PAUSE - Pioneer Day

Our State celebrates July 24th as Pioneer Day. We were in the parade with Families Supporting Adoption. The theme for this years parade was "The Place 2B" so our wagon was decorated to go with the theme. They gave each child a bee headband to wear.

Ethan loved running around pretending to be a BEE.

We shouted thinks like: "2468 We think Adoption's Great" and "Give me an A - D - O - P - T - I- O - N What Does that spell??? Adoption!!!!! It was so much fun hearing people cheer when we passed by. I often heard things like "I placed my Baby for Adoption", "I was Adopted" or "We are hoping to Adopt".

Later we went over to Aunt Joda's house for a BBQ and swim at her pool. We were in the pool just 5 minutes and had to get out. A rain storm can ruin a swim party in a quick hurry. So, we went inside and watched a movie. The kids found the halloween costumes and dressed up. It looked more like Halloween than Pioneer Day.

Our State just legalized Fireworks that shoot into the sky. So, for the past few nights we have been cuddling in a chair and watch them well past bed time :)

The Beach

The next day we packed up our kite and headed to the beach. We walked around the Pier for a little while. Watched the fishermen catch fish, saw something swimming in the ocean (maybe a seal) and then walked down to the beach. Ethan said the funniest thing. "It's a big sand box" Ethan LOVES playing in the sand.

The ocean breeze was perfect so Brett got his kite out.

It was a big hit to those at the beach. I kept hearing things like... "Look at the Cool Kite"

Our Trip Part 1

If you didn't know..... We just got back from our Summer Vacation to Disneyland and Alaska. We were gone just short of a month. So to make my journaling easier, I'm going to take it easy and do a little bit at a time.

Day One.... We headed to the air port to start our vacation. This was Ethan's First plane ride and he was SO excited! He has always been obsessed with every airplane in the sky. I was a little bit nervous about going through TSA and the possible "Pat Down". We made it through TSA just fine. Then... while we were walking to our gate I noticed something that brought my worries back. There is something unnerving when you are traveling and you see every TV with the President of the USA. I paused for just a minute and realized that he was just addressing the people about the budget.

We got on the plane and Ethan was bouncing all over the place. The Flight Attendant gave him some wings and he thought that was cool. The clouds were so fluffy. It just made me want to bounce from cloud to cloud.

We landed in Long Beach CA and headed to spend a few days with our friends Mark and Lani.

Day Two... We went to DISNEYLAND! My Favorite part about Disneyland is the look he gets on his face.

Especially when he sees Mickey Mouse.

He spent a lot of time on Dad's shoulders getting a better look at things.

We went to meet Mickey Mouse in his House.

We went on some rides and stayed late for the fireworks.

Lets just say that that day was filled with one happy little guy. He has so much fun that he fell asleep on the way home.

Just don't know what to do.....

Today I went on a walk on my last day here in Alaska. I've had many things on my mind and a few sleepiness nights. I don't usually post on my blog about things like this,

BUT It's my blog... RIGHT!?!

I'm not looking for any sobs or anything like that. I've just had the impression that I should post something like this a few times.

Then today while driving in the car,

the song on the radio was THIS

We have been on a roller coaster since we have submitted our adoption papers. We submitted them well over a year ago. There has been MANY times where someone we know, knows a Girl who is pregnant and thinking about placing. We throw our little "Pass Along Cards" at them to give to Her or Him and such. A little hope... wait a few weeks...... don't hear anything..... . A few times our caseworker will call us about a situation. "There is a Girl who is due next week. Do you want your profile to be presented to her?" We've said "YES" every time. Pray, hope, excitement. ... then our caseworker would say "You should hear something within a week." More prayers.... A week goes by and "Oh, she picked another family" or "She decided not to place" .....There have been times we have had hope for a different baby every week for a month and a half. We've thought about going through a private agency. Typically with a private agency you can be matched with a baby within two or three months. The cost for a private agency ranges between 13,000 and 45,000 depending on health, race, background etc, etc, etc... AHH. Last week we submitted an application for a little boy who would likely be born with FAS.

No luck there. .....

I had many things to think about during my walk today. My Husband and I have always talked about trying to have our children two years apart. That has been a little tricky for us. Ethan will turn 3 next month (my, how has time flown by so fast?????). I just keep thinking how far apart will He be from his siblings? If having their ages close together is important to us, should we apply for another loan and adopt a baby through a private agency? Will we be picked by a Birth Mother through LDSFS? Should we look into Foster Care?

?????????????

When I got home from my walk, I checked my email and found an email from a private agency.

Desiree CC girl due 8.1.11 $43,700 Total fee (includes legal in Colorado), early in preg. marijuana use and used meth 4 times in beginning, smokes ½-1 pack per day, in a treatment program being drug tested regularly has stayed clean, NEED Utah family

Sarah CC boy Due 8/10/11 $45,700 includes Iowa legal smokes ½-1 pack/day, has a learning disability

?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Sisters, Sisters! There were never such devoted Sisters.

Today is my sister Teresa's Birthday!!! She will never cease to amaze me. She's a world traveler, genius, sports fanatic and proudly wins the Favorite Aunt Award.

Happy Birthday Sis!!! I love your stink'in guts :)

Moments That Matter Most

I've always been touched by the Mormon Messages, but not one has touched my heart more dearly than this one. I've watched this movie over and over the last few weeks. It has totally trumped my motto of the year. Strength comes from paying attention to the things that matter most. I truly believe in that.

The motto that I have had the past six months has been finding ways to serving others. I decided in January that I was going to help others in any way that I could. I had someone approach me to decorate a wedding cake for their daughter. At first, I thought NO WAY! But then I thought about my motto and reconsidered. I decorated the cake while I watched the footage of The Royal Wedding while I decorated the cake. It was so much fun making the cake. For me, I find joy in helping others.

I've had so much fun serving others that I now have to mottoes this year.

Serving Others and Diligently doing the things that matter most.