October 21 THREE years ago today~ Happy Birthday LOGAN

“Birthdays are nature's way of telling us to eat more cake.”

“Sing a song of Birthdays full of fun and cheer and may you keep on having them For many a happy year.”

Happy Birthday to my sweet little boy Logan. Wow has time flown by when I blinked my eyes 3 years ago today.

I love you with all my heart, you are my snugga, my love bug, my little beam of sun that gives me a lovey when needed, my little man, and such a big hearted boy for your age~

You are my "other man" and always will be a piece of my heart that I carry with me daily. You are 3, such a little man now, but to me you will always be my baby.

I wish you nothing but many years of happiness, fun, adventure, and excitement. Look at the world with your EYES OPEN, see and experience ALL you can, reach for all your goals in life and they will be yours, but always remember where you came from and that God is your loving Savior.

Happy Birthday Sweet Angel~

My song to you is "God Speed" by the Dixie Chicks, every time I hear it, I think of reading you "our book" and tugging you in bed.... Kisses my little man xoxo

Cousin Val had her baby shower,a cute theme of course: Wonderland!

I wonder if I've been changed in the night? Let me think. Was I the same when I got up this morning? I almost think I can remember feeling a little different. But if I'm not the same, the next question is 'Who in the world am I?' Ah, that's the great puzzle!~ Alice

Shawna and I
Eat Me cookies, remember the book/movie?
This is the cake, we love AZcakes in this family

opening presents
Eating
The Princesses, Paris, Makenzie, and Chyenne
Decor
Center Pieces
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Who better to throw a baby shower with a Alice in Wonderland theme? Shawna of course! Her and Brecken hosted a amazing baby shower for Val, as she is having her first girl!
There was a tea pot cake, eat me cookies, Diaper raffles from what better store than my aunts "Signatures" on 67th, and of course tons of yummy food and great gifts. It was a "Wonderland."
OF COURSE Shawna braked fast/hard whatever on the road to my Grandmothers Ranch and then gets out while I am behind her. I see her in her white dress laughing and laughing I have no idea why. As I stop, she is reaching in her car and THROWING Vegetables at my window, with RANCH on them... HA HA! At the time I was shocked but when I got out, I saw a few of the veggie trays I helped her load spilled over with ranch in her white Navigator. The smell was SUPER stank for the NEXT DAY EARLY in the morning to Cali for Hannah and than getting the car from the airport Monday. Thank God for it getting detailed :) As for my windshield and hood... the AZ sun baked it on nice and good and it smelt like rotten milk! I got it cleaned, GO COBBLE STONE!
It was funny, a moment! Sometimes I think we need a reality show, because all these "little" things that seem to happen are really funny in person and I think people would get a kick out of them as they happen DAILY in our lives!
OK Val, NOVEMBER BABY GIRL!

Past..Pictures...orphanage..Jon!

Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the East and gather you from the West." Isaiah 43:5

In the helicopter

The children just touch me
look at their bob hair cuts; there are 3 girls in this picture, too cute!
just wanting to "see" the American
Jon said this boy had the "greenest" eyes he had ever seen

Some of you know our past, some don't as I briefly mention it here and there. Jon was in the Army and serviced 12 years. He got out for ME so I can raise our family and live in Arizona to be and live by MY family (they ALL live in Arizona). He has been re-called by the Army, but fought it heavily for ME so he can stay here and be here for ME and got out of going back in. I am a little co-dependent, and he's a fighter, save the world, traveling man!

Even though this amazing man could have stayed in the Army, do his time and could have gotten his retirement, he got out for me and I thank him for that. During his time in Jon was a Joint Service Honor Guard at the White House and George Bush Senior inaugural guard, got a B.A in Bio-Chemistry, 173rd Airborne, 1st Chemical Officer to Parachute into Combat, Masters Degree in Global Management,Chemical Officer School, Contractor B-1 License,Air Assault badge, Airborne wings, has jumped into many countries and tons of locations all over the world,is a Captain for the U.S Army, went overseas as a Contractor in 2005 and while over there on his days off would go visit orphanages spend time and bring school supplies,clothes, and candy to the children there.

In the Muslim Countries he traveled to you can't adopt per their religion, or by now we would have a BUNCH of kids...ha ha! Jon has seen, experienced, and accomplished more in his 39 years then 20 people added up together have done. He is truly amazing, I must say.

???WHY IN THE WORLD AM I POSTING THIS???

I was going through some pictures, and came across some of his from his travels, there are tons, of palaces, peoples homes destroyed, burning villages, burning and dead people, I could go on and on but the pictures are just breath taking and make you grateful for your life.

He probably would not like me talking and showing these as he is very humble with his life.

He is a quiet man, but when he has something to say, he says it and its powerful, blunt and to the point..he is and always will be my military man.

Concert Video Neil Diamond Short Song Clip

Neil Diamond Concert!

"Money talks

But it don't sing and dance

And it don't walk

And long as I can have you here with me

I'd much rather be Forever in blue jeans"
~Neil Diamond~

Jon and I messing around out front,doing the 1hand,long arm,1 person holds the camera pictures,gotta love doing those, its funny!

Leaving the house,night out,babysitter,no kids,Jon and I...Lets GO!

My Cousin Nikki and Me FOREVER IN BLUE JEANS

Getting ready for dinner in the suite

B.F.F Brecken and I

Me, Nikki, and Brecken

Last night we had a great time at the Neil Diamond show. After a nice Mexican dinner in the Suite at Glendale Arena Mr. Neil Came on and Sang the WHOLE time without stopping! He was amazing...and he sang my favorite songs, which I did video! Jon and I thought of Aslynn as they played the America song, he flashed video of people coming to "America" from all over the world, it was really touching, I will try and upload tonight.Neil did a great performance, sang his classic songs along with some new ones I never heard of. He still had his moves, shaking it, and even cried while singing about his brother and mother. It was a rocking show! AND we ALL know I love my TRUE RELIGION BLUE JEANS so, my cousins, and friends had to get a group picture of us in our "FOREVER IN BLUE JEANS"!!! Oh and my grandpa did some awesome crazy driving, the V.I.P he is, went on the opposite side of the road because the traffic to turn right was too long to get on the freeway, so went in the incoming traffic lane, in front of a police man, it was so funny, PLUS we had our pastor driving with us in the Escalade because he went to the concert with us, and then when we were turning left, there was this huge CROSS like 9 feet tall... and we all had to laugh at the iorny. I guess GOD was with us HA HA as we did not get a ticket and did not DIE! Geeezzzz

ONLY THING MISSING WAS SHAWNA AND ROBB FOR THE CONCERT, WHO IS SOAKING IT UP IN HAWAII THIS WEEK, ITS BEEN LONELY, I AM COUNTING THE DAYS TILL MY SISTER GETS HER BUNS HOME!!

To Be Or Not To Be....

I am getting so many different wishy washy emails from the adoption agency. For all you that don't know yet, because yes you will think I am crazy, Jon and I thought we would adopt a son also while we were going over and get Aslynn already. We had the form already with (2) children, and we were told that there were "a lot of boys available immediately" and a high chance we could get a referral and court date for the kids to come home at the same time. Today I got a email saying 3-4 months for a referral, than we all know the time frame from there for the court, then the flying, etc etc. SO IS THIS TO BE OR NOT TO BE? I was trying to 1. even out the family 2. save another life 3. a playmate for Logan would be so awesome 4. hey another kid, why not, knock 2 out while doing the 1 and the trip there while we were at it!

Now its not falling into place, and it could just be a sign to roll with our daughter and leave it at that. Just my rambling thought for the moment as I am suppose to be getting ready for...don't laugh, Neil Diamond concert! :) My family are huge fans so we are all piling into our suite at the arena and listening to some HITS! YOU ALL KNOW THEM! Sing a few in your head...America (Aslynn's song), Sweet Caroline, Forever In Blue Jeans (I love jeans, I wear them all year long!)

I will of course take pictures, and I will capture me and my grandpa together HA HA! Classic.. but he is a super star stud.

DHL BOX TO ADDIS ABABA IS ON ITS WAY!

"And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name, welcomes me." Matthew 18:5

The cameras with last names on labels on them, in a bag, inside a bag with candy..cute!

Makenzie gives PEACE to Africa
Candy!

Some of us on the message boards thought we would send our kids a few things until we go to get them at the orphanage. It was a great turn out of responses of people taking me up on the offer of, "send me what you want and I will DHL it to Ethiopia."
I do want to say Thank you to Mona that sent me a cute little outfit for Aslynn, that was kind, as you are still waiting for your referral, you have a heart of a Saint! Always in my prayers!
Now you are wondering, HOW did I get all this stuff into 1 jumbo (which when DHL says flat rate jumbo the box is not jumbo), I vacuum sealed a lot of it, and crammed it in! OK all of it would not fit in 1 box, because I went NUTS so there are 2 boxes. SO 1 box has ALL our kids goodies in it, with cameras, and gifts for the nannies, and the second has all the clothes and supplies. I made a list so you got a idea of what I have been up to! Jon thinks I am NUTS and is glad the guest room is now EMPTY! Ha Ha... HEY...when you see a great deal, you got to grab it! Plus it is better to give than to receive.
Along with your outfits you put in the DHL box that went out to Ethiopia this is all that went with it:
42 plastic underwear (I was told was needed for over the cloth as baggies were being used, sad)
5 sets of foot rattles (entertaining)
5 sets of wrist rattles
7 adult woman dresses (for the nannies)
5 bibs
5 outfits
4 photo books
6 blankets
55 pairs of socks
2 woman skirts
2 woman pants
6 children dresses
7 toddler shorts
2 infant carriers (I was told needed, like Bjorn type carriers)
7 men button up shirts (for guards or care givers)
19 pairs of jeans all sizes from birth to adult
candy
1 talking bear with Tania's voice
A bunch of disposable cameras wrapped up in balloon bags with candy
10 tops toddler to teen
8 diaper rash cream
30 tooth brushes
15 shirts

1o tooth pastes
5 bars of baby soap
36 cloth diapers
clothes Pins
15 toys
AND I BET I AM MISSING SOMETHING IN THIS LIST,SO JUST LOOK AT PICTURES!
And as a gift from me I wrapped up a camera and candy for each person that send a gift or had me send a gift and put a label with their last name and a note to please take pictures if possible.
The best part of it all is that everyone will get something, and the experience that I got from this is priceless. I became so close to a few of you during this "get a outfit to mail" crazy thought in my head, and I am now forever bonded! Mona, you are a amazing woman. You don't even have a referral yet, BUT you not only send OTHER PEOPLE ON THE MESSAGE BOARD gifts for me to mail to their BABIES in Africa, but a sweet gift for your baby girl that is waiting to be chosen for you. God Grant you the Blessing of a daughter, my heart bleeds for you and knows that one is waiting for you!
NOW I will watch the DHL #, I will post it on the message board and we will see when it arrives as its 3 day, and WHO signs for it! ALL tax, duty, fees have been paid for by me, so NOTHING is due on the end of the orphanage!
I hope they enjoy, and NOW I cant wait to go with TONS of big Rubbermaid's full of goodies for everyone and see their reaction in person.
Who is flying with me!? We need to get on the same flight together!
WE ALL WILL BE FOREVER CONNECTED, AS OUR KIDS SHARE THE SAME ROOM, SAME CRIB, SAME LIFE TOGETHER... and we have bonded over emails, pictures, stories and our lives! I am BLESSED to have met you all!

Sunday 24hr fast turn around Miley Cyrus Birthday

“All charming people, I fancy, are spoiled. It is the secret of their attraction.”
~Oscar Wilde~

Sunday night Disneyland was CLOSED to the public at 5pm and OPEN at 6pm to ONLY 5,000 ticket holders (imagine that the park normally holds 65,000 people).

The big event...of course was Makenzie's favorite singer Miley Cyrus (Hannah). We flew out Sunday morning with my sister Shawna, Paris, sister-in-law Rose Mary and Niece Jacque.

Went right to the Disney Suite, we got the Princess suite, which was cute and all decorated with 6 beds, 2 rooms. We of course had time to kill, so we went shopping for warm clothes (us AZ people were not use to the cool air). Grabbed a snack, went and got our passes, went back and changed, met up with a friend (we took her daughter Texie with us) and OFF we went for a night of PURE FUN!

"Which included a four-song performance by the teen queen, a fireworks display above Sleeping Beauty Castle and 16 giant inflatable candles." She had to close the night by saying "My parents shut down Disneyland for me, so I'm good for a while," Cyrus said (lets not ruin the image little girl, ya know!!! HA HA

We saw so many stars and got tons of pictures, I will have to post those when I get them from Shawna and Rosemary's camera. I saw and met everyone from Tyra Banks, Jenny Garth, Cindy Crawford, the list goes on, and since there was only 5,000 people in the park, we kept running into the people over and over again. Everyone was pretty nice and would let the kids stop and take a picture, the only snot was Heather Locklear, but again she did just get arrested so i will give her a freebee nice pass this time!

After a night of fun, hunting famous people, rides, concerts, even ache breaky, and yes I video taped it, and purple cupcakes from Miley... we were tired! Got up Monday, and caught the flight home! Oh the life of Makenzie...will she ever remember this, probably not, but hey we got the pictures and it was worth it...now what else is coming up that is exclusive that we can go to? HUMMMM

More pictures to come and video... just need time time time.... :)

Court Date! We got one...

It is extraordinary to me that [the US] can find $700 billion to save Wall Street and the entire G8 can't find $25 billion to save 25,000 children who die every day of preventable treatable disease and hunger. That's mad; that is mad."

-Bono

I got my email! We were shocked so fast and excited all at the same time! We are not suppose to post and share "exact" dates as of yet. The agency is still passing them out to others, and I totally understand that its not fair while others are waiting. I will say that Our court date is in the beginning of November and we are flying to get Aslynn middle of December. The only conflict this hits me is the timeline the agency gave me has us coming home a few days before Christmas. Which is wonderful to have her home for the holidays, but I hate to be away from the kids on their break and during the Christmas season. I was hoping to be in Ethiopia in November. I guess God has his plan, and I will roll with it. If I can talk Shawna into flying with me, than I wont feel so bad leaving the kids if Jon can be here with them.

SO WE HAVE OUR COURT DATE, ASLYNN IS WAITING!

A group of Mom's from the AA agency board all got together and we are sending a DHL box off today to Ethiopia. Everyone sent their special little outfit, blanket, toy, etc for their little one to me, I waited patiently for the packages (I had last Wed deadline, but it turned out last box got here yesterday) and Today the box goes out! I will have a post about that as I am sending things for the orphanage, nannies,etc etc! It will be awesome! More to come about that.

Sorry to lag time in posting and updating. Makenzie and I had a quick 24 hr flight to California for Miley Cyrus 16th b-day at Disneyland. They shut down the park and for those super cool Mom's that got tickets (only 5,000 sold) got in to celebrate. We met so many famous people and had a blast. I am still tired and can hear the screams. I have a funny story! ha ha I will post updates updates.... let me feed and get kids ready for bed....xoxo

(Prayer Request For Mona... Please Pray She Gets Her Referral For A Baby Girl Any Day Now, I Think About This Every Day and Want This To Happen For Her! She Has A Heart Of A Saint And Deserves The Best In Life. Also, I hope Tania Is Feeling Better After Her Surgery, Recovering Well!)

Achy Breaky...Had to Put it on here guys!

"Don't tell my heart, my heart achy breaky heart I just don't think it'd understand"

After listening to all the Disney bands the whole night at Miley's birthday bash at Disneyland...when her Dad came on and sang his "one hit wonder" WELL I had to video it, and of course I am going to share it with you all! YOU KNOW HOW THE SONG GOES... its a short clip just to get you in the mood! SHORT....

DID SOMEBODY SAY OCTOBER FIRST? I THINK SO!

BRING IT ON MY RADU MIRICALE MAN

Radu is the adoption agencies "main man." I have this image in my head of him since he has this accent and its hard to understand him sometimes. Its funny, in my head he is a tall, dark, handsome, young, mix between a Beckham and a Latin hotty...hey every A.A Mom out there, STOP laughing!

Today is the day we have been waiting for, the day the courts are open and our lawyer is representing us and getting us dates and we are going to get some AWESOME ONES we all know it! Soon our buns will be on a plane over there (first class of course) and picking up our little bundles of lovin to bring home! I hope soon, I feel like its been forever and its just draggin on and on and on! I still cant sleep... I cant figure it out! Hope we get some news today, if not from our agency, snooping around on other adoption blogs and seeing what others are hearing and what dates they are getting!