Special time with family

Having fun at the party!

More Bash photos

Cody's Adoption Bash!

We had a wonderful time with our friends and family at Cody's Adoption Bash! The food and fellowship was great! It was just a special time to celebrate the adoption of our precious son. With a little work, the slideshow went well and tears were in my eyes as I watched my son's 3 years of life flash onto the big screen. I heard ewws and ahhhs and laughter as various pictures flashed onto the screen. But most importantly, I thank the Lord for his gift to us...Cody Matthew Schmidt. Many people tell me how Cody is blessed to be in our home, but really it is the other way...I am soooo blessed to have this little boy in MY life. He is my blessing.

"My Miracle" by Alice Moore

I found this poem a LONG time ago and find it appropriate for Cody's adoption party:

"My Miracle"

When they placed you in my arms, I looked into your face,
I felt our hearts melt into one - a miracle took place.
My prayer was finally answered,
Though delayed, 'twas not denied ~
The pain of love unanswered, in a moment's time subsides.
God's plan seemed hard to understand.
The circle's now complete.
He placed the heavens in my arms, so precious and so sweet.
Though you grew within another, my soul and yours were one.
We united in God's loving heart before life had begun.
I received a priceless treasure - this adopted child I love...
A gift of joy and happiness to me from God above.

More nostalgic pictures

Traveling Back in Time

This past weekend, my sister and I put together Cody's slideshow for his adoption party. I was looking at pictures of Cody and Carleigh and want to show some pics. Look at how they have changed!

Blessing in Disguise??

Cody's Adoption Bash was scheduled for today after church. We received 4 inches of snow yesterday. (Um, yes, more snow added to the 6 inches and ice that we already had!!) So, we trudged out last night to buy the cake and order the balloons. When we got home, my sister called to say that church was cancelled due to our parking lot being a sheet of ice and added with snow. I was irate to say the least! I had to call everyone and tell them it is postponed until NEXT Sunday. I also had to call the party outlet and postpone the balloons pickup until next Sunday morning. Then there was the issue with the cake...what to do with a cake that we just bought?? Well, we may be able to freeze it and keep it at my friend's house until next Sunday. After I get everything squared away, Matt yells for me to come to the living room. Cody was vomitting! My poor baby came down with the stomach bug all of a sudden! He was also running a fever. After giving him Tylenol, he fell asleep in Matt's arms in a matter of 5 minutes! He is doing a little better today and has taken 9 ounces of juice this morning. He doesn't have alot of energy but his temperature is down. I guess the party being postponed until next Sunday is a blessing in disguise since Cody wouldn't be able to enjoy his party anyway.

Happy Valentine's Day!

We hope you have a great Valentine's Day! We have celebrated the day with Cody and Carleigh. We gave both children candy, stuffed bears and a card. This is one of my favorite holidays! After nap, Cody and Carleigh are going to play in the snow for a few minutes. I have enjoyed my second snow day in a row. However, we REALLY need to get back to school. Cody wants to go to preschool tomorrow because his Valentine's Day party is scheduled and it is his first class party!

Another snow day!

I got the call right when I just laid down for bed around 10:45pm last night. Woohoo! I love snow days! However, this snowstorm is going to be nasty. We have 4 inches of snow, and now it is sleeting and will continue to ice until later this evening when the temperatures drop and it all freezes and then it can snow up to 3-5 more inches tonight. I am concerned that if all of this sleet freezes, we could lose power and no one will be able to do anything tomorrow! We may have another snow day tomorrow. The kids are getting cabin fever and I may let them play for a few minutes after lunch. We decided not to risk the sleet to take them to physical and occupational therapy today.

Cute moment

After Cody's adoption, we went to lunch with both sets of grandparents. After we got seated, my father in law leans over and says that they are women at the next table that keeping looking over at us and saying "Cody." I honestly didn't recognize any of them and were wondering if they were agency officials or bus drivers. Well, one of the ladies comes over and introduces herself and all the other ladies and says that they are from the Fairfield preschool where Cody attends. They wanted to say hello and we told them that Cody was adopted today. His classroom aide comes over and Cody kisses her. She said that she gets Cody off the bus each morning and he kisses her each time. I have met her before on Cody's first day, but didn't recognize her at the table. Also, his speech therapist at the school was over in a different section and came over to say hello. I was blown away at how they cared for Cody. Most of you know that I teach in a private, Christian school and that is the way that we treat our students and am just happy to see that he has the same similar environment as our school. I was very hesitant to put him into the preschool but feel so good about it now.

Photos with family

Cody with Papaw Hibbard (Jen's dad)
Cody with Aunt Michelle (Matt's sister)
Aunt Connie (Jen's sister) and cousin Brittany

More Adoption Day photos

Adoption Day - Cody is our forever son!

At 11:50am today, Cody Matthew Schmidt became our forever son. In attendance were Mamaw & Pappaw Hibbard, Mamaw & Papaw Schmidt, Aunt Connie, cousin Brittany, Aunt Michelle, Cody's former caseworker and Cody's adoption worker. We arrived a little early and Cody and Carleigh ran around the lobby. We are overjoyed and words just can't express the joy and happiness in our hearts right now. We praise the Lord for orchestrating and building our family that way He designed it! After the ceremony, both sets of grandparents went out to lunch to celebrate our happy day.

Fun in the snow!

Snow Day!

Yesterday was quite eventful here. I teach at a private, Christian school that has lots of students bussed from many school districts. Since schools were dismissing early due to the snow storm, it was a zoo at our school with children leaving every 5 minutes or so! My co-worker took me home yesterday and what normally took 12 minutes took 1 hour and 20 minutes! It was a slow ride home! Late evening, I got the call that our school was closed and was overjoyed! Today, Carleigh and I bundled up and she got to play in snow for the first time. She didn't know what to do with it but enjoyed getting out of the house! I think we all have cabin fever here! Cody has a cold and I didn't want it to get worse because of tomorrow's big day, so he stayed inside.

Getting Ready

We are happily getting ready for Cody's adoption finalization day and Adoption Bash! We bought Cody a brand new black suit with a tan shirt and tan/black striped tie. He is going to be so handsome on Thursday! Carleigh will be wearing a really cute deep purple velvet dress. I bought a new black skirt and red/black striped sweater to wear. We have yet found the right shirt for Matt. Cody will also need a haircut the morning of his adoption day. I am mailing out party invitations tomorrow for the Adoption Bash. The party will be Feb. 18th at 1:30 pm. I still seem to be in shock that we will be finalizing his adoption on Thursday! I guess after waiting for 3 years, it seemed like it wasn't ever going to happen! Cody's preschool teacher told me that he has had a great 3 weeks of preschool. His bus drivers just love him!! I am so proud of my little guy! Carleigh has learned new words including: shoe, down, belly, and mammaw.

The funniest thing happened yesterday. I was on the phone with my sister when my mom beeped into the line, I switch over and say "hello" and Carleigh says "Pappaw??" It was so cute! She and Cody are crazy about Pappaw Hibbard! When the phone rings, she will yell out..."Helloooooo!" And when I tell her that Papaw is coming over, she goes over to the door and tries to open it! She is such a funny little girl!