Build A Bear and Picture People...

We have been pretty busy around here so here is what we have been up to:

I wanted to wait until I knew for sure that they got the package before I posted Alec's story. I keep up on a certain blog in which the family has a daughter around Alec's age and another daughter from Guatemala that is Mikayla's age. They brought their daughter home right around the time that we brought Mikayla home. After coming home, their sweet and beautiful girl was diagnosed with Tay Sachs Disease AB Variant. This is disease is fatal and my heart breaks for this family each and everyday. They are the most incredible, inspiring family that I have "met" and their courage and faith in God is unbelievable and so amazing. This family is facing extraordinary challenges but remain positive and know that God is in control and that their sweet daughter, Carmen, was brought into their lives for a reason, she is a true blessing. I personally have to say that when I read their blog, I am in awe of what an amazing family they are, and how strong they are. I am not sure that I could weather the same storm they face with the same amount of courage and love that they do. Please take the time to check out their blog and lift this family up in prayer: http://www.beautifulcanvas.org/index.htm

OK, now that I have told you about them let me tell you about what Alec did. One night, he saw me reading their blog and asked about them. He told me that the little girl looked like Mikayla and so he wanted to know if she was from Guatemala. I told him that she was, and that she had a big sister about the same age as he was. I then told him, without going into exact detail, that the little girl didn't feel well. I told him that she became sick when she came home from Guatemala and that Jesus and her family were taking good care of her. He then told me that he wanted to take care of her too...and he wanted to go to Build A Bear to make some animals for Carmen and her big sister Lauren. I told him that was a GREAT idea. He took the Christmas money that he had (it was $5) and asked me if that would be enough to buy them both animals. Well, ummmmm...of COURSE I said YES and so the next day we went to the mall. Now those of you with children know that Build A Bear is a big deal for kids. They love going there, building stuffed animals, dressing them, etc. And Alec is no exception. We went there and we let him do it ALL. He picked out the animals and the dress for Lauren's bear. Never once did he ask to build a bear for himself. When the lady asked him who he was building the bears for, he told her for two special girls. Can you believe that? He NEVER asked for a single thing! He loved doing this and was so excited about it. He paid his $5 for it and left there PROUD.

Now I have to say that mommy is one proud chick. My son has the biggest heart and loves to do things for others and I encourage this from him, because it's just his personality. We made name tags for each Build A Bear so that they would know whose was whose, packed them up, and sent them off. The pictures are below. I just had to share this story.

In other news, Gina and Christian met Kris, me, Alec, and Kayla up at Picture People in Akron this weekend to TRY to get pictures of our kids together. Well...it didn't happen. LOL. But we WERE able to get pictures of them SEPERATE. As soon as Christian and Mikayla saw the photo room they FREAKED and started SOBBING. The picture of Mikayla is actually of Kris holding her, Gina playing Peek-A-Boo in the background to make her smile, and me trying to calm down Alec who was saying "JUST GIVE UP MOM" over and over. LOL. Now, please understand, this is the FIRST professional picture of Mikayla really SMILING that we have ever really had! So was I excited? Heck yes! And Alec, well, he looks amazing and so big in his picture..I love them both!

Alec's Picture People Picture

Mikayla's Picture People Picture

Back home and HAPPY
HaPpY GiRl
HIGHER Daddy HIGHER
There is nothing better then my Lovey and Elmo


Alec with his new Webkinz from Gina...he has SIX now:-)
My sweet kids!
smile
SMILE
**S*M*I*L*E**

The pictures below are of Alec with the Build A Bears he made for Carmen and Lauren..can you tell he is PROUD!?

He gave each of them a kidd before we put them in the box

He looks just like Kris here!
~Sent with Luv~