"I don't Like Santa!"

Kenedy has recently decided that she no longer likes Santa. If she pees in her pants or uses her binkie during the day, I tell her Santa is going to bring baby toys instead of Princess toys. For the last couple of months I would say, “Santa is watching,” if she was doing something naughty. She informed me yesterday when I used one of these infamous phrases, “Mom, I don’t like Santa! He is mean!” Nothing gets past her, does it?

Merry Christmas

This year I am going to be a huge slacker and send everyone a Christmas card via the Internet. Last year I made the cards and they sat in a pile for a month and a half before I sent them. I love you all and I apologize about my slackerness! We hope you all have a Merry Christmas!

Here is a quick review of the year:

January: Turned our adoption paperwork in

February: Kenedy turned 2, we were approved for adoption, we celebrated Valentines Day.

March: We attended our niece Kaylie's Sealing, saw Disney on Ice, we celebrated Easter.

April: Our miracle Lincoln entered our home, Mike turned 27, we said goodbye to Grandma Moss.

May: Mike and I celebrated our 7th year anniversary, we had a family reunion with the Birds in St. George, we said goodbye to Grandpa Bird.

June: Brady RHW from Maryland, We had lots of Webb family time to welcome Brady home.

July: Mike got a new job at Seamless Web and they took us to New York, we spent a week watching the McChesney kids (our nieces and Nephews), we celebrated the 4th and the 24th.

August: We had a family Reunion with the Webbs in Park City, Heidi turned 28 and had her 10 year High School Reunion.

September: Lincoln's Birthfather started a custody battle, we attended a BYU game with the whole Bird family.

October: Lincoln turned six months, we went to Bearlake with some friends, we went to court on our Motion to Dismiss the Birthfather's case, we celebrated Halloween

November: We lost our Motion to Dismiss and started the appeal process, we attended Disney on Ice, we celebrated Thanksgiving.

December: We have been decorating, shopping, attending Christmas parties, and most important loving our sweet little angels!!

Court Update

Well we got the Judge's decision today, we lost. This just means that the judge did not throw the Birthfather's case out; we are not loosing Lincoln. We are appealing the Judge's decision and are currently waiting for a new court date. From what my Lawyer says, it will be 3-7 months before we can get back into the court room. If we loose the appeal then we will actually go to a custody battle. We are hoping we never make it there. Today has been a rough day, we were hoping we would be celebrating. I guess that are celebrating will have to come a little later. I feel sad, angry, confused, and scared. I know my Father in Heaven is mindful of us at this time, I feel his comfort. I know trials make us stronger and I am grateful to be strengthened. At this time I want to ask our family and friends again for your prayers. Your prayers and support have already brought such comfort and we are so grateful to have such amazing people in our life! The way I make it through trials is by thinking of everything I have to be grateful for. So if you are bored of reading the update, it is over and my "therapy" is starting. This is a good time of year for this anyway!

I am Grateful for:

1. My Sweet Husband He is so mellow and sweet. He goes to work everyday so that I can raise our children. He never complains. He is content, hardworking, helpful and a great father. He calms me down when I am freaking out. He only freaks out over things that are extremely important. I love to see him get passionate over the things that are important to him! He loves his family so much and we love him!

2. My Kenedy She keeps me on my toes all day. She makes me laugh harder than I ever thought was possible. She is such a spitfire and I love it! She has the sweetest little heart. When I was crying over the judge's decision, she said, "Mom it be OK! I love you!" I love how at random times she will say the sweetest little things like, "Mom, you a good mom!" "Mom, I just love you so much!" I truly don't know what I would do without my Princess Baby!

3. My Lincoln I remember thinking I loved Kenedy so much and I wasn't sure I could love another as much. It is amazing how much love your heart can hold! He is the most mellow little man. I love what a mamma's boy he is; it makes me smile from the inside out! I love his huge grin and his adorable little face. My life would not be complete without my Angel Baby!

4. My Family They are the best! Sometimes I just cry at how lucky I am to have them FOREVER! They are my best friends and my eternal support! I have received phone calls, emails, and visits from my family today and I want them to know how much I appreciate them. Thanks mom for leaving work early to sit with me while I cried, answered phone calls, did the dishes, cleaned up toys, did enrichment stuff; just so I didn't have to do it alone!

5.The Gospel Where would I be without it? How would I cope with anything?

6. My Savior I love knowing that no matter what I feel or what I am going through my brother understands! This gives me so much peace!

7. My Birthmoms and Their Families I have my Princess baby and my Angel Baby because of these miraculous women. I owe them my life!

8. My Friends I have the worlds greatest people in my life! You are all the best! You support and love me. You listen to me when I laugh, cry, talk and talk and talk, and read my long lists of things I love to make my self feel better. Thank you to you all!

9. This Trial no matter how hard or how expensive this is, I have a son from it. I would not ever trade that! It is making me sit back and realize what is truly important in life. It is making me turn towards my Father in Heaven. IT IS MAKING ME STRONGER!
I could go on and on, but these are the top things in my life that I thank my Father in Heaven for daily! We are such blessed people and I am feeling better already!

A Friend of mine is putting on this boutique. If anyone is interested in getting some early Christmas shopping done, you should check it out!

O’ Sweet Boutique
Located at 1074 N 2325 W in West Layton
Thursday, November 13 3pm-8pm
Saturday, November 15 10am-7pm

*Children's basic shirts and Nursing covers www.thelovewraps.com- (shirts coming
soon to website) These are long, plain colored, cap sleeve shirts, with no hearts or frilly
on them for girls 0-5 years. They are the shirts your are always looking for in the
colors you can never find such as: Black, Brown, White, Pink, Green, etc... We have short
and long sleeve shirts. Also sold in bodysuits up to one year. They are great for layering!

*Clocks and Magnet Boards - www.ticktockcollection.com

*Baby Savvy- mybabysavvy.blogspot.com - Handmade Felt Baby Booties, Custom orders
available!

*Jewelry by Jen-beaded watches, baby bracelets, women's necklaces, braclets, & earings, and binky clips.

*Photography- www.heathercluffphotography.blogspot.com

*Scentsy Candle www.scentsy.com

*Shelby Bows & Flowers by Lichelle- www.shelbybows.blogspot.com-Hundreds of hand-made, high quality flower clips & bows. Interchangable Headbands & crochet hats in several popular colors fitting infant-adult. Now is the time to stock up for Christmas and baby showers. Prices as low as $.50, nothing over $6!!!

*Vinyl lettering and signs

*Aprons

*Baby Burp Cloths

*Wrapsody Scarves- These are really cool hand-made scarves for children or adults.

Don't forget, there will be drawings both Thursday & Saturday for free products!!!

Potty Trained!!!

It's done! YEAH! I am so not looking forward to potty training again! Kenedy has done so well the last three weeks we are so proud of her! We had an accident Tuesday and the Tuesday before (I guess Tuesday is not our lucky day! ha ha) other than that she has been accident free. She still wears a diaper at night, so now we have to work on that. It has been so nice to have to only change one child throughout the day. I don't know what to do with all my extra time, not!!

Here is the newly Potty Trained child! Don't you just love her face? You can see her saying, "Cheese". Now that she is potty trained we can move on to bigger things like, how to smile! She looks like she has a stomach ache! ha ha!

Question: How do I insert pictures so that when you click on them they enlarge?

Halloween Festivities

{Playgroup}

We had a little Halloween party with some of Kenedy's friends. We did a craft, bobbed for apples, ate donuts off a string, made a witch potion and ate Carmel apples. My mom dressed up as a witch, knocked on the door, and came in and made a witch potion with the kids. The kids were not sure whether they should cry or laugh. Their faces were priceless and they loved it until she added the frozen fog (aka: dry ice); that really freaked them out!

{Pumpkin Walk}

Every year Syracuse puts on a pumpkin walk. They have hundreds of carved pumpkins that they light up and the kids trick-or-treat while looking at the pumpkins.

{Frightmares}

{Family Halloween Party}

We had a great time at the annual Webb family Halloween party. We had a cake walk, ate donuts off a string, played "Guess Who I Am", ate dinner, carved pumpkins and had chocolate and caramel fondue!

{Gardner's Village}

{Halloween}

My mom and I took Kenedy, Trace, Tate, and Lincoln to Chucky Cheese while Kamie helped with Tanner's and Tyler's Halloween parties. The kids had a great time! We had our ward Trunk-or-Treat, visited my Grandpa, and stopped by the Grandparent's homes. Happy Halloween

HaPpy hAlLoWEen!!

Court Update

I promised several people I would let them know how court went today and I thought this would be the fastest way. Here it is: Things went well in court today, but we won't find out what the Judge's decision is until the 13th of November. The reason for this is the Birth father is claiming that there is some document out there that shows he registered to pay child support. Even if this document does exist, it is still not sufficient for what the law states. However the judge has given Rex and his lawyer two and half weeks to submit the paper. It's kind of frustrating, but our lawyer feels that as long as the judge takes everything under consideration then there will be no grounds for an appeal. Our lawyer did say that the judge agreed with us and that he feels as if we won today. So once all the paperwork is submitted we are hoping this nightmare will be over. Once again we appreciate all your support and prayers and ask that you continue to pray that on the 13th this will be finished. We love you all and will keep you posted with any new information!

ALL Caught Up!

I got us all caught up from July, but since I started a while back and I don't know how to change the date, scroll down after "Just Kenedy" for our update!

30 Reasons We Love Kamie!

1. she is a PEACEMAKER. Even when she calls me Charlie! love Mike

2. she is an amazing DAUGHTER. Kamie you mean more to us than you will ever know. Thanks for all you do for us! What would we do without you? Love Mom and Dad

3. she is a great LISTENER.

4. she is CREATIVE. She thinks she can make anything she sees on infomercials. love AJ

5. she is a diligent CUB SCOUT LEADER. We can't wait to see you in those blue pants! LOL

6. she is an incredible WIFE. I lucked out the day I married you!

7. she is constantly SERVING someone in her family or ward. Whether it is babysitting, cat watching, milk running,or mattress dumping, kamie is always serving!
8. she loves DR. PEPPER as much as I do! love Brady

9. she always looks CUTE. You can have any hair-do and you always look amazing! love Carrera
10. she is the bestest SISTER. I know bestest is not a word, but you are the bestest sister! I seriously don't know what I would do without you! You are always there for me! Happy Birthday Sis! Love Heidi
11. she is CHEF. She wanted to have her own cooking show before she had kids; we think she is good enough to have her own show! You should try her rolls; YUM! YUM!
12. she is SMART even if she doesn't know who John Doe is! Love Dad
13. she is an outstanding MOTHER! Your boys are so lucky!

14. she is so FRIENDLY! Everyone loves Kamie. How couldn't they when she runs to Maverik to get your kid Powerade (why again aren't you feeding him formula? haha) and takes you all the way to BFG to pick up your friend that you are not suppose to be hanging out with!

15. she is CHARITABLE!
16. she is CHRISTLIKE!
17. she is GOOFY. I love your Laffy Taffy jokes that you constantly call me with, even if it is 7:30 in the morning! love Heidi

18. she is KIND. Thanks for pinching our kid, so we don't have to! love Heidi and Mike
19. she DOESN'T GET OFFENDED EASILY

20. she is FORGIVING. Thanks for forgiving Kenedy for mutilating your babies arms!
21. she is BEAUTIFUL. You are one HOT FOXY MOMMA! Love Brian.

22. she is DARING.

23. she is a wonderful GRANDDAUGHTER.

24. she is SENSITIVE.

25. she is FUNNY. Mom you make us do this . . .

26. she is fantastic AUNT. Kenedy asks everyday if she can call or come see you! Sometimes she even asks if she can live with you. I hope to become half the mom you are! love Heidi

27. she is SPIRITUAL.

28. she is a CHEERLEADER FOR HER BOYS. Kamie I love watching you cheer on your boys! I love the excitement on your face! You are such a great mom; I am so proud of you! I love you sweetheart! Love Mom

29. she is PHOTOGENIC
30. she is a TRUE FRIEND. Kamie we are so blessed to have you as our best friend! You are always there for us! True Friends do things for each other that they don't love to do; like shopping! Thanks for going on our shopping sprees with us! You are a true friend!! love Heidi and Mom!

*Kamie, these are just a few of the things we love about you; we could go on and on! We hope you have a wonderful Birthday! You deserve it! HAPPY 30th!*

Just Kenedy

I have been the worst blogger lately. I keep thinking I am going to get better, but it is just not happening. I have started a catch-up post so I can catch-up since July and it is taking forever. This is why you should not get behind in blogging. I could just skip the last few months, but since this blog is for my birthmoms and for my journal, I'd better get the long post done! So while I am slaving away on my procrastinations, I thought I would give all something to read! Enjoy!

P.S. For those of you who have been wondering, our Birthfather filed an extension so we did not go to court on the 29th. Don't you think that if "your child" was growing up with some "complete strangers" and you are fighting to get him back, that you would want to hurry things up a bit? I should be getting a new date today. Hopefully it will be soon and we can just have this all over with! Lincoln turns six months this week and we should be taking him to court and the temple, but since a special man decided it was time to fight after he was already three months old, now we have to wait. Can you tell I am a bit irritated!

P.S.S These stories come from Kenedy's journal, so they are rough draft. Please excuse my grammar and punctuation. It is this or nothing folks! LOL!

"I'm Just a Baby!"

Kenedy can get a little rough with Lincoln. Most of the time she is just trying to play, but ends up hurting him. I am constantly saying,
"Careful Kenny! He is just a baby!"
Well today, I was curling her hair and she said,
"Don't burn me, ok mommy? I am just a baby!"
Kenedy you are too funny!




King Benjamin

A couple of weeks ago AJ and Carrera were in charge of family night. They did a role play of the story of King Benjamin. Aj dressed up like King Benjamin and got on my mom's roof to preach to us. Kenedy was so amazed by this. During scripture study she sat so still when we read about King Benjamin and all week she would tell me that she wanted to see the Kingdom (aka King Benjamin) again. So Friday night I told her that we have a prophet just like King Benjamin named Thomas S. Monson and that he would be speaking to us on the T.V. She was so excited and she said,
"Momma, he wave to me and say, "Hi Kenedy, Hi!"
When conference started on Saturday, I told her to come and listen to the Prophet. She came running in and had her eyes glued to the television. After about ten minutes, she said,
"Daddy, hurry the prophet is talking to us!"
Children are the best examples! I wish I had her enthusiasm!


Chesties

The other day Kenedy picked up my bra and put it on. We then had the following conversation:

Kenedy: "Mom, nook, I have chesties!"
Mom: "They are beautiful!"
Kenedy: "Yep!" (With the pressed mouth look)
Kenedy: "They are just like Belle's" (While touching her chesties)
Mom: Does Belle have Chesties?
Kenedy: "Yep. Where are your Chesties Mom?"
Mom: "Right here Kenedy "
Kenedy: Mom, I like your Chesties!"
Mom: Thanks Babe!"

This post is all about Kenedy, but I can't leave this little man out!

Catching Up!

I have been the worst blogger since little Lincoln entered our home, I hope to get better! My goal is to stay caught up, so my posts don't take ten years! LOL

{JULY}

on the 24th we went for a couple of days up to Pineview, where we went boating, swimming, and stayed in a condo with my family. We had loads of fun playing games and playing in the water and sand!

At the end of July we had the opportunity to stay with the McChesney family while Todd and Meisha went on an Alaskan cruise. We had so much fun! Kenedy was in heaven having her cousins around morning and night to play with. I have to admit that I think I could raise five kids if they were as sweet and obedient as the McChesney kids. Having seven kids was easier than when I only have two because Mikayla, Austin, Jackson and Brock are such good helpers. While we were there we went t o a place called Jump On It, we fed the ducks at the pond, played at the park, took 7 kids to Cafe Rio, played games, watched movies, and had so much fun!!

{August}

During August we had several park days and outside playing. Mike got our swing set put up and Kenedy spent all day outside. The minute she got up she would go right outside and swing.

We went on a family vacation to Park City with the Webb Family. We stayed at the Westgate; played games; went swimming; went on the Alpine slide, Zip Line, the Coaster; went shopping at the outlets; played golf; celebrated my 28th birthday, and went to Jump On It! Thanks Mom and Dad we had a blast!

For trace's 3rd birthday, he invited Kenedy to Build-a-Bear. They had so much fun picking out their bears, dressing them, and combing their hair. Thanks for letting us come and celebrate your birthday with you!

Since the plan was to have our adoption final at the first of October, my mom and I went shopping for temple clothes for the kids. Kenedy had so much fun trying dresses on and looking at herself in the mirror, she is such a girl! Hopefully we will be able to use these darling white clothes very soon!

We took another trip to the Treehouse! Kenedy loves to explore that place! She loves the slide and the babies the best!

{September}

Our little lady started her dance class. She is so cute to watch. The very first class they go over all the rules. One of the rules is "never run on the dance floor!' Kenedy listens to everything that teacher says. So later we were walking to the car and one of the little boys in her class was running to his car. Kenedy looks up at me and says, "Oh no, he is running!" I wish she would take me that serious!

While Kenedy started dance, Lincoln started eating food. My baby is growing up way too fast. He loves everything I have given him so far. He has tried rice cereal, bananas, applesauce, and sweet potatoes. I know you are suppose to start with veggies first, but my little Linskter got a bad case of the runs and these are the veggies and fruits that are suppose to help with that! I am happy to report that after 3 weeks, 15 loads of laundry, 3 throw ups, and almost a box of diapers from Costco we are over this little sickness. YEAH, now Lincoln can try some other veggies and mom can do something besides laundry.

Lincoln had his 3rd haircut! This child's hair grows like a weed! He is so cute and I seriously love him more than words can say! I don't know what I would do without him. He is such a Mommy's boy and I love every moment with him!

We had more park days in September. The park is one of our all time favorites! Kenedy never gets sick of it, Lincoln just chills on my lap, and I get to relax and not think of all the things that I should be doing! I LOVE IT! I am so not ready for winter!

Lots of days of playing at home! I love these two little kids! I am such a lucky mom and a grateful women for these two precious spirits. Thanks Britney and Kat for filling our home and days with laughter and smiles! We have also been trying to Potty Train during our days at home. Kenedy is doing really well, hopefully I will be able to report our potty training is finished in the next couple of weeks!

We had family pics. My children were having a bad day, so I think we might just have family pics in October as well!

We went to the ZOO with my good friends for teaching! Thanks ladies we had a blast and can't wait for our next outing!

{October}

Kenedy had her third haircut. Hmmmm Lincoln was five months and Kenedy was 32 months. I had her hair in ponies all summer so I hadn't noticed how long it had grown. One Saturday I decided to take the scissors to it because I am the most impatient women in the world and I didn't want to wait for an appointment. Lesson I learned that day: "Heidi, you are not a hairdresser!" Let's just say I did a horrible job on her hair! Luckily my sweet friend Amanda is a hairdresser and she rushed over and fixed my mistake. We can officially say that after 32 months the mullet it gone! It was a happy, but sad day. She looks like a 5 year old instead of my little baby! Note to self: In the future, be patient and make a hair appointment so that you don't ruin your child's hair and bug your friends!

We have all been doing lots of this the past month . . . .

We went up to Bear Lake with the Cranneys and the Halls. We spent the first snowstorm of the year in the Hall's cozy cabin. It made me want to celebrate Christmas! Thanks for the invite Mike and Chalese, we had tons of fun!

We went to the Pumpkin Patch, with Grandma's class, Heidi, Kinlee, and Kadence. The girls had so much fun riding the train and playing on the slides! Lincoln and Kadence just eyed the girls and were wishing they were old enough to run around and play. Us moms are not ready for two children running and are enjoying this sweet baby stage!

And now this post is finished and I am officially caught up! I will not get this far behind again because it takes too long to catch up!

Prayers! PLEEEASE!

Our worst nightmare has come true, we are currently in the middle of a paternity petition with Lincoln's birthfather. Our lawyer will be representing us and our birthmother in court on the 29th of this month. We are asking for prayers on our behave, our lawyers, the judge, our birthmother, etc. at this time! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Lincoln at Four Months

{Lincoln at 4 Months}
Weight: 13.6 lbs. (35%)
Height: 25 inches (60%)
Head: 16.2 inches (25%)

Hates: loud noises, being rocked to sleep, cold water, the white paper they put you on at the doctor's office, shots, dogs

Loves: his mommy, toys, smiling, laughing, Kenedy, Daddy, his bottles, dry diapers, being tickled, cuddling, looking at himself in the mirror, sleeping

*He sleeps so much! At least 12 hours at night and 6 in the day*

*He rolled over for the first time*

*He smiles all the time*

*His laugh sounds like a little purring kitten; it is so cute! *

*He had his second haircut, thanks Aunt Kamie! *

*He had his first face painting (I mean penning) by a well known artist named Kenedy Bird!*

*He got sick for the first time. *

*Played dress up for the first time or I guess, got dressed up by the K-bug. *

*Took his first bath with Tator Tots *

*He went to Park City for a family vacation.*

My baby is growing up so fast! Every stage I think, "This is My Favorite"! I love him so much and I absolutely love what a Mommy's boy he is! What a miracle he is in our lives!! Thank You Brittany!!