Back from Florida

Clay and I got back from Florida last night. We could not wait to see the kids!! We missed them so much. They stayed with Meemaw and Pawpaw from Saturday until Wednesday. It was a nice trip but just was not complete without the kids. Clay had to work alot. I spent 2 days in bed. It was nice. I did not feel 100% but the quiet time was nice. (would rather have been wrangling kids and making bottles). Every time we saw something we knew the kids we love we just missed them more. We did have nice evenings together after the "work" stuff. We did have a nice walk on the beach and some nice dinners even if we had to share them with other people during the work show. Here are a couple of pics.

My dad got the flu on Saturday. I was terrified the kids were going to get sick. I still hope they make it without getting sick but at least I am home now to care for them myself. My mom and dad already miss them. They will get the opportunity again in 3 weeks when we have to go to the Dominican Republic for another show. This show will be less work and more fun. We hate we cannot take the kids but they don't have passports yet. After this show our shows are done for another year, thank goodness. We have decided we are going to try our best if we can to take the kids to at least one of the shows from now on. We only do two or so a year. We do another in Oklahoma City but we always take the kids to that one. Well, back to work/school, housework, and loving my kids.

Sorry so long....

Well, I have just not made time to update the blog. Where do I start? Clara had her first overnighter with the boys at their meemaw & pawpaw's house last Friday. It went very well and meemaw was exhausted after all was said and done. This was a test run for when Clay and I go on a business trip to Florida this Saturday for 4 days. This is going to be extremely tough for me!! I know it is great to have Clara spend quality time with my parents as the boys have done. This is why the boys have such a wonderful relationship with them. I want Clara and them to have that same great bond. It is just harder to share this go around as compared to when I was younger.

I have included a little video of Clara in her bath. She has already gottne too big for it. She really loves the water which will be important in this family...we all thrive in the pool and lake!! I cannot wait to get her in the pool and also take boat rides. She is going to love it as will we all just watching her!!!

Thursday was Valentines Day and we had a great one. The kids and I made Valentines cookies for Clay and we had dinner at Outback and then ice cream from Shakes and a movie later at the house. It was a nice evening. Here is a pic of the boys with their chocolate candy. I figure Clara will get her box of chocolates next year and we will haev a pic of all three with the boys teaching Clara how to dig in!!!

I had a tough phone call with Tierra on Sunday. I called to check that she had gotten the videos and pictures I had sent. She had. I could tell in her voice that she was not okay. She ended up asking me to save up all the videos and pictures of Clara to give her in a year or so. She stated that it was too tough to see Clara right now. This was devastating to me at first. I completely understood where she was coming from but that openness had been very important to me. I do realize though that it is not about me and I will just make a HUGE box for her next Christmas which Tierra mentioned could be her Christmas present. This took me a few days to swallow. Never in a lifetime do I ever want to do anything that might hurt Tierra or make her uncomfortable in any way. I do thank God that she felt open enough to share this with me. It was just hard to swallow at first. I am getting better with it each day. I so much want her here to share every breath, new sound, new look, discovering her beautiful hair with her perfect little hands, etc. There is still that guilt that I have the honor of watching Clara grow into the wonderful Christian God wants her to be while Tierra is missing it here in this lifetime.

Clara and her Bumbo

I had to take a pic of Clara in her Bumbo. She loves it!! She likes to sit and look out into the backyard and she will also watch short clips of Baby Einstein videos. I also like it because it can help me with her hair. We get a kick out of seeing her sitting there like a little grown up and she does as well. She is really growing way too fast.

She will have her first sleepover with meemaw and pawpaw (my parents) this Friday for a trial run when Clay and I have to go to Florida for a business trip for 4 days at the end of this month. I am really struggling with this. With the boys I just handed them over and I was really young and the "motherly" instinct to "worry" just was not there. Now that I am older and I can cherish the baby stage so much more, I am really sad to have to leave her but I also know it is good for her. The boys have a wonderful relationship with meemaw and pawpaw and it is because they got to spend so much time with them when they were younger. I want Clara to be blessed with the same relationship. I could not ask for better grandparents for my kiddoes! They absolutely adore all of their grandchildren and it is so evident! God continues to do great works in our family by continously growing us in Him.

Clara's Ears are pierced!!

Well, yesterday I finally gave in and had Clara's ears pierced. I wanted to at 6 weeks old but just could not do it. I really struggled with this decision. I felt like the worst mom in the world for doing it. She cried at first but then a minute later was smiling and happy with the lady that did it. The woman also had to do it three times b/c one of her ear holes were not even. Ugggghhhh! I did not expect it to affect me so much. Now, though, I am very happy with the decision. Tierra had already mentioned before we even left Utah, asking if I was going to get her ear's pierced. I had already thought about it so when she said that it was like saying it was all okay. Now that it is done I feel confident that they will always be a part of her body and not something she will play, pull, tug, etc. She will not choose to get her ear's pierced b/c all of her friends have theirs done, and it will not be such a huge monumental thing. All that being said, when I was holding her, I felt like the worst mom ever!! Here is a little clip of Clara and her sparkling little earrings from just while ago!! She is still just as happy as ever!!

Video of the hairdo- and working on it

Well, I worked on Clara's hair today. I am getting better thus she is enjoying it a bit more. I can really imagine us as she gets older spending our time together while working on her hair and chatting about life. I figured I would start early as she would be used to it and it is just something that has to be done.

Please forgive the unmade bed and school stuff in the background. Today is Saturday and I have taken it easy. =D

Clara's first hairdo

Well, Clara's first hairdo and my first attempt at something more than a bow or burette. I tried piggyback ponies. I think I did well with my first try. I am so pleased to be a member of a Yahoo group adoptionhair_skincare It is a huge help in learning to care for Clara's hair. I want her to be proud and knowledgeable of the great hair God blessed her with. Here are a couple photos. It was really hard to get details to show up.

I will surely get the hang of this as time goes on. She will be 11 weeks old on Monday. Time is just flying.

I also had to throw this photo in too. Christian took it while I was obviously napping....I do get a little tired too sometimes....Glad I am not the only one.