Thankful

This is one of those nights that I just can't sleep. My mind is going a million miles an hour. We had a great day today!! The teenagers helped us clean the house (spotless I might add) and we had Lauren's 3rd birthday party. It was a HUGE success. We are so blessed to have the most wonderful birth parents and birth families. Really!! They are the best! Lauren is so lucky to have all the extra people that love her. There were 32 people there for the party. Our house was a little crowded but it was so worth it. Most of our family was there (Aaron and fam, we miss you!) and we had friends, and both of Lauren's birth parents and their families. Seriously. How many people can do that and not have any major disasters. They all get along great even though they are at different places in their lives. You can see the love that they all have for Lauren. It meant the world to me!!

Brian and I were just in bed reflecting on the night and we both admitted to getting a little emotional during the party. Lauren is perfect! And it was nice to be surrounded by so many people that love her and support her. Very special moment, that's for sure!

We also found out yesterday that Brian's sister Angela and her husband Tim were chosen by a birth family to adopt a little baby girl. They got the call yesterday and picked up their little girl tonight. They have been waiting a long time and were so ready to fill their hearts. We can't wait to get more information and pictures. We will do an update soon and maybe take a trip to Arizona to see our new niece soon. Again, we both bawled together because we were so happy for them. She is a lucky little girl.

Luckily Elisabeth was so great to take pictures of tonight's festivities. We were so busy that we didn't get any. Here are some pictures from the evening...

These were for the Gluten Free folks.
Lauren is a little princess so we decided to give her a princess party. We had Cinderella there to join in the festivities.

Before everyone showed up she played her "game" with Brittany (her birth mom) and Mareen (her birth grandma). She loves her flash cards and she is so cute when she says what everything is. I love her little voice.

Our friends showed up with little bitty crowns.

She loved her cake! Aunt Kellie did too (it's her favorite)!

Everyone singing happy birthday.

"Just a minute, I'm busy". That's her new thing. She says it all the time. It's secretly really cute.

Her little face lit up so much with every gift and card. She was a little Vanna White modeling and showing off everything she got.

I love this face!!

It was nice to have Brian's mom and dad here this year. They've been gone for 3 years so it was a treat to have them at Lauren's first 3rd birthday party.

Showing off her new tutu and Cinderella shoes.

Lloyd's (Lauren's birth father) family did some awesome stunt moves.

Lauren loved her little "Rella" dolly.

We really are so blessed to have the most perfect little girl!! We are so thankful for the sacrifices of her birth familes. They made us a family and they will forever be part of ours because of it. We love you guys!!