How is he 2 already?

How is it that my cute little nephew has already turned 2 years old?! They really do grow up so fast. Happy birthday little guy!!We had a gread day at Wheeler Historic Farm celebrating his special day! Who knew you could get so close to the geese?! What a great time we had!!!

How perfect is this little pony? All the kids were able to have a couple rides, and we had a great time!!!!

Miracles every day

Yesterday was amazing. I got to go to an appointment with our baby's birth mom and see my little boy on an ultrasound. I got to hear his heart beat, watch it on the monitor... see his fingers and toes. Wow. I watched him move around in his birth mom's belly. It is so amazing to me that she is so willing to let me be a part of this incredible miracle.

After 12 years of wondering if this would ever happen, my heart is so full. How can I possibly explain the love I feel for this little one? His name is Samuel Joseph.

We are getting his nursery started this week-painting and decorating. Saturday we are going to put together his crib and put everything in order...

It truly almost seems like I am dreaming. If I am, I would rather not wake up!

Week full of blessings

It never ceases to amaze me the goodness in people's hearts. My friends and neighbors, after hearing about this young mother in a car accident last week, have really opened their hearts in order to help her. I am so grateful! When I took her 4 beautiful children back to her- living in a motel for now until they find a place- I was able to take her clothing and toys for each of the children, as well as some clothing for her. Her boyfriend was also living with her at the time and has lost a lot of his belongings- so he is also being lend a hand.

There are programs in the state where they can all be helped, and as far as I know right now, there are people from the state helping this young family as they are struggling and trying to get their feet back on the ground. Workforce servies is helping her find employment, there is counseling offered fort he children... all the things this family will need. They have a marvelous bishop who is doing his best to help as well.

I am so grateful to have been able to be there, help where I was needed, and have good friends and neighbors willing to help me help her. What an incredible experience this has been for everyone involved! I hope and pray I will always be willing and able to be the Lord's hands when and where He needs me.

Miracles never cease!

I know that God is a God of miracles. Yesterday, I brough 4 beautiful children in to my home who needed a place to go. Bit by bit, I have been learning about them. They are 2, 3, 5 and 6 years old. The 3 year old has autism, and the 5 year old has very angry, compulsive behaviors. The 6 year old feel responsible for the safety of all the others, and the 2 year old just wants to be reassured and held. Too much to handle for a woman who has no children? Maybe... unless Alicia and Emily spent the ENTIRE day with me, and Lorena spent the evening. These 3 incredible teen age girls have made all the difference in the world.

Neighbors and friends have brought things to my home for the kids- books, clothes, toys... anything you can think of. Complete strangers have brought clothing they have gone and purchased for this very reason. Each of the 4 kids have enough clothes for at least a week- if not more!

Their mother had surgery today on her hand. The doctors weren't sure what was going to happen... and thought they were going to have to perform multiple surgeries- and were prety sure they wouldn't be able to save her whole hand. Today, after about 6 hours of surgery, all went well. Her hand is repaired- she may not regain complete mobility of her wrist, and one of her fingers had to be fused... but she will have her hand.

I know that God is our Father, and He is aware of everything that is happening in our lives. He watches over us and protects us. There is a country song that says, "I believe there are angels among us" and I have to say, I have seen and felt those angels as they have come to my home to love this family. I know they were sent in to my life to remind me of the many blesings I have... where much is given, much is expected.

Following your heart

Have you ever followed your heart, then stopeed to think hmmmmmmmmmmm.... I should have thought this through a little more than I did? I have a miracle to share.

Tuesday night, Zane and I were on the way to a parenting class. Just as we were getting off the exit, we noticed there was a vehicle overturned blocking traffic. There were already cars stopped ahead of us, so Zane jumped out of the car and starting directing traffic and calling Highway Patrol (as an officer, he knows just what to tell them) while others on the scene began to pull a mother and her 4 young children from the vehicle. I pulled off to the side of the road and approached the scene cautiously... finding 4 very frightened children, and a youth group (from my old ward!) there helping as best they could. I sat on the side of the road holding an amazingly brave 6 year old as his mother was life-flighted to the hospital. All the children were also taken to the hospital. I remember this little boy being terrified, and I asked him to be a soldier for me. He told me he couldn't be a soldier because soldiers aren't scared. I assured him that soldiers can be brave and scared at the same time- as fireman Sam strapped him to a backboard and wheeled him away.

I couldn't sleep Tuesday night, and I was pretty sure all the emotion had also impacted the youth that were on the scene as well. Wednesday, I called all the hospitals looking for my brave soldier. No one had him. I called around looking for the mom... and because of HIPPA laws, I was not able to find out anything. Finally, a nurse took compassion on me when I told her I had been there and I only wanted to know if she was ok. She placed me on hold, came back and assured me the mother was fine. I left my phone number and asked to have a member of the family call me. Within 45 minutes, the mother called.

This woman has seen her share of trials. Recently, she was homeless with her 4 beautiful children. She moved in to an apartment last Wednesday... to have it burn to the ground Friday. She was traveling with her kids- and new clothing that had been donated to her- when she had this accident on Tuesday. She had just found out her left wrist and hand were crushed so badly the doctors were going to amputate it. What a place to be. Thanks to my friend Tammy, we were able to make and take her a dinner in the hotel she is staying in... thanks to the Red Cross. I thought the kids would likd to know what happened, so I called Zac, one of the teen age boys that was on the scene. Immediately, this young man took action and began preparing a service project to help this single mother and her children... gathering school supplies, clothing... and the project has grown to un-imagineable proportions.

Today I called her again to see how things are going. The mother told me that she was going to meet with DCFS and her friend who was taking care of her children... but that the friend could no longer care for these 4 traumatized kids- it was too much for her. They would all become wards of the state, unless she could find someone to take care of them- and she has no friends and family in Utah.

The point of the story? Tonight, I have 4 beautiful children staying in my home. I have an army of wonderful neighbors, friends and complete strangers who have come from everywhere to donate things children need- tooth brushes, toys, clothes, pajamas, socks, food... you name it. My home has been innundated with goodness. Zac and his sister, as well as 2 other young women came to my hopme and played with the kids as we prepared placed to sleep and food to eat.

I believe there are no coincidences in life. The Lord puts us where he needs us... when he needs us. I am so grateful to all the hearts that have been open, the love that has been shared, and the compassion of friends and neighbors who had never before even met this family. I am eternally grateful for the outpouring of love. I am also overwhelmed and grateful that the Lord has allowed me to be a part of this experience.

Relay for Life

This year marks the 25th annual American Cancer Society's "Relay for Life". It was, for Riverton, the 2nd annual event. I was involved on the committe in Riverton, along with my friend Tammy. We were in charge of the entertainment portion of the night.

A lot of people have asked me what the Relay for Life is... So I would like to share a little bit. It is a fund-raiser for the American Cancer society, getting funds for cancer research. Team captains find teams, and they get involved in fund-raising, as well as walking an actual relay. There is a track, and each member of the team is asked to walk the track... enough times so there is someone walking at all hours of the night. Cancer survivors are invited to come share this event, and share their stories and strength with others. Teams pitch tents and take time sleeping through the night. Local businesses can donate to the cause, and we had many there... Stefano's Gelatto, Water Mart, and others donated items that participants could purchase with the proceeds going to the American Cancer Society. There were also games for the kids to play and a midnight movie!

Our Relay was last Friday, and we had a great time! Interestingly enough, just 24 hours previous to the event, all but 2 of our entertainment options for the evening called and let us know they would be unable to make it. I was in somewhat of a panic as I called a band, Molly Drive, at 9:45 PM the night before our event. Wes was the member of the band I spoke with, and he performed a miracle for us. Molly Drive came and performed for the majority of the event. Thank you guys, for being our miracle!!!

Zane helped out with the flag ceremony- which was a life saver!!



Luminaries are placed around the track, and lit at night after dark, symbolizing the light of hope. The first lap of the Relay is walked by cancer survivors. They carry banners, helping everyone remember the purpose of the Relay. The second lap is completed by survivors and caregivers, and the third lap is walked by everyone present.

At our Relay, cancer survivors wore purple shirts. Commitee members wore blue, team captains yellow, and team members white. It was amazing to see the strngth and support of families and friends as each family member, team member and friend walked hand in hand in support of their loved one fighting/facing cancer.

I look forward to participating in next year's event!!

Miracles

"Life is a series of thousands of tiny miracles." -Mike Greenberg. I have thought about miracles a lot recently, and have begun to wonder is there truly such a thing as a tiny miracle?

In our life right now, Zane and I are living in the midst of miracles. Every day we feel and know of the marvelous things happening in our lives, for which we are truly, truly grateful.

The past 8 weeks have changed our lives forever. The Sunday before Father's Day, we made an amazing new friend. This beautiful young lady has been through many different experiences in her life that have taught her so many lessons. It has been a joy and a privelege getting to know her and her family.

Something that has really touched me, since the first day we met, is that she is expecting a baby, and had decided she wanted him to live in a home with a mother and a father...to give him the best possible opportunities in this life time. She is a single mother of 3 incredible children, and she strongly believed she was not able to give this new little boy the life she wanted for him. She made the decision to place him for adoption.

For 12 years now, Zane and I have wanted to be parents. We have prayed and prayed... and there were some days, honestly, I wondered if there was anyone listening to our prayers. Our hearts have been broken through my body's inability to carry a pregnancy- and there have been times I have been completely discouraged.

The miracle in our life right now is that our beautiful new friend wants to place her baby in our home for us to adopt him. Zane and I are blessed to become parents!!! September 17th, she will be induced, and we will bring him home just as soon after that as we can. 6 short weeks from now, our baby will be born!

Words cannot possibly express the way I am feeling tonight, as I sit here and try to share this incredible miracle! I went to her check-up appointment this week, and saw my baby's ultrasound- and heard his little heart beat. It completely took my breath away! I could not stop the tears from flowing as we saw his hands, feet, face, watched the heart beating... I knew it was real- this is a miracle.

How do you possibly thank someone who is giving you the most precious gift anyone could give you? How do you express gratitude for something so miraculous? I am so grateful for her ability to love and trust us to raise this beautiful little boy. I am so gratful to my Heavenly Father for having one of our friends be a the right place at the right time to get to know this amazing birth mother. I am overwhelmingly grateful for the answers to our prayers. I am grateful to my parents for their love and support as we face the newly discovered challenges in our lives. I am grateful to other family and friends for their love, support and understanding.

Miracles happen every day. I am grateful for every one of the miracles in my life!!