Monster Truck Birthday Madness

So today we had Kaleb's "real" party. It was a BLAST! Tons of kids, fun, and bouncing! My mom got Kaleb a bounce house as her gift since she could not be here and it was a hit. :) We had hot dogs, chips & drinks. Simple, yet perfect for kids. It was so great to have so many of our friend and neighbors here. So sit back, relax and enjoy ALL the pics! :) Below: Poopie was so excited to see the guys set up the bounce house. After it was done, the kids did NOT waste any time getting some jumps in before the party.

Below: Video of Kaleb blowing out his candles. Since he is a big boy now, this is the last year we will call him Poopie during his birthday song. :)

Below: Poopie was soooo excited to get cake...

But wait! Daddy still hasn't given him a piece...

Ok, that's it! He REALLY wants cake!

Yipee! Finally! This piece is for him! :)

Below: Kaleb's last pic with his Monster Truck bounce house before they were going to come and take it down. When the guys got there to take it down, he said, "Bye Monster truck. See you next time!" (ummm... only if grandma pays for it again) :)

Below: Here he is with his loot for the day. :) He loved ALL of his gifts!

Big Thanks to everyone who made this such a special day.

Happy, Happy Birthday Baby

Today was Kaleb's 3rd birthday. We had a little pizza party with Girl and Mr. Rick. :) We all had a great time. :)

Video below...

Three years ago today

My love bunny came into this world. He was born in a high school bathroom and left in the toilet. After the proctor discovered and revived him, he was brought to San Antonio Community hospital. His birth mother said she did not know she was pg and she could not keep him. She decided to give him up for adoption. The hospital social worker call a local agency and she picked a family. They came to see him, but changed their minds because in their eyes he was too small and sickly. Although he only weighed 4 lbs and 11 oz, he was perfectly healthy and needed a family. In the next town over there was a family who needed a baby. After the failed adoption placement, the social worker was given our number my someone who thought that we might be the right family for this little boy. We were not signed up with any agency and could not have a baby on our own so we wee in no way expecting to grow our family at that time. On the third day of his life that same social worker called us and told us that there was a baby available for adoption and if we wanted him, come and get him. That night a VERY excited, scared and grateful couple went to the hospital to pick him up. :) Us! When we first met him, I he had cuts on his head where his little head hit the toilet when he was born and his skin was hanging off his arms because he was so small, but he was the most beautiful baby we had ever seen and our hearts immediately knew he was meant for us. The new Grandma (my mom) ran out to Wal Mart in the middle of the night so we could have a car seat to bring him home. His new big brother and sister were VERY happy to meet him when they woke up in the morning. :)

My sweet baby is growing up. It hurts that time is moving so fast yet it is so enjoyable for us to watch him grow up. Poopie is sooo lucky to have such a wonderful big sissy and brother who love him so much and we are so lucky to have him.

Poopie - we love you so much. You are the best surprise of our lives. Your first name means loyal and your middle name honors my wonderful Papa, Robert Barton, who loved you so much. We look forward to continuing to watch you grow and learn but remember... you promised me that you will ALWAYS live with your Mommy. :)

Daddy, Mommy, Brother and Sissy wish you a very happy birthday.

3 days old...
1 year old...
2 years old...

Now...

Happy Birthday!!!!!!

Some of you will be happy to hear that from now on I will only refer to Poopie as "Kaleb" on this site. :) He is a big boy now and it is time to use his "big boy name." On the other hand, I will still call him Poopie whenever I want so there!

My Mailman

Poopie wanted to hand out some invitations to his upcoming birthday party so we bought one pack and handed out a few in our neighborhood. He was sooooo cute! As soon as someone would open the door he said, "Please come to my birf-day party!" :) My little baby is so grown up! He was greeted with a hug by his best buddy Aaron. They are so cute together. Poopie was so excited to go to bed tonight because when he wakes up he will be three. Tonight my big boy was "reading books" waiting for me to put him to bed and Miguel did something to make him laugh. I love that smile. :)

Valentine Playgroup

On Wednesday we had our church playgroup Poopie had so much fun. The kids were able to decorate cookies and make Valentine's Day cards. Poopie enjoyed that part, but he was more interested in "racing" with his friends. Unfortunately for him, I ate his cookie before he got back. :) oops.

Our first gifts for Baby Girl

To my surprise, two girls from my adoption support group sent us our first baby gifts. First was Mandy. She sent a bottle gift set and a bottle dryer. These will be very useful and we are so grateful that we will have some bottles when Baby Girl comes home. Second was my friend Nikki. She gave us a BEAUTIFUL diaper bag which are the pink and brown colors that I like. Thanks so much ladies!!!! :)

My friend Joni also gave us some clothes that used to be her daughters. They are sooo cute and I can't wait to try them on Baby Girl. My favorite ones are the outfit she brought her daughter home in and a 4th of July dress. :) You know how I love the 4th! :)

From our wonderful neighbors Martha, Jose and their daughter Samantha

We are so lucky to have such awesome neighbors. Thank you so much Juarez family. This Angel is beautiful and so thoughtful.

I just received these from my awesome friend Mandy

Mandy - thank you soooo much for these flowers. They did indeed brighten my day.

Everyone - thank you so much for the prayers, comments, phone calls, e-mails, etc. I am amazed at how many wonderful people I have in my life.

My wonderful, strong Papa passed away early this morning

I am heartbroken. I feel like I can't think. My Papa is a strong Marine. In his last days, he was on hospice care in his home with my mom taking care of his every need. She was helped by my two uncles. It has been so hard not to be there to take care of him like I did for my perfect Grammie, but since we are hoping to adopt a baby that is due any time now, I could not risk leaving. That was a excruciating decision to have to make, but a few days ago my Papa told my mom he did not want me to come out there. He wanted me to be here in case the baby came. I know that I was able to take care of my Grammie by helping her poor body but that would have been humiliating to my Papa for me to see him like that. I would call my Papa almost every night since my Grammie passed and I saved all the messages he left me telling me he loved me. I can't play them right now, but I know I will be glad to have them later. The last time I was able to talk to him was three days ago. When he spoke to me, all that would come out was mumbling but I know he was telling me he loves me. I wish I had said so much more, but I wanted to appear strong for him. I love my Papa so much. I miss my Grammie terribly. How can the worst time of my life also be a time when we are expecting such a miracle? I so badly wished my Papa could have met Baby Girl and held her. I don't know what to do from here. I can't call him ever again. I still need my Papa and Grammie. When I think of him, I am still a little girl he holds high on his shoulders and takes around the yard in a wheel barrel. He used to play baseball with me in the back yard and he would stand right by the wall so I could hit a home run over the wall every time. :) I loved looking at his Marine tattoos and seeing his eyes lite up when he talked about his service in WWII. He was proud of his service medals and his purple heart. Most of all, I love how safe and secure I felt around him. My wonderful husband asked my Papa and Grammie for my hand in marriage and I am so grateful that he was so mindful of the role they played in my life. My mom is going to wait and have a double military ceremony for Papa and Grammie when we go out to California once Baby Girl is here and old enough to travel. I am so glad she is waiting for us. Today I am lost. If you know my mom, please give her a call. She has been taking care of Papa 24/7 and could use the support.

Do NOT try this at home!

On Friday night I made s'mores in the microwave. They were sooooooooooooo good! Better than on the fire! I put the chocolate on one half of the gram cracker then put the marshmallow on top and put them in the microwave for 12 seconds. After I took them out, I flattened the marshmallow with the other half and the marshmallow was sooooo gooey and yummy. This is so dangerous to be able to make these whenever I want. :)