One Year Ago Today.

One year ago today, my baby Isaac came home. One year ago today, we became a family. One year ago today, we were blessed in ways we never could have previously imagined. One year ago today, the most amazing human being I have ever known began to call me "Mama".

My dear Isaac,

I can never begin to express to you all that you mean to your Daddy and I. But through your whole life, we will try. That is a promise. We feel so honored and blessed to be your parents. And we promise to spend our whole lives showing you just how much we love you and believe in you.

For the past year, our lives have been filled with the most intense joys. Daddy still gets goose bumps when he sees you smile. And when Mommy watches you play and grow in new ways, I begin to cry happy tears. We love you so very much Isaac.

Isaac, you are an amazing little man. In just one year, you have blossomed into a curious, loving, gentle, smart, independent, playful, and very secure boy. You love your family, your home and your pets. You are crazy about your Mebay, Bobo, Poppy, Auntie, Sydney, Devon, Nanu, Grampy and Auntie Sue (and many more). You love to play with farm animals, trucks, dirt, sticks, water, and your stuffed frog. You are crazy for horses (so Daddy may have to buy you a pony later in life). You love to watch Babe, Nemo and Elmo. And Nanny McPhee makes you crack up laughing.

You cuddle up with Mommy and Daddy every night. We read books and wrestle. You love to give us kisses and hold our hands. You are so very loving and gentle. And if you could be with Meaghan (Mebay) every moment of your life, you would be ever so grateful! She makes you smile so big and so naturally. You light up when she is around, and so does she.

Son, we look forward to another amazing year with you... and all the years after. You are the sunshine of our lives. And we will always make sure you know that.

We took you to the airport today to celebrate your first anniversary home. This is the airport that you came home to ... in Daddy's arms. We wanted to return to it so that we could remember those special moments when you first came off the plane. You were greeted by Mommy, Meaghan, Sydney, Bobo, Auntie, Nanu, and Grampy... and many strangers who were so happy to see you as well.

Anyway, here are some photos that we took of you today. You have grown so much since last year....

And here are your very proud parents:

We love you to the moon and back infinity times two,

Mommy & Daddy

Some Creative Therapy.

I find that nothing can clear the mind and open the heart quite like taking the time to 'create' ... whether it be a craft, a poem, a new recipe, etc. The soul just gets 'fed' in such glorious ways when we take the time to explore our creativity.

Anyway, with that said, I have been taking the time to create something new every day. It is part of my own personal, spiritual and mental health regimine. And it works! So, here are a few things I have created recently ... though there are many more that I have yet to photograph (but will soon).

Here is a beach-combing tote for Isaac...

Here are some VW bus bibs that I have been working on. I plan to make several to put on Etsy (in groups of 3). I really enjoy making these. They are just so sweet ...

I have also been inspired by "Turkey Feathers" to create some mini quilts. It seems that she has created quite a blogging buzz over her own little works of art. And several other bloggers have been inspired to try their hand at this art form as well. Including me ...

Every day that Halis gets home, he finds that I have sewn something new. I just keep piling up these creations as I am never sure what I am going to do with them. I am only sure that they needed to be created :)

Love,

Jodi

Thank God, They are Found!

We finally found them ... the only photos of my son and his Grandmother Pat. Sadly, she past away quite unexpectedly just days after Isaac came home to us. Thankfully, she was able to meet him and take some photos with him. For the past year, we have been searching her home, car and various photo drop off centers in an effort to find these photos. We wanted to be sure that Isaac could see himself with a Grandmother he was fortunate to meet, but would otherwise never get to know.

Halis and his siblings finally found the roll of film, still inside the camera that she brought to Isaac's "Welcome Home" party. Here are our two favorite photos:

We are infinitely thankful that Halis's mom was able to meet Isaac. And we are so thankful to finally have the photos to share.

We love you Mom & think of you often. May you be fully enjoying the afterlife :)

Love,

Jodi

Life Giving River.

My very best friend in life, Melissa, lives on Indian Island surrounded by the Penobscot River. Her backyard abuts one of the most gorgeous stretches of that river. It is absolutely beautiful. She is quite blessed. And not just for her home's location, but also because she is Mommy to two of the greatest kids on earth ... Sydney and Devon. I love them all dearly... including their "Big Daddy".

Here are some photos from our stay at their home this weekend:

Thank you all for such a great day. We love you dearly!

xoxoxo.

Jodi

Crafty Us.

Daddy (aka Halis) went away for the weekend, and we three have been getting downright crafty! Ok, Isaac isn't. But Meg and I just received Jenny Hart's Stitch-it Kit through Amazon.com and have wasted no time in taking up this new craft. We have begun embroidering tea towels and cotton fabrics. We are using "easy" stitches and learning new techniques as we go.

For those of you who may be interested in taking up embroidery, this kit is fun BUT you can easily get started without it ... all you need is some embroidery thread, a hoop, a needle and a web search engine for finding online tutorials. I really didn't need Hart's book after all as I didn't learn anything that I already didn't know. But the designs she provides are very cute. However, for under $3, you can get started on your own.

So here is the piece that I finished this evening (it isn't finished yet in the photo)...

And here is Meg working on hers ...

Also, I have started making some really sweet VW us baby bibs. I am crazy about them and will start posting them on Etsy soon.

Thanks for looking,
Love,

Jodi