LuvBug

Having fun with photography

This week Jason & I took the kids downtown to take pics for Mikel's 1 year birthday.  I usually take the kids to Portrait Innovations, but we are strapped for cash due to the adoption process so we decided to do it ourselves.  We figured we had nothing to loose, and if the pics were awful we at least had a fun time as a family.  I took over 200 pics, but narrowed it down to about 60 pics we actually liked. Since then Jason & I have also been experimenting with Photoshop some & we have really enjoyed what you can do with Photoshop brushes.  After playing with these pics some I REALLY want to learn more, just finding the time might be difficult.  So until I have some free time I will experiment - but if any of you have any pointers please share :)

You can go to this link to see 20 of our favorite pictures from the photo shoot....

Below are some of our Photoshop experiments...

The Westbrooks Wedding

On May 2, 2009 our good friends, Ken & Laura, were married in a very fun & unique wedding.  Jason officiated their wedding & I had the honor of being their photographer.  We were so proud to have part in such a wonderful time in their lives.

Laura was a beautiful bride, & Ken could not have been more handsome!  To see a "few" of their photos please click here.

Fish Tacos

Tonight I decided to cook something different, something yummy, and something that would make Jason really happy :).  I bought a grilling magazine last week to get some new ideas for the grill when I found a fish taco recipe that sounded delicious!  I had to cook without the grill (Jason wasn't home and he is my grill man) so I popped the fish in the oven and kept on preparing....

It turned out terrific, my two oldest kids even ate the fish! 

Open invitation next time we cook :)....

Tacos

1/2 pound cod or other mild whitefish fillets (I used talapia)

1 tablespoon melted butter (I used butter spray Pam)

1 pkg taco seasoning mix

1/2 cup sour cream (I used reduced fat)

2 tablespoon milk

8 hard corn tortilla shells or soft flour tortillas

4 oz cheddar cheese, shredded

Toppings

chopped avocados

chopped tomatoes

shredded coleslaw mix

sliced green onions

Directions

1.  Heat gas grill on medium or charcoal grill until coals are ash white.  Arrange fish fillets in single layer on heavy-duty aluminum foil.  Brush with milted butter; sprinkle with 2 tbls taco seasoning, turning to coat.

2.  Place aluminum foil with fish on grill.  Grill until internal temperature reaches at least 145 degrees or fish flakes easily with fork (10-12 minutes).

*(I totally omitted the above steps concerning the grill.  Instead I heated up my oven to 425 degrees, sprayed my fish with butter Pam, squeezed a fresh lime on the fish and then rubbed the 2 tbls of taco seasoning onto my fish.  I then cooked my fish in a shallow baking dish for about 15 minutes, or until the fish was flaky)*

3.  Meanwhile, combine sour cream, milk and remaining taco seasoning in the small bowl.  Heat taco shells as directed on package.

4.  To serve, cut fish into bite sized pieces; place into taco shells.  Sprinkle with cheese; add toppings, as desired.  Drizzle with sour cream mixture.  Enjoy!

Happy 1st Birthday Mikel!

Today we celebrated Mikel's 1st birthday.  Weatherly & Tennyson were so excited!!  We ate marinated grilled chicken, zucchini & onion kabobs, corn on the cob, baked potatoes, and hot dogs for the kids (and 3 unexpected boys from the 'hood).  Weatherly & Tennyson baked Mikel a cake and bought him a few toys.  It was perfect - just enough to have fun, but not too much to be overwhelming.  The lawyer called today and gave Mikel another birthday gift - a date for the adoption to be final.  We will be going in front of a judge on August 6, 2009 to change Mikel's last name to Sebren :) - Yay!!

Queen for a day

On Mother's Day I was treated like a Queen.  My kids decided I needed a strawberry cake with cream cheese icing, a tiara, matching earrings and a huge pink "diamond" ring.  Jason and the kids decorated the kitchen and den with pink and white balloons and streamers before they left for church.  I met the family at church after work and they took me out for lunch to eat sushi.  After lunch we all came home and I was surprised with the beautiful decorations and delicious cake.  I truly felt special :)!!  It is wonderful how much time and excitement they spent on me to make my Mother's Day wonderful!!!

Check out the little video they made me to tell me how great they think I am....  My family cracks me up :)!!

Momma's Day party video from sebren on Vimeo.

Meeting Nations

Today was a little stressful - Today we met Nations (Mikel's birth mom) for lunch at the Varsity for the first time since we picked him up in March.  When the adoption process started we promised her we would keep in touch and let her see Mikel periodically.  I made a hard decision on that day, whether I wanted the adoption open or closed.  In the end I figured it would be best for Mikel to know who his birth mom is for a few reasons:  he will one day realize I am not his biological mom (hmm, I wonder why..);  Nations does love her children and that is why she wanted them to have a better life;  we want to continue to love Nations and show her the love of Jesus.  However, realizing those factors and acting on them are two different things.

So this week we decided to grant Nations' wish and meet for lunch.  About 2 p.m. we drove up to the Varsity, all the while I felt like a rock was in my stomach, and Nations walked up to the car.  I unbuckled Mikel and she immediately took him from me.  At first I felt a little resentment, Mikel is now my baby, but then I remembered that she didn't want to run away with him, she just wanted to hold him.  We went inside with Nations, Mikel's big sister (Tatiana), and Tatiana's adoptive family and ate lunch.  The whole afternoon went well.  All the kids played together, Nations got to visit with us and her children, and we all bonded a little closer.  After two hours we were all exhausted and went our own ways.  Once we got in the car I was drained from emotional stress, but I felt like we had made the right decision.  I know we will get together again, and it will get easier with each passing event.  I also know with each passing event we will get closer with Nations and she will feel more like extended family instead of the "other mom" or just "the birth mom".  God gave us all such comfort and peace when we were around each other today, and I know he will continue as long as we let him :).

Strawberries!!

Yesterday I went with Weatherly to pick strawberries with her preschool class.  We learned how strawberries grow and how to pick them properly.  Weatherly absolutely loved picking strawberries and eating them straight off the vine.  I have to say those were the best tasting strawberries I have ever put into my mouth - they tasted like they were sprinkled with sugar.  I almost felt guilty, like it was candy I wasn't suppose to be eating.  We brought a gallon home to share.  After everyone ate until their bellies hurt the kids helped me make a strawberry pie - Yummy!!!!

Happy Birthday to The Vine!

Jason and I have been attending a new church in Braselton, GA since the fall of 2008.  We have totally enjoyed it and we love everyone there!  It is a new church plant and it's 2 year birthday is this month - Happy Birthday to The Vine :)!!  So I wanted to show you a one year recap of what The Vine has been up to the last year, it is very impressive :)....

Jason's Testimony

I love every part of my husband!  He is a loving best-friend, a great father, and  a man who loves God with all of his heart.  Jason has a very unique testimony that shows how awesome God is, take a look....

Help Cure Childhood Cancer

At the Aflac Cancer Center I have the privilege of being a part of the patients and families lives who are diagnosed with cancer.  I have seen first hand what research can do and the lives it saves.  My mom, my kids and I have joined together with the Aflac Cancer Center Team to support the mission of CURE and Lauren's Run.

CURE Childhood Cancer sponsors Lauren’s Run in honor of two little girls named Lauren who lost their lives to cancer.  The money raised at the run is dedicated to pediatric cancer research at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. CURE believes that through cutting edge research we can find a cure for pediatric cancer in our lifetime.  Lauren's Run is one step toward that goal.

Please join us by being a part of Lauren's Run by donating money, any amount will be appreciated - every dollar counts in research. Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure.  It is also the most efficient way to support our fundraising efforts.

Thank you for your support :)!!

You can make a donation by visiting:  http://www.firstgiving.com/aflaccancercenter

Adoption Update

The last month has been another whirlwind - 4 weeks ago, Monday, we picked up a 9 month old from Atlanta and brought him home to become one of our own.  Now his life and our lives will never be the same....

We are half way through an emotional adoption process.  After we brought him home we decided to change Deontae Kemone's name to Mikel Deontae.  After about a week and a half his biological mom signed papers to relinquish her rights.  She had 10 days to change her mind, the 10 days were final last Friday and we never heard a word.  Now the lawyer is working on relinquishing the rights of Mikel's biological father.  We know his name, but we do not know where he is or how to find him.  So our lawyer will put an ad in the paper for 3 weeks, then we have to wait 30 days after the last ad is run.  At that point the dad's rights can be relinquished, if he does not answer the ad in the paper or appeal the adoption.  Once the dad's rights are taken away we can go to court to make everything official - we will get a birth certificate with his changed name and our names as his parents.  A very exciting moment :)!!  

Every day we are falling more in love with him, he already calls me "Mama", and Weatherly already considers Mikel her little brother.  Overall the children are doing great with this new life change.  There are moments of jealousy and uncertainty with this change, but considering what they have been through the last four weeks I think they are doing FABULOUS!!

Am I dreaming?

The last 24 hours have been a whirlwind....at times I feel like I am dreaming.....then I look around and I see 3 beautiful children looking back at me.  Yes, 3 children.  Last night at 10:00 Jason and I rescued a little 9 month old, Deontae, from a homeless life on the Atlanta streets.  This is the same little boy we were hoping to adopt about a month ago, but the mom had decided not to go through with it.  We were over joyed with her decision and never questioned her again.  Then around 7:30 last night the mother of Deontae called Jason and told him she wanted us to pick up her son and adopt him. She wanted a better life for her son, a life she could not give him on the streets.  Jason and I dropped everything, Mr. Ken came over to babysit, and we ran to Atlanta to pick up Deontae.  Now, 24 hours later, he has adapted well and is sleeping in a small crib in our bedroom.  Weatherly and Tennyson have also done really well with a new baby in the house.  Weatherly has taken on a motherly role and Tennyson just watches him.  Little Deontae lightens up whenever Weatherly and Tennyson are around - he begins to dance and smile. It is so fabulous to watch them all play together :)

Now much prayer is needed - the adoption process begins.  This is not permanent until 10 days after the adoption papers have been signed.  Please pray God's will is done, pray we adapt well to this life change, and pray the children bond as brothers and sister.

Opps....

Last night I was trying to cut Tennyson's hair, which from past experience has never been good, and I scalped him :(.  Jason smiled, shook his head and calmly took the clippers out of my hand.  He then worked his hair magic and gave him a mohawk (his inner most desire).

Watch the transformation as my baby sports his new do...

Big Apple Circus

Today my family, Ken, Laura, and myself went to the Big Apple Circus at Stone Mountain Park.  I was given the tickets by a patient of mine, "RJ", who could not go because he is still in the hospital for severe infection.  Camp Sunshine had donated the tickets to them, and multiple other wonderful families, and the family did not want the tickets to go to waste.  So we loaded up the expedition today in honor of "RJ" and headed to the circus.

We had a blast :)!!!!!  Thank you "RJ"!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you for your prayers

The little boy, that you have been praying for, is going to be staying with his mommy.  His mom was saved on Sunday and is leaning on the Lord for strength during this difficult time.  She believes with God's support and the support she is receiving at The Garden she will be able to push through her struggles. Please continue to pray for this little boy and his mommy as their faith in the Lord grows.

As for my desire, it is what God desires.