The day we met Olivia!

Well - here we are the last picture as a family of Three on the morning we met our sweet Olivia. Let's back up about 24 hours earlier, and we were just going about our lives with no clue of what God had in store. Olivia's story starts even before that, in November when Michael and I decided that we would go ahead and start the adoption process for our second little blessing. We knew it could happen fast, as 38 hours notice for Celeste proved, but thought for sure it would not happen that quickly again (apparently naively, thinking). 3-4 months and a few phone calls from our adoption agency later we were talking and planning for another child, but at the same time busy with our increasingly mobile now 1 yr. old! On march 10th, while Michael is subbing at a school he calls and tells me we got a call from the executive director of our adoption agency and our minds immediately start racing but she left a message for him to call her back so they finally touch base and Michael calls me back and says that we can go tomorrow to meet our new daughter! I impatiently waited for Michael to get home literally walking in circles making phone calls and running though our shopping list! The moment we met her was beautiful and later that day she was welcomed by the rest of our family and we are settling into life as a family of four. Thank you to everyone for your love and support that you have offered our Family from the very beginning when it was just me and Michael.

Already smitten by our darling Olivia!

Daddy and his girls!!!

Details about Olivia Ruth Roten

Well, God is amazing!!! Yesterday Michael received a call from our adoption agency and we were chosen to be the parents of a sweet little girl!!! She was born February 27th, 2009 and weighed 7lbs, 3oz.. Olivia is very healthy and quite the good eater I'm told. WE ARE THRILLED!! We were beyond blessed with the outpouring of baby items for Celeste that we are set with all our cute pink "girly" things, so Michael and I would like to present a "gift alternative". We are asking our friends and family to consider making a donation in our name (write it on the memo line of a check or ear-mark it for Michael and Emily Roten) to Amazing Grace Adoptions, www.agadoptions.org this would go towards our current adoption cost. Although if you have an item already picked out or just can't resist getting something for Olivia then that is wonderful we are, as always, humbled by the generosity of our friends and family. Thank you for sharing in our joy!!! Look for pictures soon!!!

Amazing Grace Adoptions
1215 Jones Franklin Rd.
Suite 202
Raleigh, NC 27606

Love,
Michael and Emily

Snow day IN MARCH!!

We woke up to a winter wonderland this morning - after waiting and waiting for the snow all day yesterday it started falling around 7 pm and kept going until about 1am. Celeste was not so much a big fan of being bundled up, but we had fun tromping around in the cool, crisp, snowy morning.

I love snow in the early morning, all fresh and untarnished by the world - so magical!

All bundled up! Ready to brave the snow!

C is wondering why she can't move!

NOT AMUSED!! Maybe next year she will appreciate the snow a little more!

Amazing view out our backyard! We are so blessed!!!

Visit from Aunt Sarah and Cousins!

My sister came for a visit and we had a wonderful time!

The two little girls had a blast playing around each other. It won't be long until these two are an unstoppable team!

Mr. C was such a great sport with all these girls in the house and had fun playing WII and joining C and A in playing around the house.

Since C birthday is close we had a little cupcake celebration (I.E excuse to eat cupcakes!!) C was a big fan!

Growing up fast

Our little girl is growing up - here are a few pictures to show you the many faces of Celeste! Here is what we call the "ham and cheese" grin (because it's so much more than 'hamming' it up)

This is the 'I am playing here - it's very serious business'

And finally the 'are you just going to stand there or pick me up?'

Trip to Pilot Mountain

One of the best things about Michael having a flexible schedule is that we can take little trips on the spur of the moment. That is what we did one monday morning, and we decided to head to Pilot Mountain for a family hike. It was great!

The views were amazing

We had a great time! It was a wonderful family outing!

Snapshot of Life!!

No major story with this one, I just love her striped PJ's and the look on her face.

Snapshot of Life!

So, a month or so ago we had our footstool/storage box open and Priscilla thought it was the perfect place to take a rest! So hilarious, then she had some technical difficulties! Finally she decided that inside the footstool was the best

Making the Rounds at Christmas!

Here we are with My Family and Michael's Family at Christmas, we had a great time with everyone!

Family Christmas Pictures!

Here we are in front of all the pointsetta's at church the sunday before Christmas.

Christmas Eve Service at Church - Celeste was not amused that mommy put her in yet another "fancy" dress!

All Done!!!

Here are pictures of how all the decorations turned out!!

Decorating!!

Once we got the tree set up we moved on to the business of decorating!

Yes - we are addicted to lights!! The more the merrier!

Here is the finished product. Our theme this year .... (wait for it!) SNOW AND ICE!

Celeste likes to help! She's a busy girl!!

Mattix Thanksgiving

With 10 grandkids and 10 adults it is a wild time when the whole crew gets together - wild but fun! Never a dull moment. Mom had a great meal ready for everyone and my siblings (and even their kids) made some yummy treats and sides for the meal.

The best part was just hanging out and mom and dad graciously watched the grandkids while the parents enjoyed a night away.

We wrapped up the weekend with a trip to our favorite tree place in glendale springs!

Celeste did not like the texture of the tree! She would just grab on to me like nobody's business.

Thanksgiving with "Mamaw"

My mother-in-law came up for Thanksgiving, and we had such a great time. Marie enjoyed extended time hanging out with Celeste (and us). Michael's Brother, sister-in-law and niece joined us Thanksgiving day and we had a great time hanging out and eating lots of course

Snow day!!!

We had a fun surprise in November with a little dusting of snow - being first time parents we woke up our daughter for a photo op. Clearly she is not seeing the significance of the event. She'll appreciate it when she's older I'm sure (YEAH RIGHT!).

Sweet Stuff!!!

Quick Post - I came a across this picture Michael snapped on a Sunday morning. Celeste is wearing a darling sweater dress from her cousin Adison and the crowning gory is the striped tights. I just want to eat her she's so cute! Anyway, had to be a proud mamma! Thanks for indulging me!

The Hair!

My daughters hair has been a learning curve but what a blessing to be able to meet my neighbors and get the low-down on her particular type of hair texture. It's a little challenging but the key is Baby Einstien and toys, but as you can see she still does her best to escape!

Me trying to focus!!! Get it done - quickly!

Bath Time!

Bath time is always a little stressful because I typically wait until Sunday morning and that's a pretty busy morning in the Roten house but this particular morning we were ahead of the game (not sure how that happened!) and had a fun bath time!