Dates with my Hubs.

There is nothing like having my hubby call me up and say "You wanna go out tomorrow night?".
To know he has been thinking of me, planning something to do with me and loves me enough to do both of these things makes me feel like that college girl who couldn't believe he really called.   It makes me feel a little weak in the knees.
I love that we still "got it"!
Last Friday Brad took me to my first Opera at Capitol Theater.
We saw "Little Women".

Brad knew I loved the book and both the movies so when he saw it advertised on a bus on his way to work he checked it out.
It was a great experience!  I really enjoyed it and loved the humor!  An Opera is a little different than I expected but I enjoyed all of it.   The only thing I would have changed would have been the way their wrote the ending...but that is for another post.  :)
Check it out if you are looking for something to do and you love "Little Women"! 

(how could you not love it?)

The Friday before we saw the Opera Brad took me to the Movies.
We saw "The Adjustment Bureau".
I loved it!   It was so different and fun!  Great date movie!
There is a long list of movies I would love to see in the theaters....that doesn't happen too often.  I am sure I am going to be seeing most of them on dvd but what a great list to look forward to.
If you are going to the movies and don't know what to see don't miss this one.
But then again I do like Matt Damon and I am a sucker for any movie with a Brittish accent.

Family Home Evening Valentine Fun.

We had a fun Family Home Evening experience tonight so I thought I would share what we did in case you are like me and always looking for ideas.  
We used the story "Jana's Good Example" from the February 2011 Friend magazine.  We read the story and the scripture that goes along with it.  We then talked about setting a good example and used the ideas found on the last page of the friend magazine and went around the room and everyone shared how someone else in the family was a good example to them.   I then introduced the "Valentine Tote" and told them that every time we see someone in our family setting a good example we need to write a little note thanking them and then place it in their Valentine Tote.  Next week we will focus on speaking kindly to one another.  On Valentines Day we are going to take the notes out and read them aloud. 
No one is permitted to read any notes before then.

We then made 4 totes (Brad, Spencer and I are sharing one).  
After wards we ate apple crisp and vanilla ice cream.

The kids loved it and were so happy! 
There's nothing better than happy children.
 

Friday Family Fun: Christmas 2010

I am not sure what happened this year but I didn't take any pictures on Christmas Day.
Can we say Loser Mom!
My girls got Cameras for Christmas so I am going to have to go through and look at all of their pictures.   I think they took pictures of Barbies and not so many of real people but I will have to see.

This is Christmas Eve after my kids opened up with "Swaddling Clothes" (aka PJs)

 Spencer wasn't so happy to have his picture taken so we tried a few times.  Finally he would be semi happy if he got to hold Brenley's DS. 

Here is our Christmas Tree.

A picture after Santa came and filled Stockings.


It was a fun Christmas!
I am so mad at myself for not snapping pictures!
Especially since Spencer loved opening gifts!
:(

Friday Family Fun: Brenley's School Play

Brenley dressed for her school play "A Christmas Carol".

This year I challenged Brenley to try out for her school play.   She did and while she didn't get a main part she did get a small one.    She never wanted a huge part but hoped for a speaking part.  While she didn't get what she wanted she did get the opportunity to learn a hard but valuable lesson.  She learned we don't always get what we want.  And the great thing is she learned this and moved passed the disappointment and went on to enjoy her experience.   She had a great time being involved in the play and was so cute congratulating peers on their performances.   I am so a happy with the choices Brenley has made during this time.  
I have one great kid!!!!

Friday Family Fun: Thank You Sam!!!

On December 15th 2005 Brad and I received an email from a Birth Mother who found us on Parentprofiles.org. She told us how much she loved her baby.   She shared her feelings about finding our profile and feeling a "connection".   At this point she was 24 weeks pregnant.   When I read her email I felt a connection to her and knew I needed to reply.   When the email didn't go through I used the phone number provided.   I was so scared to call so I said a prayer and then made the call.   I had no idea that one year (almost to the day) of that first email I would have a beautiful 8 month old baby boy placed in my arms.   December 17th 2006 Samantha lovingly placed Camden into our family.    What an incredible day it was!   Camden has a very special story...you can read it here.   Here is the a shorter/published version of his story. Today I just wanted to tell Sam - THANK YOU!  You are amazing and I love you!!!   Thank you for helping Heavenly Father bring Camden to our family.    Thank you for being a special friend.    Thank you for having the courage to email me 5 years ago.  
You have changed our lives forever!

And Camden...I don't know what I would do without you!  Thank you for all the hugs and kisses you share and the laughs you provide!  Daddy and I feel so lucky to be your parents!

You are truly a blessing!

Friday Family Fun: Halloween 2010

Haley painting a pumpkin during her class party.

Brenley the Greek Goddess.

Haley the Halloween Fairy (very fitting since she was born on Halloween).

Camden the Spiderman (who is the only one not smiling).

Spencer the Pooh Bear dressed as a Honey Bee.

So darn cute!

Spencer going Trick-r-Treating....I just had to capture his sweet cuteness so I snapped just a few ;) pictures.

I love my lil' characters!

Friday Family Fun: Fall is here!

Haley was the "Queen Bee" of her class last week.  Each day she got to share something special to her.  She chose to share her favorite Barbie book one day, her favorite bear "baboo" as he is called (Funshine Bear) another day and she got to take a poster to school that had pictures of her, her family and her favorite things.  At the end of the week she took a treat to share.
We love our Queen Bee!

 Last weekend our school helped families kick off the fall season by having a fall carnival.  My kids had a pretty good time!  Camden loved it all, Brenley enjoyed it but got bored pretty fast, Haley decided to take the challenge and climb the rock wall and Spencer was just happy to watch it all!

 hmm...not sure what the deal is with the picture.  sorry.

Friday Family Fun: Saying Goodbye to FSA National Board

Camden's serious face.  Pictures taken by Haley.  It looks like he is playing Harry Potter. :)
Taken at a park during an FSA National Board bbq.

For a year now Brad and I have felt like the time was coming to say goodbye to serving on the National Board.   I had a hard time with the idea of retiring...but I couldn't deny the promptings that it was time to say goodbye to our positions.   A few months ago I realized not only was this the best decision but it was what my kids needed.   They need more of us and they need me to be focused on them rather than having my mind in other places when I am with them.    We followed the promptings to retire and  today I feel complete peace about our decision.   We had a tearful goodbye at our last function as board members....but as I look at these pictures I know there is no greater reason to leave one thing we love for something we love more.

Picture taken by Brenley.

We will still be helping with little things so we are not gone from FSA...rather we are focusing on the big things here at home.

What a great opportunity!

Friday Family Fun: Back to School

It has been a little over three weeks since my kiddos started school.  I thought by now I would be on a great new schedule and be completely organized....then reality set in and I decided it is ok that I am not that perfect Mom I dream of being.   This makes me feel better until I look at my friends blogs and realize how incredible they are.  lol    In all seriousness....I am adjusting to the new school year and have been so busy.    I have some projects I want to share with you but haven't had time to sit and blog about them.   :)   I am really here and alive and I am still blogging...just needed some time off.

 

Friday Family Fun: The Joy found in Rodents.

Thankfully these rodents don't leave little droppings around the house.

The perfect pet for Mom!

I had seen the commercials about these little critters but I didn't realize how much fun they really are.  
My kids have been playing with them non stop.

Even Spencer has gotten in on the action.

Camden received 2 ZhuZhu pets from his Aunt Diane the day after his accident.   This cheered him up in a big way!   Then Brenley received 2 for her birthday.  Camden has been sharing his with Haley.   All of my children are getting in on the fun.  I am putting ZhuZhu accessories on the list of ideas for Christmas.
My favorite part is the cute sounds they make.

I love fun toys!!!!

Friday Family Fun: Camping with Goblins

Last weekend we drove down to Goblin Valley and camped for 4 days.
We hiked, drank water, slept, drank water and hiked some more.   Water or something cold to drink was a major necessity....it was incredibly hot!!!!!  By the time we were on our way home my ankles were as big as my calf muscles.....seriously...I was swollen.   We loved playing in the valley of the Goblins and just enjoying nature but we will never go to Goblin Valley in the summertime again!   Too hot and way to many nats that love to bite!  Even with "Off" spray on our skin and clothes those little buggers bit us mercilessly.
Spencer's little head looked like a dot-to-dot.

The kids had so much fun that they crashed when it came to bedtime.   Camden was asking to go to bed....I don't hear that very often.  Here are a few pictures of our Goblin Adventure!

The day after coming home from camping we went to a Salt Lake Bees game where Brad got to throw the opening pitch.   It was so much fun and the kids were excited to meet the Bee!   Just another fun adventure because of Adoption! 
Have I said how much I love how my family was created????
I wouldn't have it any other way!

We had a very fun fill 5 days!   What a blessing to be part of a family! 
I can't wait for the next family outing!
Here is Brad's pitch.  :)