Waiting for clearance to leave the STATE!

Thursday, June 12th
We all slept as long as we could. The SUN came out for the first time since we had been here so we spent a lot of time outside in the morning walking around and playing on the amazing play set that the McMullin's have. Their home was very 'kid' friendly. Kyrie did a lot of sleeping! I made dinner for Rebecca and her kids for being so helpful with Breoni! Basically, we had an incredibly FUN, RELAXING and STRESS-FREE day! I was so grateful for a day not spent in the truck... the sun... the McMullin Family for their hospitality... my girls... and all the many blessing that have come to me which have made it possible for me to be a mother.


Friday, June 13th
We travelled into Everett to pick up Kristi. We went to McDonalds for lunch...the play area is a big draw for me! We have eaten WAY TOO MUCH at fast food restaurants during this trip. I will be glad to get back to eat healthy food again! After lunch, we had to go to a doctor's appointment for Kyrie. She was doing WONDERFULLY! The doctor was very cool... he let Breoni listen to her own heart and lungs. Breoni was all over the place in the doctor's office. Then we went back to Kristi's house to visit for a bit. Paul came over. Paul is Kristi's boyfriend (but not Kyrie's father). We decided that we wanted to go to Mexican food for dinner. We went to a really good place. Breoni was getting pretty "DONE" for the day, but we were still able to have some really good adult conversations. Then, the 'girls' all headed back to VASHON island. We settled in for bed.

Saturday, June 14th
We all got up had breakfast and went for a long walk. It ended up being quite a bit longer than we anticipated because none of the streets (dirt roads) circle around. Kristi took a ton of pictures, but I forgot my camera. I did get some really cute pictures of Kristi with the girls in the daisies! Then, we loaded up to go get Jerry from the airport. Then, we headed into Renton for Jerry to sign the papers. We called this the 'real' placement. Kyrie looked beautiful. And, I made a major blunder. I left all the formula and bottles on the island! So, I had to 'run' to the store. I was told that it was "right across the street" so I went on foot. Across the street was actually quite a ways.... so Kyrie was pretty MAD... and everyone was getting concerned by the time I got back... but she ate and was all good. Good thing she won't remember that!!!! Seeing as we were at LDSFS's office, I was very self-conscious about how the caseworker was feeling aobut my parenting skills. Guess I didn't make too bad of an impression!

Then, we headed into Everett again. We took Kristi to dinner at the Olive Garden (another tradition we have with her!) and gave her some fun gifts... A willow tree box with two charm bracelets... one for each angel she placed with us. Lastly, we went back to her home to say our final goodbye's for this trip. We ended up missing the ferry AGAIN... by just a few minutes. We got back after 1:00am... it was OUTRAGEOUS!

Sunday, June 15th
WE ALL SLEPT IN! Then, started packing up to go. I was very ready to start heading towards home. But, first, we went to FATHER'S DAY dinner at Rebecca's home. It was an amazing dinner! After, we got all loaded up... after several moments of "I can't find...".

The McMullin's Home and our Truck in their driveway.

It was truly like living in the woods.

Peaceful, beautiful and serene.

We stopped at the ocean and got some drift wood to load onto the 'empty' trailer we would be pulling home and started on our way! We made it to YAKIMA, WASHINGTON. We stayed at a Fairfield in with a pool. We ordered pizza from Domino's, which gave Jerry and I BAD heartburn. I woke up in middle of the night and had to go out to the truck to fetch the MYLANTA. Interesting reason for carrying mylanta.... the most amazing remedy for 'diaper rash'....

STEP 1: Mylanta (allow to dry as much as possible)
STEP 2: Aquaphor (you could just use Vasaline)
Aquaphor is also the most amazing stuff... for anything to do with skin... dryness, injuries... anything!
STEP 3: Corn Starch (be generous!) And, either the 'cooking kind' or pure corn starch powder
It is truly amazing how quickly this 'process' heals a diaper rash.
Useful divergence.......

Monday, June 16th
Breoni and Kyrie are both troopers. We got up... ate breakfast... and started to get ready to go, when... again.... I couldn't find something! MY PHONE! We spent quite a while trying to find it and also getting a bit anxious about the fact that we didn't have clearance yet! So, we only were able to drive to the last town in Washington... KENNEWICK. Breoni ate almost an entire bag of Cheeto's (I can't believe I allowed this, but by this time...the 19th day...in the trip...I was really at the whatever it takes to keep you happy in the truck mode).

We found another Fairfield Inn (trying to support my brother who works for Marriot!). We tried to take a nap, but the only person who actually got(took) one was Jerry.

Then, we went to dinner at RED LOBSTER. We ate in shifts since Breoni wasn't about to sit still anymore. We came back and got ready for bed... hoping and praying that we would get clearance tomorrow!

Tuesday, June 18th
Again...we got up and ate breakfast. I was REALLY starting to want to be home. And, we hadn't gotten any information yet. Jerry and I were trying to decide what to do... since we didn't really have anywhere to go, but we didn't want to pay for another night if we didn't need it. We were both getting frustrated. Jerry went down to get a 'trolley' for our stuff and to talk with the front desk some more. Just as he got back, I got a call from Mark at LDSFS... WE HAD CLEARANCE! We were loaded and out of there in 20 minutes... we stopped at the gas station... got gas(incredible how expensive it is now!) and some treats and were on our way! Literally, we were on the freeway in about 30 minutes from getting the phone call. We drove all day! Both girls were STELLAR. They must have sensed that we were home bound. Breoni was patient and cooperative... as was Kyrie! We got home about 8:30! YIPEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm ONE day old....

June 11th
I got up early to get everything ready for the day. Breoni was going to stay with Rebecca on Vashon island. I had lots to gather for her. I tried to carry her over without waking her up... I did great until I tried to lay her down and her hand was caught in my jacket. So, it was a bit of a 'difficult' exit. Probably more so for me that for her. Then, I started off on the journey to the ferry and through Seattle traffic. I made fairly good time. I got to the hospital without any challenges and found a 'free' parking space. Kyrie got her first pictures taken and Kristi and I also had some taken with her. (We just got those pictures yesterday... so basically it took forever since I'm updating this on July 28th). Then we waited for Mark (from LDSFS) to come so we could sign all the papers. We (Kristi, Kyrie, Paul (Kristi's new boyfriend), Mark and I) ended up leaving around 2:30. Sarah, Kristi and I went to Baskin Robbins for ice cream. Then, Kristi and I tried to get her charms ordered but the store was no longer in the mall close to her house. Kristi and I spent a lot of time talking during the day. I find her to be such and intricate and amazing young woman. I hope and pray everyday that her dreams will come true.

I'll never forget what it felt like to drive away from Krisit's house that day....just me and Kryie... knowing that Kristi was home with just her sister. I was so worried about her. I think I cried until I got to the mall where I was able to order the charms for Kristi and also get another present for her and a Father's Day gift for Jerry. I also had to go to Target to get formula for Kyrie and some other things. I ended up missing the ferry by three cars and had to wait for almost an hour for another ferry. I didn't end up picking up Breoni until almost 10:00pm. I was so incredibly grateful to Rebecca for helping out that day. I will forever be grateful to her and her kids for loving my angel all day! Breoni had a wonderful time playing with them and all their fun toys!

Breoni was very loving towards her new sister... and we all ended up being awake very late... and when we did fall asleep... I had two incredibly precious little girls cuddled up next to me... all night long. Kyrie slept all night that first night... just like Breoni did almost two years ago.

SHE'S HERE!

June 10th

During the middle of the night (around 3:30am) my phone started 'beeping' because the battery was dying. The first time I heard it I thought, this is it... and then realized it was just a 'low battery warning'. I didn't get out of bed, but after several 'thoughts' of you should plug in your phone I got up and plugged the phone in. Breoni was sleeping in the crib for the first time during the whole trip so I was worried about moving around to much in the bedroom. I really wanted to sleep without the beautiful "wiggle worm" in my bed! :) After that, I started dreaming about Kyrie being born. At about 5:10am, Breoni sat up in bed and said, "ALL DONE". At about 5:25, Kristi's mom called us to say that they were on their way to the hospital. (Interesting, huh!) So, Breoni and I got ready and loaded up the truck. We had to wait for a 2nd ferry, but we were making great headway when be were called at 8:00am to be informed that Kristi was checked into her room! I called Jerry at this point to let him know, and guess what? He also woke up about the same time that Breoni did and wasn't able to go back to sleep! Breoni and I had a bit of a hard time finding a place to park. Generally, I love the truck, but I was getting a bit frustrated. We ended up parking a fair distance away and walking to the hospital. We got to Kristi's room about 9:00am. The doctor really wanted the birth to happen after 12:00noon so that the antibiotic would be in Kristi's system for at least four hours. If Kyrie came before noon, she would have to stay in the hospital for three days (minimum) but if after noon she (without any other delivery challenges) would be able to leave the hospital after 24 hours. Breoni and I visited with Kristi in her room for a bit. I almost positive she was in the exact same room as when Breoni was born! And, the nurse, Syd, was one of the same nurses that helped with Breoni. I thought that was so COOL! Around 10:00, Breoni and I went down to the cafeteria to get some breakfast and then over to the gift shop. We bought treats for Breoni and a gift for Krisit (flowers and a balloon!) We then headed back up to the room. Kristi was sleeping so Breoni and I went to see if we could get 'in' to the playground area we could see out Kristi's room window. We were told "NO, it's a therapy area". But, there was a waiting room with a bunch of kid's toys and books, so we played in there until Michelle called to say that they were going to break Kristi's water since it was just after noon and she was fully dilated. Breoni and I headed back up towards here room. I received a phone call from school and was trying really hard to be professional on the phone, but I finally said, "I've really got to go". I'm so glad I did, because if I would have walked in the room any later I would have missed the birth. As it was I came in and the first thing I heard was "She's crowning". I was still behind the curtain, but looked through when I heard that. Nobody really noticed us (Breoni and I) standing there since Kyrie was really on her way. Then, the doctor told Kristi to push and Kyrie's whole body came out... just like that! (Time: 12:22pm) It was so amazing and quick! Kristi pushed for almost three hours with Breoni. Then nurse Syd noticed us...and almost asked us to leave and then Kristi said, "Come in!!!" She was worried that we missed it. I told her we were there! Then, Kyrie was getting cleaned and checked (she was VERY healthy!). The nurse let me trim down the umbilical cord. I ws totally unprepared for how that was going to feel. I was so grateful to Kristi for allowing me to be there again. What an incredible blessing for me (and the girls!). Kyrie recieved an "8" on her first apgar and a "9" on the second! Excellent scores! She was 6 pounds, 12.8 ounces! I was able to observe her inital check-ups and shots, etc. It was quite busy in the room. Breoni and I left for a bit to go make phone calls to Jerry and my parents. I asked them to spread the word. I came back in after things had settled down a bit. I love cell phones.... I was able to send family a picture almost immediately after Kyrie was all settled. We visited with Kristi and her mom for a while until Kristi's dad arrived. Shortly after that (around 3:00), it was time to go. Breoni was getting very tired and there wasn't a place for her to fall asleep. She has never been one to fall asleep in your arms. So, we told Kristi we were going, and how much we love her and are so incredibly grateful we are to her. We headed back to the truck and were greeted with a parking ticket! UGH! But, I figured that was a small price to pay for the wonderful experience I had just had and for the amazing gift that was coming into our family! We got back to Vashon Island and had dinner and Breoni had LOTS of ice cream. And, we got ready for bed!

A truly AMAZING day!

We're back HOME!

We arrived home (Yipee!) tonight around 8:00! I was doing great on the trip but the moment I saw Kyrie I started CRYING!

We had a wonderful time... TONS of pictures and stories to tell! So, I will first get the rest of the 'birth' and getting back to home updated and the time before the cruise and then I will add the cruise... I should have all the pictures sorted through by then!

DANG!

UGH... I was HOPING to get this all updated before we left on our cruise... but, we are leaving in the morning and I need to get some sleep... so, I'll finish these and add the cruise when we get back on the 17th of July!