Happy 30th Birthday Daddy

Mommy surprised my Daddy with a special birthday trip to Las Vegas. HE had no idea what we had been plotting. They have lots of pictures to show, but for now... take a look at how Daddy spent the eve before his 30th birthday. HE JUMPED 855ft. He is one CRAZY dad!!!

Mommy says she will post more pictures of their trip later this week. I am just happy they are back. I squealed when they picked me up!!!

"The Royal Machs"

So, if any of you have ever seen this movie, the pictures below will make you smile. I can remember before having Colton, Dan would say he would like to do this someday if had boys as a joke... fast forward to the present.... Except I am not sure it really was a joke! 

I love my husband for many reasons, however, the pictures below are one of the top reasons. His ability to just let go of what people may think and have fun!!! 

When Colton was only a few months old, we stumbled across this puma "jump suit". Dan was so excited and made "jokes" that he would love to have the same one to wear on their Thursdays (Colton and Dan spend every Thursday together while I am working). It has been really awesome to see what a special relationship they have due to this quality time together. So, for Christmas, I gave Dan his "jump Suit". Last night, they (aka: Dan) decided it would be fun to wear to the park together.  Many of our sweet neighbors, just smiled as we walked by :).

Same face!!!

Colton loves going to the park and is quite a little dare devil. He LOVES going down the slide face first... he squeals with delight as he approaches the slide. Thankfully, that is our heads up to get ready to catch him!!! 

Colton at the top of slide ready to go down head first

Just a name

This verse has been taped on our computer for over 2 years. 

I read it everyday as we waited for our son.

A year ago today, Dan and I sat at a table with our social worker, a pregnancy counselor and a brave women who had decided that she loved her little boy so much that she wanted to give him the world. It was a meeting that no one is ever truly prepared for, seriously, how do you prepare? I remember just sitting there in awe of her and the things she asked us. She had truly thought of this little boy in every way. She loved him more than life and it was apparent in everything she said. My heart broke inside as I thought of what it would be like to be in her shoes. As the meeting went on we found things in common, we learned about her and her passions, we asked about her wishes and desires for this little boy. At the end of the meeting, we heard the most beautiful words I have ever heard. She wanted us to parent. She picked us!!!

This little boy didn't have a name. She wanted us to name him. We discussed names and landed on Colton Ray Mach. She had ties to the middle name and so did we. Ray short for (Raymond) was the name of two different men that had impacted our lives for the better and what a fitting way to tie us all together. So, he was named.

We never did see a picture of Colton Ray Mach that day. We left the meeting in shock. We would bring Colton Ray Mach home the next morning. Seriously!! We sat in the car and cried. Our prayers had been answered. WE were going to get the chance to be parents.

We had the crib, stroller and rocking chair, but that was it!! Dan and I stopped by Babies R Us and loaded the carts. The staff there was fantastic, offering advice on products, telling us what we would absolutely need right away and what to wait for. I think one employee was just as excited as us!

We loaded the car and head back to a Target parking lot where my car was. Before parting, we decide to call our parents and tell them. To sum it up in one word. JOY. Then, in the craziness we both went to work. I still to this day don't know how we did that. I was so excited, scared and amazed.

That night, Dan was working and I put together last minute things and had fun calling friends to let them know. When Dan got home we finished things up- not sure we slept much that night. We were too excited.

Our lives changed this day forever. It will always be a special day to me. As I sat today and rocked Colton to sleep, it was hard not to be emotional.


Our prayers were answered by a little baby boy that we had not even seen or met yet.

Happy Birthday Sweet Boy!!!

Our little man turned one. It's hard to believe it's been a year already!! He had a great 1st birthday. Thanks for everyone that came to celebrate it with him. I am still editing my pics and will post more later, but had to put this up. Colton has one of the coolest uncles ever!! My brother Jake took the theme of the party and Colton's love for Elmo to the max. I think the pictures says it all. Colton sure loves his uncle Jake!! 

Oh what a year can bring

Dan and I have been busy getting ready for Colton's first birthday. Ok, who am I kidding, I have been busy and Dan has been a gracious husband who is supporting the big bash anyway he can (minus a few eye rolls, who can blame him).

As we have been trying to tackle a few projects (insert, way too many... what were we thinking!!!) at home, we were talking about what life was like last year. It's hard for me to remember what it was like. I had all this down time, what in the world did we do with it? We slept. Oh, how there are days where I miss sleep. I honestly have told Dan we should just get my parents to take him over night and come home and sleep. That would be a perfect date night. I digressed.  Despite missing sleep and being able to actually carry out a full conversation wtih Dan. There are few things that I truly miss prior to being a mom.

Last year around this week, we were in the midst of the adoption world with all the highs and lows a person could handle. I remember Dan and I talking about IF we would ever be parents and IF that nursery of ours would ever be used. It was a hard time in our marriage and personally for each of us. If you have ever gone through adoption you know. If you are currently waiting, my heart goes out to you. It is one of the most difficult things to endure, but at the end, when you are holding your son or daughter it is worth it. I promise, it is worth every heart ache, doctor appointment, test, procedure, home study, paper filling out date night, profile book editing into the wee hours of the night and hopeful match that didn't work out.

So, as we are busy getting ready for his 1st birthday and trying to recall where the last year went. I am enjoying all the invites, cupcake making, decorations and craziness that comes with throwing a party. Because, honestly, we were never sure we would have this honor.  We never knew if we would throw a party for our son, buy him presents or watch him take his first steps (which by the way he did!!).

We are so thankful for a special birth mom who changed our lives forever and gave us the most perfect gift!

Happy early birthday Colton and get ready for a fun party buddy!!!

Curly Cuts

My Mom and Dad thought it was time to get a haircut. I really like my curls and was a little nervous to have them trimmed. 

The night before the big cut!!!

Once I got the salon I was really excited. I sat very still and let Emily cut my hair. She was really fast and it didn't hurt at all!! I really liked getting my hair sprayed with water. 

MOM... What is she doing to me???

Mom and Dad let me have my first sucker!! 

If I can get a sucker, she can cut my hair all day

Puppy Love

Aunt Jessie brought over the newest member of the family for us to meet today. Welcome to the family Tank. Yep, you did read his name right and yes he's all of 3 lbs. Mr Colton was not sure what to do with him and was told MANY times to be gentle. 

Mom!! Seriously, he won't leave Elmo alone! 

I give up, lets just share the toy

At the end of the visit, they didn't mind that the other was there. Colton definitely needs to work on his sharing skills though. Aunt Jessie, you and Tank are welcome anytime. I just don't think that we will be getting a puppy anytime in the future :). 

Visiting Grandpa and Grandma Mach

Off we go to Grandpa and Grandma Mach's. 

**Warning, LOTS of pics below that have not been edited yet**

 Mom and Dad got me a new seat for the trip!! 

Hey Dad, are we there yet?? 

This is where Grandma aides to my love for water ...wait where is the water??

Hey Grandma!! What do you think about letting me swim later??

On our way to the graduation party, I found my tongue again.

 Colton LOVES to swim!!!

Thanks for letting me swim Grandpa & Grandma!! 

"SO BIG"

Relaxing

Fearless...puts face underwater

All done!

Love to hang with my daddy

 Grandpa and Grandma took me to this fun place that had a train, go karts, bumper cars and golf. This will be a fun place to visit as I get older. This time Grandpa took me on my first train ride.

Grandpa showed me how to "run" the train.

Next up... Grandpa shows Daddy how to REALLY drive!! 

Come on Daddy, you are going so slow 

That's my daddy!

Grandma and I cheered!! 

Grandpa sure drives like a pro!! 

Grandma teaching me to play and sing

my new cousin Harper. Mommy took this pic right when I woke up.
She was worried I might be too rough with Harper otherwise

 Great Grandma with her Great Grand kids
 We sure do love her!!!

getting some extra cuddle time in before we head home

The Mach's

 Thanks Grandpa and Grandma. We had such a fun visit. Look forward to seeing you again soon!!

Love,

Colton

p.s. I think I talked my parents into getting a cool pool like yours on the way home

My First...

Today was my first Mother's day. This was once a day I did not look forward to. It was a day to remind me of a dream that had not happened. This year was different. This year was such a gift. 

Yesterday, Colton and I spent time with the woman who has given me such a precious gift. We had a wonderful day at the zoo with his birth-mom and half brother (who we had never met before). It was a great day to celebrate Birth-mom's day.  It was amazing. It was a day that will be ingrained in my mind forever. I look forward to telling Colton all about it! 

Today I woke up to my son and husband wishing me a happy mother's day. Dan made the morning so special. They got me a very special mother's day gift... a new camera. Colton and I had fun the rest of the day trying it out. 

** WARNING LOTS OF PICS BELOW**

Ready to Play!

Uncle Jake, Aunt Jessie and Colton

Colton sure loves his Uncle!! 

Water table = hours of fun!!

Oh...did you want me to smile? 

Talking to daddy

I am honored to be a mother. 

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mom's. 

Kate