Memphis or BUST

{Evan learned to push this trike up the slightly inclined driveway and let go to let gravity take him back down. He had so much fun!}

*BUST*

This past Thursday morning, I was running around getting the last bits together before taking the kids to "school" ( I hate calling it day care cause I'd have to admit I've failed at being a full-time stay at home mom) when my phone rang. It was Courtney, Evan's birth mom who is 21. She excitedly explained she was going to be in Memphis this weekend (from Carthage Mississippi) to help a friend drop a dog off. She asked if we could come meet her there. I want to see her so bad and for her to see Evan, especially since we just got to see CG's birth family but I told her we really couldn't. I had to work Saturday till 4p and Sunday was subbing in Evan's Sunbeam class. Yes I was looking forward to it but also I know from experience how precious teachers are and I was a sub - so I know how much more precious that is. That mixed with the fact, I would be working late that Thurs and all day Friday, I would have little time to clean their clothes and pack etc. As she kept talking, hoping I could change my mind, she added, "I'm getting married too". WHAAAATT? I was literally using Mike's facebook the DAY before to see how she was doing and she was making all kinds of posts last week about how lonely she was and 'if only she had a boyfriend and could get married... it's all i want' etc etc. Meaning, she didn't even have a boyfriend last week or a few days before this conversation, based on her posts. YIKES. Anyway, I really thought I should try to go now but was very conflicted. I told her not to get her hopes up but I'll talk it over with Mike to see what if anything we can do. Mike he couldn't come but pointed out how much I had just said I wanted to see her and we never know when we'll get to see her again without having to go all the way to Mississippi. He thought I could make it happen even though it might be inconvenient last minute and all and I would need to get someone to go with me of course. I got to work and saw I had a cancellation at the end of my day. I blocked it out and called one of the most amazing people I know, Amber <3. :). Her parents live outside Memphis so if nothing else, we could go say hi. She arranged a weekend for her husband and 3 boys to live without her and agreed to come with me to meet Courtney and said we could stay with her parents. She is my best friend and her family is just an extension of our friendship. I haven't met a "Berry" I don't like. :). Anyway, I let Courtney know we were on and she was very excited. Not surprisingly she had no idea what her plans were for where she would stay or even how to get there exactly. She said she was just going to "find a little church somewhere in Memphis to get married". Wow. I have never wanted to be that... "spontaneous." It was ok, I figured we'd figure it out once we were there. Later I texted her to clarify some more things and she informed me 'they' would be going through Alabama to get married first and may leave Friday night after she gets off work (i didn't ask to whom or why cause I honestly didn't think she would follow through with it. I assumed they'd break up before then. It's her record to have a boyfriend for 3 weeks, they talk about marriage and break up within days. :(.). I didn't think much of it and continued my plans to meet in Memphis. I also made plans with her to take her picture with Evan and even her husband to which she was really excited. I told her that we'd be getting in too late to visit so could we please meet Sunday morning, she said yes. It was stressful to get everything together but I did it. Mike helped by making sure the kids napped early and finished packing everything for me before bringing the kids to me when I was finished. We picked up Amber in Franklin and were on our way. The drive was nice. I call Amber my girl husband cause she knows me very well and still somehow stays my friend. lol. I like to think I know her very well too so it's always a fun conversation. Anytime Amber and I can give each other our undivided attention, it's bliss and the kids really cooperated. CG hates to be in her car seat for very long so after about 2 1/2 hours she had absolutely had it. Thankfully Jackson was just ahead and we stopped at Chick-fil-A to stretch our legs and get a bite to eat. It helped but now CG was bonefiedmiserable children in the car. We are only doing this for YOU." she said "Yes ma'am but I've been calling and waiting for this lady to call me all day." I told her in a very frustrated 'mom' voice, "Than you should have called me to tell me that before I packed these babies up and drove all these hours. We are almost to Memphis Courtney!" She didn't get it. She tried to explain that the lady with the dog was paying their way. I understand they couldn't afford to come on their own but I told her she should have called me when she couldn't get hold of the friend. I told her that I know she doesn't understand what it's like to get (herself and) two toddlers ready for a LAST MINUTE trip or to then stick them in a car for a 4 1/2 hour drive but it was miserable. BUT we were willing to do it cause we were going to get to see her for a few hours for the first time in 3 years. Sheesh. I also told her how Amber had to put her life on hold to help me, (not to mention her parents were making room for 4 house guests and they work too so they are busy as well) I didn't even mention the money this was costing our family for no reason. She really didn't have any understanding of what she did wrong. It was so frustrating and silent on the phone. I love her like a sister and Yes, I would talk to my sisters this way (they would never be this inconsiderate) but at the moment she needed a 'Come to Jesus' moment as they say here in the South. Ugh... I'm just so bummed about it. Bummed that I have to admit to myself that she is this way, likely not to change soon but over time, she is definitely capable. I love her, I haven't given up on her, I look forward to seeing her in the future, even if it was next week but not seeing her this weekend was sad. Thankfully Evan isn't old enough to understand these things but this experience prepares me to protect him in the future. In parting on the phone, Courtney got serious and said she will make it up to me and will come to us the next time she has a chance. :/ We'll see. I'm at peace about it but I can still wish for a perfect scenario right? :)

If Courtney was reading this, we want her to know we love her and are very sad we didn't get to see her this weekend. We hope to see her soon and have a great visit.

In all, we had a great time with Amber and her family. I have been around them and also Amber updates me often on their goings on so it was good to see for myself what they were up to. It was also fun to see where she grew up so much of her life when she gave me the 30min tour of her town. We thank them for their love and hospitality. <3 xo

Our big Week... End. Before our new beginning.

After the already documented day of court on April 25th, C.G. was out of it...

... but still oh so good and cute. Daddy didn't mind lending her a shoulder. :)

The kids totally earned a little swim party after naps. They had the best time together and Evan figured out how to make the squirt toys squirt water for the first time ever:

um... yes. this IS the cutest bathing suit you've ever seen. ha ha. it was a gift at her baby shower that is finally fitting her. I couldn't bring myself to putting a big ol' diaper on her cause her buns looked so adorable in it! Thankfully she was potty free.

 Fast Forward to Saturday, April 30th, We are at the temple to FINALLY be sealed to Cora Grace. Ahhh... What a beautiful day it was by the way.

 And the friends and family that were able to make it to the ceremony are below (minus Chuck Scott who had to get home to Freda who wasn't feeling well. Sorry we missed getting your picture!). It was fun to take everyone's picture individually with Cora Grace. She loved it too? :) ha ha ha.

2nd couple: Amy and Asher, we had only met through the phone and computer through Tennessee FSA and we invited them to come, partly so we could finally meet them! Thank you guys so much for coming to our sealing, it was very special to have you there to celebrate the joy we share in Adoption.

 Here's the girl of the day... Cora Grace. Her dress was made by my sister in law Jennifer who is married to my brother Bennett who came to the Sealing and Blessing with my mom. Ben and Jen are the parents of Juliet (thier #4) who is 4 hours older than C.G. and just as cute. Let me just also mention that Jen made this dress while caring for 4 children, one being a nursing 6mo old and a husband. She hurried the job too because we thought we would be doing this 5 months ago. I am so happy her dress still fit after being made in December. That is a little blessing cause she worked so hard on it and I loved the design so much. Thank you Jen, you know we love you so much, we wish you and the kids could have made it out but we'll plan another time for you to make a trek to Tennessee from California. ha ha ha.

Our friend Rachel took many of these pictures of us. Thank you so much, we really appreciate your generosity and we got some good shots!

don't worry, that's Rachel's shadow to make sure she didn't fall while I took this picture. whew.

see! ;)

Not only did Jen make the dress but she made this bracelet for Cora and she even made it the whole day before riping it off and losing it. I found it later near her crib. Thankful. :)

My Mommy, Karla and my brother Bennett (6th of 11 children) were the representatives for my 10 siblings. :) If only airfair wasn't so ridiculous right now, more would have been able to make it but we were happy that anyone could come from California and we definately felt the love of all my family who wanted to come. I'm working on a transporter for any future events ya'll want to come to so you won't have to miss so much work or spend so much money to come see me (and vice versa). We enjoyed the 2 of you. We aren't used to that little of family around when we're together are we? ha ha ha. Usually we have around 30 people minimum at our family get togethers... homesick for California all the sudden.

Our local temple here in Franklin/Nashville Tennessee. We feel so blessed to have a temple so close to our home.

Sunday, May 1, 2011 was Cora's blessing. Michael gave it and was assisted by Bennett W. Spencer O., Stephen J.,  Christopher W., and Joel R. (maybe missing someone? hope not, sorry if I am). It was very nice: blessed that she was surrounded by love by parents, family and ward family. that many prayers were given in her behalf that she would be here. blessed to be strong, healthy, happy and that she has a sweet spirit. she will have a strong bond with her brother. blessed to recieve an education where she will seek knowledge and share it with others. she will be blessed with a love of the scriptures and the words of living prophets and testimony of Jesus Christ that she will share with others. blessed to choose a worthy husband who she will go to the temple with and be sealed as a family and to have children. At the end she was blessed again to know she is loved by all those around her.

When Bennett came back to sit down he said she was doing gymnastics in their arms, ha ha ha. Michael said she did a 360. :). Normally babies are around 1 month and sleeping when they recieve this blessing but Cora's couldn't be done until finalization and she was practically a toddler. Good thing they were all strong men. :)

4 others besides myself took notes of the blessing, thank you so much. Not only will I keep it for her but now my family who couldn't be there can 'hear' it. :)

Papa George and Grandma Jennie came from Nashville to hear my blessing.
 (although I'm not sure how much they heard as they were graciously entertaining Evan so I could hear and write what I could. Thank you!)

Evan showing some love to his official sister. It couldv'e been worse. ;)



Finalization "Documentary".

Believe it or not, there really is a few pictures from Monday April 25th that I did not post. ha ha ha ha. Monday, we woke up like any other day. I decided not to even bother attempting a nap for Evan so it was stress free. :) Mike went to work and I attempted to stay sane while showering, doing my hair and make up, ironing my clothes and the kids, carefully and methodically packing the diaper bag, methodically packing an activity bag for Evan so he could be entertained should there be a delay, feeding and diapering them both while trying not to make the house look like a cyclone hit it. I was not sure I would be ready when Mike got home to get us but I pretty much was! I'm impressed with myself! First order of business was to meet our friend Brianna to take a few pictures before we had our 230p court time. We started taking (windy windy) pictures and Grandma Jennie came to tell us there was a definite sign and she confirmed that we could have no purses or diaper bags! What?! I had a stroller, HUGE diaper bag, Evan's entertainment bag, my purse and camera. I was a little panicked since I obviously planned to move IN. I was able to let it go and thankfully our friend Mama Mary was parked near by and volunteered her van for our storage locker. :) Whew! Crisis averted. You know, you just want your day to go perfect or at least well and 2 kids in diapers with no diaper bag??? Let's just hope we go quickly..... no. As I mentioned in the previous post on the subject, we rode the elevator where suddenly Evan was obsessed with the "Alligator" and kept running back to it hoping to ride it. rrrr and cute at the same time. I don't blame the poor guy, he had to leave his snacks and entertainment in the car and had to 'sit still' and WAIT for over an HOUR!! In my eyes, though he was in time out 2-3 times, he was a trooper. In the mean time, there was a steady line of volunteers to hold or entertain Cora Grace. She was so tired but you would never know it. Finally I couldn't take it anymore, I needed a diaper for CG and as you may have read on my other post, Mary left to get it (and made it back 3 seconds after we were DONE! boo boo boo! She was a good sport and did not show her disappointment but it was frustrating for me that anyone would wait that long with us and miss it. I wish I could have stalled them? I don't think it's an option). Five minutes after Mary left, they called us in, hoping she would be right up and they would take a few minutes, we all went in and settled down. I handed my friend Cammie my camera to play with to support Brianna's photography and then anxiously waited for the judge to come in. He came in so fast! :/ That was the last tug at my heart for Mary to get there in time and now I focused on what I had to day or do. Our attorney (and friend) Chris was great. He's been very supportive through the ups and downs of our adoptions and attentive to our needs and desires. It helped it all go so smoothly and we appreciate that. As we came to the 'pulpit', I wanted to make sure Evan wasn't going to loose it so I was ready with a sucker. It was a success. Literally the case took maybe 5 minutes and we were done! She was ours! It was so much faster than Evan's I think. I didn't realize it was over when it was over. ;) As Chris predicted, it took more time taking the schmoozing pictures that the judge likes than to finalize. he he he. We had a great time once it was final, breath of fresh air. We went on to take more pictures including the shots re-creating the special picture of Evan on the window sill. That picture is maybe THE picture of Evan that I enjoy the most. My friend Mari took the original and I know she thought  I was a little weird wanting to take a picture of him there but when she saw the outcome became a believer. Evan was so over it now that he's 2 1/2 that I couldn't 'really' get him to cooperate but you see what I got in the Monday post. I do love it and it accomplished my desire. I love, love, love that Brianna captured me photographing Evan. It's just one of those things that feels like home as far as my photography desires go. Thank you for that shot in particular Brianna. :) As you look at the pictures they are all by Brianna Fisher of Fisher Fotography. She did not however edit or enhance these, I did that (she will edit much better than me and I can't wait to see them!) and if it looks bad, I don't want her to be blamed and I hope she is not embarrassed with what I've done to them. I was sooooooooooooooo tired last night by the time I finished that I was doing the minimal amount to them and my creativity was dead :). So, with no further adieu... Here's our little Rock Star's very important day:



Did I mention "windy"? :)



This is the bracelet my friend Penny made. She also made Evan's cuff bracelet he wore for his finalization.
 She is very talented and they are very special to me. Thank you Penny.

She ain't my girl with out her 'pearls'. :) he he he.

She gets a picture by herself with Mommy and Daddy.

Grandma Jennie SAVED me! One of the many volunteers let poor CG crawl away unsupervised and Jennie captured her. Thank you GJ!

And Papa George spiced up the dreary wait with some classic... Peek a Boo. He's the best.

Goodness gracious. This is my friend Ambers son Henry. He just can't resist a pretty lady. :) Adorable.

And she can't resist a quick snack of shoe. LOL.

We did some spinning to pass the time.

"Cora, I think it's FINALLY about to happen."

Oh, it's definately happening.

... (3 minutes later) and were done. We're an official family of FOUR! Whoo hoo!

Judge Corlew
(same judge who heard the local Mosque debate and who did Evan's finalization)

All the amazing people who were able to make it. Thank you: Raquel and Azyria, Chris, Amber & Henry, Mary, Jennie & George, Drew & Cammie and Brianna (I'm so mad we didn't get a picture of just us with you!!! :( boo!). You made our day way more extra special, we love you. xo

*New Official Family *

Now we have our temple sealing this Saturday and Cora's blessing on Sunday.

 Ahh... that will feel so good, the best part actually.