Week One

It's been a little crazy around here. We are all tired, but doing well. In our sweet boys first week of life he has met several of you. We are still waiting for all the Grandparents to make an appearance. (Hurry up!) Baby lost his bellybutton! Baby has gained back almost all of his birth weight. He is now 8.35 (birth 8.42). He grew a bit, now 20 3/4, birth 20in. Baby makes the best expressions, as you can tell from this picture. But, the most amazing thing.... He can roll over!!!!!!!!! I am not kidding. I put him on his belly and he flipped right over. I thought it might be a fluke, so I did it again, and he went the other way. We did this 15 more times clapping with delight every time. He is so strong! We love this little man so much! We are so grateful to J! We love you J!

He's here!!!!!

Snow Day!!!

The kids had a SNOW DAY! They played as long as they could in the snow. They were soaking wet and freezing by the time they came in. They made several snowmen, angels, and snowballs. Can't beat a snow day!

Winter Babes

Both my kiddos had birthdays. They're growing way too fast. I love you Bud and Pinks!

Teeth

Pinks has been loosing teeth left and right! You can see the before and afters here. We called her Nanny McFee when she would stick her tooth on the outside of her mouth. Needless to say she did not like that name, so out came the teeth. I love her little toothless smile, and the small lisp I hear when she talks. Way to go Pinks!

Halloween 2010

I know it's December, but here are our Halloween pictures. Halloween would not be complete without a tarantula on your arm! Seven pounds of candy!!! Here we are... the witch, bag of chips, bloody skeleton, and snow princess. One of these years I would like to match, but that is wishful thinking. Happy Halloween!

Discovery

We went to the Discovery Center with our cousins. Boy was it fun! The kids were overstimulated by the time we left, but it was well worth the trip into town. We miss our cousins! Come back!

Corn Maze

Every October we try to go to the Corn Maze. This year we went twice. Once with our cousins, and scout troop, and then again for a field trip with Pinks' class. Each time was great! Here are my darlings enjoying the day.

Update

Life keeps getting busier around here, but I thought I would give you an update.

Adoption ~ We have almost had a baby twice now. We have had two false alarms. Jessica is hanging in there, but is really ready to have baby. We all think he will be here soon. We can't wait!

Foster ~ Our foster baby has turned one! He is busy and trying so hard to walk. He gets up on his own, and walks. He does crawl faster, so he often will stop walking to get where he wants to go faster. He is talking alot more now, and saying fun words like...hi, hat, hot, Dada, eat, and just today OK. We do not know yet how much longer we will have him. As much as we want him to go home to his parents, he will be greatly missed. We love him!

Cars ~ I wrecked our car, so it is in the shop. Then our minivan died, so we bought a car. We bought a used car from Utah, and are anxiously waiting its arrival. We are currently driving a rental. It is nice, but it is not fun being a one car family. Ha!

Life is crazy, but good. The Christmas season is upon us. I have everything wrapped and ready, except for the fact that our tree isn't up. Hopefully by Thursday it will be up. I hope this season is a happy one for all of you! We hope to share some great news soon!

Tricky

Bud played a trick on all of us. He told us someone was in Pink's bed. Ha! It looks like Pinks. But, its just a wig, and various stuffed animals. Pinks thought she had a friend over for a sleepover, and she fell to sleep without her. LOL!

Gifts

Here is the apron and pen Rocky and I made for J. These are the gifts we gave her the first time we met. It seems so insignificant compared to the gift she is giving us. But, here they are. The apron is reversible. The pen is made from purple heart wood. (Thanks for your help Brian!) She liked both of them. J said she won't use the pen though. Ha! Things are going well. We got together with J last night for dinner. We discussed what "birth day" will be like and what we would like to do after baby boy is here. We then went with her to the Birthmom support group. It was amazing! Words cannot even describe how incredible the women in that room are. My prayers are with all of them. At the close of the meeting we listened to the music of the hymn I Believe in Christ. While doing so, J said baby was kicking. Both Rocky and I held our hands over J's sweet belly. He kicked, and moved. The love I felt in that moment was incredible. The love for my Savior, the love for my Rocky, the love for J, and the love for baby.

Baby

Today we went to the doctor with J. We heard baby's heartbeat. Oh how I love that sound. He sounds strong and healthy. The doc felt J's belly, and we could see the outline of baby. After the appointment, Rocky said he just wanted to jump up and feel the baby. J said we could. Tears. I felt her belly. I felt our baby. More tears. JOY!

Dance

Pinks is now taking a ballet and tap class. She loves it! I think she likes wearing the outfits best though. Here she is on her first day. I asked her to pose, and this is what she did. My little Pinkie is growing up.

Meet J

I would like to introduce you to J. J has chosen to place her sweet baby boy for adoption. J has also chosen Rocky and I to be the adoptive couple. J started emailing us back in August. Rocky and I tried not to get our hopes up, but we knew. We knew she was about to become our birthmom! She emailed us about once a week. Rocky and I would both read her emails and respond. Then, since hunting season is in September, I was reading and responding by myself. Late one night, I gave J our phone number. She sent me a text. I was overjoyed! A few days later, our caseworker called and left a message at my home. Our caseworker left her cell number. She had never done this before, so I called back asap! I got her voicemail. She called back. The caseworker called right when I was taking Bud, and his friends to Karate. I do not know how the car made it to Karate. I was crying. I had just been told that J picked Rocky and I to be the adoptive couple, and she wanted to meet us in one week! Joy, pure joy! Rocky was hunting of course so I couldn't call him. Heaven was helping because Rocky just happened to be coming down the mountain, and called 10 minutes after I talked to the caseworker. He was overjoyed as well. We met J. We LOVE her. J is amazing! She has put alot of thought and prayer into this decision. J is a mother of two darling boys already. She knows what it is like to be a mom. We have met her boys, and most of her family. We LOVE them as well! We have chosen to have and open adoption. J and her family will be part of baby's life, and ours. J invited Rocky and I to her doctor's appointments. The first time I heard baby's heart beat and kick, I cried. My heart races every time I hear it. This baby has so many people who love him, and care for him. We are all anxious for his arrival, but pray that he stays put for at least 7 more weeks. So, now you have met our Angel. I hope most of you will get to meet J soon, and see what a remarkable woman she is.

PUMPKINS

Every year I plant pumpkins in our garden; and every year we have only been able to grow one or two. Well, this year is different! This year we grew six! SIX! There is one pumpkin for each person in the family. One for Rocky, one for me, one for Bud, one for Pinks, one for our little foster baby, and one little green one for.... Hmmmmmmmm, who is the little green one for???

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It's for our BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's right, this is not a post about pumpkins. It's an announcement. Our family has been chosen by a wonderful woman who is placing her baby. She is due in December. I will introduce you to her soon. But, for now...

WE ARE HAVING A BABY BOY IN DECEMBER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Elk 2010

September is hunting season around our home. Rocky's season was cut a little short this year, but it ended well. Here is the big bull elk he shot with his bow and arrows. It's the biggest one he has ever hunted, and we couldn't be prouder. I won't tell the story of how he shot it, because I tell it wrong. Ha! He likes to tell it, and act it out. That elk now fills our freezer. Who's coming over for a barbecue????

Foster Care

Rocky and I signed up in May to be Foster parents. We started this process, took the classes, had our home studied.... Well, needless to say, we have had our first placement. A sweet little 9 month old boy was placed in our care the day before school started. Boy was that a crazy week! The past few posts talk about that week. We are not allowed to post pictures of this sweet baby, but we love him. He is at that fun stage where he wants to know, climb, crawl, scream, walk, and just discover the world around him. He gets into everything and bonks his head on everything, but he is a boy, and a busy one at that. My kiddos love him. They always want to hold him. He doesn't want to be held, he wants to play. He didn't sleep through the night at first. He was waking up between 4-6 times a night. Now, he sleeps through the night! Hooray! What a blessing! So, we have had him for a month, and we will have him until the end of this month, at least. "At least", that is what they say. Ha! We are happy with him here though. No, we will not be adopting him. We want him to return home. So, there is the story as to why our life got a little crazy. We are so grateful for the love and support. We couldn't have done this without you! (You know who you are.)

Flowers

Here are the flowers that Rocky gave me. He gave them to me when the kiddos started school. Isn't that nice?! He knows, and most of you know, that I get a little weepy when school starts. I have a hard time letting my kids go. Rocky knew I needed something to brighten my day, and this is what he came up with. Good job honey! Gerbera daisies are my favorite, and so is the color orange. LOVE them! (Rocky and the flowers ;))

Traveling Apron

My mom came up with the BRILLIANT idea of the "Sisterhood of the Traveling Apron". This apron, and matching journal, will be passed between my mom, sisters, cousins, friends, in laws, and anyone who is part of our family. When you receive the apron you are to make or create something while wearing it, then photograph and journal what you have done. I had the apron when I was in McCall. I made my favorite dip. I then took a picture, and wrote down the recipe. Not only is this a fun way to keep in contact with our family, but it is fun to see what people are cooking and crafting. Do not be surprised if you receive the apron soon. I hear it is somewhere in Utah. Great idea Mom! I love and miss you!

School

School has started. Our first couple of weeks were a little crazy. Pinks missed her first couple of days of school because she was sick. So, Bud went by himself. Then Bud got sick, so Pinks went by herself. Finally both kiddos felt better, and they went to school together. Yes, I cried. I can't believe they are both in school. It is so fun to hear them tell each other about their days.

P: I raised my hand today, and the teacher did not call on me!

B: Here's what I do. I raise hand UNTIL the teacher calls on me. And, if that arm gets tired you raise the other one. Then if that one gets tired, you raise the other one.

Me: Or, you could put your hand down, and let someone else answer.

P and B: No.

LOL!!!! (all of us)

PEACHES

My friend GB called me one day and asked if I wanted to pick peaches with her. Little did I know what I was getting into. We went to the LDS Church Orchards and picked for them, then we picked for ourselves. We ended up picking way too many, so we came home with more than we needed. I brought home 3 bushels for myself, and one for my friend Agnus. I have never canned peaches before, so this was all new to me. I canned 13 quarts, then I planned on canning the rest the following week. Well, chaos hit our home. Needless to say we couldn't wait much longer to can these beauties because they were ripe. In comes JAN! Jan called to see if she could help, and ended up coming over and canning almost all of them! She came in, took charge, and told Rocky and I what do to. (Mostly Rocky, because I was passed the point of functioning.) I was absolutely no help at all. Two of my other friends stopped by and pitched in as well. (GB and SM) So, to my darling Jan, GB, and SM... THANK YOU!!!! You rescued me in so many ways, just by canning peaches, and being my friends. I love you all very much, and will think of you every time I eat peaches! Thank you with all my heart!

McCall...again

Rocky, and our dear friends, Charles and Agnus, joined us in McCall. (Their names have been changed just for fun.) They brought their darling kiddos. We, yet again, had a ball! Fishing, biking, jet skiing, playing on the beach, eating, and laughing. Looking forward to another trip together.

McCall

We took a trip it McCall. It was wonderful! The kids and I went up a few days early. We roasted GIANT marshmallows. (Who says they are not good for your teeth?!) We found a hollow tree, and of course spent time on the beach. I have very happy feet in this picture. McCall is one of our favorite spots to visit. We love it!

Eclipse

Here we are in a theater in Utah. Rocky took me to Eclipse. (It was his idea. Can you see why I love him?) He was one of maybe six men in the whole place. We both really enjoyed the movie. We saw it a day before everyone else in the world. (Thanks to my sister in law!) We received gift bags, and I won a door prize. Thanks for the great date honey!

Lagoon

We went to Lagoon in July. It was so fun! We spent the whole day and night there. The kids were brave and rode everything.