Road Trip

Okay, so my last post about the 'Go-Go's' song got me thinking about road trip music. Please leave a comment with your MUST HAVE song for a road trip so I can build my play list for the drive to the Cape in a few weeks (okay... going to the Cape is a mini roadtrip... but you still need good driving music).



I'll go first, for my little Amy friend 'Get out the map' by the Indigo Girls!!!

BTW, one of my new recently discovered movies is '13 Going on 30'... if you've never seen it check it out... it's tooo cute, and the 2 Thriller dance scene numbers are great!!

Legacy of Adoption

I've been going through pictures of Madalynn from the past year for a couple projects for her birthday, and I looked at the ones with her birthmother again, and it just made me weep. I feel so blessed to have pictures, and information about her birthmother, and hopefully someday that will help Madalynn find answers.

I find myself overcome with moments where I can feel this ache & sorrow rise from within me, and I just start to cry. I wonder did God in some supernatural way join our 2 mother hearts, to feel each others emotions and bond us through His design. One of us to give her life, and one of us to teach her to live.

This precious woman gave me the most wonderful gift, that blesses me every single day, she brings such joy. My joy came at the sorrow of another. A woman I will probably never meet, and yet I long to tell her about her beautiful daughter. That she is growing, thriving, and the goofiest girl I have ever met.

I want her to know that this baby girl shows her determined spirit by pushing her way through an obstacle rather than going around it, or giving up.

I want her to know that the best time to get Madalynn to belly laugh is when she's a little tired, but not quite exhausted yet.

I want her to know that I feel so honored, and privileged to be this baby girls Mom.

I know on Madalynn's party & actual birthday her birthmother will be heavy on my heart too, and that's okay. But, those days will be days of celebration, and only happy tears.

I found this poem awhile ago, and it perfectly describes what's on my heart.

Legacy of Adoption

Once there were two women, neither knew the other

One you do not remember, the other you call mother.

One gave you a nationality, the other gave you a name

One gave you the seed of talent, the other gave you an aim.

Two very different lives shaped yours into one

One became your guiding star, the other was your sun.

One gave you emotions, and one calmed your fears

One saw your first sweet smile, the other dried your tears.

The first gave you life, the second taught you to live it.

The first gave you a need for love, the second was there to give it.

One gave you up—it was all that she could do,

The other prayed for a child—God led her straight to you.

And now you ask me through your tears,

The age-old question of all the years,

Heredity or Environment, which are you a product of?

Neither darling, neither ... just two different kinds of Love.

-Author Unknown

4th was a bust!!

No photo shoot in her red, white & blue. Weather wise 4th of July was a bust around here, although I just loved spending the weekend with my girl. Yesterday my 9 year old niece Kassie came over to help me make the favors for Madalynn's big 1st birthday bash next week, so it was fun to have a girly day, and just spend time with her too.

It is birthday central around here with all the preparations going on. Working full-time I'm finding I have to plan way ahead to get all these details done. I am so excited for the day to come. I've been waiting my whole life to plan a babies birthday party. Get ready for lots of pics next week!!

I have the fridge with the freezer on the bottom, and right now I can open the fridge doors, and they just clear Madalynn's head (I said head... not hair). I took these pictures b/c I'm curious as to how much longer I'll be able to do that.

This was Madalynn when I went to get her after her nap today... with her 2 best buddies 'Pooh Bear', and 'Katie Bear' (short for Catarina the town where she was born).

She also had her foot propped up on the bumper... which is typical...

Happy 4th!!!

The rain continued today so I was unable to do a photo shoot with Madalynn in her red, white & blue. I did give her some watermelon after dinner which is very 4th of July!!! I hope you are all having a wonderful 4th of July celebration!! Happy Birthday to this wonderful nation of ours!!!

4th of July

So, I had wonderful grand plans about my 4th of July blog post, and the pictures I would put up of Madalynn in her red, white & blue celebrating her 1st 4th, but alas, it was not to be. We showed up to the wonderful celebration at the former army post Ft. Devens only to be chased away by thunderstorms. After 1 hour in a car with an almost 1 year old baby who was getting, tired & hungry we cut our losses, and were quite disappointed. I hope to do a photo shoot tomorrow in her patriotic sundress, so I'll post pics then.

The former parade ground where the concert & then fireworks display were to be. I think my Mom said that my Grandfather worked in one of those buildings when he was stationed there.

The looming thunderclouds, and black sky.

Just some pics...

Just some random pics from this weekend. Madalynn & I had a great time haning out together, and with family & friends.

Hanging out in her pool...

A girl, a sunny day, her Cheerios, and juice... does life get any better??











Ready for church in a pretty dress that Mommy's friend Colleen gave her (only 2 sundresses left).

11 Months Old 3 Months Home!!

I missed posting yesterday (as I was in bed right after Madalynn), but I couldn't let the day go by and not acknowledge that my baby girl is now 11 months old. I'm so excited for what she is on the threshold of becoming, and feeling so sad of what she is leaving behind. I know after the 1st year they turn from baby to toddler, and I already see glimpses of that toddler girl that is just around the corner, and yet I'm not ready to let go of the baby.

BTW- Any advice on this hair would be welcomed!!! It is a head full of cowlicks!!!

I also cannot believe that we have been Mom & daughter for 3 months now!! How have 3 months gone by. Three months ago it was still winter, and we got some more snow after she came home. All the trees were bare, and everything was gray & brown. Now, here we are 3 months later, and everything has become green, and flowers are blooming. I no longer have to put tights on her, and a sweater when we go out. She can wear all the cute summer clothes I've been waiting to put her in. In my mind I fast forward to 3 months, and realize in this same span of time it will be September (my favorite time of year will have arrived... the Pats will be playing again), and I'll be dressing her in cozy sweaters, corduroys, and fleece hats. Another season I can't wait for.

I've mentioned before that I love living in New England because I love the change of seasons. I look out at the woods in back of my house, and can gauge how things change, and time progresses. I think that life is like that. In times when we feel discouraged, and as if we can't go on in our present circumstances we need to remember this too is just a season, and it won't always be like this. This life we live is dynamic, and changing. Sometimes changing to the new season takes longer than we would like, sometimes it happens faster than we're ready for, but one thing is certain a new season will come.

My belief is that God is in control of our seasons, and their length

is pre-determined by Him, for the purposes He wants to achieve in our life. I don't always understand His reason for keeping me in a difficult season, but I know that I can trust Him, and His ways aren't my ways.