We finally brought her home.

Saturday was exhausting as well and I have a feeling that will be a theme in life from here on out. We have been so lucky with Flower, always sleeping 13 to 14 hours a day. I'm really in for it!
Anyway, Saturday was amazing and emotional and life changing.
Since Flower didn't wake up till 10:00, we finally made it to the hospital at 10:45 to Daddy and River. We spent time with Mandy(birth mother), Kathy(her mom and whom River got her dimples from :)!), Carrie(her sister), Debbie(her cousin), and Randy(her fiance). KG's dad had been working up the road from the hospital so he stopped by to see how things were going. That was a huge blessing. We really didn't know how long it would take and he completely entertained Flower. It was a huge help! As we were all in the room, Mandy finally got emotional. It was the first time we had seen. We all left the room to give her some time with River. We were all so happy to have her finally crying. She talked to River and cried for a good hour. Unfortunately, Carrie had to catch a plane back to Oregon so Debbie left at 11:30 to take her to the airport. We are so thrilled that Carrie came to town. We have so much in common with her and she was an enormous blessing to have around the past few days. She is really lovely and I'm looking foreword to meeting her husband and daughter someday. It was hard to see her go. Shortly after that three ladies from our agency showed up to start the paper work.
It was really happening!
When all paper work was done we went in to be with Mandy. I gave her a hug and the flood gates opened. It's a moment I will never forget. It touched me so deeply because Mandy and I are both fairly guarded with our emotions. We both sobbed out loud and held each other. She asked me to please be a good mother to her daughter. I thanked her for the amazing gift she is giving us. I whispered how brave, courageous, and selfless she is. I thanked her for the amazing sacrifice she is making for us. It was a moment I will forever be grateful for and I cry every time I think about it. She and KG hugged in a similar fashion and then she and Flower. And then we hugged again. I couldn't hug her enough. Words will never express the love and gratitude we have for Mandy. River will grow up being very proud of her. She will know how much she is loved by her. She will know her story. She is lovely. She is beautiful. She is thoughtful. She is smart. She is a CNA. She is everything that River will be proud of. We are blessed to have her in our life. She also had aunts, a grandma, and Randy that she will know and that love her dearly! We are grateful for all of them and that they supported Mandy with this decision and helped her through. Mandy and Kathy both sent us with several gifts for the girls and Carrie gave the girls two books that will mean so much to them in the future. My heart is so full.
Walking out of the building was a little surreal. As we were finally making our way to our cars I think I was in shock that it was really happening. The past few days have been so overwhelming that I couldn't believe we were all about to drive off together in the same car. I sent out a mass text with the joyous news and then just sat back and took it all in and enjoyed the ride. Oh, and hoped the massive headache I had would go away! :)
Since Aunt Amanda so willingly helped out with Flower from Tuesday to Thursday I wanted her to be the first one to see our little babe. We went to their house and picked up the extra car seat and sent Flower with Ken, or 'my buffalo grandpa' as Flower calls him, so we could visit with Ryan and Amanda for a bit.




After that we met up with Grandma, buffalo Grandpa and Flower at Texas Roadhouse for a much needed meal. We have been eating like crap since Wednesday and this hit the spot. We were finally home by 5:15 and KG and Flower went straight to bed. They slept for several hours! It was my turn to spend time and bond with Rivs. I took some photos in her coming home outfit. The tye-dyed onesie is the first thing we bought her as a family. We bought it on our Oregon vacation this summer right after we finished our end of the adoption process and were viewable by birthparents. I love it on her!








We were too dang tired to stop at the store so Sandee and her friend Jenn came over later with formula. They oo'd and aw'd at our precious girl.

I then wrapped her up like a burrito in Aunt Peggy's blanket and we cuddled for the night.

I want to thank everyone for the kind comments, emails, phone calls and texts. You mean so much to us. We love you.
KG, Ang, Flower and River :)

Movie at the Park!

John called me this afternoon and invited us to the 'Movie in The Park' in Meridian. They would be showing up a little before 9:00. Then my sister called and invited me to the same thing, only she and her friend would be arriving at 6:00 with pizza, soda, and junk food in hand. We'll be there at 6:30. :) We left as soon as I got done working. However, once we found out what movie was playing, The Spiderwick Chronicles, we realized that probably wasn't the best movie for Flower. We decided we'd just go hang in the park, eat dinner and then leave since KG had to be to work at 8:00. We enjoyed our pizza and watched the kids play. When the time came to leave, only an hour after we'd arrived, Flower and I just weren't ready! My sister graciously offered to let Flower and I take her car, and her friend offered to take her and the kids home after the movie. She would then come to our place tomorrow to pick up her car. PERFECT! KG was on his way to work and we stayed to have some fun. I also had the pleasure of bumping into Jamie, Krista and Krissy from high school.
Flower had a great time on the swing as usual.
So intense!


Let me out!






Flower loves to play 'restaurant' at the playgrounds. She is waiting patiently for a customer.
Yay, Ryker and Kas saved the day! They ordered all kinds of food.



They let her tag along for a bit and she was thrilled!
They are best buds! His parents are my sister's best friends. Check out his glowing skin! I've never seen such a white kid in all my life! And Kas is a 'white' girl. I cannot believe how tan she gets!
At times Flower had a hard time keeping up with them. I was so proud because she was following right along and being a bit braver then usual. Unfortunately she got a little higher then she was comfortable with and too high for me to help her. I was also afraid to leave her and go to the top to help because her poor little legs and arms were shaking! She didn't panic too much though.
And thank heavens for Spencer who walked around the corner at just the right time and helped her out! Then she was so proud that she had done it!

This park has a set of musical instruments. She was a little timid at first to start beating the instruments. After I showed her how, she went to town!




There is a big rock to climb on.
Kas is the King of the Hill!
I was so surprised that Flower was ready to follow them right up! Yay!
From top to bottom is Kas, her cousin Bryce from her dad's side, Flower and Ryker.


She was trying so hard but was just too slow to make it to the top by the time they were ready to come down. I love to see her confidence grow!


We were finally ready to go wait for the movie to start. Isn't this a great idea? A huge screen in the middle of the park! It's really a great park.
Sandee and Jenn chatting away.
The sun setting just as we sat down.
Mmmm...water! It's our favorite drink.
Ryker brought Blow Pops to share!

I LOVE taking photos of kids when they have no idea your there! Genuinely cute and candid moments...like showing off your newly red tongues!
All cuddled up and waiting for the movie to start.
Flower just loved Ryker tonight.
The sunset right before the movie started.
Annie(Ryker's sister) and Spencer...also best buds.
About a half hour into the movie it got a little scary for Flower. I had anticipated this but she was having so much fun with kids. I waited until she saw one of the scary people and then told her we could go home and watch Alice in Wonderland and she was all for that! We had such a good time! And unfortunately we never found John! Bummer.
When we got home we were greeted by the 'Three Stooges"...three teenage boys that live in the complex and love to harass me when I work. They are pretty funny. I believe I wrote a couple of weeks ago about some punks that had a pizza delivered to the clubhouse under a fake name because they knew I was having a gathering there. These are the culprits.
(Kris...the boy in the photo is your 'pizza' boy.)
We ended up talking to them for an hour. It was actually pretty fun. Then they started telling me that they could climb into my apartment. How stupid of me to tell them they were full of crap because then they had to prove it! And sure enough they could do it. John did it first and that's Armin's butt you see in the photo.
I freaked because my sliding glass door was open and I did not want them inside my apartment! Armin tried to go in and leave through the front door. They soon found out that without a key, you cannot get out! :) He came right back out and climbed back down.
The third kid was really nice and so respectful. He actually had a job and is a contributing member of society! :0) He was also really interested in Flower and the whole adoption process. I had a lot of fun talking to him and answering his questions. He said he hopes to adopt some day. What a sweet thing for a junior in high school to say!
Flower thought he was cute and wanted to stand by him.
John was panicking a bit and too afraid to climb down and I was refusing to open the door to let him out. That's when he started using Flower's bike for ransom. He said if I didn't let him out he'd toss it over. She was not having that!
Poor little wussy.
I finally gave in because I really needed to get flower to bed. Then Flower was sooo excited to show them her room. They were so sweet. They read books to her! After about ten minutes I gave them some cookies and sent them on their way. And now as I type this I am totally paranoid that at any moment they are going to pop up on my balcony and scare the bajeebers out of me! And I keep hearing noises. Little snots. And now we have to be sure we always have our sliding glass door locked because I don't completely trust a group of three teenage trouble maker boys!
Wishing you all a lovely Labor Day weekend!
Goodnight.