2007 Christmas letter

Dear Friends and Family,

This is the first letter of this kind that I have ever in my life sent out.  Our family has so much happy news this year, I decided to jump at the opportunity to share it with everyone.

The year began with Monty and I going through the process of becoming foster parents.  Since Monty and I began our life together we knew we wanted to adopt out of the foster care system.  The most logical first step to do that was to become foster parents.  We also were very open the possibility of having our own child, God willing of course.

At the end of March I turned 30, and my friends and family threw me a glorious surprise birthday party. Fully expecting to spend the next week wallowing in being old. I was quite surprised that very next morning when I received a call from the foster care-licensing agency.  She told us that our home had been approved, and the possibility of an 18-month-old baby girl needing placement.   Alexis arrived that afternoon.  She was very beaten up, but she came into our home smiling and hugging and she has been doing it ever since.

To our surprise a month after Lexy was placed in our home I was pregnant.  We have a baby boy due the first week of February.  We have chosen the name Rayne Michael, after my dad.  Pregnancy is not quite as much fun as I anticipated.  Of course we are all thrilled about the new addition, but I will be particularly happy to have him in my arms and out of my belly.

Alexis turned 2 on August 25^th and we had a Hello Kitty birthday party for her.  She is affectionate, smart, energetic and extremely stubborn.  She has changed our lives in so many ways.  Everything about our daily lives has changed and we love every minute of it.   We will be extremely happy when (and if) we can adopt Lexy, and change her last name to Gary.  There is still a long road ahead of us, but we plan to do everything in our power to make her a forever member of our family.

Business has been great for Monty, he has even tossed around the idea of hiring someone else to help him.  What a great problem to have too much business.

We still own both homes, but are planning to move to the one in Safety Harbor after the baby is born.  The good thing about that house it each child can have their own room, and daddy move his office out of the garage.

We feel particularly blessed this year, not only for the obvious reasons, but for the continual love and support from all of you.   

Hugs,

Amanda (Monty and Lexy)

It's a boy

We went to the Dr. yesterday for an ultrasound, and found out that baby and mom are doing great, and we are having a bouncing baby boy (Yippee!!!). He is measuring about 5 days bigger than our due date. Hopefully we will be able to, as Monty says have a perfect little "nuclear family". Lexy does not quite understand what is happening yet, when you ask her where the baby is she pulls up her shirt and shows you her belly, she is so sweet.

After coming home from the ultrasound on cloud 9 we were brought back down to earth when we received a call from Lexy's case worker. Her biological dad called yesterday to schedule a visit when he comes in to town. He also told her that his parents are going to try to get Lexy. Because they do not have any history of abuse or neglect to her, all they have to do is pass a home study and she could go live with them. Since they have not shown any interest up until now we are really praying that it will continue this way. Please keep Lexy and our family in your thoughts and prayers this week.

Alexis arrives

Alexis arrived in our home around 6:00pm tonight. We sure are glad that our agency prepared us, because she really is bruised up. She is also HAPPY, she was smiling when I lifted her out of the transporters car and has been smiling ever since. She is snugly, sweet and oh so busy. We feel very blessed to be in this little girls life, even if it is not for long. The cats on the other hand are not feeling quite as blessed as Monty and I :)

I am attaching a few pictures, due to confidentiality please do not send to anyone else.

Love,

Monty and Amanda

April 1, 2007

This Morning

Well I could not wait to share with everyone our great news. I got the call today and Monty and I are licensed foster parents. This could not be a better ending to a wonderful birthday week. Our agency also has a little girl that may be available for placement this week. She is a 17 month female, with a scull fracture from abuse. She has been medically released. That is all we know so far, but I will keep everyone posted on our progress.

Afternoon

 

We are defiantly getting a baby girl tonight. She is 17 months old and her name is Alexis. She has a sister that was placed on Friday when they were both taken from mom for physical abuse on Alexis. She has been in the hospital since Friday, to make sure she is okay. She is being released to our home tonight with no restrictions. They did warn me that she has two black eyes and quite a bit of bruising on her face, but all indications are that she is going to be okay. And we plan to love and kiss all of those bumps and bruises away.

Love you all

Will keep sending updates as they come!