Mom's Day 2009

I remember the years when Mother's Day made my cry. I wanted to be a mom more than anything. I actually skipped going to church on Mother's Day because I didn't want to think about it any more than I had to. My life felt incomplete. I had an incredible, supportive husband and felt like a failure because I couldn't provide him with the children that he wanted. And then my life took a turn that I never expected.

My nights are now spent awake because a child needs (or wants) me, not because I'm longing for a child.

My tears are often because I'm laughing so hard at one of the kids that I start crying not because another attempt at having a child has failed.

My smiles are now tripled because of my three miracles.

My money (all of it) is now spent on my children not on trying to have children.

My worries are now that I'm not being the best mom that I can be instead of not ever becoming a mom.

Here are my precious miracles. Thank you sweet babies for making me a mommy. I love you!

And to my mom, I love you! You have helped make me the mom (and person) that I am today. Thank you for all your advice, understanding and love. I only hope that I can be as good of a mom as you are.

Until next time,

Melissa

GOTCHA!

It was exactly three years ago today that I became a mom! I cried in church yesterday thinking of how lucky I am to not just be a mom, but to be Isaiah's mom. Thank you Isaiah for making your dad and my dreams come true. Your daddy and I love you so much.

The first time we ever met Isaiah. We were about to hand him back to his foster mom because we had to come back to Texas (hint the tears in my eyes).


This photo is on our pick up trip to Guatemala. I couldn't believe the long wait to become parents was over.

Isaiah when he turned 3! That dimple still melts my heart everytime I see it.

Isaiah sitting in a chair (that is not his and way too small for him). He is getting so big.

Happy Gotcha Day! We love you!

Take Me Out to the Ballgame!

Isaiah had his first Blastball game the other day. He did a great job. It was our first sports event as parents. We loved every minute of it an can't wait to attend the may more that lie in our future!

Isaiah looking oh so handsome in his uniform! He looks so grown up for 3 1/2.

Isaiah running to first base! His poor little helmet doesn't fit right, but it sure makes for a good picture!

Isaiah getting ready to field the ball!

Play Ball!

Officially 2 and 1!

Our sweet little girls have turned 2 and 1. It is hard to believe that it was two years ago that Addi Grace was born and one year ago that Katelyn was born.

Isaiah came home from Guatemala at 8 1/2 months old. We were so excited to be new parents and couldn't wait to get to know him better. Isaiah was home for about 3 months when I started feeling really sick. I was completely exhausted and nauseated a lot. I knew I couldn't be pregnant, after all we were told we could never have biological children. We had been out on a Sunday afternoon when I told Jason I just needed to go home and rest. He urged me to take a pregnancy test in which I laughed in his face and told him, "Don't waste money on that." Well, he finally convinced me to take one and the shock of it turning positive after one second, I will never forget. We were in complete disbelief. A roller coaster of emotions began on that day. We were so excited only to find out at the doctor the next day that I was miscarrying. We were devastated. I took the news really hard and had the hardest time thinking about anything else the next week. I went in a week later for a checkup only to see a little heartbeat. God had heard all of our prayers and answered them. 9 months later Addison Grace entered our lives. We were a happy family of four!

Addison is now a happy, feisty 2 year old. She is independent, a talker and certainly keeps her daddy and I on our toes.

About three months after Addison was born I started getting really sick. I told my colleagues at work that I had food poisoning. I didn't think I was pregnant, I had been on birth control since Addison was born. It was the first day of inservice at school and I was taking nausea medicine the whole day. My colleagues told me to get a pregnancy test because they knew I was pregnant. So, I called Jason and told him to pick up a case of beer for him and a pregnancy test. Sure enough, I was pregnant again. Tears flowed from my eyes for about an hour. How could I be pregnant again? How can we afford this? How can I be a good mom and spend enough time with all three kids? All the doubts have since gone away. I couldn't imagine our life without Katelyn Danielle!

Katelyn is our sweet baby girl. She lights up the room with her little smile.

Happy Birthday Girls! We love you more than you will ever know.

The Happiest Place on Earth!

Disney World really is "where dreams come true." We had the best time on our trip. The kids had a great time and really enjoyed the magical world of Disney. I'll let a few (of the hundred that I took) pictures tell the rest of the story!

M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E! A family picture with the famous Mickey Mouse. Thank you mom and dad (Granma and Papaw) for such a wonderful vacation. I am truly blessed to be your daughter and to have parents who love my husband and kids so much!

Isaiah with Goofy. He really loved getting to meet all the characters, but Goofy was a character that he just had to see and give a hug!

Papaw bought Addi Grace a Tinkerbell doll for her birthday. Her face says it all, she loves it!

Clark family picture at Magic Kingdom. It is amazing to see how the decorate the parks. I love that you walk down Main Street to get to Cinderella's castle.

We watched the parade at Magic Kingdom. It was really incredible.


Katelyn enjoying the parade
Mickey Mouse's house



We had dinner with the Belle and other Princesses for Addison and Katelyn's birthday.

Addison enjoying playing at Pooh's house.

Isaiah loved the Finding Nemo ride.

What do three kids look like after a busy day at Disney World?

Our incredible vacation is over and we must now head back to school and work. It was a magical vacation that we will never forget!

Until later,

Melissa

Addison Turns 2!

It is hard to believe that Addison Grace is turning two on Saturday! Here are a few of her two year pictures. I think she looks a little like me, however, everyone says she looks just like Jason. What do you think?

Until later,

Melissa

Not My Mama!

We were watching TV tonight when something about Britney Spears came on. Of course, Isaiah happened to be watching at that moment and had to make a comment.

"Hey, that's not my mom. Because you are my mom and that could never be you."

Thank you Isaiah for the reality check. Now, I have never looked like that or nor will I ever. I was a lot thinner when I first got married, however, infertility, adoption stress and giving birth to two little girls has completely transformed my body (and not for the better).

So Isaiah, this is not your mommy and it never will be, but I am your mommy and I will always be! I love you little man!

Until another crazy moment happens at our house,

Melissa