Walking in the rain

One day it was raining outside.  Carter wanted to go out so bad, daddy grabbed an umbrella so they could go out.  Of course Carter had to walk.

18 Months

Loving his first leaf pile of the season~so is my sister's dog!

We didn't even tell him to run into the pile or throw leaves.  He just started doing it! His cousin followed suit.

I'm one and a half years old!

He looks like such a big boy in this photo.

Well, Carter is 18 months old.  It's a very exciting time because he is really working hard to use words.  His vocabulary has exploded.  He is physically able to do so much.  We are just having a ball!  I could go on and on with all the little details, but there are not enough gigabytes or whatever they are called to hold all the bragging from this proud mama.

10 years of Bunny

I can't believe what I am about to type.  

Brian and I have been married for 10 years.  

Wow.

I can still remember the first time I felt "interested" in him.  It was at a Halloween party on the James River 12 years ago.  He was sitting in a circle of friends by the fire pit.  I was listening to him tell stories and I ended up being drawn closer to him.  I was laughing so hard.  I thought he was so funny.  

I knew he had been dating a nurse, so my conversation starter was this:  "So, how's that nurse your are dating?"

Pretty slick huh?

He informed me they broke up a couple of months earlier.  The rest as they say is history in the making.

Bunny and I have had the best time of our lives.  We have been weekend lake goers, spontaneous trip makers and European travelers.  

Now we are parents.  What adventures lie ahead for Honey and Bunny?

Our First Family Vacation

Georgette and Clint with Brogan and Teagan at Krazy Hoarse...a great A frame on Littlefield Lake, MI.

Clark, and Lisa with their son Grant and our little Carter in Ohio.

In August, Brian, Carter and I got in our big, green van and headed North.  We were going to Michigan to visit my dear friend Georgette and her family.  Then we were going south to Ohio to see Brian's buddy, Clark and his family.

Carter was a dream traveler.  I know we won't be so lucky on our future trips, but we were certainly grateful for how easy he was this go around.

Our First Family Vacation-meeting Carter's birth families

While we were in Michigan we wanted Carter's birth families to see him.  When we first adopted Carter, all parties involved decided we would stay in touch.  

We met Carter's birth father, John for the first time.  Also John's dad, Doyle.  I was able to meet John's mother, Kathy, right after Carter was born.  

Kathy gave Carter some great books and a Little People farm house.  Honestly, he looks at those books every single day and plays with his farm too.  John showed us some photos of him as a baby and growing up.  When Carter asks who he looks like, I will be able to tell him he looks like a lot like John.  However, he looks a lot like Jessica too.  Certainly a mix of two lovely human beings.

Brian and I thought our visit's went great.  There were some nerves to be dealt with, but geez, who wouldn't be nervous?  I was terrified!  

I feel as though I have extended my family into the great state of Michigan.  It may be a bit more complicated, but seriously, who's family isn't complicated these days?

Birthfather's mother, Kathy (Carter LOVES the books and farm he got from Kathy)

John, birthfather.  His dad, Doyle in the background

Carter and Kathy

Brian, Carter, me and John

Carter's birthmother, Jessica

Jessica's sisters and mom

Me, Carter and Jess