Here's to you...

Mom & Dad. I know it is sweltering hot in the south pacific, but THIS is the alternative! Of course there is not tons of it, and my kids think they have to pull out ALL the snow clothes. (can you hear me sighing and see me rolling my eyes?) AND...to hold to tradition, it had to come BEFORE Halloween!!!!!

Moving on...

So I have been walking around my house feeling pretty sorry for myself for a few days now, and worried for my parents and their new lives (refer to post below). Today, we got an EMAIL from my parents, yes...COMMUNICATION! I would SO love to be able to talk to them, visit them, send frequent packages etc., but at least there is email (even if it is slow as tar and hit and miss at its best).
So today I'm moving on! Instead of feeling sorry for myself and all I'm missing. My view is changing to being excited for them. They were met at the airport by the elders and sisters. There are dinners set up for them for a week from branch members. There really are people on the Kiribati island who will love my parents as much as we do. Now, I actually feel a tinge bit of jealousy! What a fantastic experience my parents get to have. YIPPEEE!! I can't wait to start seeing pictures and hearing about their experiences. Let the fun begin!

Goodbye...for now

I love getting to hear the voice and message of our latter-day prophet of God. The scriptures are full of testimonies of prophets in history, so it only makes sense that God would have a prophet on the earth today as well. He loves His children now every bit as much as He loved His children in the Old and New Testaments. I love the Book of Mormon, and how it goes hand in hand with the Bible. It is another one of those things that just makes sense to me of a loving Heavenly Father. I mean, if God was commanding people on one continent to keep a record (the Bible), then wouldn't he also command people on the other continent to keep a record (The Book of Mormon)? If God sent angels to people in the Bible, then why is it so unbelievable that He would send an angel to Joseph Smith to show him the record that had been kept on the American continent? If God the Father had shown himself to prophets in the Bible, then why is it so unfathomable that He would show himself again in latter-days?

I just said goodbye for 18 months to two of the most important people in my life. My parents left on their mission for the LDS Church to go to Christmas Island (part of the Marshall Islands in the South pacific) to share this same message and serve the people there. They will be on this small island with a population of 5000 people. There are land -line phones, but nothing to where we can call and talk, no cell phones. They can't call out even to the mission president whose island is 2000 miles away. They have dial-up internet...IF the power is working (which is very hit and miss). We can't send letters because they just get lost. We hoped that we would at least be able to send packages through a lady who works for the airline that goes over to that island, but that is now looking very doubtful. They will live in a home that is the size of my living room, with a small bed and a fridge (if the power is working - they have a fridge). I won't butter it up by saying that it is all great, and it's all for a good cause. Truth is...it isn't great. My heart is broken, and I will miss them terribly. However, it IS for a good cause. I KNOW that my parents wouldn't leave the comforts of their home, the farm, their friends, their family for any other reason than to serve God, and knowing that their family will be blessed for their service. And to share these truths with people on the isles of the sea. They are a great example to all of us, even from thousands of miles away. Right now, I'm not even sure how to make it through the day, let alone 18 L-O-N-G months! But I do know that Heavenly Father will hear our prayers, and even though my parents can't call us, they can make that "phone call" to heaven, where there is always an answer on the other end.

We love you mom and dad! God be with you till we meet again.

Kisses for mom and dad

Grandmas last comforts for Kamden

Walking my sisters family to their car as they depart

Grandpa & Grandma looking on after the goodbyes have been said.

A picture can say 1000 words.

My daddy after having said goodbye to some of the family.

9 Years Ago Today

Nine years ago today, we met our little girl for the first time, and we held her in our arms for the first time. Nine years ago today, we cried many tears, both of sorrow and of joy. Nine years ago today, Emilie became our little girl.
I'm sure this will be a long post - and probably a tearful one for me to recount. But I can't let this day slip by without reflecting on the events of this special day to us.

The events of this day didn't all happen in just one day, it happened over a period of several months and years. The heartache of infertility is excruciatingly painful for anyone who walks it's path. After one particularly frustrating doctor appointment in January, the very strong impression of adoption came to my heart. I called the LDS agency to get some paperwork. The paperwork sat on my counter for several weeks, when one morning, in February, I was going about my usual routine, and a VERY strong impression came to me that I needed to fill that paperwork out NOW (not tomorrow, or next week). So I sat down, filled it out, and got it mailed. Then my heart was at peace again, and I continued on with my days. When our social worker, Connie, met with us to discuss the next steps - we found out that we had to take some adoption classes that are only offered twice a year, and they were coming up within a couple of weeks. We could not progress with the adoption process unless we had this class. In order to take this class, we had to have 6 months worth of paperwork to fill out (no exaggeration). Again, I had the feeling of urgency, and worked day and night to get the paperwork done before the next scheduled classes. The pieces all fell together, and in June, we were officially "waiting". In August, we received a letter and a cross-stitch picture from our future birth mother, telling us that we would be having a little girl on October 10. I can't really describe the feelings in my heart at that moment. I was both excited, and terrified. I had so many "what if's" running through my brain. At that time, we knew that our birth mother was in Utah to have the baby, but that the birth father wasn't supportive of adoption. So it was very difficult to put my heart into what was going to happen, because I just couldn't bear to have my heart broken. Yet it was totally impossible to not feel hopeful and excitement for our baby girl to come to our family. The agency took every legal precaution with the birth father to make sure that he knew his rights and had a chance to step up to the plate and be her father. However, Emilie decided to come 3 weeks early. Because of her early arrival, much of the legal details were exempt, and the birth father still had another 3 weeks to take a stand. He had told our birthmother that he intended to raise this baby (at a whopping 16 years of age). So...Emilie spent a week with her birth mother, then 2 weeks with her "in-between" mom (a fostercare mom who helped with babies in situations such as these). Cindy, (her in-between mom), emailed me every day to give me updates on our little girl. Brenda, our birth mom, sent me pictures of her. I, in the meantime, sat in my chair and stared out the window, usually with tears in my eyes. It was more than I thought I could handle at that time. I knew my baby was out there, but I didn't know if she would get to come to our family. My heart and my arms ached to hold her. During this time, my extended family, Brenda's family, Cindy's family, and many of our friends and ward members, had a special fast on Emilie's behalf. The morning of October 10, we got the phone call that we could go ahead with placement, the birth father had not made anymore contact. We quickly called my parents to join us, and we rushed to Ogden to meet our newest family member. For legal reasons, Brenda was in one room signing the papers, and we were in the next room ready to sign as soon as she had. If for some reason, the birthfather had signed with the courts between our signing, then Brenda would have signed her rights away, and he would have full custody of her. When the papers were ALL signed (you think buying a house has a lot of paperwork!), we were escorted into a room where we were able to see for the first time, our little girl. Brenda was cuddling her, with a look on her face that was way beyond her 16 years. Her parents sat next to her in support. Embraces and tears were shared, followed with laughter and good conversations. Brayden got to hold his little sister, even before we did. How many big brothers can say they got to hold their baby before their parents?!
When it came time to say our goodbyes, Emilie's birth grandfather, and her daddy, gave her a special priesthood blessing. Brenda placed Emi in my arms, as unitedly, her two mom's held her and held each other. It was truly a moment that I thought my heart would break, and a moment that I felt surrounded by heavenly angels, giving both of us strength. I love Emi's birthmom. It is as if we knew each other before this earthly life, and my heart ached with hers. We then left the room, with our baby in my arms. I thought my legs were going to give out, and Ira had to hold me up as we walked to a different room. Then we were able to really take a good look at our newest addition. She was (and still is), such a beautiful little girl.

The real difficult part for me came the very next morning, after everything had settled down, and everyone had gone home, and I had some alone time with my baby. I was holding Emilie in my arms when the phone rang. It was a case worker who told me that the birth father had called the agency that morning wanting to know what he had to do to get Emilie. My heart sank, and I was sure our dream had come to an abrupt end. As it turns out, Utah has very good laws to protect adoptive couples. Emilie wasn't "legally" ours yet, she still belonged to the agency, until she was 6 months old, and we could be proven to be fit parents. Then we could go to the courts and have her legally our daughter. The case worker who talked to the birth father, told him that he was welcome to call an attorney, and a judge, and they would tell him what steps to take. He also told him that if he tries to get her back, he will be taking the agency to court, not the adoptive couple, and the agency had never lost a case, and didn't intend on losing this one. (that was all fine and dandy, but I had these visions of our daughter a year down the road being taken from me because we had lost a legal battle). Anyways, a while later, the caseworker called us back again, and said that the birthfather had called back and said, "I have talked to a judge and to a lawyer. No one will even talk to me, because she is 3 weeks old, and she is in Utah." If he had made these phone calls 24 hours earlier, before placement, Emilie probably wouldn't be with our family today. The birthfather has since sent us a picture of himself, and received a couple letters from us. I truly believe that with adoption, THERE ARE NO COOINCIDENCES. Our Heavenly Father, who is the father of us all, has a plan. He knows the beginning from the end, and Emilie was always meant to be in our family. Now that I look back on the experience, I am very grateful for the things I learned of fasting, prayer, priesthood blessings, and mostly FAITH.
She has so many people who love her. Her birth mother has not seen her since that day, since adoption at that time was much more private than it is now. We do share letters and pictures with her a couple times a year, and she has a wonderful family of her own now. Emilie often asks me of Brenda, and I can only tell her of how much she loves her, and that she was willing to share her with a family that had both a mommy and a daddy for her, and who love her so much. She often "brags" to total strangers that she is "the only one adopted in my family...that makes me really special." Yes Emi - you are real special!

Brayden getting to hold his little sister for the first time - even before his parents! He gave both Brenda and Emilie identical stuffed rabbits to hold for comfort.

Our first family picture, still at the agency - our eyes are a bit red and puffy (OK, our whole faces are red from crying!)
Emilie was only 4lbs 10 oz. when she was born. By the time we saw her at 3 weeks, she was a whopping 6 lbs, 2 oz. Brenda had her dressed in this white doll dress, she was so teeny.

Our beautiful girl today.
We have had our share of difficulties. Emilie and I are just too much alike, and sometimes we clash. However, she is such a special little girl to me. I love her with my entire heart and soul.
I watched her as she sang "I Am A Child of God" at church a couple weeks ago. She sang, "[Heavenly Father]...has given me, and earthly home, with parents kind and dear. Lead me, guide me, walk beside me, help me find the way. Teach me all that I must do, to live with Him someday." As I listened to her sing those words, my eyes filled with tears as I reflected on what a special daughter of God Emi is, and how privileged I am to have her call ME mom. I have a great responsibility to all of my children, to "lead them, guide them, walk beside them. Help them find the way..." I can't thank my Heavenly Father enough for this great honor.

Fall Camping

My dad always makes the comment, "It doesn't get any better than this!" I usually agree with him, cuz he says it when he's with family or 4-wheeling or at the beach. This weekend, as I was camping with my family, that thought came to mind - many, many times. Every time I took a deep breath of the crisp fall air, and looked at the beautiful fall colors all around, I thought "It doesn't get any better than this!". I love camping, I love 4-wheeling, I love my family, and I love fall. You put them all together, and I am one HAPPY CAMPER! (literally).

This weekend was UEA in Utah, where the kids were out of school for a couple days. We took advantage of the time, and Ira took work off, and we went for a couple of days. Then we got to come home and watch conference for the LDS church on TV. Conference weekends are my favorite weekends of the entire year.

So I had to get in a few family pictures before we got all dirty. I just couldn't help myself with the colors and the snow-capped mountains!

The snow was fun for a couple hours - but I'm certainly not ready for it permanently!

It really doesn't get any better than this!

My Marathon called LIFE!

Life can really take us for a ride sometimes. Some days I feel like I'm on a ferris wheel, just going through mild up's and down's - coasting along, enjoying the world around me (those days are few and far between). Other days (or weeks or years), I feel like I am hanging on for dear life on the biggest, fastest, rollercoaster known to mankind. This past week I have been on quite the rollercoaster ride. It has been a way fun ride, full of surprises and adventure. At times I put my arms in the air and thrilled with the experience, other times I closed my eyes because I wasn't ready for what came next. However, now that my weeks ride is coming to an end - I can say that it was a great ride, and if given the opportunity - I'd definently go again! (Just give me a couple weeks to recoop some energy - cuz I can't seem to find anymore of it ((energy)). I'm just getting too OLD for this kind of craziness. Just give me a porch and a rocking chair!)

My week began with cleaning the heck out of my house for like three days. My house was quite the transformation that lasted...oh, about 2 hours! (Aaarrrggghhhhhh...why can't a clean house just STAY clean?!)

Adventure #1

(Wednesday)

My week started out with a night hike with some friends on the Jardine Trail. What exactly was I thinking? I am SO NOT a night person. Ten P.M. is late for me - so climbing into bed at 1:00 A.M. was just not like me. But I might just have to get used to this late stuff, cuz that was REALLY fun!

Ann, Melanie, Stephanie, Me, Jaelynne, Loni & Shanna

Ira was so worried about us all going at night, that he told Shanna that we needed to have a knife and mace. Shanna did bring a knife, and look what happened?! Imagine what damage we could do if we brought mace? Maybe not such a great idea! ;)

The mother of all bugs joined us for our smorgesboard (we had fruit, cheese, cookies, and even a salad - no granola bars and trail mixes for us!). This thing crawling up on us was all we needed to break up "camp" and head home. But we had to catch it first for Braydens insect collection at school (he got 100%). So I carried this thing in a container on my back all the way back. I was afraid it would eat through the container and then eat me! It really is that big (like 1 1/2 - 2 inches long) and that ugly!

Adventure #2

(Wednesday - Friday)

Ira's Grandma and Aunt came for a visit for a couple of days.

Adventure #3

(Friday)

Attended Tysons Homecoming Football game - way to go coach! (no pics :( )

Adventure #4

(Saturday)

I'm pretty proud of this adventure. I have already mentioned in previous posts about my families "Biggest Loser" competition, and how after the competition ended, we set our own personal goals. One of my goals was to have my own mini biathalon. I wanted to ride my bike up the Smithfield canyon, then run back home (about 5.2 miles each direction). My brother was here from California, and said he would do it with me. Terrible weekend to exhert any extra energy, but I couldn't turn down the opportunity to have the support and company. I was eating his dust all the way, and if he wasn't there to make me do it - I know I still wouldn't have accomplished it. BUT, I did achieve my goal, and it was really fun. My other brother met us at the top and ran down with us. Between the 3 of us, we have lost about 145 pounds. That's not counting the other 6 participants in our competition!Adventure #5

(Saturday)

BBQ at Mack Park (I'm thinking that maybe after this meal, we put back on half of the weight we had lost! - check out all that cheese!!!!

We had a BBQ with my parents and all my siblings who were here for my parents farewell the following day. Kamden

Jarin & Parker


Adventure #6

(Friday - Sunday)

Emilie's birthday! Happy 9 years sweet girl!

The poor girl (or lucky, depending on how you look at it), didn't really get a day that was just her special day this year. There was just a lot going on. So Friday I took her to the movies, Saturday, Ira took her 4-wheeling, and we gave her a cake. Then sunday (her actual birthday), we gave her some gifts. She did get to celebrate the whole weekend with her cousins around - and I think she loved every minute of it.

Adventure #7

(Sunday)

My parents had their farewell before they leave on their 18 month mission to the Marshall Islands. They talked in church, and did great! At this point, the anxiety and anticipation of them leaving is killing me. I don't want them to leave, (but I really do KNOW it is the right thing), but since it is something that is going to happen, I kinda just want it to happen already (I think you know what I mean, right?).

Anyways, that was me rambling - so I'll get back to the point. After church, we had a farewell luncheon for them and family. I have like a million pictures of extended family and friends - so I'll spare you this one time. But it was a great day, with lots of love and support extended to two fabulously wonderful people.

Part of this days adventure was that we kids prepared the food for this little gathering of about 150 people. (There are advantages to having 8 kids!) That food preparation was fit somewhere between all the other adventures during the weekend.

We're working the kitchen.

Dad, Mom and all 8 kids.

Todd, Tyson, Kim, Kelli, Jordan, Shawn, Nicky, Dad, Mom & Robin

We weren't sure we would be able to pull off having all of us together before they left - that is no small task! But moments like these are priceless.

Unfortunantly we were not able to have all the spouses there. Two of my sisters-in-law were greatly missed. I will try my hardest to photoshop them into the following photo - but we'll see!

Adventure #8

(Monday)

I thought I had had my last 4-wheeling ride with my parents before they left - but this impromptu ride was the highlight of my week. I went to Oxford Peak with my parents, two brothers from California, and my two kidlets. The colors are just starting to change, and it was so much fun for me to get to be with them in the mountains again.

Mom, Jordan, Dad, Shawn, Jarin & Todd

Me with my chick-a-dees (it was freezing!)

all of us breaking for lunch

Jarin

My daddy comin' round the mountain.

Todd

Adventure #9

(Wednesday)

Can't say I love this adventure, but I do love having full shelves of food. I spent Wednesday bottling grape juice and apple sauce. Yumm-O

Adventure #10

(Wednesday night)

Back where I started the week from - night hiking with my friends...again. This is seriously addicting. I hike till my legs burn, then laugh till my stomach hurts, then turn around and do it again the next week! This time we went to the Windcaves. I have been on this hike before, but I had never been in the dark. I have walked across this stone bridge before...no problem. But at night when everything around is total blackness, and the only light is from my flashlight, well...I got on my hands and knees and flippin' CRAWLED across it! What a wimp!!!! Maybe you had to be there, but it did have a bit of a "freak out" factor. Maybe I was already a bit on edge cuz of the rock wall we had to climb up, and my knees aren't what they used to be baby. Or maybe it was the pitch blackness all around, and knowing how high up we were. I dunno, but you can call me a total wimp now, I can take it! ;0)

Food and laughter - great fun!

Adventure #11 - Infinity

Somewhere between all of these great adventures, I'm sure I fed my family at least once, and I think we even slept a couple times - but I can't really remember. Maybe, just maybe, I even made sure everyone had at least one shower and brushed their teeth. I'm not really sure, but I do know that tonight I tucked in 4 children, so I know they are all still alive. So somewhere in all of that madness, I had the adventure of Motherhood.

So there you have it...my marathon called Life.

And tomorrow...I'm making jam!

Ode to Bear Lake

Bear Lake...
I will miss you my dear friend.
You have been good to us.
You have provided countless hours of laughter, and family togetherness.
You have been the cause of me yelling at my kids "Your-out-too-far. Come-back!!!!"
You have shared your frigid waters to cool our hot selves.
You have blown your fierce wind storms, full of sand, on us.
We have had near hypothermia after getting wet in your waters, then trying to dry off on your windy, sand-filled beaches.
You have shared your beaches full of sand for building castles.
You have let us take your sand home with us, in our food, our shoes, our cars and our shorts!
Thank you Bear Lake for our wonderful love/hate relationship.
I will return again next year, do it all over again...and call it FUN!

Our last trip to Bear Lake for the season was for our annual family LaborDay get-together. Another one of those impromptu traditions. We gather ourselves at Bear Lake, and eat and swim. When there's no food left...we go home!

It was freezing with a never-moving cloud that blocked the sun, and the wind was blowing. We had a canopy that we hung blankets up to block the wind. We crammed in there like sardines to keep warm. Then...we ATE (and ate and ate). And we called it FUN!
These two (my parents) won't be with us next year (sob, sob). It's getting hard to have our "last time" events with our parents for 18 months (I know, it's not forever, but 18 months is a L-O-N-G time, it seems). I had my last 4-wheeling ride with them a couple weeks ago too. That one will be a hard one for me, to go to the mountains that they love, and go 4-wheeling that they love, and not have them there too. I'll definently think of them everytime I go!

And since I am always the one behind the camera, and there is seldom proof that I was actually part of the event, I took this self-portrait of me with my mom.

I loved how Jarin & Kam were playing together in the sand. So sweet!

Family get-togethers = Football!

Jarin and Parker - two peas in a pod (almost scary how much they are alike). Poor Mandi (Parkers mom), I do feel your pain raising that child - but aren't they a hoot?!! ;0)

Nathan, Skyler, Taylor, Tiana

Our very own Mermaids - Rylee, Myah & Emilie