Family
Bedroom Shuffle, Part II
Hallelujah, Colin and I finally got our bedroom back. It had been nearly a year of sharing our quarters with Jake and Joe. They weren’t bad roommates, per se, but having them in there with us was not my idea of a swell plan. With the adoption complete, we could finally put the babies where we saw fit.
So, we did. We moved them and Maddie into Warren’s room to create one big Sleeping Room. Maddie’s former bedroom is now dubbed, “The Play Room,” although her giant bunk bed still takes up half the space.
Everyone seems happy with this arrangement. The first few nights they were all too excited to be in there together, so sleep was put off longer than normal. Once they settled in, we could tell that they were glad to be all together, especially Maddie. She had spent the weeks prior to the change bunking with Warren while on vacation and then sharing with Tami and Joe’s kids while they visited. She wouldn’t know what to do with herself sleeping alone again. And why should she have to when she’s got three brothers to help her feel secure?
Despite a few kinks, like Maddie waking up in the middle of the night and going back to sleep in the doorway, I think everyone has settled into the new set-up. Just don’t mind the disaster you see on the floor! Ugh.
Hooray for getting our own space again!
P.S. Yes, that is a cardboard box you see on the top bunk (Warren’s bed). He decided he just had to have a bed for the teddy bear he got from the judge on adoption day. I’m just trying to remember that this request is a sweet gesture as I attempt to block out that nasty chemical cardboard smell that’s permeating the room.
Future Fire Fighters
Warren helped dress Jake (left) and Joey (right) in firefighter costumes one morning.
They’re tough, they’re brave, and they’re not afraid of pushing around a pink stroller.
True men.
Adoption Complete!
So many amazing things have happened in the last few weeks. Some good, some not so good. Because of that I am ridiculously behind in blogging. But I could not let any more time pass (it’s already been almost two weeks) without sharing this news: Jake and Joey are officially part of our family! The adoption is complete and we are overjoyed.
More details to come soon, I promise. In the meantime, know that we are relieved and grateful that this time has finally come.
Easter Sunday
We went to church in the morning but then drove down to my parents’ house to have an Easter egg hunt and ham dinner with them.
It was warm and gorgeous that day. The kids enjoyed spending time in the backyard, especially when searching for eggs.
Jake and Joey didn’t really move from the spot where they first found an egg. They just opened up the plastic and dug into the chocolate.
But the big kids knew what they were doing, even Maddie this time around.
As usual, my mom spoiled us with treats and good food. But I did contribute some to the eats. I made this chocolate coconut pie for dessert. Oh my heavens. We were fighting over the last few pieces.
We all found ways to relax and enjoy the day.
Warren dug out Kakya Andy’s mini Model-T collection.
But most of the time, the kids longed to be outside, or eating more candy. Or both.
Jake and Joe picked some ripe lemons off the ground and tried eating them whole.
Clearly, it was a struggle to consume. Why they persisted, I do not know.
We soaked in the warmth and enjoyed nature.
As usual, it was a wonderful day spent with those we love.
Easter reminds me that this life is a gift. And so is family. I am grateful for the sacrifice that the Savior made for each of us so that we can have the blessings of family throughout eternity.
Double Birthday Bash
While our good friends were here visiting, we held a small birthday party for the two seven-year-olds, Warren and Mason. They are exactly 20 days apart, Mason being older. They’ve known each other since birth but have never had the opportunity to celebrate together. It was time we rectified that.
I made a vanilla Batman-themed caked with yellow cream cheese frosting. I cheated a bit both with the cake (used Trader Joe’s mix) and the Batman symbol. Tami did an excellent job of cutting the thing out of black construction paper. No one seemed to mind too much.
The dads wrapped the gifts and added their own drawings to the plain paper bags.
Both boys were sung to and blew out candles.
Then we dug into the cake, even after eating a ton of cinnamon rolls that morning.
And they each opened a super hero Lego set.
It was a good party.
Happy Birthday, Warren and Mason! You’re sure growing up fast. It seems like only yesterday you were little babies. Wish we could celebrate like this together every year…
General Conference Viewing
Though we missed the morning session on Saturday because we were driving back from the temple, we spent the rest of the weekend watching General Conference.
Tami and Joe and their three kids came down for Jake and Joey’s temple sealing, so we got to enjoy Conference with them as well.
We went traditional and had homemade cinnamon rolls for Sunday morning breakfast. They were quite tasty and rest assured we did add cream cheese frosting. I just snapped this picture before they were complete.
To keep the children (and adults) focused on the talks, we played the key words game with an obscene amount of M&Ms. Later we played Conference bingo, again with the plethora of candy. Sugar can really be a good motivator, or bribe. Take your pick.
Maddie had to resist devouring the entire contents herself. It was a test in self-restraint, I tell you.
What a powerful conference. I think that every time, but I really appreciated the topics and the spirit I felt while listening. I love how the apostles and prophets speak to us in ways that make us laugh and make us ponder. They are clear and straightforward. One of my favorites was by President Uchtdorf called, “The Merciful Obtain Mercy,” given Sunday morning:
“I don’t know exactly how to articulate this point of not judging others with sufficient eloquence, passion, and persuasion to make it stick. I can quote scripture, I can try to expound doctrine, and I will even quote a bumper sticker I recently saw. It was attached to the back of a car whose driver appeared to be a little rough around the edges, but the words on the sticker taught an insightful lesson. It read, ‘Don’t judge me because I sin differently than you.’”
As always, I felt uplifted by the end of the weekend. Like I was ready to tackle the craziness of life again. Thank goodness we get this bi-annual spiritual recharge. And thank goodness we had good friends with us to enjoy it and discuss it together. Another form of spiritual recharge, for sure.
Jake & Joey’s Temple Sealing
We took Jake and Joey to the Los Angeles temple to be sealed to our family, a religious ceremony we believe links our children to us for all eternity. (You can read more about the purpose of temples of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints here.)
Like with Maddie and Warren, we were able to enter the temple as a family as soon as the adoption was official. And we wasted no time doing it! On Wednesday it was finalized and on Friday we were at the temple. All necessary to make sure that Grandma Tuki and Aunt Melissa could witness this ordinance while they were here on vacation.
I hope I never forget the peaceful feeling I experienced there in the temple sealing room as I watched my children gather around me and Colin at the altar. Or the sheer joy. I cried happy tears knowing that my babies, all four, would be ours forever, whatever may come in this life.
It’s hard to believe how much our family has grown in these thirteen years since Colin and I first knelt together on our wedding day. I could have never imagined then how blessed we would become as we welcomed each child into our hearts. The powerful promises of the temple covenants make me want to live a life worthy of receiving those blessings.
We were surrounded by good friends and family that happy afternoon and felt the love and support of those who have seen us through the uncertainty of the adoption process. We were finally at the end. The temple sealing, for us, was the real conclusion.
We had to celebrate.
It was low-key but we enjoyed a picnic dinner in the courtyard of the temple apartments where we would stay the night.
Friends and family traveled far and through some gnarly traffic to be with us this day. It meant so much. Thanks again to Sarah for making the tastiest lemon bars for dessert. They were delectable!
We are so blessed.
Spring Break in Solvang
A year ago, Colin’s mom asked if we would spend Warren’s spring break with them in Solvang, a little Danish town about 40 minutes from our house. For all you Washington State people, think Leavenworth of Coastal California, except with a Denmark heritage.
Little did we know then that this vacation would overlap with finalizing the adoption of Jake and Joey. So, instead of spending lazy days as tourists, there was quite a bit of back and forth between Santa Barbara and Solvang. Especially since Colin still had to show up to the office most days. Thankfully, we had two cars to make it all work.
Despite some scheduling challenges and the general discomfort of traveling with children under the age of four, we enjoyed spending time with Grandma Tuki and Aunt Melissa.
We took a leisurely walk by some shops and saw one of the many windmills in town.
And we even peeked through the window of a motorcycle museum, which was closed much to Warren’s dismay.
Another day we took a drive over to see the lavender fields that weren’t there. Well, a tiny patch was there still but the majority of the farm had moved to Santa Rosa. The kids still had fun digging in the driveway gravel of the lavender essential oils shop.
Melissa spent time knitting hats, a new skill she absolutely rocks. She made a hat for each kid in our family. Yes, she’s that awesome.
We did do quite a bit of lounging, especially in front of the television. And Grandma Tuki’s iPad-like device. Spring Break is all about vegging out.
Thankfully, the kids slept well, except the first night when Maddie waited for Warren to return from an evening movie and fell asleep by the door.
Warren definitely had the advantage being the oldest and a legitimate swimmer. He was able to spend many afternoons at the pool with Melissa and Grandma. It was hard to tear them away.
What a trip! Grandma Tuki and Aunt Melissa, we’re so glad we could be with you for a whole week. And we’re extra glad that you could be here for Jake and Joey’s adoption and temple sealing.
And thanks once again for allowing Colin and me a night away. We’re so glad to know that our kiddos were in loving fun hands.
On Adoption Day
This was a long-awaited day for our family and finally, finally it was here. We drove to the courthouse in Santa Barbara where we’d state for the record that we loved Jake and Joe with all our hearts and wanted them in our family forever. There we met our county case worker and Angels social workers. Grandma Tuki and Aunt Melissa got to join us as well.
We waited in the courtroom for a few minutes but then were escorted to the judge’s chambers. A little less formal than with Maddie’s adoption.
The judge made some remarks and then asked us to raise our hands to swear that we would tell the truth. Would we care for these boys for the rest of our lives? Oh, yes. And then some.
Then he asked for Jake and Joey to raise their hands. They were not as willing to comply, especially Joey, but I’m sure they were just as truthful.
He handed us the Adoption Order documents to sign and then it was official. They were legally part of our family. To be treated as if they were born to us with all legal rights and privileges. We wouldn’t have it any other way.
Just like on Maddie’s adoption day, the judge handed out stuffed animals to each child. All four kids walked away with teddy bears in t-shirts. They were all quite satisfied.
And then it was over. Just like that. In 20 minutes time, the State of California recognized what we already knew: We were a family.
These precious boys, Jake and Joey. We loved you from the minute you entered our home, your tiny bodies swaddled in little blankets, sleepy-eyed and so helpless. We prayed that you would stay with us forever. Our prayers were answered.
It feels good to be complete.
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Thank you to all who’ve helped us survive the unknowns and the waiting over the last year and a half. We were strengthened because of your support and prayers. And many thanks to Angels Foster Care of Santa Barbara for helping us grow our family. We are forever grateful! And lastly, thanks to Jennifer for taking these pictures so that we have a visual record of this important day!
Thirteen Years
After 13 years of marriage, most of our wedding gifts have that well-worn look to them. Our lime green and cobalt blue bathroom towels are starting to fray at the edges. The duvet cover my thoughtful mother-in-law sewed for us is not as white as it used to be. The majority of the dishes we so eagerly picked out from Target are chipped and hard water-stained. But I don’t mind.
It means we’ve lived. It means we’ve packed and repacked them together as we’ve moved from city to city, starting new adventures. It means we’ve laughed while cleaning them and forgot to mind the hardness of the ceramic sink upon contact. It means we’ve allowed our children to begin learning the value of work by loading them in our lousy, ineffective dishwasher.
I looked at one of these dessert plates the other day and thought of all the chocolate chip cookies we’ve enjoyed together over the years and smiled. We could replace the dishes, I know. It’s probably time. But I love the tangible reminder that we’ve spent years together. And we have so many more to go.
Happy anniversary, Colin. It just keeps getting better, chipped dishes and all.
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