The Beauty of being Different

I love looking at my children and seeing how different they are from each other, from me, from Ty. Yet we have similarities too. I can see similar characteristics that my children have to me, to each other, to Ty. I have always appreciated the differences of my children, but I have never appreciated the beauty of those differences . . . . . until now.

Corbin is Smiling!

At about 4 & 1/2 weeks old, I spotted my first Corbin smile. I thought to myself surely not, he's too little. But the next day, I spotted another. Then Ty spotted one and he has continued smiling more and more each day. We have moved on to giggles and cooing. Oh how I love a baby's smile. Have you ever seen anything as cute or sweet? Just a minute ago he was having some awake time in his swing and I looked over at him and he had this huge smile on his face!

Corbin's beautiful smile.

Corbin giggling.

Adoption

Ty spoke with our friend, Beth that works for Heart to Heart Adoptions today. She told him that they have been crazy busy lately. So much so, that they need families desperately. I know that September was a record month for Heart to Heart. They placed 13 babies. Then October beat out September with 16 babies placed. November (when we adopted Corbin) tied with October, they place another 16 babies.

So if any of you have ever thought about adopting, now is the time. We had a really good experience with them. My only real complaint is that I would have liked better communication. I think part of the problem was that we really were only with them from the beginning of September, until we got Corbin in November. Their busiest time ever. I know that most of the people we worked with, were overwhelmed. I know they've done some hiring and hopefully they are better equiped to handle the work load.

I can't even express to you the joy that it has brought to our family. Obviously, this is only if it's something that you've thought about. Just thought I'd pass the info along if your interested.

Heart to Heart Adoption Website: http://www.hearttoheartadoptions.net/index.html
Heart to Heart Adoption Blog: http://www.hearttoheartadoptions.blogspot.com/

The best of part of the blog is the links on the bottom right hand side to other people's blogs who have adopted. I have really enjoyed reading about other people's stories.

Just think about it.......

Corbin's Photo Shoot

On New Year's Day we went over to Ty's sister Whitney's beautiful new home. Whitney took these great pictures of Corbin. He is so cute, it's really hard to not get a good one. Didn't they turn out adorable?

Christmas 2009

This year, Christmas felt different to me. I'm one of those people who can't sleep Christmas Eve because of the excitement. The excitement builds from Thanksgiving to Christmas as we go to Temple Square, have family Christmas parties, spend time together at home drinking hot chocolate, building snowmen. I love the entire season. I don't know what happened this year, it just wasn't there for me. I'm sure there is a lot that lead to it. Lack of sleep due to a newborn with Colic, Macy breaking her arm a few days before Christmas & having to be in the hospital. It could be because we weren't able to do any of our annual family things. Maybe it was the fact that 11 prime shopping days were gone while I was in Louisiana causing stress to get the shopping done. Maybe it was the fact that now I have 5 kids to take care of and to shop for. I'm not sure, I just know it wasn't there this year. Well, now as the season is over, I am grateful it wasn't there. I usually come down from my excitement with the January blues. It happens every single year, Ty prepares himself for it. Not this year. Which is truly a blessing because I don't know how I would be holding up right now. Truly we had a wonderful Christmas, simplified some things and spent a lot of time with family. As I look back it was a great Christmas and best of all, I don't have to plow through these first couple of weeks fighting the January blues!

Robbins cousin Nativity on Christmas Eve

Beckstead cousin Christmas party
Sledding on New Year's Eve
Being pulled behind the 4 Wheeler

New Year's Day with the Robbins Family