Reunion time

The first of July was the Clapier family reunion in Idaho. We always camp out at my uncle's farm and the kids just love the country life for the weekend. This year we borrowed our neighbors pop up trailer which was FABULOUS! The girls LOVEd it!

The girls rode mules with Papa and Jess









They loved visiting the animals





Of course the traditional train ride on the creative train grandpa brings every year! Bree and Mia didn't want to ever get off of this!




Look at the adorable hat my friend made Mia!




the girls did a little bit of swimming but the water was FREEZING!




Aunt Sue made Mia her very own quilt which Mia loved! Every time I watch Mia open a gift or realize something is her very own my heart melts because she has never experienced that feeling of someone giving you something to have and to cherish all for your very own, because you deserve it!



Bree was really content playing the "compliment each family member game" If you gave a compliment they would sign your card. Pretty sure Bree ended up with the most signatures of anyone!

This summer has been so fun to watch Mia explore the world. EVERYTHING is new to her and we LOVE having a front row seat to her joy and awe as she experiences so much.
She loved the farm life and was happy to hug anyone and everyone she met










Lots of crafts and games







kris and Cam relaxin


Uncle Jess busted out some painting talent with the ladies
Kacen and Bree having some Ipad time together in the trailer





















My Grandma and Grandpa


Mia making new friends

Some of the ladies
All worn out after a long weekend.

Rewind: Kyra's Birthday

Nothing like starting to attempt to catch up on blogging now that summer is almost over. I must be feeling awful if I haven't even wanted to blog lately!

So here goes an attempt to get some of our summer activities posted before school starts in 2 weeks.
In June, Kyra turned 9. We gave her the traditional birthday breakfast in bed
That night we went to dinner at Wingers. It was our first sit down dinner out since Mia was with our family. We were prepared for it to be a disaster but it actually went smooth. Miss Mia is very happy and content if food is involved! Of course I was thrilled Kyra chose Wingers since I had been craving it while we were in Ukraine.


We went home and opened presents

which Mia thought was fun....but then again, she thinks everything is fun!
Bree and Mia played in the wrapping paper

Dad bought a Snowie machine for the family and broke it out on Ky's birthday! this has been the best thing he has ever bought! We have LIVEd on snowies this summer, and they are one of the few things that taste good to me!
Adrie made Ky a cute birthday sign all by herself
For Kyra's friend party she wanted a movie theme so we had this adorable popcorn cake made

We showed "Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure" in the backyard




Each of the girls got tickets and they could then spend them how they wanted at the concession table.















Kris made a cute video for Kyra of pictures of her over the last year and we showed it before the feature presentation. I think this birthday video will be a new birthday tradition from dad. You know Kris is a good dad to his girls when he chooses songs like "Get your sparkle on" for her movie!

the girls are always excited to see my brother's girlfriend Eliza
Me and my girl....I would be lost without Kyra! She is such a great helper and she has been a life saver this summer! she gets up in the morning and fixes toast for the little girls and takes care of them while I rest. All 3 of her sisters adore her! Happy Birthday Ky babe!

And then there were TWO!

We found out yesterday that we are having TWINS!!!!!!!!!!!

I guess that explains how overly sick and tired I have been! We had an ultra sound at 6 weeks and I even asked the tech if there was just one and she said yes. So when I went yesterday to my 9 week appointment I didn't bring Kris with me and just thought we were having a regular first exam. Well when the doctor turned on his little ultra sound machine he sat there for awhile, which made me nervous thinking he couldn't find a heart beat. So I asked if there was a heart beat and he said yes, I think there are 2!!!!!

He told me not to call my husband yet but to go across the hall and have the ultra sound tech do a more detailed look and sure enough there were TWO!!!!!!!! It was clear as day! She got so many good pictures of the 2 of them, but the one she printed for me wasn't the greatest. It appears that they are going to be identical.....they each have their own sac but only one placenta, so we will either have 2 boys or 2 girls! Kris is banking on the boys!! It was surreal to see TWO babies moving and TWO heartbeats!

Now I have to pray double time that nothing goes wrong with either of them since I am now moved to the "high risk pregnancy" category! As if I haven't been on pins and needles already with this pregnancy because of my recent history, and now I have 2 to worry about. We are still a little shocked but SOOO excited! It is amazing how fast I am attached to the idea of 2 babies in there! Life is going to get REAL crazy around here with basically 2 sets of twins!

A year ago this week when I miscarried, I didn't know if I was going to get to have any more kids and now we are adding 3 to the family in less than a year!! Miracles do happen!

Why?

• Why are you adopting a child with special needs when you already have a child with special needs?
• Why do you need to go overseas to adopt when there are children here who need families?
• Why are you spending so much money to adopt a child?
• WHY?

This is Terri Lynn at age 4 1/2 years

and just 3 weeks later this is the "new" her. She was transferred to an adult mental institution simply due to her age and her special needs. Take a minute and look at her eyes. Take another minute and look at the bruises on her face. Now spend another minute noticing the difference in her hair.

This is the why? Because these children don't deserve this

It just breaks my heart and hits a little too close to home to think Mia would have been in the same situation right now.

She would have been merely surviving.... but instead she is here with us thriving!

Terri Lyn, and all the other children waiting for families, could have been my girls.

Simply because they were born with an extra chromosome, they would have been locked away forever

Praying that this sweet little girl finds her family before its too late. All it takes is spreading her picture and one of the people who sees her picture could be her momma!

http://reecesrainbow.org/teri-lynn-30c