Happy Halloween!

Well, there is a bit of a story here concerning Seneca's Halloween costume. I had purchased a cute ladybug outfit about a month ago and quickly returned it after hearing that Granmama had also bought her a cute costume. Unfortunately, when we got to Utah, Seni had grown so much that she didn't get to fit into it! It was such an adorable pumpkin costume. I was bummed it didn't work out. I was going to return it here in California after returning from Utah, but when I got here I wasn't able to make it to the outlet stores. I'm located in a REALLY small town that is pretty remote and tough for me to just go anywhere. Anyway, my mom's hair stylist in town had a cute puppy costume and allowed us to borrow it. I am grateful to be able to have a cute costume so, thank you! Here is our cute little puppy...I know it's not very feminine; however, I'm grateful for the opportunity to get a costume in such a short period of time.

7-8 Wks Old!

It's been a little while since I've posted...so, here are some current pictures. Seneca and I went to Utah to visit Matt for two weeks and had a great time!

Matt is doing really well in school! He is very busy and gone most of the time; but the hard work is paying off. He has been offered one internship, but still interviewing for others to see which one would be a good fit for next summer.

We love and miss all of you and hope to be settled soon! Please continue to keep us as well as our sweet birth mother in your thoughts and prayers!

Here are some fun pictures documenting our fun trip to Utah! Enjoy!

Cousin Aurelie at the Grossi shower

Aunt Lili, Magalie and cousin Stephane (Grossi shower)

Papie and Uncle Ira (Grossi shower) Ira--who is Jewish was calling dad and Jew (tight with money)...it was pretty funny! You had to be there! Aunt Sonya, Uncle Jean Jacques, and cousin Magalie (Grossi Shower)

Granmama Kempton got Seni a Swenden soccer jersey she wore to the shower to stir up some action with the French/Italian Grossi's

Matt and Seni (Matt's Birthday Dinner)

Seni going for a walk with me! Cute outfit my sister Danielle gave SeniWhoa! I am falling here!

Ugh! I'm down!

Family shot!

Uncle Rob and Aunt Jenesse

Granmama and Papa

I am so cute!

Family ride up Alpine Loop Seni at the pumpkin patch

Tired Seni!

Papa and Seni

Wow!! 6 weeks old!!

Well, I can't believe how quickly time passes! Seneca is six weeks old! She is growing SO fast! She eats about 4 ounces every 3 hours and sometimes 5 ounces. She is very long and lean!! :) I absolutely adore her! She makes eye contact, and is starting to babble and smile!! Oh, so breath-taking! This has been such a wonderful experience seeing her grow each and every day. The only unfortunate part of this is it has been hard not seeing Matt! As you may or may not know, Matt is studying for his MBA up at BYU. (I am so proud of him for making this tough decision). So, it's been about 3 weeks since we've all seen each other! We are still not able to move to Utah yet, but hope it will be soon. Our social worker did receive word from the tribe that they will approve this adoption. Our social worker received legal documents from the tribe and our attorney from LDS Family Services is working on getting this all processed. Please keep us as well as the birth mother in your prayers!! As for Matt he is really enjoying school. He is ALWAYS studying. It's a huge load but loves all the material he is learning. He is in Atlanta for the next couple of days to hopefully land an internship for next summer. He thinks he would like to focus on Finance with an emphasis in strategy. I'm not sure exactly what that is, but will learn as we go through this process. He has expressed an interest in interning with Johnson & Johnson and some other business in Chicago...I can't remember the name. Anyway, he thinks...not for sure....he would like to stay in the health care field applying his professional skills as well as all that he his learning from his formal education. I am just excited for this opportunity for Matt! I know he wants so badly to find something he loves and enjoys....I know this is getting him there! Again, I am proud of him and can't believe how much time and effort he is putting into this! I miss you babe! Here are some more fun pictures of Seneca. Before viewing them, I must apologize in advance...while staying in Utah a few weeks back I totally messed up by not taking pictures of Seneca being held by Papa, Granmama, Rob and Jenese. So, I apologize. I will be there this weekend and will be sure to capture this memory along with others. As you can see below, many people LOVE Seneca! Here are those who have had the chance to meet her. Again, this is not everyone. I will do better at taking pictures!! :~ My family got together on the 8th to celebrate my older brother's birthday. He passed away 13 years ago from a heart condition and we've tried to keep his memory alive each and every day since! We love and miss our Jason! He would have been 38 today! Happy Birthday Jay! As a (limited number of our) family (missing Matt, Toni, Dad and Patrice)...we went to Crystal Cove state beach and tried to eat at the Beachcomber. After waiting an hour and pigging out on appetizers we decided to hit Taco Bell. (A hang out us siblings spent time at throughout our high school years!) It was fun!

Andre's version of the sling. (Just put it around your neck?) Figo's protecting Seneca! Pega Joon, Figo and Seni! I went to visit the Meilings on Thursday and was happy to see Debbie and Aunt Mary! Debbie you rock! She loves you!! Debbie was able to get Seni to fall asleep! Seni playing with a mobile I rigged up with a hanger and Velcro toys! Seni wearing a cute outfit Papie and Grandma Patrice purchased in France! What a proud grandma...She FINALLY has a grandchild! :) Aunt Danielle flew in from Germany to greet her new little niece! Grandpa Ray enjoying his time with her! Mom and Seni! Uncle Jeff came to visit Aunt Mesia...NOT....he came to meet his new niece, Seni! Papie and Seni! Seni's protectors--Reggie and Cloe

One Month Old!!

Seneca is one month old! We took her to the doctor last Friday and, Wow, she has grown! Birth Weight: 7lbs 13 oz Current Weight: 9lbs 13.5 oz Birth Length: 19 1/4 inches Current Length: 22 1/4 inches Here are some fun pictures of her!

Almost three weeks old!

Seneca will be three weeks old on Tuesday...wow, how times passes! She has been so much fun to be with! I just absolutely adore her! We have been in Utah the past week and a half spending some time with Matt and his family. Seneca and I will be returning to California this weekend since we can't be gone longer than two weeks at a time. (Sorry for not letting you Utan's know, I want to keep her in for up to a month.) I hope to be back in Utah permanently around mid-October. We found out last week that the Native American tribe is going to approve the adoption. They will be meeting as a tribal council on September 20th at which time they should document this approval in writing. Then this will get sent to our social worker and once this is received we should be clear to move to Utah. So, please continue to keep us, as well as Seneca's (Sabrina) birth mother in your prayers.

Here are more pictures...

Her first football game (BYU vs UCLA)

Snuggling with dad

Chilling on the floor Her first smile on camera!

I love this picture!

Our most precious gift!

Wow, is all I can say from when we last posted. It is only a little over a month ago and so much has changed! As many of you know Matt and I were preparing to leave our jobs here in California and pick up and leave for Utah for two years while Matt attends BYU's MBA program. The plan was to rent out our condo and I would then start looking for a job here in Utah. Well, some of this changed when we received "the call" from our social worker from LDS family services. She said that a birth mother was interested in us! I could not believe it! We were just approved in June and didn't even think it would be this quick! They say it could take up to two years....One month...wow! This was the farthest thing on our minds as we were in the middle of packing and getting things ready to move. However; I was speechless and over come with so much joy to have even been considered by this birth mother. I immediately called Matt to give him the news and all I could do was cry! We didn't get a lot of details at this time other than she was having a girl, she was due August 31st and the birth mother is 1/2 Native American. The difficulties with this is the tribe would have to approve the adoption to a non-Native American family. We felt good about this and felt it was worth the risk. Initially the birth mother wanted the process to be relatively closed. Then we received an email that the birth mother wanted to meet us! Wow! We met with her on Friday, August 8th. The moment I saw her I was in tears! She is beautiful! We all knew (Matt, myself and the birth mother) at this moment this was the right match. The birth mother is incredible! She is very smart, great head on her shoulders, sweet spirited and very loving! After this meeting we decided to meet with her the following weekend so that we could meet her little girl. We were very excited at this opportunity and definitely wanted to get to know her and her daughter better. This too, was also a great meeting. At this point the next step was to wait until the baby was born. In the meantime, Matt moved up to Utah August 18th to start orientation for school while I stayed back to back for the baby! Then, at around 6am on August 26th I go the call from the birth mother's social worker that the baby had been born 4:26am, weighing 7lbs 13oz, 19 1/4 inches long! I immediately called Matt in Utah and he was able to catch the first flight available. We made it to the hospital by 1pm to visit with the birth mother, her family and our new baby girl! The birth mother is truly amazing. She offered us to stay at the hospital over night so that we could bond with her. The hospital was so awesome and gave us our own private room. So, during this time we had the most wonderful opportunity to meet the birth mother's parents, two sisters, and daughter. During this time it was great spending time together to all get to know one another better. We were most grateful to spend time with our baby while the birth mother did as well! What an amazing woman! I truly love this girl! Then, the most difficult moment arrived; leaving the hospital with baby Seneca (Sabrina--this is what the birth mother named her). My heart truly ached for the birth mother and her family because I felt like I was taking away their baby! Matt and I were very emotional over this transition and prayed that she and her family would be watched over and protected and that we too would be comforted at this time. We finally got home and then bonded with her more! Oh, she is absolutely beautiful! We are most grateful for this birth mother...her sacrifice to make such a wonderful blessing come to fruition in our family. We will be forever grateful for her! Since she is a quarter Native American the tribe has to approve this adoption. Until this is approved I cannot move to Utah. So, please keep us in your prayers! Here are some pictures of Seneca Rae...please enjoy!

At the hospital...our first family portrait

Cute Seneca Rae! Bringing her home!

Snuggling up after a warm drive home!

Her first bath!

Her first encounter with the Grossi's