Monday, December 29, 2008

Christmas has come and gone, but the spirit is still lingering.

I love the holiday season, but often I feel like it comes and goes in a flash. We spend so much time cooking for Thanksgiving, then take 5 minutes to eat and an hour to clean up. All that work for a 5 minute meal, (5 minutes, because I'm so damn hungry I scarf it down). Then there's Christmas. It takes us a week to decorate and a week to undecorate, months of shopping, and Christmas comes and goes in a day. Don't you think the birth of Christ should be celebrated all year long. I love having a Christmas tree, with it's pretty lights and home-made ornament. Since that has become a symbol of Christmas, the birth of our SAVIOR, we should keep the tree up all year long. OK, sounds good by the hubby would never go for it. Then there's Hanukkah, i mean really, that's more like it. 8 days, candle lighting each night and then a present. It's just not over in a blink of an eye.

None-the-less, the holidays were a success. The kids enjoyed all their gifts and the time spent with the family. I marveled in the joy of having Faith home for Christmas, although sick and fussy, she loved her new toys.

Now I will get to the picture parade, enjoy....

















Thursday, December 25, 2008

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Merry Christmas To All And To All A Goodnight.

Christmas Eve is always such an exciting night. The kids are hyped up on sugar, the Grandparents come bearing the first of many Christmas gifts, excitement is running rapid through the house and our family is all together celebrating the birth of our Savior. Doesn't get better than that.

Here are a few pictures leading up to tonight.

Our family of seven from left to right, Faith, Rex, Roc, Paris, Suzanne, Jayme and Poppy


Faith's First Christmas...Home, trying on her Santa hat


Decorating the tree


Christmas Village obsession



Christmas Eve and the kids and their cousins in there new pajamas





Thursday, December 18, 2008

Ok, so I've been kinda out of the blogging mood. With the holidays upon us I've been overwhelmed trying to get Christmas gifts for the entire family, pack for our trip to Denver tommorrow and trying to stay sane. However, for all those who know me, know I'm far from sane. I promise a more thorough post when we return on Tuesday.


Monday, December 8, 2008

Is It Wrong to Steal

I guess it depends what your stealing. I stole this video from Dave and Lana's blog, which you should all check out. I watched the video numerous times, it is amazing and hopefully will get you all thinking.



Upside Down from Pace Hartfield on Vimeo.

Prayers

I ask that everyone please keep this family in your prayers this holiday season. They were in the process of adopting their daughter Josi, from Guatemala, when she was killed in a home invasion.  The Azhderian Family












Thursday, December 4, 2008

What has your two year old done today?

Mine decided it would be fun to get all muddy right after i got him dressed and ready for school. After school and with no nap, he decided he should knock over two flower vases, pooped on my white chair (what dumbass has white chairs with four kids, well, I couldn't resist) and climb into the washer machine. I know he accomplished more, but I can't remember, or am trying to forget.

Uhhhh Ohhhhh


Don't let the innocent napping boy fool you



Sunday, November 30, 2008

A Masterpiece in the making

Christmas is upon us and nothing like a gingerbread house to get the festivities started. Over the next few weeks the decorations will go up. Last year we spent Christmas with the Grandparent and extended family in Big Bear, although we had a great time, we were in the mist of the adoption process and not even sure if Faith would ever come home. This year all my children are where they are suppose to be, HOME. So I am really excited for Christmas this year. I'll be posting pictures as the decorations go up. Meanwhile, enjoy the gingerbread house pictures.











Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Random Thoughts

A year ago, this week, my husband and I were preparing to meet our fourth child, for the first time, in Guatemala. I'd like to say that I remember it like yesterday, but quit honestly, I don't. I remember being excited and nervous. Would she like us, would we like her, would it be hard to leave her behind not knowing when we'd see her again. A year ago seems like forever ago. Jayme and I had no idea at that time how much she was going to change our lives, forever.

I remember being a kid dreaming up what my future would be like. It couldn't be anything less than perfect because nothing else existed in my head. For those who knew me, knew I was never having kids, more or less getting married. I thought I was destined to be a socialite in Europe, traveling all over, partying like I would be 21 forever. When did I wake up from that dream. Every time I try and make a plan the exact opposite occurs, and probably for the better. OK, OK, so I never had the greatest plans to begin with.

It's amazing to me that it takes a holiday like Thanksgiving or Christmas to really think about all the things that we are thankful for, all the things that have impacted our lives and about all the people that we love so dearly. I often wonder why the Lord has blessed me the way he has. I have an incredible husband and am so thankful for all he does for me, the children, and all those he cares about. I'm thankful for my beautiful children, although they often drive me crazy, I couldn't imagine my life without them. I am also so very thankful for my family and Friends who love, care and support me on a daily basis. I am thankful for all my bloggers friend who continue to support, love and pray for us Riggio's.

My mind has been on a roller coaster this last year. First the adoption process, then bringing our daughter home and learning of her special needs, and then theres today. Today Jayme and I met with some therapist at a clinic that my nephew Joey goes to. The clinic was amazing and very different from where Faith attends therapy now. I've been frustrated with Faiths therapy and progress. Don't get me wrong, I am so thankful and excited about the progress she has made over the last seven months, however, I do feel that therapy, lately, has been going slow. I've also been trying to get her speech therapy and can't (it's a long story and would seriously bore most of you so I will refrain from getting into it). We met with several different therapist that deal with "alternative" therapies. We met with two gentlemen from Australian that put together an intensive home program that consists of 4-6 hours of therapy a day, as well as signed Faith up for Neuro suit therapy and Tomatis listening therapy. The Neuro suit and Tomatis therapy is a 3 week 6 hour a day, intensive program. I know it sounds like a lot, but I truly believe that Faith can and will benefit from these programs. We won't be starting until the first of January and I am very excited. The only downfall is that they are all very expensive therapies, luckily her progress, well-being and happiness is worth every penny. Today was a bit of a reality check for Jayme and I. We are realizing that Faith journey will not be a short one. The road will be long, but well worth the journey.

Thank you all for letting me share my life with you. Your love and support keep me going each and everyday. I read so many blogs and please excuse me if I haven't commented lately, I wanted to thank you all for your continuous support. And to my family and friends, LOVE YOU

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Update

I spoke with the Geneticist today and all of Faith's testing came back negative. The Dr. said that he has no further recommendations and we should follow up in 6 months, and I'm completely OK with that.

I forget about, with each kid we have, that period of adjustment. With Faith it seemed that the adjustment period lasted longer than usual. I'm not sure if it's because she was adopted or if it's her special needs, maybe both. I finally feel that period has passed. I feel very content and happy with the new structure of our family. I no longer concern myself with what is causing Faiths delays, rather I've accepted her as she is and look forward to watching her grow. I feel like supermom, I can conquer the world and anything that it throws at me.

Paris ad Roc are doing well. They have been busy with school, soccer, krav maga and Spanish class. Rex is 2yrs old, enough said, and Faith is progressing everyday. Her next goal is to earn to crawl. I ask that you pray for her to achieve that goal. Jaymes been doing well. He is still exercising and watching his eating, although challenging at times, he is powering through it.

I have an amazing family and although chaotic to most I love every minute of it.




Wednesday, November 12, 2008

We have a new member of our family

As if we didn't have enough going on, we got a puppy. His name is Rudy and he is a Goldendoodle. My Dad and stepmother run a Golden Retreiver rescue and one of the rescue dogs gave birth to a litter of Goldendoodles. We are all excited to have him as a part of the family. Well, Jayme may beg to differ.











Sunday, November 9, 2008

First photos as a Family of six

These photos are from our Celebrating Adoption Photo Shoot. They are our first photos as a family of six. Celebrating Adoption is a group of photographers that offer a special package for adoptive families. We got our sitting fee for free and 20free proofs. Of course, all the pictures turned out so amazing that you can't help wanting to buy them all. Our photographer was awesome and lives right here in our hometown. We will definitely be using her again in the future. Below is just a small glimpse of some of our pics.


My Favorite Picture