MERRY CHRISTMAS 2010 Family Update!

What we've been up to this year: (in no particular order)

This summer we were happy to get a few really beautiful hikes in! It turns out Weston enjoys the outdoors as much as we do. We went camping in our tent for the first time with Weston and also went four wheeling. He thought the stars, fishing and roasted marshmallows were super cool.
For Thanksgiving we enjoyed attending our community's Interfaith Thanksgiving Devotional- which includes several churches that exist in our area. We also got to go to Idaho to spend Thanksgiving with aunts, uncles and cousins.

Brett turned 30 this year! We were lucky enough to celebrate his birthday in Hawaii as a couple. We missed Weston, but had a great time driving our jeep around Kauai- hiking to waterfalls, snorkeling, kayaking, we even went on a sea raft along the Napali Coast and saw hundreds of wild spinner dolphins that surrounded and jumped alongside our raft- almost close enough to touch. Truly one of the most breathtaking things we've ever experienced. Brett also completed all of his coursework for his Math BS degree with a minor in Business at the U of U in May, but had to wait to take his math GRE until it was offered. Meanwhile he started schooling for his CFP (Certified Financial Planner). It's been pretty demanding with the 3 week per subject intensive courses. It should be about 9 months worth of training. He was given a position at work that he really enjoys and that gives him nights and weekends off which dramatically affected our family's quality of life for the good! It's been really nice to see each other every night for dinner consistently for the first time in our 6 year marriage due to school or work obligations that used to make it impossible. It's really nice Brett gets home early enough to play with Weston and be there for his bedtime routine so he can read Weston a story and do all the good voices. =) He's the best Dad ever and Weston wants to be just like his Daddy!

Nicky is a stay at home Mom and LOVES it! She's been keeping busy. She loves being a den leader for the 7-8 year old Wolf Cub Scouts. She also loves being a member of FSA (Families Supporting Adoption)- attending the National Conference and even had the opportunity to go to a High School child development as a volunteer for the Utah Adoption Council to help do an adoption presentation that included her, a birth mom who placed her baby for adoption, and a case worker. We shared our experience, answered questions, and educated about adoption related subjects. She also does the Relief Society Newsletter for church and babysits. She got Lasik a year ago and is enjoying seeing 20/20 without glasses or contacts.

Weston is a boy with endless energy and a big personality that is non stop fun! He's very social (so loves it when other kids come to our house to play) and for the most part is really good with kids of all ages. We think he'll be a great brother and we are even working on getting approved for adopt again. We got a pass for Discovery Gateway children's museum and he loves to go there and express his big imagination through play, play, and more play! He's been to the little music/dance/finger painting classes there where he made his first finger painting- of which he got much praise. He's also made a beautiful mural with non-washable marker on our newly painted wall, and formal dining room chair-for which he got no praise at all. Weston got a new haircut recently that is his first really short haircut from the kids haircutting place and it looks great and is low maintenance.
He got a car bed that he sleeps in every night with his puppy, the glow worm that I used to sleep with when I was little (he loves it as much as I did!), and a transformer he got from a Happy Meal (go figure) that he calls "Man-Man." =) He's also obsessed with Buzz Lightyear. He loves dogs, the movie UP, Elmo and dinosaurs. Weston loved swimming a lot this summer. He's a little fish! He turned 2 in September and we made him a floating house with real balloons for his birthday. For Halloween, he dressed up as a cow and went trick or treating for the 1st time on Halloween and still has left over candy that we'll probably be adding to his Christmas stocking. He sure brought in the loot for a first timer and was awe about the whole thing: going to people's doors, everyone would give you candy, or 'a snack' as he calls it. He calls all things Christmas "Ho, Ho" as in Ho, Ho, Ho for Santa Clause. Candy canes, Christmas Trees- they all fit in the category. He sings jingle bells- and it's super adorable!! He loves to point out the eyes, nose and face on snowmen... and everything else. And most recently he went #2 in the big potty- a BIG deal for a 2 year old and his parents! Weston is SUCH A JOY to our family and we love him with all of our hearts!
We wish our loved ones a very Merry Christmas Season and Happy New Year!

Krista Oakes Fought the Good Fight

Krista started the infertility support group 2ofus4now, and wrote the book Fertile in our Faith. A book on 'infertility, pregnancy loss, adoption and fulfilling the measure of our creation.' She also spoke at BYU Woman's Conference and FSA conference where I met her in person, along with her husband and children.

She passed away due to a long battle with a cancerous brain tumor where she defied odds.

She helped me so much in my life. Unless you're experiencing infertility it's impossible to understand the grief of trying to concieve, experiencing the loss of related dreams, and finding hope during childlessness and during the hoping to adopt rollercoaster. Belonging to a church of Jesus Christ, which focuses so heavily on the family was sometimes a challenge, but she made me realize it was a blessing as she related stories fo great women from the scriptures, conference talks, and gave us great spiritual comfort which was key to finding happiness and overcoming negativity with optimism and gratitude.

I feel like much of my 'infertility issues' are for the most part 'healed' and I know she helped direct me to the tools that made that possible. When it gets hard again, I know it's okay and I know how to deal with it.

May she bask in the glory of the other side and recieve all the comfort that she has given so many even during her time of struggle. It amazed me that she continued to write and help infertile people with their struggles when their challenges seemed so insignificant to hers- I mean, she was battling cancer- fighting death and yet she still found time to have compassion on those who mourned and she mourned with them and comforted them. What an amazing example of Jesus Christ. I will never forget her.

Weston's 1st SHORT haircut!

He looks like he's 3 now! It's so low maintenance, though I love it!

This is what his hair looked like before. Adorable, too. I think the grandparents were happy he got a "boy" haircut! Haha.

Thanksgiving

This year for Thanksgiving we went to Idaho. We stayed with Brett's cousin's family Wed night and watched Magicians Apprentice (I think that's what it was called- with Nicholas Cage). It was pretty good. We also went to the 3D movie "Tangled" in Pocatello while the roads were closed. It was really cute, I liked it! Weston loved it too and was super good to sit through the movie. It was fun to go to a movie as a family! That's something new. We had Thanksgiving dinner at Brett's Aunt's church house. Oh, all the grandkids had a blast running around the gym. They even did a full on performance on the stage. Weston was super animated singing a wordless tune and showing off his dramatic flare. He gave us a good laugh and was very entertaining!! Unfortunately I forgot the camera. DARNIT!!
I lined up at Toys R Us at 10pm Thanksgiving night (after we had driven home from ID) I waited in line 1/2 hour outside, and 2 hours in the check out line! It was insane! But, Weston will be happy about a certain Buzz Lightyear on Christmas morning. I got for 1/2 off and wouldn't have bought it otherwise, so it was worth it to wait in line, I think. Just lost a little sleep is all. Just wish I wasn't by myself. Brett was at home in bed with Weston as he had to work the next day. I would do it again, but preferrably not by myself!

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!