Saturday, December 18, 2010


Well, I officially have a "school-aged" child. One that is not an infant or toddler, one not in preschool, but a six year old in Kindergarten. Kinda crazy when I think about it. I can't believe how 6 years has flown. I mean, I know people say that all the time about how time flies, but I just can't believe 6 years has come and gone. I actually made it fine last week, Sam's birthday week, until the night before his birthday. Eddie was in Honduras and Eli had spent the night with Meme and it was just me and Sam, the then, almost 6 year old. We were talking about his party at school the next day and what we were going to do for his big day and I said, "Wow, Sam, tonight is the last night I will hold you and cuddle with you being five." Yep, shouldn't have thought it, but for sure not voiced it. After he finally went to sleep, I cried myself to sleep.
I got to thinking about how many times I had shared his awesome, sweet birth story with different people, but realized I had never written it down. So, I decided I would take advantage of blogger and let it get his story down before these two boys drive me so crazy I forget all the details!
Brad, my first husband, and I had wanted a child for quite some time. We had tried for a couple of years and began praying in a different direction as to what God may have for us to start a family. I can only remember praying that diligently and fervently one other time in my life. I wanted more than anything to be a mama and the doctors, after exhausting their measures, ruled us as infertile.
We had already heard of an adoption agency in Utah through a radio broadcast from French Camp Academy and my mom had actually met a woman who adopted from that agency the very same day she heard about it on the radio. Tell me God does not speak! Wow. If that was not enough for me to go ahead with it, we asked our specialist about any advice on agencies, and he gave us the same agency we had already been praying about.
Needless to say, I called, filled out all the paperwork as fast as I could, completed the homestudies as fast as we could and waited.
After 2 birthmothers looked at our profile and turned us down, I got a call on Thanksgiving night, 2004. It was our caseworker and she had big news. A birthmother had had our profile for a couple of days and SHE HAD CHOSEN US. Those words rang over and over in my ears, as I asked her if I was dreaming. The baby was a little boy and was due around the middle of December.
We flew out to Salt Lake City December 7th and had a lunch date scheduled for the next day with our caseworker and Shannon, our birthmother. I was so incredibly nervous as I walked into an empty Applebees. From the door, I saw in a back booth, a long, dark haired lady that looked as if she were ready to deliver a baby any day. But not any baby. My baby. We exchanged hellos, hugs, and sat down to eat. I couldn't keep my eyes of her, and she me, as we ate. I found myself feeling as though we had known each other forever. Our bond was instant. As we left the restaurant that day, she told me she would like for me to be in the delivery room with her. This was something else I had prayed so hard for.
They induced Shannon on Friday, December 10 around 2 p.m. We were able to stay in the room with her throughout labor, playing UNO, cards, talking about our families, and just trying to get in 24 years of life. Sharing, laughing, crying, then doing it all over again.
Around 6, the doctor came in and said it was time to usher in this baby. Brad excused himself from the room and I stood on Shannon's left side clutching her hand in mine. At 7:02 p.m. she pushed my baby out. My Sam. The one who stole my heart. The one who made me a mama. I stood there motionless staring into her face, as she said, "Get over there with him," I just hated to leave her. As I walked over to the bed where he was lying, I started to cry and one of the nurses said, "Oh, this must be your first nephew." I said, through tears, "No, this is my son." I knew when I looked into his face, he was mine.
There were no fears, no doubts. I knew that God had orchestrated this through two women from different areas of the country. I was able to watch as he had his very first moments, his first bath, and able to give him his first feeding.
We spent the next few days with Sam in Utah, beginning our new family, and then brought him home to Mississippi the next week. Those special, sacred days in Utah are some that I cherish, as those are some of the only days we were able to spend with Brad as a part of our family.
Someone once said that adoption was like a rescue. They said to think of where that child would be if someone had not taken it to love. To that, I say this, Sam rescued my. Sam saved me. Anyone would have loved him, taken him in and held him forever. In some of my darkest days after Brad's death, I held on to him. Through his innocent face, I saw God's promise of a hope and a future. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Today, this little boy is still the light of my life. He is so quick spirited, full of energy, loves his mama, and takes extra good care of his little brother. I know God is going to use him for something so good, but right now I am enjoying being his mama and watching him grow everyday.
I am so blessed, and I am so thankful. God is so good.

Happy Birthday to my Sweet Sam! I love you to the moon and back.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

We are So...



Thankful.



Happy Thanksgiving!

O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good, for His love endures forever.
Psalm 136:1

Monday, November 15, 2010

When It's Quiet...



You would think I would know this by now, check on him when he is quiet! But...


This is what I found in the kitchen



Never a Dull Moment

Face paint, compliments of Sam
Little brothers will do whatever Big brothers do...




Thursday, November 11, 2010

CAMO DAY!


SPIRIT WEEK!

PJ'S, PLEASE!


This weekend is the Harvest Carnival at PDS, so we have had fun this week with Spirit Week. Monday was Pajama Day, which we decided should be everyday! So much fun!

Just the Guys


Sam and Mrs. Jodi


Sam's precious little class

Happy Halloween!



My zombie and my Barney....what a combination!

Ella, Eli, and Sambo

Give me some candy!....Please?

I wish everyone would have gotten the pleasure of seeing my hubby dressed as a Roman god. Hilarious!

Have you ever seen anything funnier?

Sweet Little Barney

Who's the Zombie!!??

Esmerelda



HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Sam's School Fall Party





Pumpkin Carvin' Time

Five Little Pumpkins

Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate.
The first one said, "Oh my, it's getting late!"
The second one said, "There are witches in the air!"
The third one said, "We don't care!"
The fourth one said, "Let's run and run and run!"
The fifth one said, "I'm ready for some fun!"
Ooooh went the wind and out went the light
And the five little pumpkins rolled out of sight!







Monday, September 27, 2010

WE ARE HOOKED!

Yep, we are hooked. On camping. We left out Friday afternoon on our first outing with our new camper. The boys were so excited, you would think we were going to Walt Disney World! We stayed at Jellystone Park right outside of Memphis. This park is a newer one and was a great starter camp for us. With everything we needed being right there on our site, it couldn't get much easier! The boys met two little friends right away with several more to add over the course of the weekend. They would swing for a little, play pirates, slide, play in the sand, ride scooters, and then start all over again. We were camped out right across from the playground so this was icing on the cake! Eddie and I had time to just sit and talk, about the kids, God, the Bible, and just be silly together while the boys had a ball.
I can tell you that I was so concerned when we bought the camper because I thought we would never use it. Mainly because I thought I would be the party pooper! I can tell you now that I am already checking out other campsites. Cannot wait! Yes, me, the one that dreaded it, is hooked! I have always heard my mom and dad tell stories of them camping in their camper with my two older brothers and the fun they all had, riding bikes, fishing, and just being together as a family, which is exactly what we did too.
Saturday night, against Sam's wishes because he didn't want to leave the park, we went to see Disney on Ice at the FedExForum. I am so disappointed because they would not let me take my camera in! They told me the cameras have to be no bigger than just the regular camera with no large lens, for the threat of people selling the pictures of the show. Ha! They must not have seen my pics. But, oh well. I had time to enjoy the show with my two sweeties and my main man and not be stuck behind a camera hoping to get some great shots. And it was a great show!
So, that makes for one busy weekend. And one tired mama that is still trying to catch up!


Really wanting to go back out!

Eli's little friend hanging out on the steps

Our cute little kitchen

Marshmallow Roast!

Hot!

Eli trying his best to catch up to Sam

Their favorite spot

Who couldn't love this face?!

My first mates :)

Waling the plank

Eddie setting everything up for us

We just loved Yogi

Can't wait to go back!!


Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Happy Birthday, Jacob!




Today, 6 years ago, my sweet little nephew, Jacob Saxon Sims, was born. He was the first of what we call, the triplets. I have another nephew that was born two months later in November, and then our sweet miracle was born the next month in December. These three boys all born months apart. So sweet. Such blessings.
Jacob is such a special, darling child. His mom was diagnosed with cancer shortly after his first birthday and I was blessed to step in and help as much as I could with a toddler myself. As they grew and our sweet Spring grew weaker and sicker, we were able to take Jake along with us on many road trips, fun weekend getaways, and such. He just became one of mine. His smile can light up a room. And the best thing is, that smile is just like his Mama's.
Birthdays are always a little bittersweet for me with her two unbelievably sweet children. I wonder what she would think of them, what she would do differently. She, more like a sister to me than an in-law, is missed so much everyday, but on these days it seems to be a little more. But today when Jacob blew out his number 6 candle, I have no doubt that Spring matched him smile for smile.
I am in awe when I see how the Lord has taken these ashes left from Spring's death and turned them into beauty. The new family the Lord has graciously added to us. Libby, Wyatt, Cole, and Joey. And I am also in awe of how Spring lives on everyday through two little boys. Two little boys that I can't wait to see what God has in store for them. Happy Birthday, Jacob! Pam Pam loves you so much!

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Lego Land!

This amazing store, located at the Galleria in Birmingham, was such a big hit with our boys! Of course, we are all into Legos right now and this store was icing on the cake. I have to admit, I even thought it was super cool. Only 3 in the United States, we are sure to be back soon!



Eli, getting it just right



Sambo picking out the perfect legos

Pick-A-Brick!


Cool!