Progress

We've been hard at work on our house. And when I say "we," I mean "Mark." 

Mark has been hard at work on our house. 

I won't bore you with a remodel play-by-play, but I thought I give a little update via the progress on the main level of the house. 

This is what we started with. 

And we thought to ourselves, "Nope, we don't like that. Let's destroy it. Let's destroy the entire thing." After a weekend of demolition, we found ourselves here thinking, "Ummm...did we take things a little too far."

But, never fear, because like I said, we've been working very hard and the main level is really starting to shape up quite nicely. In fact, it's actually starting to look like it might be useful one day.

And, again, when I say that we've been working very hard, I mean that my husband and father and father-in-law have been working very hard. Me? I just walk around and measure things and get confused and then go chase Briggs around the backyard. 

I am SUPER helpful. 

Of all the mammas in the world

Two years ago - long before I saw my son's face or met his birthmother - I wrote this post about the woman who would carry him, give him life, and then make the decision that would ultimately lead him into mine.

I went back and re-read that post this morning and - after having the incredible opportunity to meet her - I'm amazed at how accurate many of my words and thoughts were.

Yesterday being Mother's Day, and my first official one at that, I thought about her a lot.

Over and over I pondered the fact that
another woman
carried
and birthed
this child
but that he
calls me
Mamma
and I call him
mine. 

And that, my friends, is an incredible responsibility.
She trusted me - a total stranger - to do what she could not. She asked me to make sure that her son would be okay, and that he would grow up healthy and strong and thriving. She trusted me to take.good.care of him.

Yesterday, I was celebrated and honored as an important part of Briggs's life. I had an amazing day with flowers and family and cuddles and new jeans.

But in my heart, I celebrated her, because she too is an incredibly important part of Briggs life. I want Briggs to always know that. And I pray that I can live up to her expectations and honor all the things she trusted me with in raising this boy.

23 months

So it seems that we are well into the month of May. Around here in the Kyle house, that's pretty significant - because this month, Mr. Briggs will turn two. Missing his birthday last year was a little bit hard for me, so I've really been looking forward to celebrating WITH him this year. 

As the occasion approaches, I'm well aware that I'm watching him change from a baby into a little boy. And there are so.many.things about him right now that I wish I could just bottle up and keep forever. 

Like the little bit of chubby that is still left on his wrists and knees, 

and the way he says "t" for "k" and "d" in place of "g,"

and the fact that our daily walks to the mailbox are full of adventure, 

or the way that he will dance anytime, anywhere - music or no music. 

And his giggle. Oh boy. Never have I heard another that is so contagious. 

Often - whenever he is whining or throwing a fit or throwing his food - I find myself wishing that he would grow up just a little bit and get rid of these obnoxious behaviors. But then I remember that as he outgrows these "naughties," he will also outgrow many of the things I'm enjoying so much.

So, while I know I don't have to love the hard parts, I'm doing my best to not spend my time with him wishing he were older. (Funny story...during this little photoshoot you see here, I actually tossed a book across the room because he was whining in.my.face and demanding that I read it, and all I wanted to do was take pictures. REAL mature. I know.)

This boy is nine-parts amazing and it is unbelievable how much depth he has added to my life.

He is changing so quickly.
And he is changing me so quickly.

(Another funny story...after I declared a wrap on the photoshoot, he stuck his hand in his pocket and demanded these last shots. Wouldn't smile, but rather felt compelled to play the part of the cool guy. Something about the hand in the pocket brings that out in him. I've tried to communicate to him that cool guys don't cry when they then later can't quite find their pockets, but he hasn't caught on to that yet.)

Finally Final

On Friday - just two weeks shy of the day we began this process - we completed the VERY LAST step in the adoption of Mr. Briggs. By Colorado law, we are required to appear in court for a re-adoption hearing six months after bringing him home. 

As all important days should, our day began with chocolate donuts before we headed for the Douglas County Courthouse where Briggs was initiated as a Junior Deputy. (A title he held proudly for about 15 minutes before he tore his sticker up and threw it on the floor.) 

 The proceeding lasted less than 10 minutes and we promised - once again - that we would care for, educate, love, and nurture this child. This was the fourth time in the last 13 months that I've made those promises in front of one official or another. It was also the fourth time that I got a little bit chocked up and teary about it.

Briggs was given a bear by our home study agency and he proudly carried it out of the courthouse...just the way his Daddy likes to carry him.

Through every step, every piece of paperwork, and every courtroom, I'm reminded that it is a privileged to parent this beautiful child. It's been long, but I really am thankful for each piece of the journey that brought us all together.

Olive Jane

In my opinion, being asked to be present at the birth of a baby is one of the greatest honors. It means to be allowed to witness one the most painful and vulnerable moments of a woman's life and to be invited to experience - in a most intimate way - the creation of a family. 

I've been anticipating the birth of miss Olive Jane for months and was thrilled to be awakened in the wee hours of April 7th by a text message that said, "Come on over. Baby's on her way!" 

As Holly labored at home during the darkest hours of the night, I wished - on her behalf - that it would just.be.over. It was a long labor and I know that there were several moments when she felt hopeless.

But then, with the rising of the sun, it was time for that tiny girl to make her way into the world. A new day. A new life. Holly's pain turned into joy.

Thank you, Holly and David, for allowing me to be apart of this occasion. I'm so excited to watch Olive grow and learn make her mark on your family. 

Bubbles

I don't know what it is about bath time that makes mamas want to photograph their kids, but I do know that my Instagram feed is constantly blowin' up with photos of little naked tushies surrounded by foamy bubbles and colorful rubber toys. 

For me, when I get Briggs in the bath, I think to myself "Oh my gosh. He's contained. Get the camera!" Because, my friends, if this boy is not in the bathtub or in his highchair, he is on.the.move.

 As an added bonus, his eyelashes are especially delicious when they are wet. Swoon. 

Grab a Hammer

And *just* like that, we bought a *house*.

And by *just* I mean - after 5.5 years of having our condo on and off the market, finally finding a buyer, three months of looking for a new house, and being outbid on three other properties - we bought a house.

And by *house* I mean PROJECT.

Sure, it looks innocent from the outside, but there isn't one inch of this baby that doesn't need some over-haulin'. At the moment, it doesn't even have a complete plumbing system.

So, if you need us in the next 8-12 weeks, you'll find us here with hammer, saw, or paintbrush in hand.

Lately

I didn't intend to go on a blogging hiatus. 

But then lots of real life started happening and I had to choose between hanging out in the real world or investing my time here in the WWW. And, shoot, I'll take the real world any day. 

In fact, real life has been pretty good to me these past few weeks. 

I celebrated nine years of marriage to my wonderful Mark, 

hosted my little niece for a 48-hour slumber party, 

took my boy for several bike rides, 

put together a bomb-diggity toddler-themed Easter egg hunt, 

and watched as a tiny miracle named Olive made her way into this world. 

And in-between all of that, I photographed some pretty amazing people and places. 

Like what you see here? Well, there's more...

But my hubby is working on some new digs for the old blog and I kinda just want to save my favorite things for a time when things are looking all new and shiny around here. Is that cool with you?