Missy and Dave's parents all drove down and stayed with us, along with our friends, John and Jill. We celebrated New Years and after a weeks stay, then the babies were released from the hospital.
Another question that I often get was was it hard to let them go...and the answer is NO!! I was never their mom and I knew it!! I love them like I think a grandparent loves their grandchildren. I have an indescribable bond with these babies....... as does Chris, Payne and Peyton an we always will!
The day they left I couldn't stop crying but this was just beacuse i felt an overwhelming feeling of joy and relief that it all turned out ok....the babies very healthy and safe ......and there was now a family where there wasn't before!!!
They had to return in March where we had to go before Judge English in a formal adaption hearing!!!
We still try to spend their birthdays together ( in fact we are flying to Michigan in a couple of weeks) and we take family vacations all together at least once a year!!!
Believe it or not I left out a ton of details like all the times people would ask my kids if they were going to have a baby brother or sister and they would reply.... "Neither.... They aren't our babies....they are Aunt Missy and Uncle Dave's....they are going to live with them in Michigan when they are born" , and all the times I made Missy cut my toenails because I couldn't even see my feet, and all the times I got Missy to do whatever I want by playing the "I carried your babies" card (and still do btw) and much, much more!!!
In fact this story isn't over at all....it will continue forever....
Now for the pictures.....
 |
Missy and I in 1979...with her little brother...we were 12 (and sadly we thought we were cute).
Neither of us obviously chooses our friends based on looks!! |
 |
| 1st trip to CCRM in Denver March 2003 |
 |
| THE transfer May 22, 2003 |
 |
IT WORKED!!!
|
 |
| It's twins...the 1st ultrasound |
 |
| I think I was about 4 months-ish at that point....just kidding...more like 5!! |
|
|
| My boys, Peyton and Payne, ready to fly to Michigan for the "Meet the Womb" party in September 2003 |
|
|
| ...and she made EVERYONE wear name tags tags at womb party including her (on the off chance she invited someone to the party she did not know!!!) |
|
|
Chris is ready for the delivery...December 27, 2003 5 am
|
 |
| Don't hate me because I am beautiful! |
|
|
Calling Missy in the OR right after the C-section to tell her her babies are here....she is a MOM!!
|
 |
| WE did it! |
 |
| See...I am beginning to blow up like the Blueberry girl in Willy Wonka!! |
 |
| Dave meeting his baby for the 1st time..... |
 |
| ......and Missy meeting her baby for the 1st time!! |
 |
| The PROUD parents!! |
 |
| Alexia Carolyn...Lexi |
 |
| Noah Paul |
 |
| This is where Missy sat and held and rocked thoes babies for the 1st time....for a better visual, put my face over Dave's!! |
 |
| John (Dave's BFF) flew in from Texas...and beat Jill out!! |
 |
| Here is our other BFF Jill!!! She flew in from Chicag....sadly second to John!! Still a bone of contention to this day!! |
 |
| Me and Noah... |
 |
| After all the hell she went through for years and year....she finally has her babies!! |
 |
| My boys had a lot to celebrate this happy new year eve 2003!! |
 |
| ...and they were so happy that John was with us to ring in the New Year!! |
 |
| Good thing Dave has bigs hands to hold his babies... |
 |
| BFF's for real.... |
 |
| Missy and her Dad |
 |
| Getting ready to leave the hosiptal January 4, 2004 |
 |
| The local paper did a story on and us and came and took pictures... |
 |
| Missy mom and dad |
 |
| We were all resting for they were going home to Mighigan the next day... |
 |
Dave's mom
|
 |
| head home to Michigan.... |
 |
| Made it home...what sweet babies! |
 |
| Missy playing with her baby... |
 |
| They are growing.... |
 |
| They came back in March for the adoption 2003 and Payne was holding his non-sister.. |
 |
| SOOO sweet!! |
 |
| The babies with Judge English....They are offically no longer Armstrongs....they are now Dues!! |
 |
| at the babies Baptisim in May 2004 in Michigan |
 |
A family made in heaven by God himself.....our very own MIRACLE!!!
The Armstrongs and the Dues
... and as in typcial in every family there is ALWAYS that one.....red shirt Missy??? She musted have missed the memo!!!
Thanks for taking part in our story!!
|
I am amazed that so many of you have connected to our story!! In this day when our world is full of sadness and darkness, I am so grateful that I was able to share a story of hope and joy!!!
ReplyDelete