he's official

 March 24th, 2026.  we went to court.  Cree's adoption is finally official.  and one of the silver linings to an adoption that took years longer than it should have is that Cree is old enough to really understand what it means.  it was extra special to watch and hear about this event from his perspective.  while showering just the other day he randomly said "i can't believe i get to be in this family forever!" he seemed to grasp the permanency of it.  the security.  and it feels great to all of us.  no more waiting.  no more limbo.  we're just a little bit closer to normal, umm typical...no not that either...a little bit closer to settled.  it is wonderful. 

 sometimes life's unexpected twists bring unexpected joys, this time in the form of an energetic and boisterous five year old.  

Cree~ we're so grateful God chose you for us, and us for you.  love you to the moon kiddo! ❤

Easter 2026

I've been diving into the latest season of The Chosen...perfect timing for Easter...

 "I was one way and now I am completely different.  And the thing that happened in between....was Him"

words of Mary Magdalene, The Chosen

such beauty to behold, especially when the backdrop is undeserved grace weaved into every single day.  it shapes every second, if you let it.  many days i still forget, or simply don't remember enough.  this weekend i consciously tried to remember better. it was light and my heart was full.  

riding the stuffy at the mall.  twice in a long weekend. :)  also aware that a day is coming soon when he'll prefer to ride alone.  i'm soaking this up.  

Cree spotted his egg and handprint at the mall during the hunt for his "SK class egg"

Easter is always special.  Jesus and the Cross, family, food, beauty and fun.  joy, rest, and focused intention on what it's about.  all gifts. 

school window

 i love it sooo much when Cree's teacher posts pictures of his SK activities during the day.  it feels like a little peak through a window into all the things and people i hear him chatter about so often.  it's so heartwarming to see him loving school, excelling at the structure of the daily routines, figuring out the nuances of friendships, and on top of it all~ learning a new language!  he's picking up soooo many important things, and i'm really thankful for the many teachers and staff who invest in his life each day. 

we're told he's bright, kind, and speaking French as though his parents speak French at home.  we do not.  this is good news.  he's learning and growing and enjoying the process at the same time.  grateful.  

way to go buddy, keep becoming! :)

a cute throwback

 i'll blog about today...soon.  need to gather my thoughts first.  for now, this sweet boy is "official".  and this morning Hannah sent me the cutest throwback picture of Cree.  ahhh the sleeper days...

dropping it here with more details of "adoption day" soon!

❤

a good one

this has been a theme for me as of late.  a recurring message that has encouraged my heart, and maybe it will yours as well.  i truly hope so.  because you know, sometimes the grind is a lot and the weight of issues sit heavy.  God has been so patiently calling me to trust deeper and walk forward in more secure confidence.  not in random, shaky blind faith, but in deeply rooted experiential evidence of the way He's been visible all along.  grateful for this song. especially as Easter approaches.  enjoy!

  Evidence by Josh Baldwin.

a sophisticated Jessie girl

 i think i might be retiring as Jessie's groomer...took her for her first professional all-in-one cut and i dare say it was worth every cent (thanks Mom).  ears, nails, bath, haircut.  pretty cute!  she did so well. 

a bit of a blurry pic, but she wasn't having it.  had to take time to decide if she liked her now look maybe :)

side note~  her obsession with dear Jeffrey is at an all time high.  this (below) happens every day after he returns from work now.  and she howls adorably and loudly if it doesn't :)

California

 so, this happened at the start of the new year.  totally bittersweet.  as these things are.  Layla started a new adventure at Concordia University in Irvine California.  she has started a degree program with a focus on psychology and art.  so the three of us flew down (Cree's first flight!) to help get her settled and to meet Jack's family for the first time.  the added bonus of the week away from winter and work and just a vacation in general, was part of the "sweet" side of this trip.  and it was sooo helpful to see where she'd be living, and to meet the people surrounding her and to fill in some of the pieces...

my word, did we ever have fun!  so good for our spirits, to be refreshed and together and to feel completely at peace about where we were leaving our girl- even if far away in a different country.

Cree played hard and then crashed at dinner.  he traveled and participated like a champ!  

for the vacation part~ we explored, we drank espresso drinks at many cafes, we enjoyed "t-shirt and flip flop" weather, we got caught in lots of rain (and still had a blast!), we "hot-tubbed", we ate well.  we walked among cute artsy shops and beautiful sandy beaches.  most of our excursions came highly recommended by our trip planner, aka Jack's mom. :) she was incredible to share all the "gems" of the area, truly making it the easiest trip ever.  after a crazy busy December, i felt like we literally just had to show up.  and that was an unexpected gift.  

move in day!

a special evening with new friends over delicious food- blessed!

these two were the sweetest

giant pizza slice!

as for Layla- there's so much to say, but the best way to summarize it is that she is literally a witness to the goodness of God in her life.  she has dropped into a really pretty place, with a kind and genuine guy, who has a truly beautiful family that has taken Layla in- in so many tangible ways.  around them is a supportive network of friends and family and community who love so well and have extended the warmest welcome to her.  we were blown away by that.

beach bliss and hard good-byes

so we flew away, quickly adding on the miles between us, definitely feeling the reality of how far she'd be.  Cree gets it and feels it too.  but still, we're so grateful we could go and experience "move in day" like we had with our other girls.  it was a full and generous blessing.  

miss you Lay!  we are so happy you are settled, but didn't settle.  ❤