Cowboy

Mom and Dad gave Samuel these cute boots from their trip to South Dakota. Yesterday was cold and rainy here so I decided to let Samuel wear them for the first time. He is a cute little cowboy! We need to add a hat. :)

Justin and I took him to the Dr. for his one year appointment. Dr. Hungerland said Samuel is "perfect." We were very thankful to get a good report. He is 32 in. long and weighs 22 pounds. After he talked to us awhile and watched Samuel attempt to grab/destroy everything in the exam room he said, "He looks like he ALL boy." (aka A HANDFUL) Justin and I laughed- we wouldn't want it any other way! :)

My creative friend Katy made this bib for Samuel. I love the bib because he cannot rip it off.

Leslie- do you remember this jacket? I thought of Creighton all day. So nice to have an older boy cousin who passes down his cute clothes. :)

Hello World

I can walk!

Samuel has been taking several steps here and there but yesterday he started WALKING! Of course Justin and I cheered for him all day and followed him all over the house and yard. :) I am thinking things are about to get even more crazy around here :)

Hanging out on Daddy's shoulders.

Samuel no longer likes to take walks in his stroller so yesterday morning Justin just carried him. We have had a wonderful FALL weekend.

Master Bedroom

Show Us Your Life: Master Bedrooms

Our bedroom is one of my favorite rooms in our house. The paint color is Palm Breeze by BEHR and the room is very relaxing. I did not have anything to put over our bed so I decided to do a wall saying for now. I want to find a picture but until...... Justin was working on a house and the person was throwing away the lamps that are beside our bed. He brought them home and I changed the shade. We love them! The small trees came from Pottery Barn and were a deal. My mom made our bedskirt and my sister found the fabric 75% off at a store in Myrtle Beach.


This was an old chair that was in my Grandmother's house. I painted the chair white and had the seat recovered. Mom made the pillow out of the same clearance fabric.




Mom is very talented and made the window treatments out of a soft linen fabric. Rebecca gave me the photograph for Christmas a few years ago. (http://www.rebeccajohnston.com/) I finally have a perfect place for the picture.

Happy Friday!

One year ago today...

our baby boy was placed in our arms. Justin and I were up at 5:00 a.m. preparing for the three hour drive to meet our ten day old baby. We were scared, excited, nervous and feeling so many different emotions that we hardly talked during the drive. That day will forever be in my memory. Samuel's foster mother walked in the room with tears in her eyes and placed my son in my arms. I began to cry. I was becoming a mother. My dream was coming true. God's faithfulness was real. Over four years of prayers were being answered. Justin and I left the Bethany office and went to Target to buy formula. I remember walking around the store just staring at Samuel. During the long trip home I held Samuel's tiny hand while Justin squeezed my other hand. We were a family. Forever.

Sweet Boy

Samuel took four steps today. :) I reached out to him and he let go of the chair smiled and walked four steps. Of course then I started cheering like crazy and he was confused. :) He has also started blowing us kisses. So sweet!!! Each "stage" is so precious and exciting.

Shapes and Colors EVERYWHERE!

Samuel's birthday party was Sat. from 5:00 until..... 12:30 a.m.! He was asleep by 7:45 but we continued to have fun with family and a few friends. Our house was packed! The theme was shapes and colors and we had a great time!

The centerpiece for the food table

Each table had a different color theme with a picture of Samuel.

Samuel is sucking his toes in this picture :)

Everyone ate in our basement and then we moved outside to play games.

Samuel's cake.

We had a fun day hanging out with family before the party started. Creighton and Justin were glad to see each other.

Finley giving Samuel a birthday hug. She was so cute saying Meeeeeeeeeeee!

Uncle Stan and Samuel.

The boys getting ready to fry chicken. (Creighton, Stan, Samuel, Chris, Dad, and Justin)

The birthday boy with his cake.

Cousins (Creighton, Samuel and Finley)

My birthday baby and me.

Grandmother, Amanda, Donna, me, Samuel, Mom and Bo. I was so surprised and happy that they were all able to come!

These two are cousins born 3 weeks apart. (Samuel, Me, Olivia and Landon)

Uncle Ben and Samuel

Lauren getting ready to PARTY :)

Robin (the decorator)

Our family.

Love these girls! (Lisa, me, Samuel and Olivia)

Kaleigh and Chloe playing with the blocks.

Cake time :)

The children ready to eat cake.

Samuel became covered in blue icing. :)



Leslie and me.

Chloe enjoying the food.

Dad and Creighton

Robin even decorated the front porch.

Uncle Ralph was such a good sport and agreed to be the nose. The children threw water balloons at him and they had a blast. (The best part of the party :) ) We will definitely be dragging the clown out every year for Samuel's birthday. My camera battery died at this point so Robin is going to post a few more pictures tomorrow.

Birthday Boy

Justin and I had a fun afternoon celebrating with Samuel....

All he wanted to do was chew on the ribbon.

Here he is looking at one of his favorite books. He kisses himself in the mirror. I love getting to this page. :)

The birthday boy riding his car.

We went to eat Mexican.

He LOVES the rice.

Giving Daddy a high five!

Justin picked up some cupcakes for him and he tried hard to put a whole one in his mouth :)

His birthday party will be this weekend. I can't wait!

Happy Birthday

I know it was not by chance that these two SPECIAL people share the same special day. Their birthday is just one of the many pieces in God's master plan.

Dear Samuel,

Before I knew your name

Before I saw your eyes, your chin and your nose,

Before I counted your fingers and toes

I asked heaven for someone wonderful as you

And every prayer and wish came true,

I dreamed of you before I knew your name.

Chris Rodriguez

One year ago today you were still the dream that we were praying for. Daddy and I were not with you on you birthday but I know that God sent His angels to take care of you. In three days we would receive the phone call that would change our lives forever. We celebrate your life today and always and we will forever remember the special people who took great care of you for the first days of your precious life. Happy Birthday Samuel! We love you so much!