Sorry for the quiet time. It's been busy. :)

A couple weeks ago we celebrated Owen's birthday. With all of the birthday festivities, his Great-Mimi came to visit. For MONTHS Mimi has been promising to make Shawn a peanutbutter pie. FINALLY she did and Owen helped. I love this candid pic I caught of them doing this together. 

So for the last 1 1/2 years, I've been asking our daughter if she might want to get her ears pierced. I would only ask periodically and she would always say no which is completely ok. 

Last week when I asked, I was surprised that she told me she would. So.. we have a big-girl of 6 years old with PIERCED ears!!! She was so brave and we couldn't be more proud of her!!! She was scared but she was an absolute champ!! Love this girl so much!!

We celebrated Owen's FOURTH birthday in September! What a big boy he was. The theme was SUPER heroes. :)

We enjoyed blowing the candles, cake and presents with all of our family and friends. We had an absoltute blast!!! We love this little man and his love of heroes. He was surrounded by so many that love him. To have so many kids his age to play with, you can imagine the fun he had that day and how hard he slept that night. LOL!

I know we have chatted a bit about our prep this year for Halloween but, this weekend we actually started on it! A little early? Yes. But, what can we say, Shawn was BEYOND excited to pull this bad boy out of the garage and it's huge 4' x 4' box (no joke.) It's been sitting in it's box since May when he got it. 

There was no stopping him putting it up even though it was before Labor Day. LOL!

#adoption #openadoption #hopingtoadopt #molloyshopingtoadopt #infertility #hopefuladoptivefamily #hopefuladoptivecouple

So these boys are coming down to the wire when it comes to getting ready for Halloween this year. Ever since Leslie got Shawn a 12' skeleton for his birthday in May, he hsd been working on the outdoor decorations for our display outside. 

Sorry in advance to the neighborhood kids that are undoubtedly going to need therapy sessions for years to come. :) T-minus a month and counting!!! As you can see, Halloween is VERY serious business over here!!!

#adoption #hopingtoadopt #openadoption #molloyshopingtoadopt #hopefuladoptivefamily #infertility #adoptionjourney #domesticadoption 

Ever since we moved to our home 4 years ago, mom has wanted to paint her room to be reflective of her style. Last weekend was finally the day! Several months ago, I had asked my daughter if she might want to help me. Very eagerly, she said she would and RAN to the closet to get her Home Depot apron. 

I think momma may have a natural on her hands. She did an outstanding job. Perhaps next time, the painting will include her room instead of moms.

#hopingtoadopt #molloyshopingtoadopt #openadoption #adoption #infertility #hopefuladoptivecouple #hopefuladoptivefamily

This week has been a whirlwind. Today was our 6 year old daughter's first day of First Grade!! She was so excited the last week thinking about getting back to class. Candidly, we are pretty sure the part she was the most excited about was getting to use all of her kitty gear (bookbag, headband, and t-shirt) as well as sporting her new haircut. While she bravely walked into school with her new class, mom and dad couldn't help but tear up a bit.  We are so proud of her!!!!

#hopingtoadopt #adoption #openadoption #hopefuladoptivefamily #molloyshopingtoadopt #hopefuladoptivecouple

On Saturday, Owen and Shawn found a toad in our backyard. We're not sure how he got there because we don't have any ponds or creeks near by. He must have traveled pretty far! We figured he is likely tired and hungry so we put him up for the night! (lol) Before we tucked him into his little portable VRBO, we took him across the street to show the neighbors. Here you see a great shot of dad, Owen, and our neighbor checking him out. Thanks to our neighbor for capturing this great pic.

Ultimately a day later we did let our little house guest (to the extreme sadness of our 3 year old.) Hopefully he found his family..

#adoption #hopingtoadopt #hopefuladoptivefamily #toadlove #hopefuladoptiveparents #domesticadoption #infertility

Today was our little man's first day of Pre-School. He was so excited to move on up to the big kids classroom! It is so hard to believe he's in preschool. It only seems like just yesterday we brought him home. He loves school so much but this takes his love to the next level. :) lol.

Happy first day Owen! We are so excited for you!

#adoption #openadoption #hopingtoadopt #hopingtoadoptagain #hopefuladoptivefamily #hopefuladoptivecouple 

So have you seen the Barbie movie yet? Just this week Leslie and Char made our way to the neighborhood movie theater to finally see what all of the buzz has been about! While Charlotte isn't much of a Barbie girl, not going to lie, it was a bit nostalgic for mom.

Highly recommend it if you haven't had the chance to see it. All we can say is #GIRLPOWER! :)

#hopingtoadopt #adoption #openadoption #adoptionjourney #hopingtoadoptagain #domesticadoption 

Last night was our first school event!! With school starting by us next week, the school had a fun new student event at a local park. We were kinda amazed, we had never been to this park so not only was it fun getting to meet new people but we had a blast playing on all the new slides and climbing equipment!

As you can see, this new fun stuff to play with was also a perfect area to pretend to be Spiderman so the kiddos and Shawn where slinging "spiderwebs" from their hands and getting trapped in the webs!  

#hopingtoadopt #adoption #openadoption #domesticadoption #adoptionplan #adoptionjourney

So it is unbelievable that summer is coming to an end. School is starting next week and even a couple of the last nights we have felt the fall weather start to creep in. (We're totally cool with that, we LOVE fall.)

Anyways, the other night we just wanted to enjoy our neighborhood and ride our bikes to the park. Our dog, Olive, came with us and we enjoyed a wonderful ride in the cool setting sun. The sun through the trees and the breeze in our faces was the perfect way to end the day.

If we could duplicate this every day, that would be heaven. :)

#hopingtoadopt #growingourfamilythroughadoption #hopefuladoptiveparents #openadoption #adoption 

This summer has been the summer of parties for us. We have had 2 birthday parties AND  graduation party for our oldest daughter, Emily. 

With all of this fun going on, we typically are putting up decorations the weekend before. Here you can see our son, Owen helping mom with some party decorations. He was such a good helper and was such a big help in pulling all of the decorations together. :)

#hopefuladoptivefamily #adoption #hopingtoadopt #growingfamilythruadoption #openadoption #infertility

So last weekend we went to the zoo for a couple hours and found a new little nook we have never seen in ALL the times we have gone over the last three years ( and let me tell you, it has been a LOT)

It's funny though because you can see in the pic, essentially our family took a picture next to a zebra butt!  It is apparent given the kids facial expressions they realized what was going on before mom and dad. 🤪🤣 

Add some cropping compliments of mom and we get to drive that point home 🤣

Daddy turned into the butt of our jokes!! Lol

#hopingtoadopt #growingfamilythroughadoption #openadoption #adoption #adoptionplan #adoptionplanformychild #hopefuladoptivefamily #hopefuladoptiveparents #hopingtoadoptillinois

We are now mid-August and the summer is quickly coming to an end. Before we know it, the leaves will be falling and the crispness of winter will start to force us into putting our thick coats on.  With that, we want to make sure to capture as much of the sun and warmth as we can  and went to play at the park. 

Of course, while the park is fun, what makes it more fun is playing with the kiddos!! As you can see, they happen to love it too. Our son and mom raced down the slide and wouldn't you know, his little tush got to the finish line before mom's did.  After his first victory, he shouted "Again! Again!!" 

How could anyone say no to that? Mom kept up with him though and by the time we were walking home, EVERYONE was tired. We had so much fun though. :)

#hopingtoadopt #hopingtoadoptagain #adoption #infertility #openadoption #molloyshopingtoadoptagain #adoptionjourney #domesticadoption #hopefuladoptivefamily

Hi there,

With being so close to the zoo and being the animal-loving family that we are, we go to the zoo a lot. Yesterday, we went and our primary focus was learning about sharks. This came up in dinnertime conversation recently so we decided to go check them out in person. The kids (and mom and dad) were mezmerized by watching them swim by so smoothly past the other fish in the tank. Not only did we see sharks, we saw jellyfish, seahorses, and even PENGUINS!!!

Spending time here is a family favorite and we go nearly every week. We can't wait for the upcoming Boo at the Zoo and Zoolights when it gets into winter. 

#hopingtoadopt #openadoption #adoption #adoptionprofile #molloyshopingtoadopt 

After dinner tonight, the kids eagerly ate their dinner so we could walk to the park and play. It was a BEAUTIFUL summer night to ride out bikes and take the dog for a walk too. The sun going down was perfect the way it filtered through the trees.

Every time we go to the park, our daughter always wants to climb the monkey bars. Since she is still building her strength, mom always helps make her way across. She is getting better each time. 

What perfect ending to a great family evening.

Sometimes it is the little things that make your day great. Last weekend we went to an interactive zoo where you got to feed and walk amongst the animals. Well, with this type of set up, the different animals were so far apart, the zoo had actual go carts where you could drive from one area to the next!! It was crazy and I have to say, quite a different spin on what we have experienced at the zoo. Lol. Ofcourse, "the boys" were all over it. Dad and Owen loved driving around and feeling the bugs get caught in their teeth. Ha ha ha.. all kidding aside though, they really had fun driving the rest of us around. I have do doubt more go carting is in our foreseeable future and dad is going to have to arm wrestle to get the stearing wheel as Owen gets older. Father like son. 

#hopingtoadopt #molloyshopingtoadoptagain #openadoption #adoption #adoptionplan #unplannedpregnancyoptions #unplannedpregancy #hopefuladoptiveparents #domesticadoption #infertility #infantadoption

So this summer is definitely one for the record books. We have had so much fun this summer and it is hard to belive that it is slowly coming to an end. How did we get to August?! I mean.. really!?! School starts in TWO weeks!!!!!

Anyway, as a part of all the fun we have been having we are BEYOND excited to have taken a weekend trip to visit some birth family in Kentucky. We met up with our daughter's birthmom and her family as we have the past couple summers. It was nice to have fun and share new experiences with them that they have never had. (we'll share those in another post :) .. it was pretty fun to share)

It was nice just being with them. They are amazing and the kindest most genuine people you have ever met. It was nice to see our daughter spend time with her sister as well. Such a special time. We can't wait to see them again hopefully soon. There was talk of them coming up to see us and us take them to the sights of Chicago and stay with us for a bit which would be beyond EPIC!!!! From the bottom of our hearts, we love them more than words. Our visits are ALWAYS too short.

#openadoption #hopingtoadopt #hopefuladoptivefamily #adoption #adoptionplan #molloyshopingtoadopt #molloyshopingtoadoptagain #unplannedpregancy #unplannedpregnancyoptions #infertility

Hi there! So we had SOOOOO much fun this past weekend. We went for a 3-day weekend to visit family and we got to PET KANGAROOS!!! Yes, you heard us. Pet them!! It was so much fun. They were so gentle and small. It was hilarious, they would walk amongst the people like it was no big deal. They were adorable. Definitely one of the highlights of our trip. :)

#openadoption #adoption #hopingtoadopt #adoptionplan #adoptionislove #adoptionformychild #adoptionplanformychild #hopefuladoptiveparents #hopefuladoptivefamily #infertility #molloyshopingtoadopt #domesticadoption 

Whenever Shawn goes out to mow the grass, Owen is his little shadow.  Not only do they have "matching" lawn mowers, they also have matching leaf blowers. Ha ha ha. The mowing goes a lot quicker with two of them at it!

#openadoption #hopingtoadopt #adoption #adoptionplan #adoptionislove #molloyshopingtoadopt #molloyshopingtoadoptagain #infertility #adoptionplanformychild #domesticadoption

So if you were able to see what a weekend might look like (or even an evening dinner) it is often spent together, sharing the moment over making food to enjoy together. Almost every weekend, we are baking muffins or making cookies together. Sometimes it's mom and Owen. Other times is mom and Charlotte. Heck.. if mom is REALLY lucky, I get both kiddos to help me make goodies. 

Last weekend, Owen and mom celebrated our summer bounty of blueberries by making some homemade blueberry muffins. Let me tell you, this is serious business. We have tried SO MANY different recipes over the last few years to find the PERFECT muffin and finally found it.  SOOOO GOOOD!!!!! Owen ate is weight in the muffins we made and definitely licked the bowl.

#molloyshopingtoadopt #molloyshopingtoadoptagain #adoption #adoptionplan #hopingtoadopt #hopingtoadoptagain #adoptionplan #adoptionplanformychild #unplannedpregnancy #openadoption #domesticadoption

Tis the season!! With it being nicer out (and the little kids getting a little bit bigger) this year we started camping out in the back yard. Let me clarify, the BOYS have started camping in the back yard. (Us girls would rather have the comfiness of a nice soft bed!!!) It's a great way to start to get ready for this upcoming autumn's camping trip. 

Owen and Shawn love to do this! They bring the dog with them, watch movies, and then look at the stars before going to bed.

#hopingtoadopt #hopingtoadoptagain #openadoption #adoption #molloyshopingtoadopt #molloyshopingtoadoptagain #unplannedpregnancy #hopefuladoptiveparents #adoptionformychild #adoptionplan #infertility #adoptionjourney

This week our oldest turned 18!!! EIGHTEEN!?!?! We are not even sure how this happened. A legal adult. Crazy how time flies by. When we became a blended family, Emily was 6 and Shawn had been a single parent with sole custody for 4 years.....

For my husband, this whole year has been bittersweet watching one of his little girls becoming an adult. Many a joyful tear of being proud and time going by too quickly. As for me, I am just as blown away. I mean, I've known her 13 years. From a high-energy kindergartener to a kid getting ready to enter the trades, it is absolutely mind blowing.

We are celebrating this weekend her graduation and turning 18 but in the interim this week, celebrated with icecream. :)

Love this kid.. love ALL these kids.

#blessed #hopingtoadopt #hopefuladoptiveparents #hopingtoadoptagain #adoption #openadoption #unplannedpreganancy #unplannedpregancyoptions #molloyshopingtoadopt #molloyshopingtoadoptagain #adoptionislove

From mom:

These kids are my heart. There was a day I thought the chance to be a mom would never come.

-the needles

-the doctors

-the tears

-the countless medicines and proceedures

-the endless sorrow

Adoption has always been a part of our plan. A plan of "his," "ours", and through #adoption. Both Shawn and I have always wanted to adopt even before we met. We poured our souls into #opeing to adopt instead. Six years later, here we are, gushing love over the family we have built and hoping to grow our family one last time. Praying... for one last time

#openadoption #openadoptinislove #hopefuladoptiveparent #hopetoadopt2023 #adoptionplan #adoptionjourney #molloyshopingtoadopt #molloyshopingtoadoptagain #domesticadoption #unplannedpregnancy #adoption

There are some weekends you just want to work on stuff. Whether that "work on stuff" is the real deal or "play" working on things, what is most important to us is spending time together and having fun!!

Shawn was working on a few odds and ends around the house this past weekend and invited our son to help him. Of course, if you're going to work on something, you need to get your Home Depot apron on. Lol. Literally Owen followed Shawn around the house with Shawn's tools in our son's apron. Owen would then hand him the various tools Shawn needed to get the task at hand completed.

From there, our son took his play tools and proceeded to "fix" the furniture throughout our living room and even the cat!!! Ha ha ha. It was hysterical. (Cat didn't think so though.) :)

#adoption #hopingtoadopt #openadoption #adoptionislove #adoptionplan #hopingtoadoptagain #molloyshopingtoadopt #molloyshopingtoadoptagain #unplannedpreganancy

Mom and her beach "baby." After hours of fun in the sun jumping waves and making sand castles, we needed some rest Playing hard is exhausting work!! That goes for both of us. We did sure have fun though. I think wave-jumping was the family fav this year on our annual vacation.

We woudl love to wear out our  newest family member both on and off the beach. BEtween mom, dad, and siblings, there is no lack of play to be had.  :)

#hopingtoadopt #hopefuladoptiveparents #openadoption #adoption #unplannedpregnancy #molloyslookingtoadoptagain #hopefuladoptivefamily #adoptionplan #adoptionislove 

In our most recent adventures along the Lake Michigan beach, Shawn and I were taking a relaxing walk at sunset. Upon searching for some fun beach pebbles on the shore, Shawn stumbled upon this poor butterfly caught in the waves as they were crashing upon the beach. Shawn wasn't sure if this butterfly was alive or not but he carefully  picked it up. Sure enough this butterfly was ALIVE!! After a couple minutes, he transported it to a safe place farther inland on some bushes so it's wings could dry. The next day when we went to check on it it was gone. :) Looks like we saved a life! :)

#openadoption #adoption #hopingtoadopt #hopingtoadoptagain #molloyshopingtoadopt #molloyshopingtoadoptagain #infertility #adoptionplan #unplannedpregnancy

Shawn and I are VERY much hands-on parents. We don't hire babysitters we LOVE being at home with the kids so it truly is very rare when we have an "alone" moment. Recently though while spending time with family we did slip away for a sunset walk along the beach. We had a lovely time looking for stones, kicking our feet in the waves and holding hands. Life can be busy but it is always wonderful to stop and smell the roses.

#hopingtoadopt #hopingtoadoptagain #hopefuladoptiveparents #infertility #adoption #openadoption #molloyshopingtoadopt #molloyshopingtoadoptagain #unplannedpregnancy

As we mentioned, we are a family grown by adoption and believe #openadoption is win win all the way around. This pic is on our vacation we just took. The older couple to the far left is our son's bio great-mimi and pawpaw. To the far right is our daughter's bio dad. Mimi and paw paw came with us for the week and birthdad came to spend the day with us on the beach since he only lives a couple hours away. While we realize this  may not work for every family, we love the family we have built.  We really had a lot of fun together. We are so blessed that we all care so much about each other, our children, and have a mutual respect like no other.

No child EVER said, too many people loved me.

We are open to any level of openness you prefer momma but we want to make sure you know too.. you are #loved.

#openadoption #familyiswhatyoumakeit #adoptionplan #molloyshopingtoadopt #molloyshopingtoadoptagain #infertility #unplannedpreganancy #hopingtoadopt #hopingtoadoptagain #hopefuladoptivefamily #hopefuladoptiveparents 

Hi there!

The Molloy's just got back from their long-awaited vaycay to South Haven, MI with our family. It was a week where we got to enjoy jumping the waves, soaking up the sunset, and building sandcastles. This is one of our favorite locations and so close from home (which is so much easier on the littles.)

This pic is from our first night there and can we say how magical the sunset was that night? Pure magic like what you would see in the movies. It was even more special to see all the kiddos together enjoying this time. We can't wait to go back.

#adoption #openadoption #adoptionislove #infertility #adoptionplan #molloyshopingtoadopt #hopefuladoptivefamily #hopefuladoptiveparents

The Fourth of July was a fun one in the summer sun!! We went to our cousin, Nikki and Eric's, house to play! They live about an hour west of us on the lake. We love getting to spend time with them because not only do they have a fun view (lots of boats out this holiday on the water) but we can play in it and they have a lot of fun things to do at their house. Our littlest cousin, Mason, (their baby) is so much fun to play with too. This was a great time to spend time with family and enjoy the fireworks. Here we were cooling our feet off the pier. :)

#openadoption #hopingtoadopt #hopefuladoptivefamily #molloyslookingtoadopti #hopingtoadoptagain #infertility #hopingforabigfamily

Here we are making sure to enjoy not only the sights of the lake but also making sure to have fun PLAYING outside over this long weekend!! We love to play outside. Here Leslie and our sweet Char are playing hitting a ball with paddles. Char did a fabulous job catching the ball as mom hit it over to her.

#hopingtoadopt #openadoption #hopingtoadoptagain #adoption #molloyslookingtoadopt 

We are so blessed to live so close to our family. Much of our family is within 1 hour of where we live so we try to make the most of it and spend as much time together as possible. The fourth of July, we typically spend time with aunts, uncles, and our cousins. With it having been so hot this past weekend (over 90 degrees!!!!) we played a LOT in the water as we anxiously awaited the fireworks that night. The kiddie pool was particularly fun with all kids.  Here our cousin Mason, our daughter, and some family friends all played together before some icecream!

#hopingtoadopt #familyiswhatyoumake it #openadoption #infertility #openadoption #adoption #molloyshopingtoadopt

So the 4th of July weekend is always a busy one for us. In addition to all of the holiday festivities, it is also the weekend when our daughter was born. This was SIX YEARS AGO!?!?! How did this happen? It is certainly true what "they" say, it all goes by so fast!! 

With having celebrated her 6th birthday with family and friends last weekend at her big backyard bash, we still wanted to do something fun on her special day. On Saturday, we took her to Build A Bear for the first time and then out to dinner. We had so much fun getting to chose the heart and clothes for new bear, Snowflake. While picking the perfect outfit for her new friend was pretty easy, the shoes were the best part! Looks like we have a shoe lover just like her big sister! She is already talking to her little brother about when we go again in a couple months to pick out a bear for his birthday too. 

#openadoption #adoption #familythroughadoption #hopefuladoptiveparents #infertility #adoptivefamily #molloyslookingtoadopt

Every once in a while it is nice for some dad and me time!! A couple weeks ago, I (Shawn,) our son, and our Great Uncle Bernie took a weekend trip back Ohio to visit one of my favorites, The national Air Force Museum. With this being such a fond memory from from my childhood, it was important to me to share this with our son. We had a blast exploring the air planes, helecopters, and even some fun NASA shuttle stuff too!

We go once or twice a year to the museum and this time it was the first time we took our Great-Uncle Bernie. Bringing him was very special. With his military experience, it was so interesting hearing his stories of being overseas. As we made our way through the museum and explored the different types of planes and helecopters,  he would share stories with Owen and I about the different men he knew that had flown the different vessels. I too got to share with Bernie some of my experience in Army and my experience in  Air Assault School from many years ago and what it was like jumping from planes.

As far as our son, it was so fun seeing how big his eyes would get looking at the large planes. He loved getting to spend one on one time with me. (He's my little buddy.) We explored every crack and crevice of the museum over those two days and had an absolute blast getting to pretend what it was like flying these amazing machines! I even got to duplicate a photo that was taken of me as a kid and we took of Emily as a kid in the cockpit of a fighter plane. This is one of my all- time favorite things. I'm so glad to have had the opportunity to spend this time with my son and uncle. 

#adoption #openadoption #hopingtoadopt #familyhopingtoadopt #molloyfamilyhopingtoadop #adoptionplan

So with our son's birthday, we mentioned that the theme was "super heroes." With that, all of the kids got to make a superhero cape and mask of their very own to take home. Here you can see grandma (Leslie's mom) helping our niece, the neighbor kiddos and parents and our daughter all working hard on their outfits!! (IT was BEYOND cute!!!!!)

Look at these cutie pies! Our son Owen with our neighbor friends! :) I mean how adorable are they all as superheroes. It is nice to know we are all safe with these kiddos around!!

So did you know, the month of your child's birthday, they can get a bear for the cost of how old they are?! How can you pass up making a memory like that?

This was Owen's first time getting to create his own Build-a Bear and loved it! He loved everything from picking it's heart to stuffing him and picking out clothes to wear. He ultimately chose a police outfit for his bear. We had so much fun.

With all of the fun we had in September our favorite is still getting our cuddle on in the morning. Charlotte and Max (the cat) particularly enjoy this time with mom. As far as mom, these are the moments life is made of. I LOVE my morning cuddles whenever I can get them!!!

The cat?

He as a pretty high tolerance but will dart the moment she lets him go. He doesn't try to get out of her grip which definitely implies to us that he likes it. ;)