Long overdue update...

My goodness! I have been so horrible keeping this blasted blog updated. I finally caved and got onto Facebook...which I vowed I would never do...and now I am just getting lazy and doing all of my updates there. So- this is my smack in the face to get me blogging again- if only because I like to feel like I have some sort of journal entries on my sweet babies.

Well- what's new with us? We just got back from an amazing trip to DisneyWorld!! Woohoo!! I realize that we go to Disney all the time. I have friends that are constantly giving me a hard time about how much time I spend at DisneyWorld- and the answer for me is easy. I have 2 tiny kids- I am NOT a great camper, and tend to "fall out" of swimsuits...which doesn't really help me at beachy locations. Disney for us is just a great choice- plenty of fun for all- and I can get great packages that are all-inclusive, and a monorail to whisk me back and forth. Life is just good that way. We had an absolutely glorious time- and it was sooooo fun with the kids. Elijah was into everything- and LOVED the characters, and Kennedy is big enough to do all of the thrill rides and was way into that. Her favorite ride was the Tower of Terror. I must say- it delights me. She is so stinking shy and quiet most of the time- so to have her really into the scary drops and thrills and screaming like a banshee delighted me to no end. I loved having her be so animated after the adrenaline rush. We saw all of the Princesses- and of course the "be all, end all" Princess Tiana! Which was the highlight of the character fun for me. I am just so thrilled that they have an African American princess finally! Here are some shots from our trip- :)

While we were at the Magic Kingdom we went to the "Wishes dessert party"- basically it's a party where you get a reserved table for preferred fireworks viewing and there is all you can eat desserts. (And I am talking loads and loads of every dessert you can possibly imagine!) It was oh so bad for us- but so wonderful! The view was perfect!

Elijah LOVED Winnie the Pooh. We had a hard time prying that kid away!

The International Flower and Garden Festival was going on at Epcot while we were there- and they had dozens and dozens of the most AMAZING topiaries! Some of the coolest scenes! I won't post all of them because it would just take too long- but this is the one at the entrance- and the next one is by beautiful Kennedy with her favorite Pixie Hollow fairy, Iridessa.

My favorite part of Epcot has always been the world showcase- they have 11 different countries represented and all of the food, merchandise, entertainment and such all focuses on that particular culture. So here is Elijah sporting his mega cool sombrero in Mexico, and Kennedy in her awesome belly dancing costume hat from Morocco.

The biggest highlight of the trip for McCarrey was at Epcot too. As a surprise- we sent he and my dad diving in the aquarium at the Sea's Pavilion. They LOVED it!! The tank is over 5 million gallons and there were sharks, and stingrays, and HUGE fish and sea turtles. It was so fun for the kids because we got to go and watch them and they could see us through the glass and wave and interact with us. They loved it so much- that we actually booked it again for them- so they were able to do it twice. Kind of pricey- but oh so worth it to be able to spoil the man I love!

I just had to throw this picture in here too- We stayed at the Polynesian Resort, and there was a huge beach there that we could go out and enjoy during our down time. It had a great view of the Magic Kingdom fireworks and they would pipe the music in so we could watch the fireworks every night right from our hotel without all the crowds. SO great! Anyhow- Elijah was running around in all his glory and did a complete faceplant in the sand. I couldn't help but just laugh and snap this picture of him. So cute.

And last but not least - here is Kenna with Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen. They were soooo great with her! All in all- it was just an incredible trip- and returning back to normal life was just rotten. We are almost finished with our bathroom remodel- so I will post pictures of that later.

Say Cheese!

Elijah is a major ham. You can't tell that he ever gets his picture taken. All I have to do is pull something out of my pocket- anything- pens, cell phone, you name it- and point it at him and he starts screaming "Cheese!". So stinkin cute!!

Our Elijah has an amazing birthmom. We were lucky enough to be able to see our "D" this weekend. We haven't seen her since Elijah was born. It was wonderful! Even better than I could have hoped for. She looked so great. And it was awesome for me to watch her playing with Elijah and laughing with us about all of the crazy little things he does. It means so much to me as a mom to know that my son will have those connections with his biological family. Knowing the stories of roots and background- are so important for a persons sense of who they are. I am so grateful for her willingness to be open- and more than that- I just love her!! She is just a neat, happy- amazingly strong person. And I am proud that Elijah came from such a courageous woman. I hope that I can raise him to make her proud.

We have been going through a hard time this week. I won't go into details because it is still too raw and fresh.But- I don't think I have ever agonized or prayed so hard for answers in my life. Literally. When all is said and done- I feel just sad and heartbroken- but at peace at the same time. I am so grateful for my relationship with my Savior. He is the only reason I can get through times like these. I am glad that today is Easter Sunday-a wonderful reminder of new life and hope after hard times. And the Resurrection- which brings promises of eternal life and eternal families. Hope you all are having a good Easter too.

Happy Birthday McCarrey!

Dear McCarrey,

You are such an incredible man! There is not a day that goes by when you don't surprise me with your thoughtful ways, or your amazing ability to bring calmness and joy into my life. You are such a loving and kind person, and I am so glad that you are the type of person that reaches out to help others. I am so grateful for your faith, and your desire to be a strong, upstanding husband and father. You are such a hardworker, and do so much do provide a stable and wonderful life for us. Our children absolutely adore you- and it makes me so happy to watch your relationship grow with them. I have sat back and just smiled several times while watching you play with them, or sitting and having "serious" conversations. It is so important to me that our kids have such a wonderful father figure to look up to. I truly don't believe that any child could ask for more than you are. You are my best friend, and I am so amazed at how our relationship continues to grow and get better and better. I can't wait for the next 50 years- and all of the crazy, wonderful adventures that will be coming our way. I can't imagine wanting to experience them with anyone else.

I love you more than ever-

Happy Birthday!

Love,

Shannon

Just a quick visit-

Woohoo for last minute getaways! We just got back from an awesome trip to Seattle to visit Neil, Annie and the boys. SOO much fun! We were sitting around on Wednesday night feeling like we had nothing exciting going on- and randomly decided that we needed to get away- so Friday morning we hopped on a plane and off we went to beautiful Washington. The weather was fantastic and we spent the weekend combing the beach for shells, playing in the sand- and walking through Pikes Market and the various piers. We went to the Wetlands and wandered through scenes that literally made me feel I had either gone back in time, or I was on a different planet, like Pandora in "Avatar". Everything is so lush and beautiful over there! And with the ocean so close- it literally makes it one of the prettiest places I have ever been- THANK YOU Neil and Annie for letting us crash at your place- and for playing long and hard with us. We loved it!! Horrible person that I am- I took my camera- but forgot the charger for it- so my rockstar sis, Annie- sent me some pictures of our adventures that I thought I would post. Mostly of the kids- which is how I like it- and my sweet boy Elijah playing peekaboo. He puts his hands up and covers his ears and not his eyes. I think it is so adorable!

Happy Valentines Day

Happy Valentine's Day McCarrey- Every day I fall in love with you all over again.

Happy Birthday Elijah!!

Elijah- my sweet little "Home-slice". One year old already- I can hardly believe it!!! The day before Elijah was born we took his birthmom, "D", to dinner. We went to the Cheesecake factory and laughed and talked about the huge upcoming events. I remember sitting back against the booth and just watching her in amazement. She was so calm and collected- and SO funny! She would say things that just cracked me up. I was so nervous and excited with the delivery the next day- and so scared. Scared of problems during the delivery, or that things may not turn out as I hoped that they would. There are so many different variables with adoption- that there really is no way to plan exactly how things will go- and I am one of those types of people that have a really hard time with not having complete control over a situation. So I was kind of in a mess of emotions all over the place!! I can only imagine all of the feelings that D had. She really was incredible. She asked us if we were excited that we would have a new baby the next day. I was so filled with emotions that I could hardly tell her how thrilled I was. Then- she pulls out a package, it was a gift for us. I was completely blown away. She gave us a soft pink blanket to wrap our new little one in. And she gave us little lacy headbands with bows that had belonged to each of Elijah's sisters. (At this point in time we all thought Elijah was a girl still.) I was so touched- that I started bawling. So blown away that this woman was giving us EVERYTHING- and then she pulls out a baby gift to boot. At the end of the evening we gave her a big hug and wished her luck- and then went home to wait.

The rest of the story is easy to guess. Elijah made his grand debut and shocked us all when he wore a birthday suit with an extra part. ;)

We fell instantly in love with this little boy who started growling the first day. Out of respect for D- I won't go into detail of relinquishment or the rest of the time in the hospital. It was far to sacred, special, and unbelievably hard of a time to try and relate the feelings of all involved. But I will say- that when D placed Elijah in my arms and hugged us goodbye- I thought my heart would break. I will be forever grateful to her- and will always thank God for bringing her into our lives.

I can't believe that it has been a year now. I pulled out that blanked and headbands the other day and just held them and thought about my son and what an amazing gift he has been. I thought about D- and everything that she went through to give Elijah LIFE- and a family that loves him to the moon and back. Happy Birthday Elijah!! You have completed our family- and brought so much joy and sunshine into our home! We love you sooooo much!!