Celebrate Good Times!

We had a really fun party on Sunday to celebrate the adoption. Here is a picture of Jane Clayton, attorney extraordinaire who made all this possible. We dedicate this post to you Jane. You're the best. And you look great in pink!

Emilie, Sam and Reed Manhart. You can see the somewhat glazed look in Reed's eyes (no, not Sam's although he did accuse me of pushing the Sangria) - Reed did not feel well that day. Emilie has an AMAZING blog- I am reluctant to post the address for fear you will all switch over and start reading hers instead of mine BUT there are some great photos from the party (and one of the beautiful cake which I am missing). It is www.manhartfamily.blogspot.com. I promise if you go once, you'll go back again.

Okay, side note. I am on board with the photos so be expecting them from now on. Also, there were a lot of wonderful people at the party. If your picture isn't on here, it's because you didn't look good and I didn't think you'd want it posted. However, I did use it if it was funny...

Skyler, normally a very cheery girl, was not pleased with what was being served. Michaela, our niece and Ella in her new twirly dress accompany Sklyer, but with a tad bit more joy, for the floor picnic.

Mindy's mom, Kathy, on Maya duty and "talking shop" with Kristi about real estate (Kathy is a real estate agent.) Dwight looking on and appearing very interested.

Maria and Jeanine (as in the loyal blog commentor). Jeanine looks as though she just discovered that the creamy dill dip was actually TOFU dill dip. I didn't disclose this but it was good, no? Okay, maybe not to Jeanine. (Just kidding Jeanine- we love you.)

Sam telling Meredith and Baby Rosalyn his woes.

Happy Charissa sporting her kicky new haircut.

Brevan, the ever serious engineer, working away at the train table.

Cooperation at the rice table. Sandi built the rice table and the train table (Dwight and Patti gave her the train set for Christmas). I told her it was like we were running our own Montessori school. Charissa rated each of the play stations (there were 5) by levels of fun, problem solving and tactile stimulation (she's a therapist- can you tell?) and Sandi was very proud that her two stations received the highest ratings.

Skyler did have a good time- really. The thing is, early she had dropped some rice and was told to pick it up and she did it- grain by minuscule grain. She wouldn't even come and eat chips until she was done picking it up. Here she is thinking, what a mess these boys are making for me to clean up!

Ella and Tia hamming it up!

Diane and Brevan are comparing who has the better pictures.

And here, this is my favorite part. People brought us wonderful and unexpected things- Jane brought framed certificates of adoption, Martha brought champagne. We got photo albums and picture frames and an awesome book for "Daring Girls" containing everything from slumber party games to scientific experiments. But this one... oh, Jeanine made this masterpiece for us and it will have a very proud place in our home.

Look closely. I tried to take it to show detail but it was tricky. The outline of each letter is "Carver" over and over again and contained inside are "Sandi, Suzanne, Ella, Maya" in continuous loops. Brilliant. I told her she should market these. I think they would be big sellers- custom made for each family structure. I see millions ahead for her...


It was fun, really fun. Ella and I had the same reaction when everyone left. We wanted to cry. She actually did. It felt like the closing of a chapter - such a monumentous one for us. So we have the rights we've wanted for so long, now what? Yes, of course, we will sit back and enjoy our babies and each other (oh, yeah right- I forgot we were supposed to be doing that too!) and look foward to what comes next. Maybe in a year or two you will be logging on to see pictures of our wedding...