Date 1/12

2012-01-24T19:26:00.000-08:00

Date #1. Woot to the woot!

In case you're new or haven't been paying attention, Russ is into music. Ya know, a little bit. So it was only appropriate that I made one of our dates a night out to see live music. I didn't know anything about them, but Russ kept talking about going to see The Civil Wars. So I made it happen. AND we ran into friends, Nick and Sarah, and got to hang with them during the show. And there may or may not have been a "situation" with a girl sitting by us. Just know that if you ask me a question, I will be honest with you, even if you're really drunk and looking for a different answer.

We started with dinner at The Fountain on Locust, a local restaurant we've never had dinner at before (only dessert). We started using these silly books to see if we've paid attention to each other the last 15 years.

I'm a fan. Of my hubs. and dating him.

Can't wait to tell you about February!

Happy Gotcha Day!

2012-01-18T12:06:00.000-08:00

As I'm putting on my "fancy clothes" as Eliot calls them, the sound of Russ' footsteps into Dez's nursery comes into our room through the monitor.

"Good morning, son"

That identity became official today.

We walked into the court room and sat in the seats provided. The lawyers and judge did their usual spiel. We answered when appropriate, we listened when appropriate.

I could feel it coming. Like a wedding day when you're waiting for those specific words that bind you forever.

Everyone had done their assigned roles. It was coming. The judge paused.

"I have one more question."

I sat up a little straighter.

"Eliot, what do you think about this?" Eliot turned around, shyly not answering the judge.

"Eliot, is Dez a good little brother?" Still nothing.

"Well, do you want to keep him?" Eliot turned quickly back around to her and said, "YES!"

"Well, in that case, this adoption is final."

It didn't take more than 20 minutes to change our lives.

Fuzzy but hilarious. (Kinda like all three boys in my house?)

"There is not a more poignant picture of the gospel than adoption. Today the court ordered that Desmond now has a new name, and the full rights of a natural born son - including our protection, provision and even an inheritance. Thank you, Jesus." --Russ's fb status.

I'm a mess.

2012-01-13T11:18:00.000-08:00

We have a court date.

For finalization.

Next week.

Next week.

He's ours forever.

No biggie..

2012-01-11T07:49:00.000-08:00

For those not anxiously checking my facebook status, we're still not sure when Dez's adoption will finalize. We're literally waiting on a document to come in the mail. We have a court date for next week but will have to reschedule if the document doesn't arrive in time.

By then all the February dates may be booked.

So it may be March?

So, yeah, sometime in 2012, Desmond's adoption will be finalized.

This is a sliver in the trauma of the adoption world, so we're not too bothered by the uncertainty honestly.

Although, the last time we had an adoption get delayed the margaritas were better and I had a pretty good tan...

A funny thing happened on the way to the Little Rock...

2012-01-05T17:25:00.001-08:00

We realized we forgot to purchase something needed while driving to visit the fam in Little Rock. Russ mentioned stopping at the Wal-Mart in West Memphis, a somewhat mid-way stopping point.

We walk in, heading to the department of choice but Eliot and I get distracted at a bin near the front as Russ keeps walking. I'm holding Dez to give him a break from the car seat. A twenty-something african-american male walks up and says:

"Can I fill out an application?" and grins.

I think, "Does he think I work here? huh?"

I say, "I'm sorry, what?"

He looks me up and down with a little neck roll to the side, grinning, nods at Dez and says, "Can I fill out an app.li.ca.tion.?"

I yelled, "STILL GOT IT! WOOT!" and walked away.

Not really. But I was flattered that someone on this planet thought my genes could create Dez. No wonder he wanted a piece of that...I mean...

(And if you haven't been around since 2008, you may have missed this great moment in an Arkansas gas station.)

THE gift.

2011-12-26T11:36:00.001-08:00

That's what it said on the outside of the package in huge letters.

I've spent the last 2-3 months on this thing and I'm pretty freakin' excited about it. Had to do something awesome since Russ loved his gift from last year. Why do I set myself up like this? Next year he's getting wool socks. Ugly, itchy wool socks. With holes in the toes.

Got the idea from Pinterest (duh) which led me here.

The gift?

"2012 is for lovers. 12 dates in 12 months."

I guarantee we did not see 12 dates in the last year. Not okay but understandable. Whatevs. 2012 is steppin' it up. Boom. To ya motha, yo.

Russ only opened January and February so I can't divulge the secrets within each envelope yet but I'm hoping to blog after each date to 1. document this biz, 2. be a resource if you ever want to also steal this idea and use it.

I took a page outta The Bachelor book of operation and made each note hint at what we're doing. And because my husband pretends to not care about reality tv, he immediately said, "I feel like I just scored 12 one-on-one's. Which date involves a helicopter?"

It was a hit. I'll keep ya updated.

Warning

2011-12-24T09:05:00.001-08:00

Don't read this link if you're in front of other people.

This is a great blog, a great series and an impactful letter to Santa...

I die.

2011-12-23T07:24:00.001-08:00

"Mom, can Dez watch Charlie Brown with me?"

My PSA

2011-12-19T06:18:00.000-08:00

Back when we were these kids (trip to Giants Causeway in Northern Ireland) we didn't have kids.

We wanted them. Desperately.

A few times of year were harder than others. Mother's day, obviously. But Christmas was the worst. At least for me. Not needing another stocking would weigh heavily on me. It seemed non-stop-in-my-face that we didn't have kids.

I know, I know, I know the season is about Jesus. But I couldn't help struggle with depression until the season was over.

All that to say, if you have people in your life that you know are "waiting families", whether adoptive or trying for biological, please be sensitive to them in this season. That doesn't mean ignore them but rather, offer a quick email or text saying that you're thinking of them and that if they need anything you're available. You can't fix it but you can at least acknowledge it with them. Don't offer them the "God's timing" advice cuz I'm 99% sure they already know that.

I'm going to be eating a lot more Frosty's.

2011-12-14T10:56:00.000-08:00

Gah! This video!

Our story will always read Love

2011-12-13T07:20:00.000-08:00

Had several emails asking about the print behind Dez. I first saw it on Pinterest (duh) before we had custody of the little man. Plans were still up in the air on whether or we were going to get him and I just fell in love with it. I think every foster family and/or adoptive family needs this. Just sayin'.

It was purchased from Sycamore Street Press (click to head straight there.)

Don't forget to leave some comment love for Jodie! Here or over there!

Fresh Art!

2011-12-13T05:29:00.000-08:00

For more of our latest photo shoot, head to Fresh Art Photography!

I.am.obsessed.

Some days I can't handle the cuteness.

2011-12-12T12:24:00.000-08:00

it's on.

2011-12-08T17:53:00.000-08:00

See that biz?

That's chapters 1-28. Printed out. Since I haven't looked at them in 2 years, I thought it might be a good idea to reread them before I try to complete this thang.

I really couldn't be more grateful for this project. The details are so so clear of our whole experience from start to finish with Eliot. I wonder when he'll read it. I wonder what he'll think. I wonder if it will go anywhere. I wonder if I shared too much in those pages. I wonder if it will be as entertaining to others as it is to me. I wonder if that matters. I wonder how I can fit this project in with this guy around:

It's Facebook's fault

2011-12-08T07:06:00.000-08:00

My blog has been neglected. During one of the biggest years of my world. Why?

I blame Facebook.

It's become my go-to. It scratches the itch of communicating my happenings. And while I always mean to come back here and give more detail, thoughts, dreams, wishes...it just hasn't happened.

Future Me is going to come back here looking for memories and will find nothing. It's all very sad.

It's time to step it up.

Rite of passage

2011-12-06T19:11:00.000-08:00

Apparently it's the "Mohr kid" thing to do at 7 months old.

Rota Virus.

Dez had 7 solid (or not-so-solid as it were) days of the biz nasty, friends, but I'm happy to say, we're in the clear.

This ridiculous pic:

was Eliot at 7 months with rota virus.

The response could not have been more different than my experience in Guatemala. When we figured out that Eliot and one other baby in the house had it, the B&B immediately moved all other families out of the house and into their other location. We were on serious lock down. I had only been an active mom to this kid for about 3 weeks, in a foreign country, by myself and now everyone was acting like he might die of a virus I'd never heard of. I was instructed by a nurse that he was to keep drinking every few hours so I was setting my alarm and making him wake up to drink. Only, he was too tired to drink so I would cry and cry, feeling like 2 ozs of Pedialite was the only thing between him and death and it was my responsibility to make that happen. She advised that with every rota diaper I needed to bathe him in very warm water, which is tricky when there's only hot water certain hours of the day. She advised me to be extremely careful with his diapers, making sure the entire changing area was sanitized every time, which was tricky with no electricity through out the night. I have never felt so overwhelmed in my life before or since.

So, as soon as I saw and smelled Dez's first Rota diaper, I knew what it was. I called the pediatrician and the nurse advised to just keep an eye on him for dehydration and make sure lots of hand washing was happening. She, of course, advised me that if things got worse, to bring him in but that was kinda it.

All that to say: I'm happy we're in the states this time around.

Also, Dez, head's up: El had chicken pox twice.

God gives good gifts...

2011-11-30T18:16:00.000-08:00

Great start to the holiday season...

2011-11-26T17:47:00.000-08:00

The regularly scheduled "Choosing of the Christmas Tree" is being postponed due to:

a stomach bug.

(no, I'm not that horrible of a mom to take this pic while my child is in pain. He was standing up straight and smiling when I started the picture. I promise.)

(But I am the kind of mom to broadcast the moment across the internet for all to see.)

(ya know, since I accidentally caught it.)

(the moment, not the bug.)

5 years.

2011-11-18T10:46:00.001-08:00

5 years ago:

I only did half as much laundry.
I only picked up after one male.
I had books and books on running your own business.
I only cooked for/fed one male.
I never checked the floor to watch for matchbox cars just to get from one room to the next.
I slept more. A lot more.
I'd only been to Guatemala once.
I'd never considered the foster program here or there.
Being naive about adding to our family was my M.O.
My house was actually decorated and my furniture kinda nice.
I carried a great purse.

But...

I now have 3 males who make me laugh.
I now know Sharon, Melissa, Alaska, Nikki, Emily, Virginia, Jackie and Tina.
I have a house full of baseballs and swords and cars and baby gear.
Petunia Picklebottom is now on ebay.
I have a little guy who makes sure my hands are warm if I forgot my gloves.
I have an even littler guy who smiles the biggest toothless grin the minute he sees me.
I have a better, deeper definition of who I am.
I have a much fuller couch...

Well-rounded?

2011-11-14T18:32:00.000-08:00

*Lots and lots of posts on facebook filled my newsfeed on Orphan Sunday. One friend posted this video (before you watch it, know I didn't love this one, but my issues with it are for a different day):

Hope is Fading – Orphan Sunday from Allan Rosenow on Vimeo.

As I'm watching it, Eliot started watching over my shoulder.

E: Mom, why is that girl sad?
M: Because she doesn't have a mom and dad.
E: Why doesn't she have a mom and dad?
M: I don't know, something must have happened, there could be lots of reasons.
E: Dad? Why doesn't she have a mom and dad?
R: I don't know, Buddy.

*Pause*

E: Does it make you guys sad?
Yes, it is very sad. That's why someone made this video, hoping to encourage other moms and dads to think about adoption so that girls like her can get parents.
E: Oh.

*Pause*

E: Mom, do YOU have a tear? (rubbing eyes)

****************************************************************************
Unrelated but cute pic of Senor:

***************************************************************************
Another day, in the car with all four of us:

E: Mom, you have 3 stinky boys...
M: Yep, 3 very stinky boys!
E: Hey, boys! Let's all toot!

Friday Foto Fun.

2011-11-11T07:52:00.000-08:00

(again, a regular Friday segment...)

Friday link

2011-11-04T07:53:00.000-07:00

Just one link for you today (do you like how I'm pretending like I do a Friday Links segment every week? Just roll with it.)

My friend Amanda sent me this link called "How to be the Village" from Jen Hatmaker's blog. It's funny and spot on. It's a little long but a quick read and so worth it. Read it for my sake. For these two crazy boy's sake.

Click here to head over.

Flash and Prince.

2011-11-01T09:08:00.000-07:00

This was our best attempt at a sibling pic. You're welcome. =)

Not sure who Dez is? Russ is convinced he looks like Prince Fielder from the Brewers, so made him a little jersey. Eliot had a baseball build-a-bear that we stole the mitt off of, aaaaaand whalaa! or something.

We WILL make them come home from college for this...

2011-10-29T12:03:00.000-07:00

Ask and you shall receive...

2011-10-28T09:41:00.000-07:00

This was just a few days ago and now we have this:

Thanks, Melissa, for capturing this celebratory Bump-it from game 6! Think she has a heating pad under there to keep warm? Just a thought.

Go Cards!

I mean...

2011-10-26T11:12:00.001-07:00

Dear American Doll peeps,

Quit it.

First this.

Now this:

I went ahead and put them together for you:

Remind me to keep an eye on you...

The half. The 5k. The 200m.

2011-10-25T12:10:00.000-07:00

Found on pinterest. (where else do people find stuff these days?)

I'm going to take .5 seconds and pat myself on the back. I ran in a half marathon this weekend and got my best time out of the three I've run. Some may not be impressed but I'm super proud to say my time was 2:22.

There were over 20,000 participants, the course went all through the best parts of St. Louis and the weather was perfection. Friends Beth and Dana also ran it, which just added to the fun. If you've ever run a race like that you know that the spectators make it 10x more fun also, especially with their clever signs.

Some of my fav:

*Humpty Dumpty had wall issues, too.

*(about mile 8) So, you still think this was a good idea?

*I thought they said "Rum"

*(a little girl held this one) Hurry up! My arms are getting tired!

* You have great stamina! Call me!

*Run like you have to poop!

*Your calves look sexy.

*You're almost there! (that's what she said)

*Run like you stole something!

*You look Kenyan to me!

*You are wasting your Sunday and mine!

*Toenails are for sissies!

*Don't stop, everyone is watching!

*Worst Parade Ever!

I haven't had a chance to post about this yet, but we went to Disney at the beginning of the month and while there, Joy and I ran in their 5K through Animal Kingdom. We had a blast, definitely adding to the great memories of that trip!

And I'm super proud to say that Flash, I mean Eliot, ran in his first race at Disney, too! His age category ran a 200m part of the track at ESPN world at Disney. We were so proud of him!

Leaves fall, Bump-its rise...

2011-10-19T20:00:00.000-07:00

A good friend from college sent me this with the phrase, "for your bump-it collection". That made me laugh. Never fancied myself as a collector but I'm not going to deny the allegations.

And this little snap shot of goodness came straight from the Idaho state fair from cousin Jessica! Or is it Iowa? Hmmm, can't seem to remember.

I'm not gonna lie, I'm kinda hoping someone is able to spot and capture a world series bump-it. Pretty sure that's a widespread desire, right? I'll let you know.

2 new favorites...

2011-10-15T20:33:00.000-07:00

Pictures, that is.

After our long day out, both boys crashed. Eliot snuggling at Dez's toes? Kills me.

Dez-nudo!

Surprise! You're adopted!

2011-10-13T14:38:00.001-07:00

Once we got Eliot's referral we started the jokes that since he looked so much like us, we'd have to be real honest with him from the beginning that he was, in fact, adopted. Otherwise, he'd never know.

I had no idea people who adopted out of their race actually tried to keep the adoption element a secret from their differently colored children. No judgements here, just confusion.

I also had no idea how much of a banner "Adoption" would become for our family, so "when to tell Eliot" was never an issue. He's heard his adoption story 9 million times. He knows he's from Guatemala and has fallen in love with his birth country as much as we have. There's still some confusion given the fact that he's a 5 year old trying to understand a pretty complex part of his life but he has a fundamental understanding of it all.

Fast forward to last spring, while we were in our foster training classes (which we loved loved loved, shout out One Heart) and one of the trainers shared part of her story. Each of her children has a unique story and birth family involvement. When someone in the class ask her how she handles that, she casually mentioned that there are pics on their fridge of birth family. They are recognized as a character of each child's story in a way that makes it so commonplace that there's no mystery. Russ and I loved it.

We've had a pic of Eliot's birth fam in our safe for years. Not knowing what to do with it, we kept it there. Other adoptive moms have mentioned that they create a scrapbook type adoption story book and include any birth family photos in there. It's accessible. It takes out any mystery.

Adoption can be confusing for everyone, but children especially. As E gets older, there will be more questions. I love that those around us are smarter than we are and were willing to share their ideas. There will be no big reveal of Eliot's story as far as we're concerned. His foundation for this part of his identity will be the same today as it will be in ten years. As his parents, it's our job to set him up for success in every aspect and we're praying this is the right direction.

But then again, we're only 4 years and 2 adoptions into this, so as usual, we're kinda making this stuff up as we go. Isn't that what parenting is all about? Er...

The brother load.

2011-10-12T09:18:00.001-07:00

Dear Eliot,

I can't get over it. The little man you've become in the last few months constantly overwhelms me.

On day 1 you insisted we move your booster seat to the middle of the car so you could be near Dez. You've asked countless times if we could move the bassinet and now the crib into your room instead of the nursery. You constantly check on D when he's sleeping and appointed yourself on pacifier duty til the end of time.

Kiddo, you were made for this.

I love the plans you're making for the two of you once he's older. From sharing cheerios and special treats, to light saber battles, to showing Dez the volcanoes in Guatemala. I love how you love him so much already. I love that you demand I chew on his face. I love that you get so impatient that his nap lasts longer than you want it to because you miss him.

You're incredible, Eliot Mohr.

A little back story...

2011-10-11T11:36:00.000-07:00

A common question in my head and one people actually ask lately is how did I get two absolutely beautiful boys?

Well, it's easy when you get to pick them, right? We always ask (demand) the agency for at least 20 referrals and then pick the cutest 5. Then we conduct a series of IQ and aptitude tests. After we get to the final two, we run them through an Enneagram predictor to see who would fit the best. It's simple, really.

Okay, maybe not. But have you seen them? Ah! They're gorgeous. And amazing! All tacky kidding aside, I thought it was time you heard about how Dez came to our family.

So, a little back story for ya.

Back in the spring the other adoption had fallen through and Eliot graduated pre-school.

I decided that since I wasn't really working much over the summer that Eliot and I would carpe some diem and have THE.BEST.SUMMMER.EVER. So, we started on Monday, June 6 off to the strawberry patch.

(It was a wee bit hot that day...)

On the way to the farm, I got a call from our social worker. She asked if it's a good time to chat and I told her I'd call her back since it was probably just about wrapping things up for putting our name on the list of waiting families. She paused and said, "Well, it's actually about a baby but I can call you back later..." and I could tell she was trying not to giggle into the phone. All the sudden I was more than willing to talk, the strawberries would still be there.

She said it wasn't official but there was a 3 week old baby boy who would most likely be up for adoption and she just needed to know if we'd be interested. She gave us as many details of his case as she had and told me to get back to her soon because if we weren't interested, she would contact another family. She also said she had pictures if we wanted them but I told her to hold off. I tend to get a bit ahead of myself once there's a face involved.

So, we started the talks. There was still a whole lotta risk involved with this case and I wasn't sure I could walk confidently into another unsteady place. About a week later, one of the risks was removed and we decided to meet this one month old peanut.

On Monday June 19th, we walked into the agency and were ushered into their cute little hospitality room. Minutes later a nurse handed a teeeeny, bundled peanut to me.

Even at a month old, he's not so sure about this Russell guy.

And this guy was pretty smitten!

For the next month we were able to visit Dez as often as we wanted until the court issued us a court order for custody a month later. So, that's the word, peeps. The prequel of the addition to the Mohrs.

We never did get our names on that list...

Anyone recognize one of these babies?

2011-10-06T12:07:00.001-07:00

The Magic House from Rodgers Townsend on Vimeo.

Today.

2011-09-14T10:34:00.001-07:00

Dez,

Two months ago when we brought you home our status read like this: "Legal risk placement with intent to adopt."

Today that "legal risk" part was taken out by a judge. As in: "Placement with intent to adopt" is our current status.

The riskiness is no longer risky.

You're stuck, Mister.

And come December? This biz is official.

The face.

2011-09-07T19:06:00.000-07:00

Another big change...

2011-09-03T08:48:00.001-07:00

If you hadn't heard, two weeks ago we had to put our sweet Daisy down. She wasn't quite at her best the last six months or so and it got progressively worse over the last month. As anyone does, we went round and round on when/what to do. I won't go into details here but she made it pretty clear she was miserable.

I need to scan some puppy pics of her when we got her 12 years ago. She was a one-year wedding anniversary present we gifted ourselves in '99. Other than that first year, she's been apart of every single aspect of our married lives. It's an adjustment to move forward without her.

The timing was perfect that Eliot started Kindergarten just a couple days later, a perfect distraction. He brings her up every so often and says he's sad but he's doing okay. We bought the book "Dog Heaven" as another way for him to understand what's going on.

A couple days after she died he did ask if she died on the cross. Um...no. That's just Jesus.

My favorite thing about her was that she was oddly compassionate. As you know if you've read this blog for any amount of time, we've gone through a lot in those 12 years with fertility and adoption drama. Every time something would go wrong, Daisy wouldn't leave my side. Especially when I miscarried, she was a permanent attachment, a constant comfort.

Daisy was the perfect dog. She may have eaten through drywall, several couches, a door, etc, rolled in poop more times than I can remember and barked a lot, but she was perfect. She put up with a lot and was as loyal as can be. She is missed dearly and we're thankful we got to be hers.

Wha?! You haven't been blogging?!

2011-09-02T07:59:00.000-07:00

40 years of fun!

2011-08-26T20:06:00.000-07:00

No big deal, it's just my parents

40TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY!

I mean, who does that anymore? These crazy kids.

Love you guys!

First day of Kindergarten!!

2011-08-22T08:25:00.000-07:00

AHHHH! He's in kindergarten!! That's like real life, peeps. I don't even know how to feel about it. I'm glad he's not new to "school" and am so confident in all he learned in pre-school. So excited for him this year but crazy nervous. This means he's old. Gah.

And for easy viewing, Year 1 of preschool is here. Year 2 of preschool is here.

Of course Lightening McQueen is apart of our big day...

Tradition!

Some of Eliot's buddies from Pre-school and soccer.

I'm so proud of him! Can't wait to hear about it later! (which I'm sure will involve what they had for snack and that's about it...)

Just to get you through the weekend...

2011-08-13T15:01:00.000-07:00

I know it's not in focus. You try tickling and snapping a pic at the same time...

My Summer, a photo essay

2011-08-12T08:22:00.000-07:00

All pics via my crappy phone. You're welcome?

Update-a-million

2011-08-11T19:53:00.000-07:00

*Wow, friends, I'm tired. This whole newborn thing is 12 kinds of exhausting. Big D has been here a month already. That's a month of constantly disrupted sleep. And for some *awesome* reason, I chose now to train for a half marathon. I'm pretty sure I heard about some military training where they constantly wake troops up and make them perform physical tasks in order to train their bodies and I'm pretty sure I am voluntarily doing the mommy version of that. Why? Why?

*No news on his case. No news is good news. With Gary Gnews. (anyone?)

*"Big" D had his 2 month appt (yes, awhile ago) and he's a peanut, you guys. He wasn't even on the percentile chart. We're beefin' him up though. Those cheeks are getting chubbier and more chewable by the day.

*One of the first questions we always get is how Eliot is doing as a big brother. I have a whole post dedicated to that very question. Don't expect it for about 6 years, but it's there in the ol' drafts, trust me.

*We've been s.p.o.i.l.e.d. over the last few weeks with friends bringing meals over. Which is super handy since I keep putting things in weird places. And, no, the milk doesn't go in the tupperware cabinet. Nice try.

*I had like 4 other updates to throw on here but I can't remember what they were. Um...you guys are the best and still love us in spite of my sleepy stupor.

Here's what you missed!

2011-07-29T13:00:00.000-07:00

For those who never successfully got onto our private blog, this was the main post you missed. I never got around to much else that I haven't posted here. Since I can show his cute little face, I'm not going to mess with the other blog. It's too much for the person who might or might not have put her breakfast dishes in the bathroom sink. Just sayin'...

This was all from the first day!

Little nugget to share: last week we were out at a Food Truck Friday event and I heard a woman say, "Your children are beautiful". Then she said, "Mam?"

She was talking to me. She said "children." It caught me off guard. I almost started crying. Pretty happy about that.

You obviously don't know my dog.

2011-07-21T13:14:00.000-07:00

Oh, the pacifier. A non-issue with Eliot, who didn't care for it. Big D's one comfort that is consistent for his entire existence. The reason I've lost more sleep than late night feedings at this point.

We have over 10 of them, but there's only 1 he will take. Only one that truly pacifies. I've searched high and low to purchase more to make sure I'm not Parker Posey.

Let me make something clear, pacifier. You have met your match, you will not govern the rise and fall of my days and nights. It's on.

Wanna meet Big D?

2011-07-19T21:32:00.000-07:00

You'd think we have our hands full but he's really the tiniest of peanuts.

I know, I know... I just said I couldn't show his face but after meeting with our social worker today, she ever so casually mentioned we could start showing his face. So, boom. Here's some of the best. Wanna see more? Cuz there's plenty! As usual, head to Freshartphotography.com

I'm dying, crying, laughing, etc. I can't stop looking at them. Gah!

Big D.

2011-07-18T08:23:00.000-07:00

So, why would we get pics of a foster baby with Fresh Art? Cuz he's not really a foster baby in the true sense. If we were to update our status on FB, it would read, "It's complicated." He is a potential adoption that we have physical custody of already. I can't go into much more but wanted to give you a little more info than I have at this point.

We should know more in a few months. And until then, you can't see his cute little face. Or know his name. From hence forth he shall be known as Big D.

Is he ours? No, not yet. Are we pretty much acting as though he is? Yep. Doesn't do anybody any good not to, especially him. He needs to bond and attach to someone while this whole thing gets worked out and I just happen to be willing to chew on his face enough to make the bond happen.

So, what if we bond and attach and it doesn't work out? Not sure, to be honest. Not going there. No need to expect the worst.

And I promise if all goes as planned/prayed for/hoped for, I will spend several blog posts showing you the pics you've missed thus far. Cuz, holy crap, this kid is ridiculous. 100% worth the wait.

Pinterest is making us better parents.

2011-07-16T21:00:00.001-07:00

Saw a pic of this activity on pinterest and followed it to this blog. Then showed it to Russ and handed him a cereal box. Done and done.

Eliot's been playing marbles ever since...he's a fan.

In other news...
Oh friends. This whole private blog is a p.a.i.n. The link doesn't work for half of you and there's a limit on how many can view it. There's already a ton of emails on there from last fall that aren't using them anymore and when I added a bunch of you this time, it didn't go through for whatever reason. Geesh. I'm pretty sure the high maintenance of it all is causing this ridiculous heat, too. Sorry. Working on getting all the stuff figured out for ya!

Oh yeah!

2011-07-14T11:20:00.000-07:00

This is what that whole "new parent exhaustion" feels like. It's all coming back to me now. I guess I'm just thankful everyone speaks English this time around? =)

Just wanted to jump on and let you know that the private blog I have for a little more blogging freedom is back up and running! If you need another invite, let me know.

I'm off. Much like a zombie.

(which is so handy since they're so in style right now.)

Spillin' the proverbial beans...

2011-07-13T20:35:00.001-07:00

Peeps.

The couch?

Now, before you get all cray cray, he's a foster. Sort of.

Not talking deets, but we should know more in a few months.

More later, I'm wiped out.

My hobby/job. Jobby? Hob? Er, nevermind.

2011-07-12T13:40:00.000-07:00

(this has nothing to do with my last post, btdubs...)
(don't worry, I'll spill soon...when the time is right...)

Many of you already follow Fresh Art Photography after seeing their work year after year for us. You also know that once I find a service that I love, I mate for life. My tax lady, my hair stylist, my investment guy, my insurance broker, etc.

I thought about getting tats advertising all of their contact info. It could look like the back of a race t-shirt. Just a thought. You'll be the first to know if that idea materializes.

Focus, people!

Okay, so for those of you who don't follow Fresh Art (yet), you might not know that I work alongside Jodie and Kim as their client stylist. People, I'm having a freaking blast. It's looked differently every time, according to the client's needs and I couldn't be having more fun. Many of you ask what I really do so I thought I'd spill the beans on my comings and goings as a stylist.

Before the shoot:

*Some clients bring lots of clothes options to the shoot and I pick and organize and accessorize in the moment. I feel like I'm on a reality show with a time limit.

*Some clients have me to their house and let me raid their closets, making them try on different combinations.

*My last client asked me to go shopping with her for a few new looks altogether. She hates shopping. I love shopping. We had a blast. I officially changed my title to shopping mentor.

At the shoot:

*I bring extra accessories, just in case. (it justifies owning them all...)
*I bring hairspray, baby wipes, bobby pins, etc to master whatever the elements try to do to your hair, etc. I'm locked and loaded.
*I've started helping clients switch to a second hair style half way through. Everyone loves switching outfits but there's rarely a convenient location to re-do your own hair. That's where I come in! I'm like a ninja with those bobby pins.
* While Kim and Jodie work their magic, I'm intrusive and bossy. (personality strength?) If your hair is out of place, your hand is hanging funny, you're standing in an unflattering position, whatever, I'm all over that. I offer ways to switch it up, providing a third set of eyes making you look goooood.

Here's some of the sessions I've worked with!

My first was an engagement session. They were my guinea pigs. Pretty cute for guineas, huh?

My second session was a sweet maternity session with Tom and Sharon, such a fun couple to work with, such a cool story:

Another maternity session, cute family, cute cute cute! Emily has a great blog I started following after meeting her. She's crazy talented and creative, peeps, such an honor to help style them:

One of my latest was another maternity session with this super hot couple. Seriously, they made my job crazy easy with their eye for style:

Another really fun session was Kelly's maternity shoot. I felt like I was playing dress up with a doll working with her! So fun! Can't wait to see them as parents!

My most recent was a senior session, Jessie, who's an aspiring actress, so we were the perfect match! I like to fuss over clients and she loved being fussed over. We might have even ventured into co-dependence, actually.

Isn't she gorgeous? Wished I looked that pretty when I was going into my senior year, geesh!

This post got a little carried away. You're welcome.

Silence

2011-07-11T16:04:00.001-07:00

Silence because life has been busy.

Silence because grieving is thick.

Silence because I'm trying out a new hobby.

Silence because I was pretty sad. a lot.

Silence because transitions were happening.

Silence because 5 year olds are busy.

Silence because we got a phone call.

Silence because there's a thing called Pinterest.

Silence because that phone call turned into visits. Lots of them.

Silence because a room needed painted.

Silence because we have a some news.

Hot bump-its in the summertime...

2011-07-10T14:33:00.000-07:00

Trivia question: Is this a bump-it or a teased poof? Thanks JulieW, hope your team bumped up your score!

Anne, please tell me you stopped this woman and told her there's an animal on her head? Maybe she was just hiding concessions under there to sneak into the ball game?

Becky, please tell me you got Snook's autograph?

This one came from Mary Beth with this note:
The story behind the picture: The day before Mother's Day, I took my mom, brother, and nephew to the Cards game. A few rows ahead of us sat Bump-it. I wasn't really paying attention, but at one point she turned her head and I thought to myself "MUST...GET...PICTURE". I sat with the camera at the ready just waiting for her to turn her head, like a hunter waits for its prey. She turned, I snapped, and smiled with joy. Then I explained to my mom that I took a picture of a stranger to e-mail to another stranger, who's not really a stranger, though we've never met. I got a "my daughter is crazy" look from my mom.

Keep them coming, peeps, nothing delights me like getting these pics in my inbox. Btdubs, if you sent me one that hasn't been featured yet, I'd love a resend. Had a little problem with my email a bit ago.

Speaking of homecomings...

2011-07-09T13:28:00.001-07:00

**This post was written in May! Just never got around to posting it and now seems the perfect time...

There's a little box to the right on my blog that allows you to search my blog. If you type in "Melissa" almost 20 blogs come up. And those don't include the ones where she's pictured but not mentioned. She's kind of a big deal.

This pic was taken the day before I left Antigua, July 2007. As I packed up everything to bring home my Eliot, I was 99% sure Melissa was right behind me with Madi. Again, July 2007. SEVEN. I thought she would for sure beat Sharon and Bella outta there.

Long long long story short? She's home.

Madi is finally home. Since March...

4 (score? no, not yet) years ago today...

2011-07-08T20:25:00.000-07:00

Your assignment, should you choose to accept it.

2011-07-07T19:43:00.000-07:00

So...yeah.

People. There's a huge opportunity coming right around the corner.

Have adopted kids? Want to adopt? Currently fostering? Want to foster? Curious about any of that? Even the tiniest bit?

Click here for the info for a conference coming up this fall. And I'm not sure how long this lasts, but if you enter FOCUS as the discount code, you get 50% off. People, that is crazy cheap for a 2 day conference!

Get pumped!!

Also, if you don't already, go "LIKE" Show Hope on Facebook. Here's why: Show Hope will receive $5,000 for every 5000 new “likes” up to an additional $25,000, resulting in a total donation of $45,000 to Show Hope. This agency is legit and all it takes is a simple "like" to add more funds toward adoption.

Go. and go.

Happy 4th!

2011-07-05T19:45:00.000-07:00

Our 4th started with doctored up pancakes, flag style...

Daisy was not so amused by Eliot's patriotism.

We braved the heat and sat under the ol' arch to watch the Fair St. Louis air show.

Aaaand, we found ourselves among friends participating in an attempt to break the Guinness world record for largest kazoo concert. I haven't heard yet if we were successful or not! I think those Guinness people are following me around.

5 posts in one month?

2011-07-03T22:51:00.000-07:00

I don't know the last time I was this bad of a blogger. May and June were 12 kinds of crazy and those were coming off of a rough April, but that's redonk.

It's 1 am on July 4th. I can't sleep. I blame the 2 and 1/2 hour nap we all took this afternoon. But both boys are sound asleep.

So, I'm blogging.

I have at least 7 drafts in the que but they all need some work and I want to get this moving again. This blog has meant so much to me over the last 4 years, I need to get back into the habit of it being an everyday thought turned into regular posts.

I'm on-purpose not posting about anything real. Not even pictures. Just to blog.

Cuz that's what I miss. The everyday that I captured in our lives. Regardless of who's reading it. Cuz I'm reading it. Future me.

Happy July 4th, all!

Friend of friend...

2011-07-01T20:08:00.000-07:00

If you've been following this here blog for the last few years, you know that we love leading trips to Guatemala. We've had the blessing of taking two trips with Kappa Kappa Gamma girls from Baylor.

On both trips was a girl named Katie (I'm not going all third-person on you here, there were 2 of us.)

(She's that firey red head lookin' awesome in the middle there...)

Apparently the week after the first trip in 09 she went to summer camp. And met a young couple. And got all I-just-met-you-but-hey-let's-get-personal. She asked them if they'd ever considered adoption, cuz apparently Eliot's cute face was burned into her brain like everyone elses.

(one of my fav fav fav pics of Eliot. He's riding in a tuk tuk on that trip)

After Katie asked them that question...well...I'll let Wynne tell what happened next...read this blog post from October last year on her blog...her adoption blog...

So, yeah. That feels kinda overwhelming. In a good way.

Does anyone else feel super humbled when you find out your story was used to further God's glory? That some little peanut will be adopted into a loving family who is working their tails off to get him? I'm not taking credit for that, please don't read that, I just get pretty giddy knowing our story was even a teeeeensy bit impactful.

Okay, anyway, we had a blog-world-meets-real-world moment! She was in town last month for a wedding so we met for lunch! It was so great!

If you're into adoption blogs, add her to your reader. She's a great writer and I'm so excited to keep up with their journey!

A good read..

2011-06-21T14:22:00.001-07:00

My friend sent me this article. Read it. It's got some really good points.

Did you read it yet? If so, I can share a story with you that it reminded me of. I don't think I've ever shared it here.

When Lisa and I were training for a half-marathon long ago, like when people were still churning butter and so forth, we decided to take our long runs in downtown St. Louis since that's where the actual race would happen. One Saturday we took the race route which led us past a Planned Parenthood.

*deep breath*

There were picketers.

At this point in life, I was in the throes of fertility treatments and been disappointed month after month. No one in that crowd of picketers wanted those babies to be born more than me. Month after month, dollar after dollar to try and force life to be created with nothing to show for it.

The signs they held? I don't remember specifics but I do remember something about God hating you for making this choice, etc. I slowed down to read the signs and look at the graphic pictures attached to them. Then I looked the picketers in the face.

One couple caught my eye and smiled as though I was on their team.

So, I asked, "Are you guys Christians?" Their smiles got bigger and they said yes!

"Huh. We must serve different Gods, cuz my God doesn't use guilt and shame as His tools. Those are actually used by the enemy, but whatevs. So, then you guys are foster parents? Adoptive parents?"

They looked confused and said no.

"Hmm, interesting. So, where do you suggest all these babies go if their birth moms choose life but honestly can't take care of them?"

They didn't really have an answer so I just joined back up with Lisa and felt quite a surge of energy to run our last few miles. I had to get away from there before I said something else.

I have no idea what came over me that day. I don't think I've been so bold before that day or even since. Was it the best way to handle the situation? Probably not but we'll blame the extra hormones.

All that to say, as Mr. Locy states in his article, Christians should put up or shut up.

If you didn't yet, go read the article.

The pot is being stirred...

2011-06-15T17:59:00.000-07:00

I am only one,
But still I am one.
I cannot do everything;
but still I can do something;
and because I cannot do everything
I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.

-Edward Everett Hale

A plan?

2011-06-14T07:39:00.001-07:00

So, Friday we had a scare here. Long story short I had a cyst rupture while at home in the morning. Who doesn't love when your insides are imploding?! Good times.

Anyway, I realized that morning that if something happened (fainting, etc) Eliot would have no idea how to get a hold of anyone. That kinda freaked me out. We don't have a home phone and our smart phones are tricky for a 5 year old to use. However, there is a screen labeled "favorites" that I never use. So Saturday I put 3 people's pictures on that page and all E has to do is click on their picture and my phone will call them. We had him practice a few times and it seemed so simple I was mad I'd never done it before. It reminded me of this post from Jodie.

What do you guys have in place for your kids?

Update?

2011-06-08T19:22:00.000-07:00

I am here, I promise! The last 4 weeks have been pretty nutso. Things are slowing way down so...
I, Katie Mohr, hereby swear to be a better, more faithful, blogger.

Hopefully that will suffice.

If not? I got nothin'.

There's lots of real life to catch you up on but I do want to address where we stand with the whole couch biz. At this point we have our names on a waiting list with the agency who did our homestudy at the beginning of the year.

Timeline? No idea. Didn't ask. Because I always do. And then I announce the timeline to everyone who has ears and end up running to Vegas with it and getting hitched. So, I have no idea.

That's all I've got for ya this post. Just whettin' your appetite...

Summer fun!

2011-06-01T19:01:00.001-07:00

I saw these new nail things and kinda had to try them. I was intrigued! Which led to obsession. Which led to a purchase. (see how that happens?)

They were trickier to apply than I thought they'd be but I'm loving the overall look. The reviews say they last 10 days to 2 weeks but I'm skeptical. I shall report back. It's my civic duty. It's the least I could do.

Next up? Feather extensions. A friend had a kit and offered to put a couple in my hair. (read: forced me into a chair and put them in.) (not really) And now I'm in love. Don't be surprised if my head is covered in them the next time you see me.

Take me out to the ballgame...

2011-05-31T19:52:00.000-07:00

While Joy was here it happen to the same night that E's school was invited to sing the 7th inning stretch. He had been practicing so hard the last few weeks. I was so proud of him, knowing how intimidating this was for him. It was a gorgeous night and a great experience!

(note to self: put camera on auto when giving to a stranger for group shot.) (other note to self: blurry is a good look for you.)

makes me ill

2011-05-26T19:04:00.000-07:00

This story from our neighborhood makes me want to call and reinstate our fostering license.

Holy hail!

2011-05-25T15:51:00.001-07:00

Uh...check out the bigger-than-golf-ball sized hail we just got! Then we ventured out front and found the stegasauras!

Did not see that coming.

2011-05-24T20:57:00.000-07:00

While picking up E from school last week, here was our convo:

Me: Hey, guess who we're picking up from the airport tonight? (correct answer is Joy.)
E: OUR BABY!
(stop walking, take sunglasses off, deep breath)
Me: Oh, El, no. Remember we're not getting that baby.
(both of us now have instant tears)
E: Mom, when am I getting a baby? A brother or sister?
Me: I don't know, babe, but God knows we want one. I'm sorry.

There's still a lot of hard days, to be honest. We've been so busy, I've been living in my distractions. I think I'm making progress but then something like this happens.

There's not really a plan yet for moving forward. Sometimes that's good in letting us process and sometimes it's rough since it doesn't give us something to look forward to. I am enjoying every second I can with my newly 5 year old. We are enjoying being in this parenting sweet spot for a bit, knowing it won't always be this way.

Thanks for the random notes of encouragement you all keep sending! There are other reasons, too, but for this one I'm thankful I lay all our crap out for you to read. You guys are amazing and thoughtful. Thanks again!

Tattoo, what?

2011-05-21T20:51:00.001-07:00

Remember this???

Here's round 2.

People! This thing hurt! But I love love love it! More on the meaning later. It reads , "For such a time as this." And my mom loves it.

Joy was here for .2 seconds this week. So we went for it. Off to Self Inflicted Studios together. She got a lotus flower behind her ear.

Gah! We had a blast. I keep forgetting I did it and kinda freak out but I love it. Can't wait to give you my deets.

Enjoy this gorgeous weekend! I'm off to watch Gaga and Timberlake on SNL.

Copy cat.

2011-05-16T18:47:00.001-07:00

In my teaching world there was a mantra that I've adapted to motherhood: The best copycat wins. Not against each other but in teaching and/or motherhood.

As in, no need to reinvent the wheel.

As in, stop calling me creative and start calling me thief.

99% of my ideas for stuff are copied and adapted. Just sayin'.

So, if you are hoping to copy something of mine from E's Angry Birds birthday party, go right ahead. Here's where I got the ideas:

The masks idea came this etsy site. Hers are way better but I didn't want to spend $42, so I spent $3 on foam and $3 on elastic. Done.

The gift bags and balloons faces were printed, cut out, and taped to the bags and balloons. I got the templates from this site.

The pom pons idea came from here. I got the sling shots from Oriental Trading.

I didn't find a cupcake idea that I loved and I didn't have it in me to deal with fondant,so we made up the simplest idea possible. (and they aren't even cupcakes, it's brownie mix in cupcake holders since E wanted brownies). Red icing, 1/2 marshmellows for each eye with black gel icing for the middles and brows (thanks HM for the idea for marshmellows), yellow laffy taffy for the break.

That's it, peeps. There's all my secrets.

Appy Bird-day, E! (Angry Birds Birthday Party)

2011-05-14T12:28:00.001-07:00

**Welcome to my blog, Angry Birds searchers! I get more hits on this blog post than any other so wanted to let you know that if you're looking for where I got ideas for stuff or what I used, go to this post for answers. Also, if you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment and I'll try to respond back in the comments. Thanks for stopping by!***

(sign compliments of daddy!)
Eliot is obsessed with the game Angry Birds on our phones as previously posted here. So, we weren't super surprised when he asked for an Angry Birds themed birthday party.

Gift bags!

Brownie cupcakes!

Sling shots and pom pon birds!

Don't trust them, they steal stuff.

Vacation pic overload.

2011-05-10T19:31:00.000-07:00

Off the grid...

2011-05-02T16:57:00.000-07:00

If you need me, uh...

**disclaimer**Not that I have to say this, but I'll feel better if I do. If you donated to our adoption fund, know that that fund is sitting untouched waiting for our next adoption. This vacation wasn't on your ticket, just so you know.

I hope I never do.

2011-04-26T11:01:00.000-07:00

I never tire of overhearing Russ refer to me as his wife.

A rainy day egg hunt.

2011-04-23T10:40:00.000-07:00

In case you hadn't seen the latest news, STL has been POUNDED with rain lately. And tornadoes. Like woah. The egg hunt we were going to go to was moved to a different location so we just decided to keep it at home. We had some candy and last years eggs, so a new event was created!

(a little biased but...) cutest.child.ever.

Russ being not so subtle...

I think he's serious...

2011-04-21T19:38:00.000-07:00

Dear Me,

2011-04-20T09:58:00.001-07:00

Today is a good day so I'm writing to make an official note for you to come back to. There's a few things that can only come from me to you (me?) and not from anyone else. So, here you go. You're welcome. And floss, would ya? Geez. It's not exactly difficult.

Okay, let's get straight to it. The main thing is this:

You are not a victim, but a willing participant in this life we've created.

No matter what happens with each opportunity, each possibility, you know you were called to this. Your heart will break, your hopes will rise and fall. Sometimes for selfish reasons, sometimes because those align with what breaks God's heart. But you're in the right place.

Think of what's worse? The alternative. Knowing what you're called to, knowing what you have to offer as a mom but being too fearful to do anything about it. Fearful of a broken heart. Fearful of there not being enough money. Fearful of risk and change.

Nope, you're in the right place. You can do this.

Let go of your timelines and just enjoy this season, you'll never get it back.

Stop looking at other people's stories. They have nothing to do with yours. Yours is hand picked and every single thing is intentional about it. God is always doing more than one thing at a time and it's not your job to try to figure that out, so again, just live in this season. You worked hard to get here and need to live out loud in it. There's nothing missing from it.

There's nothing missing from it.

Now go squeeze that little Mayan, he's getting bigger every day and it's just going to get worse.

Some men send flowers...

2011-04-18T10:17:00.000-07:00

Last week when everything went down, Russ (on business in China) sent me this pic to cheer me up.

It's good to know the Bump-it is an international phenomena.

Red Shoes, Vol 2011

2011-04-14T14:37:00.000-07:00

I can't presume you remember my consolation red shoes from this postin 2007, so I'll just link it.

If you're new here, we had run into a record breaking amount of kick-outs from the Guatemalan government on Eliot's case. We were told very clearly (but unofficially) that we had finally been approved and were awaiting the official call "any day now." I went into the city with the girls in hopes of feeling kinda normal for a day. You can read it for yourself but my happy take-away from the day was this pair of red flats:

I remember coming home after this fun day out and thinking, "I'll just check my email real quick before dinner in case they emailed the final approval instead of calling."

That's when I saw it. There was indeed an email but it was the opposite of what we'd been told. We had another kick-out. I was devastated. Like, ugly-cry-can't-breathe-devastated. My flats became a sort of security blanket.

I readily admit I have issues. Especially with clothes. =/

All that to say, welcome to red shoes, 2011.

Yes, I am clinging to Jesus and His promises to cope with all that is going on, I'm just doing it while wearing these.

Speaking of weird coping strategies, you'll be happy to know that the doctor mentioned in this post has been making house calls via generous friends giving of their own stash...

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his thin mints for his friends." Isn't that how John 15:13 goes? It's a little fuzzy.

I don't do sad.

2011-04-13T09:17:00.000-07:00

**Jumbled ramblings ahead:**

I don't know how to mourn this. I never held him. He's not even born yet. He wasn't in my womb. It's not a lost life. Yet there's a nursery full of clean, folded and organized clothes. There's a major shift in how the future looks. This baby, this adoption has consumed my every thought for the last 3 months. The closer it got, the more I trusted it.

I'm sad. Which is a hard place for me. I blame my Dad. He doesn't do sad either. It's his fault I get funnier as life gets harder.

Mornings are hardest. That split second where you have to remind yourself why you don't feel right when you come to consciousness.

I'm thankful I never held him. I'm thankful we only were offered this 3 months ago and not longer. I'm thankful for Eliot. I'm thankful for open communication between the birth mom and us.

Unlike many birth parents in the fostering world, I truly believe this birth mom will be a good mom.

I don't even know what to call this. Failed adoption? Disrupted adoption? I've heard the term "adoption miscarriage" and it makes me want to punch someone for adding drama to a situation that already has it's share.

There are moments where I am fully decided that we'll quit doing this. We're going to quit taking risks, opening ourselves up to "come what may." But I know I don't mean it. We are the Mohrs. This is what we do. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't but it's always a blessing.

Surprisingly (I still don't understand it) I'm not mad at God. I don't think I've even asked him why He did this/allowed this. I'm not angry, I'm not confused, I'm just sad.

The good news? I have a husband who says things in the middle of the downward spiral like, "You, me and Eliot? We're all okay." and then once it's ended? "We have money raised, a completed home study and a nursery full of awesome stuff, we can't let that go to waste..."

2011-04-12T20:31:00.001-07:00

I've started this post over and over. Not sure how best to write about this.

The short version: this adoption is over. We're not getting the baby.

The longer version: the hiccup spun out of control within 48 hours and then it was over. It was a mutual (and amiable) decision between us and the birth mom. It happened Thursday of last week and I've been hiding out ever since.

Lots to process. Lots to grieve.

While the depth of sadness and loss is still revealing itself, God is still good and His character never changes.

Hiccup.

2011-04-06T07:15:00.000-07:00

We've hit a hiccup in the adoption. I can't go into details but it's a hiccup that could turn into some serious indigestion. Which could then turn into some sort of intestinal issues, I'm pretty sure. Or it could just be a hiccup.

(And this is why I should have paid more attention in lit class when learning about effective analogies.)

And, second verse same as the first, Russ is in another country than us while adoption drama hits the fan.

If you need me, I'll be hiding in a closet with a box (or two)(give or take 5) of girl scout cookies. Probably singing Ace of Base.

(what? you're coping strategies might look different than mine, and that's okay. My new therapist says so.)

(Her name is Dr. Thin Mint if you're looking for one.)

I got a text from a friend this morning that read, "He's got this". As in Him. Which was so handy considering I was at work and blubbering/crying is a totally acceptable form of customer service.

This may screw things up. This may add more financial strain (my fav!). This may add more time away from family and real life. But if I've learned a.n.y.t.h.i.n.g. from Guate07, it's that He's got this. It may not look how I want it to right away, but in the end, He's got this, He's got us, He's got this little guy's future tucked safely in his palm.

Family Photo!

2011-04-03T18:29:00.000-07:00

Can you find us?

The "Chicken game"

2011-04-02T12:18:00.001-07:00

Since getting fancy phones (perk w/ Russ' new job) there's been a fresh opportunity for Eliot to hear "no" even more often than before.

Two words: Angry Birds. (E calls it the chicken game?)

Angry birds produces Angry Eliot when told to stop playing. In attempts to not let him become "that kid" we've limited the duration and frequency of his new passion.

However, he and his friend, A (who also loves the game) created their own version. It's now become a Mohr family activity. It started when he and A made towers of pillows and would tell each other which bird they were before crashing into the tower, including sound effects. Here at home we've made some adaptations. Sometimes Eliot is the pig and sometimes he's the bird launcher.

This pic makes me laugh, cute little piggy.

And this will be our next craft...

Opening Day...

2011-04-01T14:25:00.001-07:00

Opening day in the Mohr house involved a batting helmet, batting gloves and a constant home run derby.

I know this pic is awful quality w/ the light behind him and all, but it was so cute and he just looks so grown up in it, I felt I owed it to future me to post it.

"Home runs" are funny?

The intimidating pitcher wearing a toddler sized glove, of course.

Playing and watching...

It's been so long since I picked up my camera. It felt like a nice mental getaway for me to use it yesterday. I took too many pics of an ordinary moment but it was the little bit of stress relief I needed.

Parenting fail.

2011-03-31T09:30:00.000-07:00

Confusion right from the start...

It all makes sense when you see Russ' profile pic as this:

Happy Opening Day, everyone!

Are you kidding me?!

2011-03-29T16:50:00.001-07:00

I'm never eating Chinese ever again.

Aaaaand..one MORE biggun'

2011-03-29T06:52:00.001-07:00

Did you see this news yet? Pretty much everything you knew about the Mohr's of 2010 is not the same. Just start over.

Here's my pictoral tribute to my support system over the last 7 years (or a montage of FundiesUndies hair styles...)

The original 3...Shout out MB!

After this one, they're not in any chronological order whatsoever. Don't have the energy to figure out when each of these were!

I love these girls and the last 7 years wouldn't have been the same w/o them. It's no small task being the wife of a musician, and it's been an honor to experience it w/ them. Love you, Fundies Undies!

Raw.

2011-03-28T09:54:00.000-07:00

At 6:15 a.m. I pulled into the cold parking lot, the only people around were delivering the day's meat to Pappy's next door.

I walked into the empty space, walked to the fuse box to turn on the lights, and took a deep breath. It was going to be a long day. A day we've been planning for a couple months now on top of everything else.

I've been living on adrenaline for the last 3 months and today would be no different. From the minute the volunteers showed up, I felt it. It was go-time, no matter the fact I only got 4 hours of sleep the night before.

While I was go go go all day, it was n.o.t.h.i.n.g compared to Jodie and Kim. They were a non-stop circus act every 20 minutes. Some of those kiddos were tough cookies to crack, and Jodie and Kim were resilient in making a good photo happen. I've worked w/ them for awhile now but seeing them in this setting w/ over 50 children was something I'll never forget. They are so gifted at what they do.

The volunteers were so ready and willing. Friends brought tables, donated stuff for gift bags, brought lunch, brought Starbucks. Each family that walked through the doors congratulated us on the adoption, some even bringing gifts!

Now, let me pause and give you a peek into a personality "quirk" of mine. When I'm in the middle of something, I tend to get goal minded. Once I'm in that mode, I tend to leave everything else aside (emotions, thoughts, etc.) in order to stay on task. This was me yesterday.

Until Eliot and Russ stopped by and Eliot asked me what all these people were doing here.

"To help bring the baby home" I answered.

and then I lost it. It all caught up to me and it took my breath away.

It only lasted a moment as I was needed with another family and I slipped back into work mode.

Surprisingly, I was in bed by 10 that night. The hour before was nothing short of deliriousness. Thankfully the only witness was Russ and he's stuck w/ me in sickness and in health, so we're all good.

This morning, having this experience behind us, having almost completed the home study, having the CD out and getting downloaded daily, making preparations for leaving work, having the due date get dangerously close, I felt raw.

A good raw.

The kind where my prayers are more genuine. My inhibitions are stripped. I'm no longer self-sufficient, but dependent. Again, in a good way. A healthy way. I'm not thanking God for "just the stuff I can't do" but for everything. I feel weak. I feel good.

In case I didn't email or call you back lately, you should know...

2011-03-24T20:33:00.001-07:00

Let's review 2011 thus far:

*Jan 3: Russ started a new job. Like, a big one. He's a designer. More on this later. Or not. We'll see. Not making any promises.

*Jan 4: Eliot bumped up his hours at pre-school to full time. I bumped my work hours down to 30 hours to add "Eliot shuttle" to my list of jobs.

*Mid-January: I officially start working w/ Fresh Art on the side as their stylist.

*Mid-January: we get THE PHONE CALL about the baby.

*February: Russ' job becomes official and he gets his first pretty big account. About 5 months early. No bigs.

*February: Russ records his own worship album as a fund raiser. We schedule the Fresh Art mini sessions and get an insane response.

*Mid-February: we find out our fostering home study won't work for this adoption and we start from square 1. Not sure if you're aware, but that's a lot of work. All worth it, just time, money and energy consuming.

*February: Russ travels to Vegas with his new job.

*End of February: we get a foster call. I say no, obvs, but tell Russ I said yes, just to see him freak out a little.

*March: I have outpatient surgery, where I realize how watching Grey's has drawn me closer to God. ("routine surgery" actually makes me pray harder...)

*Mid-March: Russ travels to NYC for his new job.

*March: My "rough post-op" turns out to be the flu. Double whammy.

*March: Russ releases worship album! (did you buy it yet?)

*March: A day we've been waiting on for 4 years arrives. More on that later. (unrelated to the new adoption.)

Aaaaaand coming soon?

*Mini-sessions this Saturday! So stinkin' excited!!!

*Russ travels to CHINA for work. (Yes, China.)

*Oh, and ya know, baby due in APRIL!

*I get to work hourly from home, as desired, and take care of the babe! I'm sorry, what?

If you would have told me even 3 months ago that my life looked like this? I woulda toldya you were 12 kinds of cray cray.

So be it...

2011-03-21T20:24:00.000-07:00

Anyone wanna download the newest Russ Mohr album? Go here!

It's 5 songs, 2 old hymns + 3 originals. I've been listening to it for a couple weeks now and I love it. Even if I had no bias at all, wasn't totally in love with the artist, didn't find him wildly attractive, I would lurve this CD. That's my official recommendation. ha!

Okay, for reals, peeps. Here's the deal:

1. After we send a little "we insist on paying you for your time" to the guys who recorded, mixed and mastered the tunes, your money goes to the adoption. The CD is downloadable for $10. Yes, it's only 5 songs for $10 and that's more than a normal CD but it's our second and last fundraiser. And it's gooooood.

2. I need you to spread the word. Lots of you are bloggers and 99% of you are on facebook. We could use any word-spreading means you have. We made huge progress on our adoption expenses with the day of mini-shoots but we still have a ways to go. Any shout out you could lend would be awesome!

Spring Break '11

2011-03-21T20:19:00.000-07:00

It is to my advantage that Eliot has no idea what people do on spring break. (Dear future-Eliot-reading-this-many-years-from-now, look, we had a lot going on. You were happy to just chill and play and stuff.) We did hit the Science Center and a really awesome movie. Here's a peek at our Science Center trip:

Raise your hand if you have a favorite planet! Woot!

We made an arch!

St Pats edible craft...

2011-03-19T06:46:00.000-07:00

My SIL Amanda came up last weekend for a visit. She watched E all day Friday and when I came home from work, they'd done St. Pat's fun all day. She made layered rainbow pudding and green kool-aid pops and had all the supplies for these cute hats! Here's a pictoral step by step:

One part marshmellow, sucker stick, vanilla wafer, candy melts, black string licorice and mini m&ms. (btdubs, we couldn't find licorice in the peel-n-string variety so we just used black gel. I don't recommend it. It added unnecessary mess.)

Not paying attention...

2011-03-18T13:02:00.001-07:00

Real quick, just a head's up since I know a lot of my readers are moms/nannies/aunts/whathaveyou. Made a last minute decision to see Rango with Eliot today on his last day of spring break and couldn't have been more disappointed.

The movie had "language" all through out including a scene where one character yells, "SIGN THE DAMN CONTRACT" and the other characters yells, "HELL NO!". Besides language it had a whole lotta violence. Not a fan.

My least favorite thing besides those elements were two particular scenes that I found irresponsible of the film-makers.

1. There's an owl mariachi band throughout the movie acting as narrators. In one scene they're playing their song hanging from nooses. Really? That's appropriate. They do realize that kids mimic what they see, right? Especially if it's presented as funny and entertaining? Just checking.

2. There's a scene when a little kid takes Rango's gun out of his holster as he's addressing the crowd and the child spends the rest of the scene pointing it at his own face and talking about it being loaded. And it's played off as being funny. REALLY?!

(not to mention Rango punches an old woman in the face, asks a Barbie if "those are real?" and walks across a busy highway with no natural consequence...)

I posted a quick status about it after the movie ended and got a couple recommendations to start using PLUGGED IN. Done and done. To take some blame, it was rated PG and I did no research beforehand on what it was even about. I'm still shocked at what the film makers deemed acceptable for their "kids" movie.

All that to say, skip it.

Happy St. Pats!

2011-03-17T07:52:00.000-07:00

Well hey Scott Baio...

2011-03-14T18:40:00.001-07:00

(Don't worry, folks, the haircut happened promptly after this photo.) (Eliot, not Scott.)

Testing?

2011-03-14T16:19:00.001-07:00

Trying out my new phone with Blogger. Had to get rid of R off our family plan so Sprint offered me shiny new things to stay with them. Any apps that are a must have, let me know. Don't worry, Angry Birds is already here.

Okay, now I'm testing the pic options.

Uh...shouldn't we be getting royalties?

2011-03-10T11:16:00.001-08:00

Wordless Wednesday

2011-03-10T08:25:00.001-08:00

2011.

2011-03-08T09:12:00.002-08:00

Dear 2011,

You are a beast of a different nature. You've thrown more at me in 2+ months than in the last 3 years combined. Thankfully Girl Scout Cookie season was right on time to aide in my emotional/stress eating. Unfortunately, given my new hobby of eating GSC, I seem to be slacking on blogging. Boo. There's so much to share, some not ready, some overdue. Back soon. (crunch crunch)

Your happy recipient,
Katie

Bumpin' the fund raising...

2011-02-25T12:51:00.001-08:00

My Friday Fun for you is merging my love for Bump-It sightings with our fund raising efforts.

The only way to start the weekend.

You're welcome.

2 great things I love love love about my blog community is your support of our family and your equal support of Bump-It findings.

1. I got an email from my cyber friend Emily. (first of all, go to her blog and see her new little man, he's C.U.T.E.) Even better than the pic is the email that came with it.

"A little over a week ago a woman with one of the best "bump its" I have ever seen appeared on my tv screen. I have never seen anything like it.
I immediately thought of you. So I started taking a picture of the tv screen. My husband was totally confused. It didn't help when I told him I had to send this photo to a woman I have never met. :)"

2. Fund raising: Yesterday I spent all day holding tears back at work as Jodie texted me with how many mini-sessions were filling up. Today I cried pretty much the entire way to work. I can NOT believe the response from you guys over the last 48 hours on our first fund raiser. God is so good and we are crazy blessed by all of you. Thank you thank you thank you and thank you!

3. The youngest Bump-it on record:

That sweet baby girl, N, could teach us all a little something...

4. Fund raiser #2: At this very moment Russ is in the studio recording another worship album. To make the up-front investment smaller on our parts, we will only be selling it for download, we're not producing any actual CDs. I will let you know the minute that project is finished and ready for download.

I'm going into this weekend so absolutely blessed, you have no idea. Thank you for everything!

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