2nd Annual Family Day May 14, 2008

We celebrated what we call "family day" on May 14th because it was the day that we came off the plane with Mason for the first time and the 5 of us were finally all together. Some adoptive families celebrate "gottcha day" or "adoption day" but I wanted a day that was significant to all 5 of us were the girls could take part. It works for us and we love it.

Out to eat celebrating.

Mason opening his gift. A critter net and critter keeper. I though maybe it would help with his fear of bugs but so far it hasn't.

Mason on the trampoline with Madi showing his "superhero" stance.


Madi & Mason enjoying some time on the "jumpoline" as Mason calls it.

Madison will probably kill me for this but I like the picture.

Hope this finds everyone doing well.
Much love to all
the Pecks

Mason's 4th Birthday

I cannot believe my baby is 4 already. He has grown to be such an intelligent young man and he marvels me everyday. We celebrated his birthday with family on Memorial Day and had a great time of just sitting around outside with some long over due nice weather.

I got this taken before everyone arrived.

PaPa Darrell showing Mason his new bigwheel he got and all the buttons to push for noise. It even plays music like on a radio, has blinkers and an engine noise. Mason loves it.

Aunt Dawn and the kids got Mason a new batman suit. Mom was not thrilled because I had requested no suits due to the fact that I am putting them on all day but he loves it and it makes him happy plus I did have to throw away the others because there was nothing left of them anymore.

Batman patiently waiting for everyone to finish singing "Happy Birthday" so he could blow out the candles. (yes we opened up gifts first because PaPa had to get going cuz he had a long drive)

Hope all is well with everyone.
Much love,
the Pecks

Our very own superhero "Batman"

Batman on his new "Batmobile"

Batman taking a break and watching the Spiderman 2 movie

Batman proudly showing off his suit

What on earth is he doing?

This video is testament to what I have been trying to explain all along about what a goofball Mason is. He has never been one that liked to participate in singing at his preschool programs and I finally got it for all to see. I had to turn my camera off because I thought maybe that was what was distracting him. Oh how wrong I was, I'll do the whole song next time. I was so embarrassed and the other parents were laughing--as I am sure you will too. Enjoy.

It has been 2 years ago already that Marty & I were standing before a judge in Krasnoyarsk Russia asking to be the proud parents of Mason James Paul Peck. This little guy has brought so much joy to so many, not just family but everyone he comes in contact with. He is so bubbly, outgoing, funny and the biggest goofball of anyone. People will say how lucky he is to have been "rescued" from the life he could have had but really it is I who has been "rescued". I had been so focused on having our 3rd child that I completely lost sight of everything. We had been wanting a 3rd child for so many years and after 3 miscarriages, months of infertility and the insanity of focusing on that 3rd baby and nothing else I finally convinced Marty about looking into adoption. It is not a journey for everyone because it takes so much patience but just like they say about the pain of labor--you forget all you went through to get there. I cannot imagine my life any other way then having this little boy that brings so much joy to me everyday. We do so much laughing during the day and every moment is treasured.Mason is our very own Superhero. Here he is with a collection of a few of them.

Yesterday was Tori's 15th birthday. I know we all say it over and over again but where does the time go. We celebrated her birthday at her restaurant of choice with family and then she is having a big sleep over on Saturday with all her friends.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TORI!!! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH

Today the girls, myself and my mom are going to Omaha to see the show Annie. We are so excited. We are going to stay the night and then go shopping Saturday morning. I try to treat the girls every once in awhile by spending time with them without Mason and this is something we enjoy doing together. I LOVE YOU GIRLS.

Much love to all,
The Pecks

Sick little man

Marty took Mason to the doctor today because he was continually getting worse over the weekend with high fever, running nose and a terrible barking cough. He has slept with us every night since last Thursday. He was diagnosed with influenza B. He is such a sick little guy, it just breaks my heart. You get so use to fixing all the boo-boos and this one I could not take care of on my own. We are all on medication because of the severity of how contagious he is. For the most part we all feel pretty well. At least the weather is getting back to normal Iowa weather with temps only in the 40's and rain so we wont be missing anything fun outdoors.

Much love to all,
the Pecks

Finally a beautiful spring day

FINALLY A BEAUTIFUL SPRING DAY---AND MASON IS SICK.

Iowa weather is so unpredictable. A week ago we had 5 inches of snow and today we have 69 degree temperatures. It's nuts. But unfortunately Mason has come down with a fever since yesterday. He just breaks my heart. We did go out on the deck for a few minutes to get some air and I have a few windows open which feels great but he is so sad he can't play out there.

I love this picture so much. There's so much innocence in his eyes. My precious son.

Much love to all
The Pecks

Quick update :-)

Mason from day one of being home has attached himself to this pillow (we have a few to switch out) and we are currently trying to limit the time he has his pillow available to him. He is only now able to have it in his room so several times a day he will go stand in his doorway (which is in the family room) and get his "pillow fix". Sometimes he will try to sneak out of his room and tease me with it. He is such a hoot.




This morning Mason had asked Marty to get him some juice and fruit snack and I overheard Marty ask Mason if I wouldn't do it for him. I didn't pay much attention to their conversation but the next thing I know I am getting his juice and fruit snack--no big deal I do it all day so I didn't think much of it but Mason went up to Marty and said "told ya". Apparently Marty told Mason he didn't think he could get me to do it. He is such a smarty pants. He is always up to something and thinking all the time.

Tori sprayed color into Mason's hair. It's purple and he did not want it washed out--bit of a temper tantrum but I did win and thankfully before Marty go home. We are also in the process of trying to grow his hair out and the next time I blog I will have to show a pick of the mess of hair he has. I'm tempted to go back to buzzing the hair but I'm trying to hold out a little longer.

Mason showing off his Superman Easter basket. He is so into superman, batman & spiderman. He plays the part of them all day and I have to continually tell him there is someone in trouble and they need saving from "which ever he is at the moment"
Mason showing grandma his Easter eggs he collected. We had a nice Easter spending it with family. Went out for Chinese food though and that was really odd but nice seeing the family.
I cannot believe tht it has been 2 years already that we were on our way to Krasnyarsk Russia to pick up Mason to be with is "Forever Family" He has grown so much and brought so much joy to this family. I can't imagine life without this little ball of entertainment.

Much love to all,

The Peck's

Months of updating.

Tori tried out for dancesquad again for next year and made it and decided to add varsity cheerleading to her already busy schedule and made that also. Now we just need to find time for a job. ;O)

While on Christmas break Madi got her braces. Above is her with her head gear on she is "suppose" to wear everynight.
Mason got this pony for Christmas from PaPa Darrell. I could have killed my father-in-law but I still love him dearly. Everyone knew about the horse so they got cowboy gear to go along with it and this is him in his full set up.
Mason being a goofball like always. He is quite entertaining. I'm homebound because of surgery on my ankle in January and this is one of the many moments I have caught on film. We don't get out much so I depend on him for laughter throughout my day. Everyday he tells me "you're my best friend mommy". It's priceless. He is no longer taking naps during the day because it was taking him 30-40 minutes to fall asleep and so far he is doing great. I'm a little lost without the naps but it's all good.

My brother was home for Christmas so we decided to get family pictures done.

Myself, parents, brother & sister My sisters family: Dawn, Taylor, Deno, Ethan & Alize

My brother Chad, wife Megan & dog JazzOur family
Our 3 gorgeous kids

UPDATE :D

Hello to everyone. It's been awhile since I updated so I thought I would with a bunch of pic's.

Peck's first annual Christmas cookie decorating. The girls decided to start something new this year and it just happended to be my favorite things of all time BAKING--NOT!!







Here Mason is squeezing the frosting out with all his might and as you can see it was only a bit but he was so proud.













Even Marty got into the cookie decorating. After much force. :O













While making the dough Mason got into the flour and quickly he became SANTA. HoHoHo
















Tori had her first high school winter formal (with date Daniel). It was fun seeing her all dressed up.

















I think the best shots are the ones they take themselves. Just goofing around.












Madi & Mason. Yes that is Mason in the wig, hat, glasses & DRESS. Marty is so worried about his little man. But it's all in fun.









Sadly we had to put our beloved Gunnar down a few weeks ago. It's been different in the house without him. He was 14yrs old and had a great life.









YES I WAS GONE WHEN THIS WAS BEING DONE!!!
The girls & a friend thought it would be fun to put shaving cream on the kitchen counter to play in. Obviously it got out of hand and ended up on them.












This is the first professional pic we have had done of the kids. I'm so proud of them.




MUCH LOVE TO ALL
from the Peck's

Happy Halloween from the Peck's

Our very own super hero--Super Mason himself. He has completely worn out the seams and they have all split but it will get him through tonight.















Super Mason all tuckered out after a long day of saving mommy from the monsters in the house. I don't know who was more exhausted Mason or myself. I just don't have the imagination he does to keep up with the same thing over and over again. A memory I won't soon forget though. We did so much laughing.




Just a quick post. Blog is giving me problems downloading pictures so I will try again later.
Much love to all,
Tammy

IT'S BEEN A BUSY SUMMER & SCHOOL HAS STARTED YEA!YEA!

Just a quick update, pic's more then anything because I know that's what people really want to see. Mason has grown up so much, he's no longer my baby. If you go back to when this all began you can see such a change, he's now my little man.

July we finally got Mason potty trained. It took a lot of work, more then I expected. He was very stubborn and if he felt like wetting his pants he would. Now he is "a big boy" and we're not even wearing pull ups to bed anymore and he wakes up dry.

Kids and I took pictures to give the grandpa's for father's day. They turned out really cute. Mason was of course stubborn but we did get this one out of him. Seems to be a theme with Mason "stubborn"

Madison started 7th grade this year and has joined volleyball. She is doing great and loves being involved with a sport.

Tori is a freshman this year--yikes!! She will be able to drive on her own only to and from school starting in Oct. I'm not ready for this.






Mason is outside dancing in the rain.



































Mason and Jada are hanging out together watching cartoons.











Mason's first day of preschool. It was not an easy day. He was really excited about going and couldn't wait to make new friends but when he realized mom was leaving him there he wasn't so excited. Teacher's distracted him and no real tears but he wasn't thrilled by it. Then the second day of preschool (only on Tues. & Thurs. from 9-11:30) I left him with tears but nothing to serious, still broke my heart. Now yesterday when I dropped him off he was crying before we even got into the building. I had to carry him in and his big thing is if he wants out of something he says he's tired and wants to take a nap and the teacher's offered him a pillow in the floor but that didn't work. I had to hand him over to the teacher and he was screaming as I walked out the door. It tore my heart in two. When I do pick him up though he is smiling and excited to tell me what they all did during school. He has commented on the fact that he is told to be quiet and he doesn't like it. :) Same comment I get from all the teachers when we have conferences for the girls.
Update on Megan, my sister-in-law. She is scheduled for her transplant on Sept. 19. Her mother is her donor and we are all so excited for this time to finally be here. It's been such a long journey and Megan is handling it the best out of all of us. I wish you all could meet Megan because she is such an amazing person--always upbeat and positive even when she's at her lowest, always trying to reassure everyone when we are down when it should all be us supporting her. I am going out for the surgery and I will get you all updated as soon as I can.



Hope this finds everyone doing well.
Much love to all,
from the Peck's

Hello to All

Just a quick note--My sister-in-law has been matched with a kidney from her mother. We are hoping to hear in the next couple of days when the surgery will be taking place. Thank you everyone for all the prayers. It means so much to me how everyone has taken interest in Megan without even knowing who she is. God's been listening. Much love to all, Tammy & family

HAPPY 4th OF JULY

Mason, Tori & Madison --- I might be prejudice but I think they are beautiful kids

I hope everyone had a great fourth. It is such a great day to honor those that have fought for the very freedom we have. My grandfather is a veteran of WWII and it's always nice to see the joy in his eyes when seeing the appreciation we all have for what he and many others sacrificed for us all so many years ago and to honor the men who are still fighting to this day.

I wanted to update everyone on Megan and let you know that she is doing much better. She did not suffer a stroke so thank you for all the prayers, this day they were truly answered. Her blood pressure is normal now and they hope to dismiss her on Friday. The miracle of prayers are truly amazing.

Last weekend my sister and her three kids along with my mom, Aunt Lori & her son Adam went to Adventure Land for a family reunion. We spent Saturday at the park riding most of the rides and the kids had a blast. They were so good that day and couldn't have asked for better kids. Sunday we had the family reunion and got to see many family that we don't otherwise get to see. It was nice seeing everyone.

Riding the trolley to the park L2R back row -- Adam, Taylor, Aliza, Mason & Tori L2R front row Madi & Ethan.

Madi, Tori & Taylor being their goofy selves.

Mason riding the merri-go-round with Grandma

Much love,

Tammy & family

PRAYERS ARE NEEDED

As many of you have heard from me in past postings, my sister-in-law Megan is in need of a kidney transplant. In May they successfully removed her damaged kidney (the kidney she had received about 15 years earlier in a previous transplant) and everything was going fairly well. I was out to see her and Chad (my little brother) after the surgery and daily Megan was getting stronger. She has continued to have dialysis 3 days a week and work-up was being done on her mother as the possible donor for the kidney. Chad called today to say that Megan is back in the hospital and as of now it is believed that she suffered a stroke caused by high blood pressure of approximately 250's over 180's. Chad said that she is unconscious at this time.
This is what I know as of now and please when you climb into bed tonight say a prayer for Megan & Chad.
GOD BLESS YOU ALL,
Much love, Tammy & family