1st Birthday Party

Baby M's first birthday was in late December but we didn't have her party until January 16th. We decided on a Minnie & Mickey party. Here's a few pics that are okay for me to post, sorry no pics of her precious face, it's against the rules!

The kids playing, Baby S, Baby M and Mariah

She got a new chair, to help her in her climbing skills!

And Bailey got her a castle (she is a little princess after all!)

Apron

So Bailey wanted to make an apron for her gift at her friends Christmas party exchange. So she cut all the pieces out, started sewing, then asked me for help. It was fun to get my creative juices flowing again, maybe I'll try to do that more in 2010! We thought it turned out cute and Bailey says it was a big hit at the party.

Christian Services Christmas Party

Earlier this week Christian Services of Oklahoma hosted a Christmas party for the foster families and it was wonderful! Santa was there, although none of the kiddos were too thrilled to see him! There were gifts for everyone, including the parents, and wonderful food. We are so, so thankful to be working with this agency to help the babies of Oklahoma have a better start in life. They are a good liason in working with the state.

Here's some pictures of M with some of her presents.



The favorite was the keyboard but it wasn't Mariah or M's, it was Grants!


Mariah is looking on in this one, they both got baby dolls.

A Day at the Doctors

Baby M and I spent most of Wednesday at the Children's complex going to two different doctors. Here's a picture of M before the first appointment looking out from the 5th floor of the new doctor's building.

She had to had blood drawn and she didn't even cry! Just stuck out her lip and pouted a little bit. Here's a picture of her little arm wrap which she really wanted off.

Here are a couple more pictures of M in a chair like a big girl and playing in the lobby. So we finally got home at 3:30 and we were both exhausted and took a nap.

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Thanksgiving 2009 Pain & Joy

We had a great Thanksgiving day. We started out at 7:30 this morning at the OC cafe. Our duties included cutting pies, topping with Cool Whip and putting in individual boxes to go out. We probably cut about 100 pies and there was another table cutting also. Then we took 100 hot meals to Edmond Hospital then about 20 to some families here in Edmond. There were well over 1700 meals delivered by about 500 volunteers today. A wonderful Thankgiving Day in the City! Thanks goes to all those who plan it, the Neil Arters, Jimmy Arters, Muellers and Schaefers!

Here's a couple of cute workers handing out the rolls!

Then this afternoon Avery and I went down to Children's Hospital to hold a 4 month old baby boy who had major heart surgery. He had a feeding tube in his nose and was hooked up to about 10 different tubes and lines. That is all sad enough in itself, but this is the real heartbreaker - he has not been visited by any family that the nurse knew of in his 4 months of life. The nurses and doctors fought for DHS to take custody of him, which recently happened. Our church has joined efforts with a group called Anna's House that goes to shelters and hospitals to hold babies that don't have anyone to hold them at that time, and that is how we found out about Baby G. As I sat holding this sweet baby, I felt pain and joy at the same time. I am so blessed that I have found my calling, fostering babies and holding these babies, and that gives me great joy. Of course the pain is obvious - it is heartbreaking what innocent babies have to go through, a lot of times because of their parents, so if I can take a little time to give comfort to a sweet, sweet baby, oh what joy that gives me! So like I said in the title, pain & joy, but the joy definitely outweighs the pain. If you would like more information about volunteering with Anna's House, let me know and I'll get you the information.
Here's Avery holding sweet Baby G.

And a lady on the elevator said Bob Stoops had been up at the hospital and visited her granddaughter this morning. A friend had told me that he often goes up to the hospital to visit the sick kids and Thankgiving was no different for him. Is this a great state or what?

Madison's senior picture sneak peek

Here are a few pictures I took while Amanda took the good senior pictures of Madison. We went to Guthrie, which is full of great picture opportunities!

I can't wait to see the ones my niece, Amanda Watson, took! I know they will be great. If you need someone to take some family pics give her a call, she's very reasonable and takes ton's of pictures.

P.S. I can't believe my baby is a senior!

I'm really good at procrastinating

Okay, so I'm really good and buying the supplies to make the cutest things, and don't get around to every making it. So I am committing myself and want all two of you who read this to hold me accountable by asking what I got done this weekend. I have great plans..........