remembering

Five years ago today, we had Kaden sealed to us in the Portland temple.

I think this is the trade off for all of the hard stuff that comes with adoption.

To celebrate our sealing day, we're making junk and looking at pictures...we're so thankful that families are forever!

I think I've posted this before, but its a good one.

i can do hard things

One of the lessons I've learned through our adoption roller coaster....oops, I mean journey, is that

I can do hard things.

It can be painful.
It isn't easy.
I stress out and worry.
I cry.
A lot.

But, I still have made it through. I wish I didn't have so many examples, but I do:

-We went to Florida to adopt a baby the December before we adopted Kaden. I was in the operating room for the C-section. I was the first one to hold the baby. We were there a few days. Its a long (sad) story, but we flew home without a baby.

-We survived a contested adoption...one that was contested just a couple of weeks shy of a year.

-We had a birth mother not be completely honest with us, and have had to live with some of the consequences of her choices.

-We had someone that we loved (and thought loved us as much) make an adoption plan for her baby, and didn't choose us.

-We had a baby pretty much fall into our laps. After a LONG night, we knew she wasn't ours and had to say no. (I'm sure people thought we were crazy, and I don't blame them or even disagree...how often does a baby just fall into your lap as you're hoping to adopt?! But, we knew she wasn't ours.)

Would I wish these situations on anyone?
For sure not.

But, if we've had to go through them, I'm grateful to know that as we face hard stuff in the future,
we'll make it.
We're not alone.
What a huge relief and blessing.

"finally!"

We woke up to snow this morning. The boys could hardly wait to get outside, and we were out playing way before 8am. Bosten wasn't too excited about it last year, but was pretty happy today. Kaden loved every minute.

After playing for a little while, they got down to business and shoveled the deck.
(WHY is shoveling so fun?!)

Then it was time for a snowball fight.

When Bosten was done, we went in the house. Kyle and Kaden stayed outside and ended up having a snowball fight with some of the kids in the neighborhood. Super fun.

another reason to love open adoption...

...we get to celebrate with our birth mom when great stuff happens!

Bosten's birth mom is getting married. We got the invitation in the mail today and we're so happy for her (and them).

Yes, we already knew she was getting married. Getting the invitation just made it official.

he strikes again

I don't know how Bosten does it. HOW does he know that there are donuts on the counter and HOW does he get them down?!

I try to not laugh when I catch him (and bust him).
Its pretty dang funny though.