2010

I TOLD MYSELF THAT 2009 WAS GOING TO BE OUR LUCKY YEAR. AND IT WAS.

2010 IS GOING TO BE OUR YEAR OF TOTAL PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH.

SCARY IS SOMETIMES WORTH IT

horascope

Tomorrow I'm doing something hard. I'm scared (especially because I just read my horoscope and it's not good). But if there is anything I've learned in 2009, it's that facing scary situations is worth the strength that is gained afterward. I've also learned that I have a much greater capacity to love than I ever knew. Tomorrow is not about my fears, it's about my love for my daughter.

Amidst my cleaning frenzy and attempts to calm my nerves I realized that fear is not something God places in our hearts. God is the Prince of Peace and it is the advisary who controls us by instilling fear in us.

So as I wrap up 2009 with an event that is sort of symbolic of the entire journey we've been on this year, I pray that it will bring peace instead of fear. It's now or never though and I made the decision to do it...

It will be great, maybe scary, but exciting and hopefully worth doing something hard.

And Kday will be by my side holding my hand the whole time.

CHECKING OUT THE SLOPES

Since we are no longer a (dink) dual income family with no kids, I'm afraid our season pass winter ski days are over. Until Kday strikes it rich with some huge creative idea.... no pressure:)

So Kday and my dad scoped out the slopes in a different fashion last weekend. They hopped into my dad's little aerobatic aircraft, also known as the "vomit comit." And they buzzed our favorite ski destination, Snowbasin. (if you'd like to see video, go HERE)

Layla put her ski hat on anyways, just to practice for next year!

We're busy during our little winter break from work while Kday has had a few day off work. Visits with old and new friends from out of town, in for the holidays is taking up our time this week. Excited for New Years Eve, but don't fret... a post about "SECRET SUPPER" is soon to follow!

OUR FIRST FAMILY CHRISTMAS... PERFECTION

We watched Lady sleep peacefully and counted our blessings this year. We imagined this moment for 8 years.

Kday spent some time with his baby girl... loving every ounce of her sweetness.

We topped the advent tree with the Angel.

Our families gathered.

We remembered Christ's birth.

What does every girl want for Christmas? A pony. The big girls got big pony's...

Layla got a pony just her size.

He couldn't be happier.I couldn't be happier.
She couldn't be happier.

The Lord has blessed us more than we deserve this Christmas.

We didn't care if the tree was bare above a naked floor.

Our gift didn't come in a box wrapped with shiny paper and topped with ribbon.

She came from an angel of God and was placed in our arms on July 6th.

There is no better gift.

The life of Layla.

Enjoy every moment with your family. Merry Christmas.

HAVE A HAPPY CHRISTMAS...

giggling from Kevin Day on Vimeo.

LOOKING IN THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR

Holidays were hard when Kday and I were childless. We watched other families carry out traditions, help their kids write letters to Santa, and act out the manger scene on Christmas Eve. We wanted so badly to share our love with a baby. Two years ago we announced to our families our decision to adopt. I made this movie to try to help them understand our struggles and heartache.

adoption announcement from Kevin Day on Vimeo.

Every single day that I walk into Layla's nursery and I am welcomed by her sparkling eyes and big smile, I am reminded of how lucky Kday and I are this Christmas. Every time I'm driving and I look into the rear-view mirror and see Layla, it throws me into a scrambling pile of thoughts. The car is where I cry. For joy and complete, utter happiness usually. Sometimes I spend my drive trying to remember every detail of California. Other times it's spent humbly sifting over memories of our few moments with Layla's birth mother. Once and I while I'll even catch myself drudging up the pain of fertility treatments and years of failure. But mostly I just cry because I can't believe the greatness of the very moment that I'm living.

Today, the moment was singing Christmas carols to Layla while she smiled back at me through the rear-view mirror. I have driven that road ten thousand times on the way to my Dr.'s office, wishing that the news would be good for once. And there I was today, finally sharing my love for the season of Christ's birth, with my amazing gift from Him. My heart is literally so full sometimes that the only way for me to ease it from bursting with love, is to cry in thanks to my Heavenly Father. And then to spend a few quiet moments gazing into my daughters eyes and thanking her birth parents for loving Layla enough to sacrifice their own life, for their baby.

Adoption is common. But to stand back and look at it.... what a BIG deal it is. It is an A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. experience that is beyond an explanation with words. There are no words that can describe the moments I share with Layla.

I am grateful for my past, the fight I had to get to where I am today. The view behind me is as great as the view ahead. Kday and I will no longer worry about another childless Christmas passing by. The future fight for more children to join our family is unsure, and not something we're focused on yet. We are here now, and it's just the beginning of the greatness we've been waiting for.

They said I would... and I do!

Letter to my dearest Little Lady:

You will be 5 1/2 months old in a few days. Everyone told me that your dad and I would love it when you hit 4-12 months. Everyone was right. We have loved every second we've had with you and we are definitely loving this age with you! You are so much fun and growing like a weed.

Here's my favorite things about you right now:

I love how your arms and legs go crazy when you get excited

You are laughing all the time now, and not just when we tickle you. Sometimes just when we smile at you.

You love to stand up all the time on our lap.

You wake us up every morning with the sweet sound of your voice chatting away at your butterfly mobile

I love taking naps with you on my tummy

You laugh at the dog. Then he licks your face and you cry.

Your eyes literally sparkle when you smile

There is so much more. You are so much fun and I hate putting you down for a nap because I actually miss you while you sleep. Please stay just the way you are because it's perfect!

Love,

Momma