Babes

In the past 24 days we have celebrated the birth of these babes.  I love them so much! Bud 11, Pinks 8, and baby 2!  Wow! Where is the time going?  This picture is of the first day of school.  Now that we have celebrated their birthdays, it is time to celebrate the birth of another babe.  The birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  It is because of Him that I am here.  It is because of Him that I can hold my darling babes every day.  I love my Savior.  I love this month to celebrate Him, and refocus for a new year.  May you recognize His hand in your life.  Merry Christmas!   

Garden

Every spring we gather as a family and have a garden party.  We get the garden ready, and then plant seeds and starts.  After we have watered I hose the kids down.  They love it.  By the end of the evening we are all cold and wet.  Good traditions.

Sing

Here is Bud in his school music program.  He sang, and played the recorder.  We are so grateful for music teachers.  The program was wonderful!  We had grandparents in town to watch.

Easter 2012

Easter 2012.  It started with an egg hunt, and finding the baskets.  The bunny left the baskets in the cupboards this year.  We had my parents in town so we took family pictures in our new clothes.  Apparently orange is the color of the year. After church we had a family dinner.  When our guests left we dyed eggs.  It was a great day!

Table.. again

My table and chairs

driving

Our drive home.  Need I say more?

Reno

On our way home from Cali, we stopped in Reno to see some of our favorite people.  Two things... me and Ferris wheels don't mix, but me and hula hoops do.  (The longest I have hula hooped is 20 minutes! The kids wanted a turn!)  We went to Sheals.  SO FUN!  I rode with this cute fella who kept rocking our seat.  When I asked him to stop he asked why. Ha!  We all took a turn with several hula hoops.  The store clerks weren't even upset about it.  Great store! Great company!!!!  Missing them especially this month!

California

We spent spring break in California.  We drove down to see Grandma.  It was great to see and visit with her.  We did some sight seeing.  We went to the train museum, and flee market.  We spent time with Grandma and Aunts, Uncles, and cousins.  We stayed in a hotel which was so fun for everyone.  Sadly we did not take a single picture of or with Grandma. 

TABLE

My table.  Rocky (and Brian) made me this beautiful table.  It is huge!  Almost too big for my home.  It seats 8-10.  It is an alder table.  Oh how I love it.  It was finished just before Easter.  We had my whole family over for dinner.  We have placed metal patio chairs around it.  Its a bit modern for some, but quite my style.  Thank you to my love Rocky! And to Brian!

Spring in McCall

We took a weekend off and ran up to McCall this spring.  We love McCall!  We love the snow!  Here are my sweet kids in the fort they built in the fall.  It withstood all the snow.  We went sledding, and enjoyed watching baby discover the snow.  What a delight the winter wonderland is in McCall!

Type 1

I have had Type 1 Diabetes for twenty six years.  I can't beleive it has been so long.  Last year my brother was diagnosed with Type 1.  It was devastating.  He quickly found his groove with the disease, and was even educating me on some of the new technology.  After one hot summer last year... balancing a new baby, diaper bag, and trying to keep my insulin cool at a park one day. I came home and announced to my husband that I was getting the pump.  He was surprised, but happy I finally decided to do it.  So I have an insulin pump. I like it.  I am still getting used to it.  It does have a few quirks.  I do not like that when I put my glucose sensor in that I bleed like crazy.  I then have a bruise when I take it out.  I do not like when the beeping wakes me up at night.  I do like knowing my sugars at all times of the day without pricking my finger.  I do like being able to run around town no matter the weather and not have to worry about lugging my eqipment with me.  I like that my purse is lighter.  I do like that it wakes me up at night, instead of an ambulance, or my Rocky hovering over me. ( Ha! That has only happened a few times in the 12 years we have been married.)  I do like to see how straight I can make my little blood sugar graph line.  I have done a pretty good job of being in control of my diabetes.  The pump has just made it a little easier.  So we will see how the next twenty six years go.  PUMPIN' IT UP!

Anniversary

This was the BEST DAY EVERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!! I have wanted to blog about this day for a year now, but have hesitated. I can not tell you all the feelings of the day, or the events. But, what I can tell you is that I know my Savior Jesus Christ loves me. I know that my little family is sealed together forever. I have never felt as close to my Father in Heaven, my Savior, and my family as I did that day. When I say my family, i mean everyone who was there with us, in the temple, waiting outside, and joining us later. Some of you are pictured. I did not get very many pictures on my camera, but our photographer did. The pictures that are posted are of my family at my home just about to head to the temple. Next is of our birth mom. She was able to be in the temple with us. Not many birth moms get to be there, but we were very grateful that she was. The next ones are of our little dinner party after our big day. We gathered at a church to bless our sweet baby, eat, and celebrate the day. The food was good and plentiful. Thank you for joining us that day, and for praying for our little guy to finally find his way to us. This day April 16, 2011 will never be forgotten. The happenings and feelings of this day I will treasure always. I love the Lord. I love my family!!!!!

April 15, 2011

This is what we were up to the night before our sealing day. We were busy in the kitchen preparing food for our party. You can see the tiredness in my eyes. The sandwiches were a hit. We of course had too many. Preparations for the best day ever.....

One Year

One year ago today we finalized our adoption. I can still feel the excitement of that day. We dressed baby in his first white shirt. So cute! I think he looks like a little old man. We met our caseworker, birth mother, and birth grandmother at the court house. Bud and Pinks were nervous to be in a court room. They even had to stand up and state who they were. At the last minute our judge was changed. What a blessing that change was! The judge we received was a huge adoption supporter. He was very kind to all in the room. He was incredibly thrilled for us and for baby. I was asked several times during the whole process of our adoption if I was worried that our birth mom would change her mind. I can honestly say NO. I never worried about it. I knew J was our birth mom. I knew baby was our son. I knew it from the moment I read her first email. I instantly felt in my heart that she was the one, and our son was finally coming home. Words will never express my gratitude for J. This little man is such a joy. Happy Adoption Day my little man! I love you!

Rooster

Last spring we went to see the rooster tail. It was great! My kids couldn't believe how much water was coming out. They enjoyed the light shower they received too. Ha!