Sharing the love.

Thursday was Flower's preschool Valentine's party. Since we'd be out and about I dressed the girls in their matching Valentine's outfits. They looked so cute.
First the kids gave each other their Valentine's cards.

I love this photo. :)
Then the sibling of one of her classmates read them a Valentine's Day book.
After that they decorated picture frames.


They said the Pledge of Allegiance.
Then they played a version of hot potato. They passed around a bag of treats and if you held it when the music stopped it was yours to keep.

Of course they decorated heart shaped sugar cookies. They also ate their snack at that time.

All the kids made their moms these cute heart bouquets on another day of preschool. I love it!
After the fun party we went to my mom's elementary school. It has become our tradition to go have lunch with mom on Valentine's Day. She loves to show off her grandkids to her coworkers.
Then we made a stop at my dad's work.
We also stopped at each of my nieces and nephews schools to drop off Valentine's. I love the idea of them being called to the office thinking they might be in trouble and then getting a fun surprise. :)
We had intended to visit Lorelai and her parents, KG's parents and grandparents, and Kris but ran out of time because I had to get to work. We still have them so you'll get them late!
I did another heart 'do in Flower's hair. It's hard to see in these photos but it's a heart around the bow and it looked pretty cute.
It was a really busy day and very fun to deliver a bit of happiness to those we love. :)

What a roller coaster.

Here are all the photos taken of River's first day.



































I made her the little hat the night before we went in.




Here's a quick rundown of our experience.
Thursday, October 30 we got the call that a birth mother connected with our profile and wanted to meet us. We met her and her mom on Saturday, November 1. We new right at first sight in the parking lot that it was right. We later found out they agreed. Monday, November 3, we got the call that she had selected us to be the family for her child. Friday, November 7 we met again to talk about our openness plan. After that my sister threw me a baby shower for family and close friends. She and I made phone call invitations just a fews days prior, on Monday, when we found out we'd been picked. I will post a separate blog about that. Then we waited for the 19th when the mother was to be induced. We went there at 8:00 am. The day went by with no baby. Finally, after 36 hours of labor, she arrived by c-section on the 20th. Flower had been with my sister Amanda since Tuesday night. With no end in sight KG went and picked her up at 5:00. My parents were going to pick her up at 7:00 from us, and keep her over night. At 5:51 River was born so she got to be there and my parents got to see River. KG's parents also came up and then we just kept it private due to the nature of the situation. I also apologize if you attempted to call me in those 36 hours. I was just too consumed and emotionally drained to talk to anyone. There was only one person I could talk to during that time, when I needed to get away and have a break, other then KG, and I am grateful for her! :) She understood what I was going through and it would clear my head and calm me down for the next few hours. Even through her own anxiety and craziness of preparing for the wedding she made time to help out my sanity. I'm so grateful for her. Thanks Kris.
Since I had to be up early for the wedding the next day, and Flower was in the reception that night I planned to leave and sleep with Flower at my parents. At midnight both our phones were dead so I ran all the way home to get chargers and dress clothes for Flower and I. I went clear back to the hospital, in Nampa, stopping along the way to get us food. By the time I left and got to my parents, it was 2:00 am. Friday was nuts. KG spent the entire day with River. I wouldn't see her again until Saturday morning. I dropped Flower off with Grandma Laura at work and went to the temple at 10:30. I then took photos until 12:45. Then I rushed to Meridian to pick up Flower and get to the luncheon at the church, in the north end on Bogus Basin. We made it by 1:30, only a half hour late. We left there at 2:30 and went to Albertson's and Rite-Aid to get things to do Flower's hair. It was 3:15 by the time we got home. We got her dressed and got her hair all done and made it to the Country Club by 4:15. Whew! We took photos there and stayed till it was over at 9:00. I was going to go back to the hospital and trade with KG but Flower fell asleep 5 minutes after leaving the wedding and it just didn't make sense since we pass our house going to Nampa. We went home and Flower slept till 10:00 am today. We were so exhausted. Today deserves it's own post so this is enough for now.
We are so grateful she is here and in our lives!
Thank you to everyone who kept me going through text messages and phone messages throughout those 36 hours! It meant so much!