Thanksgiving List

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. We will be at Warren's parent's house so I don't know if I'll get a chance to post tomorrow or not so here's my "Thanks List". I'm thankful for. . .
1. God's saving cleansing grace
2. His mercy and patience with me
3. a wonderful husband who loves me just the way I am
4. 5 terrific kids
5. a healthy family
6. the safe arrival of our baby girl
7. finally being able to adopt Nicholas (it's all legal now!)
8. a free country where we can still say and do what we want
9. men and women who are willing to serve to keep us safe and free
10. a good church and great church family
11. modern conveniences
12. the ability to walk, talk, hear, see, smell and reason
13. the beautiful snow
14. the mountains and the beauty of nature
Okay, I could keep going but then I might be here all day. God has given us so much and I am thankful! So to you and yours. . . Happy Thanksgiving!!!

11 days old

3.5 weeks old

One of my favorite pictures

3.5 weeks old

Getting ready to go Bye-Bye

Fur Coat

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7psfk5CWxK8

I borrowed this from a friend's blog. This is very good! Thanks Byron!

Midge

Yesterday we had to say good bye to our Midge Girl.  She would have been 12 years next month. She got hurt a couple of weeks ago.  Warren took her to the vet.  The pain medicine and antibiotics helped and she was doing better.  Then yesterday, I noticed some blood and checked her out.  She had a huge mass about the size of a dessert plate on the inside of her leg.  Warren took her to the vet again.  His conclusion was that it was a fast-growing tumor.  The time had come to say good bye.  Midge was such a great dog.  We miss her already!  She was so lovable and such a faithful friend.  Warren and I got her from an old farmer in Montana when she was just 6 weeks old.  She was so little and scared she threw up all over me before we got back to Missoula.  Midge was a well travelled dog--Montana, Idaho, Canada and Alaska.  As the kids came along, she took it all in stride.  They became "her kids" and she their faithful protector.  Midge could stare holes right through you.  When she wanted out at night she'd stare so hard that she would wake me up just by staring at me.  She loved the water.  Anytime we'd turn the hose on she would jump at it and just about swallow the end of the hose trying to get the water.  In the winter she would jump at the snow shovel and try to bite it while we were trying to toss the snow off of it.  Midge has left a big hole in our hearts and in our home. 

14 Years and Counting

Warren and I have been married for 14 years today!  It has been the best 14 years of my life!   I never dreamed what waited for me when I left home for my second year of college.  Nor did I ever think that I would meet and fall in love with a "Montana Man".  We started dating in September and one year later in November we got married.  We went to Montana on our honeymoon and spent an afternoon or two deer hunting.  Warren shot a deer so I got to help gut the thing (definitely a new experience for me).  My sister was aghast that I would go hunting on my honeymoon but I had never been hunting and wanted to go.  Warren wanted to go since we were in Montana during hunting season.  Hey, it made for some good memories.  Warren, thanks for being such a great husband!  I am proud to be your wife.  I love you!  Happy Anniversary!

Mini Family Update

Life has finally slowed down, I think.  I was hoping for a quiet spell before the holidays after all the hubbub of birthdays, a new baby and an adoption.  It's been crazy around here to say the least.  Then the other night, Warren and I were up most of the night with sick kids and a fussy "didn't-want-to-sleep" baby.  Whew!  Glad that one's over!  Guess that's just goes with being parents.  Maybe I'll get that "breather" after all.  We got several inches of snow last night.  It snowed some today as well.  The boys continue to do well in school.  They got their report cards a couple of weeks ago and they both got really good grades.  We are proud of them!  I was especially glad to see how well they did since I was their teacher for the last couple of years.  Amy and Nick are keeping me on my toes as usual.  :-)  Ashley is doing good.  She's already passed her birth weight.  She did that in one week! Here are a couple of pictures of her.  

Our Little Princess

Proud Big Brother

Mr. Hill

In just 15 minutes today our 3 year wait finally came to an end.  We are so thrilled to be able to adopt Nicholas!  As many of you know, there were times when we thought it wasn't going to happen, but God intervened and today Nicholas became our son.  Obviously, we have counted him as such for the last 3 years but now it is all legal.  Family and friends came to witness the event.  We missed those that could not be here.

Nicholas came to us on November 25, 2005.  He was just 3 weeks old.  He was such a sweet baby and we fell in love with him immediately.  We have watched him grow into an active and smart toddler.  Yes, I know, I'm his mom.  :-)  He has been such a joy to have in our home!  Warren and I count it a privilege to be his Daddy and Mommy. 

 Nick with Papa and Grandma

Our family with the Carter family

Our attorney (left), our family and Judge Stowers (right)

First Bath

The other day I gave Ashley her first bath.  She was not impressed at all!

Mommmy!

                                                

Finally--she's done!

He's 3 Years Old!

Yesterday, our little Nicholas turned 3 years old.  It's hard to believe that he is 3 already!  He didn't seem to excited about it or really "get it" until he saw his cake.  Then he got really excited!  He kept saying "My birthday!" whenever he looked at the cake.  He has been practicing holding up 3 fingers.  Then he says, "I'm goin' to be 3!"  We had a family celebration with the 7 of us and Papa and Mas.  I really wasn't up to doing a party for some reason.  :-)  Nicholas had just as much fun with just us.  Happy Birthday, Nick!  We love you!

Our Little Pun'kin

More Hospital Pictures

Here I am waiting for the big moment.  We got more pictures in the OR than with the boys.  I also got to see Ashley more in the OR than I did with the boys.  That was really nice!  Also my Recovery Room time was shorter than it was with Clayton!   As you can see in the picture, Warren is in scrubs.  No, he wasn't working.  :-)  He just didn't want to wear the typical "cardboard" scrubs that the dads usually get so he got some real scrubs to wear.  There are certain benefits to working at the hospital where your wife gives birth.  :-)  The picture of us in the OR was taken just minutes after Ashley was born.  

Mommy and Ashley (unlike previous posts here you can actually see Baby).   Please excuse Mommy's look.  As any of you moms out there know the day of childbirth is not exactly a photogenic day!  :-)  

Amy and Nicholas just love their little sister!  "See baby!" was heard a lot the first couple of days.  They both just had to be on Daddy's lap to "see baby".

Very proud big brother Cameron!  One night as Cameron told Ashley good night, he leaned over her hospital crib and kissed her.  When he looked up his eyes were just shining!  Somehow we missed getting a picture of Clayton holding Ashley.  He was very excited about her too.