Heath and Hunter's New Best Friend

This past week our good friends Kurt and Melissa Hanna FINALLY got the referral for their adorable baby boy. They put their adoption paper work in on Mother's Day 2007, and just a little over two years later, they can finally see the end in sight.

At the moment, all they have are measurements, weight, and the most adorable pictures of their son. They will have to wait a few more months for a court date, then they will make the very long trek to Ethiopia to get their much anticipated blessing. These next few months will be the hardest for them, knowing what their baby looks like, but not being able to hold him. Please pray that they time flies quickly for them and they all have a safe trip there and back.

Heath and Hunter are super excited about their new friend and they can't wait to meet him. We are all elated about the giant step forward in the adoption process for them.

* I forgot to mention that he is only 2 months older than my boys. Hopefully they will grow up together and will be in the same grade in school. Blake (the elem. principal) is already looking forward to the parent conferences and the phone calls that include, "Mr. Amthor, Mr. Hanna, guess what your boys did this time!"

Our first swim!

We went to San Saba this weekend for Chris's 10 year high school reunion. Boy, just the sound of that makes us feel old. We had fun showing the boys off, and Chris enjoyed talking and hanging out with some of his old classmates.

When we returned home today, after unpacking, we decided to let the boys enjoy the hot summer day in their pool. By the way, the Bumbos in the pool worked nicely. I was kind of nervous about how the boys would react to the cold water because all they have ever had was nice warm bathwater. After some initial whimpering, they settled right in. They were all smiles after that and enjoyed playing with the rubber duckies that accompanied them. We do have really cute swim suits for the boys, but we just used the swim diapers this time.

The last day of school

Yeah! It's the last day of school!! I get the entire summer to do nothing but play and cuddle with my boys. I'm so excited. They are getting to be so much fun!

Ok, so I have to go back for half a day tomorrow, but I'm taking the boys with me. What a great boss I have!

Here is a video to celebrate! The boys are having an arm flapping, lots of smiling, talking, giggling, (and maybe a little whining and spitting up) good time.

Memorial Day Weekend

This holiday weekend, Dad had to go work the lake, so we and Mom went to spend the weekend with Mimi and Papa. Here are some pictures from our relaxing weekend.


Hanging out in our baseball uniforms, ready for the game. Mom's not real sure about the backwards baseball hats.
Chillin in the exer-saucers at Mimi and Papa's house.

The best part of Mimi and Papa's house is the double baths, because bathing one at a time takes too long. We love to splash each other and sit up like big boys in the kitchen sink.

Hanging out in the floor before getting ready for church on Sunday.

Thanks for letting us hang out this weekend, Mimi and Papa. We had a blast!

More Adventures in Amthor Land

Tonight Chris and I were enjoying ourselves in the evening worship services at church. We were merrily singing along with the harmonious songs. My mom was in the row behind us holding Hunter and Heath was enjoying some time in Daddy's lap.

Suddenly, Chris shot me a look that said, "Heath has a very dirty diaper and it needs to be changed, because I can't breath over here." (A look he has perfected in the last few months) He handed Heath to me (because of course, it never occurred to him that he could have changed the diaper), and I just set Heath in my lap, to see if I could stand it a little longer than he could, so we could make it without having to disrupt church too much.

Then, Chris looked down at his lap, and to his SHOCK! He was covered in POO! I started to laugh, then quickly realized that the culprit was currently sitting in my lap. Oh No! I looked down and I was covered in it, too. The sermon was just starting. I quickly grabbed the diaper bag and Heath, and jetted to the nursery, Chris closely on our heels.

Chris had to go home to change jeans and shirt, and he brought me a new shirt. I changed Heath, who managed to get Poo all over himself, his clothes, the changing pad, and the sheets in the crib where I changed him. He was so happy, laying naked after cleaning him up, he talked and smiled. I couldn't help but laugh. After cleaning it all up and changing sheets, Chris returned with fresh clothes on and fresh clothes for me.

We returned to our seats in church, just in time to stand for the invitation song. Sorry Coy, I really wanted to hear your sermon. Thankfully, Hunter behaved well with Mimi and Aunt Kay. I guess it's just another day in paradise. No one has put it better than Amy Grigsby, "I feel like I have wrestled with a walrus when church is over, but I'm so glad we go."

Picture post for Grandma

These pictures aren't very good, but this week has been crazy. Chris was gone for 3 days to a regional meeting in San Angelo, and the boys have been very fussy. I think I have figured out that Heath is allergic to either pear juice or white grape juice. So I have taken him off of all juice and I am going to reintroduce them again to figure out which one it is. I did this originally, but must have missed the clues the first time around.

Hunter is a sympathy cryer. Everytime Heath starts wailing, Hunter starts too. Then I can get Heath to stop, but it has scared Hunter so bad that he won't stop crying. Poor babies, Mommy is just not fast enough!

Heath (ignore the red eyes in the next few pictures)

The best place to nap is on Daddy's lap.

I know this is a terrible picture, but I just LOVE this sling carrier. When one of the boys refuses to be put down, I can just strap them in this. I think it is one of the greatest inventions ever.

I almost caught them both smiling. It's a very difficult task, just ask Keva.

If they came any cuter than this, you would need a permit.

Heath-talking. It kinda turns into a cry at the end.

My Mother's Day Miracles

On this day exactly one year ago, Chris and I went through our final IVF procedure. After spending our morning going to Starbucks and a Church of Christ in Houston, our embryos were implanted at 3:00 pm. I remember thinking that it had to be a good sign that they were ready to implant on Mother’s Day Sunday. Chris and I tried to have children for years, this was our final hope. If it didn’t work, we would have moved on to adoption, and had to face the fact that we would never have biological children.

Together with the doctors, we decided to have two embryos implanted, with the prayer that at least one of them would take. To our surprise they both took, and we had twins. I believe that God took our hands and led us through every decision that we made. He knew, long before we ever started trying, that we would have two perfect, little, miracle babies.

Some may disagree with the decisions that we made, and that is their prerogative. However, to us, it was obvious that God was leading the way. We had been praying for years, and suddenly, things just fell into place. God’s answers were not always yes, and we did have to go through a lot of heartbreak before we ended our infertility journey. We stayed strong, for we knew what ever happened, it was ONLY because it was His will.

I remember sitting in church on Mother’s Day Sunday for the past 5 years and celebrating the mother’s all around. Most people didn’t know the struggles that we were going through, or the enormous hole that was in my heart. From childhood, every little girl dreams about growing up, marrying the man of her dreams, and becoming a mother. We played with dolls and nurtured and took care of them. I frequently read the story of Hannah in the bible and prayed for her strength and devotion. 1 SAMUEL 1:1-19. Today, I ask that you please pray for those, who long to be a mother, but out of the circumstances are unable to. It truly is the hardest struggle you never thought you would have to go through.

Now, I look at my two miracle babies and I thank God everyday for them. I pray that we can raise them according to God’s will and be a strong Christian example for them. Mother’s Day will always be a very special time for me, for it was the day that I became a Mother.