New Bear

The Judge gave Noah a new bear. He was super excited.... Some of you may know how much I am NOT a stuffed animal kind of girl. They are dust collectors.... My kids on the other hand are huge Build-a-Bear fans. Infact we had a family night there a few months back. Noah was past due for his first bear so they all thought. Noah LOVES his Panda... Looks like he has another best buddy in the making!

Because the Paper says...

I flew to Houston this past weekend to finalize Noah's adoption. Honestly it was a bit uneventful. It all happened so quickly... 2 minutes with the Judge and that was that. He is ours. I noted several other families that were so excited it was there big day... That day were all was final. To me it was the paper I need in order for that BIG day.... The day we will be able to have this amazing spirit, our son, sealed to our family for all eternity. We have our appointment made. December 27th. The same day 34 years ago I was sealed to my parents.

35

1. I was a foster child for 3 weeks. I went by the name "Christmas Rose"
2. When my family came to bring me home I wore a green sleeper that was too big. It was a terrible snowstorm that night... I sat in the front seat in my mom's arms.
3. I lived in Ohio
4. When I was in Kindergarten I was in the newspaper.
5. I lived in Bountiful, Utah until I was 9
6. I spent many hours in my Grandma B's beauty shop.
7. My older brother gave me my first black eye due to walking on stilts... Guess he was not very good.
8. My parents fostered a infant when I was 4 or 5. His name was Kevin. He had CF... He was biracial. I loved him. When he left our home is the first time I remember seeing my mom cry.
9. I was given my second black eye by our second foster child... The TV didn't work.... guess my eye was to fix it. My parents never fostered again.
10. My dear sister died when I was 6. I miss her more and more each day.
11. I was baptized by my dad when I was 8.
12. I have lived in Zionsville, Indiana
13. I have taken years and years of voice training.
14. I have an adopted brother whom I love dearly. I pray for him daily.
15. We moved back to Utah the summer before my 7th grade year. My brother went on his mission that year... 7th grade was the worst year of my life!
16. Shawn married my best friend Carol when I was in 10th grade... No we were not best friends then but we have become more and more sisters as the years pass by.
17. I LOVED the social scene of High School.
18. I went to Snow College
19. I served a Mission in Los Angeles for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
20. With help from the Internet I met and married the man of my dreams.
21. My dad performed a beautiful marriage ceremony in Paradise Arizona for Marc-a-Roni and I.
22. Marc and I were sealed in the Mesa Arizona temple.
23. After 14 hours of hard labor I had an emergency c-section. The result was a BEAUTIFUL daughter we named Jordan Rae. The Rae came from my mother. But you will find me calling her Jordie.
24. Marc-a-Roni and I bought our first home in Kearney.
25. We were blessed with a Beautiful son 17 months after Jordie... We named him after 2 men I love dearly... Isaac Marc
26. I have owned a Mini-Van... which I LOVED
27. I have watched ER since the first season
28. 21 months after Isaac Ammon joined the RitterB's on earth!
29. Marc-a-Roni and I bought our 2nd home which was much larger
30. I have had a tummy tuck... and other unmentionables... although I hear I showed a few of you while under the influence! Sorry for the visual!
31. I have been to Disney World over 7 times and cant wait for more!
32. I have mourned a failed adoption
33. I have found joy in adopting our Son Noah Thomas.
34. I have started a blog
35. I have found "JOY IN THIS JOURNEY"

It was my birthday on Friday.... I am 35 and so happy!

Ghana

A few weeks ago my dad asked if I would like to go to Ghana with him in February. He is going on assignment. My mom is his usual sidekick. She has offered to play with her "human toys" in trade for me to work with my dad. We will be working with a medical training group that will be teaching neonatal resuscitation classes to midwives. It is a chance of a lifetime opportunity for me to experience. The downside to the travel is that I will be leaving my dream man and our baby's home. 10 days is a long time to miss them!

Typhoid, Meningitis, Yellow Fever... OH MY!

I went to the Health Department this morning to start my rounds of vaccines for my trip to Africa. I had NO idea I had to get so many shots.. If I had I may have turned my dad down without another thought... But... I didn't so I walked in like a lamb to slaughter... I wont lie... the Yellow Fever one is the worst by far! Only 2 more to go and I will be set... aside from the one I need to complete in June!

Time in a Bottle

No matter how I try I can not slow time down... Where did my baby go? He has grown so much in the past 2 weeks I can hardly stand it!

One Of These Things Is Not Like The Others...

Sara and her crew came and cleaned today. I found a new character mingling amongst the kids nativity.... I am not thinking it takes a genius to know this bandit does NOT belong... I did get a good chuckle about it with my dad though!