It's the morning of Penelope Jolene Armstrong's birthday and Josette is getting ready for the day
It's a birthday, which means it's pancake time!
Over pancake breakfast, Josette talks to Penny about the day ahead
Explaining to her kids that Penny's biological mother will be meeting her today, and will be invited to the birthday party this afternoon
As Noah gets ready for school, he tells Penny a quick story before he heads off to school
And then with a kiss on the cheek
It's off to school for Noah
And ready for the day for Penny
After a quick change of clothes
Josette and Penny head off to a toddler park, where Penny's biological mother will be meeting them
Jo watches as Penny enjoys the ball pit
And before long, Lacey Sebastian arrives
Lacey was a teenager when she got pregnant and chose open adoption for her daughter
Lacey is nervous at first, but Josette makes her feel comfortable
And she gets to meet Penelope again
The two of them share a loving hug and an emotional hello
And then Jo and Lacey watch as Penny enjoys some time at the park
Lacey spends some bonding time with Penny playing dolls
While Jo gives them some space as she grills up some fruit - Lacey is a vegetarian, so Jo decided on grilled fruit over hot dogs today
The three girls dig into their lumch
And Jo and Lacey get to know each other
They share their stories, and Lacey finds out that Josette was also adopted from a teen mother
The women share an immediate bond
Brought together by a special little girl
Jo tells Lacey about Penny's birthday party and asks if she'd like to come
Lacey thanks her for the offer and accepts - she's nervous and excited to meet the big Armstrong family that her daughter is a part of
Back at the apartment, Penny shows off her bedroom to Lacey
While Jo gets set up for the party
Lots of sugary snacks...
And games...
Perfect timing, Noah! He's arrived home from school just before the party starts and wishes his sister a happy birthday
Lacey offers to help out with some last minute party prep - she's so sweet!
And then Jo calls the family and starts the party!
First to arrive is Adrian and Rita Delgato
Adrian and Noah manage to convince Armstrong and Harry to play don't wake the llama
While Jo continues greeting guests, including her birth mother Jolene
And Uncle Clayton
Clayton updates his niece on his life, including the birth of his daughter, Tina (named after his Mother)
And Josette tells them about her experience with adoption and that Lacey is here - she suggests that Jolene chats to her, as they went through similar things
Jolene takes Jo's advice and heads off to find Lacey
After bonding with Lacey for a while, Jolene heads off to see her granddaughter
And then it's time for games
While Penny wanders around socialising with everyone - she's certainly a social butterfly!
The guests grab some food
Before it's time to blow out the candles!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PENELOPE!
Now a child, Penny receives birthday presents and wishes from her family
While Josette thanks her guests for coming
And as everyone else heads home, Jolene and Lacey stay behind to chat with Josette
Their family is an interesting one that formed through many choices, but these women wouldn't change it for the world
It's getting late, so Josette tucks Noah into bed
Letting Penny stay up a few extra minutes to chat to Lacey and say goodbye
Lacey promises to visit her as much as she can, and to send her letters and photos
And with the goodbye done and promises made, Penny heads to bed
Jolene has also headed home now, so Josette breaks out the wine
And she and Lacey spend the night chatting
And drinking!
Their stories were intertwined, such similar experiences in some ways, that they both realise how they were meant to be in each other's lives
As Josette shares the story of Moses' death, Lacey tells her of a support group she attends with people who have lost loved ones suddenly - they meet for coffee, they share stories...
Lacey tells Josette that if she'd ever want to go, she'd happily give her the details
Josette thanks her for her support, and the women have clearly begun a friendship that will last
Perhaps Lacey will have more of a part in this story than we planned...
After thanking Jo for letting her spend the day with Penny, it's time to head home
For a well-deserved rest
And that's all for this episode!
Be sure to tune in next time for a special episode - a look back at Lacey's story, just as we did with Jolene! You'll find out a bit about her back story, her decision to place Penny for adoption, and the reason she's attending a grief support group
See you there!
XOX OliCait XOX
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