Adoption

God is good all the time. All the time God is good.

One year ago today.
August 13, 2014
Our dreams, stuggles, fears, hopes, faith. It all came crashing together on this day.

Our adoption story. It hasn't ever really been written down. Not because we aren't super proud of it. More like because it's so full of raw emotion. It's personal. It's real. And I really don't know if I'm ready for all those details to be out there.

I want to give a blog hug to those that are in the process of adoption. To those in the midst of putting your autobiography together for the case study. To those in the midst of getting copies of seriously any piece of paper that has ever had any of your information on it. To those in the midst of getting your pet shot records together. To those in the midst of the home study. To those in the midst of finding that right lawyer. To those in the midst of getting all the funds together.
To you, I give you hope.

Our adoption was just as different as any other adoption. There isn't one adoption that is the same. Well... maybe very similar but even then there is a difference. A child.

It hurts. Every step of an adoption hurts. Wounds are opened. Wounds that you wanted to never think about. Wounds you wanted covered. Wounds that you never knew were really there. Wounds that you just can't fix.

Then. When it's done. When the adoption is done. It's done.

There's a famous movie that's quoted for saying, "Every time a bell rings, an angel gets it's wings". Maybe. Maybe that is true.

A year ago our fears and struggles were given wings.
Our three boys got to ring a bell when their adoption was finalized.
Our boys. Our angels. Ours.

The sound of that bell rang over the intercom. A courthouse where sorrow, grief and not always happy things happen. That sound resonated throughout that whole building. It's a reminder that there are happy beginings or endings.

To our Lawyer. To our Guardian Ad Litem. To our Mediator. To the Commissioner. To the Judge.
Thank you for making this our day.

Forever and Always.

The Launius Family

First day 2015

Well. It happened. Three of our boys piled out of the car and walked on up to the school doors today. I made it past waving goodbye and pulling out of the drive way, and then the tears came. Point for me today, I remembered to wear waterproof makeup.

Ms. G, Ms. B, Mrs. R and Mrs. D. I know these are just letters to you. To me they are teachers. They are investing time and love and so much effort to my little men. Thank you! They will all be in my heart this school year. I tweeted (that's the right lingo for twitter... right?) earlier. I truly am praying, sending good vibes and doing a happy dance for them.

There will be rough days. There will be worries. There will also be spectacular days. There will be beautiful days. There will be days that are just, days. Here's to all of these days!

Happy first day of school! 2015

 

 

School Year 2015

It's that time of year again. The boys are starting another year of school. The tears start to build up and my throat gets all hoarse. I'm proud of each of them. I know they are growing. It's the simple fact that this... this is a tangible way of seeing that growth. Knowing that yes, they will always be my babies but not, all at the same time.

I remember the first day of school. Every year my Mom would cry. She'd take us to the bus stop and cry and wave and hug herself. I was always so embarrassed, just like all the other kids with their mom. And now. Now friends, I am that Mom. I drive my kids to school and wave and hug myself. I high-fived myself mentally for making it out of the drop off line before the tears started streaming down last year. I also forgot to wear waterproof mascara. I definitely scared some of the kids waiting for the bus. That at the time, and a little now, made me laugh. Then I started crying more.

My hubby, told me that every year it would get a little bit easier. I'm totally throwing the BS flag on that. I know the boys are in good hands. I know that they can't really get that lost, yeah there is a story behind that. I know the littlest will have big brother(s) to protect and guide him. It's not any of that. It's the growing up. It's the letting go. It's the little baby that I still see being rocked to sleep. It's seeing my little boy by a hug building with a backpack on that weighs more than him waving goodbye to me.

Letting go of the most precious gift I have ever been given. Letting go of trying to protect them each from the fears and worries that they have for the year. Maybe I have been watching Disney movies to much, specifically 'Frozen'. Let It Go!

So this year. I will remember to wear waterproof everything, or maybe just ditch the makeup. I will smile and hug the day and put on that brave face for the boys. I will not call the school to find out if they are okay. The boys not the school. I will remember the struggles that I had and thank God I have boys and not girls. Girls are meeeean. I will say a prayer, send good vibes, do a happy dance for all those teachers that will play a part in our children's education.

Rian

My teacher’s name is:  Mrs. R

Grade:  Kindergarten

My school’s name is:  :)

My favorite color is: Black

My favorite food is:  Banana or watermelon

My favorite book is:  Toad and Frog

My favorite song is:  Let it Go

I want to be a: Doctor

Things I’d like to learn:  Math skills

My favorite subject is:  Art

My favorite movie is:  Frozen

I’m most excited about: That I got Mrs. R

My favorite sport is:  Baseball

Louis 

My teacher’s name is: Ms B

Grade:  3rd

My school’s name is: :)

My favorite color is: Green

My favorite food is:  That's a tough one... Spicy chicken

My favorite book is: One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish

My favorite song is: Cruise

I want to be a: Artist

Things I’d like to learn:  How to make a fortune cookie... like origami.

My favorite subject is: Art

My favorite movie is: Transformers

I’m most excited about: My new teacher and making new friends.

My favorite sport is:  Baseball

Samual

My teacher’s name is: Ms G

Grade: 4th

My school’s name is:  :)

My favorite color is: Orange

My favorite food is: Meatloaf

My favorite book is: Diary of a Wimpy Kid series

My favorite song is: My Ant Came Back

I want to be a: Farmer, Fire fighter, Yarn shop owner, Veterinarian

Things I’d like to learn: More information about animals and how to take care of them.

My favorite subject is: Art

My favorite movie is: Pokemon the movie

I’m most excited about: See my friends

My favorite sport is: Baseball

Pop Quiz- Rian

So this little questionnaire thingy is going around on Facebook. It looked like too much fun to pass up.

Rian S Launius
Age: 5
1. What is something mom always says to you? Have a good day. Have a good day.
2. What makes mom happy? Having a good day at school.
3. What makes mom sad? When you get kicked out of school.
4. How does your mom make you laugh? Saying a joke.
5. What was your mom like as a child? Nice everyday and loving her parents.
6. How old is your mom? 13
7. How tall is your mom? 60 foot
8. What is her favorite thing to do? Play with her kids.            
9. What does your mom do when you're not around? Cry
10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? Teaching her kids the right thing.
11. What is your mom really good at? Working
12. What is your mom not very good at? Making bugs out of pretzels and marshmallows.
13. What does your mom do for a job? Computers
14. What is your mom's favorite food? Avocado. SALAD!! NO! Avocado.
15. What makes you proud of your mom? Doing your work fast. And going to HS when you married Dad.
16. If your mom were a character, who would she be? Princess Leia
17. What do you and your mom do together? School
18. How are you and your mom the same? Cause God made us the same.
19. How are you and your mom different? Your a girl. I'm a boy.
20. How do you know your mom loves you? Cause God wanted you to love me.
21. What does your mom like most about your dad? He came to the doctor's with you.
22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go? The Mexican restaurant
23. How old was your Mom when you were born? 1

Well Hey There

Where do I even begin?!? I let half the year slip away. 2015 has been that fast and wild and beautiful and challenging and... I could keep going on and on. Okay so I'm going to through some highlights out there for you. Hang on cause I am in the mooooood to catch y'all up!

October 2014
- Yeah I disappeared because the much anticipated arrival of baby!!! Paden healthy little boy! So very blessed to be given four amazing boys.
- Nina visit!
- HALLOWEEN! Sam was General Rex from Clone Wars, Louis was Harry Potter, Rian was Bumblebee from Transformers and Paden was Mike Wizowski from Monsters Inc.

November 2014
- Nina and Uncle Al came to visit.
- Thanksgiving
- Birthdays

December 2014
- Christmas!
- Chiefs

January 2015
- New Year!
- Oregon Ducks played Ohio in the College football national championship

February 2015
- Went to an Aaron Lewis concert. AMAZING!
- Family stay-cation
- Seahawks played the Patriots in the Super Bowl

March 2015
- St Patty's Day

April 2015
-  Pinewood derby race
-  Easter
- Birthdays
- Louis passed his swimming test
- Sam and Lou advanced in Cub Scouts

May 2015
-  Louis had a choir concert
- Spring turkey hunting
- Rian graduated Pre-K
- Cardinals game
- Paden started crawling
- End of school

AND THAT my friends brings you to the here and now. I'm sure there is a much more poetic way of jotting down all these things. This. This suits me though.

So here is to current memories and journeys!

xoxo

{2014}

2014. Where did it go?! Seemed like it was dragging on forever and then it was gone. Take a look into the 2014 collection that I put together from Ten on Ten, Photo A Day and Five Minute Friday.


{Ten on Ten}
 January
 February
 March  
 April
 May  
 June
 July  
 August
 September 

{Photo A Day}
 January
 February 
 March 
 April
 May 
 June
 July
 August 
 
{Five Minute Friday}
 Fight
 See
 Encouragement
 Hero
 Write 
 Garden
 Small
 Choose
 Willing
 Crowd
 Joy
 Mighty
 Writer 
 Paint
 Glue
 Friend
 Mess
 Grateful
 Close
 Nothing
 Hands
 Messenger
 Release
 Lost
 Exhale
 Belong
 Bloom
 Begin 
 Fill
 Tell
 Change
 Reach
 Whisper
 Ready
 Hold
 Because
 New

2015~

It has been too long since I jumped on here. WOW! I have lots to update. Be back soon.

xoxo
-A