Be still my heart and hold on tight

Nataly will not be in our care for much longer. Part of her family from her father's side is very happy and committed to take her in their care. If CPS finds everything okay with the father's family (background checks and home study, etc.) she will be going to live with them soon. That is the law and the judge is very keen on having Nataly go live with family. I hope we still have a couple of weeks at least with her.

My heart is breaking, tearing up, eyes welling up with tears but my heart is also hopeful that Nataly will be fine, will be loved and cared for. I have faith that He will bless her always because she is so special and she is His daughter. She will always have this very very special place in our hearts and minds and will always be part of prayers. And I also hope that somehow we can still be part of her life, at least get updates on her once in a while and send her gifts. Oh boy, this is very very hard. 

This man's heart is also broken.... he loves her so so very much and is giving her the very best that he has, such a great father to her. 

And how she loves him!!

Relaxing weekend

We enjoyed a beautiful Saturday afternoon at Hermann's Memorial park downtown last weekend. Pedal boating, train riding, and soaking out the sun were    our favorites. Ella enjoyed some quality time with daddy on the lake while I watched Nataly curiously explore every little bit of her surroundings, starting with the wooden bench we were seated on, the mist from the fountains, and down to the dirt and grass around us. She even got a 'yummy' taste of the bench metal railing somehow! 

With her favorite soft toy, Pinkie Puddle :)

Train ride!

Sunday after church and lunch, Ella got to ride and jump with her Sprity girl. 

 

They did a great job together.

On Friday Ella had field day at school and I was able to take the day off from work and volunteer and hang out with her for a bit. 

On Saturday night we got an exersaucer for Nataly and she loves it! She plays and dances in it! :)

 And one last one: this kid has some really cute hair!!!!!

( our ill' Ace Ventura??)

Mother's Day and Wedding ANNIVERSARY

This was probably one of the best yet Mother's Day weekend as it just so happen to also be our 12th Wedding Anniversary and also extra special because of having Nataly in our lives. 

 

I was spoiled with some delicious lunches and dinners, all home made, all gourmet. We had a sees food fest, with crab for lunch and lobster for dinner! Yummy! Ella who loves seafood was in heaven! Hrishi also made grilled trout! He is amazing!!! 

After church, we stopped by for a few pictures in our lovely neighborhood. It was just wonderful to feel loved, spoiled, and take the opportunity to reflect on the blessing and challenge of being a mother.   

I asked Hrishi to snap one before sacrament started. :)

After church and our crab delicious lunch, we headed out to Hermann Memorial park, a really beautiful place where we'll be going a lot this summer. Beautiful fountains, bike and walking trails, picnic tables, outdoor grills, paddle boats, outdoor theater, to name just a  few of the attractions. 

Shu and Andrea joined us too and Ella had a ton of fun riding her bike around the park with them. 

These two love each other so much!! 

Look at those eyes! 

I am so proud of my two girls, how wonderful, strong, and beautiful inside and out, they both are. 

Happy Mother's Day and Happy Wedding Anniversary to us! 

Motherhood

How I cherish moments like these...

With Nataly cuddling and falling asleep in my arms.

And moments like these: of pure exhaustion, yet hope that everything would be fine. (In ER on Monday because of a bad stomach flu.)

And moments of amazing joy and pride and thankfulness for being surrounded by these beautiful spirits: 

And moments like these when your baby makes amazing music in front of a large crowd of talented and hardworking kids and their parents:

 And moments like these when love simply overflows and everything is simply perfect:

Happy Early Mother's Day!