Baby Announcement!

Yep, you're seeing this right, we're going to be adopting!!! Chad and I found out exactly two weeks ago tonight that we are going to be a mommy and daddy and IT'S A GIRL!!! She's due May 29th. I can't even begin to tell you how excited we are about this. There aren't enough words to explain just how special this whole experience has been for us.
We first had contact with our birthmom around the first part of March and we've been emailing her at least once a day since then. Her name is Danielle (that's why we choose Danielle as a middle name) and she is such an amazing person! We look forward to her emails everyday and have loved getting to know her. We can't describe the great respect and admiration that we have for her. She has relied on her Heavenly Father to help guide her in her decisions and has touched our lives in so many ways.
We met with her and her parents on March 31st and found out the great news on April 8th and it's been a whirlwind ever since. We've been busy painting, shopping, planning and preparing. We've also been doing a lot of smiling.
I just wanted to express my appreciation to each and everyone of you who have supported Chad and I in our journey. We have felt your prayers in our behalf, THANK YOU!

Sometimes our prayers are answered

by those who have touched our lives.

Quick Vacation

Lucky, lucky me!! I have a week off of work. My employer left for Florida with his family this past week, so Chad and I decided it would be a good idea to take some time off and head out to the cabin. While we were at it we thought it would also be good idea to bring some friends along. They only came up for the one night, but it was so much fun to have them there with us. We played games, watched movies, and spent a lot of time playing in the snow and riding on the wheelers. Chad and I stayed one extra night, watched the first Saturday session of Conference, then cleaned up and headed home. It was a short trip, but very nice to get away for a few days.

My YW Medallion

As young women leaders we have the opportunity to complete our personal progress and receive our own YW medallion, just like the girls. The requirements are a little different, but very similar to what the girls need to do. I've slowly been working on mine and at the beginning of the year I set a goal to have my personal progress completed by the end of the year. I'm proud to announce that I recently completed the "leader" requirements earlier than anticipated. This past Sunday I was presented with my young women medallion in Sacrament Meeting.Isn't it beautiful. I'm so proud of it and try to wear it everywhere I go! This is my second YW medallion. I received my first medallion when I was a young woman, but working to earn it again definitely meant more to me this time around. Now that I've completed the requirements for YW leaders my goal is to complete the entire personal progress program. I want the YW of my stake to know that I love working with them and have a strong testimony of the personal progress program. I know that it is designed to help invite the spirit into our lives. It teaches us who we are; daughters of our Heavenly Father who loves us. It teaches us how to serve one another, study the scriptures, strengthen our testimonies and come unto Christ. I know this church is true. I know that we have a living prophet who guides us in these latter days. I know that the Book of Mormon is a true book, translated by the power of the priesthood. How lucky we are to have that great book in our lives. I know my Savior lives and loves me and that I can one day return to live with him. I KNOW.

Lots to Celebrate!!!

It has been pretty crazy around here lately! We've had some many reason to celebrate so this post is a little long. Two weeks ago my brother and his wife had a new baby girl, my sister Karena and her three little boys (one of them is also brand new) are in town from Iowa, and this past weekend my younger sister got married. Like I said, it's been crazy busy around here.
I guess I should start off by saying
"CONGRATULATIONS" to Keri and Daniel.
The wedding was on Saturday, so Chad and I went down on Friday to help get things setup for the big event. That night we had the wedding dinner at La Vinga in American Fork. It was so fun to just sit and laugh with all of my brothers and sisters.
That night Chad and I made a quick trip to visit his grandparents, caught up on some March Madness games, watched half of a movie, and got into bed around 12:00. Thankfully, we were able to sleep in until 9:00. After a quick breakfast I headed out the door to go help my sister, Kylene, do her hair and makeup. It took me all morning, but I think it turned out super cute. (A picture of it is on the slide below) After I finished with her hair I offered to do my mom's. Once I was done with her I think I had a grand total of 30 minutes to shower and throw myself together before the ceremony started. I made it in record time, not looking too shabby either. The ceremony and reception were great. It was so much fun to see my newest nephew and niece, my grandparents from California, and other fiends and family members. We partied the night away and crashed once we got back home

After a quick rest on Sunday and work on Monday, Karena and her boys came to stay the night last night. It was so much fun to have them here with us. After dinner we had a really good family night lesson with yummy birthday cake for dessert. (Bennett had celebrated his birthday the day before. He's now three.) After family night and a few games we put the boys to bed; including Chad. Then Karena and I stayed up talking, laughing and going through pictures until 12:00. This morning I woke up to two little boys creeping into my room asking me to play with them because "mommy is still asleep". Once we were all awake, fed and showered we headed off to have some fun. Our first stop was the Hill Aerospace Museum. It was great! The boys loved seeing all the old planes and vehicles, besides you can't beat the free admission. After the museum we headed over to the park to have lunch and feed the ducks. Unfortunately we never made it over to the ducks! After lunch the boys wanted to play for a few minutes; Bennett went down one of the slides that still had a puddle of water on hit and completely soaked his pants. We decided we'd better take him home to change. After a little bit of play time they packed up and headed back to grandma's house. What a great time it's been getting together with family and spending so much time together!

Pillow, Pillows Everywhere.....

The pillows on our bed has become quite the issue at our house. Let me clarify, no ill feelings have developed, but we certainly have our different view points on the matter. (Ignore the white walls. I'm dying to paint them.) Simply put, Chad thinks there are too many while I tend to think it's just right. For some reason Chad can't stand the nightly routine of taking each pillow off, stacking it to the side and then climbing into bed. The result of that usually ends with the pillows being chucked across the room...usually aimed at me. I mean how hard is it to take them off and set them to the side? He doesn't even have to make the bed in the morning....I do that. In Chad's defense I must say that it is pointless to have them on the bed in the first place. No one has ever come to my house and insisted on seeing the pillows on my bed. He also argues that we get up in the morning, put the pillows on, go to work, come home and take the pillows off....so why even put them on in the first place. But still...I like to have my bedroom look nice. Is that a crime?

Well, the reason I'm posting about this is because I think Chad may be onto something. One night I decided I would go in and take all the pillows off so that Chad wouldn't have to mess with it. The result....I couldn't fit them all in my arms. There were too many to pick up in one load.
Chad caught me in the act and quickly told me...."see, too many." I laughed and said, "Yep, but they're staying." So my question to you is found on the poll on my sidebar.

Spring Hasn't Sprung...yet.

Spring may not have officialy made it's debut, but there are plenty of signs that's it's right around the corner! For example-the other day I was in my yard watching the weeds pop up like....well, weeds....when I spied some green foliage creeping up through the dirt. "YEAH..." I thought, "those are my tulips starting to come in!!!" And flowers=spring right!!?? I would be lying if I said I wasn't ready for it. Don't get me wrong-I do enjoy the winter season, but I'm ready to be outdoors in flip flops and shorts. Especially since my sweet visiting teachers brought me these lovely tulips.They have really brightened my home and put me in the mood for some warmer weather. Thank you for your thoughtfulness and all you do for me! You are such amazing friends.