A week in pictures

Sorry to all those who came and managed to get out of here without your picture taken! I am not sure how that happened... Just know that we love you and won't let you get away next time. ;)

Daddy and his little girl.


Roxy meeting her new little sister.

Taking a nap before all the visitors come.

What a cute little face!!!!

Meeting Grammy Wadman

and Papa.

and Grammy again.

Meeting Aunt Amy and Uncle Craig

and cousins Boston and Ally

and cousin Seth.

Aunt Carrie

Aunt Carrie, cousin Braxten and Uncle Nate.

Taking a quick nap with Rox. Aren't we just so cute??

Meeting Grama and Grampa Jarman

Grama feeding you.

Taking a nap with Mommy. This is one of my favorite moments so far. Jimi and Roxy were sleeping on the bed too. Our first family nap, but someone had to take the picture. ;)

Meeting mom and dad's good friends, Ruth and Skyler, mom must have been holding baby Bennett, he is going to be your boyfriend one day.

Meeting cousin Carter, he is 13 days older than you.

Auntie Trace. I love her!

and Uncle Matt.

The three amigos. Grammy bought matching outfits several months ago. Gracie 3 days old, Carter 16 days old and Addie 4 months old.

The three granddaughters on the Wadman side. Gracie, Chloe and Addie. 8 grandsons and 3 granddaughters.

Meeting Uncle Scott.

My first sponge bath.

Not a fan!

Mom just had to dress you up in brown and pink! You look sooo cute! Look at those long legs...

Tuckered out from all the excitement.

Did I mention how much I love this face?!?

Coming Home on September 11th

We brought Gracie home on Friday, September 11th. This day is so special to us for many reasons. First, this is my Grandfather's birthday. Grampa died a little over three months ago but he was the first one in our family to see Gracie's ultrasound pictures. We told my family about Gracie joining our family in his hospital room. He was so happy to have another great-grandchild and he was so happy for us. He expressed such love and concern for this unborn baby and her birthmom. We love and miss Grampa everyday and feel honored to share such an important day with him.

Second, September 11th is special because Gracie just so happens to be the 11th grandchild on both Jimi's side of the family as well as my side! May 11th is when we met Kristy for the first time. Four months ago we put all our faith in this woman we had only known for a few days and now she was putting all her faith into us to raise her baby and give her a good life.

There are very few dates in my life that I will always remember with such detail and September 11, 2001 happens to be just one of those dates. I, like most of you reading this, remember exactly where I was and how I felt that horrible day eight years ago. I was a junior in college and woke up late for class. I usually left my house by 7:15 every morning and there it was, close to 6:45 and I was still in bed. I never missed class and never ever was late, yet there I was, not really worrying much about the time. My parents were up and getting ready for work and had the Today Show on. I heard the screams on TV and I heard my parents' reactions. I got up and ran into their room. We sat there together and watched horrified! Then about 15 minutes later, I watched as the second plane flew into the second tower. I cried. My sister and I went to NYC just two months prior to this and on the 4th of July, we stood on top of that tower. We rode to the 46th floor in one elevator, switched elevators, then rode to the top. I remember the face of the girl who was operating that elevator. I wondered if she was there that day? I cried and watched the TV and cried.

Needless to say, I did not go to school that morning. I stayed home, glued to the TV and reported to my brother, who was on his way to Salt Lake for work, everything that was happening when he would call every few minutes. My heart was breaking for the people of New York and their families all around the world. My heart was breaking for those frightened families who had loved ones on planes and for those families who had loved ones on those planes. Jimi's parents were serving a mission in New York. I was frightened for them. I was frightened for what this meant for our country. I was frightened for what this meant for us and our children. At that moment I knew my life would never be the same. At that moment, I knew I would never be the same. I felt scared. What happened to our sense of security? How could there be such evil people in the world who would want to hurt so many others? How do people get that way?

So, September 11th, eight years later was another one of those dates I will never forget. I will always remember exactly where I was and exactly how I felt. My heart still broke, but not because of the evil of man but because of the exact opposite! Because of the pure love a mother had for her precious baby girl. A mother who was sacrificing her own feelings and desires to give her child something that she just couldn't right now. I watched and I cried as Kristy said goodbye to Gracie. My heart was breaking in two and bursting with love for both of them at the exact same time! At that moment, I knew I would never be the same, but this time, eight years later, I was not scared. I was full of hope, and love and gratitude and humility. I felt secure. I felt safe and I felt Heavenly Father's love for Kristy, for our beautiful daughter and for me. I knew this was His plan and I felt peace.

Gracie and her dad...she already

has him wrapped around her finger and it is so sweet!

Gracie cuddling with mom.

Gracie channeling Madonna...Vogue, Vogue, Vogue

Gracie enjoying her bed.