Where It All Began

Today marks 6 years since my first BFP (and subsequent m/c) and the long, painful road to trying to have a family.  It's hard to believe that it has been SIX YEARS since the roller coaster ride began.  And, boy, do I hate roller coasters!  (metaphorically and realistically)

However, as I rocked Kate to sleep the other night (and admittedly held her long after that), I can finally understand why we had to go through it all.  Now, here we are with our precious daughter and an amazing birth mother whom I absolutely love and cherish as well.  It's such a mix of emotions, and I thankful I can finally look back and say, "Ohhhhh . . . I see. That kind of makes sense now!"  What a long, tragic, sucky, miserable ride that ended in this beautiful, perfect place!

Here's an example of beautiful and perfect.  :)

It can't get any better than round rosy cheeks, bright blue eyes, pretty pink lips, blonde spiky hair, and lovely long eyelashes!  And you should see her chubby thighs!  That is right.  My daughter, Kate, is PERFECT.

After the long, hard battle I can now see in her that it all makes sense.  And I wouldn't have it any other way.

Kate's First Christmas

What a busy Christmas we had!  Seeing family, traveling out of state, and working on Kate's nursery/the house kept us busy.


Our new stockings (from Ugly Sofa) were hung by the chimney with care.  Good thing because slacker first-time parents didn't decorate for Christmas at ALL otherwise!

Kate visited Santa - twice.

This is NOT my Daddy!

Him again?!

Let me run!

 Santa brought Kate more than a few lovely gifts.  A new toybox, iPad cover, pajamas, mirror, outfits, shoes, hats, coat, stroller and car seat travel covers, humidifier, pillow pet, and more awaited her "under the stockings."

Kate also received wonderful and thoughtful gifts from Auntie Patty & Uncle Jim, Auntie Jackie, and Auntie Christina.  Opening them was a bit of a challenge this year, but she loved all of it!

She spent plenty of time being precious and  looking cute as always.

Wearing her Santa outfit from Auntie Sherry and Uncle Big Pop.

Thankfully Kate's grandparents had Christmas trees for her to adore.

Cute even with a massive scratch on her eye/nose. Awesome.

And the best part . . . our first WHITE CHRISTMAS in North Texas for about thirty years.  It must've been just for our baby girl.

Protective Daddy kept saying "Hurry.  It's too cold,"
as if I didn't have her bundled up! :)

As I entered Kate's room Christmas morning, I was greeted by a beautiful little angel lying in her crib with a huge smile on her face.  Thus began this Mommy's first tears of this blessed day.  While Jesus was born this day and saved us all, my precious daughter brightened my world in an instant.  I'm constantly overwhelmed by the love I have for her and my heart continues to grow and grow and grow.  Often I wonder if my heart will explode.


We are a very blessed family.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from the Ramblers.

To Kate

I found myself in a puddle of tears this morning when Kate received a package in the mail from her birth mother, J.  It is a precious puppy lovie with satin and soft fabrics.  I just covered Kate in it and wrapped the puppy's arms around her and cried over her (again!).  We are so blessed in so many ways, and I'm so proud of my daughter and her story.