Plan B...

So after we found out that we were not getting Steeler, Carter being the smart man he is, had a Plan B. First we had to take the rental car back to the Phoenix airport and while doing so was able to see my dear friend Tina and her husband, Mike. I used to work with Tina at WebMD. We also got to see our friend Tamara and meet her family. We had a great time getting to know them and experienced what it would have been like to live in Arizona. While we were at Tamara's sister's house one of the kids got stung by a scorpion... in the HOUSE! Kenzi was actually playing right next to Cole. We were so thankful Kenzi was not stung but highly concerned about Cole. He was OK, after some normal side affects, but definitely a very memorable experience!

After we left Arizona on Sunday morning, (as fast as we could!) we made it to Fort Stockton, Texas that evening. The next morning we stopped so see a few random sights, on our way to San Antonio. First up was the second largest Roadrunner in the world. We did drive by the first largest roadrunner in the world but did not know it was the largest in the WORLD or we probably would have stopped.

Kenzi being the coyote! Funny girl!

The next stop was a Deer Antler tree in Junction Texas. Yep it was a tree made up of deer antlers.

After seeing the tree Kenzi started asking questions of how the antlers got on there and it led into hunting. She asked if she could go hunting and I told her she should talk to her Uncle Mike, as he hunts a lot.

"Would you be OK if I went hunting with Uncle Mike?"

Me: "Absolutely honey, your Uncle Mike is a VERY responsible hunter. Though the number 1 rule of hunting is you eat everything you shoot!"

"Do you shoot deer?"

"Yes"

"Can you shoot fish?"

Me: "Well, honey a hook works better."

Carter: "Really Kenzi, dynamite works the best!"

When we made it to San Antonio we went to the Alamo. There Carter got to play tour guide as he is well versed in history. Fortunately Kenzi was a good listener!

After the Alamo, we had lunch at Buckhorn's Museum. It really could have been called the Mike B Museum as I am sure he would have wanted to move in if he had seen this place. This first picture is a picture of a 78 point buck. I could hear my brother drooling as I took the picture!

Kenzi loved this shooting game! We all did pretty good.

So the deal with this museum is it started out as a bar. The owner of the bar would offer a drink to the hunter for animals horns, antlers, skins or anything the hunter was willing to give up. And then him and his wife would make things out of those items. Or stuff them.

We also went to a short part of the River Walk. We saw a boat almost run over a duck. Though not sure why the duck didn't move out of the way before like the rest of her friends. Here is a mama duck and her ducklings. Kenzi thought they were so cute. I think she wanted to take one home!

So on our way out of San Antonio we found this restaurant called The Cove. It was featured on Diners, Drive in and Dives. It was really good food and a lot of options for those that are vegan and have gluten allergies.

Well, while we wanted plan A to work out, Plan B was fun. We got back home safely and we are getting back into the swing of things. Thank you for the love and support, I can not tell you enough how much our family appreciated it!

Adoption failed...

As you may notice or even know, we were trying to adopt and unfortunately it fell thru. I am only posting about this to relieve some sorrow that I feel and it seems if I write about it, it helps. First and foremost, we are not angry or have malace in our hearts. Both Carter and I could not imagine making a choice to give up a child! We could in no way understand how that decision could be easy. We knew full and well that there was a possibility the adoption could not happen. With that we prepared as much as we could for that circumstance all the while believing and hoping that we would be able to bring Steeler home. It was a very rough experience. And to be quite honest with you I do not want to explain the details other then, I did hold him, feed him. and change him. I held him for hours and he grabbed my thumb. And while some of you may think that would be the hardest thing in the world... I know Heavenly Father was with me. I enjoyed holding him and marveled at how beautiful he was and how tiny he was! When I found out we were not getting him, it was not anymore painful than if I had not held him at all. Now it was painful! It is really too bad that I cannot get my emotional side to understand the same way my logical side does! Once I had my good cry, I knew that I would be just fine. And I know that because of all of you! You have prayed for us, fasted for us, and have put our names on prayer roles. You have reached out any way possible to show my family love and support. You even came to my home cleaned it, made it smell great, and left us meals. (Thank you soooo much for the crack!!! Omgdnss!) I know with such charity like this that Heavenly Father knows us. He answers our prayers through miracles, like being able to feel charity to the one you felt hurt you. And miracles such as being lifted by those who love and care for us. I asked for a miracle and definitely received one! I love you!

Steeler, you are so loved! You so have the potential to be a great man. We sincerely pray that you are able to reach that potential! Love, Kari, Carter, and Mackenzie!

The rest of March...

So to finish up March, Kenzi had Spring Break, two birthday parties and St. Patrick's Day. First up is Isabella's birthday party. Kenzi loved it! Apparently there were bumper cars. I was not able to take her so that is what I heard all about when she got home.

The next party was actually on St. Patrick's Day and it was at McDonald's. Which if anybody knows Kenzi, you know she LOVES McDonald's! The girl right next to Kenzi is Autum the birthday girl.

And then there was St. Patrick's Day which in our house has come to mean a mess! We set up a trap and the leprechaun always thinks we have something to hide. He even somehow climbs up our walls! Since this is the second year we have done and last year made such an impression Kenzi tried so hard to stay up to catch him. Unfortunately he escaped without being seen! Maybe next year, Fluffy!

Finding one real coin in a pile of chocolate coins.

Kenzi loving the couch like it is a Bat cave!

Kenzi posing for a picture with the tipped over trap. Notice her shirt. I actually made it. I got the idea from another blog and if you want it just comment and I will find it and send you the link. And from a distance it looks great! We hope that y'all had a fun St. Patrick's day and hopefully one of you caught him. Because we heard that if you catch him you get all of his gold!

The birdhouse had to be apart of the fun!

Enjoy! Kari

Open House

So Kenzi's school had Open House on Thursday. It was funny in that I had to hang posters for PTA (Be a PTA board member!) and you could feel the anxiousness in the air before they let everyone in. But nonetheless, everyone seemed to have a good time and Kenzi was especially excited.

Here is what was at Kenzi's spot on her table.

This apparently is where the children can sit when it is time to read.

So the next class room we went to was the music room. I asked if Kenzi really hit her head with these tubes to which she said yes. Maybe that is why she runs in circles!!

This instrument looks a little less painful but it is definitely louder.
So there was a snack bar in the cafeteria to which I had Carter take Kenzi as I had to get back to the PTA table. It was a fun night and I was really happy to find how many people I recognized and knew. Later, Kari

Kenzi makes her own lunch!!!

So now that Kenzi is going to be a big sister She has made some strides towards maturing. One of the steps is that she decided that she would make her lunch. "Becuase big sisters need to know how to make their lunch!" So one miraculous morning, she woke up early eager to do so.

Here she is looking for the jam.

She is getting the frozen Go-Gurt and telling me it is cold.

This is the first time that she has put peanut butter on anything.

Her accomplisment! She was so proud of herself!

When my mom came to visit last she had Kenzi slice olives with a butter knife. I had not really thought about letting her use a knife beofre that but pretty much since then she uses it like a five year old would. Though everyday she gets better. She will be throwing them in no time!

I know this is not a life changing moment. However, I am so very thankful for Kenzi and am just amazed at how fast she is growing. I am even more thankful that she is SO excited to be a big sister! Enjoy! Kari

The rest of February...

So February seemed to have flown by in a blur! So here is the rest of the month!



Valentine's Day Party! Kenzi was so excited for her party and it is so GREAT that she gets excited that I come too. I really wonder how long that will last! But anywho, here is Kenzi handing out chocolate heart suckers to her classmates.
KEnzi digging to see what she got from her classmates. The children were beyond excited to open up the bags!

One of the parents had the brilliant idea of bringing chicken McNuggets. Every kid had them!

We brought a craft just in case the children had time after the valentines and food. And thank goodness. They were foam planes, which the kids seemed to like. Apparently Mackenzie thought it required some concentration!

And then... I thought maybe it wasn't such a good idea to do planes as the kids are running around the room and throwing the planes. And this is of course after the sugar!

Tuscon Arizona

So the REAL reason for the blur was our family traveled to Tucson Arizona on President's weekend. While we were there we went to the Children's museum. and Kenzi was in Heaven the whole time!
A life sized connect four.

A future "One of Texas' finest!"

Carter and Kenzi getting me ALL wet!

Kenzi going down the fireman's pole. The first time she was not to happy!

So it seemed that everytime I turn a corner in this place, I was saying "Oh I want a magnetic wall in our house! That is a great idea!" This was one of those moments!

Our artist. She is constantly bringing home pictures that she has painted or drawn for us.

The music room. Even Carter was getting into it. That is a flipflop he is using to cover PVC pipe. Pretty cool. Seriously things I had no idea about!

So probably the absolute CUTEST thing was they had a vets office. To which Kenzi jumped right in and made friends and helped sick animals. She even told Carter that his dog had to stay for ten days and have special food becuz it was struggling with his heart moving in his chest. Though the dog was all better when his ten days were up!

So in one of the rooms there was a pile of bean bags that I fell into and had to be pulled out of. But of course we had to have Kenzi take a picture first. Not bad, don't you think? I mean the picture taking!So hopefully this wasn't too long. Though you are probably most wondering about the visit with the birth mom. It went great and we are glad we made the trip. And the best part... She said she was still glad that she picked us! So not much time left until Steeler gets here! Thanks to everyone for the love and support! Later! Kari