Pictures from the "Gender Reveal" Party

This was my first "Gender Reveal" party to attend. I was so glad Leah invited us to come!

She made an adorable cake!

Sweet baby bump picture.

Big Brother Thomas! He is such a doll, and so full of energy!

Leah made us all choose a sticker to guess what we thought the baby was going to be.

I thought for sure it was a girl. I've been calling her baby "Leighann" for weeks now.

But, obviously, I was wrong! Can't wait to meet Henry Francis Ferretti!

Some of my favorite pics...

Photo Hobby

If you know me, you know how much I L O V E to take pictures.

I especially taking pictures of kids and families. I'm not so great with pictures of things. It has been K I L L I N G me to have all these great pictures of Maisie and not be able to share them with everyone! We were advised by one of our social workers that we didn't need to post any pics on any public websites until after the adoption is final. The good Lord only knows when it will all be final, but we're hoping that will be sometime soon!

Anyway, I've always wanted to take pictures as like a side hobby for people. Maybe like take pictures of Christmas cards, birthday parties, or just anything like that. Well, I'm getting my chance this weekend.

My sweet friend Leah is having a "gender announcement party" this and she's letting me take pics at the party for her! I'm super excited, but kind of nervous. I really don't want to screw this up! She's also gonna let me take some maternity pics of her. Fingers crossed those will be good too!

So, keep me in mind if you need any pictures for Christmas cards, you want someone to take pictures at a birthday party, or you just want some cute pics of your family! I'll post some of Leah and her party if she lets me!

Party,baptism, school, and homework!

Well, our summer fun is over, and school is in full swing!

As I type this, Maisie is working on her homework. She is not happy. Do I care, not hardly. I'm too busy sipping my sweet tea and eating Cheetos to even notice that she is pouting. She really makes it harder on herself. She takes her book bag to her room and only brings out a few things at a time. Instead of bringing out her binder with everything she needs in it, she goes back and forth and gets aggravated with herself. Maybe if she brought everything out at one time, she would be PREPARED for homework! Geez..

Other than homework, school is going great. She likes all three of her teachers. I don't see her much in the hallways (and I'm so thankful for that). I am working with kindergarten. They are so sweet and talkative! I love their little minds! They say the funniest things.

Maisie's birthday party was a huge success! I'd love to post pics, but she isn't adopted yet & we can't post anything of her until then (and b/c I'm in a bathing suit (gag) in most of them). Our families came and lots of her friends showed up too. I was so excited for her.

She was also baptized on Sunday. Robert baptized her, which made it really special for all of us. She did have a little meltdown in the parking lot afterwards (seriously), but all in all, it was a great day!

I wonder how she's feeling...

Eleven years ago tomorrow, a baby girl was born.

I wonder how her mother feels. I've heard a mother never forgets when her baby is born. She never forgets the months leading up to the birth of the precious one. She never forgets the pains, the work, and the joy that came at the birth of a beautiful baby girl.

Tonight I wonder if her mother is remembering. I wonder if she is reminiscing about her life eleven years ago. Is she missing her daughter? Is she concerned about where she is? Does she think about her every day or does she barely cross her mind?

I don't know the exact reasons why Maisie was taken from her mother. I don't know how a mother gets into a situation in which the only choice is to give up your children. What I do know for certain is this: she will always be Maisie's mother. She is the giver of life to my child. No matter what decisions she's made in the past or what she does in the future, she deserves love. She deserves to know that her past is forgiven.

So, tonight on the eve of my little girl's birthday, I pray for her mother. I pray that she has a peace that her beautiful daughter is taken care of. I pray that at some point in her life, she understands that her life can be made new in Jesus.

"For God so loved THE WORLD, that He gave his only Son, so that WHOEVER believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." John 3;16