Albina...my new love and she is perfect!

This beautiful, sad little girl is waiting in an orphanage in Eastern Europe for her new family to find her.  Sweet Albina was put away in an orpanage simply because she does not meet her country's idea of acceptable, she was born with Down syndrome.  Albina is 3 1/2 years old, the same as my sweet Brooklynn.  From what I have learned through fellow blogs, the people of Eastern Europe are either unable or unwilling to care for their children with special needs.  This thought breaks my heart into a million pieces.  Albina needs to know that she is perfect and loved, just the way she is.  As my friend Patti points out so eloquently on her blog A Perfect Lily...what if this had been my Irelyn.  Irelyn was born with significant, life threatening medical issues and never once did someone suggest or did the thought enter my mind of giving her up for adoption.  Had Irelyn been born in EE the discussion would have been had, adoption would probably have been suggested and possibly considered.

Patti has dedicated her blog to raising money for sweet Albina through Reece's Rainbow and an anonymous family has dedicated themselves to match dollar for dollar, up to $5,000 to find her a family.  There is a family out there, right now, that wants to add a sweet little girl to their family but just can't afford it.  Reece's Rainbow is an organization that helps those families.  When you visit Patti's blog and donate at least $10 you will be entered into a drawing for a new camera and you'll fall asleep tonight knowing you helped out!
Thank you, in advance, from the bottom of my heart.

P.S. Thank you Sydney (another Reece's Rainbow angel) for my amazing and cheerful new blog design.

Busy as a Bee!!

The Beaudettes have been busy, busy, busy.  First some cute pictures from our Easter egg hunt.  Our awesome neighbors Craig and Betsy invited us over again this year for their huge egg hunt.  I do believe around 175 plastic eggs were filled with goodies and hidden around their yard for the little people to find.  Brooklynn and Irelyn (and Mom) had lots of fun and enjoyed the chocolate that was found!

The first weekend in May I took a little road trip with a couple of friends to the big city of Spokane for a 12k race.  We enjoyed a little shopping, some yummy food, and a night of peaceful sleep.  I was less than successful in my attempt to better my time this year but hey, that just makes it a little easier next year! To my running buddies...I had a wonderful time getting to know both of you and expect you will both be running again next year. 

Teresa ~ my high school buddy

Monique ~ my coaching buddy

Me ~ and yes, we were carb loading the night before the race :)

Before picture

After picture ~ we all survived the 7.5 mile run.

We have a wonderul hill here in Missoula with a large "M" on it.  My very intelligent 3 year old knows that Mom starts with an M and thus figured out that the "M" hill must stand for "Mom's Hill".  I haven't told her any different.  So for Mother's Day Brooklynn and I hiked up to the top of Mom's Hill to enjoy the amazing view of Missoula.  This is our second trip to the top and I am so proud of her for making it again.  She is one deteremined little girl!

Last weekend the girls and I headed to Billings (350 miles) to visit Wally and Becky.  Wally and Becky used to own the gymnastics club where I worked my way through college.  I learned a lot from both of them and also felt like I had a great set of adopted parents while I was away at school.  I was so excited for them to meet Brooklynn and Irelyn and knew that my girls would also enjoy Becky and Wally.  Both girls were wonderful travelers, which I was a little worried about :)  While in Billings we were able to spend some time with Becky on Friday and then visit the zoo with Wally on Saturday.  Thanks for a great weekend!

The girls enjoying Becky's huge bath tub.

Brooklynn really wanted to see a giraffe, this statue was as close as we could come.

Becky has a great camera (Jesse if you're reading this, that was a subtle hint) and was able to get some really cute pictures.  Thanks Becky.

June will be here before we know it and the girls will be another month older.  My goodness time flies when you're having fun.  I am in the midst of training for the Missoula Half-Marathon which is in July.  I was also able to cut my coaching hours in half for the summer...down to 1 1/2 hrs a week :)  We are hoping to get some camping in, watch my flowers grow, and continue our Sunday night trips to the DQ!  I just don't know why I can't seem to pick up my speed on my running :)

My Blessings





Brooklynn ~ 7 months

Brooklynn ~ 11 months



Brooklynn ~ 19 months

Brooklynn ~ 2 1/2 years

Brooklynn made me a Mother, which I will always cherish.  The 20 months I had to spend with Brooklynn as an only child were priceless.  I found out exactly what other women meant when they talked about walking around with their hearts outside their bodies.  Brooklynn and I spent hours reading stories, playing "people and new people", taking naps together, and exploring outside.  She was my side-kick and absolutely perfect in every way.  When I found out I was pregnant again I had the same worry that all moms of only children have...how will I ever love another child as much as I love this one?  Will there be enough love for both?  Something miraculous happens when the love does not get divided but doubled!

Irelyn ~ 9 months

Irelyn ~ 20 months

Irelyn made me a more appreciative Mother.  I look at my two daughters and now understand how truly blessed I am.  I spent 2 months in a hospital loving my little Piglet with all my heart but now knowing if I'd be bringing her home.  I learned what it feels like to offer EVERYTHING to God if he'd just save my little girl.  I have learned to slow down and enjoy each phase of their childhood, tell them I love them often, and appreciate that Gods plans could have been different.  He chose Brooklynn and Irelyn for this family and demonstrated over and over during Irelyn's tough journey just how much we need each other. 

I do believe that the grandest title I could ever achieve would be Mother.  I love this journey!

To My Mother (a.k.a Nommie)

I remember:

*being little and thinking my mom had the most beautiful voice I'd ever heard
*wondering why she worked so very hard
*that we always had everything we needed, and some of what we wanted
*that microwavable pot-pies were a big treat.  Throw in a rented VCR and movie and we were living like royalty
*that she completely supported my love of gymnastics and all the sacrifices that came with it

I appreciate:
*every phone call ends in "I love you".
*her excitement when she sees her grandchildren
*her ability to get excited when listening to my girls jabber into the phone
*her numerous trips to Seattle when I needed her most

I love you Mom.  Happy Mothers Day!!