Fave Foto Friday-Hope

Today's FFF theme is supposed to be something that gives me hope. I can't think of another picture more appropriate for that theme. This is my oldest niece, Nikki, being baptized the summer of 2004. In September of that same year, her life was taken by a drunk driver. This picture gives me hope because it reminds me that all is not lost and that I will see her again one day in heaven.

For more FFF's, follow this link: http://kissthefrog4me.blogspot.com/

Where does the time go??? 5 months already!

Ben at six days old in the hospital in Texas

Ben yesterday, just one day shy of five months old

Benicio,

My sweet, amazing son, I can hardly believe that you are five months old today. It seems like yesterday that I was staring down at you in your hospital isolette, in awe that your first mom had given us such an amazing gift. I remember my joy and tears the first time someone called you my son. I remember my sadness and heartbreak for the woman who gave you life but wasn't able to care for you. I remember feeling God's presence everywhere around us. I remember knowing, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that this was His plan for our family. It does seem like it all happened just yesterday, and yet it also seems like you have always been a part of me and our family. You are such a beautiful blessing for me, and for your entire family. I cannot imagine our lives without you. Every time I look into your big brown eyes, I fall just a bit more in love with you. Thank you, precious son, just for being you, for your beautiful spirit, so full of smiles and giggles, for your unconditional love and adoration of me, and for bringing happiness back to our home. To quote one of your favorite books, "I love you through and through-yesterday, today, and tomorrow too!"
All my love always,

Mommy

A boy and his hat!

I have almost never put a hat on Ben because a.) he is fairly warm-natured and b.) he has so much beautiful hair that it is a shame to cover it up. But, last night he wore a little sleeper that had a matching hat, so I decided to try it. He LOVED it-if you couldn't tell by the big grin! In fact, he was mad when I took it off to put him to bed. And I discovered that he is every bit as adorable-if not more so-in a hat than without one!

Fave Foto Friday-Sleeping

Ben sleeping in the hospital the first night I met himBen sleeping in our hotel room his first night with me after leaving the hospital

Ben sleeping on me at the State Fair

Ben sleeping in his swing while I cooked dinner

Just for fun-our miniature dachshund, Daisy, sleeping in our bed

Ben sleeping while snuggling the Moby Wrap

(Don't worry, I was sitting right there so he wasn't in danger of suffocating himself!)

My niece "sleeping" in the dinosaur nest at the Children's Museum

I have sleeping pictures of my nephews somewhere, but I don't think they are in digital format, so I can't easily post them.

Thankful Thursday

This is Ben "sliding" down the slide at the park!

Things I am thankful for this week:



1. Playdates with friends.

2. The fact that my nephews are good sports-on and off the soccer field. (There sure are a LOT of kids who aren't).

3. That Will's crew was able to get out of Hurricane Ike's way.

Fav Foto Friday

I'm jumping on the Fave Foto Friday blog wagon! I snapped this pictures when none of the three boys noticed I had the camera out. I put Ben down on the blanket so I could finish getting ready to leave, and when I came back around the corner, both of my nephews were on the floor playing with him. Too sweet! Ben is so loved and I am so blessed to have him as my son and these sweet young men as my nephews!

Thankful Thursday

1. I'm thankful for sweet baby smiles first thing every morning.
2. I'm thankful for the innocence of my niece's 3000 questions about everything everyday.
3. I'm thankful for my nephews, who still give me hugs and tell me they love me-even in front of their friends and even though they are teenagers.
4. I'm thankful that I am married to the sweetest man in the whole world who loves me and our family more than he loves himself.
5. I'm thankful for the selfless, loving first mom who chose life, and us, for Ben.