Dear Nose:

I have never been so thankful to be able to breathe out of you.

I'm happy you decided to clear up, even for a few hours.

I think throat is thankful too, she isn't as dry and scratchy and sore from getting all the dry air.

Now, if you happen to see voice, will you tell her that I miss her?

Love,

Kim

Yard Sale it Up!

I stole this from LEISHA!

(Cause I am sick and too lazy to re-write my own.)

People, people, people! Check this out.

I have been busily getting ready for the biggest yard sale I think I may ever experience. My friends, Kim & Lindsey and I have been frantically sorting, labeling, organizing and dejunking every night this week. It is going to be huge. You won't want to miss it and the best part about the entire thing is that all of the money that we make from the yard sale will be going towards our adoptions.

WHEN:

Saturday, June 21st

8am-1pm

WHERE:

4152 South King Arthur Drive

West Valley, UT (about 4152 south 2885 west)

look for the "Adoption Yard Sale" signs along the way, you can't miss them

WHY:

-to raise money for our adoptions

-to spread the word about adoption

THERE ARE SO MANY FABULOUS THINGS WITH THE BEST PRICES:

furniture.
(toddlers beds with matching night stands, matresses (twin & queen), kitchen table & chairs, indoor/outdoor chairs & cushions, cradle with cute bedding, china hutch, etc.)

clothes.
(.25 cents to $2.00 OR kids clothes - fill a bag for $5, adult clothes, fill a bag for $2; tons of kids shoes too)

baby stuff. (car seats, strollers, baby carriers, swings, bouncy seats, tons of clothes, etc.)

CD's, DVD's, & VHS tapes (including Living Scripture sets)

scrapbooking supplies.

dishes and kitchen items. (crockpots, bread maker, pressure cooker, etc.)

art & frames.

books. (most .25 to .50 cents!)

toys.
(tons of different toys, cheap. Grab bags for $1.00. Little Tykes table and chairs, Hokey Pokey Elmo, etc.)

electronics.
(TV, VCR, keyboards, mouse, radio, cordless phone, etc.)

bedding sets.
(for toddlers & adults, quilts, bed skirts, throw pillows, sheets, etc.)

We've had so many people donate items to the cause. Thank you for that to each and every one of you! Come and support us and help make our adoptions happen! And who knows what little treasure you might find while you are there! Happy Yard Sale-ing it everyone.

Visit All of Our Adoption Blogs
www.joinourfamily.blogspot.com

www.flavioandkim.blogspot.com

www.joshuaandlindsey.blogspot.com

I'm a sicky.

Dude.

Mrs. R, Leisha, and I have been yard sale-ing it up the past week. We've gotten together three times to sort...trash...keep...and label all things yard sale goodage.

I have been SICK.

Like, maybe this freaking cold going around sick? Like maybe I have an ear infection sick. Like I have a sinus infection sick. Like, I haven't SLEPT (literally) in the last 48 hours because I have this stinking cough.

Thanks Linds and Leish for making me go to the FREAKING InstaCare tonight.

I'm on drugs. Life it good.

I was pretty sure I was going to die tonight. I think I will survive to see this yard sale through.

Jewels in the Crown

Help me out here.

My mind and heart are all consumed with the events that have transpired over the past 12 weeks of our lives. My life in particular, as this is my blog. (I just need to reference the fact that I have not been going through this alone...that Flavio, Joth and Emm are right here going through it all with me.)

I never thought in a million years that so much shiz could be piled onto someone in the short spance of 12 weeks. I recognize that it could be a heck of a lot worse, and by all means I am thankful that it is not worse...but in our little corner of the Universe, it is pretty crap-filled.

If you ever asked me would I have lost the chance to raise three little spirits in the short amount of time of three months...I would have laughed at you in the face. I would have said, "NEVER!" I would never have put myself in that position. How utterly naive I was. How utterly naive I am.

When I get dressed in the morning, I see that little infant car seat sitting on the floor...I think back to how it got there. When my friend asked to borrow it...then I never put it back in the garage because Peanut was coming...then I never put it back because a little baby girl was coming...it is still there, and I just don't know what to do with it now.

We haven't heard from Chelsia for over a week. Her due date is June 25. The story about this is long and exhausting. I have lived this once before. It is excruciating. I've never shed so many tears, I have zero answers. I don't even know what to tell the world about this. I wish I even knew what to tell myself.

My husband and I are to this point that we are "DONE" whatever the meaning of that is. Done with building our family. I guess that is what we are feeling. (This is uber personal...and we still have some leg work to do in regards to the final decision...but this is where we are leaning...) even though I think this could be good, it scares me to death.

The thought of never holding a new baby in the middle of the night...watching someone crawl for the first time, walk for the first time, find another binkie, wash another bottle, clean spit up off my dry clean skirt...those are hard things to potentially let go of. On the flip side, to devote all of my time, talents and energy on the two beautiful jewels I have been given...well that is a very appealing choice as well.

I've heard it all, "You guys are SO young...you shouldn't make this decision now." "You have plenty of time." "You'll get pregnant again." "You can always adopt another baby." "What about Foster Care?" I don't know. I know that I had this perfect idea of how I wanted my life to go...and I didn't think that it would be where I am right now.

I've learned a lot. I'm thankful for the two sparkling jewels shining in my crown right at this moment...and the one little beam of light watching over us from heaven...three's a good number right? I've done enough haven't I?

I wish I knew.

A Baby?

A lot of you have been asking.

I'm not quite sure how to answer.

That's all I'd like to say about that.

Remember that Yard Sale Coming Up?

I do!

Well...this just in...we are selling ALL of our baby clothes. Remember this?

If you want some of those HOTT clothes...well then get your bumm to our yard sale THIS Saturday.

4152 South 2885 West
West Valley City, Utah

8-1pm

Baby clothes $2 and under
2 Toddler beds with nightstands
Cribs
Strollers
Carseats
Baby swings
Boppy's
Cradle
Toys
Furniture
Televisions

This is going to be a kickin' event. Be there or be a square.

Pictures?

Ya...I wish I knew where they were too. You want a post or you want pictures...'cause we can have neither if you'd like.

Seriously...my kids were both SICK when I left for Chicago...they are both still sick. I am having some TERRIBLE allergy issues myself.

I'll leave you with some more Chicago funny. Just proof that I still got it.

The setting: Rosebud Restaurant

Me, Leisha, and our new friend Heather.

I go to the restroom to wash my yucky humidity groddy hands.

Leisha and Heather talk.

I come back and the little waiter (with a hott accent) brings our drinks etc.

We order.

Heather goes to wash her hands.

Cute waiter comes back with meals.

Me: "Cute waiter, where on earth did you get your accent? It is BEAUTIFUL."

Cute waiter: "It's from Switzerland."

Me: "Switzerland, really? I would have guessed Italy...or Spain."

Cute waiter: "Indeed, Switzerland."

Me: "Well, it is nice."

Cute waiter: "I give private accent lessons on Friday nights."

Me: Blushing.


I want the world to know I am HAPPILY married to THE most wonderful man on the planet. But I will allow a cute bald waiter with an amazing accent to flirt with me. The spring was back in my step for a night at least.

Thank you cute waiter.

I promised funny.

I'm delivering funny. Here is some Chicago funny.

It pains me to be delivering funny. I must warn you, that you may need to run to the bathroom if you laugh even a tenth as hysterically as I did when this all happened. Here goes nothing. Please don't think less of me.

So, for some STRANGE reason, when I travel, I have massive problems with my digestive track, like, it stops...STOPS. I'm not exactly sure if it is the plane ride, the altitude shift or whatnot...but this happened to me in Chicago. (I thought I was alone in this...but Leisha admitted that she was having the same problem. I'm sorry to have admitted that FOR you Leish...but you know how this all ends...and it is TOO funny NOT to share.)

So, needless to say, my body decided to stop digesting food. I was in Chicago for almost 5 days. If you calculate the number of meals spewing in my body and being held in my intestines on day 5...you can only imagine what must have been brewing. One of the first meals going in was a very spicy...chicken enchiladas...they were still in there.

On the last night of our trip...I talked Leisha into going out and getting some "old lady medicine" as Leish likes to call it. I like to call it Dulcolax (that is a stool SOFTENER not to be confused with a laxative...I was desperate, but not THAT desperate.) So, we took them right before bed...and luckily for Leisha it helpled her. Me? Nada.

Leisha and I decided to go out to lunch before we caught our plane on Monday evening. So, we had a nice meal at P.F. Chang's and did some QUICK shopping at the Nordstrom's across the street from the restaurant. We got a little carried away and we were ten minutes from our "late check out" time at the hotel...so we literally ran into the hotel to throw our bags together to check out before they charged us for another day. As we literally ran into the elevator...we push the button for the seventh floor...the elevator starts going up and out of no where (literally who would EVER "fluff" on an elevator? NOT ME! NEVER...would NEVER! It just came out of no where...!) I farted on the elevator. I farted...enchiladas...p.f. chang's, breakfast from four days, pizza...steak and mashed potatoes, chips ahoy...anything else you can THINK of...was in THAT fart. I thought..."Oh my heck...we are going to die if that elevator door does not open!" So, I warned Leisha that I had let it rip...when we see "floor six" pop up on the little sign. The elevator STOPPED. It was STUCK. It never made it to floor 7. Leisha in her quick minded self, (she was in survival mode at this point, as was I) smartly hit the Lobby. We get back down the the lobby...(miracle of all miracles)and we literally RUN out of the elevator.

You're probably thinking, "Wow! LUCKY!" Right? Well, it gets better. So upon running from said elevator and full of laughter we see this guy...who happened to have been waiting for the elevator start walking in...we are like, "Dude that elevator is BROKEN!" (Trying to spare him from what was inevitably disgusting inside.) We push the button for another elevator and to our surprise one comes rather quickly...Leisha and I are DYING at this point...and in walks the little man who walked into the other elevator. This is what he says:

Me: "Ya, that other elevator was seriously broken, we got stuck...and it wouldn't go up to the floor we needed."

Man: "I don't know about that elevator being broken but something was sure broke in there."

Leisha: "Um, ya..."

Man: "Someone broke wind maybe."

Leisha and I: Straight faces.

Leisha: "Dude, you smelled it too? That it totally why we ran out of there!"

Man: "I was thinking, if I follow these girls and the smell follows them in there...I am in trouble."

Us: Straight face until elevator reaches seventh floor.

We turn the corner and bust up laughing and farting all the way to our room.

We got checked out on time.

Lucky us. Unlucky Man.

I'm back!

...will have a nice post for ya'll later tonight. It feels SO good to be home.

I went to bed early for two nights in a row. I'm thinking of making a habit out of that.

Hope everyone is well!

Holla! Chicag-a!

I'm in Chicago right now...with Leisha.

We are rawkin' it out...going to meet the LOVERLY Miss Audrey Woulard tomorrow. We are stoked.

That is it from us. We are going to go get a pedicure now. Have a nice day...see you on Monday.

Please note this is ONLY the HALF marathon.

Even if it kills me, and more than likely it will. Mrs. R will be there to carry me to the finish line (or to at least tell them where to find my body).

Why? Because I am crazy.

Why? Because I need a better outlet than Baskin Robbins.

Why? Because I want to photograph my children's weddings.

Why? Because I need to lose some weight.

Why? Because I am TIRED of telling myself I could NEVER do that, because I CAN!

CONGRATULATIONS!

Garth and Rebecca! I can't wait to kiss on her!

P.S. I love these CONGRATULATIONS posts. It gives me hope...and I hope it does to you too that miracles are happening all around us...whether it be through adoption, through a healthy pregnancy, a new job, anything happy can help strengthen us. I feel strengthened and SO thankful to see these babies entering the world. LOVE IT! Thanks Bec for using the term MIRACLE...exactly how I am feeling. Squee...did I mention I can't wait to meet her?!

Hoping to Adopt (Again) Part 6

Welcome to our next installment of "Hoping to Adopt".

Meet:

Greg and Arianne

I'm pretty sure they were dying for their turn. My apologies that I am just so stinking lazy sometimes. But this family...they are so utterly cute. This little girl would make THE BEST big sister EVER!

Arianne is such a good mom to little Anika. I am always amazed by how many fun activities this family does together, and how much time they spend with their extended family. A baby would be welcomed into their home with SO much love. If you know of anyone who is contemplating adoption and you feel Greg and Arianne would be a good match...remember them! ;)

BEST NEWS EVER!

You should TOTALLY go and congratulate them.

I am a dork.

Photograph Courtesy of Lilliana, my client's daughter. Thanks Lilliana!

With a capital D. Yo peeps. How are you?

Me? well I would LOVE to lie and say I am doing My-T-Fine...but...well I already told you THAT would be a lie. And I don't lie...so...so what then? Then I will SPARE you the dramatics and update ya'll on LIFE.

I wish I had some more quirky and funny things to write about, but alas, we are BORING folks.

Let's talk about that photograph of me! I am SUCH a dork. I like it though, there aren't many of me...so I'll take it. I usually let my client's kids take a photo or two with my camera if they want...and she wanted and she did a great job. Such a cute family. Guess what?! I started RUNNING. Can you believe it? I can't. When I say "running" I mean, WITHOUT stopping. Not like I usually did when I said I went "jogging" or "running". I am training for something...I don't have the guts to put up WHAT...but when and if I feel I can actually do this I would be happy to share, for now...just know I am doing REALLY well and I am so PLEASED with myself. Just needed to pat myself on the back.

So, LJ...here is the OFFICIAL word. He leaves us on Thursday. This Thursday. I am not sure how I feel about all of this. I can't tell you how I feel about much of anything. I just hope he is happy...and that his mother is happy, and that his life will be MUCH better than when he came to us...and for his sake I hope he doesn't have to come back here! (Because if he did it would mean he would have endured more trauma...he just needs stability.)

Well for the sake of having this be ultra long. I'll leave the post here. Have a good day!

All I really want to do right now is throw a toddler fit.

Not Sure...

...exactly what I am feeling, or have been feeling the last few days. I thought I was doing so well, but I am not. There is just unfortunately too much to share on this blog world viewable blog, and too much that I. Just. Can't. Share.

LJ's caseworker came today. She comes once a month to see him, how he interacts with us, to see his room, to make sure we don't lock him in closets etc. (Not funny, but really that is, in essence what they do.)

She informed us that he would be spending the weekend with Mom again. His birthday is Saturday. That means he will be with Mom on his birthday. What is my problem? I have a HUGE problem with this. I am just jacked up. I am beginning to realize that I may not be cut out for Foster Care, and their goal of "reunification". I am feeling a bit too much anger, and despite my prayers for LJ and for his mom, I am having a hard time dealing with things. I guess I am realizing how hard it is going to be for me when and if he goes back with her. I guess I am not sure what it is that I really want for him, or for us. I'm just feeling sad about all of it. There is a good chance...that he may be with Mom sooner than we realize...maybe a week?!

I have been thinking how much I want a little baby to join our family, how I think I want that more than anything. I opened up an e-mail address that I send all my "junk" to. You know...one that I never check...and the millions of messages in there are all about how far along I would be in my pregnancy. I haven't even given it a second thought since my doctor's appointment two weeks after our loss. I guess we would be 26 weeks now. It is just doing funky things with my brain. The past nine weeks...oh my.

There is just so much more...

Prepare ye!

To come to our AWESOME Yard Sale!

PASSION!

Passion that I feel in my heart...but don't have the words to express it as eloquently as Mrs. R does. Go, tell her how awesome she is...and consider her words.

Wendy's you are THE best!

LJ enjoying a little nugget lurve.

I often wonder about what people who live out in the boonies...or basically where there is NO Wendy's feed their children on nights like we have all too often? Usually it is Tuesday nights, when LJ has a visit and we find ourselves running around like dead cockroaches. Ahh, Wendy's we love you.

Today has been a really long and exhausting day for me. I just feel icky, icky. I am teary and my heart aches. I am feeling so many emotions that I am not sure what to do or how to act, or where to go from here. I just keep thinking about how much comfort and peace I have felt over the past two months, and even with all of the trials that have been thrown at us over the last few weeks, how much we have been blessed, and how much I need to remember that our Father in Heaven is mindful of each and every one of us.

I guess, I just need all of my friends to know how much I love them, and care about them. I want my kids to know the same. My hubbs too. I would do anything in the world for them...to see them happy and smiling, to put my arms around them each day so that they knew how much!

We all went out to Baskin Robbins again tonight. ( I am using food as a stress reliever right now. Not the best thing to do I would say! ) It was SO much fun to watch the littles devour their little scoops and "hats" ( cone turned upside down on the top of the cupped scoop. ) It brought me back down to what is important, my family...how important it is that they know that I love them. I remember going to the same ice cream place when I was a little girl. Oooo how I loved to pick out Pink Bubblegum...and save all the gum for the very end. I love watching Jothy take the time to think about which kind he is going to get. He told me tonight he was going to get "the green kind" ( Pistachio ). I am not sure if he would like it or not...so I was happy when I saw he opted for Oreo Cookies and Cream. I wish I could be more like him. Everytime I go somewhere, I always get the same kind...the same dish. I rarely venture out. I love that he isn't afraid to truly experience each thing in life, each flavor and not be afraid to be hurt in the process. I was thankful today to learn so much from the Cookies and Cream choice. Thanks buddy.