Bi-Annual Family Photo

Connor and Ian both needed a family picture for their preschool classes. This was our attempt to get everyone with a pleasant, picture-worthy expression--I placed Elmo behind the tripod, pressed Elmo's hand to get him to dance, pressed the self-timer and ran to my family. Yes, this, my friends, is why we take two family pictures a year.

True Love

I adore my mom.

Connor, Part 2

I know some of you believe I've spent an enormous amount of time at this building, but it was actually only my second time at the court house, the first being at the retrieval of a marriage license to HH (Hot Husband). We came here on March 12, 2010 to adopt our third son, Connor (why, I cry even at this beginning paragraph).

If you know our story or have tons of time to review (look back at blog post "Connor" from March 2009), you'll know this was an incredible journey. The people on this path were all on it for the sake of Connor's best future. Connor's initial placement in foster care was due to his birth mom's struggles, but she cares so deeply for him and his future, that she desired a secure home for him. I had the pleasure of meeting his birth father, and Connor will be honored to share his roots with this amazing man.

Connor's birth, paternal Grandma Dawn (shown above before the adoption proceedings) and I originally met at the hospital after Connor's birth, and we formed a bond that made all of this possible. When I explained to Noah that we were adopting Grandma Dawn & Grandpa Gary as grandparents for all three boys, Noah patiently and politely explained, "Mommy, you can't adopt Grandparents, just kids". But now Noah is beginning to understand how someone's else's blood can run through your heart without the silly need for biology.

We had a gorgeous array of family and like-family who shared our joy with us on adoption day. 

Judge Harris made it a relaxed and celebratory time (not at all Matlock-like).

When I was preparing Noah for what to expect at the "White House" (the place where Noah told several people we were making the adoption official), I told him Daddy and I would be signing some papers. Noah said, "I want to sign some papers too". So HH created some precious "brother certificates", which the Judge kindly had them sign during the proceedings.

The Judge explained that becoming Connor's official parents was a very important responsibility, but that the most important role was becoming his brothers. When the Judge asked Noah and Ian to give a thumbs-up if they accept this responsibility, our wonderful photographer, Betsy Gregory, captured this precious moment of Ian's consent.

Throughout this process, Seth and I were in awe at the abundance of people who were involved in deciding Connor's future (case workers, attorneys, judges, etc.) and how Connor had no comprehension of how his life was being directed by all those around him. Then my most memorable moment of the proceedings happened. When Judge Harris said, "Connor is officially a Hutchins", we all cheered and clapped, including Connor, right on time. Of course, my sentimentality believes that it wasn't just Connor enjoying an enthusiastic crowd, but feeling that all was now right in his world. My faith knows that God's amazing hand made my family complete that day.

Connor's First Birthday

My blog is turning into a similar version of the Coal Hill Chronicle (the paper from my mom's hometown of 46). While news of someone's important something is included, it is not necessarily news from the current month.

So, Connor turned one a few weeks ago and it was a JOYOUS occasion. Joyous to see my baby reach a milestone and joyous to see him experience the miracle of cake.

I've been around the block, mom-wise, three times now. When my first baby turned one, I invited 36 people (almost the population of Coal Hill) and sufficiently overwhelmed his poor soul. The second time around, I included around 12 people--enough to stress out about tidying my home, but not enough to sensory overload a 12 monther. The third time, I didn't even invite my baby's daddy. Okay, baby's daddy was technically at a super important shale conference in Pittsburgh (where all significant shaling occurs, obviously), and he celebrated the following weekend at an EVEN SMALLER populated party. But local Grandmas and Grandpas (or Grandfatherly Jer Jer figures) attended the February 23rd official birthday of Connor Hutchins (this important change of his name occurred this last week, but, of course, will not be posted about currently).

And here's an overview of my little charmer's first year:

 

I missed Phileas Fogg Win a Wager Day (Dec. 21st) AGAIN!!!!

Let's pretend it is SUPER normal in a January blog to include updates from Halloween, as well as Thanksgiving, Christmas and Cat Herders Day (Dec. 15).

And my since-college bff, Christy and I visited Boston of my since-middle-school bff, Cynthia, who is the mostest, bestest tour guide in all the land:

Also, we jumped in leaves:

We had a wonderful November visit from Aunt Barb from Washington and my cousin Rick and his family in Texas:

Here's Rick's youngest daughter, Angelina, who Ian renamed "Julia" for no other reason than he is three and he can:

And a visit from our sweet Jesstine over Thanksgiving:

When we made it to December, we had our annual tree topping pictures:

And my favorite Christmas picture of the boys in front of our church's tree:

Then the boys visited with Santa (Noah informed me that the one at our mall is the real Santa, not a mascot, like some of them are) and you'll be happy to know that Santa is in good health (Noah is also concerned that Santa is going to die soon, since he has a white beard which means you're close to perishing). Connor's first experience was of intrigue of the white beard (the one that means he's old). He enjoyed pulling at the beard and everyone who has had their glasses/earring/hair piece removed by Connor, find tremendous glee in that vision. Ian did a great job of smiling, because every smile you see in the picture involves the bribe of a carousel ride after sitting nicely on Santa's lap:

And our gorgeous city now has ice skating in downtown (only in the winter, as it turns out), which makes me almost feel like we reside in New York:

Then we we prepared for the big man's arrival:

And all were happy that he arrived despite the Oklahoma blizzard conditions and 7" snow drifts:

And we even did snow joy dances:

And some of us turned 8 months old:

Then 9 months:

And, you guessed it, we even made it to ten since my last post:

And here's our sparkling grape juice toast to you for 2010: