CAMPING!

We had a fun camping trip to Family Camp last week. This was our first time to Family Camp, and we loved it! We stayed for three days, and we had perfect weather!

Our hike! This was Rachel and Daniel's "club" where they hung out. It was pretty cool!

Happy S'more face!

Another tired but happy S'more face!

We made friends with our camping "neighbors." They had lots of water toys. Maryann and Bonnie became good friends!

Daniel trying to maneuver the boat.

Rachel was happy to be in the boat and not the cold lake!

Looking at the tadpoles! They actually caught six!!!

Daniel made this tee-pee with Bonnie.

Rachel made her tee-pee with Maryann.

All around the campfire! Love it!!!!! There is nothing better than sitting by a campfire as the sun goes down and it gets cold. The heat from the fire and the crackling noises are just plain good for the soul!!!

Roasting weenies!!!! Yum! Hot dogs always taste better cooked over a campfire.

Happy camper!

Home Sweet Home!!! (Tent Sweet Tent!:)

Here we are! Dirty and smelly, but happy! Camping is the BEST!!!

Last Day of School!!!

Do these kids look excited, or what? This is the end of the year, summer's here, throw the backpacks away, wear flip flops forever look! YEA!!!!! NO MORE HOMEWORK!!!!!! WE LOVE SUMMER!!!!!

Congratulations Rachel!!!

We are so proud of Rachel for receiving her Block M Award at her school. This is a great accomplishment, and she has worked really hard to make this happen. She had to have accomplishments in three areas to get this award: Mind, body and spirit. The school has a special ceremony for the recipients. This year's theme was western, and she actually got to have her picture taken on a horse. There was a special film that showed each student on the horse with their own words on how to be the best you can be.
We are so proud of you, Rachel!!!

Daniel's Adoption Day!

June 1, 2002 is a day that we will always remember! That is the day that Daniel came into our home and our hearts! It has now been seven years since that crazy time, and I can't believe how fast the time has flown. Here is a quick recap of Daniel's adoption. On May 31, 2002 (Brian's birthday:)) we got the phone call about a little ten month old boy whose mother was possibly placing for adoption. Our social worker was asking if we were interested. Of course we said yes. Later that night, our worker called again telling us that the birth mother wanted to meet us the next day in Sacramento! Ok...we weren't expecting that!! Our worker called us one more time around 9 pm telling us that if the meeting went well, we would be bringing the baby home. Now our heads were spinning! We could do nothing but dust off the baby car seat and go to bed. Saturday, June 1 dawned bright and early as we headed out to Sacramento. We had the priviledge of meeting Jeniffer and her sweet baby De'Shawn. Our first impression of him was that he was the biggest baby we had EVER seen! He was adorable, and looked like a miniture sumo wrestler. We met with them for about an hour and then Jeniffer, with tears streaming down her face hugged him and then handed him over to me. She then hugged us both and left. It was one of the most emotional experiences I have ever had! My heart was breaking for her! It took some time for this to all sink in, but what fun! We decided to change his name to Daniel and keep De'Shawn for his middle name. Just to let you know of his size, Daniel weighed in at 30 pounds at ten months!!! He had the sweetest disposition, and adjusted to our home and family rather quickly!

Daniel, you have been a blessing to us from that day! You keep us laughing with your silly antics and you are always the first to comfort one of us if we are hurt or sad! You have a heart of gold and we love you with all our hearts! We will forever be grateful to your sweet birth mother for sharing you with us! We love you!!! Happy Adoption Day!!!

Brian's birthday surprise!

Last weekend was Brian's birthday, and I kidnapped him away to the coast! It was such a fun trip! We had Rachel, Daniel and Daisy staying with friends; I packed for all of us and had the van ready to go when Brian got off work. I wisked him away without him knowing anything! It was so fun! We stayed at San Simeon and walked the beach that night with a flashlight! That was so cool! There is something about the sound of waves crashing that is very calming to the soul. Saturday was spent exploring many different beaches, as well as driving to our favorite place ever....Apple Farm! We love it there! We loved spending this time together as a relaxing get-away! I love you, Brian! I hope your birthday was wonderful for you!

Happy Adoption Day, Rachel!!!

I can't believe it was ten years ago today that I became a Mom! I will never forget seeing and holding Rachel for the first time and feeling the absolute joy that washed over me! That day is forever emblazoned on my memory as one of the most important days of my life.

Rachel, we hope you feel special today, on your day, as we remember, reminisce and look at pictures of you from that time! You were the most beautiful baby ever! We got attention wherever we went as people oowed and awed at you. You are still every bit as beautiful in every way, and we are so proud of the amazing girl you are!

Happy Adoption Day, sweet Rachel!!! We love you with all our hearts!!!

Happy Mother's Day!

Mother's Day is a day that I will never take for granted! It is a day of many emotions for me, and at the end of the day, I find myself counting my blessings!

My first blessing I count is my dear angel mother. I was her ninth child born (out of ten), and I always grew up knowing that I was her favorite. (I still think that, even though I'm sure that my nine siblings think the same thing!) I can't say enough about her great example she has been and continues to be to me and so many others. She has unwavering faith in Jesus Christ, and is a very valiant woman. She is not afraid to share the gospel with anyone and everyone she meets at any time, whether she is shopping, traveling or exercising in the swimming pool. She is funny and warm and a very comfortable person to be with. I miss her so much and often wish we lived closer to "home" so I could bask in her love and friendship more often. I pray that I can be the woman she is.

My second blessing I count is my dear Mother-in-law. I have no doubt that she loves me and totally accepts me in our family. She is also very valiant and has an unwavering testimony of the Gospel. She raised her four children to be strong, hardworking, smart, loving, and totally dedicated to family and the gospel. I am the recipient of her dedication as a mother through my wonderful husband.

My third blessing that I count is my many childless years full of longing and heartache. You may wonder why I count this time in my life as a blessing. Well, during that time, I didn't see it as a blessing. It was too difficult. Every year on Mother's Day, I would cry many tears, often wanting this holiday to pass quickly. I prayed many prayers pleading for the great blessing of being a mother....wasn't that a righteous desire? I now see much growth in myself from that time of heartache. I also know how to help others who are feeling the same way. Isn't that exactly what trials are for? So we can learn how to succor others in their trials. I can finally say with certainty that this trial has been a blessing in my life. The longing and heartache will never go away, but I can now see the blessings associated with it.

My fourth blessings I count are my two beautiful children! I have two children that fill my heart with laughter, sunshine, curiosity, art, music, tears, work, giggling, tickling, stories, cuddling, hugging, kissing, cleaning up after, teaching and learning from. Rachel and Daniel are the joys of my life, and I will forever be grateful to my Heavenly Father for blessing me with the two best children in the world! I love being a mother and learning from these two children who are so valiant and strong and talented. I loved sitting in church today with my children and my husband sitting close and snuggling together. I love being a mom!!!!

My fifth blessing I count today are the two precious birth mothers who gave the greatest sacrifice that can be given. Stephanie and Jeniffer gave us Rachel and Daniel in the most unselfish gift that I have ever received! These two mothers will forever be in my prayers of gratitude. I can never repay this gift in this life! The best I can do is to never take for granted the gift they gave me. I am trying to enjoy every day with my children. They are my most precious gifts and I thank these two women for sharing their lives with me.

I truly have many blessings! HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!!