A Long Time Coming

Jafta Jordan Howerton!
Tuesday we all drove up to LA Children's Court and waited 2 hours in the waiting room until they called The Howertons. Mark, Kristen, Jafta and India sat in the middle of the room with family on both sides and friends in the back. Mark and Kristen had to swear that they were going to love Jafta and keep him as their son forever. It was such an emotional day. Tears started flowing down my face when I heard Kristen and Mark fight back tears as they spelled their names.

At the end the Judge pounced his new name for the first time:Jafta Jordan Howerton! Praise God. He is officially a Howerton!

Jafta, India, Tanner and all of the children who came got to take a teddy bear home with them. We all went outside to take pictures and it was so cute watching the kids and how excited they were for Jafta.
We all got to go to Chuck E. Cheese for lunch. Kristen made cupcakes and it was a wonderful party day for Jafta.
The next day at school I was explaining to my class why they had a sub the day before. They have met Jafta and seen pictures of him. I explained that he was adopted and it was a very fun day that I didn't want to miss. My class was excited for me, but you could tell that they really didn't get it. They have known him as my nephew all year, so what really changed? It made me think, that is how Jafta must see it. This has always been my family! The good news is that nobody can ever change that!

Happy Birthday Caleb Michael Howerton!!!!

Happy Birthday Caleb! We love you so much! You are such a great nephew and a wonderful cousin to Tanner. We can't wait to see you in a few weeks! We miss you so much.
Love you-Sarah, Kipp and Tanner

I Got Tagged

Five things on my to-do list today
(today's over, so here's my tomorrow list)
1. Sleep in and have breakfast with Tanner and Kipp
2. Go to 2 Bar-B-Q's
3. Get ready to go to Jafta's court PARTY on Tuesday!
4. Email a few church workers.
5. Spend time with friends and family.

Snacks I enjoy
1. Popcorn
2. Coke
3. Double stuffed Oreo Cookies (they remind me of my Grandpa)
4. Cut up apples with peanut butter
5. anything else with sugar

Things I would do if I were a millionaire
1. Pay my house off
2. Send Kipp on an amazing surf trip
3. Work less/spend more time with Tan
4. Pay off school loans
5. Vacation with Kipp and Tanner in Costa Rica

Places I have lived
1. San Clemente, Ca
2. Fullerton, Ca
3. Winfield, Ks
4. Virginia
5. Rancho Santa Margarita, Ca

Bad habits I have
1. Not knowing words to songs that I sing
2. Holding things in that really bug me
3. Wanting my house to be perfect
4. Judging other parents
5. Staying up too late when I have to work the next day

Jobs I have held
1. Teacher
2. Church Children's Director
3. In-n-Out worker
4. Camp counselor
5. Wild Rivers Guest Assistant

Okay, now I am tagging Jen, Kristi, Emily, Die Davis, and new BF Christie.
(This means you have to copy and past this on your own blog and answer the questions yourself!)

So You Think You Can Dance

One of my favorite shows is back on TV.
If you missed the first show, start watching. Last summer Kristi and I got to go and see a taping of this show and it was so much fun. A week later I was back up in L.A. for my mom's birthday. We went to dinner before seeing Wicked. We were finishing up dinner and as we were walking out I saw Cedric (the dancer next to my mom.) I was so excited because I had just seen him dance the week before!! I said hello and he was excited to meet a fan. We were talking for a few minutes and all of a sudden Jesus (next to Kristen) came out of the restroom. I couldn't believe that another guy from the show was there. How cool. So Kristen and I got our picture taken with the boys.

We walked out and the boys met the rest of the family and were so nice. Next thing I know we are all just walking down the street together and I am gushing over what great dancers I think they are. Then we see two of the girls sitting on the curb waiting for the boys. They are Sara, a B-Girl with a hat on, and Jessie. Sadly Jessie and Jesus got voted off the next night. Sorry guys.

A new season started yesterday and I am already hooked. Kipp and I like to make Tanner be a little break dancer and pose him in different positions like the boys on the show. Check it out and it will make you want to dance too!!

Sarah, Jesus, Cedric and Kristen-We should have had a dance off!

Waiting for the Parade

Kristi and Lexi love Play House Disney! When Tan and Lexi saw each other they gave hugs and snuggles. I don't know how to teach your child to love, but when I saw them hugging it made me think that Tanner is learning what loving means. That makes my heart swell with joy!
Kristi and Lex had to leave to pick up Haley so Tan and I stayed to enjoy the afternoon. We were saving a spot to watch the parade. Main Street, USA is in the background as we waited for the parade to start.
Oh Mom.
Look at that cute Mickey shirt. Thank goodness for hand-me-downs!
Drink and softie, I'm ready for this thing to start!!

Old Friends are the Best Kind of Friends

For 5 years Kristin and I were roommates and had some wonderful memories. This past weekend her family came out from Az. for a visit. She and Rick have 2 boys Isaiah and Tyler and a baby girl on the way.
On Friday we went to San Diego Zoo all day and then went to the beach in the evening. It was so hot that we blamed Kristin for bringing the Arizona heat with her.

Tanner was so tired from a hot and busy day. He still finds time to snuggle mommy.
Isaiah and Tanner were fast friends. He was so good with Tanner and Tan loved holding his hand at the zoo. Tyler is just a year older that Tanner but they got along pretty well too. I know I won't have another child with a T name. I got so confused all weekend with Tanner/Tyler.
Kristin, Rick, the boys and baby girl. Kipp and I were really impressed with what amazing parents these 2 are.
I love you Kristin. Come back anytime!!

Let's Hear It For The Boys

Tanner was helping Kipp do some yard work. We are learning as parents that everything needs to be a game.
It was a hot day so Kipp took his shirt off to do the yard work. I took Tanner's shirt off and gave him a matching tattoo.
Kipp's means: Santa Cruz
Tanner's means: San Clemente
Or maybe they both mean Sarah's cool!

My Mother's Day

Tanner gave me a wonderful card and balloon on Sunday morning. He looked so cute walking towards me with his gift. After church Tanner and I took a nap while Kipp cleaned the floors. Then we went to North Beach with the fam.


Our beautiful day turned cold fast. Grandma gave his snuggles to keep him warm!
A legacy of love! Happy Mother's Day to all of you!

Happy Mother's Day to the BEST MOM!

Happy Mother' Day Mom!
I love you so much.
You have loved and raised 3 kids and it is amazing to me the way that you continue to love and support us. For example, when I started working at church you became my BEST volunteer.

I love that you held me and loved me when I was little and now you are doing the same for my son.
Halloween
Making Christmas cookies!
At the ball game.
Here's to many more memories together. Happy Mother Day. I love you mom. Thank you for always being a loving example to me.

100% BOY

Trucks, Soccer and Skateboarding! What a boy. Tanner is 14 months old now and he is running and climbing all over the place.

Tanner loves skateboarding with his daddy. He thinks it it so much fun. Yesterday Tan and I were in a store and he was playing with a skateboard. When it was time to go and I picked him up he started to cry. He didn't want to leave the skateboard! I think this might be a sign of what's to come. We love our little guy!

Kipp's New Surfboard

Kipp's 30th Birthday was in January and our friends and family pitched in to buy him a new custom made surfboard. On Saturday we got to go and pick it up as a family. I love how Tanner is holding the board too! It was fun for me to see how excited Kipp was to get his new board.
Tanner is wearing a shirt that says "My dad surfs better than your dad!"
Kipp and Tan were like kids in a candy store.
Tanner is a surfer in training!!
This is where his board was made. Doc, who made the board, signed it the same way that he signs his team rider's boards. So it looks like Kipp is a Pro!
We all went to T-Street later in the day so Kipp could ride his new board. The only down side of this week is that the surf is less than great. He went out this morning even thought it wasn't that big. He just wants to play with his new toy!