Hooray!

I finished "spring" (that is what I call it even though it is winter) cleaning my house this weekend! I was so excited. I am so tired of scrubbing blinds, walls and baseboards. I know you will all understand what a big job this is. I can say my closets are clean for now. I'm sure in a couple of weeks it won't be that way. In fact, the rooms I started on first are already not quite as organized, but I guess that is what we expect. It is just nice to say it is done until next time. I will be glad to be back to just "normal" cleaning.

Hayden's Quote of the Day:
I loved what Hayden told me today. Here is what he said:
"Mom, I miss Jesus. I really miss him. I want to see him. How about if I leave my heart beating and my brains here then I could come back. I will go see him for a little bit and then I will come back to you."
You got to love those moments when you can tell they are really thinking and feeling something. It was also one of those moments when it was hard not to chuckle a little, but I knew I couldn't because he was serious about it. We had a nice conversation after that.

Hannah - truly a blessing

I was reading in the Ensign this week and it talked a lot about adoption. It made me start thinking a lot about Hannah and what a blessing she is in our lives. Just the way she came into our lives made it known to us right from the start that she was truly meant to be a part of our family. It is funny with adoption how they truly become one of your children. Sometimes I forget that I wasn't pregnant with her because I don't view her as any different than Hayden. Sometimes I will start a sentence like, "when I was pregnant with Hannah" and then remember that I wasn't. That is not to take away from her wonderful birthmother who made such a sacrifice on Hannah's behalf. Adoption truly is all about love. Hannah has been a great kid right from the start. She is very inquisitive and thoughtful about all that she does. She is very loyal to those she is close with. She is shy at first but once you get to know her she will become one of your best friends. She loves to be around friends, learn new things, read books, and go to bed at night (we love that!). It is so exciting to watch your children learn and grow in this world. Each new experience is so fun to be a part of. Sometimes we all just need to stop and think of the things which truly make our lives wonderful. Being able to have Hannah in my life is just that, truly a blessing.

It's Been Awhile

My friend Jill had this on her blog and it made me start thinking about the things I haven't done in awhile. Here is my list:

It's been awhile . . .

1. since I've sat out in the hot sun. Hayden asked me this morning if on Saturday it would be summer? My answer - I wish!

2. since I've had a cinnamon/sugar bagel from Bagelby's. I finally found one in Utah this last summer and it was great to eat it again! I wish we still had one here.

3. since I've been able to eat whatever I want and not regret it. I miss the days of not worrying about gaining weight.

4. since I've had all of my family (brothers and sisters) in the same room. It is hard to get six families that are spread out across the West together at the same time. When we do get together, someone is always missing.

5. since I've woke up without at least one child in my bed.

6. since I've been pregnant. Enough said on this subject.

7. since I've seen my high school friends/college roommates. I miss them. How is it you can go from seeing each other every day and knowing every detail of their lives to talking twice a year? It is sad to move away from each other and get so busy.

8. since I've been to Relief Society. I miss hearing the lessons and having them motivate me to try harder. Oh well, no guilt this way, right?

9. since I woke up and said, " I don't have much to do today besides hang out with my kids." Maybe I need to slow down a little bit, but what do I cut off that forever long list?

10. since I have been on an airplane. I think its time to plan that next trip.

Tag- you're it. What haven't you done in awhile?

One of those Moments

You have to love the moment when you are quietly reading on your couch and you look up and your little boy is running towards you covered in blood all over his head and hands. It gets your heart beating a little bit. Hayden was playing with a friend and from what I have been told they ran into each other with a stool in our kitchen. It hit Hayden in just the right place and split his eye open. The next thing I knew was seeing blood everywhere and hearing Hannah (who thought it was his fault even though it was an accident) yelling at Hayden's little friend. I'm trying to get Hayden's bleeding under control and thinking I need to stop Hannah from yelling. I look down the hall and Hayden's friend is getting his boots and coat on as fast as he could trying to just get out of here. I luckily was able to tell him it was okay before he left so he didn't feel bad, poor little guy. Hannah is just a little protective of her brother, I guess. Anyway, then comes the decision of should we take him in to the doctor or not. I didn't want a scar on his face so we went to Ruth, who is a great friend and a P.A., to take a look. She was so nice and patched him up and the crisis was solved. That is the second time Hayden has come in covered in blood. I told him his quota is all filled up.

Winter Fun

We went to Utah a couple of weeks ago to visit the Huls family and go support my brother's family in a welcome home/farewell in Provo. We had a great time with the Huls'. My kids love to play there. Hayden does not want to leave and thinks we should do this every weekend. Some hightlights of the trip were going sledding down a hill close to their house.

My kids were a little timid at first but it didn't take them long to start going by theirselves. Then their Uncle Shaun took them ice fishing on Utah Lake. They had a great time pulling out fish after fish and then letting them go.

It was great to get back to some hot cocoa after all of the fun. The next day we went to by brother's mission farewell. He is serving with his wife in Seattle on a CES mission while his two boys are on their missions in Italy and Tanzania. Their daughter Katie just came home from a mission in Spain that week and gave a wonderful homecoming talk. They are a great example of missionary work.