back at it

I've really been wanting to get back on track with getting our food storage. But, with my back injury and then surgery, it just couldn't be a priority. However, today was the day to get things going again.

The Food saver is a miracle machine.

For real.


Kaden loves helping and pushing the buttons.


Bosten just loves helping.


Today we did almonds, powdered sugar, butterscotch and chocolate chips, jelly beans, and pancake mix.

Then it was on to updating our 72 hour kits.



We got the food sealed into bags, as well as emergency stuff (blankets, matches, gloves, etc.), and diapers. Can I tell you how much room it saves to do diapers like this?! Now I just need to add clothes and water and we're good to go!

I love feeling like we're getting things together. I've still got a long way to go, but I've got a plan, 2 little helpers and a miracle machine!

preschool carnival

Today was the last day of preschool. Kaden's class celebrated the event with an outdoor carnival.

Both classes were invited, so Brody got to be there too!

They played duck, duck, goose! while waiting for everyone to get there (which happens to be Kaden's favorite game)

Bosten was pretty excited about the whole thing too!


There were 9 stations that the kids rotated to....pin the nose on the sun, bean bag toss, made a visor, ring toss, bowling, play dough cut outs, wiffle ball toss, relay races, and a fishing game.

You may have noticed that Bosten was in the middle of everything...he thought it was great to have so many kids to play with AND be outside.


Did I mention that they got to throw water balloons at the teacher...who happens to be Lindsey?


Popsicles and treat bags at the end made it a perfect way to end the year!

the zoo

We figured it was more than time to take the boys to the zoo. Kyle was off today, so off we went. It was a great day to go, and we had lots of fun checking out all the animals.

Kaden had lots to say about everything. Bosten was too busy looking at everything to have much to say....that is until we got to the giraffes. He really thought those were fun.


Both of the boys LOVED the carousel. Kaden wanted to ride an elephant, and Bosten was thrilled just to go for a ride.


We saved the train for last. Bosten and Kaden both yelled, "Choo-choo" and it was a perfect day to go to the zoo.

our orange goalie

Kaden is playing spring soccer, and really loves it.

He loves that his jerseys are orange, that his aunt Lindsey is the coach, and that he gets to play with 2 of his cousins!


Yesterday he decided that he wanted to play goalie. He actually did really well, and stopped the other team from scoring about 4 goals. (But he still likes to run really fast and kick the ball as hard as he can!)


The funny part of all of this is THERE IS NO GOALIE at this age level. He's just decided he wants to stop the ball, and he does a great job.


He also has a great cheering section!

Good job, Kade!

chocolate gifts are always good

Kaden has been really cute today about Mother's Day. He has said, "Happy Mother's Day", Mom several times and its always been accompanied by a hug and/or kiss. He was dying to give me my gift this morning....you know that infomercial that's all about the amazing brownie pan? You know the one...makes perfect square brownies with ease?!

Well, that's what Kaden decided that I HAD to have. We talk about how great it looks every time it comes on. He informed Kyle that he HAD to get it for me, because it would be so great when we make brownies together. Funny, huh?!

As soon as he got home from church we got to work.


It was so exciting and he had to check on them every 5 minutes (even though we had the timer set). He even got fancy...one row got M & M's, one row got chocolate chips, and the last row was plain so that we could stencil cool shapes with powdered sugar.

They tasted great...as great as any brownie would taste.

I love this little boy! I love that he picked out a gift that he thought I would love and a gift that would give us a chance to do something together.

truly a miracle

I'm a mother, and its a miracle.

Truly.

I've been thinking about it a lot as we're approaching Mother's Day. I think I've mentioned before how much I used to hate Mother's Day. It was such a hard day and such an in your face reminder of all that I desperately wanted.

However, that all changed when Kaden's birth mom chose us to be his parents. And again, when Bosten's birth mom chose us. We love these amazing women and I'm sure they have no idea how much they changed our lives.

I've always loved this song, even before it meant something personally.

Happy Birth Mother's Day to Kaden and Bosten's birth moms. We love you and are eternally grateful for your decison to place your baby boys in our home!

We're also praying extra hard today for our next birth mom. We know she's out there somewhere and facing really hard choices. Please help us find her, and please keep her (and us) in your prayers. Adoption is hard....hard for everyone involved, but it is also a miracle and one that I'm truly grateful for.

national infertility awareness week

I have debated within myself all week about whether or not I would post something about National Infertility Awareness week. Its not something I really talk about.

As many of you may know through personal experience,

Infertility sucks....

...especially (in our case) when you don't know the reason or cause for it.

I read on another blog that 10-15% of married couples struggle with some form of infertility. People deal with it in different ways. I'm mostly ok with it. I've dealt with it and have moved on. That's not to say that it doesn't rear its ugly head sometimes...and usually at times where I least expect it. In those times, I'm mostly the "suffer in silence" kind with the occasional tears when people (who mostly are trying to be nice or helpful) say or do something stupid. You would die if you knew some of the stuff I've had people say.

For real.

My friend has said to me on several occasions, "I don't know how you do it." The truth is, I don't have a choice. This is one of my trials. Is it easy? Nope. Would I want to trade my trials for yours? No thanks.

The hard part? I have no control over my family. We can't have a baby when we want one or feel its the right time. We don't have any control over how close the boys are in age or will be to the next member of our family (if there is one). That's the hard part. No control.

BUT....

-I have gained a testimony about adoption.

-I know there is a plan for our little family. I'm just not in charge of that plan.

-I have two beautiful boys.

-I've made some wonderful, lifelong friends (some of whom I've never even met) who struggle with some of the same things that I do.

-I've learned a lot about prayer and about patience (probably more than I ever wanted to).

- In general, I have greater empathy for those around me and I try not to assume.

-Having your babies with you in the temple is the BEST. And honestly, I feel sorry for people who don't get to experience it.

So, that being said...be nice to those around you who may be struggling with infertility. Its so not your job to fix it or even make us feel better. It goes a long way to just acknowledge the trial and offer a hug. Enough said.