the best family and friends. We love you!!!!!!

Our Sweet Cheeks!

The first day we had Braylon Kenyon asked me if we could bring sweet cheeks home with us. The name has stuck with him. As you can see, Braylon fits right into our family. We are so crazy about this little guy. He is a wonderful baby.

Braylon is kissed on endlessly. We can not help ourselves he is just too cute!

He likes to sleep with his hands above his head. In fact, I know he is going to sleep for at least three hours if he is in this spot. I thank my good friend Marie for lending me her baby swing.

What has Dylan been up too!!

Dylan loves art projects. I picked up these cute pumpkin masks. The kids had a blast painting them!

Dylan can not get enough of Kenyon! He loves spending time with his brothers. They had the best time making Carmel apples.

Yard work is a big project for our family. Everyone has a job to ease up the load. The boys responsibility is to pick up the walnuts from our walnut tree. They moan and groan but the have fun.

Kenyon first day of pre-school!

Pre-school has been a new pace for Kenyon. His two favorite things are his friends and art time. Kenyon is a busy guy and I wish I could glue his bum to his seat. He will not sit still in school. He gets up at least 10 to 12 times fora potty break in two hours. Kenyon and I are both working on our patience. I know you can do better Kenyon. I am cheering for you!

We have a new baby at our house!!!!!!

Our newest family member Braylon Jacob

Braylon first day home from the hospital
Two Days old
Braylon first camping trip to Red Fish Lake 7 days old we had so much fun!!!!!!!

We can longer keep him a secret, not that we were tring too, but the story is very personal to Mike and I. We have needed some time to recover from the shock and emotional roller coster we have boarded. It has been 5 weeks since we brought our new little baby home and it is time to tell his story.

Our home has been blessed with a new healthy baby boy. His name is Braylon Jacob (in about 4 weeks his last will be Brown!) he was born July 18, 2008. He weighed 6lbs 10oz, 19 inches long. He is perfect in every way ! We are now in the process of adopting him. Yes, I said ADOPTING!!!!! We can not believe it either. There is no denying he belongs to us. He has been in our home since he was two days old.

Braylon's birth parent are two very special people. They looked above their own needs and wants did what was best for there baby. They gave Braylon to a family who would care and love him endlessly. We will always hold them special in our heart for such a gift. When they asked if Mike and I would care for him we did not think twice. In fact when we saw him for the first time I knew he was meant for our family. The spirit spoke so loud to my heart I could not deny what the Lord was asking of me. When Mike took him in his arms for the first time, in the hospital, tears filled his eyes. I had seen this look before on Mike's face when he met his two other sons for the first time. The spirit consumed Mike and I, we knew what our future was with this little boy.

Kenyon and Dylan have taken to him very well. We have had no problems transitioning through this new phase. We explained very carefully to them that they were no being replaced. Mom and Dad had so much love to share with all of our boys. They have only loved and accepted Braylon from the minute we brought him home. What a joy to have three beautiful little boys in our home.

Thank you for the meals, gifts, and love we have received. We truly have been blessed.