Adoption Presentation-Done

What a great way to celebrate National Adoption month than to speak in a Child Development class at Alta High School about Adoption as a part of the Utah Adoption Council! I did this today and once last year. I am always thrilled to talk about all things Weston! But it did get me a little bit choked up at times. I love him so much and he is such a JOY- it's hard to contain an overflowing cup! I was kind of nervous so hope I wasn't doing all of those annoying things that I learned not to do in public speaking in college. You know like saying "um" or "like" a thousand times, fidgeting, talking too fast, rambling. Okay, pretty sure I did do the rambling thing but I hope it wasn't too bad.
How it works is the adoption caseworker speaks first and shares her many years of experience, does some exercises imagining if they were pregnant and goes over their options, pros, cons, etc. She tells statistics and shares experience. (The class had just got done with their electronic babies and were happy to be rid of them.) Then the birthmother speaks. By FAR everyone's favorite part. Really haven't ever met a birthmom I didn't like. (Or completely admire for her unbelievable strength. Astounds me every time!) She placed her baby 2 yrs ago and is now married and just found out they're expecting a baby. Listening to her got me choked up. After her, it was my turn to talk.
The goal? Hopefully together we can dispell some of the myths about adoption that made me look at it in a different light and gave me positive feelings that I have held on to ever since I was the high schooler in the classroom hearing such a presentation. I am greatful for that education that made it easier to transition from a grim infertility situation to finding hope in hoping to adopt.
And after being blessed with a miracle,
who wouldn't want to share that??
I hope I get asked to do it again in the future.

Lullaby For a Birthmom

Ah, this song's poetic lyrics beautifully portray the bittersweet emotions, love, and huge sense of gratitude that we feel for our son's birthmom. It's something that's so hard to put into words but I'm glad someone else could get a glimpse of the struggle to express them. "Lullabies laid in our hearts unsung. Suspended for years on the tip of the tongue."

"Mercy decided our stories would meet. 2 roads converged at the point of our need, merging our lives in the ache of this love.

You're heroic and strong....this is your song.

Our arms were empty, they're empty no more.

You can be sure every [8th of September] we will remember your labor of love.

We still remember your labor of love."

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

The GINORMOUS pumpkin from my sister's family garden that we got to carve. This is one side of the pumpkin that we carved. It's an owl and supposed to be a wolf in the forest, howling at the moon, but it looks more like a tiger.

Weston saying ni-night to his 'happy punkin' after a fun weekend of Halloween

He looked like a cow, but really he was superman underneath it all.

Brett, Weston & Nicky at Brett's work trick or treating party

Weston and his Cousin he went trick or treating with. They are so adorable.

Paul Bunyon

So we had such a fun and eventful Halloween season. Full of first time trick or treating, trunk or treating, corn mazes and and a pony ride for Weston, drives in the mountains to see the unbelievably beautiful changing leaves, delicious breakfast at our friend Troy and Katie's house where she made Cinnamon Swirl French Toast with buttermilk syrup that was so good I'm still dreaming about it, hot chocolate, pumpkin shakes, chocolate candy (I can begin to see where my recent weight gain is coming from) and Weston enthusiastically pointing out every pumpkin he's seen with a, "OOOO, PUNKIN!" Or sometimes, "OOOO! Happy punkin" for the jack o lanterns.
Life is good. Hope you are all enjoying your Fall as well.

Scouts Corn Maze

Went to the Corn Maze at Thanksgiving Point last night with my cub scouts. It was way fun! Brett went with, too. Although cold and muddy, the boys had a blast. Including Weston who LOVES to hang out w/ the boys. There was so much to do there other than the cornmaze. The corn maze was even in scout's 100th birthday formation and they gave us a discout of $5.50 instead of $8.50 for being w/ scouts.

Let's give Christmas to PJ's Forgotten Children

http://www.pjsforgottenchildren.com/
PJ's Forgotten children are submitted by professional caseworkers and many of the families are well below poverty level and struggle with things such as mental illness, homelessness, etc and are truly needy, so you know it's going to a good cause.
They are needing donations by November 3rd to get ready for Christmas.

Things they need New & Like New:
Shampoo/Conditioner (new)
Deodrant (new)
Warm clothes, socks, underwear(new), sleepwear
Books for teenagers
Art Supplies
Balls (Sports of all kinds)
Games for all ages
TOYS barbies, legos, bakugan, etc (Probably things that require batteries are not reasonable)

Anybody who wants to donate, you can bring the donations to my house and I will deliver them to her. Their wants and needs are so very basic, so let's get together and pitch in what we can. THANKS!

Gettin' DIRTY!

Brett & I went on a long 4 wheeling ride to Skoville with Brett's Grandpa and uncles and a couple cousins. I got SOOOO dirty! Even with the windbreaker, sunglasses and helmet I was wearing.
Cute Uncle Brett with the cute kids.

Grandpa and Audrey teaching the kids to fish.

Weston & Zela (If you haven't noticed, he loves dogs!)

Cool Dude on the Motor Cycle

PowerWheel with Juni

Weston was good at being loud enough to wake people up in the morning and keep them awake at night.

Weston loved camping! Good thing- so do we! But it sure is harder when you're the parent and doing all the packiing and preparations! Makes us greatful for our parents and all the times they took us kids camping!

Waking up in the morning in our tent.

We also went on a ride with Randy's girls on this trailer that attaches to the four wheeler and has a bench seat that yous trattle. Weston HATED his helmet, but had a great time. So great that he fell dead asleep so my arms were dead by the end of that ride!

Other highlights from the trip: Dutch Oven Breakfast and Dutch Oven Desserts. Jarod & Christy made Peach cobbler, we made Chocolate Cherry Cake w/ Cream Cheese in it and whip cream on top. It was goood!

Oh yeah, and S'mores. Mmmmm. Weston got soooo sticky but loved the s'mores and campfire.

Best of all, the good company of our family!

Love you guys!

Aunt Laura's Reception

Cousins!

Laura and Trish

Helping Clean Up

CONGRATS CHRIS & LAURA!!!

Chris and Laura got married a year ago, but didn't have a reception with all the family and their freinds, so they renewed their vows for their one year Anniversary and threw the party.

Don't you love the cake topper

Brett's Work Party FUN at Wheeler Farm

Brett's work had a 5K Fun Run/Walk at Wheeler Farm. It was so fun! They had a BBQ, a clown that made Weston a fishing pole w/ a fish on the end balloon, a bouncy house and big blow up slides. Weston loved bouncing and even climbed up the slides and slid down by himself! They had a raffle with a bunch of prizes that some people won.
THANKS to Brett's work- this was the first time they did this activity and I'm glad they plan on doing it again next year. It's nice to work for a company that makes you and your family feel appreciated!!

Summer's Ending Pics

Playing in the fountains on Weston's Birthday

Weston on his Birthday

He got all excited when we pulled up to Chick-fil-A

Went with Aunt Christy, Juni (who came to stay with us for the weekend) and Rieker to Silver Lake last Sunday. It was cold, but Weston loved it and practically ran all around the whole lake! We had fun with Juni last weekend.

Silver Lake by moonlight. We saw a few deer running through the field.

Mr. Potato Head Grandma Kelly got him for his Bday.

Swimming as much as possible before the pool closes! It's been such nice weather!

Weston and Parker who comes to play a couple times a week.

Mmmmm! Ribs.

After we got our family pictures Weston had had it. He started screaming and throwing a fit. We went to eat at Goodwood BBQ and they rushed his food out, luckily. On the 4th of July he tried ribs and loved them so we ordered him the ribs kids meal. He was totally happy once his food came out and was being super good mood- acting cute, getting messy, and devouring his ribs and vegetables. Such a good kid!

We went to a dinner with our Sunday School class and Weston had taken chased this little dog into this fort. He LOOOOVES dogs.

Weston swinging- another favorite thing of his.

Weston on his Birthday. We took him to Chick-fil-A so he could play in the play area and got him an icecream cone and a balloon. Heaven for him. We took him to Target after and played with toys and we got him a spiky bouncy ball that lights up different colors when it bounces and a hermonica. He's so adorable playing the hermonica! It cracks me up.

HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY, WESTON!

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S BEEN 2 YEARS!! 2 years since we got that call that Weston might be coming soon and we ran around our house like chickens with their heads cut off, frantically packing our bags cluelessly to drive out of state to be there for him and his wonderful birthmom. Thanks to her, I heard his first cry, and cut his umbillical cord and was the first to hold him. Things I will never forget.
Weston immediately taught me how deeply I could protect, care, worry about and LOVE a tiny helpless human with the fierceness of Mothers who protect their young in the wild, combined with all the intensity and capacity of human emotions. I learned about a christlike love that equals sacrifice most of us will not ever fully understand as his birthmom (and everyone else involved) gave us a gift that allowed us to be a family- mother, father, and child. An incredible miracle!
He was 6 lbs 1.3 oz, 19" long.
Today he is nearly 30 lbs and more than half my (Nicky's) height.
He grows daily, and never ceases to amaze me! I am so proud of him for his strong will which became evident from the beginning when he faught to get better and come home from the hospital earlier than expected. He is caring and sweet as he says, "Hug" and will give his mama kisses. He is full of FUN spirit that makes him and his Daddy unseperable when Dad gets home and they love to play swords and wrestle.
At 2, Weston LOVES...
to JUMP, swing, slide, climb, smile, screaaaam, ring around the rosies, when Daddy gets home, nursery at church, snacks, BALLOONS!, elephants, DOGS, FISHIES, turtles, play with cousins, play swords, play head shoulders, Knees and toes, to sleep with his yellow puppy and says, "Ny-Night!", watch Clifford the Big Red Dog, Monsters vs Aliens, UP and Sesame Street, Eat ribs, fruit snacks, grilled cheese. Ask, "Where's Jericho?" Signs Please. Say "Thank You." Do a summersault.
My picture loader isn't working. Pictures to follow, then.