We have a baby boy!

Yes, that's right. If you haven't heard, Dustin and I were chosen by a birthmom in Ohio to adopt her little boy. We have named him Robert David.

He was a few days old when we got the call that our profile was being considered. A week later we got the call that we were chosen. And a week after that we were in Ohio.

First day together

We went straight from the rental car place to the children's hospital. We didn't know if we'd be able to see him, but our social worker said it was worth a try. Even though we really weren't suppose to, the charge nurse mercifully let us in to hold him.

The next day, the father signed his final paperwork, we signed our placement paperwork, Robert was discharged, and almost unbelievably he was ours to take home.

Robert was born September 16th at 5 pounds, 7 ounces, and 17 inches. He was a preemie at 35 weeks and was in the NICU until we picked him up on October 4th. (He had some breathing and feeding problems, but was doing great by discharge.)

Leaving the Hospital





He was ready to get out of there by the end of it.

When we were down the road heading to our hotel, we couldn't believe that it was us in the car with our new baby. Then, we had to stay in Ohio for almost two weeks waiting for ICPC paperwork to go through.

It's been a few weeks now, and we are getting quite settled in. It feels more real now that we are home.

We are absolutely thrilled. There were moments (and sleepless nights) where it felt like everything was about to unravel, but it all ended up falling beautifully in to place.

I appologize for not posting photos sooner. I've been on a bit of a delay.
More to come soon...

Dustin's Birthday with Strawberry Pie

Dustin doesn't really like cake. So for his birthday in August, he requested I make a strawberry pie instead.


The recipe for this strawberry pie is the best! It's actually from Sarah, and I don't know where she got it. This pie is good cut into six large slices. E-mail me if you'd like a copy.


For dinner Emma made delicious gorditas, not like the kind from Taco Bell. They were so good that we had scarfed down several before realizing how many we were eating. The main "bread" is made with cornmeal (masa)added to the tortilla ingrediants, then cooked on a griddle, and then flash fried. Put on top or inside was beans, meat, rice, lettuce and cheese. Unfortunely, I don't have this recipe. I look forward to making them with Emma next time so that she can teach me.

We didn't want to frustrate Dustin by displaying his years burning down.
So it was just "Happy Birthday."




I actually made two pies for this occassion, and we had just enough for just the adults (we hoped that the kids wouldn't really enjoy it as much, so we had a different dessert for them).

A couple of weeks later I made FIVE of these pies for a larger family get-together. We had plenty that night, and I was able to send some home with people too.

Pull...

Saturday, we went up to Wes's family ranch. Dustin went up earlier and the guys rode four-wheelers and a sandrail. Wes has the same model that Chris and Dustin want to get, so the trail riding was technically research.

I got to sleep in and then went up with Sarah and the little boys. We had a cookout and then headed to the shotgun "range."

Wes, Dustin, Casey

We got in two boxes of clay pigeons before it started to rain. I don't even try to shoot next to Dustin. He is too dang fast. Every time I think I was close, I'm am corrected (by everyone) that, no, Dustin hit it.

Dustin also has an automatic, while I'm with a pump. So not only is he first, but also last and most of the shots in the middle too. It's not unusual for him to hit every clay pigeon that is thrown. If I ask he will let me get in at least one try. But he hates to see a throw go to waste, which with me can be pretty often.

I haven't shot shotguns since last winter, and I'm more than a little out of practice. I usually resurrect my dignity with a little handgun practice. Despite Dustin's extra years of practice, I'm better at point shooting.

It was a really fun day. Thanks to Wes and his family for inviting us.