Halloween 2009

This year Jackson went Trick or Treating as a Football Player (doesn't he look scarey?). His costume was easy as his jersey was from his Flag Football team.
I had an idea about Madeline going as Little Red Riding Hood -- orginally I thought Jackson could be the Big Bad Wolf, but he wanted to be a football player - kids! Any how, one call to Aunt Cyndi and voile' Miss Madeline becomes Little Red Riding Hood. Thanks Aunt Cyndi!

Here is another shot of her taking the cape off - or trying to put it back on :-)

Happy Birthday Madeline Jayne!

Our little girl is a grown-up two years old today! She is a spirited, fearlessly independent toddler who likes to dance, sing, giggle, cuddle, wrestle with her big brother, move and eat, move and eat, and move and eat. She is simply a delight and we can't imagine our lives without her.

Two years ago today Maddie was born at 11:03 pm and weighed in at 8 pounds 3 ounces. Her birthparent's caseworker called a little after midnight to let us know "the baby" was here - and she was a GIRL! This was my heart's desire and (although it would have been perfect if she had been a he) it was God's plan (or Alla or the universe) that this child be entrusted to us to raise...just as he had entrusted us to raise our son. Somehow they both found our light and I couldn't be more thankful.

While her brother came into the world in the morning (10:59 am) she came in at night. Funny that this little girl outweighed her brother at birth (Jackson was 7 pounds 11 ounces). Even in their personalities, they remain my ying and yang - she jumps right in while he cautiously approaches everything.

From the beginning it was evident that he is the big brother - carefully holding her and taking care of her - and she is the little sister - adoring her big brother and trying to test him at every turn.

I've said it many times since even before Maddie joined our family - my greatest wish is that my children grow up being the best of friends.

Our family wouldn't be complete without Madeline. We are thankful to her birthparents for choosing life for Maddie and for being loving, strong and wise enough to choose what they wanted for their baby. And we our thankful that they picked us. We love our Madeline Jayne.