Thankful Thursday

I've decided to start the "Thankful Thursday" I've seen on other fun adoption blogs- a great way to count my blessings each week...

Leisure Sunday morning, Sophie & Sage treating us to their yummy bisquick pancakes, made with lots of TLC!

• First, I'm thankful Paul made it back okay from his prolonged business trip without too much hassle. They got snowed in and had to stay an extra night. The storms were so bad, I was relieved to see him walk through the door!
  
• Sophie learned how to write her name this week! Sage is right behind her, give her a week or two. Although I've taught them much, I can't take credit for this one, she learned it at pre-school. I was surprised when they were coloring yesterday to see Sophie write her name on her paper (it may have been backwards, but nevertheless, it was her name). Considering they had to learn most things over at age 3, this is awesome! Good Job Sophie!
  
• for those mysterious neighbors who shoveled my walks twice this week while Paul was gone, I was sooo grateful. I love this neighborhood and community I live in! I'm also glad my boys are eager and right there to help others when needed.
  
• Phew, I'm happy I was able to fix my bad haircut/style I got. I'm very particular at who I let do my hair. When I arrived at my appointment yesterday, my hair stylist was sick, and someone else was filling in. She did everything in half the time it usually takes while talking my ear off, not paying much attention. I had to redo it at home, even the cut. A pain, but I like it now:) I know, I snuck some negative in that one, couldn't help it ;)
• to meet up with Danny & Lindsay tomorrow to attend President Hinckley's viewing. I am so grateful for the legacy he has left and I'm looking forward to paying my respects. Glad you called Linz, it will be great to see you guys.
  
• for the people I've gotten to know through blogging and adoption. I've enjoyed following your blogs and watching your families grow. And for more family and friends who have started blogs, it's a great way to stay connected. Thanks for all the thoughtful comments, it means a lot to me.
• for fun places to take my family on these cold winter days- here's Sophie, Sage, and Trevor at one of their favorite places, the Children's Museum
  

Sage has ponytail, Sophie has pigtails

Tribute to Pres. Hinckley

"You have nothing in this world more precious than your children. When you grow old, when your hair turns white and your body grows weary, when you are prone to sit in a rocker and meditate on the things of your life, nothing will be so important as the question of how your children have turned out. It will not be the money you have made. It will not be the cars you have owned. It will not be the large house in which you live. The searing question that will cross your mind again and again will be "How well have my children done?"
~Gordon B. Hinckley

Pictures taken last Sunday

Today was a melancholy day. I rarely feel this way, but today was different. I wasn't sure if it was saying good-bye to Paul as he left on a business trip in a snowstorm, it didn't help that he told me he didn't feel good about this trip, I'm not usually a worrier, he left me such a sweet note, or some other big changes occurring in my life, you'll see :)... Then I heard the news- our loving, funny, amazing prophet passed away this evening. Gordon B. Hinckley, our faithful tireless President of the church for the past 12 years. I remember well the day he became our prophet, and a short time later when I found out for myself that he was a true prophet. He spent his entire life serving God. He lived to be 97 and led such a wonderful and full life. I have learned so much from him. He will be greatly missed! I also feel joy that he left while living such an exemplary life! I can't help but smile to think of his reunion with his sweet wife, Marjorie and our Savior & Heavenly Father. He was a great prophet and I'm sure another great prophet will continue to lead the church. The gospel truly brings great joy to my life!

"The gospel is a thing of joy. It provides us with a reason for gladness. Of course there are times of sorrow. Of course there are hours of concern and anxiety. We all worry. but the Lord has told us to lift our hearts and rejoice."
~Grodon B. Hinckley

He has taught us to be a little better, to stand a little taller, and to do what is right. President Hinckley- we love you and we"ll miss you! We will celebrate your incredible life.

Thank you Sage for the biggest hug ever when I got home tonight while you fell asleep in my arms. Just what I needed:) Sophie was asleep already

Our Agile Gymnasts

Besides cheering our brothers on at their games/meets and wearing their jerseys, don't worry, we do girl stuff too...

Sophie and Sage are so flexible they can almost bend in half. They love gymnastics and count down the days til their next class. Lately, they spend as much time upside down as right side up- I catch them doing handstands every opportunity they get. I sometimes have to remind them "we're not at Little Gym" when we're out and they try to use the grocery cart as uneven bars.

So, of course they were very excited when Danny & Lindsay (and their two cute sisters) invited us to a gymnastics meet at the "U" the other night. The boys had a great time at the auto show while we thoroughly enjoyed some girl time at the gymnastics meet. I wish I had my camera, especially when the music was playing in between events and Danny & Lindsay had Sophie and Sage dancing and giggling on their shoulders. They are so much fun!! The girls now say they want to be gymnasts, as long as I catch them so they don't break. Yes, Sophie & Sage, I'll catch my little gymnasts, I'll never let you break.

You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great. ~Zig Ziglar

Go team! Go Brothers!

We love watching Nick's swim meets! Today he beat his old record by 8 seconds in the 500 yard freestyle. Good job Nick!

Our awesome neighbor/friend came to watch Nick's meet today. He coaches FB for Alta (rival team), so it was great to see him cheer on Jordan, but especially cheer and support Nick. It meant so much to him! Thanks Spencer.

And Trevor scoring with his Jr. Jazz basketball team, he picked up some pointers at the Jazz game last week :) Trevor has the ball

Here's my tall snowman I made for T for playing so goood!

Josh plays basketball now, but he hurt his foot so we don't have pictures of his games yet, so here is his last Football game he played a couple months ago.

They ended with a close win! Yahoo!

He had his own cheering section...

Taking a swig of Grandma's coke, I'm the only one she'll let drink out of the same can, with a little coaxing and a lot of charm :) Sophie

Sage

Just like our brothers!

Fotoshoot at the Farm

Sophie and Sage fascinated by the geese Sage in braids

"Oh Man" They just found out we are here mainly for family pictures... This picture cracks me up, but I knew it would be tough to get our family pic today.

So, I snuck some candid shots

" Here Sage, this one smells good!"

Sage's cute pose, her choice

"I'm not putting my arms on that" -Sophie

"Look a slide," good thing Trevor was there!

Sage checking out the cows

Watching the ducks

Below- Paul got some nice pictures, unfortunately, his camera settings were off that day, bummer. I had to tease him that my small point & shoot did better then his expensive Nikon ;).

Here we are at Wheeler Farm 2 months ago, trying to get an updated family picture for our wall. The only problem was, we didn't have a seperate photographer, just us and a tri-pod with a timer on our camera. We couldn't find our remote so it was close to impossible to get a good pic of all of us with the timer, it's hard enough with a photographer. But we had fun trying, and after some play time with the kids, we ended up getting some seperate shots...

Two Babies in A Manger

I know Christmas is over, but as I was putting away the last of my Christmas "stuff", I found this rolled up letter (Thanks Randy & Linda, great story) that I overlooked in the hustle & bustle. It's worth the read...

In 1994, the Russian Deptartment of Education asked two Americans to go to Russia and teach morals and ethics based on biblical principles. They went to public schools, prisons, businesses, the fire and police departments, and a large orphanage where 100 children had been left in the care of this orphanage. The Americans related the following story...

Since it was nearing the holiday season, we wanted the orphans to hear the Christmas story for the first time. Throughout the story, the children and the staff listened in amazement. After telling the story, we gave the children pieces of cardboard to make a crude manger.

Each child was given a small paper square cut from yellow napkins we had brought along. Following instructions, the children tore the paper into strips to lay in the manger for straw. Small squares of flannel cut from a discarded nightgown, were used for the baby's blanket. A baby was cut from tan felt we had brought from the United States.

The orphans were busy assembling their mangers as I walked among them. All went well until I got to one table where little Misha sat waiting after he had finished his project. He looked about six years old. As I looked at the little boy's manger, I was startled to see not one, but two babies in the manger. Quickly, I called for the translator to ask the boy why there were two babies in the manger. I thought perhaps he had misunderstood the story. The child began to repeat the story very seriously. For one who had only heard the Christmas story once, he related it accurately, until he came to the part where Mary put the baby Jesus in the manger.

Then Misha said, "And when Mary laid the baby in the manger, Jesus looked at me and asked me if I had a place to stay. I told him I have no mama and I have no papa, so I don't have any place to stay. Then Jesus told me I could stay with him, but I told him I couldn't be because I didn't have a gift to give him like everybody else did.

I wanted to stay with Jesus so much, so I thought about what I could use for a gift. I thought maybe if I kept him warm, that would be a good gift. so I asked Jesus, 'If I keep you warm, will that be a good enough gift?' And Jesus told me, 'If you keep me warm, that will be the best gift anybody ever gave me.' So I got into the manger, and then Jesus looked at me and he told me I could stay with him for always."

As little Misha finished his story, his eyes brimmed full of tears that splashed down his little cheeks. Putting his hand over his face, his head dropped to the table and his shoulders shook as he sobbed and sobbed. The little orphan had found someone who would never abandon nor abuse him, someone who would stay with him, FOR ALWAYS.

I have loved teaching Sophie and Sage about Jesus. They enjoyed the Christmas stories and talk about baby Jesus often.

I come across people almost daily when I'm out with the girls that are in the process of adopting or want to adopt. Often, we share sometimes through tears the need and wonderful blessing it is. I can't imagine my life without our girls, they have blessed our lives as much or more then we can bless theirs. They have completed our family.

Saved by photoshop

I'm not a big fan of enhanced photo's, some look good, but I usually prefer the natural look, but this overexposed shot desperately needed help.

Paul saved it with a sepia overlay. What a difference. Love it!

Having fun, he added the lucis art touch. Pretty funky, I like it. What do ya think?

It's great what you can do with photoshop and a creative husband ;)

Thanks Crystal for my new header. It's beautiful! I personalized it a bit (yae, I wanted to learn this) and it looks great. You'r a doll and so artistic!