Happiness

Happiness is defined in many different shades in people's lives. 

I've really enjoyed following Pioneer Woman's "Happiness Photos" challenge. I made my own little collage of happiness pictures I've captured in the past year. Enjoy. Go, hug your families tight and be happy. :)

Fresh Air!

Fresh Air.

Sunny Skies.

Fresh cut grass.

Cook outs.

Summer is a comin' and

I love the taste of it we've had so far.

My Sweet Daughter

Don't get too excited, folks. No daughter here.

[Baby fever has begun, though.]

Here's snippets of 2 conversations with total strangers today.

In Bath & Body Works:

(As Declan says "hiiiiiii" to anyone that would pay attention)

Lady behind counter: "Your daughter is so sweet"

Me: "Thanks, my son has tons of personality"

Lady behind counter: "Your SON- sorry I looked at the hair and not at the clothes"

Me: thinking but not talking- HUH?

(Declan made this one easy by signing "thank you" and saying byeeee- his favorite thing to do at stores. Do you think I take this child on too many errands? Whoops.)

Moving on to Victoria Secret:

Declan's charming everyone as usual as we wait in line.

Random lady: "My granddaughter socializes with everyone just like your daughter"

Me: "He's pretty fun!"

Random lady: "Sorry, hun. Thought he was a girl with that long hair. I had a daughter-in-law that couldn't give in to that first cut either. She even put it in a pony tail in the summer (gasps)."

Me: "No worries- to each their own, huh?"

Random lady- "So are you planning on cutting it soon? He has such a handsome face!"

Me: "Not at all- we think he rocks the mullet."

Random lady- awkward smile, walks away

Ha! I love the conversations the long hair is starting. Should I make a shirt that says "yes, my son's hair is long and, no, we have no current plans to cut it." Kidding, of course. 

C'mon now, he does "rock the mullet" don't you think? :)

Wordless Wednesday

National Birthmother's Day

Today, National Birthmother's Day, we had the joy of spending some time at a carnival (held by our adoption agency) with Dec's birthmom, C. We gabbed over hot dogs, watched Declan run from game to game, and just enjoyed each other's company. We're so happy to be in a great place with C and so extremely thankful for her and her decision to place this spirited, precious boy in our arms to raise forever. This was our first Birthmother Day we celebrated together and hope for many to come.

Go grandpa, go!

Last weekend we cheered Grandpa on at the Lincoln Half Marathon. He did great!!

I would love to run the 1/2 next year. First, I have to make it through my first 5k in June. I am totally NOT a runner. More on this later...

Say what?

These last few days Declan is obsessed with bas-kahhh-bal (basketball). He loves watching people play it, throwing it around and- most of all- saying it. He says it as we lay him in the crib at night and he says it the moment we open the nursery door in the morning. So cute! He also started counting off "one, twoooo, fweeee" for about everything. I can't believe how quickly he's growing up!