Mr GQ

Last week Sam and I went to a local high school to do adoption education presentations in the health classes. We've done this before, but this time was extra cool because Katrina was able to come with us. We didn't bring Cohen, of course (what toddler would enjoy sitting through seven hours of high school classes?), but since he's the main man of our story, and because he's so darn cute, I wanted to show him off.  So the day before our presentation I lifted Cohen up into our backyard cherry tree and snapped some pics. He loved sitting in the tree and cooperated like a champ.

Here are some of my favs.

After the photo shoot he gave our seedlings a "dwink." I really need to get these things in the ground.

This shot was the winner. Holy shmoley he's cute!

Happy Birth Mother's Day!

The day before Mother's Day is a very special day at our house. It's the day we celebrate the women in our lives who have exemplified courage, faith, hope, selflessness, and LOVE by giving others the honor of raising their child. We have three of these women in our family: Megan's sister who placed a baby girl for adoption many years ago, our nieces first mother who lives in China, and of course, Katrina.  

We feel so blessed that we had the opportunity to spend today with Katrina. We went to lunch and then just played for several hours until she had to go to work. 

Today got me thinking about the Tummy Mummy of our next child. We're working on all the paperwork and other stuff to adopt again, so she's been on my mind and in my prayers a lot lately. It's truly hard to express in words how I feel the about the first mother(s) of my child(ren). In adoption circles people often discuss how open adoption can be very helpful in aiding birth mothers through the post-placement healing process. But I also think it's helpful to adoptive families as well. Sam and I are so grateful we get to share Cohen's life with Katrina. Cohen's adoption, especially placement day and the weeks after, were a very bittersweet time for us. We were so excited and grateful to have Cohen in our home, but our hearts hurt for Katrina. We knew she was missing him dearly. Being able to thank her directly was integral in enabling us to focus on the sweetness of the experience. At the time she didn't really know how open of a relationship she wanted post-placement, but we knew that at the very least we could email her to give thanks.  That's something the other birth mothers in our lives haven't been able to have. We have no idea what our next child's birth mother will want in regards to openness, but at least she has a choice.  And hopefully she'll know we celebrate her all year long, not just on this day.

Spring Time at Temple Square

The other day we took the Cub Scouts to Temple Square. We were studying a unit on model building and there are variety of models there that they could see to help pass off badge requirements. I timed this outing for this time of year on purpose, though. I've taken them there before during Christmastime to see the lights. But this year I wanted to show them the flowers. I know flowers aren't particularly interesting to most 8-10 year old boys, but I think even they can appreciate the beauty--they just need the opportunity and a little help to take a minute to notice it.

We went in the Visitor's Center to see the model of Jerusalem. While there we decided to go upstairs to see the Christus statue. Cohen walked right up to it and just stood there and stared ... for a really long time. Then he tried to climb it. It was so cute.

Popcorn Popping

It's official. Spring is FINALLY here!

popcorn popping on our cherry tree

seedlings ready for the garden ... too bad our garden isn't ready for the seelings

The Hunt

Getting ready for our family Easter egg hunt. 

Before the hunt Sam snapped a few pictures of our handy work:

THE Golden Egg

The hunters with their loot.  I think Cohen's on about jelly bean #137.

jelly bean #892

Happy Easter!




Amen.

Perfect Answer

I can't even remember why, but for some reason tonight Sam was misusing the word cellulite, which resulted in the following conversation:

Me: "You don’t even know what cellulite is."

Sam:  "Yes I do.  It’s the stuff right here." (pointing to his belly)

Me: "No, it’s the stuff on my butt."

Sam: "No, that’s muscle." 

Just one more reason why I love the guy!

Pancakes & Conference

Last weekend we were the hosts of one of Megan's family's traditions: pancakes and conference.

Twice a year our church holds General Conference. The meetings are aired world-wide and we usually watch via television from home. 

For the Sunday morning session we always gather together to enjoy delicious whole wheat pancakes while we watch our prophet and other church leaders give instruction and share inspirational messages. 

THE pancakes--Yummy!

The kiddos (and Sam) playing conference bingo.

three cute kids--and yes, that's snow outside. 

It's always hard to choose, but one of my favorite talks was about the Atonement. I loved what he said about there being no pain or sorrow that can't be healed through Christ's Atonement. I have such a strong belief of this. I don't know how I could have accepted Katrina's gift, the opportunity she gave me to be Cohen's mom, had I not believed this. I'm so grateful I've been able to experience the healing power of the atonement in my own life, but it's even sweeter to see it at work in someone else's.

While I was snapping photos I took one of this lamp Sam made recently. His dad rescued a really old train light and he knew Sam could turn it into something useful. It turned out to be pretty darn cool, too.