A year gone by

Our baby boy turned one. What a trip! This year has gone especially fast. Since we learned this little one would be joining our family, we’ve been moving at super speed.

It was June 2nd (Lyla’s birthday) of last year when we were chosen to be his family. His birthmom was due to be induced on the 23rd of June, so we thought we had 3 weeks to prepare for his arrival. Lars arrived only 11 days later! In those 11 days we celebrated Lyla’s 1st birthday, traveled to CA, ran a half marathon (my head was not in that race!), opened our home to our family visiting from AUS (thank goodness they were here to help!), and prepared for the call we got on a Sunday June 13th to race to UT because Lars was coming! Meeting our son’s birthmom and holding him for the first time was magically. I wouldn’t have wanted it to happen at any other time or in any other way.

Now he’s a year old, and we have no plans to adopt any more children. Oh my goodness, can you believe I just said that??!!! I’ve promised Luke not to go searching again… but I don’t think he would be sorry if another birthmom were to choose us again. How awesome would that be! I’m so grateful for the 4 amazing children we’ve been blessed with.

Lars’s birthday called for a pool party with family and loads of cake, chicken nuggets and french fries.

Lars and Ashlynn, she turns 8 this week!

Lyla and Jillian on the step in the water then Natalee, Masie, Ellyce, Miles and Ashlynn about to jump in.

See Hansan and Dallan giggling in the background? Masie is a hoot; she’s become our expert diver.

Lars really wanted to grab that flame.

“For real? I can just grab it and no one will care?”

Brotherly shove to get Lyla moving.

I love this belly and the boy it’s on. Lars is pure fun. He’s a squealing, climbing, bullying, dancing, hair-pulling, stuffed animal cuddling, french kissing, biting, food throwing, milk spitting, mama singing complete boy. He sort of rules the house. We are so in love with him.