A Dream Named Hope

So, I had this bizarre dream this morning...Kelly and I found a box of babies. Yup. babies...three to be exact...the size of kittens, but distinctly human.  I asked him if we could keep one...a tiny little girl. NO idea what we did or what happened to the other two...but, I wrapped her up tight and tucked her into my bra, close to my heart...and we named her Hope.

Given all that has happened of late...I suppose I could do far worse than to nurture Hope.

Living with SPD...

This video is worth every second!!!
SPD from the perspective of a child who lives with it




I know a bright eyed little boy who is living with it every single day...

Some days are rough...but, there are many moments like this one to lighten the load!  He struggles with anxiety at times...over many things. But, he also loves sunshine...and shouts with excitement when he sees the moon!  He loves the breeze and flowers and birds and his sister...and his mommy(and obviously his Daddy is his hero!)...and I simply cannot imagine what my life would have been if I had never known this little boy...what a gift.

Always happiest outdoors, this one!!

His smile is worth fighting for!!

The mom scene...(sniff sniff)

{I wrote this draft over a year ago...decided to share it now, still applies today every bit as much as it did then!}

I cried...as always(man I seem to say that alot lately)! Toy Story 3...the mom scene...she has been running around getting Andy ready to leave for college...and she leads the way back into his bedroom saying "now, are you sure you have everything?"...and then "Oh....Andy..."the room is empty...and mama is suddenly hit by the reality that her boy is leaving..."I just wish I could always be with you..."  Yeah. that.

When that movie first came out, my sister was sending one off to college...and I had one graduating from high school and getting ready. I bawled...she bawled...the "mama letting go" thing is hard! But, this time...when I watched it, I was sitting with a two and very nearly a half year old boy and a two year old girl in my lap...wow. I still bawled...I still miss my older boys fiercely...love them so much. Ache for the days that went by too fast...seemed too few. But, this time...I realized, I get to do it all over again! What a thought! Lego's and funny faces and sweet little people hugs...stories and bedtime and up late wrapping up surprises for Christmas morning! All of it...I am SO grateful!

It has been forever! {And, intentional parenting}

Wow, last post was May?  Life flies by, doesn't it?  I would really like to be more intentional about blogging here...if for no other reason than the hope that someone will be encouraged!

Having said that, today I had this moment.

Most days I work really hard to parent my kids intentionally...and there does not seem to be much of an immediate payoff. But, today...I got a front row, up close and personal view of the payoff...

We have a rule...you play with your food, you get down and the meal is over(for you). Some days, I admit, I get irritated and slip into the "how many times do I have to tell you?" mode...pointless, but I do. Yes, I read the book "how to talk so kids will listen and listen so kids will talk" *years* ago. But, I still slip into that place of using too many words. 

Well, today...I didn't. Zoe knows the rule. She was putting her fingers in her cereal bowl and making a mess with milk. I opened my mouth to say the usual...and, instead, just said "Oh! Well, you are done." Got the wash cloth, cleaned her up, and got her down...well, when getting her down, she wrapped her little arms around my neck and just held on for a hug(not unusual, but, never would have happened if I had given in to the urge to vent frustration...she would have cried...she is VERYsensitive to tone and word)...I just stood there holding her, smelling her hair and thinking "I would have missed this." Yup...payoff, right there.  I wish I could do that every day...I mean, stuff like that is SO not going to matter in 10 years, you know? They WILL outgrow it, no reason to waste time and energy OR make them feel shame of any kind...and what other reason is there for responding with a verbal tirade??    I would rather have more hugs...Lets face it, if she is still putting her fingers in her cereal when she gets to college...it won't be because she didn't get the message at some point that most folks don't appreciate that! hehe

So grateful that, for today, I chose hugs. 

Here are some recent pics of the kiddos(and even of us!)! Isaiah is now three and (almost) a half...and Zoe turned three just a week or so ago!!


Sleeping beauty...I love photographing this kid sleeping, she sleeps in some adorable positions!

This was the family party on her actual bday...

 Feeling bashful as everyone sang "Happy Birthday!"

Took her no time at all to figure out where that Tiara goes!! hahaha

And, yes, she really did fall asleep with it on that night! haha

3 year portraits, courtesy of mommy!

Family Vacation!!

 Thank God for wonderful sons who catch good moments! ;-) We'd never be on the same side of the camera at once!

 Looking back at mama...

 Mr. Handsome Isaiah!!

 Mr. Man turning 3 years old!

 Such a sweet face!

Nothing like Daddy time!!

 READY, SET, GO!

Proud of his McQueen shoes!!

First trip to the Zoo....Isaiah and the Walrus were mutually fascinated!

it was a wonderful summer! We are still so amazed on a daily basis that God would choose to lead us into this life with these wonderful little people! 

Thanks for stopping by!

National Adoption Day 2014

With National Adoption month, goes National Adoption Day...many communities will be celebrating tomorrow while watching multiple families be born! Such fond memories! We just celebrated our 2 year "Famiversary" on November 17th.  That was NAD the year we adopted Isaiah and Zoe! In remembering, I thought I'd share our photo and video memories here!!

This is the video I put together in celebration of our journey!

Michelsen Family Adoption Story 2012

Note the baby swap in each photo! hehe...Zoe was trying to deal with her sensory issues and would reach for me...and then when that didn't work, reach for Daddy...and then back again! Folks were giggling in the audience the whole time! I think they started taking wagers on whether or not we'd swap again!

 LOVE THIS MOMENT!!!

THEY are OURS! Forever!!

 Such a sweet face!!!

My older son had a rough time waiting for the day they would officially be ours forever! What a fierce love he has for his little brother and sister!!


If you are going to be celebrating the start of your forever family this National Adoption Day, CONGRATULATIONS from the Michelsen clan! And, many blessings on the road ahead!

If you have never been, go to your local event! It is a wonder to sit and watch miracle after miracle take place in one day! The culmination of so many dreams! 

and, thanks for stopping by! 



If you have a story to share, feel free to tell me all about it in the comments! I love hearing from other families who have shared this journey!

Holy cow...it's May???

Haven't had much time, or frankly, energy for the blog...apparently for longer than I thought! So...trying to get back into it. Sharing a few pics...the kids are HUGE now! 

Loving the backyard(in spite of the dog spots!)

Mr. Isaiah looking suave and handsome! 

Miss Zoe, as always...in her own world of color and texture! =)

There is SO much more to say...but, not today! Thanks for showing up and reading! I promise, I will have something new up soon!

Happy New Year folks! Welcome 2014~

The paint is peeling, the floors are dirty, the bathroom needs cleaning in the worst way...and I am living my dreams tonight. 

The steps need swept and the dishes need washed, there is laundry piled high...and I am living my dreams tonight.

Diapers need changing and noses wiped, my sweetheart leaves crumbs on the table and something smells not quite right...and I am living my dreams tonight.

There is a fire in the hearth and a tree lit with abandon. Dogs littering the floor, and piles of “things” that need organizing. Squealing toddlers fight over a cherished toy...and I am living my dreams tonight.

I don't always remember...but, right here in this moment, I am so aware...

I am living my dreams tonight.

Happy New Year, folks...let's remember that we are already blessed!

A "Better" Mom...

There is this beautiful video going around the web that was created to be a tribute to stay at home moms.


This Kid Just Called His Mom an Angel...


I love it. Truly the stuff of every day life...I cried...in fact, I cried the first four times I watched it in a row.  I know what you're thinking..."the big sap"...or "aww...she's so sentimental". Well, if that is what you were thinking, you'd be wrong...as I cried, I found myself praying, over and over..."Lord, help me to be a better mom! I want to be a better mom than I am!"  Yup...every single time. I'm pretty sure this wasn't the creators intent...but, it was my gut level response to the video...


So, all of that leads me to a question..."what does a 'better' mom look like?"   I want to be a better mom. But, what does that mean?  More real face time with my kids? Does it mean a cleaner house? Or a messier house? Does it mean I never lose my patience? Cause, if that is the definition...then it's a good thing I believe in a BIG God, cause I am in trouble.  My house is clean enough to be healthy(although, I wouldn't suggest eating off the floor most days). But, I have never had a day when I was ok with dirty/messy/cluttered...so, that old saying "Clean enough to be healthy, dirty enough to be happy!"  ???Yeah, I don't get that one...I feel the guilt...I feel the dirt...I feel pressure to have everything beautifully organized and each item in it's place. Reality? That isn't where I live...not even close! There is never a day when I feel like I have it all done...all straightened...all cleaned...organized(what is that exactly?)...not one. I can't sit down to relax without feeling like I should be doing something. And, there is always something I could be doing!   So, honestly, tell me...I am asking my readers(if you're still out there!haha) to tell me. What does a "better" mom look like in real life? Remind me what matters most...what counts in the very end of it all...cause apparently, I am, once again, having trouble with grasping those concepts...I want to be a better mom. But, I'm pretty sure I don't know how.

Happy Adoption Day!!

So, here we are...November 18, 2013. One year and one day to the day that we adopted our babies. And, two years from the day we first met our itty bitty Zoe girl...I am having a hard time putting how I feel into words...gratitude is a big part of it! I have been looking over photos of them. There is a HUGE difference between sixteen months(Isaiah's age when we adopted the two kids) and two years and four months! And, again...between one year and two years...they are just incredible!

So, yeah...here are both kiddos right after Adoption Day(that Christmas actually)

And this is the two of them just a couple days ago...

Some days I still cannot believe this is my life!

and one more of each, cause I can!LOL! Is it me? Or are they just GORGEOUS? Hahaha...I am SO in love with these two little people. Throw in all of my big "kids" and my sweet hubby, and  I am the richest woman in the whole wide world! Hands down!

So, Happy Adoption Day beautiful littles! Can't really call you babies anymore...that's ok, Mama is SO looking forward to all that is ahead! It is so fun to finally get to hear what is going on behind those bright eyes! I love you SO much!