OurLittleMcFamily.com

JULY was full of wonderful adoption preparations. My girlfriends helped me pack and shop for the kids. My mom helped me put their rooms together. We also met our children over the video for the first time.

August was….well a cornacoupia of emotions. In short, we became parents–gaining four amazing Spanish-speaking Sunshines. And we spent one hell of a month in Bogota. Another thanks to grandma, grandpa, uncle brian, and tia jena for flying out to help. It feels surreal, doesn’t it?

SEPTEMBER was the month that saw us home. We drove from LA to LV. We immunized and enrolled our munchkins. And we spent two weeks attacking the lice-infested hair of our daughters.

OCTOBER was full of rock-climbing, bike riding, and Halloween. Adoption-wise, the kids started to pick up a bit more English, and respond well to school. Their first trip to Logan, UT (7.5 hours) went off without a hitch. These munchkins were born to be our children–they are excellent travelers. And yes, most of our travel is DVD-free! It is possible. :)

NOVEMBER was the month that Amy (and Mya) and Jes flew into visit. We scrapped, ate Cold Stone ice cream cake for Amy’s 30th, and cruised the strip in the minivan. We spent Thanksgiving with the Penning clan in Logan, UT. While in Logan, we took real autumn family pictures. I believe we have felt more like a family since November.

DECEMBER was just last month, but it seems likes ages ago. We hit a turning point adoption wise and language wise in December. I like to think it is the spirit of the season that forged us closer together. The children’s language jumped forward during Christmas Break. Also during December, we started to see lots and lots of kisses given freely to us and to each other without Adam and I initiating….what a wonderful feeling. December 2008 is most decidedly a keeper. December also brought Kavika to our door. The jury is still out on how long Kavika will be with us. But for now, he is part of our family.

Hey Readers! Obviously, 2008 was a huge year for this not-so-little McFamily. Please bear with the next two posts. They are for my journal, after all. :)

JANUARY started our year with great sorrow over my grandfather’s passing, and great sadness over another miscarriage. Most of January was spent in bed. At least, I had beautiful snowy goodness to look at. I also had a more-available-than-usual husband since we were away for his Master’s. On the adoption front, January was one of our very busiest months…full of paperwork and trips to fed-ex (yuck!)

FEBRUARY was spent training for the SLC 1/2 marathon (more like crawling) and watching baby Spencer while Jaimee and Brian headed to Tahiti. Adoption wise we finished up our home study interviews and accomplished our mandatory physicals.  

MARCH was spent losing weight, touring Southern Utah, and celebrating ADAM’S 30th birthday.

APRIL was one of the best months of my life. I ran/walked/jogged a 1/2 marathon! We also participated in our second Race for the Cure with our buddies in LV. But even more significant was the Adoption Shower that was thrown for us in Las Vegas. I still tear up when I think about the outpouring of love toward us and our children. It was one of the most joyous occasions I can remember.

MAYwas Zionfest #4. Our most favorite yearly friend retreat. We even made t-shirts this time. :)

JUNE was full of sad goodbyes and happy hellos. We said goodbye to my sister and her family. They were amazing hosts while we were at school. They have also been two of our biggest champions and supporters from the early beginnings of our adoption process. 

But back to Las Vegas we went as Adam graduated from Utah State University with his MBA. And our friends welcomed us back with open arms, as if we had never left.