Life Lesson #1 with an almost 2-year-old

Important life lesson, never leave the gigantic, Sam's Club size Parmesan cheese container on the kitchen counter and run to the bathroom. (Boy knocks it over, dog breaks it open, and chaos ensues). All I heard from the bathroom, with the door open, was "uh oh, mommy."

When I was on the phone with my dad, I said, "Brakston was bad" and he looked at me and said "doggies bad." Sigh.............he's just too cute, even when he's in trouble.

Disney World

Here's a quick update until I can take the time to write a longer one. Disney World was a blast, we had a lot of fun and Brakston is still talking about "mouse," "Buzz," and "bus." (For those of you who don't know, he really enjoyed riding the buses to and from the parks).

This picture was taken while we were standing in line to meet Buzz and Woody from Toy Story, it was a big hit with little B!!

Mother's Day Photos

We had a great photo shoot at Portrait Innovations today. I wanted to badly to get one picture of Brakston kissing me (he puckers up so cute), but of course, he refused to do it. We'll be giving away pictures for Mother's Day, these were two that didn't make the cut.

Why I shouldn't leave things on the oven...

Happy First Gotcha Day Brakston!!

Wow, one year ago today this beautiful boy was placed into my arms forever. The day has been harder than I thought. I have so many emotions running thru my mind, so much happiness, guilt (there are many that still don't have their children home), sadness (for the tough choice his birth mom had to make and for the huge loss his foster family had when he came home)....and many others. It's hard to put into words. I've just felt overwhelmed the last few days.

This past year has been amazing, watching Brakston grow and change. He's a wonderful, loving child. God sent us the most precious gift and I often wonder what I ever did to deserve it.

Brakston's new favorite word is "bump." He likes to bump his cars into everything. He's starting to put two words together and he imitates everything. He eats just about anything and his favorites are chicken, sausage, ham, and gerber puffs. He loves chips and "dips." Dips can be anything from salsa, queso cheese, oil for dipping your bread into, butter, or salt. (and don't ever forget to give him his dips if you're having them, I have to fake putting salt on his food before he'll eat it if he sees me use it on my food)

Happy Gotcha Day Brakston, I hope you'll always know how many people love you. I am proud and beyond thrilled to be your mama and I can't wait to see what you'll do next.

Brakston's first Easter!

It dawned on me today that we are approaching the last of our "first's" this week. This will be Brakston's first Easter at home. These pictures are from last year at Easter in Guatemala. Easter in Guatemala is amazing, they have huge parades and the men all dress in purple and white robes.

Monday will be our first "Forever Family Day" celebration. We got Brakston on 4/13/08 at the Westin in Guatemala knowing that we never had to give him back again. I can't imagine how much is foster family has to be missing him. I have a much larger post planned for Monday, I have many thoughts running through my mind, it's just hard to get them down. Life with an almost two-year old is crazy!!

One year ago....

One year ago today, we were in Guatemala. Around 1:30 Guatemalan time, we got the call that we were out of PGN and Brakston was ours.......I can't believe how fast time flies. I don't know how I could have left him without the knowledge that we were returning in just a few short weeks.

At times, I can't believe that I traveled not once, but twice, to Guatemala last year. Me, who really doesn't like flying and had never been out of the country. That first visit trip was just amazing. I can remember seeing the moutains for the first time from the plane, I remember walking into the Westin and seeing Brakston for the first time in the lobby, I left LT at the desk and practically ran across the room., I remember feeling like a "mom" for the first time when I finally got to hold him in my arms. I can't believe that I have been blessed with such a wonderful son and husband.

Brakston is a joy. We have so much fun together as a family. ( I just asked him if I could have a couple of his fish crackers and he shook his head "no.") We have been so blessed.