Lion King

In the begninning of August my mother told me to put in my calendar September 25, a few hours for her. I needed to make sure I reserved the day for her, but she wasn't going to tell me more because it had to deal with my birthday present.

Well, I was riding down the road with Stac and I heard the Lion King commercial, it gave the dates, and all of the sudden it clicked! I said, "Oh my god! Is that what mom is giving me for my birthday!" Stac did her best to cover it up, but I immediately called my mom, asked, and then celebrated when she told me yes!

Lion King is one of the very few Broadway plays I have really wanted to see. For years this is the one I have been waiting for! So, knowing that my mom had gotten me a ticket was the best birthday gift!

This morning I got up and got ready. It is always fun to be able to dress up a little, curl my hair, and put on some dressy shoes. Garry agreed to keep the Little Man for me, so I met them over there. Garry and Peanut came to lunch with us, and we were spoiled. Mom took us to the Grand America for the lunch buffet which is incredible!

I then kissed my Little Man goodbye and we went to the Capitol Theatre for Lion King. Let me just say, the first scene was AMAZING! It was nothing less than magic. The beauty, the animals, the sounds, it all brought chills to my body and tears to my eyes.

The play was wonderful. The costumes were spectacular. The music and voices were inspiring. The play was so good!!!! I. LOVED. IT!

I am so grateful to my mom for taking me for my birthday! It was such a fun outting with her!

Catch A Fish

Monday afternoon I gothome from work and made dinner. Dustin was home by about 5:30 and we ate dinner. As we were sitting there we decided we should take the Little Man fishing. After attempting to catch a fish in Duchesne, we decided we would go over to the park, that stalks fish, and see what we could find

We first went to Wal-Mart to get bait, and I needed a fishing pole...It's pink! No big deal...just pretty awesome! We then got hooks, bobbers, a little tackle box, and one spinner. We then popped over to the pond and setup.


Dustin helped get our rods put together, and on my first cast, I caught a fish! It was ginormeous! Maybe 3 inches long. Carter came over and reeled it in. Once we got the little fish in, Carter and I stopped long enough to take a picture.

We continued to throw the line out, and had the opportunity to catch two more itty-bittys. After the first one, Carter had zero interest in looking at the fish again.


Shortly after 8:30 we packed up and headed home. Carter kept telling us about "catch a fish." "Mom, fish in da water." "Mom, fish" then he would make the fish face! He was darling and has wanted to go fishing every day since..

Duchesne Camping Trip 2010

This past weekend my little family joined my dad and Kel and the Hansen family for a weekend getaway to do some camping. I was pretty sick Thursday and all day Friday, but didn't want to not go. See, I haven't been camping with my dad in probably close to thirteen years, and I really wanted this time with them. I really wanted them to have the time with us and Carter. It was important.

Friday I slept all morning. I didn't think I was going to make it, in fact there were moments I was pretty sure I may be dying...at least thinking it might be the better option. So, Stac picked up Carter and he rode up with her family. I continued to lounge and see if I thought I would make it camping. Luckily about 3:30, the pain began to ease and I was able to start packing here and there. I had to do it in shifts, but I was able to do it.

When Dustin got home from work he helped me load the suburban and get everything else packed and organized. As we were pulling out of the driveway, I thought we were good to go. But, Dustin stopped in front of our driveway, so I asked him what we forgot. He looks over and there was the trailer. Yep, that is right, it is a good thing I wasn't in charge or we would have gotten to the campground with no trailer or tent!

We made a couple stops, and then headed out at about 7:00. As we were going up I-80 the mountains were beautiful! I don't know why, but I was so surprised to see so much color in the mountains already...but I think this is the case for me every year. Dustin and I had nice conversation and were ready for the little adventure.






As we hit our turn off, we were in deep conversation. Dustin was talking to me, we were listening to music, and enjoying some one on one time together. I managed to look at my window and I was all the sudden eye to eye with a moose! Okay, maybe not exactly eye to eye, but I saw the moose running down the very small hill heading straight for my door! It was an extremely large moose, and I stopped breathing! I gasped and then gasped again because I thought for sure I was going to be killed by a moose. Fortunately, by the grace of God, that did not happen. And when I went to yell at Dustin for not speeding up or slowing down, he was just going to let me die, he says..."I didn't even see it." From that point on, I was very aware of my surroundings and on the look out for any more moose!

As soon as we safely made it to our camping site, I got out, rushed to my dad, and told him how I almost died by a moose! We laughed and giggled as the excitement of being together started coming. We decided we better get our little tent trailer setup pretty quick because it was dark, cold, and I was ready to be done.

So up it goes...kind of...it looks easy, but it being the first time we have used it, it was a little tricky. See, it is literally a tent on wheels with two full beds that pop out on the sides. So we put it up, we tie down, and I begin to question how smart it will be for Dustin and I to be on one side of this little pop-up tent. However, he reassures me we will be fine and because he grew up with this trailer I decide to believe him.

Into the trailer I go. We start making the bed...air mattress needs a sheet, I try, can't get it on. Dustin tells me to move so I go to the back where he is near. This is when I believe we went wrong. All of the sudden the trailer was lifting OFF the ground up front and I was falling down and out of the back!!! Dustin is holding on to dear life, I start yelling..."HELP! MAN DOWN! I. REPEAT. MAN. DOWN!!!


From halfway inside and halfway outside the tent I hear the family bursting with laughter. Dustin goes to the top to bring it back down, I start saying don't move because I was literally hanging out of the back and didn't want it to come back down on me and smush my legs! I eventually was able to compose myself enough that I climbed out of the back and then Dustin was able to move forward where Stacy could pull it back down. As I went over to the fire, giggling, Dustin continued to try to figure out our trailer. A few short minutes later I hear, "Baby...I figured out the problem...I forgot to put down the stabilizers!" So...back into laughter we went.

We spent several hours at the campfire talking and laughing. It was so nice to hear the water, be out doors, and be with the family. That night we all froze! I spent less than a half hour in the trailer before I went into the suburban. About an hour or so later, Dustin joined me. As we were sitting there debating who should go get Carter, I heard him fuss, and out I ran into the cold and told him to come to me. Not thinking very clearly, it being FREEZING and 2:30 in the morning, I just kept calling his name until I heard a bonk...Ooops, didn't think about how well he was tucked in and he ended up falling out of the bed. MY BAD! Back into the sub we went and after nearly another hour of freezing, we pulled out the manual, learned how to turn off the daylight savings lights, and then turned on our heated seats. I slept for about two hours before Carter was back awake, and shortly after saw Colin and Papa outside. Before I knew it we were up and at it and loving the mountains we are graced with.





We made breakfast, spent some time down by the water, and relaxed. Later on dad, Bri, and I took the little men fishing. Unfortunately the fish were NOT cooperating and the boys had little patience. We went back to camp and continued to just relax.






Later my dad and I snuck away and went down the river a few miles to try some fishing. I haven't had some serious daddy daughter fishing in such a long time. It was so nice to spend time watching my dad fly fish and have conversation just me and him. I think we both needed it.


When we got back to camp from another very uneventful fishing expedition, Stac and Kel had made a dutch oven pot roast and peach cobbler. MMMM...Delightful! We then stayed up laughing, quoting movies, and enjoying one anothers company more.




Sunday morning came, we made breakfast and then started cleaning up. Dustin got sick and Bri had homework. So, we packed up and were heading down the road fairly early. Dustin and I were second on a motorcycle accident and I was heavily involved in helping get the guy off the hill. I have never needed to be on a scene before and it was pretty intense. I am hoping the guy will be okay, he has been in many of my thoughts since.

All and all it was a fabulous weekend and so nice to spend some time with that side of the family! We are already talking about next time!

And here is my favorite picture of the trip...
I. Am. Framing. This. One!

Turning 28...Pretty Great

Today is my 28th birthday. That is right, I am officially entering my LATE 20's and I had a pretty great day...being 28!

I woke up to six facebook messages this morning, and my phone never stopped. I have had 34 messges on my facebook wall, 19 different people text message, and 11 phone calls. I feel pretty loved and lucky today. I had no idea how much technology would make my birthday feel special, compared to a normal day, but it really did!

I worked today, and my sweet hubby ended up at my work with Cafe Rio for lunch and a beautiful little ring for me. I then had a faculty meeting and came home to some time alone.

My sister-in-law then took me to Training Table for dinner and a movie, Going the Distance. Which was very funny. The best part...getting back into the car, my pants ripped all the way down the butt and definitely would have been a peep show if anyone was looking! NICE!!!

I truly had such a great day! Thank you to everyone who helped make it that way! Its been awhile since the birthday felt like a birthday! Pretty cool! Love to you all and may my 28th year be the best one yet!

One Night A Year....

One night a year, my family of three, goes to a barbecue. While we are there, every family is very similar to ours. There are TONS of children, most African American. There are tons of parents, most caucasian. And we ALL have something in common...we all adopted from Heart and Soul, at least once.

Last night we went to the annual Heart and Soul barbecue. We have gone every year since we got Carter and look forward to it everytime. For those short few hours we are surrounded by people who know what it is truly like to walk the adoption path. Who know how much love is given to a child, even if they aren't biologically ours. During those short hours we are surrounded by families who look just like ours, and I. LOVE. IT!!!

The families all seem to awe every child there. Every one has an adoption story, similar backgrounds, but every one different, every one special. People are friendly and look forward to talking with families there. Everyone wants to know the person sitting next to them story, because they can relate and understand. The love for every child there is shown and it exuberates a special kind of atmosphere.

As we were there last night I saw a woman there, and I had a thought that she is probably a birthmom. Then in speaking with one of the owners of our agency, we found out she was. This birthmom started looking around for a little boy. He is 2 1/2 years old and she wanted to know if she could spot this little man out of a crowd. I don't know if she found him or if they were introduced but I watched.

I am sitting at a table watching this family with their birthmother and I am in awe. I am watching this birthmother look at her son in admiration. The love she had for this little man beamed from her face. She was grinning ear to ear and overly joyed with having that short time with the little person she carried.

While I was watching this interaction I became pretty emotional. So many of us are so blessed by adoption and by birth families. Our family wouldn't be here without them. I am so grateful. To then watch this birthmother share that special moment with her son and adoptive family.

I hope one day Carter and Keita have the opportunity to meet. I hope one day he gets to see how much his birthmom loves him. Last night, I was affirmed that when you adopt their are two mommy's and daddy's for that little person. One parental group created and decided to carry their little person. Then at some point, determine they cannot raise this child and place the baby for adoption. The next set of parentals come in and grasp that child with all the love they have and never look back. Pretty damn incredible...both sides.

Every day goes on, and I often think how grateful I am for our adoption story. It is magical. It is real. It is the ultimate love. I know Dustin and I are not done adopting. I don't have any idea how we will ever come up with a way to afford it again, but I know when the time is right, the money will come and our next child will be waiting. Knowing that gets me through rough times and I think to myself...I can't wait to do it again!

Labor Day Weekend

This has been a pretty nice weekend, and some how I managed to go the whole weekend without my camera! I am super sad!

Friday night Dustin and I just hung out at home. It had been a crazy, busy week and it was nice to just spend some time at home. I ended up going on a little shopping adventure for a birthday present, and then to Arby's to try to locate the debit card that had seemed to vanish. Thankfully, it was at Arby's and I didn't have much more to worry about.

Saturday morning we woke up early and went to Virgs. It was just our little family, in fear that nobody else would have been awake yet. Dustin had to work early, but I wanted some family time so to breakfast we went. We then ran to Old Navy and Costco for a few more things.

I then went home and Carter and I packed up to head north. We got to Brigham City about 2ish to help setup Jameson's 7th birthday party. It was a bug party and turned out darling. Carter was hesitant to interact with the other kids, but eventually came around.

I then babysit London and Jameson, along with Carter, so their parents could have a much needed date night. It was so chill and the kids were great. I must admit...I can't remember the last time I babysat on a Saturday night! But it was easy and to just sit and veg may have been EXACTLY what I needed.

Sunday morning I went to my Aunt and Uncle's for breakfast. It was so nice! The conversation is always delightful, the setting was gorgeous, and Uncle Craig and Carter became the best of friends. It was so nice to have some unwind and just shoot the breeze with my Aunt and listend to Carter and Uncle Craig play.

I then headed back to Wellsville, where Doug and his kiddoes joined Carter and me. We took them all to McDonalds playland and let the kids eat then play for a little bitl Once we were done there, we headed back to the in-laws for some swimming. I was kind of in a slow motion mood, but eventually the boys got in the pool, Doug and Lo went on the bike, and I continued to veg.

Dustin showed up around 5ish and got out the second bike. The boys raced and had a good time and played with the toys. Around 7 Doug and kiddoes headed home and Dustin made dinner. We were exhausted and in bed by about 9:45.

Today we woke up and straightened up the house to head back south. I stopped off in B-town to spend a couple hours with my daddy. It was really nice to get to chat with him. It seems like it has been far to long since I saw him. Dustin and Carter just hung out at home. The rest of the evening we just vegged.

Tomorrow we are back to work and hussle. Thank goodness it is only a four day work week!