Thursday, April 18, 2013

It's Great to be Eight!



I can't believe this crazy girl is eight! This year she got a new cousin on her birthday and is pretty excited.  We had a quick birthday party in between hospital visits.  I even made her a cake.  She was very specific...vanilla cake, vanilla frosting, and vanilla ice cream.  When it came time to serve the cake she informed me that she doesn't like cake.  Little stink!  Malaya is creative, smart and fun.  She has a sweet heart and is very thoughtful. She loves to read and play reflex math. She has a stubborn streak and is extremely independent.  She is a great helper and though we struggle to get along I am so grateful that this sweet little girl is my Daughter.
Happy Birthday Bug! I love you more!

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Elizabeth Hayley Johnson

  Elizabeth (Ellie) Hayley Johnson
April 13, 2013 at 7:32 pm
5lbs 10 oz and 18.5 inches

I am an aunt again! It has been a crazy ride.  Tyler and Ashley were married in August of 2009.  They decided to start trying for a little one about 6 months later with no luck.  After a year of trying and no success they started talking to doctors and found there were some hormone problems but the doctors thought they could fix it.  After another year they started talking about adoption.  Last September (I think)  they had decided against adoption.  They told mom this and then Aubrey convinced them to take her to a movie.  I don't know what movie it was but they came home feeling like they needed to get the adoption process started. They social worker told them to post that they were hoping to adopt on facebook. Within a few weeks someone in their ward said they knew someone that they thought would be a good fit.  A while later they met Dontie Shaw an amazing women who wanted more for her baby than she was able to give. They meet with her many times and wanted her to be sure that they were the right family for her baby.  On New Year's Eve Dontie let them know that she would be placing her baby with them they also found out that they were expecting.  They decided that they really felt like Ellie was supposed to be in their family and so they decided to go ahead with the adoption.  Unfortunately they miscarried a couple of weeks later.

Dontie started having false labor pains back in March so we thought she might come early but luckily she waited until a week before her due date.  Ty and Ashley asked me to be there for the delivery.  It was an amazing experience.  Dontie was incredible and only pushed twice. I was honored that they would ask me to be there and even more honored when they asked me to stay the night and help.


It was an interesting experience. I was able to see both sides of the adoption process.  I have become friends with Dontie and really care about her.  She found an amazing boyfriend in January and is in a better place to care for little Ellie but she had felt all along that this baby was meant for Tyler and Ashley. As a mom I can not imagine giving up my baby as I watched Dontie I knew that she was giving this baby up because she loved her so much and wanted her to have a family. It was so hard to watch the pain and longing in her face but mixed in there was joy and peace.  I also watched Tyler and Ashley. They have hoped and prayed for a baby for years.  Watching the love that filled their faces when Ellie was born was incredible.  They love that baby even if she isn't biologically theirs. I am so grateful to Dontie for giving Tyler and Ashley their baby.  She will hold a special place in our hearts forever. 


Sunday, April 7, 2013

Easter Sunday

Every year I make the girls Easter dresses.  I usually make Steven a matching tie but this year I was up all night trying to get the girls dresses done in time for church and by the time I finished and was going to make his tie it was 6:30 and Emma woke up.  Luckily Grammy had bought him a church outfit and he had something new to wear. 


Happy Easter!
Love,
The Cornelsen Kids

Easter Saturday

A few years ago we decided that we would do our Easter bunny traditions on Saturday and focus on the Savior on Sunday. 




 This year Easter Saturday coincided with the home and garden show.  They had a huge bouncy house that the kids didn't want to get off of. 


Easter Eggs

Every year the family night before Easter we color eggs.  The kids had a ton of fun coloring on them and then watching them change colors.  They are so much fun.  Having kids makes holidays awesome.

Friday, April 5, 2013

S.T.E.M.

The girls school put on a S.T.E.M. (science, technology, engineering, math)expo last week.  Scott and the girls built a mouse trap car. 



They had all sorts of activities including catapults...

 ...Smoke drums...
 ...and bridge building.


We had so much fun.

Piano Recital

My girls had their spring piano recital a couple weeks ago.  They did a great job.  Scott was in Salt Lake so I was trying to get pictures while keeping kids happy and quiet so the pictures are a little sad.