Sherisse and Greg

Here is one of my favorite people! We worked many years together, and developed a wonderful friendship! I'm so happy she let me take some pictures of her fun family!

Shannon and Darrin

Here is one of my sisters, and her family! We went shopping that day and Shannon had a maximum of 2 hours sleep. I think she looks great! Thanks for the fun!

I love this stage!!!!!

I just love when babies start to coo and laugh, even a simple smile makes my day! Kynzee is such a good baby. She is so mild mannered. She has been smiling for a few weeks now. She loves her little giraffe. It rattles and makes her feel comfortable. She sleeps with it and hangs onto it all night long! PRECIOUS LITTLE THING!

Crazy fun

Nothin like a great chicken bone!!!!

Do you love the eyebrows or what?

I really like taking photos of my girls! Of course like all parents, my kids are so cute. Kylee is quit the little model. Kynzee is working on it. Anyway this is fun to us!




It doesn't get better than this little smirk!!

Taylie's Hope

Please Join The Kutting Edge Salon & Spa in our events to help a 4 year-old's Battle with Leukemia.
"CUT-A-THON"Monday, November 16th 3-8p.m.$10 Haircuts(includes shampoo and haircut)
ALL MONEY WILL BE DONATED TO Taylie's Hope!
also...
The Logan Chili's is READY to help out too! Monday, November 16thAll day, Dine-In and To-Go Orders.Mention Taylie or bring in a flyer and 10% of all ticket sales will be donated to Taylie!

Jolene

Here is a fun family we had a lot of fun with these cute kids!

Grab some Popcorn/ Halloween

The show is about to begin! Kylee has a dream of becoming Ariel. Thank goodness we have Halloween once a year. She watches the Little Mermaid every chance she gets. Sit back and enjoy her show. She is a wonderful version of the Little Mermaid.

Kynzee Sue Atkinson

Finally, after almost 7 weeks I have figured out Kynzee's birth announcements. She is a little doll. I can't imagine life with out her. She is precious. She wakes up a couple of times a night to eat and usually goes back to bed easily. She is filling out and getting big. Kynzee is such a calm baby! She as begun to smile and it is big. She is also finding out she has a voice. She looks beautiful in the color pink. Thank goodness, I swear that is the only color they make girls clothing in. That's OK because it is my favorite color.
Kylee loves her she often calls her honey or princess. She is a wonderful helper. Kylee often says to Kynzee when she is crying "don't waste me and moms patience". My other favorite is "Princess what's your problem". Kylee has grown up a lot since we got Kynzee. She is very independent. She is in preschool and gymnastics this year and has figured out how to do a cart wheel. Kylee is getting better at her handstands as well, she does them all day long. Oh how would it be to be young again!

pumpkin lovin

This time of year is so fun for the kids. We had our neighbors over to get an early start on the pumpkin carving. We had homemade soup and chili with cinnamon rolls. Yummy! The kids had fun digging the guts out. I think the two older kids (Steven and Chad) had fun carving. Anyway October is here!

Taylie's Hope

I love that there are people in the world like this. I was floored when I read this. Please take the time to read and link to this. I will be so grateful! http://adashofseason.blogspot.com/

Taylie's blog is on my sidebar under hair world link it to your blog.

Washers, who would have thought!

This has been a new and fun way to spend the afternoon. We are making these in our ward for super Saturday. I thought I would test them out. I think they are fun, and cute. They are a washer from a hardware store made into a cute little necklace.

GOING PRIVATE

Friends, Family, Fans, and any stragglers I might have missed, its time for Our Family Memories to go private. Leave me your E-mail and I will be happy to provide you with a invite.

NO MORE TRAINING WHEELS!

This was a big event at our house. Steven and Kylee have been working on this bike riding for a little while. Steven took off one of Kylee's training wheels about a month ago. She had been leening to one side. He did a switch a roo on the training wheel and then eventually Kylee was getting it.

They went outside and took both of them off her bike. Kylee tried riding without training wheels. He called and told me to come outside, because she was doing it. I replied doing what? Riding with no training wheels!

She is getting big. Kylee takes really tight turns, and peddles just as fast as she can. Gives me a little stress. Why is it that MOM'S worry constantly?

What's Happening!

We have been doing some adjusting to our new little addition. We are in total love with this cute little girl! She has brought alot of joy to our family as well. Kylee is a wonderful big sister and I am so happy for this opportunity in her life, as well as mine.

Kylee started preschool the week after Kynzee came home. She was darling she had so much fun. I was glad she had something only for her! I'm a little concerned about getting places on time. Wow completely different with two. Those of you who are laughing at me (shame on you) it is hard. Oh well , I figure people will be some what considerate. RIGHT!

Anyway the first week of school for Kylee they had to take a show and tell item that started with the letter A. She really wanted to take her new baby sister. She told me she would take a picture of Kynzee and say, We adopted a new baby sister! That starts with the letter A! How cute is that. What a smarty pants!



Last weekend we went to a fund raising carnival for one of my co-workers daughters who was diagnosed with AML Leukemia! She is darling and such a sweet little thing. While working with her mother we became close friends and her family is amazing. It was heart warming to see the support for them. Thank you for going. There are more ways to donate on the Tayliebug blog. Check it out it is on the side bar.

This week has been challenging for me as well! We attended a funeral for a four day old little boy today. I sobbed my eyes out!!! The parents, were good friends of mine as well. Mostly through my single years in school.
I felt the spirit so strong today! I am amazed at the way people hurdle things in their life.I was so sad for them and I left with a humble heart feeling so glad that I had my trials in life and not someone else's. I can't even put this service into words. It was amazing to hear them speak about this little boy that had come to this life to receive a body.
His mother put it the best when she said he had a spiritual attribute of CHARITY! He is full of love. His Father read a letter he wrote to his son the day after Sam passed. Oh my heart was full and my eyes watered profusely.

What an amazing path my Father in Heaven has put me on. I am so blessed to know and associate with people like this. Thank you for who you are. I have amazing friends and family.

Pictures

Alright are you all ready for massive photos! If not don't bother looking it is full of pictures! I think our girls are pretty cute!


Sweet baby Kynzee

Kylee and Kynzee

If only she was this still all the time!

Wide eyes!

Can I say precious?

I love this one!

Heaven sent Part 2

Today you all get part two of Kynzee's story! We had a great visit with her birth mom. We exchanged likes and dislikes, smiles and tears. It was never uncomfortable talking to her, except for when we were discussing the time she would sign her over to us. We left on Thursday night with that being the end of the conversation. At this time I was feeling gratitude in every fiber of my being. I had a pit at the bottom of my stomach. I was thrilled and sick all at the same time. A bitter sweet night.

We would make the two hour drive before we could set up the nursery, get clothing washed, find the car seat and anything else that would be helpful for the next few weeks. We reached our destination. Began the busy work until around 2 a.m. in the morning. We finally crawled into bed with a zillion things left undone. My mind once again, ran another marathon.

We still had a lot of things we had to do. Find the financing, gather it, get important documents, and deal with the agency that wasn't excited we had gone to A GUARDIAN ANGEL. URG!!! Not to mention the signing was suppose to be at 11:00a.m. (CAN I SCREAM RIGHT NOW!!!!) We did all of this with a few glitches in the way. To say the least it worked out in the end.

Kynzee's birth mom really wanted to meet Kylee, so we had made arrangements for that. We would be staying the night in Salt Lake, with my dear friend Christina!

Signing was scheduled for 11:00a.m then 1:00p.m. and finally pushed back to 3p.m. and talk about a heaven sent we so needed that time. We drove down to West Valley arrived and I was what I call a bundle of nerves. I was having some serious moments at this point. Wondering is this for REAL!!! Am I DREAMING!!! Should I PINCH myself!!! Just then the case worker arrived and told us the signing would be at 4p.m.

The birth mother told us to come up to her room. Kylee meet her and came off quit shy. Which who knows were that came from. Then the case workers started to pile in. We were then asked to leave the room with our case worker, who was so calm and reassuring. We waited for the birth mother to sign her papers then it was our turn.

I was so glad when the notary entered the room we were in. This is when you feel completely overwhelmed and you have no idea how you are going to handle the next emotions that comes your way.

We began to sign paper after paper, document after document. This is like signing for a vehicle or better yet a home. Let me just say it is definitely much more important than either of those. We finished and waited in the hall.

Our beautiful little birth mother then invited us in. I really can't explain this feeling, I can just say a higher power enters with you, to carry you through. This is the hardest thing ever. You are so delighted for yourself, but so devastated for this selfless person who as chosen to give this infant life. Then the fact that as tears roll down her face. They stream down yours, she looks down at the precious little thing she created and says " here is your beautiful little girl. I know you will love her! Then placing her in my arms, our souls connect. For a moment as we embrace you hope every dream of this little girls will come true together. She then kisses her on the head and says goodbye.

This is heartbreaking. It is so overwhelming that another person brings complete happiness in your heart and soul, from something she is in the hardest most brutal pain of her life over. Deep down she knows it is best. She knows she will get through this.

She then gathers her stuff. Her arms are overflowing. Steven then says can I help you. He gathers the last few items and she leaves the hospital. It feels like your best friend is walking away! She looks back one last time and says THANK YOU!

Wow!! I couldn't be any more blessed, I know now two amazing birth mothers that have given and trusted me with the lives of two extremely precious little girls! I will never discount the fact, that I became a mother because of there sacrifice.We spent the next few hours holding our new little girl.

Calling our sisters were next on the agenda. More tears and congrats are in order. How wonderful to have such wonderful support. Friends, Family, grandparents, aunts,uncles and children all awaiting the newest arrival.

We couldn't leave the Hospital until Saturday morning at 11:00a.m to meet state laws. As I sat there I began to have premonitions that Kylees birth mother worked in the hospital that Kynzee was born in. I text messaged her that Kylee was a big sister! She immediately called me back and it was an affirmative she works in the very same hospital Kynzee was born in. She then asked if she could come visit for a little bit. It was the perfect way to end a perfect miracle! She came and seen Kylee and got to hold Kynzee. This is what adoption is (loving and extending families). We later left the hospital and went to Leatherbee's to celebrate with ice cream. I enjoyed myself even though I had maybe 2 hours of sleep the night before.

We packed our bags yearly Saturday morning to get Kynzee from the hospital. Kylee locked us out of my friends house. Leaving my purse inside which had my phone inside. She was gone to a young women's activity. I had now way to call her. We called another friend and she happened to have a key to her place! A whole other story in and of itself. Not to mention the wreck we got into on Thursday coming home! Uhmmm ya we didn't have even a scratch and we were definitely hit hard enough.

We made it home with baby in arms and was greeted with a fabulous pink array of balloons, crate paper, and banners. Not leaving a question at all for anyone that drove by. Everyone has been calling and coming over to meet her. She is famous already. She is a great baby and I pray she stays that way. We are so lucky to have these two little girls in our lives. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I couldn't be happier! Neither could Steven & Kylee.

Heaven sent Part 1

August 19th, 2009 our journey on the right road for Kynzee began. We have been working on this for really over about a year and a half. I was becoming frustrated with the whole adoption process. I would have to tell myself, it will happen when and if it is right. We really had little success finding anything with the agency we began with. I had strong premonitions to look else were. I started looking and talking to different people. I had two other agencies in mind that I was going to research out.

One of my hair clients had recommended me to a friend of a friend who worked at A GUARDIAN ANGEL! I called on the 19th, and asked a few questions at the end of the discussion my mind was pretty well made up. This is where my baby is. I began to do some research to find no one personally had used them. I still wondered what I was doing. I told Steven about them and of course he was wondering the same things I was.

About 30 minutes later they called us back to tell us of a situation. She told me a little boy was going to be born next week to over night a profile to her. I had 5 hours to put our lives on paper for her. We began throwing pictures and words together that would tell our story. We did indeed have most of this info from the other agency, so we went and copied pictures and letters. I made a beautiful 8 page scrapbook. I then put it in the mail, to find out on the following Wed. we had NOT been chosen. I felt bad and sad and fear, that my dreams would be a never ending hope. We had told a few people about this and called and told them this wasn't the perfect situation for us. We felt our families disappointment as well.

It hadn't been more than 30 minutes and A GUARDIAN ANGEL was back on the phone with me, telling me of another situation. I at this point, was sceptical. The caseworker began to tell me about it and asked if I would be interested in being showed again. I said YES! She showed the same profile to this birth mother. I had begun to wonder if some of the information was a little over board for this particular agency. (Never question your religious status when you are in this process.)

It was a typical night here at our home we went about are day like every other day at 7:00p.m we received a phone call that was informing us we would have a conference call at 8:00p.m. which was put back to 9:15p.m. I was sooooo anxious, I carried 2 phones from 8p.m til 9:15p.m. when our caseworker called and said are you ready. I got Steven on one and myself on the other and we began to speak to a wonderful women on the other end that gave us hope at this point. We were so excited but tried so hard not to let it get the best of us. She asked if we thought we could make it down for the birth. We said we would love to. At this time the caseworker chimed into tell us she would call us.

We went to bed of course to have a sleepless night. My mind ran a marathon. I have nothing ready? What should we do with Kylee? Should we tell our family? A million questions and a million answers to sigh let prayers.

Our wonderful friends and neighbors were the only people we had really confirmed things with. We were so blessed to have them keep our minds straight. We then made plans to have Kylee stay with them and to let this be a fun surprise has well.

Our morning was spent in a frenzy if you can imagine. The clock struck 9:00a.m. and we received a call she was at a 4 and we should head out. We dropped Kylee off at the neighbors and we were off.

We had the wrong directions and drove nearly to Provo, ran 2 stop light in the process before we got a call that the caseworker had given us the wrong place. We then found out she had been born and we was to late for the delivery. Steven quickly turned the car around and we headed back to the hospital in West Valley. She was here and healthy, weighing in at 6pds. 9oz. and 18 inches long.

We arrived to the hospital and was whisked away to the forth floor. I received my wrist band and walked in to meet the Birth mother for the first time. She was beautiful. She was welcoming and I was overwhelmed with love in my heart for her. Tears filled my eyes as we began to talk. She is amazing a wonderful person.

She told us two things stood out to her in our profile one, Kylee is biracial and beautiful. Two that we are religious and the only profile that mentioned our beliefs and morals. She talked to us for awhile and then we were able to go to the nursery to meet our little sweet Kynzee.

We watched her get her first bath and then held her for the first time. We spent about 3 hours with her and then decided we hadn't eaten all day. Steven wanted to grab a bite to eat. On the way to eat we where so hungry and preoccupied trying to find a place to eat we got in the lane of on coming traffic. Talk about scared out of my mind. I was ready to pee my pants. We then quickly recovered from that slight mishap and found a place to sit down and eat.

I then said to Steven I am feeling major guilty our parents don't know. Should we call them? Together we decided that would probably be in our best interest if we really wanted to parent again. Because other wise we wouldn't see tomorrow. (If you know what I mean.)

I called both of them and received a shocked answer from them. It was GREAT! Many questions later we returned back to the hospital to spend a few more hours with our new baby and her Birth mom. It was glorious! Part two at a later time.