disney

Last year we were able to join Michael's family for a day at Disneyland while they were vacationing there and Esther had a great time! We were not sure if she would be too young to enjoy the day and while she probably will have no recollection of that day she seemed to enjoy it. We saw lots of intrigue, pointing, clapping and smiling from Esther. So glad we were able to spend some time with family. Here are some snapshots from the day.

 

family memories

There are some moments in our lives that are so precious you don't want to forget them. These are the moments that you lock away in your heart to hold on to the memory.

I have been so blessed to have an amazing extended family. A family where both sides of the family like each other and don't mind vacationing together. And when one of the family units decides to move to a different country (my immediate family being that family unit:) they love us so well that when we are in town or on special occasions WE ALL come together. For example in 2004 when we came back to Denmark for visit over Christmas - both sides of our family came together and we rented a cabin and spent the Christmas holiday together and just enjoyed quality time together. Such a great memory. Pass forward to October 2015 and my parents decided to celebrate their 60th birthdays, Danish style - and their siblings, many of my cousins and their kids all made the trek from Denmark to help celebrate and make memories. What a great family! We all stayed together for a week leading up to the party - and just hung out, caught up, enjoyed each others' company, played games, went on excursions, ate together - and got to know each others' kids. I am so thankful for a family that chose to use their vacation and finances to make such a special week happen. Thank you! I miss family time in Denmark and am thankful when I get a chance to experience it once in a while. Here are a bunch of snapshots from the week.

enjoying life outside

meal time

enjoying life inside

out and about

officially a carlson

A month ago today (yes, I am behind in blogging! but at this point in my life little miss e is more important than blogging;), Esther officially became a Carlson! We of course have known she was a Carlson since she was born - but it was such a wonderful and comforting feeling to have the Court confirm what we already knew. As I have said before, God has been so incredibly faithful on this adoption journey. God answered the prayers and doubts I had about adoption and gave us a daughter that I feel so incredibly blessed to be able to call mine (ours). Every day when I look at her I feel so blessed and privileged to be able to be her mor. Sometimes I just sit and stare at her and am overcome with joy and gratitude that she is our daughter. Esther has changed our lives forever in a perfect way. Even though the journey to parenthood was a long and difficult one, I wouldn't have it any other way. God has redeemed what seemed like a hopeless situation. In this process God showed His love and mercy for us - His adopted children!

I want to thank everyone who helped make this adoption possible - and most of all the woman who allowed us to become parents. She is the most selfless person I know. And I am grateful for her every day and I look forward to sharing that act of love with Esther as she grows in her understanding.

Esther was woken up from her nap in the court room and wasn't too thrilled about it so she wasn't in a smiley mood:)

father's day

I realize father's day was over two weeks ago, but life happens and I still wanted to give my amazing husband a shout out on here! Happy FIRST Father's day, Michael! You are such a wonderful husband and now father. Thank you for being such a great father to sweet Esther. We love you!

Esther "made" her first homemade card for her daddy for father's day with the help of her mor:) I helped her hold the brush and then Esther showed her artistic ability by running her hands through the paint on her own -- adding a personal touch:)

Every day we thank God for the incredible blessing we have been given to be Esther's parents and because of that getting to celebrate days such as father's day:)

faetter august

When we went to Texas we also got to meet our nephew August for the first time. What a cutie:) Esther's cousin (aka faetter), August, is only two months younger than Esther. It was fun seeing them interact. Esther was SUPER excited to meet him and screamed with excitement and joy into August's face the first couple of times she was near him. The raw emotion frightened August a little and he wasn't sure what he thought about his kusine Esther ... but soon enough they were friends. I am sure as they grow they will have lots of fun together ... and most likely get into trouble together as well;)

their expressions are so similar:)

what's up cuz!?

and then there was a cousin

We were blessed to also travel to Texas to visit my family last month. My brother's children (aka my nephews:) have patiently been waiting for a cousin for years ... and now they finally have a cousin, and a girl cousin (aka kusine) at that! It was so fun to see them interact with each other.

This was also Esther's first time meeting her uncle (aka morbror) and auntie on my side and the first time my parents had all of their grandchildren together. What a special time of being together!

nephew selfies:)

meeting washington family

One of Michael's sisters and family also got to meet Esther for the first time while we were in WA. So glad Esther was able to meet one of her aunties, uncles, and three of her cousins.

the cousins

Esther has a lot to say apparently:)

meeting great grandma

We only have one grandparent left between the two of us so Michael and I were excited about Esther meeting her great grandma Carlson when we were in town. One of the days Esther even had a chance to take a stroll through GG Carlson's garden. Esther loves the outdoors and especially trees - so she loved this special treat:)

daddy's old stompin' grounds

While we were in Washington for the wedding we had the chance to go to Stanwood where Michael grew up and where most of his family still lives. So Michael had the chance to show Esther a little around where he grew up. I'm sure there is much more to come and many more stories to tell - but at least he had a chance to wet her appetite;) And Esther seemed to enjoy it:)

congratulations nick and emily!

Last month we went to Washington state to celebrate the wedding of Nick and Emily. Michael was a groomsman so Esther and I flew in a couple of days later so Michael could participate in the groomsman festivities.

Esther did well (for a baby) for her first time flying. And I did ok too;) I did learn a couple of tricks that made flying back to Phoenix better ... All in all Esther and I survived our travels alone, but decided we prefer to have daddy along.

Since the wedding was in Washington we also had the chance to see family. Esther had the chance to meet her auntie, uncle and cousins and great grandma for the first time as well. But more about that later.

As you will notice we didn't manage to get a picture with the groom and bride (lame!), but I guess that is what happens when you attend a wedding with a baby and you flew in just hours before (lesson learned: too much packed into a day for a baby?! who knew. ha!)

happy easter

 happy easter from the carlsons!

did someone say easter bunny?

joy

I absolutely love being a mor (aka mom)! I always wanted to be a mother, but you never know what the experience is truly like until you are doing it. And I love it! Esther is such a joy to be around. She loves to smile. I took these pictures a couple of weeks ago, but I see this smiling face all day long:) She is obviously a baby and has needs that a baby has and my body aches and I am sleep deprived ... but when I look into her eyes and see her smile (or even when she cries  ... does any one else find baby cries adorable?) it is all so worth it! I have a Type A personality for the most part and I have been surprised how it hasn't really bothered me that my house isn't picked up and that there are millions of  things on my to do list ... I mean I would love to get those things done, but if it is between getting those things done and spending time with sweet little Esther (even if she is fussy) - I choose Esther every time. I am so thankful for this little girl. I feel so privileged to be able to be her mor. I know that I may be in the honeymoon phase and some days are harder than others ... but I truly believe that I am doing what I feel called to do. I just love our little family and I am so thankful for the sacrifice of so many that has allowed this incredible blessing of God. God has been so faithful and it has filled my heart with so much joy!

happy new year!

happy new year from THIS girl and her parents:) we look forward to seeing what 2015 has in store.

the greatest christmas present ever

After a season of waiting we received the most perfect and amazing Christmas present. We are in incredible awe of what God has done for us, how he has blessed us beyond measure with the most perfect daughter and in turn allowed us to become a family.

Let me introduce you to our daughter 

Esther Marie Carlson

We love her so much and we can't help but just sit and stare at our beautiful miracle baby:) Our hearts are full!

Even though  our adoption journey has not been easy at times, God provided us with a wonderful birth family that we had the opportunity to get to know towards the end of the journey. We truly care about this family and their incredible loving sacrifice that allowed us this beautiful healthy daughter. We look forward to sharing with Esther her beautiful birth story. 

We are incredibly humbled by the outpouring of love and support from so many of you for our adoption. We lack words to express our thankfulness, but we will start with a THANK YOU! Thank you to everyone who has helped make our dream of bringing home our Carlson baby a reality. Thank you for loving us and in turn loving little Esther.  

We are still raising money to help fund this wonderful adoption. If you are interested in making a tax deductible year end donation please consider making a contribution to https://www.adopttogether.org/carlsonadoption 

If you would prefer to purchase something tangible that supports our adoption as well then if you buy some yummy candles at Waiting Hearts Candle Co using our link (https://waitingheartscandle.com/?ref=5) we will receive 35% towards our adoption.

Thanks again for all of your support! We are overjoyed this Christmas season to have Esther as part of our family! God is good!

  

happy birthday maya

this fun girl's birthday is today. 

happy birthday, maya! 

we wish we could be there to help you celebrate. 

we miss you and look forward to the next time we get to see you.