6 lbs and 12 oz of perfection

Welcome Austin Nathaniel Bank

Until We Meet Again

Those were Oprah's last words and it was so perfectly said instead of goodbye. 

Is it possible to love someone you have never met? You bet! I love Oprah.

Oprah has changed me, often of bad days I think of 3 stories that reminds me

Be Thankful

Everyone has a Story

Be Grateful

Cherish Moments

1. The man who left the car running from jumping his other car in the garage killing his wife and dog. 

I had never seen grief like this before.

you can read more 

HERE

2. The little girl in Africa that was raising her young siblings and would be rapped every time she went for water, but she had to go for survial. 

I often think of this little girl and was my day bad or blessed.

(I can't find the link)

3. The couple that lost their 3 small children and almost a year later had triplets. 

They remind me to cherish my time with my children and life is so short.

you can read more 

HERE

Thank you to my teacher and my church, Oprah.

By Paul Beaty, AP

a beautiful morning

Eeny, meeny, miny, moe

I really want some industrial bar stools for the kitchen and then something painted and pretty for the breakfast nook.

Lovin these

Remodelista

Crate and Barrel

Mulbury Gallery Direct

Etsy Urban Accent Home

and for the  breakfast nook this is my inspiration

Peter Wilds, style at home 2010

We are Family

We had a great time this weekend as we headed to the Sharps to celebrate Jake's graduation. We are so proud (even in a huge ugly 15 passenger beast of a van) of you Jake.

I was so touched today when I learned through Lovelyn  

(momentswithlove.blogspot.com) 

about the family 

who found Anika.

This story came from her blog and I have to share it.

A family of five (children 12, 11, 10 and 9) were given a box of clothes one day. Inside the box was two toddler girl shoes.  In that moment they knew that someday two little girls would be theirs and fill those shoes.  In 2008 they brought home the first daughter to fill those shoes. A few years later they came across a little girl named Anika, she saw her and knew right away this was her daughter, she couldn't explain it she just knew, but due to their family size they were turned down for her adoption. Sometime passed and Brandy, the mother, went on twitter and found a link to Love's blog talking about a little girl named Anika and then the picture she saw was the same girl who had her heart.

Russia has now decided to allow Anika to join their family. Their journey is not over and they still need our prayers to getting Anika all the way home.

I am in awe of this story and the power of faith/prayer. Lovelyn one day just came across this little girl with a sweet face and a name that her daughter shared. She was 2 1/2 and is HIV+ and was waiting on a home. I believe things happen for a reason and Lovelyn speaks about hearing a gentle wisper that her family was out there. Was she ever right and I'm thankful to know someone who acts on her wispers.

Thanks again to "My 9" who jumped on board and took part in the "Love for Anika"

I look over my shoulder to 7 packed boxes and I'm still in a little disbelief.  I was really hoping in the last few days in Chicago to be soaking up the art, shopping, culture and cuisine. Not so much, instead of being a tourist in my city I

ordered vanity mirrors

picked out landscaping

packed donation boxes

went to Nya's last helmet fitting

a trip to Home Depot

change of address

set up gas/electric in KC

pick out carpet for Mich Ave loft

Needless to say we are busy.

I leave you with an oldie but goodie (haven't got the camera out in days)

Weekend in Pictures

22 more days

 In 22 days we will make our 8th move in 12 years.

I had this canvas made for Brandon for Christmas, these are all our old street addresses.

Mothers Day

I love celebrating this day.

I didn't finish school.

I never climbed the corporate ladder.

I haven't done much to be REALLY  proud of

except

be a great mother.

Growing

This is the third pair of pj's this has happened to in two weeks!

When someone ask "How old are your girls" I can now answer 

2 1/2 and 9 months

WHAT!?

I don't know how it happened, I am holding on to every precious day! It is said over and over, but It really does go so fast! 

Cora is getting bigger and smarter by the day. We have been working on colors lately and she has been asking me "Mama, color is it" on everything. I'll tell her the color let a few seconds pass and ask her the color and no matter the color she responds with a proud "blue". She is the sweetest girl and I must say I think 2 year olds get a bad rap. I love age 2! I have heard 3 is the new 2 though!

Nya is on the verge of crawling, it should be any day now. 

She is full of squeals and babbles. 

She adores Cora and I feel so blessed to witness their bond growing everyday.

Today is Good

There are so many reasons why today is good, here are 5....

1.

I don't know if it was nature

or the Seattle cuisine 

but Nya has hit a growth spurt!

Her head measurements today have shown incredible change!

We are hopeful that the helmet won't be on too much longer.

2.

Our place is rented! 

Deposit check is in hand.

3.

 Along with "my 9"

(Brandon, Chelsea, Krissi, Jake, Tommy, Amber, Scott and Kim) 

and other teams for "Love for Anika" 

by Momentswithlove.blogspot.com

$7,600 has been raised for Anika's adoption fund! 

(thank you Colleen for  helping me spreading the word)

4.

Family visits are on the calendar!

5.

We got a sneak peak of our stairs