Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Wow 95 posts already!

I think that I may have to do a giveaway for my 100th post!
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I wanted to share with you some pictures of the adoption finalization yesterday. I guess in the adoption world it is called gotcha day!
Anna
She is one of the cutest and best behaved babies I have ever seen! I started crying when I saw her smile yesterday. I think it was all the emotion of wanting a child.

Ben
Ben is almost 3 now. He was also adopted but looks like he belongs to his parents. He also looks so much like his little sister. His mother was born without a uterus so they knew they were never going to be able to have biological children. It was really rough for them but now it is so sweet to see the plan that God had all along for them.

Us with Anna

The complete family

The judge who also did Ben's adoption

Ben and my hubby, his other Grandma made him the cape for him for Christmas.

Hubby's younger brother playing with Anna
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It was so great to spend time with them. As I mentioned in the last post we have 4 nieces and 3 nephews already. I am guessing we will have 15 or so by the time everyone is done having kids. The only problem is we only see them a few times a year even though we only live about an hour away and love kids. I was feeling very hurt because we never get to see them and it seemed like they never made an effort. I felt a lot better though after we had a fun evening with them and when I got a sweet e-mail from my sister in law today.
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Things with other members of the family though are still very weird though when we are all together. I didn't realize until recently how hard relationships with in laws are for every family. Hubby has a younger brother who I get along with really well. He has however started dating a new girl who seems to lack the ability to talk. We were all together for over 4 hours yesterday and the only talking she did was to answer that her Christmas was good when I asked her. My dream would be that he would find an amazing Christian girl who we love and could hang out with since he is one of hubby's closest friends.
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There is also the topic of the youngest sibling, Hubby's sister. She is one of the most awkward people I have ever meet. She doesn't say hi when you see her, she almost acts like you are not even in the room. I don't even think her and hubby have ever had a true conversation. She was one of my bridesmaids at hubby's request since he had my brother as a groomsman. She decided right before the wedding to tell me over instant messenger that we shouldn't be living together before we were married. (My living situation got really bad right before we got married so I moved early.) Fast forward 3 years and she stays at her boyfriend's house every evening. She lives with my brother in law and instructs him not to tell the family what she is doing. She also regularly talks about how she is going to break up with him but never seems to follow through. At least I was engaged I knew I would spend the rest of my life with my husband. When I ask her about him you can tell she doesn't want to marry him.
I think we just need to sit down and have a good talk so that things are not awkward. I think the guilt is eating her alive.
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Sorry if that is too much information or too negative it is just so healing to have it out there and actually talk about it. I also think it helps so much to know that no marriage is without in law trouble. I bet all of you married ladies also have some crazy in law stories!

17 comments:

Belle (from Life of a...) said...

Oh my...they DO look alike! Isn't it amazing the way that things work out. What lucky children these two are to have been chosen by such a wonderful family.

i. me. mine said...

I'm so glad you posted this today. My family has been struggling with my brother and his horrible wife. She really is nasty and completely ruined our Christmas. It's so hard to get over this and I'm afraid I might not be able to. Especially when I see how nasty she is to my sweet niece.

It's comforting to know that my family isn't the only one that struggles.

I wish I knew how to fix the situation...

Sweet Simplicity said...

What a cute family! Those kiddos are adorable.

Mags said...

After a visit this weekend to the in(out)laws, I'm not ready to get into it...argh!

As for Anna's adoption, I'm so happy. My SIL will be adopting her 3rd child next month. She's been J's foster mother since he was 18mo. He is now 6.5. Her first two children are adopted as well. She'll have a 6yo, a 4yo and a 2yo. We're thrilled as their ages meshes with our kids' ages.

beckylbranch said...

Those are the cutest kids! My husband was adopted, along with his brother and sister...then 9 years later they had a natural child. I know relationships are tough...I try to just live my own life and not get to envolved in others...but sometimes that is hard to not stick your nose in...believe me I know! I hope you had a Merry Christmas!!!

The Fabulous Life of a Southern Belle said...

This was a great post, if I ever decide to have kids I want to adopt, even if I am able to have children of my own. Also, I got your comment about WW. I actually did that last year and LOVED IT, I lost 10 pounds in 2 months. Now my mom and gma are doing it. I'm thinking about signing up for another month to get rid of this ugly food baby.
Have a great night! =)

Its A Corny Life... said...

Congratulations on your niece joining the family! And what a beautiful family you all make. As for the in-laws...you are not alone! Everyone I know has an in-law story or two...

Abbie said...

I always wonder what J's family thinks of me... as they definitely make me wonder about them sometimes!

His mother emailed me yesterday to ask me if I knew the shirt I sent his dad for Christmas was dry-clean only. I didn't realize it when I sent it, but I didn't think it was a big deal. You never can tell what will be important!

Sarah said...

Congratulations!! That is such wonderful news!!! I'm sorry you're having issues with the in-law family. Families, what can you say!

Lulu said...

Congratulations! The kids are adorable!

Lindsey said...

What a sweet family, they do look like their parents, so cute!

The Pink Chick said...

Sorry for all the in-law trouble. I hope things get better! You are so sweet! They should be honored to have you in the family!

Thanks for sharing the adoption pictures. They are too cute! I think adoption is so wonderful and special!

Olde Town Style Guide said...

That is amazing how much they look alike!! What beautiful children!

You can vent all you want about family issues! We all have them! Half of us are probably knodding our head in agreement about half the things you are experiencing in your family! Everyone has to deal with weird family members!

Mrs. Realife said...

Boy do I understand family drama... clearly you are a communicator, as am I -- seems we always end up being the ones to initiate difficult conversations!

I love that your niece's name is ANNA :) I'm only slightly bias ;0)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Rune said...

Happy new year! This is my first time I visit your blog, and you have a very nice blog:)

And a very great post:)

Wibeche

Hollie said...

super cute blog! just found it and love it.

the adoption photos are so precious.

Mommy In Pink said...

Awww...that is really sweet!