OOPS....I spilled the punch

Yesterday I had the day off from work and Amanda Kate was serving at the Temple so I decided I would play some games and relax. I got out a game called "Bulls-Eye Ball" and was playing and having a great time until I got a little too excited and bumped my punch off of the table(Oops).It was a scary but funny moment because our carpet is light tan and this punch was bright red. When this happened all I could think about is "Amanda Kate is going to kill me when she finds out about this"Just kidding(thank goodness I married a loving and forgiving wife). So I scrambled for a solution to get this awful stain out. I looked in the cleaning closet for some carpet cleaner and we of course had none. So I justified in my head that it was okay to use a substitute cleaner. All I could find in the closet was a bottle of all purpose cleaner so I got it out and sprayed it all over the carpet. After I sprayed the carpet I could definitely smell bleach and at that point I remembered that Amanda Kate mixed some bleach and water in it and dumped the original all purpose cleaner out. Yikes!!!!

I know this is funny but it just kept getting worse and worse. So, I hurried to Wal-Mart and bought some carpet cleaner and paper towels(we were out of those conveniently too). Then I got back and sprayed the punch stained carpet with the carpet cleaner. After I sprayed the carpet cleaner I looked on the back and saw "DON'T MIX WITH BLEACH!" This was just my luck. Anyways, there is no pretty ending to this story because the carpet still does not look very good and will probably have permanent stains. However, I had all of the best intentions to clean it up and now have a funny story to tell. Things were just not going my way on my day off. Life is fun and I am glad my wife laughed at my story as well, even though I know she was not too happy about the carpet. What a day it was!

Looking for a Good Movie?

Steve had yesterday off and we were looking for something fun to do. I still don't have tons of energy since I am recuperating from being sick, so we decided on a movie. We have been disappointed lately with the selection of movies so we weren't expecting much. We decided to go see 'Soul Surfer'. Let me tell you, we were SO impressed with this movie. It is a MUST SEE. The story is so inspiring and is a great 'feel good' movie. It is no surprise that my eyes were leaking, but Steve's were also, and Steve NEVER cries in movies (Shh..don't tell him I told you he cried). Bethany, (the girl in the movie, whose arm is eaten by a shark) is an amazing person. She has so much love and a heart of a tiger! I am not terrified of sharks, but I don't think I would have the courage to go back into the water after I lost my arm to a 14-foot tiger shark.

At the end of the movie (I hope I am not spoiling this for anyone), Bethany is asked by a reporter if she could go back and change the day she was attacked, would she? Her answer is a remarkable one. She explains that she wouldn't because she can embrace more people with one arm than she could with two. She took something that could have been a negative and turned it into a positive.

I hope that I can have the faith and courage as Bethany did. I look at myself while facing infertility and wonder if I am rising above the hardship and making it something positive, or am I just sinking? I think at moments I have done both. Sometimes I just want to curl up and die, because I hurt and feel worthless; at other times I do see a shimmer of light through this trial. I have compassion for others who face infertility, my faith is being strengthened, I am learning to submit my will to my Heavenly Father, I have the opportunity to further my education, and I have time to build a strong relationship with Steve. If I were asked if I could change my situation, I think I would answer like Bethany did, although I don't know if I would be as confident in my answer yet...but, I will someday. Infertility, along with other trials in my life, have helped shaped me to be who I am. I like who I am, I don't want to change me. Plus, this is my Heavenly Father's plan for me, so who am I to say what is best for me? I don't know better than God.

If you haven't seen this spectacular movie, make it a date to go and see it! You won't be disappointed.

It's The Final Count Down!!!

In just five days (April 22^nd) I will be getting my braces off! I am super excited! I have been in my braces for over sixteen months. I have to admit I am a little nervous about the removal process, but I know it will be worth it. Several of the YW in my ward just got their braces off and they look really great!

Steve, Meghan, Kyle, and I are also counting down for our cruise! We are going to be leaving in just 19 days (May 6^th), for the Western Caribbean. We will be cruising with Carnival for a full week. We will have three ports: Cozumel, Mexico; Grand Cayman, Cayman; and Ocho Rios, Jamaica. This will be my second cruise and Steve’s first. We have been saving our pennies and planning this trip for awhile. I can’t believe it is just around the corner. The anticipation reminds me of Christmas. You wait all year for it to come around and it feels like forever, and then it just sort of sneaks up on you. I am mentally ready for the cruise but physically I have several things I need to get in order before we go. I need to double check our passports, confirm our flights, make sure I have a swimsuit that fits from last year, and other odds and ends. Oh, I can’t wait to be on the ship, soaking up the sun, and dancing on the crystal blue water. I remember my last trip to the Caribbean. I couldn’t get over how clear the water was. I just wanted to dive in and swim!!! I think I would have made a good mermaid!

With all the stresses, trials, and illnesses that we have had the past few months we are extremely ready for this vacation! It will be fun to get away, relax, laugh, and spend time with each other and with Meghan and Kyle. I am glad that they are coming with us. We always have a blast when we are together. Kyle and Steve are a riot when they get together. Sometimes we have to walk away from each other because our sides burn with laughter. My mom is also looking forward to this trip. Meghan and Kyle will be leaving Eli with her. She is excited to have grandmother and grandson time together.

We can’t wait!

Letter from a Birth Mother

I was sick for the Adoption Conference that we had last week, so I was unable to attend. Steve, my mother, and my mother in-law were all able to attend. They absolutely loved the conference and are all more eager for the blessing of adoption. While at the conference my mother got me a CD full of music inspired by adoption. It is a outstanding CD, but there was one song where the lyrics just touched my heart. I wanted to share them with you. The song is an actual edited letter written by a birth mother, Nicole, to Elizabeth Noyes Brown, the adoptive mother, to give to the child. What love and courage birth mothers have! I admire them and pray for them. They are special women who I hold near and dear to my heart. The title of the song is "Nicole's Letter".

It's hard to know what to say. I will
start by being honest. You are the
best thing that has ever happened to me.
From the moment I found out that you would
be arriving, you have changed my life.
For many months you were the only one who
mattered to me. You healed a lot of pain
I had inside.

This was so hard for me because I have
always dreamed of a family of my own and
especially of my own children, but now what
I wanted and what you deserved were two
different things. I knew I couldn't raise
you alone. It wouldn't be fair.

You were a precious gift and I wanted only
the best for you. I wanted you to have a
family with married parents and a sacred
home of love. I sill battle my own desire
to keep you, but I knew it would be selfish.

I felt very unsure of what to do, then one
evening I read about your parents and I
immediately knew they were to have you in their
family. The decision had been so difficult for
months, but after reading about them, I knew
that they were to be your true parents. I have
such dreams for you. You have a remarkable
future and I want only the best for you and
that is why I chose them.

When you were born, I cried the first time
I saw you because you are a miracle. I
have never been happier than I was during
the precious days I spent with you. Words
cannot express what you mean to me. You
are so special.

I met your parents that week. I knew again
that I had made the right decision. I saw
them hold you for the first time. They
were so happy to see you. They took you into
their arms as their own. It was a very
special moment.

I realized that this was my choice. Your
future was in my hands. My heart broke
as I revoked my rights as your mother. I
cried thousands of tears. It still breaks,
but it doesn't matter when your happiness is
at stake.

Your parents are wonderful people. I love
to read their letters and see your pictures.
I hope when you read this you will be old
enough to understand how wonderful they are.

I wanted to write something for your to read
someday. I hope this letter will help you
understand why I decided as I did. I love
you very much and I always will.

-Nicole

Never have I felt so much love! I cry every time I read this. Adoption, truly is about love! I am so thankful for the miracle of adoption! Thank you, birth mothers, for having the love, faith, and courage that you have! You are all heroes to me.

Nephew and Sister Time!!!

My sister (Meghan) and my 18 month old nephew (Eli) came up for a visit this past week. Kyle (Meghan's husband) came up last weekend to fix our car and Meghan and Eli stayed with us four days longer. It was so much fun to have them here and to spend time with them. We did so many fun things! I was just very blessed that I didn't get sick until the last day they were here, so even though I was in a little pain I was able to enjoy every moment. Here are some pictures of their visit.
Eli is just starting to become potty trained. He is doing very well. He will tell you "poop" and then you have to race him to the toilet before he goes. He doesn't give you much time.

Eli wanted to do everything with me, including brushing our teeth. He is just so darn CUTE!
We had fun playing at the park...


Until I went down the slide and hit my tail bone! Ouch it was so painful!
Another day we went to "The White Fence Farm". It is a neat, country style restaurant that has a petting zoo, a playground, tractors, ducks, and dancing. Eli, Meghan, Steve, and I had a blast. We will definitely go back.




Here is Eli doing the "Chicken Dance"...

And of course, the visit is not complete without a few diaper changes. Thanks Uncle Steve, you are the best!


The trip was not all fun and games. Eli had to earn his keep by doing chores. He loves to clean!!!


We ended the trip with a visit to the Down Town Aquarium. It is a neat museum and restaurant with fish EVERYWHERE. Our table was right next to the tank. A scuba diver was in the tank feeding the fish. It was fun to watch it. Eli really liked the climbing area. It was a neat room full of ocean animals that you could climb all over. He was running and running in circles. It was oodles of fun.






By the end of the night Eli and everyone else was tuckered out.
We all had so much FUN! Thanks, Meghan and Eli, for coming to visit! Come back soon!

New Outlook

For the past two weeks I have been in tremendous pain due to an injury of my tail bone that led to an infection. Several days later the infection turned into three abscesses. During this huge trial I had two lessons that I learned. One, that I have an awesome family and caring visiting teachers. My visiting teachers called me several times, and came to visit me. My family came to visit, help, bring food, drive me to my numerous doctor appointments, gave me priesthood blessings, put my name on the prayer role of the temple, and offered up a listening ear. They are all helping to bear my burden. Steve was also there every step of the way, holding my hand and coaching me through the pain when times got rough. I am so blessed to have the family and friends that I have. My second lesson I learned was about the Atonement of Jesus Christ. My appreciation and understanding of the sacrifice that our Savior did for us is a true miracle and my testimony was strengthened. When the doctors had to cut the infection out, the numbing medicine was not working properly and I felt almost everything. I never knew pain could be that intense for so long. One of my thoughts, as I was lying on the table was, how could Christ have felt this pain, plus everyone's pain who has ever lived or will live, along with everyone's emotional pain as well. At that moment I had a teeny-tiny insight on the pain the Savior felt in the Garden of Gethsemane. Oh, what a sacrifice He gave for us!!! I cherish the gift of the Atonement a little more since this experience. We are told to be thankful for our trials. I have to admit, I am thankful for the lessons I have learned from this trial, but I am not thankful for the actual trial. Maybe I will someday.

The pain is getting less and less each hour. I have another doctor's appointment tomorrow to check to make sure all is healing. I feel better today than I have in two weeks. I am so happy to be out of bed and enjoying some of the the simple things in life I have missed the last few weeks. Thank you everyone for your love and support! We love you ALL!

The Hunger Games

I love to read and my favorite book is always changing. Right now my favorite book is 'The Hunger Games', by Suzanne Collins. I could not put this book down. It is an easy read and the pages will literally turn themselves. After finishing the first book I read the next two books to complete the series in one week. So if you or your child (boy or girl) is looking for a good book I would highly recommend this one. As a teacher I am always looking for good series of books to get kids hooked on reading. I believe that all kids love to read; the ones that don't think they like it have just not found the right book!

Has anyone else read this book and love it as much as I do?