Jessie's Week

This past week has been all about our girl Jess. It just so happened that her dance recital and preschool program fell on the same week. She was a trooper and I'm amazed at how much these kids can learn and absorb, memorizing songs and dance moves and letters and numbers. I certainly don't have that capacity anymore--if I ever did before. It was fun to watch and we joined the ranks of all the other proud parents as we watched her dance and sing her little heart out.

Abuelo Lenox came to watch her dance performance

Her ballet performance "Ballet Prayer"
Singing at her preschool program


Her "Big part" in the preschool program.

All I wanted to do was make a chicken pot pie!

After almost a week with a broken oven the repair man came today to finally fix whatever was broken. After some banging around and a few grunts the problem seemed to be solved...or maybe not.
I was happy to have my functioning oven back and for celebration I decided to make my first chicken pot pie. Tom looooves these things. I got the kids busy with an art project and started prepping the dinner. It ended up being a little more work than I thought, not to mention halfway through I had to deal with this...

A few minutes later with the kids in the bath, the oven preheated, and a hungry husband home, I was ready to pop the pie in the oven--and that is when I heard the blasted beep. Sure enough the oven was actually not fixed at all.
So I have this beautiful pot pie that I was really quite proud of just sitting there. Luckily after a couple phone calls my friend Shannon so graciously let me borrow her oven for a half hour. After a scary car ride there, some baking, and an even scarier car ride back, the hot potpie was ready to eat. The kids took one look at it and ran, but Tom gave it two thumbs up and it definitely exceeded my expectations, but it doesn't erase the fact that I JUST WANT MY OVEN BACK!

"I wear my sunglasses at nap so I can, so I can..."

Not This Time

We got the news today that the little guy we were hoping for was placed with a young couple. This will be their first child. After a real good cry I came to the realization that our disappointment was another couples great joy today. We know that he is bringing lots of joy to a new couple starting their family.

We are optimistic and looking forward with lots of hope and excitement. We will repeat this process again in 3 weeks for a little 3 year old boy.

Thanks to everyone for your support and love in this process. It means a lot to us.

A little over 12 hours

In a little over 12 hours we will find out if we are to be parents to a beautiful little 15 month old boy. My heart pounds with anticipation wondering and hoping that we are the family right for him. Part of me wonders if I've told too many people, only to be possibly let down, but I've decided that the support we've received from so many in this adventure exceeds keeping tight lipped and feeling like I might burst from excitement. Maybe part of the reason I'm okay with being open about this is because I do believe that what's right for us will come in due time. Maybe that's tomorrow or maybe it's next year, but we feel good about our choice to adopt and so we will wait patiently for that special someone to join our family.

Meanwhile we are soaking up as much quality time as we can with the girls realizing that our normal routine may soon be disturbed. Although the girls don't fully understand the adoption process, they know that we are trying to get another child for our family and they are excited. Jessie even contributed some art work to a family book that we put together as part of the process.

On a completely separate note, here is a couple pics of the kids.


Jessie and the newest addition to the Lenox family, our niece Taylor. What a chubbers. We sure love her.


All 6 Lenox cousins together. Jess is the oldest. We're not wasting any time in this family supplying Tom's parents with plenty of grandkids to love. So far little Eden is the only boy.
Jessie ready to go to crazy dress-up day at preschool.

Mothers Day

I love Mothers Day. Partly for all the obvious reasons; waking up to breakfast in bed, the pitter patter of little feet with my girls voices singing Happy Mothers Day, sweet pictures drawn and heartfelt cards, not to mention the chocolates given at church (much better than the flower in my opinion), and all the credit given (some earned, some maybe not). I think mostly though for the reminder of the job we do and how important it is. To realize the responsibility as mothers can be overwhelming to me, but I love knowing that I can play a part in shaping who my little girls become. That I can help teach them what's important in life and who to rely on.

I feel blessed that I have been surrounded by such amazing influences in my own life. First and foremost my own mom who has been an amazing support throughout my life. She has been an example of hard work and love and a shoulder to cry on. Tommy, well he's just the best! I've also been surrounded by other family members and friends who I admire so much as mothers. I learn so much watching them interact with their children and seeing the dedication they bring to their roles as mothers. Lastly, my own two girls that make being a mother pretty awesome. Sure we have our moments, but I can't imagine it being any easier than they make it for me. They are patient with me and forgive my weaknesses so easily. They are generous with their hugs and snuggles, and right now they seem to think I'm one of the coolest people ever. I'm gonna ride that train for as long as I can knowing at any moment that could change.

Love you Tegan and Jess. What a privilege it is being your mom.

I feel like I just gave an "acceptance of an Oscar speech" only I'm holding up a golden diaper instead.

The Waiting Game

As time goes on and the days get closer to some really big news, I can feel my stomach get more and more tied up in knots. I say to myself "be patient", I pray for more patience, I read articles about the power of patience...and I ask myself "When have I ever had to be so patient??"

Then I remember a few times that my patience was really tested and I think, "I can do this".

So here are some of the moments in my life when my patience was put to the test...

1. Waiting two years to see my then boyfriend, now husband again.
2. Waiting for our first and then second little girl to join the ranks of the living here on earth and trying to imagine how they might be or who they might look like.
3. Waiting with my thumb up in the air and hoping someone would stop and pickup an 18 year old with a broken down truck out in the middle of nowhere on my trek from Utah to Oregon.
4. Two BIG test results--The BAR (for Tommy) and the NCLEX (for me).
5. Waiting for the curl to magically disappear after the kinkiest perm ever (Thanks Mom)
6. Waiting for the boy that I'd been stalking for months in high school to finally ask me out.
7. Waiting for Twilight to come out in theaters (really embarrassed to admit to that one)
8. Still waiting to go back to Chile and have an empanada
9. Waiting for the kids to get in the car, bath, store, bed, and then back out again.
10. Waiting for my church talk to be over so I can breathe again.

I suppose the list could go on and on. Somehow, this time, waiting seems harder. Maybe because of the uncertainty, maybe because the changes could be HUGE for us, maybe because I'm just plum out of patience! But I will continue to wait because what else can I do?? Someday this too will be added to my "push to be patient" list and I'll be thankful for the experience, regardless of the results. Meanwhile, wish us luck waiting...