The Big "1"

November 23, 2009-Sadie Lynne Kjar turned 1!!! As I was looking back on our blog, I realized I never wrote out her adoption story, so since this is her 1st b-day I thought I would record it for her.

Mid-Nov 2008 we met with our social worker and we were getting so frustrated that nothing was happening with our profile. I mean nothing. Not once had we been looked at. This was frustrating because our worker told us our file looked great, we did not need to change a thing, we just needed to find a birthmom. We had even put our profile on a national registry and were paying $50 a month to have it on their website. Our cute social worker-Kris (who we also used for Connor's adoption) suggested we call hospitals and dr's offices to see if we could bring in our profile for them to show in case they had a patient that requested adoption information. Those both led nowhere. Shane spoke with a co-worker that is a social worker and she also couldn't help us, but said her friend worked in labor and delivery and she would pass along our info. Well that basically came back as they NEVER have a birthmom come in that hasn't made a birthplan and chosen a family, but she would keep us in mind. Another dead end, or so we thought. Nov. 24, 2008. I was at home puttering around in my PJ's. The usual-doing laundry, cleaning up the house. Peyton was a school and Connor was playing at Dillon's house in back. Shane called me from work and it was about 12:oo in the afternoon. Shane made small talk for a few minutes and then asked me how I would feel about a 1/2 caucasian, 1/2 hispanic girl. I said yeah, that would be ok. I was thinking in my mind, maybe he knows a co-worker who knows someone who is pregnant. This may be a long shot. The next word out of his mouth blew me away. "ok-well we may be getting one today". To say I was shocked and excited would be an understatment. I quickly got Connor squared away at the neighbors house and took off to meet Shane and our social worker at the hospital. We had lunch with her and she explained the situation. Sadie's birthmom had come in the night before and had given birth and wanted to place her for adoption, but hadn't chosen a family. We were thrilled that we were given the opportunity to adopt Sadie. We had to wait until she was 24 hrs old before her birthmom could sign the relinquishment papers. We left the hospital and came home to get the boys situated with Shane's aunt and uncle (Pam and Wayne). My parents were in St. Louis visiting my aunt and uncle and Shane's parents don't live near us. It was my Dad's birthday on the 24th-so it was a fun b-day present for him! We bought Sadie's birthmom a Willowtree angel statue and wrote her a note to express our gratitude to her. Since we had a couple of hours to wait, we went to dinner and went to the mall to get Sadie some bows for her hair. At around 7:30 that night we got the call from Kris that the paperwork was signed and we could come over to the hospital and sign our portion and go meet Sadie. It took about 20 mins to sign everything, and then we were led into the nursery. Sadie looked like an angel! She was so tiny with the most dark hair you have ever seen. The nurses had combed her hair into a cute curl on top of her head. I was a little in shock and it felt weird to have 2 social workers and nurses surrounding us as we met our daughter for the 1st time. Of course there were tears and we couldn't believe how lucky we were, but to be honest I was still in shock. Luckily for us the hospital was not full so they let me have a room (which we were never billed for) to stay the night with Sadie. There was NO way I was going home and leaving her at the hospital. The pediatrician wanted her to stay until the next day. I remember holding her the hospital room and calling family and friends to share our wonderful news! So many shocked reactions! That night I kept calling her Gabby or Gabriella to see if that name fit. It just didn't-as much as I loved it! The next morning Shane came with the boys to meet her and take us home. When they got there, I expressed to him that Gabby wasn't her name. We also loved Sadie and Sophia. I said to let the boys choose. Shane has since told me that was fine by him since he knew they would choose Sadie. We got released from the hospital and brought our little Sadie Lynne home. The next few days were a blur of food, gifts and visitors. We were and are so blessed to have such great family and friends to support us and celebrate the unique way our family has come together.

So, one year later and Sadie is 1. I can't believe how fast this past year has gone. Sadie is a pure delight. She is so happy and has brought such a calm into our family. She has everyone wrapped around her little finger and we love it! I know she looks opposite of me and I wouldn't have it any other way. I am proud and honored to be her mother. I love you baby girl! Happy Birthday!

Off track and fall silliness

We are on year-round school here. It's a love/hate relationship. While I love year-round school for fun vacay breaks, and summers that aren't quite so long, sometimes it's hard to keep the kids entertained. This year, however we have done pretty good so far. Our 1st off track time was this fall and while we didn't do too many exciting things, we really enjoyed our time off. We made cookies, went shopping with Mom, ate lunchables, and took our annual trip to CORNBELLYS! Gotta love Cornbellys. My dear friend Katie and I have been going there for 3 years now with our kids and we have a blast. Some other happenings in the fall: I got a huge sliver in my finger tip while dusting our blasted oak entertainment center. Sounds like no big deal, but the sliver went in so hard it hit the bone and then went out my finger at a 90 degree angle. So basically going in one way and then out another. Oh mother-it hurt so bad. I really about went into shock. I went to my neighbor's house to see what to do and she tired to pull it out, but there was NO way. I started to go to instacare when I finally got a hold of Shane and he told me to come to their office and his buddy Mike (also a PA) would take it out for me. Wouldn't you know that was a day I hadn't showered-because I was cleaning and I looked like crap. Really-I did. Mike had to numb my finger which killed, and then break off a piece of the wood and pull the other end out. Shane didn't understand what the big deal was until he saw the sliver. Everyone in his office was like what the??? How in the world did you do that? Ummm-dusting. Keeping a clean house has it hazards. Another thing we've been working on this past fall is new hairstyles for Sadie. That girl has some HAIR! It is so fun to think up new ideas for her hair and be able to try new things as her hair gets a little longer. One other thing we did that the kids actually had a really good time with is an open house at our new hospital. In Oct. a brand new hospital opened up about 5 minutes from our house. They had an open house on a Saturday that Shane happened to be working, so I took the kids and they loved it. Life flight was there and they got to take a look inside the helicopter and an ambulance. We got to see x-ray, surgical rooms, the ER, labor and delivery. It was really fun for them. So my take on off-track: a fun time!!! Yeah for no homework!





Carson (Katie's son) and Connor
Noah (Katie's other son) and Peyton
Sadie and Mama
This picture does NOT do my sliver justice. You can't see it coming out the other side, but let me say. OUCH!
Sponge curlers for Sadie-they stayed in for about 30 mins

Here's the result-so curly!

I love this sytle, but it's somewhat time consuming, and I have to have Sadie sit very still. So not happening.
I love her!



Rochelle, Peyton and Connor in front of Life Flight
Here's Peyton in the ambulance. Connor did not want to get it.

Connor is 5 and ready for kindergarten

Connor turned 5 on October 2, 2009. He is SO ready for kindergarten. At least that's what he tells me. He doesn't quite get it that he has to wait a whole more year before he goes-darn those fall birthdays! This year he got to invite some friends to go to McDonalds for his party. ( I highly recommend this) We invited 5 friends and I had a couple of the Mom's come along for company. I am so glad I did because it was a little crazy to keep track of everyone. Thanks Katie and Natalie for helping me out!! Connor got a lot of cute presents from his friends. He got a b-ball hoop that he shares with Peyton (Peyton also got his 1/2 of the b-ball hoop for his b-day in Aug) and Connor also got his very own DS!!! He was beyond excited! It was a very fun birthday. We love you Connor!

Halloween 2009

I just wanted to add some pictures to remember Halloween this year. It was so fun to let the boys choose their costumes. I got to choose Sadie's. She was a BYU cheerleader. SO CUTE! I got the costume from my neighbor. My parents do a Halloween costume party each year and the adults have to come dressed up. My cute sister-in-law Holly was a cheerleader in highschool-go HAWKS, so I asked her if I could borrow one of her uniforms. I was excited that I actually fit into one of them. It was really fun to be a cheerleader with my little Say-say ( a new nickname that seems to fit her just perfectly.) Peyton was Harry Potter, Connor was Indiana Jones and Shane was one HOT basketball player-circa 1989.


Peyton after bobbing for apples-he was soaked!
Connor playing the doughnut game
I have no words

Shane and Ro
Rochelle and Sadie
Peyton as Harry Potter
Sadie, Rochelle and Connor waiting for the costume parade to start
Connor, Shane and Sadie at the costume parade
Peyton, Sadie and Connor at our ward Halloween party
Connor carving pumpkins

I love Peyton's expression in this one. He thought the "insides" were so gross

randomness

I. Will. Get. Caught. Up.

So here goes: Sept 9, 2009

Connor-1st day of 4 year old pre-school. Isn't he handsome? Don't let that face fool you-he is T-R-O-U-B-L-E! We love you!!!

Sadie's 1st piggy tails! Oh my-Isn't that ca-ute?!! How many 9 month old's do you know that can have pony tails? August 29, 2009

Just so you know-this hair-do lasted all of about 5 minutes, but it was fun to try!
Here is Connor-see what I mean? He is a total ham for the camera. I love him. I can't imagine our home without him. He is so funny!
How do you like this hair-do? This is classic Sadie after she wakes up in the morning. So happy, crazy hair. Oh-you are so yummy!!!
Nothing better or sweeter than a sleeping baby. What do you think she is dreaming of? Ahhh-sigh.
Parker, Easton, and Connor. These three little cousins were all born within a year of each other. They got to take swimming lessons this past summer and had a ball. The deal was that they HAD to have treats after each swim lesson. If you think Connor is trouble on his own, just get him together with these two cuties. Oh my-we'll have to keep an eye on these three. Harmless fun, of course!!
Connor doing a dive. He really took off this summer in swim lesson. In fact, both boys did-I however do not have a picture of Peyton.
Bop with the girls. My Dad was nick-named Bop by Madison-one of the older girl cousins. It is the best name for him, and he loves it. This is Bop with Aleah in the back, Macy and Sadie. These are my sisters girls. Macy and Aleah are about 6 weeks apart from each other. I remember being so happy for each of them, but also wanting a little girl of my own to join them. I felt sorry for myself, and was a little mad that I wasn't pregnant at the same time. Little did I know that Heavenly Father had a plan, and Sadie was born 5 months later! Bop loves his girls.
Peyton-1st day of 3rd grade. I love how blue his eyes are in this picture. Every year we do a picture by our front door. I love it! July 27, 2009

Here is little Say-Say, as I've started to call her. Look at how cute she is-notice the little bracelet I put on here that day? Cute huh? Next picture........

not so happy because she kept trying to bite her bracelet off and I got a little upset. I mean how can you not just want to love and comfort that face?? Breaks my heart.
Another classic Sadie after naptime. I am not kidding when I say I do that little girl's hair about 3-4 x's a day. Ahh-the joy of lots of thick, long (for her age), black hair. I wouldn't have it any other way. So Happy!!! July 28, 2009