Monti's - Hayden house

We met our friends for lunch today at Monti's in Tempe. On the way there I remembered the restaurant's building has lots of history to it and the name Hayden was in several places from what I remembered. So I told Hayden in the car the restaurant had his name on it and he was so confused but when we got there we showed him all the pictures and cool historic things they have on their walls. He really enjoyed the guns and the sword the most. The sword even had the name Hayden on it so he really liked that. Another thing he really liked is they give all the kids something called Wikki Stix while waiting for their meal. They are like strings dipped in wax and that you can created whatever you want out of them and they stick together. They were pretty cool. Its like a great craft for kids with out any mess. I didn't bring my camera so I had to use my camera phone so the pictures came out pretty dark but ooh well.

It's a Girl!

We got the email today that we are getting the 16 month old girl. Her name will be Emmie Lynn Ray! We are excited and have lots to do to get ready. We will 1st just get visits with her. For a month we will get at home and over night visits and then after that she will start living with us permanently. We just found out today so I feel so happy and anxious to get to know her and let Hayden meet her too. When I get to visit her I will take lots of pictures and post them. I am hoping it will be soon! Here is the letter I got today....

Your file is sent back to Dawn the case manager. The visits will begin, and the attorneys on the case will be notified that your a "Significant other" for the minor. Please contact Dawn at her email address as well. This case is assigned to Dawn, so all communication can go through her.

Once the case is transferred to the adoption unit you will have an adoption case manager. They will complete the necessary paperwork for the adoption. You will be able to apply for adoption subsidy to assist with some of the minors monthly needs. She will be eligible for State health insurance until the age of 18. You will be eligible to apply for attorney fee payment through the adoption subsidy program. If you have specific adoption questions you can e-mail me.

Thank you for your patience, I know you will do the best for this child.

Sharon CPS Specialist III

Night swimming

It seems this summer we have been swimming a lot more in the evening and night then we do during the day. Last night we were swimming and with the moon so bright I told Aaron it looked so pretty out and so I grabbed my camera. If I take pictures with my flash on you can see things better but not as we see them while swimming. So if I take pictures without the flash things turn out like we see them but sometimes look blurry. Its hard to find the balance...but I got some neat shots of our rock slide with the waterfall.

Possible adoption for us

In May we heard about this one year old girl who was eligible for adoption. The foster mom caring for her is one of Aaron's clients. So we asked her how could we possibly adopt her. We started to talk to the case worker and nothing was getting done. So here it is July and the little girl got a new case worker and its going pretty good now. We talk by email a few times a week and they are going through all the proper steps and paper work. So its looking pretty good for us that we might get to adopt her. I didn't want to say much before because if it doesn't work you have to explain over and over why it didn't work. I hate to speak too soon but I would love for people to know so we can have some prayers out there to help us through this. I can't see why this wouldn't work but we are hoping for a good, nice, easy process and also a process that this little girl will adjust to easily and that our son Hayden will adjust to also. Even though he tells us daily he wants a brother or sister we know this is more then he realizes and probably even more then we realize. We are used to one kid so this will be a change for us too but one we are excited to make.

What we know about this girl.....she is 16 months old. She is half Hispanic and half Caucasian , she had drugs in her system when born but isn't showing any bad signs of it. They said she could have minor potential needs. She possibly may need speech therapy when she is a little older. Overall she is a good little girl who just needs a family and lots of love. The caseworker told me today....

She appears to be a wonderful child, and I believe she would thrive in the placement. The transition into your home could be expedited as she can be seen as a significant other. I would estimate a month with overnight visits in your home. She will need to reside in the home for months before a petition to adopt can be filed. You can also apply for adoption subsidy to cover legal fees.

By the way when she says she would need to reside in our home for months before adoption can be filed, she means it takes months to finalize adoption. Just like when we got Hayden he was ours but we couldn't finalize the adoption for awhile in which once finalized we can then bless her and then be sealed to her. I will keep you all posted!

My adoption thoughts

As I wait each day I can't wait for our child to come home to us. I saw this poem and loved it. It explains how I feel each day.

Jay's Birthday and Morris family pictures

For my uncle Jay's 50th birthday they planned on having a BBQ. So I offered my home because we have a pool. Like always the pool party was crazy but fun. My brother Ryan walked out wearing a speedo but I didn't post those pictures. But it was really funny!

Before the party my grandparents and their kids (my mom's siblings) wanted family pictures together. So we drove to Gilbert and I took some shots for them. Its been a long time since they had a family picture done and with my grandpa's health they wanted to get pictures done soon. Here is some of the highlights. Click on each picture if you want to see it bigger.

Grandma and Grandpa Morris


Top- Cinda, my mom Shanna, Lonnie
Bottom- Jay, Grandma, Grandpa, Randy




Just the kids

Crazy rainy night

I love when it rains at night. I love the sound but last night was a little different for me. Not only was it raining so loud that it made me nervous something was being destroyed in my yard but we had a guest in our back yard that was really loud and bothered us all night. We had a frog! And those who know me know I am scared of frogs. Before going to bed Aaron said I should come look outside because our pool was full of water, over flooding with water where it was poring from our pool decking to our back porch. It was crazy. So we went out side where Aaron swept some of the water to the grass area and I snap shots of our flooded back yard and pool.







Well maybe a half hour later we were in bed saying our goodnights and I heard a weird sound. It sounded like a snore. We were confused and as we walked around the house I thought it was coming from outside. Once we opened the back door it was twice as loud. It sounded like a duck. Aaron grabbed his flashlight walking past the frog that was sitting there making this crazy loud noise. So we knew Hayden would love to see it and he was sleeping so I told Aaron to record it for him.








Then at one point he jumped in our pool, swam around and got in the cave of our rock slide which then the echo made the croaking even louder. After awhile we went to bed and I could hear him croaking all night. It was crazy but a funny night I will remember and Hayden loved watching the frog clip when he woke up.

Heber 4th of July fireworks

For the 4th of July fireworks we always go to Heber. I have to say these are the best firework show in AZ and probably the best I have ever seen. I think most people who go to Heber every year like me agree. So many people go to this firework show that they hold the show on a Saturday so people who come from the Valley can be there for it if they have to work during the week. That day we always go early to the baseball field we sit in and eat, play games, walk around to the booths and just kill time having fun waiting for it to get dark. Its one of my favorite holiday traditions.

I played photographer for the weekend

While at the cabin some family asked me to take some pictures for them. Here is a few I thought turned out cute. Its great practice for me so I love doing it.


Sophie (Cousin's baby)



Sarah (Cousin)






Brooklyn (Niece)





Austin (nephew)

4th of July Parade

For the 4th of July we went to the cabin. Every year we go to Show Low for the parade and then Heber that night for the fireworks. But this year my cousins husband is running for sheriff for Apache county. So he did the parade in Round Valley where he lives. He asked family to be in the parade with him. Not only did they have a float but my parents and aunt brought their mule and my grandparents brought their golf cart. We had so much fun. I think it was so fun because we were with family, acting crazy and Hayden was having so much fun. Hayden loved throwing candy and yelling to the crowd "Vote for Andrew!"

Family Karaoke

We have had a few swim parties lately. The other evening once we were all done most the people stayed and started to play on my Karaoke Machine. Everyone was singing and acting funny I thought I had to record them. Unless there is sunlight my camera records so dark with normal lighting so most of its hard to see. But everyone is loud and off key so its funny!

karaoke Kelly Clarkson Walk Away



Don't Cha