I LOVE YOU MY BLESSINGS

My child,
I carried you in my heart
before you were even born
And dared to dream
that you were real.

My child,
I carried your picture with me
since the day I received it,
And dared to love
a child I was yet to meet.

My child,
I carried you in my arms at last,
and gazed in helpless wonder
at your face,
And dared to lose
my heart to you.

And now, my child,
a dream fulfilled,
a prayer answered,
a family created,
I have dared to become
a mom.

And so now,
my precious child,
I shall carry you
home.

CHRISTMAS!

Christmas was amazing! I don’t think I have ever felt so blessed in all my years. This year there wasn’t a present under our tree for Justin and I from each other but we didn’t need actual presents. As we sat by the amazing Christmas tree holding our Christmas presents in our hands… OUR KIDS. That is all we wanted for Christmas. We have prayed and prayed so much for these little blessings and God has answered our prayers. Over this holiday season I have sat by the tree holding my babies and just cried. Thanking God for loving us and blessing us. Last year we didn’t even put up a Christmas tree. No lights, no presents, no holiday spirit. We had just went through a failed adoption and it just didn’t feel like Christmas. This year I felt that Christmas was just extra special. It was meant to be. I love to look back and see how God works in our lives. The things that we went through and the events that lead up to us getting our babies. It is just so amazing.

Every night we thank God for our family and friends. We thank him for loving us so much and blessing us with 2 amazing children. We are serving an amazing God.

VERY BLESSED!

I JUT HAVE TO SAY GOD IS AMAZING!!! AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING. OUR GOD HAS OPENED SO MANY DOORS FOR US THESE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS. HE HAS GIVEN US TWO BEAUTIFUL BABIES TO LOVE AND RAISE. MEET KYLER AND KAYLEEN! KYLER WAS BORN 09-04-10 AND KAYLEEN ON 10-04-10. WE ARE SO THANKFUL FOR EVERYTHING THAT GOD HAS GIVEN TO US. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND SUPPORT.

BEAUTIFUL DAY

SUN IS SHINNING AND ITS NOT TO HOT. I LOVE IT OUTSIDE RIGHT NOW! WISH I WASN’T WORKING RIGHT NOW. I WOULD LOVE TO BE DOING SOMETHING FUN OUTSIDE. IS IT REALLY ONLY TUESDAY?!! SO MY NEPHEW JUST TURNED 2 ON THE 19TH OF AUGUST I AM SO AMAZED WITH HOW FAST HE IS GROWING AND LEARNING.

MY NIECE AND NEPHEW WERE HERE FROM ARIZONA FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. IT WAS GREAT TO SEE THEM. IT WAS THE FIRST TIME MEETING MY NIECE. SHE IS 3 YEARS OLD. IT IS SO HARD LIVING SO FAR AWAY FROM THEM. HOPEFULLY THEY WILL BE MOVING HERE SOON. WE REALLY MISS OUR FAMILY.

HERE IS A PICTURE OF JALEE AND I.

HERE IS JEREMY ALL GROWN UP. I CAN’T BELIEVE HE IS AS ALMOST AS TALL AS I AM AND HE IS ONLY 10.

WE ARE BLESSED

THANK YOU LORD FOR BLESSING US WITH WONDERFUL FRIENDS AND FAMILY. I AM SO BLESSED TO HAVE SUCH AN AMAZING LIFE. GOD HAS RECENTLY BLESSED JUSTIN AND I WITH WONDERFUL PEOPLE. HE HAS BROUGHT SO MANY AMAZING PEOPLE INTO OUR LIVES.

LOOK ALL AROUND YOU. SEE ALL THE BEAUTY THAT IS SURROUNDING US AT ALL TIMES. IF WE JUST SLOW DOWN AND LOOK FOR EVEN THE SMALLEST THINGS YOU WILL REALIZE THAT GOD HAS GIVEN US SO MUCH. HOW COULD ANYONE DENY THERE IS A GOD?

IT HAS BEEN A GREAT PAST COUPLE OF DAYS AND I JUST WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT GOD BRINGS INTO YOUR LIFE FOR A REASON. HE IS IN CONTROL AND KNOWS WHAT HE IS DOING. I AM SO THANKFUL FOR THAT.

FAITH… HOPE… TRUST

SO I KNOW AGAIN IT HAS BEEN AWHILE SINCE I HAVE POSTED ON HERE. A LOT HAS GONE ON. I CHANGED JOBS THEN I COULDN’T STAND IT SO THEN I WENT BACK TO STATE FARM AGAIN! LOVE WORKING WITH THEM AGAIN. JUSTIN AND I ARE DOING GREAT! WE ARE HAVING A LOT GO ON IN OUR LIVES RIGHT NOW AND WITHOUT GIVING TOO MUCH INFORMATION WE ARE ASKING FOR PRAYER. GOD IS WORKING IN OUR LIVES. IT IS AMAZING TO SEE THE UPS AND DOWNS THAT WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH IN THE LAST 5 YEARS OR SO BUT TO BE ABLE TO LOOK BACK AND SAY THAT GOD HAS CARRIED US THE WHOLE WAY IS AN AMAZING THING. IT TAKES A LOT OF FAITH AND TRUST TO GO THROUGH SOME OF OUR TRIALS THAT WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY I KNOW GOD IS THERE AND ON OUR SIDE. I NEED TO ASK ALL MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS FOR PRAYER FOR OUR BIRTHMOTHER. PRAY FOR PEACE AND COMFORT WITH THE DECISION THAT THEY HAVE TO MAKE. GIVE US ALL PEACE. I WILL KEEP ALL OF YOU UPDATED ON WHAT IS GOING ON WHEN I AM ABLE TO. JUST KNOW THAT GOD IS WORKING MIRACLES IN OUR LIVES.

ITS BEEN A LONG TIME!

Sorry for the delay in postings! With this new job I have been pouring myself into my posisiton! It has been nice to be able to some what get my mind off of adoption. Adoption is a beautiful thing but can be a crazy emotional roller coaster that is for sure.

We have been spending lots of time with family. Maddox my nephew is growing so fast. He is such a smart child it scares me. His vocabulary is amazing and he has a huge heart. Justin is still enjoying the smoker that he bought. He loves to smoke any kind of meat. Heck he wants to smoke all food!

Just a quick update, our adoption agency has combined with our former agency which was a really hard thing for Justin and I. We have prayed very hard and decided to go elsewhere. Idaho Youth Ranch is no longer in Boise Idaho but they did keep an office in Moscow Idaho. We are staying with this office. I really feel that God has pulled us to stay with them and to not go back to A New Begining. We continue to ask for prayer in our adoption journey. We need all the support that we can get from family and friends. I do not have any updated pictures and for that I am sorry. I will try and get them uploaded as soon as I am able. Here is the updated information for our adoption agency http://idahoyouthranchadoptions.org/ or you can reach our case worker at deuler@youthranch.org !

I also am needing prayer for my aunt. She is still going through her chemo and it has been extremley hard for her. Please pray for strength and recovery. We are hopefully on an upward in this battle. I will keep you all posted.

Any comments are really appreciated! I love to read them and it makes me feel good to know that people are following along and supporting our journey. I hope everyone is well.

TO OUR BIRTH PARENTS:

Justin and I have started this blog in hopes to find our miracle. We will continue our blog for everyone to get an insight of who we are and how we live our lives. We want everyone to follow us on our adoption journey. Through the ups and downs of adoption. I want everyone to see the true beauty of adoption and how amazing it can be. Please follow our blog below to learn more about us!

To our birth parents:

We can only imagine that at this time you are facing one of the most difficult decisions you may ever make. We want you to know that we admire your faith and courage to consider the alternatives for your child. We cannot even begin to understand what you are going through but we know that God does know and he will comfort and guide you at this time. We believe that he has his hands in this and that he will take care of you. Our hearts are filled with love, respect and admiration for you. To us your are very special already and we feel that you are truly a heaven sent. It takes a very selfless and loving person to place their child with another family. To us it shows what an amazing and strong person you are. Thank you for considering giving someone the incredible gift of a child. You have no clue what that will mean to someone some day!

We cannot wait to get to know you and have a relationship with you. We realize how important it is for your child to know you and understand where they come from. Your name will always be spoken to your child with the greatest love and respect. We want them to know what an angel you are and that because of you and your love they were able to be part of our family.

May the Lord bless you and be with you during this difficult time.

This is one of my favorite poems:

Two Women
by Lori Coleman

Two women cry into the night,
their eyes are filled with tears.
Oh God why is this happening?
I need to feel you near.

One woman sits alone in the darkness,
Decisions she must make.
She wants to do what’s best for the child,
It’s life she cannot take.

The other woman clings to her mate
And she doesn’t understand
why they can’t have a child of their own
as so many others can.

These women come from different worlds.
Their lives are miles apart.
But God would deliver the pain they felt
and heal their broken hearts.

And then one precious morning
their lives became intertwined.
Both women’s prayers were answered
as they felt God’s plan unwind.

One woman touched her newborn’s cheek
and whispered to the babe,
“Because I love you little one,
sacrifices I’ve made.”

With the strength she felt from heaven,
to the other woman she gave
the miracle of a baby
for her to love and raise.

The other woman looked down
at her precious baby’s eyes
and thanked God for the woman
who had helped fulfill her life.

Two women pray into the night
and thank the Lord above
for the opportunity he’s given them both
to feel a Mother’s love

LOST IN SEATTLE!!!

So I have started my new job and I love it. This is my second week here in Washington and I have one more week to go! I am learning tons and the girls here are great. They have been so patient and so awesome on training me! It is so pretty here in Washington! I love it. It has been raining like crazy here and there but it is a great place. My boss took me to Seattle and it was crazy! I love the big city! There was so much to see there.

It is really hard to be away from home. It is killing me to be away from my family. I know that it will be for the best in the long run but it is very difficult. I will add on some pictures here soon when I am able to get some free time!

Hope all is well with everyone. I do ask for prayer for my aunt who is going through her Chemo this week. She is pretty scared and needs all of the prayers that she can get. She is a fighter so I know we will make it through this. God is on our side!

NEW JOB HERE I COME!

We have been praying hard lately for an answer to our prayers and God has blessed us. I am currently at a job that is only part time which makes it hard to save for our adoption.

I am so excited I am starting a new job!

This new job is going to be amazing! I am going to be the office manager with a new company that is coming to town. The headquarters is located in Seattle Washington so I get to fly there for 2 weeks for training. Now to find a job that is so flexible and actually cares about family is a true blessing. We have the perfect set up now. The days that I will be working I will have family watching our little one. I love that we have a beautiful and close family and friends to help us. I didn’t want to put our little one into daycare for I wanted my family and friends to enjoy our little blessing and I want to be there for our child. This job is going to allow me to just that. I get to be mommy and enjoy it. I am so happy to have what feels like an up on our crazy roller coaster life!

It is so nice and refreshing to get a new start in life sometimes. I feel this is going to be a good year. It has had its ups and downs and we are only in March but I just feel that this is going to be a good year!

Thank you GOD!!!

One Door Closes.Another Opens

Revelations 3:8

When God leads you to the edge of the cliff, trust Him fully and let go, only 1 of 2 things will happen, either He’ll catch you when you fall, or He’ll teach you how to fly! ‘The power of one sentence! God closes doors no man can open & God opens doors no man can close..

Uncle Justin and Maddox

Uncle Justin and little Maddox!

We went over to grandma and grandpa’s house and

got to spend time with our nephew Maddox! We got to

give him a bath and look what we did to his hair!!

Camping with Maddox!

THIS IS A PICTURE OF MY BEAUTIFUL SISTER ERICA, HER SON MADDOX, MY SON THE DOG NEWMAN AND ME! MADDOX IS THE ONE DRIVING US

<img I LOVE CHEETOS! IF MY MOM ONLY KNEW HOW MANY AUNT BETH GAVE ME!!!

POSTED BY OUR FRIENDS THE ROPER FAMILY

Meet Beth and Justin

http://adoptanewbeginning.org/adoptive-parent-profiles.htm

These two are my inspiration in life and why I decided to carry a baby for a family who couldn’t have a baby of their own. I wished to have carried for them but due to medical reasons they were unable to go through with the process.

They are an incredibly loving family and would be great and wonderful parents. After researching infertility in women I found that 1 out of 10 women suffer infertility in America. I was shocked at the facts. Beth went through multiple surgeries to have a child of their own and after several miscarriages and loss they decided adoption would be there best option. It was a hard decision for them to make because everyone has the dream of having a baby of their own.

I know that adoption is not for everyone. It takes a very special person to take a baby in as their own and love it just the same. But Beth and Justin have so much love to give. They own a little yorkie named Newman… and for now that dog is their baby… and they love him unconditionally… how much more would they love a child of their own.

Please pray for this deserving family. There is no greater joy in life then raising a child and watching them grow. I know God has something special planned for them and they need prayers right now so that their dream can come true. She is my inspiration because all though her suffering was great during this long process, she endured every minute of it with Hope, Love, and Faith. I know God will reward them for all of their patience in life and I can’t wait to throw her the most wonderful baby shower she could ever wish for! I love you Beth and Justin!

OUR NEW BATHROOM!

So we bought our home about three years ago and we have done so much to it over the years. It is amazing to look back and see what all we have done to it. This weekend we spent the whole weekend repainting and redecorating our master bathroom! It was a long process but we had fun doing it together. Justin did the hard stuff like cutting the lines while I went and did the trim. WOW! It looks so nice and elegant now! I will try and get some pictures on here for you to see! Still learning this blog thing. We did the walls like a brownie brown color and the ceiling and trim in a chocolate milk color… OK do I need some chocolate or what!?! Anyways, it looks amazing. One bathroom down, two more to go. We painted the walls, trim around the windows, base boards, and the ceiling. We got a new white cabinet and we got new rugs!!!

WHAT TO DO FOR THE WEEKEND?

So the weather is suppose to be pretty rainy this whole weekend and for Justin and I being outside freaks this kind of puts a damper on our weekend. We have a wedding to go to on Saturday night which should be pretty fun! I was kind of hoping for at least some good weather on Sunday so we could take our motorcycle out for a long nice ride! I am not sure the weather is going to participate with us. Tonight I have invited my parents, sister and of course Maddox over for dinner so that they all may see my newly painted bathroom. Its amazing what a little paint will do. I made up this new recipe that I am very impressed with so I am going to make if for them. It is kind of like a Mexican Lasagna! We will see if they love it too!

ADOPTION UPDATE

Spoke to our caseworker a little bit today. No new news for us but at least there is no BAD news! She says that she thinks our agency has about 4 birthmoms in their program and she doesn’t know how far along in the proces they are with our agency. All we can do is pray and pray and pray! When ever they show our profiles to the birth mothers we will get an email advising us. I will sure let you know when that happens. Until then we PRAY!!!

OUR WEEKEND!

HERE IS A PICTURE OF ERIC AND LITTLE EJ! HE CALLS ME AUNT BETHY! HE LOVES HIS UNCLE G!

WE GOT TO SPEND TIME THIS WEEKEND WITH OUR BEST FRIENDS! THEY FED US AND AMAZING DINNER. WE HAD STEAK,POTATOES, AND ASPARAGUS. IT WAS GREAT.

HERE IS A PICTURE OF LITTLE EJ EATING HIS FOOD! I WOULDN’T PLAY GOLF WITH HIM UNTIL HE ATE A COUPLE OF BITES… HE LOVES TO PLAY GOLF!

HERE IS LITTLE AVA! SHE IS GROWING SO STINKING FAST SHE IS WALKING NOW AND IT IS THE CUTEST THING TO WATCH. LOOK AT THAT HAIR!

LOOK WHAT I BOUGHT MADDOX!

OK SO MY NEPHEW MADDOX HATES THE HIGH CHAIR. HE CANT MOVE AROUND LIKE HE WANTS TO AND HE LOVES TO PLAY WITH HIS FEET. SO WE WERE AT TARGET THIS WEEKEND AND I BOUGHT HIM THIS NEW LITTLE GADGET. HE LOVED IT. WE PUT IT ON A CHAIR SAT HIM IN IT AND HE ATE AWAY. IT IS AMAZING AND IT WAS ONLY $20.00

LEGACY OF AN ADOPTED CHILD

Once there were two women, neither knew the other
One you do not remember, the other you call mother.
One gave you a nationality, the other gave you a name
One gave you the seed of talent, the other gave you an aim.
Two very different lives shaped yours into one
One became your guiding star, the other was your sun.
One gave you emotions, and one calmed your fears
One saw your first sweet smile, the other dried your tears.
The first gave you life, the second taught you to live it.
The first gave you a need for love, the second was there to give it.
One gave you up—it was all that she could do,
The other prayed for a child—God led her straight to you.
And now you ask me through your tears,
The age-old question of all the years,
Heredity or Environment, which are you a product of?
Neither darling, neither … just two different kinds of Love.

PLANS FOR THE WEEKEND!

WE ARE GOING CAMPING! SO THE WEATHER DECIDED AFTER HEARING WE WERE GOING TO GO CAMPING THAT IT WAS GOING TO CHANGE AND DECIDE TO RAIN!!! WOOO HOOO. NOT! OH WELL WE ARE STILL GOING TO GO CAMPING NO IF AND’S OR BUT’S ABOUT IT. WE LOVE TO CAMP AND NO RAIN IS GOING TO KEEP US AWAY! WE BOTH REALLY COULD USE THE GET AWAY. MY PARENTS NEXT DOOR NEIGHBORS JIMMERS AND SHERRY ARE UP CAMPING AND I THINK THAT THEIR KIDS WILL BE UP THERE AS WELL. I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE THEM. THEY JUST BOUGHT A NEW 4 WHEELER! I AM SO EXCITED FOR THEM. I GUESS ONE OF THEIR KIDS ALSO BOUGHT A TRAILER SO WE WILL GET TO SEE THAT AS WELL. I AM SO EXCITED THAT THEY ARE CAMPING MORE THIS YEAR. WE HAVE BEEN TRYING OVER AND OVER TO GET THEM TO COME AND IT FINALLY HAS HAPPENED! I WILL MAKE SURE TO TAKE TONS OF PICTURES. WE HAVE A RHINO THAT WE LOVE TO USE. ITS LIKE A 4 WHEELER BUT LIKE A GOLF CART. WE HAVE A BABY CARRIER BACK PACK THING BUT IT IS MADE FOR DOGS AND I STICK MY DOG NEWMAN INSIDE AND STRAP HIM IN. HE LOVES TO GO FOR A RIDE. HERE IS A SIMILAR PICTURE OF A RHINO!

WE ARE SOON GOING TO BUY HIM A DOGGIE HELMET! WHAT ARE YOUR GUY’S THOUGHTS ON THIS MATTER? LITTLE OVER BOARD??

HERE IS A PICTURE OF LITTLE NEWMAN. I THINK HE WOULD LOOK PIMP WITH A HELMET!

THEY MAKE GOGGLES FOR THEM TOO BUT I DO THINK THAT IS OVERBOARD. THOUGH IT WOULD HELP HIM FOR WHEN WE ARE RIDING ON THE STREET BIKE! HAHA I NEED A BABY SOON. POOR LITTLE NEWMAN.

CAN’T WAIT… MOUNTAINS HERE WE COME.

PICTURES FROM THIS WEEKEND!!

SO WE WERE SO AFRAID THAT THE WEATHER WASN’T GOING TO BE THE GREATEST THE WEEKEND AND BY THE GRACE OF GOD IT WAS AMAZING! WE HAD A LITTLE BIT OF RAIN DRIVING UP TO THE MOUNTAINS AND A LITTLE ON SATURDAY EVENING FOR ABOUT 30 MIN. IT RAINED A LITTLE IN THE MORNING ON SUNDAY BUT IT WASN’T TOO BAD. WE HAD SUCH A BLAST. HERE ARE SOME PICTURES OF OUR CAMP SITE!

THIS WAS ONE OF THE VIEWS JUST A LITTLE OUTSIDE OF OUR CAMP!

THIS IS RIGHT IN OUR CAMP. IT WAS AMAZING TO LISTEN TOO. WE LEFT THE WINDOW TO OUR FIFTHWHEEL OPEN ALL NIGHT AND IT JUST PUT US RIGHT TO SLEEP. IT WAS SO PRETTY SITTING BY THE FIRE AND RIGHT NEXT TO THIS CREEK.

IT MAY BE HARD TO SEE BUT THERE IS A BEAUTIFUL RAINBOW!

JUSTIN DOING WHAT HE LOVES… CUTTING WOOD!

THIS IS NEWMAN, JUSTIN AND A HUGE MUSHROOM RIGHT IN OUR CAMP. I THINK THE THING WEIGHS LIKE 15 POUNDS.

JUST ANOTHER PICTURE OF IT!

TIME TO GO RHINOING NEWMAN!! HANG ON!

SO ON ONE OF OUR RIDES WE CAME UPON A LITTLE BIRD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD IT WAS NO BIGGER THAN THE SIZE OF A GOLF BALL. POOR LITTLE BUG. NOT SURE WHAT KIND IT IS I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT LOOKS LIKE MOUNTAIN BLUE JAY. HOPE IT LIVES.

WE HAD A LOT OF FUN AND IT WAS A GREAT TIME TOGETHER. WE WENT FOR A RIDE TO FIND MY PARENTS NEIGHBORS ALSO REALLY GOOD FRIENDS OF OURS! JIMMERS, SHERRY AND THEIR KIDS. IT WAS SO MUCH FUN. LOVE THEIR NEW 4 WHEELER. THEY ARE GOING TO ENJOY IT SO MUCH. GLAD THEY GOT TO GO UP AND ENJOY THE MOUNTAINS.

HOW TO MAKE A BREAKFAST BURRITO 101

SO WHEN WE GO CAMPING MY FAVORITE BREAKFAST OF ALL TIMES IS JUSTY’S FAMOUS BREAKFAST BURRITOS! I AM SPOILED AND I AM NOT AFRAID TO ADMIT IT.

ITEMS YOU WILL NEED TO MAKE BREAKFAST BURRITOS FOR TWO….

4 HASHBROWN PATTIES
5 EGGS
SOUR CREAM
PACKAGE OF BACON
CHEESE
TWO TORTILLAS
CARRIBEAN JERK SEASONING

OK FIRST YOU START OFF MY GETTING THE BACON. FRY UP THE PACKAGE OF BACON. YOU CAN SEASON THIS WITH WHATEVER SEASONINGS YOU PREFER BUT CARRIBEAN JERK SEASONING AND PEPPER ARE BOMB! AFTER YOU HAVE COOKED THEM UP LAY THEM ON A PLATE TO COOL AND A NAPKIN TO HELP SOAK UP SOME OF THE OIL. DRAIN OUT THE OIL THAT IS IN THE PAN.

NOW TAKE 4 HASHBROWN PATTIES OUT AND LAY THEM IN A PAN WITH A OIL OR BUTTER IN THE BOTTOM. FLIP THEM OVER SO THAT THE OIL OR BUTTER IS ON BOTH SIDES. SEASON AGAIN WITH CARRIBEAN JERK AND PEPPER. YES YOU WILL NOT WANT TO EATING ANYTHING ALL DAY AFTER YOU EAT ONE OF THESE. COOK THE HASHBROWNS UP UNTIL THEY ARE CRUNCHY AND GOLDEN BROWN ON BOTH SIDES.

TAKE TWO OF YOUR TORITILLAS AND GET THEM WET ON BOTH SIDES. YOU CAN PUT THEM INTO THE MICROWAVE FOR ABOUT 5 SECONDS TO HEAT THEM UP OR LAY THEM OVER THE HASHBROWNS FOR JUST A FEW.

TAKE THE HASHBROWNS AND LAY THEM END TO END ON THE FLOUR TORTILLAS. ON TOP OF THE TORTILLAS LAY DOWN CHEESE. NOW YOU CAN ADD AS MUCH AS YOU LIKE HERE!! HA HA I LOVE MY CHEESE.

WIPE OUT THE PAN SO THAT YOU MAY COOK THE EGGS NOW. IN A LARGE BOWL MIX UP 5 MEDIUM SIZE EGGS AND ABOUT A LARGE TABLESPOON OF SOUR CREAM. WHIP THEM TOGETHER! COOK UP YOUR EGGS UNTIL THEY ARE LIGHT AND FLUFFY.

TAKE THREE BACON STRIPS AND APPLY THEM TO ONE BURRITO. EACH BURRTIO GETS ABOUT 3 STRIPS OR MORE IF YOU DESIRE. ADD HALF OF THE EGGS TO EACH BURRITO!

FOLD THE BOTTOM OF THE TORTILLA UP SO THAT ALL OF THE GOOD YUMMY’S DO NOT FALL OUT OF THE BOTTOM. FOLD THE SIDES IN AND CONSUME!!!

I LIKE TO USE PACE PICANTE SAUCE OR ANY KIND OF SALSA WITH EVERY BITE!
WOW YOU WILL FEEL VERY FULL AND NEED A NAP RIGHT AFTER I PROMISE!

THE DAY WITH DAD

MY DAD CALLED ME UP THE DAY BEFORE YESTERDARY AND WANTED ME TO TAKE THE DAY OFF AND GO WITH HIM ON A JOB IN THE MOUNTAINS! SO I TOOK OFF YESTERDAY AND WENT. I AM SO EXCITED I DID. WE HAD SUCH A GREAT TIME. LIFE GETS SO BUSY AND CRAZY SOMETIMES AND IT IS HARD TO SLOW DOWN AND APPRECIATE THINGS. IT WAS SO NICE TO HAVE IT JUST DAD AND I. I HAD 110% OF HIS ATTENTION WITH NO INTERUPTIONS OR CRAZINESS. I WAS HIS WORLD FOR ONE FULL DAY! WE GOT TO TALK ABOUT EVERYTHING AND IT WAS A GREAT RELEASE.

HERE IS MY DAD WORKING ON A REFRIDGERATOR….

NOT SURE EXACTLY WHAT WE WERE DOING! I KNOW WE BURPED IT! HAHA THIS MEANS WE TURNED IT UPSIDE DOWN TRYING TO GET THE BUBBLES OUT OF IT THAT MAY HAVE CAUSED IT TO STOP WORKING? I ASKED HIM IF WE SHOULD PAT IT ON THE BACK TO HELP HE JUST LAUGHED.

HERE IS A TEEPEE THAT YOU ARE ABLE TO RENT OUT FOR A COUPLE OF NIGHTS!

HERE ARE SOME PICTURES OF THE OLD TOWN. THERE WERE SMALL OLD COOL LOOKING CABINS ALL OVER. THEY HAD LITTLE STORES THAT ARE NOW ALL SHUT DOWN NOW BUT STILL WERE REALLY COOL. THEY HAD OLD RC COLA SIGNS AND PEPSI SIGNS THROUGH OUT THE TOWN. LOOK AT THOSE PRETTY MOUNTAINS!

! BOXING !

EVERY YEAR WE GET TO GO TO WHAT THEY CALL THE SMOKER WHICH IS PUT ON BY THE AUTO AUCTION! IT IS A BUNCH OF AUTO DEALERS AROUND TOWN THAT GET TOGETHER AND SIGN UP TO BOX EACH OTHER. IT IS SUCH A GREAT TIME! I TRIED TO GET PICTURES AT IT BUT THE LIGHTING WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TOO. I WAS USING MY CAMERA PHONE AND WELL THAT WASN’T WORKING OUT THAT WELL. FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SIT DOWN IN THE VIP SECTION! JUSTIN USUALLY KNOWS SOMEONE WHO GIVES US REALLY GOOD TICKETS. THIS YEAR WE SAT DOWN THERE WITH JUSTIN’S BOSS AND CO WORKERS. IT WAS A LOT OF FUN. I THINK I AM REALLY GOING TO PUSH JUSTIN TO FIGHT IN THE RING NEXT YEAR. HE WOULD DO SUCH A GREAT JOB.

THIS IS THE ONLY PICTURE THAT I COULD GET OF US LAST NIGHT BUT AT LEAST YOU CAN SEE OUR BEAUTIFUL FACES!!

ADOPTION UPDATE!

THIS IS WHAT OUR UPDATE THROUGH A NEW BEGINNING AGENCY SENT TO US!
The waiting of adoption can be anxious, vulnerable, emotional and terribly difficult. Ask any family that has gone through it.
But this often difficult wait can include precious times of drawing near to God. During this uncertain time, he teaches us what it means to wait for him. We are drawn into a time of fruitful prayer and reading. God can use this “adoption pregnancy” to grow our hearts and prepare us to parent our child.
I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. (Psalm 27:13-14).

Domestic Infant Program Update
This past month here at ANB has been very busy with Infant placements, one of our birth mom’s had her baby boy the end of May, Congratulations to Duane and Melissa. Two weeks ago we received a call from St. Luke’s Meridian from a birth mom wanting to place her baby for adoption. A family was chosen and the next day Shawn and Denise had a brand new baby boy to pick-up from the agency, Congratulations!!

Currently we are still working with 4 birth mom’s each in a different stage in the process of choosing a family. 2 of the birth mom’s have chosen families and will begin to show profiles to another one of our birth mom’s in the next month.

SO IN CONCLUSION THIS MEANS THAT THERE IS A LOT OF ACITVITY THAT IS TAKING PLACE IN OUR AGENCY! THIS IS A GOOD THING! I AM VERY HAPPY FOR THE WAITING COUPLES THAT WERE VERY BLESSED TO HAVE RECEIVED THEIR BABIES THESE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS. GOD BLESS THEM AND MAY GOD KEEP HIS HANDS OVER THEM AND TAKE CARE OF THEM.

THANK YOU TO ALL THAT HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING AND PRAYING WITH US!

3 yr anniversary~Meet the girl that changed our lives.

YOU CAN SEE HER STORY AT THIS LINK:

http://www.abc4.com/content/about_4/gtu/story/Girl-recovers-from-near-drowning/5iZP1E9VoU–A6dQgZ5aqA.cspx

Hannah was 7 going on 8 when she was in a rafting accident she was trapped under a log when the raft overturned trapped for 20 min.

After being rescued she was Lifeflighted to a Boise hospital. She was in ICU for a week and was on a respirator for most of that time. Hannah was then flown to Primary where she stayed for another 3 months.

Originally, medical staff didn’t think Hannah would survive. Now Hannah has not only survived but has progress farther than doctors originally thought was possible. She is now able to talk, see, and eat.

HERE IS MY STORY THE SHORT VERSION!

SO WE WENT CAMPING WITH SOME FRIENDS OVER THE 4TH OF JULY! IT WAS A GREAT CAMP TRIP….I HAD A PRETTY BAD DREAM THAT KEPT ME UP FOR MOST OF THE NIGHT ON JULY 2ND.

WE GOT UP THAT NEXT DAY LIKE ANY NORMAL DAY AND ATE BREAKFAST AND SETTLED UP BY THE FIRE! THE DAY LOOKED LIKE IT WAS JUST GOING TO BE A WONDERFUL DAY.

JUSTIN WANTED TO GO FOR A DIRT BIKE RIDE. I WASN’T FEELING TOO WELL FOR SOME REASON NOT LIKE I WAS SICK JUST DIDN’T FEEL RIGHT SO I HAD TOLD HIM LATER ON IN THE DAY WE COULD GO.

WE CONTINUED TO SIT BY THE FIRE WHILE A COUPLE OF OUR FRIENDS WERE PACKING UP TO GO HOME. OUR CAMP WAS RIGHT NEXT TO THE RIVER. I LOOKED OVER TO THE RIVER AND SAW A WATER PACK OF SOME SORT FLOATING DOWN THE RIVER. I INSTANTLY WAS SICK TO MY STOMACH. I LOOKED UP AND SAW TWO MEN JUMP INTO THE RIVER AND THEN JUST BACK UP ON THE SHORE.

PEOPLE IN OUR CAMP THOUGHT NOTHING OF THIS BUT I KNEW SOMETHING WASN’T RIGHT. THEY WERE NOT YELLING FOR HELP OR SCREAMING THEY JUST SAT THERE. LOOKED AS IF THEY WERE AIRING UP A FLOAT TUBE.

THE KNOT IN MY STOMACH WAS SO BAD I HAD TO DO SOMETHING. I RAN DOWN THE RIVER JUST A BIT AND YELLED ACROSS TO THEM IF THEY NEEDED HELP. THEY LOOKED UP TO ME AND YELLED 911. MY GOOD FRIEND WAS ALREADY ON THE 4 WHEELER HEADING FOR HELP BY THE TIME I TURNED AROUND.

SO THERE IS THIS WEIRD PAY PHONE IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE THAT YOU CAN JUST PICK UP AND DIAL ANY NUMBER IN THE WORLD FREE OF CHARGE. GOD BLESS THIS PHONE. HE CALLED 911 AND HEADED OVER TO WHERE THE MEN WERE.

IN THE MEANTIME JUSTIN AND I GOT ON OUR 4 WHEELER AND WERE OFF UNTIL IT DIED AND DIDN’T WANT TO START. HE WENT BACK AND I KEPT RUNNING. IT WAS GOING TO TAKE AWHILE FOR US TO GET TO THE OTHER SIDE. THE RIVER WAS TOO CRAZY.

FINALLY JUSTIN WAS BACK WITH A BIKE. HE PICKED ME UP AND TOLD ME HE FOUND A LITTLE BOY THAT WAS LOOKING FOR HIS DAD AND GRANDPA. JUSTIN HELPED COLE THE LITTLE BOY FIND THEM.

HE FINALLY GOT ME TO THE OTHER SIDE. IN FLIP FLOPS. I SOME HOW FLEW DOWN A ROCKY HILL DOWN TO A LITTLE TINY GIRL THAT LAY THERE NOT BREATHING. MY HEART SUNK. I COULD FEEL NOTHING. NEXT THING I KNOW I AM GIVING CPR WITH EVERY INCH OF MY BODY. TRYING TO BRING HER BACK AND MAKE HER LIVE. TRYING SO DESPERATLY WITH ALL THAT I HAVE TO GET A HEARTBEAT.

FINALLY LIFE FLIGHT CAME AND HANNAH WAS IN THEIR HANDS NOW. THERE WAS NOTHING MORE I COULD DO BUT HIT MY KNEES AND PRAY.

THEY FINALLY LIFTED OFF WITH NO WORD TO US IF SHE WAS GOING TO BE OK. WE DECIDED TO LEAVE INSTEAD OF STAY ANOTHER NIGHT.

ON OUR WAY HOME WE HAD HEARD THAT LITTLE HANNAH HAD PASSED AWAY MIDFLIGHT. MY FRIEND ON THE 4 WHEEELER KEPT LOOKING FOR AN OBITUARY AND NEVER DID SEE ONE. SO ONE DAY HE DECIDED TO CALL THE HOSPITALS AND HE FOUND HER!!! HE CALLED ME RIGHT AWAY AND WE WERE OFF TO THE HOSPITAL TO SEE LITTLE HANNAH WHO WAS IN A COMMA.

NOW THREE YEARS LATER AS OF TOMORROW THAT LITTLE ANGEL THAT CHANGED OUR LIVES SO MUCH HAS BEEN SUCH A MIRACLE TO MANY AND HAS OVER COME ALL THAT WAS PUT AHEAD OF HER. DR’S SAID THAT HANNAH WOULDN’T EVER BE ABLE TO DO MUCH BUT NOW YOU COULD NEVER TELL THAT THAT LITTLE GIRL OVER CAME SO MUCH IN HER LIFE. WHAT A MIRACLE CHILD SHE IS.

THANK YOU GOD FOR BLESSING ME WITH SUCH A LITTLE MIRACLE.

ANOTHER CAMP TRIP! CAMPING FOOLS!

THIS IS THE LAKE THAT WE CAMPED BY WITH SOME OF OUR BEST FRIENDS

HERE ARE THEIR KIDS IN THE BACK OF THEIR RHINO! WE ARE RHINO BUDDIES! HAHA WE ARE GOING TO ADD A SIT AND ROLL BARS TO OUR AS SOON AS WE GET A LITTLE ONE OF OUR OWN

WE RODE UP TO THE TOP OF THIS MOUNTAIN TO THE LOOKOUT. YOU CAN SEE FOR MILES UP THERE. THEY NO LONGER USE IT AS A LOOKOUT BUT YOU ARE STILL ABLE TO SEE OLD PIECES OF WHAT USE TO BE THE LOOKOUT.

HERE IS THE OUTHOUSE THAT IS IN GREAT CONDITION THAT WAS UP AT THE LOOK OUT.

HERE IS LITTLE AVA MY NIECE. HER HELMET WAS WAY TOO BIG FOR HER SO SHE KEPT FIGHTING TO KEEP IT UP SO SHE COULD SEE. SHE IS SUCH A DOLL LOOK AT THOSE CHEEKS

WHAT A MESS! LOOK AT MY NEPHEWS FACE! LOVE YOU EJ! EJ ALL WEEKEND JUST KEPT SAYING UNCLE JUSTINS FAVORITE LINE…. ARE YOU ARE YOU KIDDING ME. NOW HEARING THAT COME OUT OF HIS LITTLE TINY MOUTH WAS TO DIE FOR

RANDOM FAMILY AND FRIENDS PICTURES!

I AM SPECIAL THAT IS ALL I CAN SAY WITH THIS PICTURE!

OUR NIECE AND NEPHEW JALEE AND JEREMY! THIS IS JUSTINS SISTERS KIDS.

THIS WOULD BE MY LOVELY PARENTS!

THIS IS MY SISTER ERICA, HER HUSBAND MIKEAL, AND BABY MADDOX! HE HAS GROWN SO MUCH SINCE THIS PICTURE!

THIS IS MY GRANDMA LINCOLN HOLDING MADDOX WHEN HE WAS LITTLE. GRANDMA IS STILL HANGING IN THERE AT THE AGE OF 92 YEARS. YOU GO GRANDMA!

http://www.mammopalooza.com
http://www.kickballcharity.com
http://www.jenandjerry.com
MY BEST FRIENDS JEN AND JERRY! YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT THEIR WEBSITE!

OUR LATEST CAMPING ADVENTURE!

WE WENT CAMPING FOR 9 DAYS!!! WOW HOW MUCH FUN CAN TWO PEOPLE HAVE?! SO THIS IS REALLY HARD TO NOT SAY WHERE ALL WE WENT BUT I AM NOT ABLE TO GIVE OUT TOO MUCH INFORMATION ON HERE SO WE WILL GIVE IT A TRY! SO FRIDAY NIGHT WE WENT CAMPING WITH OUR FRIENDS AND A COUPLE OF THEIR FRIENDS. THEY LEFT ON SUNDAY WE STAYED UNTIL MONDAY. MONDAY STARTED TO POUR RAIN A TON SO WE LEFT AND DROVE ABOUT 3 HOURS TO OUR NEXT DESTINATION! WOW IS ALL I CAN SAY. OUR CAMP WAS RIGHT BY THE LAKE WITH AMAZING VIEWS. WE ARE ALLLLLL BY OURSELVES! : ) IT WAS A BLAST. WE HAD DEER COME INTO CAMP AT NIGHT, WE SAW A HUGE BULL ELK, COUPLE OF BUCKS, DEER, AND A BEAR! I LOVE TO GO CAMPING. SO IT WENT BY WAY TOO FAST FOR US. 9 DAYS SOUNDS LONG BUT IT WENT TOO FAST. WE DID A HIKE ALSO AND GOT TO SEE SOME REALLY PRETTY SIGHTS.

THIS IS SABRINA “BEANS” FOR SHORT. SHE IS AN AMAZING LITTLE GIRL WITH THE BIGGEST HEART. LOOK AT THOSE LITTLE CHEEKS. SHE WOULD JUST RANDOMLY GO UP TO ANYONE AND HUGE THEM. SHE WOULD SIT ON MY LAP AND PLAY WITH MY HAIR. WHAT A DOLL.

THIS IS TYSON. NOW THIS KID CAN DANCE LIKE NO OTHER. YOU SHOULD SEE HIM DO THE ROBOT. LET ME TELL YOU. HE LOVED THE ATTENTION AND WOULD DO ROBOT MOVES AND BREAK DANCING. HE WAS TOO CUTE.

SO I HAD WARNED NEWMAN OVER AND OVER AGAIN TO STAY OFF THE SLIPPERY ROCKS. HE IS A DOG LIKE HE LISTENED. NEXT THING I KNOW I HERE BLOOOP RIGHT IN. GOOD THING THE DOG CAN SWIM AND HIS DAD WAS RIGHT THERE TO SWIM TOO. CRAZY DOG. AFTER HE GETS WET IT IS LIKE HE BECOMES THE ENERGIZER BUNNY. NON STOP THE LAST PICTURE IS OF HOW DIRTY HE WAS WHEN HE GOT OUT. HE ROLLS AROUND ALL IN THE DIRT. HAD TO GIVE HIM A BATH AFTER THAT ONE! FUNNIEST THING THOUGH WISH I CAUGHT THAT ONE ON VIDEO.

HERE IS OUR CAMPSITE… I WISH I WAS THERE NOW. THIS IS WHERE WE STAYED FROM MONDAY UNTIL THIS LAST SATURDAY! HEAVEN ON EARTH I TELL YA!

OK I LOOK HORRIBLE DON’T LAUGH BUT THE FISHING WAS GOOD! IT WAS WAY TOO EARLY FOR ME!

HERE ARE A COUPLE OF PLACES THAT WE WENT AND GOT TO SEE ON OUR RHINO!

THERE IS A DEER IN THIS PICTURE CAN YOU FIND HIM?? ITS LIKE WHERE IS WALDO? LOL

SO WE TOTALLY GOT STUCK ON THIS! HAHA NOT FUN

HERE I AM ON OUR HIKE OH SO MUCH FUN!! LOOK AT THESE VIEWS!

LOVE THE FACIAL HAIR! HE IS GOING TO KEEP IT JUST FOR ME! WHAT A SEXY MAN!

JUST ANOTHER DAY!

ONE OF MY BEST FRIENDS BOUGHT A NEW SOFA YESTERDAY SO I WENT OVER TO THEIR HOUSE TO GIVE MY OPINION! LIKE MINE REALLY COUNTS! THEY WERE ALL OUTSIDE HAVING A GREAT TIME. THEY HAVE A HUGE BACK YARD WITH A SWIMMING POOL FOR THOSE REALLY HOT DAYS!

LOOK AT THAT HOT BOD!!! THIS IS TIFFANY ONE OF MY VERY BEST FRIENDS! LOVING THE NEW BIKINI!

MY NEPHEW EJ IN A WAGON… IT WAS A HOT DAY YESTERDAY.

MY LITTLE AVA… LOOK AT THOSE PRETTY BLUE EYES. I SWEAR THIS CHILD HAS THE MOST AMAZING EYES IN THE WORLD.

PICTURES I FOUND

SO OUR FRIENDS WHO’S NAMES WILL REMAIN ANONYMOUS GOT THEIR 5TH WHEEL STUCK ABOUT A MONTH AGO WHEN WE WENT CAMPING. WOW WHAT A MESS WE WERE ALL IN. IT TOOK ALL OF US ABOUT 2 HOURS JUST TO BACK THIS TRUCK AND 5TH WHEEL AROUND 4 CURVES. FINALLY WE JUST SHOVED THE TRUCK AND 5TH WHEEL INTO THE SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN AND PRAYED TO GOD TO GET US OUT OK!

IT WAS CRAZY SCARY BUT IT ALL TURNED OUT AWESOME.

WE TRY NOT TO HANG OUT WITH THESE FRIENDS TOO MUCH NOW!! HA HA YOU KNOW WE LOVE YOU!

POOR LITTLE MADDOX

SO MY NEPHEW MADDOX FELL OFF SOME STAIRS YESTERDAY AND GOT HIS FIRST BOOBOO… POOR LITTLE BUG. HE WAS SUCH A BIG BOY AND DIDN’T EVEN CRY MUCH. HE IS SO TOUGH! GOOD THING HE HAD HIS WONDERFUL GRANDMA THERE TO HOLD HIM AND MAKE HIM FEEL ALL BETTER. THAT’S WHAT GRANDMAS ARE FOR!

SLEEP OVER!

SO ON FRIDAY NIGHT WE WENT OVER TO MY PARENTS HOME WHICH IS KIND OF WAY OUT IN THE COUNTRY IN A WAY. THEY LIVE IN A SMALL TOWN AND IF YOU DRIVE TOO FAST AND BLINK YOU WOULD HAVE NEVER KNOWN YOU MISSED SUCH A PLACE! THIS IS WHERE I GREW UP. VERY SMALL TOWN THAT AS OF YEAR 2000 HAD 219 FAMILIES!

SO FRIDAY NIGHT WE HEADED OUT THERE. THEY LIVE ABOUT 30 MINUTES AWAY FROM US SO NOT TOO FAR. DAD AND MOM HAD BOUGHT ALL OF US LOBSTER TAIL TO EAT! WE HAD SUCH A GREAT MEAL WITH LOBSTER, TAMALES, SHRIMP, CORN ON THE COB, SALAD,WATERMELON, AND MY BROTHER IN LAWS FAMOUS ZUCCHINI! FOR DESSERT WE HAD RASPBERRY COBLER AND ICE CREAM!

WE DECIDED TO SLEEP UNDER THE STARS ON A TARP AND JUST OUR BLANKETS! IT WAS SO MUCH FUN!

HERE IS MADDOX! HIS BOO BOO’S ARE LOOKING A LOT BETTER! HE LOVED EATING CORN ON THE COB… HE HAD ONE IN EACH HAND!

HERE IS ERICA AND I SITTIN AROUND THE FIRE!

MY BROTHER IN LAW COOKING UP HIS FAMOUS ZUCCHINI.

MY CRAZY MOM! MAKING HER FACES! I REMEMBER HER MAKING THIS FACE BACK WHEN I WAS LIKE 2 YEARS OLD. WOW AND SOMETIMES I CATCH MYSELF ACTING JUST LIKE HER. MOTHER LIKE DAUGHTER.. OR DAUGHTER LIKE MOTHER?!

MY SISTER ERICA AND HER BEAUTIFUL SON MADDOX!

MADDOX LOVES TO CLAP ESPECIALLY IF NO ONE IS GIVING HIM ATTENTION! HE CLAPS JUST TO GET YOUR ATTENTION. IT IS THE CUTEST THING EVER! I CAN NOT BELIEVE HE IS GOING TO BE 1 YEARS OLD NEXT MONTH. SEEMS LIKE YESTERDAY ERICA BROUGHT HIM HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL.

HERE IS MY DAD! ALWAYS THE LIFE OF THE PARTY! HE IS AN AMAZING MAN WHO LOVES TO HAVE HIS FAMILY TOGETHER!

WE LAID ON THE TARP LOOKING UP AT THE STARS AND TALKED FOR ABOUT AN HOUR. ALL OF US JUST LYING THERE AND TALKING AND LAUGHING. WE HAD SUCH A GREAT TIME. TIMES I WILL NEVER FORGET. THANK YOU MOM AND DAD FOR KEEPING OUR FAMILY SO CLOSE. LOVE YOU!

I HIT THE JACK POT!

OK SO THIS IS A FUNNY STORY! I WAS LOOKING ON CRAIGS LIST FOR SOME BABY ITEMS BECAUSE I HAVE NONE. I GAVE MOST OF WHAT I HAD TO MY SISTER AFTER I LOST MY TWO BABIES. SO I DECIDED TO FINALLY LOOK. THERE WAS THIS ADD ON THERE THAT HAD A HUGE TUB FULL OF BABY TOYS FOR $15.00 SO I RESPONDED ASKING HER WHERE SHE LIVED. ANYWAYS, IT ENDS UP BEING ONE OF MY REALLY GOOD FRIENDS STEPHANIE!
http://theropersfamily.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2009-06-21T20%3A46%3A00-07%3A00&max-results=7

SHE REPLIES BACK WHICH WAS SO WEIRD BECAUSE WE HAD BEEN EMAILING ALL MORNING LONG. SO SHE TOLD ME THAT I COULD COME AND GET THEM FOR FREEEEEEEE!!! WOW WHAT A SMALL WORLD WE LIVE IN! SHE IS SO KIND AND LOVING I CAN’T BELIEVE SHE GAVE IT ALL TO ME FOR FREE. BY THE TIME I LEFT HER HOUSE I HAD THE BACK OF THE PICKUP FULL OF FUN BABY STUFF! NOW WE JUST NEED THE BABY AND WE WILL BE ALL COMPLETE.

LOOK AT WHAT ALL I GOT!

WE SURE HAVE AMAZING FRIENDS. MY BEST FRIEND TIFFANY GAVE ME A TON OF BLANKETS, A BASSINET, HEART MONITOR, AND A BUNCH OF RANDOM THINGS. PRAISE THE LORD FOR WONDERFUL FRIENDS.

THANK YOU GUYS!

OUR FUN TOY!

SO WE BOUGHT THIS BIKE AWHILE AGO AND WE LOVE TO TAKE RIDES ON IT. IT IS A LOT OF FUN. WE RODE OUT TO MY PARENTS HOUSE AND MY DAD TOOK SOME PICTURES OF US. WE LOVE TO GO FOR LONG RIDES ON IT. IT IS A PRETTY FAST BIKE AND A BLAST!

ADOPTION UPDATE

WE MET WITH OUR CASE WORKER LAST NIGHT AND TALKED A FEW THINGS OVER IN REGARDS TO LEGAL RISK PLACEMENT. THIS MEANS IF A BIRTH MOM GOES INTO THE HOSPITAL AND DECIDES AT THE HOSPITAL THAT SHE WOULD LIKE TO GIVE THE BABY UP FOR ADOPTION THEN THE ADOPTIVE PARENTS ARE ABLE TO TAKE THAT BABY HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL. THE ONLY CATCH WITH THIS IS THAT THE MOTHER EVEN THOUGH SHE SIGNED OFF RIGHTS IS ABLE TO CHANGE HER MIND UNTIL SHE GOES BEFORE A JUDGE. SO WE DISCUSSED THIS SITUATION AND HOW WE FEEL ABOUT IT. I KNOW THAT OUR AGENCY IS AMAZING AND I KNOW THAT GOD IS ON OUR SIDE.

WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT THE BIRTH MOTHER THAT HAD LOOKED AT OUR PROFILE AND IT SOUNDS LIKE SHE HAS CHOSEN HER FAMILY. IT IS A COUPLE OUT OF STATE. SO THANK YOU ALL FOR PRAYING FOR HER WHAT A VERY HARD DECISION SHE HAD TO MAKE.

SO KEEP PRAYING THAT A BIRTH MOTHER WILL LOOK AT OUR PROFILE AGAIN AND FALL IN LOVE WITH US! I KNOW THAT ONCE SHE MEETS US IN PERSON SHE WILL KNOW SHE HAS MADE THE RIGHT CHOICE.

5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY!

LOVE THE ITALIAN

WE RECEIVED A GIFT CARD FROM MY PARENTS FOR OUR 5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY. I CAN NOT BELIEVE WE HAVE BEEN MARRIED FOR 5 YEARS ALREADY. SEEMS LIKE LAST YEAR OR SO WE WERE PLANNING OUR BEAUTIFUL DAY. WE HAVE BEEN TOGETHER NOW FOR 9 YEARS ALL TOGETHER. HERE ARE SOME PICTURES. THEY ARE A LITTLE BLURRY BUT WHAT CAN I SAY IT WAS A CAMERA PHONE! ENJOY.

SOME OLD RANDOM PICTURES!!

GIRLS NIGHT OUT!
SO WE LEFT THE HUSBANDS AND KIDS AT HOME AND WENT BOWLING!

I LOOK REALLY WIERD IN THIS ONE!

WE HAD A BLAST THAT IS FOR SURE! WE NEED TO DO IT AGAIN TIFFANY! LOVE YOU!

THIS IS OUR OLD BLAZER THAT JUSTIN LOVED! HE TOOK ME ON OUR FIRST DATE IN IT! JUST SO YOU KNOW IF YOU RIP THE CARPET OUT OF IT ON THE BOTTOM WE WROTE JUSTIN LOVES BETH ALL OVER THE FRAME!

OK SUCH AN OLLLLLLDDDDDD PICTURE! THIS WAS ONE OF OUR PROMS! ITS ONE OF MY BEST FRIENDS JENNIFER, ZACH ?, AND ME!

THIS IS OUR HOME 2 YEARS AGO BEFORE WE PAINTED IT AND OF COURSE OUR DODGE AND 5TH WHEEL.

OH MY LITTLE BABY I JUST LOVE TO HUG AND KISS HIM!

JUSTIN AND HIS BOYS THE DAY BEFORE OUR WEDDING. MY FRIEND STEPHANIE TOOK THIS PICTURE AND I LOVE IT!

THEY WERE SO TIRED AND ANNOYED BECAUSE I WAS THE CRAZY BRIDEZILLA! THEY WERE GOOD TROOPS THOUGH. THESE BOYS GREW UP WITH JUSTIN IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. THERE ARE STILL GOOD FRIENDS TO THIS DAY.

GOING ON VACATION!

WE ARE GOING TO THE COAST! MY MOM, DAD, SISTER AND HER FAMILY, MY BEAUTIFUL HUSBAND AND MYSELF ARE ALL GOING TO THE COAST!

MY PARENTS LEFT THIS MORNING BRIGHT AND EARLY AND WE ARE GOING TO LEAVE AT AROUND 4:00 AM TOMORROW MORNING! IT IS A VERY LONG LONG DRIVE FOR US BUT IT WILL BE FUN AND WORTH IT WHEN WE FINALLY GET THERE.

WE ARE GOING TO TENT CAMP THE WHOLE TIME SO IT SHOULD BE A BLAST. YOU CAN CAMP RIGHT ON THE BEACH. IT IS GOING TO BE SO MUCH FUN I CAN’T WAIT.

WE ARE TAKING NEWMAN AND WE WILL SEE HOW WELL HE DOES. LAST YEAR WE TOOK HIM TO SOME REALLY WELL KNOWN SAND DUNES AND HE LOVED THE WATER AND THE SAND. I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE HIM PLAY IN THE WATER. IT WILL ALSO BE SO COOL TO SEE LITTLE MADDOX ON THE BEACH. THIS WILL BE HIS FIRST TIME!HE TURNS 1 YEARS OLD ON THE 19TH OF THIS MONTH I CAN NOT BELIEVE HOW FAST HE HAS GROWN.

I WILL TRY AND TAKE LOTS OF PICTURES FOR YOU TO SEE AND ENJOY!

MISS ME AND MY POSTS!!!! HAHAHA

WOW WHAT A GOOD VACATION!

WE FINALLY ARRIVED AT THE COAST 10 HOURS LATER! IT WAS A LONG DRIVE BUT IT WAS VERY PRETTY. HERE ARE A COUPLE OF PICTURES THAT I COULD GET MY MOM TO EMAIL ME. I WILL ADD IN OTHER PICTURES WHEN I GET THEM DOWNLOADED.

WE MET UP WITH MY PARENTS, SISTER ERICA, HER HUSBAND MIKEAL AND OF COURSE LITTLE MADDOX. WE ALL TENT CAMPED THE WHOLE TIME.

THE FIRST NIGHT WAS A LITTLE ROUGH IT RAINED AND THE WATER PIPE BROKE IN OUR CAMPSITE SO WE HAD NO RUNNING WATER. WE MANAGED TO MAKE THROUGH IT ALRIGHT. EVEN WITH NO SHOWERS.

THE SECOND AND THIRD NIGHT WERE AWESOME. WE WENT UP THE COASTLINE AND STAYED IN MY MOM’S MOST FAVORITE SPOT. IT IS A GREAT PLACE FOR TENT CAMPING. THERE ARE SHOWERS AND BATHROOMS! THE OCEAN IS JUST A HOP SKIP AWAY. WE WENT TO RIPLEY’S BELIEVE IT OR NOT WITH ERICA AND MIKEAL. THE REST OF THE TIME WE SPENT ON THE BEACH GETTING A SUNBURN!

WE WENT TO MY DAD’S RESTAURANT THAT HE HAS TALKED ABOUT FOR SO MANY YEARS. FINALLY HE WAS ABLE TO TAKE HIS WHOLE FAMILY TO IT. THE FAMOUS CAMP 18!

HERE IS A PICTURE OF MY MOM AND DAD SITTING ON ONE OF THE MANY CARVINGS THAT THEY HAD ON THE OUTSIDE OF THIS CAMP 18.

HERE ARE MY PARENTS AT ANOTHER FAMOUS PLACE WE HAVE TO EAT AT EVERYTIME WE GO TO THE COAST!

JUST ANOTHER GREAT PICTURE!

MORE PICTURES TO COME PLEASE ENJOY

!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MADDOX !!

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY MADDOX. I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU ARE 1 YEARS OLD TODAY! WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH AND WE ARE SO PROUD TO BE YOUR AUNT AND UNCLE! CAN’T WAIT TO YOU SEE YOU ON YOUR BIRTHDAY PARTY SUNDAY!

MORE PICTURES FROM THE COAST!

WE WERE IN NEWPORT OREGON! THE OLD PART OF NEWPORT IS SO MUCH FUN. THERE IS SO MUCH YOU CAN DO. ALL OF THESE FUN SHOPS THAT YOU CAN GO INTO AND SHOP IN. THEY HAVE SEA LION CAVES BUT IN MY OPINION IF YOU GO TO NEWPORT YOU CAN SEE JUST AS MUCH IF NOT MORE FOR FREE! THEY HAVE UNDWATER ADVENTURES HERE AS WELL FOR THE KIDS AND A WAX MUSEUM.

THE BEFORE PICTURE

THE AFTER PICTURE

HE FELL IN! MY SISTER CAUGHT IT ON VIDEO AND IT WAS SO FUNNY.

HERE ARE SOME MORE ON THE BEACH

HERE ARE MORE PICTURES OF MY DAD’S FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT CAMP 18! THEY HAD GREAT FOOD.

MY FAMILY ALL SPLIT UP AFTER THE THIRD NIGHT. ERICA, MIKEAL AND LITTLE MADDOX HEADED HOME WHILE MOM AND DAD DECIDED TO GO UP TO WASHINGTON. I BOOKED FOUR MORE AMAZING NIGHTS ALONG THE COAST FOR JUSTIN AND I LOOK WHAT FUN WE HAD.

NO MAKE UP...SCARY

OUR LITTLE FAMILY

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OUR FAVORITE DINER WE ALWAYS EAT AT EVER SINCE I WAS A LITTLE GIRL.

THE SUMMER FAIR!

WE GOT TO TAKE MY PARENTS TO THE COUNTY FAIR! IT WAS A LOT OF FUN. THEY HADN’T BEEN THERE IN LIKE 17 YEARS AND EVERY YEAR WE GET A COUPLE OF FREE TICKETS SO WE TOOK THEM ALONG! WE ATE EVERYTHING THERE WAS TO EAT! LOVE FAIR FOOD TOO BAD IT DOESN’T LOVE ME TO WELL NOR DOES FIT INTO MY DIET! HAHA

SPLASH DOGS… THIS WAS FUN TO WATCH THEY WOULD PUT THIS TOY OUT OVER THE WATER ABOUT 6-7 FEET AND THE DOGS WOULD JUMP OFF THE DECK AND TRY AND CATCH IT. IT WAS REALLY SAD WHEN THEY MISSED IT BECAUSE THEY STAYED IN THE POOL LOOKING FOR THEIR TOY. THEY WOULD RAISE THE BAR EVERY JUMP. THESE DOGS WERE SO EXCITED.

THEY HAD THIS AWESOME EXHIBIT OR SHOW THAT THEY WERE PUTTING ON WITH ALL OF THESE EXOTIC ANIMALS. COULDN’T GET THE GREATEST OF PICTURES FOR WE DIDN’T GO TO THE SHOW WE WERE ON THE OUTSIDE. THEY HAD THIS HUGE SIBERIAN TIGER THAT WEIGHED OVER 500 POUNDS AND STOOD ON ALL FOURS PROBABLY ABOUT 4 1/2 FEET TALL. IT WAS SO MUCH FUN!

THIS GUY WAS PASSED OUT. IT WAS SO CUTE

LOOK WHO TURNED 1 YEARS OLD!

YUM YUM! HE JUST MAINLY SAT THERE AND THREW THE CAKE AT HIS DAD AND PLAYED WITH IT BUT IT WAS THE FUNNIEST THING. WHEN WE SANG HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO HIM HE SCREAMED AND CRIED. HE DIDN’T UNDERSTAND . HE SURE DID GET SPOILED. MOM AND I BOUGHT HIM A WAGON, BALL, SHIRTS, AND THESE LITTLE HAND HELD LEARNING GAMES. MOM BOUGHT HIM A LITTLE 4 WHEELER TOO!

GRANDMA SAYS HE THINKS HE IS SUCH A BIG BOY WHEN HE PLAYS ON THIS! HE LOVED THIS GIFT LIKE NO OTHER!

AND HERE IS A PICTURE OF HIS WONDERFUL AUNT AND UNCLE HIS FAVORITE IN THE WHOLE WORLD!

WE HAD SO MANY FAMILY AND FRIENDS IN HER HOUSE IT WAS CRAZY BUT IT WAS A LOT OF FUN. MIKEAL SIDE OF THE FAMILY CAME DOWN TO SEE MADDOX SO THAT WAS GOOD. I LOVE MIKEAL GRANDPA AND GRANDMA THEY WERE SO NICE. HIS AUNT DEBBIE WAS A HOOT TOO!
MADDOX IS TRULY SPOILED AND LOVED.

MY BESTEST FRIENDS FAMILY!

OH MY LITTLE AVA! THEY JUST GOT DONE PLAYING ON THE RHINO AND SHE HAS GOT THE CRAZIEST HAIR OF ALL TIMES ANYWAYS BUT LOOK AT THIS LITTLE FACE AND MESSY HAIR!

ERIC MOWING THE LAWN WITH AVA AND EJ’S HELP!

AS TIFFANY LIKES TO SAY THE TWO MOST BEAUTIFUL PARENTS IN THE WORLD…

SWEET JALEE SLEEPING AND RANDOM PICTURES

MY SISTER IN LAW IS TRYIN HER HARDEST TO SEND ME RANDOM PICTURES OF THE KIDS SINCE WE LIVE SO FAR AWAY FROM EACH OTHER.

HERE IS JALEE SOUND ASLEEP LIKE A LITTLE PRINCESS.

JALEE AND JEREMY. I HATE HOW FAST MY NEICE AND NEPHEW ARE GROWING. IT IS HARD HAVING TO WATCH THEM GROW BEFORE OUR EYES IN PICTURES.

WEEKEND IN THE MOUNTAINS!

ON SATURDAY MORNING WE ALL GOT UP BRIGHT AND EARLY WITH THE FEAR IN OUR HEADS OF RAIN! IT DIDN’T RAIN!!

WE MET UP WITH OUR BESTEST FRIENDS TIFFANY AND ERIC. THEY LEFT THE KIDS AT HER MOM’S HOUSE AND WE LEFT NEWMAN AT HIS FAVORITE AUNT LINDA’S HOUSE. THEN IT WAS OFF ON THE MOTORCYCLES WE GO!

WE LEFT THEIR HOUSE AT ABOUT 9:00 AM HEADED INTO THE GREAT OUTDOORS. WE FINALLY MADE IT TO OUR CONDO LATE IN THE AFTERNOON. IT WAS A LONG AND FUN RIDE. WE WERE SORE BY THE TIME WE GOT TO OUR CONDO. THE CONDO WAS AMAZING. IT WAS A THREE BEDROOM 2 BATH WITH A FIREPLACE AND HOT TUB. IT HAD EVERYTHING YOU COULD IMAGINE. IT WAS SUCH A CUTE CONDO. IT WAS SO RELAXING AND HAD A WARM FEEL TO IT.

JUSTIN AND ERIC.. JUSTIN ON HIS TIP TOES

ERIC AND TIF OH SO CUTE

MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN

THE CUTEST GROUP EVER

TIFFANY READING THE RULES OF THE HOUSE

UM NO WORDS FOR THIS ONE

MY BOYZ

STRIKE A POSE

OH HOW SPECIAL!

WE WALKED DOWN TO THE RESTAURANTE WHICH WAS A VERY LONG WALK JUST SO YOU KNOW BUT IT WAS FUN. WE PLAYED POOL AND HAD A GREAT TIME. HERE ARE A COUPLE OF PICTURES OF US WALKING DOWN AND PLAYING POOL.

THE BRO'S

THE GURLZ

SO WE HAD A LITTLE TOO MUCH FUN WITH THIS CAMERA… WE ARE NOT AFRAID OF THE CAMERA CAN YOU TELL?

ERIC WAS GETTING REALLY TIRED OF ME ALWAYS TAKING PICTURES OF HIM. CAN YOU TELL?

SOMEONE SHOULD OF TAKEN THE CAMERA FROM US!

MAKE A CRAZY FACE!

SHE IS TRULY SPECIAL

STILL WAITING FOR OUR SPECIAL GIFT!

I AM HAVING KIND OF A HARD DAY TODAY. USUALLY I AM PRETTY POSITIVE ABOUT THIS ADOPTION AND THE PROCESS BUT SOMETIMES I SHOW MY HUMAN SIDE AND FEEL FRUSTRATED. IT IS A HARD AND EMOTIONAL PROCESS TO GO THROUGH.

I SEE PEOPLE PREGNANT EVERYDAY AND SOMETIMES WISH THAT COULD BE ME. THEN I THINK WELL I DON’T EVEN WANT THE PREGNANCY PART OF IT ALL I JUST WANT TO BE A MOM. I WANT A BABY. I KNOW GOD HAS A PLAN FOR OUR FAMILY AND IN HIS TIME THE PERFECT GIFT WILL COME ALONG AND I HAVE FAITH IN THAT. SOME DAYS IT IS HARD TO BE SO STRONG.

I AM LUCKY TO HAVE A WONDERFUL HUSBAND THAT IS ALWAYS THERE FOR ME AND POSITIVE FOR THOSE TIMES THAT I AM NOT SO STRONG. HE PICKS ME UP AND KEEPS ME GOING.

I ASK FOR EVERYONE THAT READS OUR BLOG PLEASE PRAY FOR ME TODAY AND KEEP US IN YOUR PRAYERS THAT SOON OUR FAMILY WILL BE COMPLETE AND GOD WILL BRING OUR BABY HOME.

ADOPTION UPDATE

THIS WAS SENT TO ME FROM OUR ADOPTION AGENCY. IT SOUNDS LIKE OUR AGENCY IS DOING WELL. PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR US AND THE BIRTHMOTHERS THAT HAVE TO MAKE SUCH A HUGE DECISION.

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Hello Families-

I hope this update once again finds you all well. We have had an exciting August for the Domestic Infant Program, our program has grown by leaps and bounds this year. We have more birthparents currently that we are working with than we ever have before at one time in the history of A New Beginning. I hope you all find this newsletter a Great encouragement for you on this journey to complete your family through adoption.

Update:
In the month of August we received 4 new calls from birthparents wanting to place their baby for adoption, all 4 have made the decision to work with A New Beginning to help with their Adoption Plan. We are currently working with a total of 7 birthparents: 2 are in the process of choosing a family and 3 who are still going through the mentoring/counseling process.

What’s New with the Program:
We now have an Intern working with me in mentoring and walking our birthparents through the process of their adoption plan. Ashley is a current Senior level Social Work student at Boise State and placed her son for adoption through A New Beginning 3 years ago. She will be another resource for our birthparents to receive all the help and support they need in making the decision to place their child into a loving home.

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http://adoptanewbeginning.org/

RANDOM UPDATE!

SO SOUNDS LIKE EVERYONE HAD A TON OF FUN FOR LABOR DAY! WE ON THE OTHER HAND STAYED AT HOME. I CLEANED THE HOUSE FROM TOP TO BOTTOM WHILE JUSTIN WORKED ON THE 5TH WHEEL AND THE TRUCK. WISH WE COULD OF WENT WITH MY FAMILY CAMPING BUT NOTHING WAS READY TO GO. WE DID GET TO GO OVER TO JUSTIN’S PARENTS HOME AND HAVE A FISH FRY! I LOVE IT WHEN HIS DAD COOKS IT IS SO GOOD AND HE ALWAYS COOKS WAY TOO MUCH SO YOU ALWAYS EAT WAY TOO MUCH. WE HAD CRAB, CLAM CHOWDER, AND COD. YUMMY!! WE HAD SOME OF THE FAMILIES FRIENDS OVER LAVON AND MARLIN. THEY ARE A KICK IN THE PANTS.

THIS WEEKEND WE ARE FINALLY GETTING TO GO CAMPING! IT HAS BEEN AWHILE SINCE IT HAS BEEN JUST JUSTIN AND I AND OF COURSE LITTLE NEWMAN. IT SHOULD BE A TON OF FUN. WE ARE GOING TO A NEW PLACE THAT JUSTIN HAS NEVER BEEN TO.WE GET TO GO RHINOING, FISHING AND HIKING. MY FAVORITE PART IS THE GAZING INTO THE FIRE AND OF COURSE SMORES!

HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND!

AN OFF DAY

SO YESTERDAY I WAS KIND OF JUST HAVING AN OFF DAY AND MY SISTER HAD CALLED TO TALK IN THE MORNING. THIS IS THE BEAUTIFUL PICTURE THAT BRIGHTENED MY DAY ….. ALL DAY YESTERDAY!

LOVE YOU AUNT BETHY!

HOW COULD YOU HAVE A BAD DAY WITH THAT STINKIN CUTE FACE LOOKIN AT YOU!

WENT CAMPING OVER THE WEEKEND AND HAD A BLAST. WE TRIED A NEW AREA. WILL TRY AND GET UPDATED PICTURES ON HERE BUT MAY WAIT SINCE WE ARE GOING AGAIN THIS WEEKEND. MAY JUST COMBINE THE TWO TRIPS!

WE WANT THE BEST FOR OUR CHILDREN

We want all of our children to feel loved. We want them to be confidant in who they are and grow to their fullest abilites. We will support them in what ever they choose to do. We will always work towards being a forever family. There is nothing more important than family.
We can’t wait to meet the little one that is to join our family and share in the love we have. We are looking forward to rocking them asleep, watching them sleep (one of my favorite things), dancing like silly people around the house, joining us in telling silly jokes, taking them to wonderful places and being a close family.

WEEKEND PLANS

WE ARE GOING CAMPING AGAIN! IMAGINE THAT. I SWEAR WE LIVE IN THE MOUNTAINS A LOT DURING THE SUMMER. LOVE THE OUTDOORS AND ALL OF GOD’S BEAUTY. I WILL MAKE SURE TO TAKE TONS OF PICTURE OF ALL THE OLD MINES THAT WE FOUND LAST WEEKEND AND ANYTHING NEW. CAN’T WAIT TO GET AWAY FOR THE WEEKEND. THIS WEEK HAS BEEN A TOUGH AND BUSY WEEK. CAN’T WAIT TO GET UP IN THE MOUNTAINS AND SMELL THAT FRESH MOUNTAIN AIR. KEEP US IN YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS AND I HOPE EVERYONE HAS A WONDERFUL WEEKEND.

KEEP PRAYING FOR US AND OUR WONDERFUL ADOPTION ADVENTURE!

STILL WAITING FOR OUR BABY

OUR WEEKEND!

WE GOT TO GO CAMPING AGAIN! WE ARE SO LUCKY THAT WE GET TO SPEND WEEKENDS TOGETHER. WE ENJOY THEM TO THE FULLEST. HERE ARE A COUPLE OF PICTURES FROM THIS WEEKEND.

OUR CAMPFIRE

WHERE ARE THE SMORES!

WE RODE OUR RHINO UP TO A LOOK OUT LOOK AT HOW PRETTY IT WAS.

GODS BEAUTY

NEWMAN AND BETH

SCOUTING JUSTIN

HERE ARE SOME OLD MINES AND A RANCH THAT WE FOUND FROM BACK IN 1864.

THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE PICTURES

KEEP PRAYING FOR US!

WHAT TO DO FOR THE WEEKEND

SORRY I HAVEN’T UPDATED IN AWHILE I HAVE BEEN SO STRESSED OUT AND BUSY.

WHAT TO DO FOR THE WEEKEND? SO TONIGHT I AM DRIVING OUT TO MY PARENTS HOUSE TO SEE MY NEPHEW! MOM AND I ARE GOING TO GO TO MY COUSINS AUCTION OUT IN MARSING. THEY ARE TRYING TO RAISE MONEY FOR HER. SHE JUST RECENTLY HAD SURGERY FOR BREAST CANCER AND SHE IS ONLY 23. SO WE ARE GOING OUT TO SHOW OUR SUPPORT! MAY HAVE MADDOX MY NEPHEW SPEND THE NIGHT!

TOMORROW IT IS MOW OUR YARD DAY GOING TO HAVE TO MOW AND CATCH UP AROUND THE HOUSE. THEN SATURDAY EVENING WE ARE GOING TO MY FRIEND AND CO WORKERS HOME FOR A BBQ. OUR OFFICE IS GETTING TOGETHER TO UNWIND WITH OUR SPOUSES. IT SHOULD BE FUN. WE ARE HAVING STEAK, TATTERS, AND A TON OF VEGETABLES!

SUNDAY IS RELAX DAY. WE REALLY COULD USE A GOOD DAY TOGETHER SO IT SHOULD BE REALLY NICE. I ALMOST HOPE IT RAINS GOOD ON ON SUNDAY SO WE CAN STAY IN THE HOUSE SNUGGLE UP BY THE FIRE AND WATCH MOVIES!

WELL I HOPE EVERY ONE HAS A GOOD WEEKEND! LOVE YOU ALL AND GOD BLESS.

KEEP US ALL IN YOUR PRAYERS!

ANGELS ARE AMONG US

Angels are among us
They are sent from God above
I know of many angels here
with such a Christ like Love
They are selfless loving women
That carry priceless Sacred lives
Who help complete Forever families here
That could not have otherwise
You are among these angels,
That has this priceless gift,
True love and understanding,
the lord has blessed you with.
You have angels with you
They are always by your side
To lead and guide you through
Your selfless sacrifice
Know the lord has chosen you,
to be special in this way,
to bless another family
with a gift they cannot repay.
So let this angel remind you,
of the amazing woman that you are,
Your light and grace will always shine
More brilliant than a star.

AUTHOR: KARINE MIKESELL

LOOK AT THIS FACE

So I went to my parents over the weekend to drop off some of my stuff that I have that I need her to store. I have a bassinett that I had that she needed so I am letting her borrow it for a bit.

Well Maddox my nephew was over there since his mom and dad were camping. I got to spend so much time with him. He is getting so big.

I brought this bassinett over to my mom’s and Maddox kept trying to get into it. I kept telling him he was a big boy and that it was for little babies.

He didn’t care obviously he got his way! Look at that face! I can’t say no to him!

We went to my cousin’s breast cancer auction. There were a ton of people out to support her it was nice.

Then I went home to spend time with Justin. We cleaned the house all day on Saturday and Sunday was relaxation day.

SOMEONE IS IN THE HALLOWEEN SPIRIT!

MY SISTER SENT ME THIS PICTURE LAST NIGHT AFTER MADDOX WENT THROUGH THE KITCHEN AND MOVED EVERYTHING AROUND. I LOVE THESE PJ’S SHE BOUGHT HIM!

ITS MY MOM’S BIRTHDAY TODAY!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!!
LOOK HOW AMAZING AND BEAUTIFUL MY MOM IS**

STILL SO YOUNG MOM! YOUR THE BEST. WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH.

OUR WEEKEND

Friday night we didn’t do much at all we just stayed around the house and relaxed.

Saturday Justin had to work so my mom, sister and little Maddox came over in the morning and off to Babies R Us we were. We went shopping for a bassinet. I have been looking all over for one and just couldn’t decide. Here is a picture of the one I finally got!

I love it! It is nice and light too. We have a two story home and the baby’s room is all the way upstairs. So this will be perfect for her to sleep in downstairs. She is going to love it.

Saturday night we made homemade spaghetti. I love spaghetti. We didn’t end up eating it because we wanted to save it for meals for the week but it was good! We wanted to go camping but since Justin had to work we camped in the back yard!

It was great. Where we have this fire pit is tucked back in the corner and it felt just like we were camping. The smell of the wood and camp fire were awesome. You couldn’t really hear anything else. The wind was blowing so it kind of drowned out the noise. Then we went and slept outside in our 5th wheel for the night. We had so much fun.

Sunday we got up and had biscuits and gravy homemade by Justin. They were so good. We headed off to a new church were Justin’s boss was preaching at. He is an amazing amazing amazing preacher. Wow every time he speaks he just moves me so much. I tear up everytime. Great Man, great leader, and great friend. After church we headed out to our friends house for lunch. Justin cooked up 10 pounds of chicken wings. Oh my they were so good. Everyone loved them. Our friend Josh made homemade onion rings and potato chips that were to die for. Great lunch. Then it was off to Justin’s parents house for dinner.

WE ATE WAY TOO MUCH ON SUNDAY I THINK I GAINED 10 POUNDS IN ONE DAY.

Here is grandma Irene. One of the most amazing women you will ever meet. Love her so much.

This is Mary Justin’s mom! She was so excited to have everyone over. She went out and bought a new tablecloth and made this really good pear cake. Yum Yum. Robert his dad is an amazing cook. He loves to cook. He made us fish and chips that he caught on the Oregon Coast this summer. You never walk away hungry from there at all!

Her yard is amazing it looks so nice right now. She is really big into landscaping and gardening. She has a huge pond that is so nice to go and sit by. The colors are awesome this time of year there. Couldn’t get a picture it was too dark for my camera phone.

Overall we had a great and busy weekend!

PARTS OF OUR FAMILY!

EVEN THOUGH THEY DON'T LIKE EACH OTHER

MAMMA MAMMA, BUDDY, WILLOW

HAD TO TAKE THESE PICTURES. HORRIBLE PICTURES BECAUSE IT WAS SO LATE AT NIGHT BUT IT WAS SO CUTE.

I WENT UPSTAIRS TO GO TO BED AND FOUND ALL OF MY CATS ON THE BED. THEY CLAIM TO NOT LIKE EACH OTHER BUT I THINK THAT THEY DO! SO CUTE.

TO OUR BIRTHPARENTS WHEREVER YOU ARE

*********************************
Just the other day, I was informed that I would be a mother,
Yet it isn’t me that will carry the baby, it is another.
The love I feel for this woman is extremely unique;
I don’t even know her and we can’t even speak.
How can I thank her for such a sacrifice?
How can anything I do every suffice?
I hardly know about her feelings or fears,
but I can guess the extent of her tears,
For my eyes flow with tears of my own-
When I think of her with arms empty and alone.
I wish I could convey to her the time I have spent crying,
Knowing that she feels like a part of her is dying.
But what would I say to someone so alone?
How would I gain her trust for this baby she has grown?
I wish I could know what she is going through
So I could help her do what she must do.
Does she know how much she is on my mind?
Does she know that I am truly kind?
Does she know that I love her for the baby-
that she is so faithfully, entrusting to me?
*********************************

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LOVE THIS COOL WEBSITE

http://www.urchinrock.com/gallery2003.php

I WAS SENT THIS LINK FOREVER AGO AND JUST CAME UPON IT AGAIN IN MY FAVORITES. IT IS A PRETTY COOL WEBSITE. THESE KIDS ARE AMAZING AND IT IS SO COOL HOW THEY CAN GET SUCH GREAT PICTURES.

HERE ARE SOME OF MY FAVORITE PICTURES FROM THIS WEBSITE

GREAT WEEKEND!!

The weather over all was great. Little windy but it was a great sunny weekend!

We had my nephew over for the night on Friday. It was a blast he is such a good kid. He didn’t sleep to well so I took him into the spare bedroom and slept with him in bed! He loves to cuddle. He also likes to beat up whoever he is sleeping with him. He is a wild child. All over in the bed kicking and hitting. Loves to talk in his sleep so funny.

He loves his bath time!

Look at his new Halloween costume that he got for this year! So cute.

Saturday we got up bright and early with him. It was so cute at about 6:00am Justin came and climbed into bed with us. Maddox was so tired he wanted up but wanted to sleep. Justin kind of layed Maddox’s head on his chest. It was so cute to see them snuggling together.

After he left our house Justin and I decided to work around the house. I mowed the yard he did the leaves then it was cooking time. We ended the night with a nice warm fire.

So no laughing I just realized my lines are horrible. I can’t mow straight!

Preparing the wings… it was cold out but we love the out doors.

Can you say yum yum!!!

Sunday we celebrated my mother’s birthday. We had everyone over for lunch/dinner. Justin made a Luau Pineapple chicken over the grill. Oh my so good. Then I made baby red potatoes that were to die for. My brother in law made us some asparagus. Erica made her famous rice crispy’s and deviled eggs. We had such a great meal. To top it off mom made two of her favorite pies. I am waiting on her to send some pictures to me!

ALL THE KIDS

DAD AND I

MY YOUNG MOM THE BIRTHDAY GIRL. LOVES THIS PICTURE OF MY PARENTS

CRAZY DAD!

CRAZY SISTER… OUR FAMILY LIKES TO HAVE FUN CAN YOU TELL!

AND OF COURSE MADDOX!!

Look who is in the Halloween Spirit!

MY DAD IS SO STINKIN CUTE… THIS IS HIS FIRST PUMPKIN HE HAS EVER CARVED!

LOOK HOW WELL IT TURNED OUT!

HAD A GREAT WEEKEND

On Friday night we went over to our friends house for dinner and to spend the night. We had chicken, potatoes, and asparagus. They were so good. It was nice getting to see them. We all get so busy sometimes and it is hard to find the time to relax and have fun with friends and family. It was nice seeing their kids EJ and AVa. They just keep growing so fast.

Saturday we just stayed at home and relaxed. Watched tons of movies and just enjoyed each other. Since it was Halloween we always hand out candy at the house. I usually every year have my sister and her family over to carve pumpkins. For some reason I guess I had too much on my mind I totally forgot to do the pumpkins this year. I was really sad when I finally realized this. Anyways, we had 50 tricker or treaters this year. I love seeing all of the different costumes and seeing all of the little kids.

Sunday we headed out to my parents house and went to church with them. My uncle Mike showed up and went with us!This was so cool because he is a new Chrisitian and it was so cool to see him at church. After, we headed to mom and dad’s for lunch/dinner!

We had tacos, nachos, veggie tray, shrimp and fries for Maddox! Mom found this nacho cheese at Costco and wow what a hit. That stuff was so good and way addicting!

Here is mom cleaning up!

Justin eating mom's home made cake!

Dad eating half of the cake!

Me and my little man!

MY BEAUTIFUL SISTER

HIGH FIVE!

CRAZY UNCLE MIKE!

A SPECIAL FAMILY

Meet our really good friends! Here is Stephanie and Josh with their kids. We all have been friends for many years. They were both in our wedding. I have talked about them a couple of times on here. Please take the time to look at her blog.

http://theropersfamily.blogspot.com/

She put such a sweet post in her blog about Justin and I when we started the adoption process. Here is part of what she wrote!

About JUSTIN AND BETH

These two are my inspiration in life and why I decided to carry a baby for a family who couldn’t have a baby of their own. I wished to have carried for them but due to medical reasons they were unable to go through with the process.

They are an incredibly loving family and would be great and wonderful parents. After researching infertility in women I found that 1 out of 10 women suffer infertility in America. I was shocked at the facts. Beth went through multiple surgeries to have a child of their own and after several miscarriages and loss they decided adoption would be there best option. It was a hard decision for them to make because everyone has the dream of having a baby of their own.

I know that adoption is not for everyone. Beth and Justin have so much love to give. They own a little yorkie named Newman… and for now that dog is their baby… and they love him unconditionally… how much more would they love a child of their own.

Please pray for this deserving family. There is no greater joy in life then raising a child and watching them grow. I know God has something special planned for them and they need prayers right now so that their dream can come true. She is my inspiration because all though her suffering was great during this long process, she endured every minute of it with Hope, Love, and Faith. I know God will reward them for all of their patience in life and I can’t wait to throw her the most wonderful baby shower she could ever wish for! I love you Beth and Justin!

WELL… She found out she was carrying twins for this deserving family! She just gave birth to them on Tuesday! Babies were 4 weeks early weighing almost 6lbs each. They are healthy and beautiful and perfect! The parents are so happy and so overwhelmed that after 7 years they finally have two perfect little girls. Their names are Maya and Eya (pronounced Aya).
Stephanie carried these babies so well that they were only 4 weeks early and do not have to stay in the NICU! They get to go home! The most amazing thing is though that Stephanie is an amazing person. She gave birth to these babies all NATURAL. I am so proud of her. She truly is a heaven sent straight from GOD.

Here are some pictures of the babies!

They are so beautiful! Oh what a blessing.

I can’t wait to bring our little miracle home. In God’s time! We have about 3 weeks left before our due date!

MY LITTLE NIECE!

My sister in law just sent me this picture! Jalee I guess just fell asleep laying on this chair I thought it was a stinking cute picture. She is patiently waiting to have a little cousin to hold and play with.

That just makes me hurt looking at her. That looks so uncomfortable.

TODAY IS A GIFT TOMORROW IS NOT PROMISED

Adoption update……It is with a heavy heavy heart that I write this to my family and friends. We are so very sad and devasted. Due to lack of communication and support our adopition was unsuccessful. The baby was born on Wednesday and was a healthy beautiful baby girl. The little baby is going to stay with the birth mother and she is going to raise her. I hope the best for her and that baby may God be with you. Our family is hurting but we are strong and our love is amazing.

Thank you mom and dad for your response and all of your support you have given to us:*****Beth and Justin you are in our prayers. You guys have been through alot. I remember when you guys first heard that you had been chosen to receive Kayleen. Meeting the birth parents of Kayleen, how you both really liked them. It takes courage and love to put a child up for a adoption. You grew to respect them in their decision and the same for them. To see you both gleam with joy, made us all excited. The months of planning and the joy of buying little outfits, trying to picture what she would look like in them. Getting everything ready for her. It is hard to understand, but remember God is guiding you both in the right direction. He will take care of you both, there will be a door open that God will guide you through. We are sadden but know that there is another who is waiting for you. We love you and are hurting along with you both. Remember to put your trust in God and he will be there for you to lean on. Your family and friends will be there to comfort you both. We wish that little baby girl and her family the best and that God will take care of them. We will keep praying! love you mom and dad

Thank you Mamma Mary for your kind words:***** What has happened to our family is such a tragedy. You both deserve Kayleen to be your daughter. Months of planning, hoping and praying to bring this little miracle child into a loving, happy family that would be the greatest of Christian parents. The future for her would have been rich in so many ways. God will bless you with another child to love and nurture. We can only pray that Kayleen will have a happy life ahead of her. God will open another door and bring you a child to love. Your broken hearts will heal, life will go on for all of us through faith in The Lord.
Love you both so very much!

Thank you Karine for your kind words :*****I just wanted to say our thoughts and prayers are with you and Justin!
YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO MAKE THE BEST PARENTS IN THE WORLD! I am praying that God will hurry and find you a child, one that will come home with you and be yours for forever!
KEEP THE FAITH! Someone will pick you guys and they realize it was the best decision they ever did! YOUR BIRTH MOM WILL FIND YOU!

Thank you Stephanie for your kind words and your support as well: *****http://theropersfamily.blogspot.com/

With all of this support I know we will bring Kayleen home. Our Kayleen is out there waiting for us to find her some where some day.

“I Still Believe”

Scattered words and empty thoughts
seem to pour from my heart
I’ve never felt so torn before
seems I don’t know where to start
but it’s now that I feel Your grace falls like rain
from every fingertip, washing away my pain

I still believe in Your faithfulness
I still believe in Your truth
I still believe in Your holy word
even when I don’t see, I still believe

Though the questions still fog up my mind
with promises I still seem to bear
even when answers slowly unwind
it’s my heart I see You prepare
but its now that I feel Your grace fall like rain
from every finger tip, washing away my pain

The only place I can go is into Your arms
where I throw to You my feeble prayers
in brokenness I can see that this was Your will for me
Help me to know You are near.

These last couple of days have been the hardest most devastating days of our lives. Life is definately a roller coaster and God sure does love to throw us some curve balls. But in the end, we are lucky to have each other. God has blessed our lives with the beauty of love. Love for each other, love for our family & friends, and enough love in our hearts to give to a child. We have been praying for God to bless our lives with a child and so far it has been a tough journey. From miscarriages to unsuccessful operations to failed adoptions but we have faith that God will answer our prayers.

We won’t give up and we are ‘preparing the field’ for our baby. We know God has big plans for our lives and trust that he wants us to have a child. We will continue on this path to adopt a child to make our family complete. Thank you for all of your prayers as we travel down the path of child adoption. This journey has had many ups and many downs so we thank everyone for being by our sides through thick and thin. We love you all and couldn’t have made it this far without you!

We know our baby is out there and we know that our baby needs us as much as we need our baby. This is all in God’s hands and we know with all of hearts he has a plan.

OUR GET AWAY

To our family and friends…

Justin and I are doing ok over all. We are hurting and we have a lot of unanswered questions that we may never have the answers to. We just are taking things day by day. This weekend we went to McCall for a get away. We needed to get away from here and just be alone. Here are a ton of pictures from the weekend.

I have had to sit back and really look at this situation that my husband and I are in right now. We are truly blessed with the support and the prayers of our family and friends. Most of all we are lucky to look at each other at the end of the night and know that we have each other. At the end of the night this is what means the most. I have asked myself truly so many questions. My mother in law sent me amazing uplifting email that has got me thinking even more. I have taken bits and piece of what he had said on his website and put it into my own words. When I face hard times I drop off the face of this earth. I don’t talk to people I try to take care of things on my own with out involving others. I don’t like to see others hurt or in pain because of something I am going through. Some people would like to run away as quickly as possible to escape it. Though this is a normal feeling, God has a different way. We may not understand or see his plan. I have sat back and said to many people I want people who are not a God fearing person to look at me in this low point in our lives and ask us WHERE IS YOUR GOD NOW? I want to be able to show them that my God did not put me through this, this is free will. I want them to be able to see what MY GOD is going to do for me and show that even though it is a tough situation I trust and need him more than ever right now.

It is not the trials in your life that develop or destroy you, but rather your response to those hardships. It is the tough times that make you stronger in the Lord and a stronger person. I have a lot of pride but I know that I can not live a life with out the Lord and there is NO shame in that. This email talked about things to do when we are so overwhelmed and feel like we have been left behind.

Trust God even though this can be the hardest thing in the world to do when you are down or you feel like you are getting punished for something. Believe that God knows what he is doing. Just look at all the miracles and all the times that he has carried your through from your past. He assures us that He limits our trials and enables us to endure. He will not put you through something he can not pull you through.

Persevere, You may not understand the why’s or the reasons but you should never give up. Continue seeking the Lord through His Word and prayer. I have been told so many times to cling to hope in Christ, and praise Him in the midst of the pain. This is the hardest thing for people to do. He is all that you have and all that can carry you through. If you can’t trust in the Lord and you can’t believe that he will carry you through… Then who will?? Usually it is too big for your self to carry you need him.

God is in control. He’s allowing free will for a reason and will demonstrate His sustaining power through it. Even though the pain might feel intolerable, the Lord will prosper us. Scripture compares our growth to gold, which is refined through fire (1 Peter 1:7). I got this verse from the amazing email and I looked it up on line! Love having the BIBLE on line so that I can just look it right up. Often, I hear believers reflect on a difficult time and admit that despite the intense hurt, they wouldn’t change the situation. They see the beauty God created through the struggle and realize its value. It makes you who you are today. It gives you character and strength…it is who you were meant to be.

We will encounter difficulties—sometimes intense and painful trials that seem too much for us. Yet we can rely on our heavenly Father to deliver and grow us in ways we could never imagine. He doesn’t demand that we endure on our own, but He does allow us to respond and trust him.

Thank you to all of our family and friends for the support and the prayers. Please continue to pray for our little one to come home and for us to find our miracle.
Thanks

Justin and Beth

MY NEPHEW IS GETTING SO BIG!

THURSDAY, FRIDAY AND SATURDAY I GOT BE WITH MY NEPHEW THE WHOLE DAY. BOY WAS I SPOILED! HE IS GETTING SO BIG. HE KNOWS WHERE ALL OF HIS TOYS ARE OVER AT AUNT BESSY’S HOUSE. IT IS SO CUTE HE GOES RIGHT TO THE ROOM AND WAITS FOR ME TO OPEN THE DOOR FOR HIM. IT IS AMAZING TO SEE HOW MUCH HE IS GROWING. HIS VOCABULARY IS AMAZING. HE IS SO SMART. YOU SHOW HIM HOW TO DO SOMETHING ONE TIME AND THAT KID WILL SIT THERE AND KEEP TRYING TO DO IT UNTIL HE FINALLY GETS IT. HE SURE BRINGS A SMILE TO MY FACE. HE NOW SAYS: YOGI, BRUISER, NEWMAN WHICH IS GRANDMA AND OUR LITTLE DOG. HE ALSO SAYS MAMMA, MAMO, BESSY BUT IT COMES OUT KIND LIKE SESSY, UP, MORE, HOT, BROOM, BALOON.. AND THE LIST JUST GOES ON AND ON!

IT IS REALLY HARD TO GET HIM TO TAKE A NAP AT MY HOUSE. HE IS ALWAYS SHOWING OFF AND THERE IS ALWAYS SO MUCH TO DO. FINALLY HE JUST GETS SO TIRED HE JUST PASSES OUT. POOR LITTLE BUG. HE LOOKS SO CUTE LAYING THERE ON THE FLOOR!

*** CHRISTMAS ***

Ok I know that I am slow at posting but this whole back to back holiday thing is hard to do!

So Christmas was good but very busy. We went to 3 different homes on Christmas. We went over to my mom and dad’s house for Christmas Eve and ate taco’s! We all had so much fun. Justin, Newman and I spent the night. It was like old times. We even heard Santa’s jingel bells in the morning telling us it was time to get up!

In the morning I made bacon, sausage and my mom made the eggs! Erica, Mikeal and Maddox all came over and we opened Christmas presents after breakfast. Wow we all were so spoiled.

Here is mom’s Christmas tree!

Maddox and papa opening gifts!

After mom and dad’s we went to my grandma’s house on my dad’s side. We had so much food. There is always tons of people and kids running around! It was nice I got to see some of my cousins that I haven’t seen in awhile. It is amazing how a couple of years can change people.

Then we headed over to Justin’s parents home for prime rib. It was great. Mary had the place settings all decorated so nice and neat and her tree was so beautiful.

Here is Justin’s mom and dad and of course our family!

Pooped little Newman. He was so tired. We got up at about 6:00 am and didn’t get back home until about 9:00 pm. It was a long and crazy day for all of us we were so tired! Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and enjoyed your time with family and friends.

~~ 2010 NEW YEARS ~~

Really has 2009 just flown by so fast? It sure seems like that for us. Guess it is because we have had so much go on in the last year.

We went over to our friends house on New Years Eve and had a blast. Tiffany and Laura made the best enchiladas ever. We ate way too much! I got to see my niece and nephew which was so cool. They are growing so fast and have so much personality. Here are some pictures from the night. I hope to be getting some more from Tiffany soon!

THE TREE AMIGAS!!!!

Once again Newman is so tuckered out tired. Poor dog had to be chased around by two weiner dogs and two large bull mastiff dogs!!! Fun time with Fun FRIENDS! Love you guys.

!3-4 WEEKS TO GO!

Vanessa and Casey

My cousin Vanessa and Casey her husband are pregnant with their first baby and it is so exciting. We had a baby shower for her a couple of months ago and it was so cool to see her belly. She was carring pretty high but they tell us it is a boy. We got to see the ultra sound pictures. Vanessa and Casey her husband live in Washington and it is hard because we don’t get to see them but at least we get pictures! She went to the doctor and he said that baby Kelby is going to be coming in about 3 – 4 weeks. By the way I love the name KELBY that is such a unique name. So soon, it feels like yesterday we found out she was pregnant. They are estimating that Kelby will weigh around 8 pounds! He sounds like a healthy little boy. Casey and Vanessa are so excited and I am sure kind of nervous but they will make great parents.

Here are some pictures for you!

Here is Vanessa, Me, Maddox (nephew), Erica (sister), and my mom.

Vanessa, Me, Maddox (nephew), erica (sister), and Vanessa’s mom my aunt Linda

I LOVE PREGNANT BELLIES!

Good luck you guys we love you!

JEN AND JERRY CAME TO VISIT!!

I was so excited to see my friends over the Holidays! It was crazy but we managed to set up time to see them when they were in town. They live so far away and the holiday’s are the only time I get to see them. Jen and I have been best friends since junior high. We are like sisters. Actually some days I wonder if we are twins. I was so excited to see her and of course her boyfriend Jerry. He is an amazing guy and we just had so much fun with them. Wish we could of spent more time but at least we were blessed with the time that we did get. Here are some pictures!

Justin really isn’t that short! We just have a lot of tall friends!!!

I miss you guys so much! Hope you guys get to come and visit more this year! miss you and love you bunches!

JUST A RANDOM POST

I love getting to watch my nephew. I have him on Thursdays and we have so much fun together. He is just a hoot. All of his facial expressions just brighten my day. Here he is in the back of the car. We were waiting for uncle Justin to get lunch so I let him out of the car seat to play.

Look at this face. Seriously… can he get any more expressive! Love the cookie face.

I asked him to share his cookie but he wasn’t interested in sharing!

Justin and I have really been trying to walk everynight and then on Saturday go for a long hike in the foothills. WOW it has been exciting and frustrating all at the same time. So on Saturday we did a huge hike up to the top of a mountain (Justin calls it the foot hill but my legs call it a MOUNTAIN). There is a huge cross at the top and it was so amazing to stare at this cross on your way up. Thinking of all the trials that Jesus had to go through. It made me want to push myself even more. I got to the top and touched that cross and it felt amazing! Here is a picture of the cross and the view.

It is a good drive from our home to get to this place but once you get there it is so worth your time. There is so much to see. You feel like you can finally breath at the top and the air feels so fresh. I loved it. We are going to go again on Saturday I hope it doesn’t kill me like it did last Saturday! My legs… well my whole body still hurts!

TRUE LOVE

ELK FEEDING WITH THE FAMILY!

For Christmas this year I decided to take my family out for fun instead of buying individual gifts. I decided I would rather spend amazing time with them than give them a gift that they don’t need! Plus spending time with Justin and I is a much better gift anyways!! Here are a couple of pictures for you all to see.

This is an amazing thing to do. You get on a huge sleigh and it pulls you down into the trees. You sit there and just wait for all of the elk to come up to you. Once they feel comfortable you can’t get them to leave. They eat the hay bails that you are sitting on. They actually like to get right up underneath you and push you off the hay bails! It is so cool to be this close to them. I unfortunetly get the big bull elk everytime I go. It is an experience that everyone should have. Watch out though they do sneeze! Dad got a nice face full it was so funny.

HIS HORNS WERE IN MY BACK…. ALMOST RIPPED MY COAT

Then after the sleigh ride we all went out to eat at a little cafe. The food was great and the company is amazing! Dad and mom spoiled us all on lunch!

MY COUSIN HAD HER BABY!

CONGRATS KASEY AND VANESSA!! IT’S A BOY!

WELCOM KELBY CHRISTIAN. HE WEIGHED 8LBS AND 3OZ. HE IS 19 INCHES LONG AND WAS BORN ON SATURDAY AT 5:41 AM! HE IS SO ADORABLE! HERE A COUPLE OF PICTURES OF THE NEW ADDITION.

WELCOME HOME KELBY!

JUSTIN GOT A SMOKER

Yes it is true he finally went out and got a smoker! Now we are going to smoke everything.

ANYONE UP FOR SOME SMOKED PORK….YUM YUM!!

WHEN I NEED A LIFT ME UP

THIS IS A SONG THAT I HAVE LISTENED TO SEVERAL TIMES IN MY LIFE. IT IS A SONG THAT HAS GOTTEN ME THROUGH A LOT OF THINGS IN LIFE LIKE LOSING 3 BABIES. I SING THIS SONG AT THE TOP OF MY LUNGS AND IT MAKES ME FEEL SO GOOD. IT REMINDS YOU THAT BAD TIMES WILL COME BUT GOD DOESN’T COME AND GO HE IS CONSTANT IN YOUR LIFE. HE IS THERE TO HOLD YOU AT THE END OF THE DAY WHEN YOU NEED IT MOST.

http://music.aol.com/artist/natalie-grant

http://music.aol.com/video/held/natalie-grant/1449600

Two months is too little
They let him go
They had no sudden healing
To think that providence
Would take a child from his mother
While she prays, is appalling
Who told us we’d be rescued
What has changed and
Why should we be saved from nightmares
We’re asking why this happens to us
Who have died to live, it’s unfair

[Chorus]
This is what it means to be held
How it feels, when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive
This is what it is to be loved and to know
That the promise was when everything fell
We’d be held

This hand is bitterness
We want to taste it and
Let the hatred numb our sorrows
The wise hand opens slowly
To lilies of the valley and tomorrow

[Chorus]
This is what it means to be held
How it feels, when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive
This is what it is to be loved and to know
That the promise was when everything fell
We’d be held
[Bridge]
If hope is born of suffering
If this is only the beginning
Can we not wait, for one hour
Watching for our savior
[Chorus]
This is what it means to be held
How it feels, when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive
This is what it is to be loved and to know
That the promise was when everything fell
We’d be held
We’d be held

This is what it is to be loved and to know
That the promise was when everything fell
We’d be held

This is what it means to be held…..

Its called Held by Natalie Grant

A NOT SO GOOD BUT GOOD WEEKEND

So our weekend was a good but bad weekend.

Friday was a good relaxing night that we had just took it really easy and enjoy ourselves.

Saturday really was a horrible day for us. We went out to my parents house to go and say good bye to my little dog Yogi. I got Yogi as a graduation gift from my aunt in 1999. He was an amazing dog. When Yogi was a puppy he got ran over by a truck and it broke his tail and caused hip damage. His tail actually was dead… well at least half of it. The bottom half you could pinch and he wouldn’t even feel it. Over the years Yogi hasn’t let it slow him down. Last year we went camping and wow he was just giving it his all like he knew it was going to be his last year of camping and chasing squirrels. His hind end and his hips no longer could keep up with him. He would take about 3 steps across the floor and would have to stop. He was dragging his hind legs now. He would just sleep all day long since he couldn’t get up and move. My family thought it was time so we took him in to be put out of pain. It was so hard to do. My mom and I just sat there and held him and said good bye. He actually had a lonely tear come out of his eye. It was so horrible so I just cried all day Saturday and felt like crap. We will miss you so much Yogi bear. You will always be in our hearts.

Rest in peace yogurt… Mamma loves you. WE WILL ALL MISS YOU.

Sunday we got up and Justin decided to smoke some wings for the family! Got to love the smoker. After smoking them we BBQ them up and ate every single one of them. Mom brought and large salad that was so yummy. My whole family was over and wow we thought we were going to have left overs. I was wrong and underestimated how much my family (the boys) could eat! Justin is such an amazing cook it is hard to stop eating anything he makes! So they all stayed for lunch and desert which was a homemade apple pie made with love from Justin’s grandma Irene! Here is dad playing with Maddox and putting a dog toy on his head. He would make a really cute girl!

Hope all of you had a great weekend. Here are some updated pictures of the new additon Kelby our little cousin!

WE ARE NEEDING ALL THE PRAYER WE CAN GET

********************UPDATE *************
MY AUNT IS GETTING OUT OF THE HOSPITAL TODAY! HER SURGERY WENT WELL SHE IS JUST HAVING SOME TROUBLE WITH THE PAIN. WE ARE ALL HOPING THAT SHE WILL HAVE A QUICK AND FAST RECOVERY. WE DID FIND OUT THAT HER BLOOD AND HER BODY IS CLEAR OF CANCER!!! SHE WILL HAVE TO DO CHEMO BUT IT MAY BE IN PILL FORM. THANK YOU ALL FOR PRAYING FOR HER AND PLEASE CONTINUE TO KEEP HER AND OUR FAMILY IN YOUR PRAYERS.

******************* UPDATE****************

I am asking for all of my family and friends or whomever crosses over my blog to stop and say a little prayer for my beautiful aunt Linda. She was diagnosed a couple of years ago with multiple sclerosis (MS). She has been battling this disease like a champ! Yesterday she was rushed in to the hospital because they found an 8 inch mass on one of her ovaries. They did immediate surgery yesterday to find out that she has or had ovarian cancer. The doctor is hope full that he has removed all of the cancer. May aunt has been handed a rough time and I know that God has a reasons and a plan for everything. I ask that you help us prayer that she fights this and fights with everything she has. I know she is strong enough to beat this. Thank you for all your prayers and taking the time to read about my aunt Linda. Linda we love you and we are here for you. We will be your back bone through the whole thing. We all will make it through this. I promise. In God we trust.

Here is a picture of my cousin, me, maddox, my sister and my aunt on the right hand side! Keep praying for her please I will update when I get any updates!

RANDOM PICTURES!!

We had some of our really good friends over a couple of weekends ago and here are some pictures from our exciting night!

HERE IS OUR BACK YARD GETTING PREPARED TO COOK UP THE WINGS AND SMOKE THE RIBS! I LOVE OUR BACK YARD.

ANYONE UP FOR SOME OF JUSTIN’S FAMOUS WINGS?

HERE IS ONE OF OUR BEST FRIENDS AUSTIN! HE USE TO BE OUR ROOMATE. I SURE MISS HIM! HE WAS GOOD AT THE HUNNY DO’S. THAT KID KNOWS HOW TO MOW A YARD! YES GIRLS… HE IS SINGLE!!!!

THIS IS ONE OF MY BEST FRIENDS LACIE! GOT TO LOVE LACIE MACIE!

HERE IS OUR REALLY GOOD FRIENDS DANI AND LUKE! LOVE THEM. THEY HAVE 3 BEAUTIFUL BOYS THAT I WATCH ON FRIDAYS AND LOVE TO DEATH. THEY ARE SUCH A FUN COUPLE TO HANG WITH!

HERE IS ONE OF DANI AND LUKE’S LITTLE BOYS BENTELY. HE IS THE CUTEST KID I SWEAR. HE IS SUCH A GOOD BABY! WE SURE HAD FUN THIS NIGHT. HOPE TO DO IT AGAIN SOON!

I GOT TO SEE MY COUSINS BABY!

My cousin Vanessa and her son Kelby came down to be with my aunt Linda since she was able to go home from the hospital yesterday. She is doing good still having some pain and difficulty eating but she is doing well. It was so good to see Vanessa. She has already lost most of her baby weight! She looks amazing! Kelby is an adorable little boy with cheeks that could just be kissed alllllllllll day! They are the softest cheeks ever. He is so adorable. She is such a lucky mom. She is so good with him.

PICTURES FROM BABYSITTING MADDOX

I LOVE PLAYING WITH THIS KID…. WOW I ALMOST GOT STUCK IN THIS NEW TOY OF HIS. HE WAS HAVING SO MUCH FUN THROWING BALLS AT ME WHILE I WAS TRYING TO GET UNSTUCK FROM THIS TOY! LOVE THE CHEEEEESY FACE. HE LOVES MAC N CHEESE CAN YOU TELL.

~~~ VALENTINES ~~~

We had a wonderful Valentines this year! We know of this little cabin in McCall that we have rented last Valentines and it is the cutest! It is only $50.00 a night and it is the most amazing small little cabin. It is very cozy and modern. Everything about it is small but very romantic. The cabin has everything you need which makes it so nice. We made our own dinner and saved a bunch of money doing this! We got to bring our dog Newman who had so much in the snow. We also had fun and went to the Gold Fork Hot springs! It is so cool there and the water is so clean and warm. MMMM wish I was there now! Here are some pictures of our weekend.

THE FAMOUS CHEF COOKING UP OUR YUMMY JALEPENO SPAGHETTI!

HERE IS A PICTURE OF MY BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS THAT HE WENT OUT AND PICKED JUST FOR ME!

PICTURE TAKEN ON THE STAIRS OF THE KITCHEN AND THE LIVING ROOM. THERE IS A DOOR ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE THAT LEADS TO THE BATHROOM.

PICTURE GOING DOWN THE STAIRS FROM THE BEDROOM LOFT

HERE IS THE BEDROOM LOFT.

OTHER SIDE OF THE BEDROOM LOFT.

MESSY LIVING ROOM. WE BROUGHT OUR BEAN BAG AND IT WAS SO NICE TO HAVE. LOOKS MESSY IN THERE BUT WE SURE MADE OURSELVES AT HOME!

LOOK HOW TINY THE BATHROOM SINK IS!

THE FUN HOT SPRINGS!

WE REALLY DID HAVE A GREAT TIME AND CAN NOT WAIT TO GO BACK NEXT YEAR. WE LOVE THIS CABIN. HOPE EVERYONE HAD A GOOD VALENTINES DAY.