the story behind the book...

I wanted to tell you a little bit about how my children’s book actually came into “real life”. 2 years ago in November, I decided to start a blog. I battled with this for a couple of months because I knew that starting a blog would mean being very real with my struggles and emotions...

Kaz and I had been going through infertility for almost 2 years when I started the blog...I, at the time, felt like no one understood what we were going through..None of our friends had really had this struggle, and to be honest, I had a hard time finding books, etc that dealt with infertility. I felt the Lord calling me to start a blog, but just not any blog, a blog that was real. Where I didn’t hold back...I feel like I have done that for the most part...

Since starting this blog, I’ve had hundreds of people tell me I needed to write a book. After hearing each comment or email, I just laughed because I’m horrible in grammar and English...I can’t spell, and I write exactly as I talk. In my opinion, that’s not exactly book material:) BUT, the seed was planted...Writing a book was always in the back of my mind, but I hadn’t been called to do that..It definitely excited me, but again there wasn’t a calling.

Last Easter, was completely different than Kaz and I planned. The beginning of April, we felt the Lord calling us to pray a very bold prayer. We had been in the adoption process at that point for almost a year and a half...We had been placed with a birthmom who was due to have a little boy in June 2011, but that relationship ended after she decided to keep the baby in Feb 2011. We were heartbroken, and it seemed like we were starting the whole process over. We felt the Lord calling us to pray the prayer that we would have a baby in our arms by Easter. We had almost a month of praying that prayer before Easter. I truly, honestly believed we would have a baby by Easter. I bought 2 Easter outfits[boy and girl]...I just kept trusting that the Lord was going to do this. He had called us to pray this bold prayer. About 2 weeks before Easter, I was up in DC visiting my sister n law. I got the dreaded phone call from Kaz that he had to fly out to Colorado to work on a project and could be there for 2-3 months! My heart sank...I knew that the Lord wouldn’t give us a baby with Kaz being half way across the US! We had been through this whole process together, and I knew that we would be together to share in the blessing of when the Lord blessed us with a child. For a day or two, I was sad, but just kept trusting that the Lord had a plan. That same week, we actually decided that I would spend a week with Kaz in Colorado...it was actually the week of Easter. We had such a good time and it was probably one of my favorite trips ever! While Kaz was at work during the day, I saw a lot of movies! I LOVE going to the movies, and there happened to be a theater right behind our hotel. I saw all different ones...There had been 1 movie I had been wanting to see...Arthur. I have no idea why I wanted to see this movie, but none the less, I went to see it! I walked away SO INSPIRED to write a book! I knew walking out of that theater that I was going to write a book..I just didn’t know what it would be about! Before going back to the hotel, I decided to swing by Target and pick up a pen and notepad. Not only was I going to write a book, but I was going to illustrate it too! WOW, OH WOW! Somethings just aren’t meant to be done:) I wrote a story and started on some drawings...Kaz encouraged me that “professional illustrators” would be the best option for drawings! HaHa! He was exactly right! While I knew I was being called to write a book, the true story wasn’t there. When I got home, I did a ton of reserach on book publishers. I wrote another story about adoption, but it wasn’t personal...We didn’t have our child yet so it was only what I imagined it would be like...I kept the story tucked away, and went on with my everyday life. In June 2011, we welcomed our daughter, Annie Rice, into our lives. A week after bringing her home, I felt the Lord saying to me, “Scratch your whole story, and write down what I’m saying...” I did. I sent the story to Kaz and he said he loved it! I didn’t waste anytime. I submitted the story to Tate Publishing on August 1st. I really, truly, believed that they would want to publish my book, but after 3 weeks went by of not hearing anything, I started doubting. I submitted the book to one other “editor” and just kept praying. The beginning of September, I got the amazing news that Tate wanted to publish my book! I was floored! The rest, has been truly amazing! I have seen the Lord open so many doors through this book, and I am excited to see how He uses it! I got to see the first full proof of the book yesterday[illustrations and everything] and it looks AMAZING! It's more than I could have ever imagined...I'm beginning to see this as a recurring pattern in my life! 

I can't wait to share more of this story and book with you! I have created a facebook page for the book, You Are So Special, Little One. Please "like" the page to learn more about updates and the release of this book:)

Eph 3:20...Now to HIM, who is able to do immeasurably more than all we could ask or imagine...

cotton candy PLEASE....

Taking pictures is just in my blood...I can’t get enough...I want them on every wall in my house! Kaz tells me that I can’t go 2 weeks without taking pictures of Annie Rice. He’s right. I think if I had enough ideas, I could take them every single day! I’ve been taking a lot more lately because I know that very soon when she starts walking, my chances of getting some of these cute photos are out the window:)

I’ve been planning these cotton candy pictures for awhile...I decided to take them this morning for a couple of reasons, but mainly because I knew if I gave Annie Rice cotton candy it might give her a jolt of energy...[so far, sugar does nothing for her...it does nothing for me either BUT I’m anticipating on that changing...right now, it’s nice]

I probably should have thought a little better about this idea, because I gave her cotton candy BEFORE breakfast, so of course my little munchkin didn’t want to eat any breakfast:) I guess that’s okay every once in awhile;) I mean, who wouldn’t like sweets for breakfast?

Here’s my sweet little girl...I’ll never be able to have enough pictures of her! She’s growing up way too fast...I sure am blessed.

 my favorite below:)

my little fighter...

You may remember my post last week about struggling with Annie Rice's development. On Wednesday, one of our friends asked if we wanted to go to the park. To be honest, we've never taken Annie Rice to the park...Last year, when she got to be mobile, the seasons changed and it was colder, so we have never taken her until now. I have to say, it was not the easiest thing....I worked with her for a good 30 minutes at trying to help her climb 4 stairs so that she could slide down the slide! She was frustrated, I was frustrated...but she had fun and was completely worn out that afternoon! 

The very next day we had actually planned to meet our Early Interventionist at another park. It was very overwhelming. There was about 50 children there! Annie would get frustrated and moms would crowd around wondering why my 21 month old wasn't walking...There was one particular tube that kids could crawl through. It had a slight incline. My little Annie tried scooting up it...that's what she does first with everything! That didn't work, so we worked with her until we were blue in the face, trying to get her to crawl up it...[She's never crawled, scooting is her way of getting around]. She cried, and cried, and cried because she wanted so badly to get up that tube. I cried and cried because I was sad seeing her frustrated and just wanted her to get it...Finally, my smart little girl decided she could scoot up it backwards! Sure enough, she got it! In her own way! To say that time at the park was hard, is an understatement. 

I was determined to keep pushing her. Thankfully, we have a small park just a few feet away from our house. So that afternoon, I decided to take her. When we first got there, she could not get up the stairs to get to the slide. She worked and worked for about 20 minutes, and when we left this is what my little fighter could do! It was very special! Her legs are covered in bruises, black and blue from all her hard work, but she's getting there! I'm so proud of her and I'm thankful that the Lord is continuing to do big things in and through her precious life!

created for care...

I will be attending the Created for Care conference this upcoming weekend:) If any of you adoptive moms will be there please let me know! Would love to meet you:)

Happy St. Patty's Day...

Happy St. Patty's Day! Here are a few pictures from Annie and her cousin Matias's St. Patty's Day "green" date!

my children's book update.....

It's getting closer and closer!!!!! Below is the cover of my book that I got to see this week! The book will be available very soon and I'm so excited!!! I have created a facebook page to give updates on the book so please "like" it, if you will!  AND of course, I can now tell you the title....You are so Special, Little One! 

Below is a brief glimpse into the book:)

"Mommy, how did we become a family?"

Annie is adopted and wants to learn more about where she came from. In this heart-warming tale, her mom shares how God hand-picked her for their family. Author Amy Prikazsky lovingly communicates a message that every child should hear: You are so special, Little One. 

facebook page for : You are so special, Little One!

HE IS SO GOOD....

One thing I know for sure...The Lord’s plan is perfect. I may not always understand it, but I know that His plan for me is the best thing possible in this world. Annie Rice has been the biggest blessing in our life. I look at her every day and wonder how did I get so lucky to have her as my daughter. She was loved before we ever met her...and our heart has grown with so much love for her it could probably explode!  Before we adopted Annie Rice, we knew that she had special needs. We were told her development was a lot worse than it actually was. Since we have gotten her, she has grown so much! She has achieved so many things that she couldn’t do before...At 12 months old, she could roll over and sit up if you put her in that position. That was it! She couldn’t crawl, sit up on her own, hold her own bottle, etc. I can honestly say up until around December, her delays never bothered me. It was something I simply didn't’ struggle with...But after hearing multiple comments from different people, our pediatrician, and even people we didn’t know I let Satan get a wedge in, and this area started to bother me. Play dates with friends who had 6-7 months old, started bothering me because they could do more than Annie Rice could and she was 17-18 months old. I have seen myself get more and more defensive with others when it comes to her development because I have just wanted everyone to see just how far she’s come...I wanted people to see what I have seen her do! But the truth is, it shouldn’t be anyone else’s concern. Annie Rice is loved and she has grown and developed and that should be it....but it’s not that simple:( It has been a daily struggle for me. She started physical therapy and seeing an early interventionist about 3 weeks ago...I think that has added to my struggle because I’m told every week where she should be...Sunday, was one of the hardest days that I’ve had with her development. I struggled all day, talked to Kaz, talked to friends and held back the tears....I just struggled. I KNEW HOW FAR SHE HAD COME BUT I WANTED HER TO WALK....And I know that she will walk just not in my timing...On Monday, she had PT and I had planned on really talking to the PT about some of my concerns. I woke up that morning and prayed that the Lord would do big things that day....I could have jumped up and down with what he did do! My sweet baby girl took 3 steps on her own during PT. She hasn’t taken any since but that’s not the point. The point is, she did it! She has started pushing her shopping cart more and more....taking about 15-25 steps each time she pushes it. I am so proud of her...She bucks and fights us pushing her, but it’s the same way the Lord pushes us. We may not like it, and even though it’s good for us, at the time we are comfortable where we are....It’s amazing how much the Lord shows me through those 2 little eyes. While my struggles with her development will not disappear, I’m thankful that the Lord has given me the strength to keep fighting through them, and that HE is continuing to do big things in this sweet little girls life. I am blessed beyond words....