Friday, November 21, 2014

It’s been a year since adoption day!  November 23, 2013 will always be a special moment for us.
 Pictures from a year ago!
Waiting in the courthouse for me to park the car.
 Signing paperwork with the judge.
 In the courthouse.  I will never forget how Quinn yelled out yes to almost every question the judge asked.  She was so excited to have Isaiah and Denali as her siblings.
 The judge and our kids!
 Part of our amazing support system!
 Our wonderful therapist!
 The end of the night!  What an amazing day that was!
 How we introduced our kids to our family and friends!

I would tell anyone to become a foster parent.  Our experience had its moments, but over all, I would do it again in a heartbeat.  We had great caseworkers, who are over worked, but so passionate.  We had a therapist who was so kind and caring and open and helpful.  We had an organization that was there for the families and the kids.  They helped coach us on parenting, and everyone could use some parenting classes.  We are still working with our foster care group, doing respite, and more exciting news,  we are excited to see two families we care so much about start their own foster care experience.  There are going to be some kids who find amazing homes soon, with these two families.

As for all of us.  I can say that our family was not complete before we got Isaiah and Denali.  We had our amazing Quinn, and she was a ray of strength, but something was missing.  Now, the way our three kids work and play together is amazing!  God had a plan.  Quinn is so much more excited, and loves the kids.  We were just talking about how she is more passionate, and she has siblings to get her into trouble, and I am good with that.  Isaiah is so much more loving now.  He gets to be a kid, and continues to hug all over us, and that was not the case when he came to us.  Denali came to us a bit wild, we did not want to take that zest out of her, but she is calmer, and her passion for life is more focused and not so frustrated.

We still have moments, as all families do.  However our house is filled with love, it’s complete and full of swimmers, dancers, gymnasts.  It’s full of dolls and cars and rubber band bracelets and moments that come from love.  It’s full of snuggles and mischief and hot chocolate spills.  It’s full of love you’s and hugs and story times.  It’s full of messy rooms and sometimes, grounded children, it’s full of hugs before work and school, but most of all it’s full of a family that knows they are loved! 

I am so thankful for God’s plan.  I am exhausted by the end of most days, but am so thankful for all the busy days.  I am not taking a moment for granted.  Like when Quinn is at therapy and both Isaiah and Denali cheer her on as she rolls down the hill.  When Denali leaps across the living room in her dance outfits and gives that million-dollar smile.  When Isaiah jumps onto my lap and cuddles in.  When Quinn giggles after Isaiah whispers secrets into her ear, or when all three of them cuddle up together to watch a movie. 

Life is far from perfect for all of us, life is meant to have it’s ups and downs.  We have had our fair share of downs and they make us remember how good the ups are.  Right now I cherish every moment.

Life is so good right now, and I’m so thankful for our life and our three kids!  Blessings to you all!  We have some fun things planned for this weekend, so hopefully we will have more pictures soon!


Here we are now, the kids are gaining so much self worth.
 So cute together.


 Isaiah, beautiful!

 The Otte Five!  Love it!

 Quinn, beautiful!
Denali, beautiful!
Remember if you click on the picture, it will make it bigger so you can see it better!

No comments: