"For This Child I Prayed"

Hope everybody had a Happy Mother's Day!

Now to this appropriate-for-Mother's-Day-picture by Elspeth Young called "For this Child I Prayed." It depicts Hannah of the bible, with her son Samuel. I love this piece! It brought tears to my eyes when I first saw it and read the title, because the story of Hannah and her son Samuel is so near and dear to my heart.

Look at the picture. See how comfortable Hannah is and how fulfilled she feels in her nurturing and attentive role as Mother? Can you tell how grateful she is; How she treasures the tiny moments? (I know just how she feels!)
This joyful reality depicted in the painting, however, did not just happen- it was carved from a season of deep grief when Hannah could not conceive a child, until her pleadings to the Lord were at last fulfilled- in His wise timing.
Looking at this picture, I'd bet she'd say it was worth it. Worth the wait, the grief, the pain, the long suffering, the struggle to get from impatience to trust, to hope, to greater faith and the amazing lessons learned.
Like Hannah, God also granted the desires of my heart, and gave me a son, thanks to the miracle of adoption! And he is unquestionably worth every little heartbreak that seemed so great at the time.
I hope everyone can take a moment to reflect upon the tiny moments in life with gratitude no matter what stage you yourself are at right now, and realize it too is a miracle. Bytheway, to our Moms, Grandmas, and Weston's birth Mom & Grandma: We love you and are incredibly grateful to you! Thank You & Happy Mother's Day!

Front Room Camp Out

Weston got really sick this week. He has RSV and was having a terrible week with difficulty breathing and a few visits to the Dr.'s office. Thankfully, however, his oxygen levels were just enough to keep him out of the hospital. Anyways, this weekend, we were pretty bored and stuck at home. Brett, being the fun Dad that he is, pulled out the tent and set it up in our living room. I ordered chinese takeout and we watched the movie we rented "Cloudy w/ a Chance of MeatBalls" from our tent door. We had a sleepover in our tent.

Weston's doing much better now but it will take a while for his lungs to heal. He may even have the athsma like symptoms for this winter season as well as next winter season, and so we are instructed to keep him away from nursery for the next couple months. Too bad because we were visiting another ward and I took him for the first time last week and he loved it. (So did I because I actually got to go to my classes and listen!)

Back to being a protective parent and keeping him away from crowds because the Dr said even a little cold could make him really sick again.

Last Week's Trip to The Zoo

Weston loves geese! He's always hollaring to the ones that hang out around our place.

He was pretty scared, so his cousin helped him down the slide.

Oscar's Baptism

Oscar got baptised recently. So did Chris. We are so happy for them and proud of the decisions they have made. My favorite thing about the gospel of Jesus Christ is how it enhances joy and happiness in my life. It helps the trials that life throws me literally feel more bearable. It focuses on and helps strengthen family relationships to create amazing love and peace at home. I'm so happy you'll be able to experience this as well.

If you want to know more about our beliefs visit www.mormon.org or www.lds.org.Weston being a singer again.

Sarah & Oscar's Wedding

I made these wedding invitations. Aren't they cute?

If only Brett didn't close his eyes!

Beautiful Bride. I love her shoes, too!

Big Doors, Little Boy

"Can I be your best man, Oscar?"

Brett's little sister Sarah got married last month. It was a beautiful wedding.

Congratulations Sarah & Oscar!

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day this year was really fun! We invited a couple of couples over to our house that have kids about the same age as Weston. We had Fettuccini Alfredo, breadsticks, salad and had a Marie Calendar's Razzleberry Pie for dessert. It was so great! I'd never made fettuccini or alfredo sauce so I was a little nervous, but I thought it turned out really nummy! The kids had fun playing together also.
Us having a little get together was my idea and I had an ulterior motive that went along with my philosophy: If you don't have motivation to clean, have a party!
I had no motivation to clean and Brett still had a couple of cabinets that needed to be painted, so we decided to have a party. First of all because it would be really fun, but the other benefit is it got us to clean our house (except for our bedroom which with it now being March, is still on my list). And silly me, I forgot to take any pictures at our get together.

Here's pictures of the chocolate covered strawberries I made, and My ValentineS on the way to church.

Singer/Conductor

I'm a den mother for cub scouts and Weston always comes with me. He loves the boys and to run around like a crazy kid in the church- which is pretty exhausting for me. One day he stood up on this chair so he could reach the music leading podium thingy (whatever that's called) and started singing/screaming loudly and saving his hands around. It totally surprised me because he's never done that before but he must remember about singing and music leaders from church. It was really cute and made everybody laugh. I think it's so cute when he picks up the hymn books at church and sings. He loves instruments too. I'm thinkin' he's going to be musically inclined! Bytheway, that shoe that's missing on his foot, he lost that day and is still missing!

YOSHI'S

Matrix Roll Fried Shrimp, Avacodo & Spicy Mayo. MmmmMmm

YOSHI'S Japanese Grill is one of our favorite places and is on www.UtahsRealDeals.com where we bought 1/2 off certificates. Weston enjoys it, too. He loves the Teriyaki chicken, veggies & rice. My favorite: Matrix Roll with fried shrimp, avacodo and spicy mayo on top. MmmmMmm. I don't like sushi because of the uncooked factor, so this place is great for people like me. Brett loves sushi, but this is cheaper, so I guess it's good for people like him, too. =)

Go, Jazz, Go!

YAY, WE WON!
In January, we got to go to a Jazz game! This was our Anniversary weekend, but we got to take Weston to his FIRST Jazz game! Upon entering the stadium, he exclaimed, "WHOAAAAAAA!!!!" Ran inside, stopped, looked around and screamed again, "WHOAAAAAAA!!!!" He's a crowd person, I think. He watched the ball forever, until he finally spotted the Jazz bear that we were trying to point out to him. I think he loved it! I love Jazz games, but I have to say, watching Weston's wonder and enthusiasm made it so special! He even caught (with Daddy's help) a little stuffed basketball that one of the Jazz girls threw to him. We were so happy we got to go to this game!
Afterwards, we went to the Planetarium.
Weston, Daddy & Meteorites!
Baby Moon Walk!

How 'bout that weather!

17 month old Dr apt

Weston loves the fish at the Dr.'s office!

SO BIG!

Getting weighed in

Weston was 33" and 26 lbs!

90th percentile for height, 50th percentile for weight.

We love you, Bug!