Four Years Ago...

Four years ago, this was a regular old day for me. But it was the day my son was born.
I've said before that knowing NOTHING about his birth has made me sad. I had no idea what was happening, I had no idea that a precious little boy was being born who would need us and would come into our lives like a whirlwind. I even checked my calendar after he did come home - and there was nothing on my calendar for that day.
It does make me sad. Many adoptive families were there when their child was born...or at least knew about it. No such luck for us. Now, if you ask me about the day he came home. That day gives me the warm fuzzies. That is the day I want to celebrate having a son.
But this day is the day my son was born. I am eternally grateful that his biological parents chose life for this precious child. I am eternally grateful that God chose us to be his family.

Mac is the most amazing child. He's all boy. He loves cars and Cars. And trains. And anything with wheels. He is LOUD and a ball of energy. He's mischievous and a daredevil. I don't get him, but I am so glad I got him. He's my baby. And he's four years old today.

Thank you, Lord, for this wonderful child!

Welcome!!! Have Some Ice Cream!!

Oh, thank goodness you're here! I was having a hard time keeping the ice cream away from the kids! I saved it just for you.
In case you haven't heard, it's my SITS Feature Day!

It's like a birthday, only better because I get comments. But the double-fun is that my birthday (yep - the 3rd anniversary of my 29th birthday!) is on Christmas Day, so we can celebrate BOTH!
Two scoops for everyone!

If you're new to A Few Sprinkles Short of a Sundae or not, it doesn't matter, I have ICE CREAM! Just don't touch my sprinkles! I'm already short.

For those of you NOT used to my sarcasm and superfluous use of exclamation marks (!!!!), I'm Allison. I'm a Christian woman, wife and mother - both biological and adoptive. I'm an avid adoption blogger and I also strive to let other moms out there know that they are not alone in this vast world of motherhood and all the twists and turns our busy lives provide.

This is me, wild hair and all!!

And yes, that is a halo above my head! Actually, I took this pic of myself at Bloggy Boot Camp Atlanta and I had the hardest time trying to hide that darn halo. Just ask my Tribe Members - I bet they saw it!

This is my family:

 

We are made up of two crazy trombone players who met when we were 13 years old, started dating at 17, and got married at 22! We have a biological daughter, SB, and an adopted son, Mac. We also have two heaven-bound children whom I cannot wait to see one day seated at the feet of Jesus.

Now, to find out more about who *I* am, check my about me page, and please please check out My Testimony about trusting God! These both include abridged versions of our story regarding infertility, miscarriage, giving birth and fighting tooth and nail to adopt.
And if you just want to know what the best posts are, I have a tab for that, too. See The Posts You Don't Want to Miss!

Oh, you want to know why I'm A Few Sprinkles Short of a Sundae? Good question. You see, way back in 2006 I started a blog about my pregnancy. Then it evolved into talking about my baby and our quest to adopt through foster care. And then we went into the fight of our lives to keep our son both with us and safe, so that blog came down and this one - which is slightly more anonymous - came up. I called it "Mommy's Scoop." And from the scoop came being "A Few Sprinkles Short of a Sundae," to indicate that I don't have all the answers.

There is so much more that I want to say, but I'll stop here and let you explore! I hope you enjoy your stay and have another scoop of ice cream!


Follow @SprinklesofAlli




 

I'm on Facebook, too!

Where has the time gone?

I can't believe December 4th is upon us again. Six years ago, December 4th was just a random day 3 weeks before Christmas, but 5 years ago that all changed. My beautiful little girl made her entrance into the world.

I know I am an avid adoption blogger, but some people don't realize I actually birthed this one. Shocking I know! SB was born 5 years ago today after I carried her for an amazing 37 weeks. I'll echo my own mother's words when it comes to birthing only one child: I did it right the first time - no need to do it again!

Adorable 5 year old!

SB is an amazing little girl. She's so incredibly smart. I know all moms say that, but I mean it! Her teachers tell me all the time they wish they had 12 SB's in their class. She has perception other 5 year olds just don't possess. She can spell real words. She LOVES science and can speak articulately and with a very high level vocabulary.

If you know SB you know she's very much like me - well, she is my mini-me. Just with red hair. She's snarky and funny. She's also very sweet and compassionate. She thinks all the world is a stage and life is her oyster.
On the flip side of that is my very shy, reserved little girl who won't talk to or look at anyone who is not in her "inner circle." If you're in the inner circle, consider yourself lucky. Not even my father is in her inner circle.
She's also one of the most stubborn children I have ever met. She knows what she wants, when she wants it, how she wants it. In fact, when we went to do her birthday pictures last week she kept getting angry and shouting, "THIS WAS NOT MY PLAN!" Which went wonderfully with my shouting back, "This IS MY PLAN!" But she's a girl who knows what she wants, and as much as it bugs me, I'm so glad she's an independent thinker and do-er. 

Someone doesn't want her picture taken

I am amazed each and every day at what this child accomplishes. I can't believe I had a hand in creating her. Yes, disciplining her is hard (we butt heads - a lot), but she is just such an astonishing person. I can't wait to see who she grows up to be!

Happy Birthday To You

Today is the Hubby's birthday! He is now officially in his 30s (he's 31). I am still trying to figure out when we left the 20s behind...

Anyway, my husband, Marshall, is an amazing man. He's a godly Christian who still admits his faults, he's a great father who knows he doesn't always get it right and he's an awesome husband who knows I will still occasionally give him "the look." (No, not that look. The other one.)

I am so blessed to have him in my life. I love that he still looks at me the way he did 13 years ago. I love that he can cook (much better than me!). I love that he's not afraid to try new things. I love that he gets super-excited when the kids show him a new trick. I love that he's fiercely devoted and protective of those he loves.

Happy Birthday, sweetie. You are my forever!

Happy Birthday Carly

I can not even express how it pains me to not be there for Carly's 4th birthday.

I was there when that child was born and every birthday since, even when they lived hours away from us. But this year is just too far.

Happy Birthday, Carly-Bug. You are so loved.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Today is my mom's birthday. She is such a wonderful mother. If you don't know her, you're missing out. She's just amazing. She's very selfless, always loving, and she's the world's best Mickie (Mickie is her grandma name).

I don't know what else to say other than, I love you, Mom! You're the best!

Okay... I have no pictures of me and my mom... it's all pics of her with the kids or me with the kids...one or the other of us is always behind the camera... I'll try to remedy that!

I am the World's Worst Blogger

Yes, it's only been a few days, but when I try to blog daily NOT blogging for a few seems like an eternity! Yikes!

Let's see... Wednesday SB woke up puking. It was also "Mommy won tickets to the circus" day, so that made for a worrisome morning. Puking was done by 2, everyone was Lysoled and we went to the circus where a very nice family decided to share their popcorn with the kids against my advice not to. Sorry, family, if you wound up puking yourselves.

Thursday was Mac's birthday. It was lovely. He's such a joy, but I went over that already.

Friday Marshall's family came into town and I spent the day frantically cleaning.

Saturday was the birthday party complete with 10,000 little boys running around my house. Okay, so it was 5 boys and SB, but it still seemed like 10,000.

Sunday was fairly quiet - church, hanging out, I sewed while the men-folk watched football.
Monday I was puking. It was not pretty.
Tuesday as I recovered I had to take Mac to his bi-annual visit to his GI doctor where, aside from weighing him, they could have done the entire thing over the phone. Yay for a 2 hour round trip just for them to tell me to keep on keepin' on. Thanks.

So that's been the last week in a nutshell (Anyone else automatically think of Austin Powers "in a nutshell" bit when they say that? No? Just me? Hm.). I promise to attempt being a better blogger in the future...

Happy Birthday Mac

I can't believe my baby boy is 3 today.

As I've told people before, it's a strange sensation seeing as I was not there when he was born. The actual day he was born holds no recollection for me and that makes me sad. This is the one day of the year it saddens me that I did not birth him. And it's a day I mourn over his loss of his first family, however dysfunctional.

Those thoughts, however, are fleeting as I celebrate the life that we have with our son. We may have missed his birth, but this is the 3rd birthday we celebrate with him and that's more important.

Mac is growing and thriving after such touch start. He's such a fighter and a spirited little boy. He made it through being removed and moved again before coming home, he made it though all his allergy ordeals, he's made it through minor surgery (tubes in, adenoids out), through court and adoption and dealing with this wacky family - of which he is 100% a part.

So I celebrate the life of my son today, ever thankful to God for making him a part of my life.

Happy Birthday Mackie. I love you!

Birthday One

Birthday Two

Not quite birthday Three... but it was this weekend!

On Turning 30

I'll be 30 this month. Hard to believe. 30.

When I was 15, 30 sounded ancient.
When I was 20 it sounded pretty old.
At 25 it seemed to be quickly approaching and not that bad.
Now that it's a whopping 11 days away it sounds...fresh. Vibrant.

When someone says they're in their 20s, they still sound young. Immature. Without experience in the vast, wide world.

30 sounds like the person knows what's going on. Been around the block once or twice. 30 is no longer the baby one was at 20.

So I look forward to turning 30. I'm ready for it. I think things will happen for me in my 30s (let's hope - there's 10 years to fill there!).

Here's to turning 30!

And bonus pictures of the surprise party Marshall threw for me this weekend!

(I got a new computer!)

Party Pics

8 little girls all dolled up deserves a post all its own.

These girls were just precious. Ranging in age from almost 3 to 5, these were some precious Princesses.

There's something so special about a little girl getting dressed up, isn't there? Feather boas, twirly skirts and tutus... so feminine and dainty - even when they're running, pedaling on a bike or rough housing.

I had a blast at the party, SB said she loved it. That makes it all worth while. Thanks to View Digital Media for letting us use their space for the party.

 

 

 

 

 

Elaina & McKenna

Oh  my gosh, are they not precious?

Little Girls Lined Up in a Row

Making Christmas Ornaments

Our Birthday Girl

Happy Birthday

Today is my sweet girl's 4th Birthday. I can't believe she's 4! How did that happen? I promise it was yesterday she was just a wee baby.

Sarah Bradley is so smart - her teacher says she's among the brightest in her class. I don't think she's just saying that either. She doesn't just know her ABCs and 123s, she can add 1+1, 2+2, 3+3, etc. She can spell STOP, GO, RED, MAC, SB, MOM & ELLIE. And she can write out anything you spell out for her. She also knows what colors to mix to get other colors.

I'm telling you, she's a genius.

Not only that, but she's a compassionate child. Okay, maybe not so much with her brother. But she is fiercely protective of him with other people. She wants to help other people. She loved shopping the other day for the children we're sponsoring for Christmas. 

Her favorite color is pink. She loves Fancy Nancy, Care Bears, Princess Tiana & Hello Kitty. She does NOT like having her hair combed, but wants to be Rapunzel. She is great at taking pictures and writing. Sarah Bradley doesn't like meat, but she loves fruit & veggies. 

I just love my girl. She's just the light of my life. I'm so glad I have her in my life.

SB at 2 weeks old

SB's 1st Birthday

SB at 2

SB at 3

And now at 4 years old...

And more pictures because I love her so...

 

On a side note, today marks 2 years from when we got the call saying we had been chosen to parent a sweet baby boy. More about that on his "Gotcha" day later this month!

Party

Today is our party. We have so much to celebrate!

Marshall turns 30 today. His mom is trying to argue that he's 20, but you know... 30 is a milestone! His third decade. When Marshall was born there were no cell phones - shoot, there wasn't even home computers. Especially not in colors other than green.
I know I don't have much room to talk - I'll be 30 in exactly three months (which, PS, means you have exactly 3 months to get your Christmas shopping done). But Marshall will forever be 3 months older than me and I shall lord it over him for as long as we live. Let me have my moment.

We are also celebrating Mac's adoption. It seems so surreal. 21 months after we brought him home to finally finish this process and start LIFE. Real life without looking over my shoulder, without the constant worry that someone will take him away. It's amazing to know that my son is mine!

Of course, we are also celebrating Sarah Bradley and myself. We're celebrating being a family. It's not just a party for the boys (though they are why we're having the party), it's a party for all of us. A chance to come together with our family and friends and thank God for all the blessings he has bestowed upon us.

I am so ready to party. Aren't you?