Twists!!!

I'm so excited!! I finally was able to get K2 to sit still and do her whole head in twists. If you have ever been at my house when she is getting this done...you will know that it's a BIG ordeal!! :)

Where has the time gone!

I can't believe my last post was in June..I'm slacking :) Well we've been busy..busy. Here are some pics of Kendall's Birthday!!!!! Our little sweetheart turned 1 on 8/8/09. She had a fun day, we went to Thanksgiving point with Grandma Cheryl. Then the Hinckley's came over for some ice cream and cake.

Wow, where has the last month gone!!!

We started our summer off with a bang!! We took the girls to Disneyland over Memorial Day weekend...it was great fun and the girls got to enjoy it with Grandma Cheryl. However...Note to self...never go on a holiday weekend! :) Both girls were happy and enjoyed most of the rides. If Keira didn't like something she would plug her ears. Kendall just smiled at everything and everyone. Keira absolutely loved "Belle" and gave her a BIG hug! I was so excited to meet Tinkerbell! :)

We came back and off to Idaho we went. I was able to attend our nephew Jordan's high school graduation. I can't believe he graduated....where has the last 18 yrs gone! I remember when he was born...crazy!









We had our annual Morrill family reunion at Lake Alturas. Our family was in charge this year...had to come up with games, food, crafts. It was fun and glad that all went well! The girls loved being outside and with their cousins. Keira was able to take her first boat ride....and it was in the rain! She was having so much fun...shouting...Yeppy! She also got to experience the "cold" 47 degree Lake Alturas. She walked right in and stood there for a sec and then started to cry. I could see the pain on her face and brought back the memories of that COLD water.

Happy Mother's Day!

For years I dreaded "Mother's Day"..longing to be a mother and to know how it feels. Today I realized how selfish I had been during those years. I never saw past my situation to be supportive of other women. Today, I finally felt the "true" meaning of Mother's Day, my eyes were opened and I didn't have any of those negative feelings when a speaker said to all the "women" Happy Mother's Day. Before the girls I couldn't find comfort in those words but today I did. There have been so many women in my life that have been an influence or support in my life. I wouldn't have made it through the past 2 years without my mother, my sisters, my mother-in-law, my sisters-in-law, my dear girls friends, my new playgroup friends and our birthmothers.

I wanted to give a shout out to my mother. My heart was filled with love today as I thought about her. What a women! I've seen my mom go through life's highs and lows and never complained. She has many qualities, kindness, loving, charitable, compassion and strength. If I could be at least 1/2 of what she is it will be a miracle. There is nothing more comforting then to know your mom is there for you whenever you need her. Mom, I love you and thanks for always being there and always snuggling the grand babies :)

Our 2 yr old....

So I've always wondered what people meant by the "terrible 2s". We are starting to get a little taste of it...K1 really isn't that bad but it is starting :)

The "look" we get on a daily basis
Coloring body parts with a marker....I was on the phone with work thinking she was playing with play dough...Having an opinion on what she wants to wear...from the headbands to the tutu.
I'm honestly loving this age. She is growing up so fast and starting to become a little person with her likes and dislikes. She surprises me everyday with something new.

Poka Dot Cousins

Little Lulu was able to come to K2's blessing and we finally got some pics of the girls together...of course K2 wanted to scratch everyone and poor Lulu got it!

We will miss you Grandpa Morrill

Quinn's Grandpa Morrill passed away on April 29th. We were able to go to Idaho and attend the viewing and funeral. The girls and I missed the funeral due to K1 and K2 being miserable with ear infections. Quinn said it was a very nice service and everyone did a wonderful job.

We will miss you Grandpa Morrill, thank you for being an awesome example. I know Quinn will miss you deeply.

A wonderful weekend!

Last weekend we had a joyous occasion. We were able to have K2 sealed and blessed. Quinn & I were able to sit down, relax and reflect on the past 14yrs before the sealing. It seems every Temple occasion we have been rushed for one reason or another..... but not this day. We had about 20 minutes to take a deep breath, enjoy the surrounds and each other. We were able to reflect on the happiness and joy our children have brought to us. And for their sweet spirits. What a wonderful journey it has been and we are looking forward to the future.

I wanted to share with you an email that K2's Uncle John sent out about K2's weekend. I thought it was so kind and thoughtful..thanks John.

"We made the trip to Bountiful Saturday morning, a beautiful spring day. We were able to witness the sealing of K2 to her parents and it was a wonderful thing! She seemed more interested in looking around and playing with things than what was happening, but most kids are. She has received a great gift, the loving arms of parents who love her and each other, who want what's best for her and are willing to work to help her achieve that!

Sunday, we loaded up and drove from SLC back to Bountiful to be there when K2 was given her name and blessing. Again, she was distracted by the microphone, and spent her time trying to grab and taste it, but it was a terrific blessing she was given! She'll need the sense of humor, if for no other reason than to deal with her dad! She will be a great addition to the family and I think will make many solid contributions to those around her!

Many congratulations again to her family!!"

Thank you to all of our families and friends for helping us with everything and being a part of this experience. A BIG thank you, goes out to Brittany for these wonderful pictures! :)

Happy Easter!

We hope you all had a wonderful Easter!!

K2 is official!

After 2 extra months..10 billion documents wrong..K2 is official today! ;) We had a very nice day. We had the same judge that we had with K1 and it was a way better experience with K2. We were able to go into the Judge's chambers and do the finalization. Aunt Audra was able to make it and help with the crowd control, thanks Audra! :) It feels so great to have that done and to know she is official ours..next step is sealing and blessing.

My heart was very full this morning as I woke up to go to the courthouse. I had to hold back my tears as we drove there. I kept thinking about my father and wishing he was here to experience this with us. I'm sure he was here in spirit but I can't help but want to get a "hug" from him and hear his voice "proud of you Mel".

As we drove I tried to change my thoughts to K2's birthmother and the experience that we had with her. I thought about how K2's birthmother was so kind and let us be part of everything. I was able to go to an ultra sound and be in the delivery room. I will never forget her, I will never forget her unselfishness, her amazing strength and she will always have a part of my heart.

I also kept thinking of Michael McLean's Adoption songs..From God's Arms, to my arms, to yours.

The Gift:
The gift we could not give each other
When I was a little girl I held my dolls like children
dreaming on the day when I'd have babies of my own
When the news was shared with me
that all those dreams could never be
It became the deepest grief my heart had ever known

There's a man who tried his best to comfort me with roses
Promising he'd find a way to make those dreams come true
He did everything he could
To heal my heart but nothing would
And when it seemed that we'd done everything that faith could do
A wonderous gift was given with a phone call straight from heaven
"There's a child that's nearly due that a young girl's giving you"
She gave more than just one life
When she made of this man and wife
A father and a mother when she gave the gift
We could not give each other

More than we could ever say
Our hearts give thanks to heaven
Every time we hold this child we feel we hold the world
Words will never be enough to share the way our family feels
But with every breath we breathe we want to tell that girl
Not a day is ever through
Till we thank the lord for you
And sweetness lingers here
In our hearts and thoughts and prayers

We gave more than just one life
When you made of this man and wife a father and mother
And you gave the gift we could not give each other
You have changed our lives foever
Only you and God above could give the gift of love
We could not give each other.

K2, WE LOVE YOU!! You are a gift!

Rodeo!

Our neice Paige rodeo's for College of Southern Idaho. Yesterday, Paige had a rodeo in Heber. K1 and I drove down with Jen & Trent to see the Rodeo. We had a blast and Paige did awesome. It's amazing to me how much Paige has grown, I can remember when her little boots barely hung over the saddle. K1 had a fun time...if you would have seen her you would have thought different. It was pretty noisy so K1 plugged her ears. Yes, she plugged her ears for 2 hours straight. I bought her some chips thinking that she would have to use her hands to pick up a chip..but nope..she kept her ears plugged and reached into the bag with her tongue. Good job Paige and good luck next weekend!

We have teeth!

K2's bottom 2 teeth came in. What a kid!

Drama with pictures AGAIN!

I don't know what it is but K1 has a BIG issue with getting her picture taken. She is completely happy until I put her up onto the platform to start taking the pictures. After 1 hr & 45 mins we got 3 pics of her. However to our surprise K2 was so photogenic. She was happy as a clam.

K2 is 6 months old today

We hit a milestone with K2 today. 6 months old!!! Wow, she has changed so much in the past 6 months. We can actually go for car rides without her screaming, we aren't getting up every 2 hrs, but we still are giving her Zantac. Yes, she still has a little bit of silent reflux but it is way better then it was!!!!

She wants to be a big girl like her sister. She is eating solid foods, puts her binkie in her mouth, rolls over and loves to jump in her jumparoo.

K2 has the cutest laugh and smile. We can't help but tickle her to make her laugh. We enjoy every minute with her!

We feel so blessed to have her in our family. We love the miracle of adoption! Happy 6 months K2. We love you!