So Far Behind

So, I have been trying to take more pictures and videos to better document our lives... the only problem I have now is actually getting them on the computer! So here is a bunch of "stuff" that has been happening lately...

When Tommy gets home from work, many days Graham has a track set up and is playing with it. This day (a couple weeks ago) I decided to document playtime. Graham has also grown quite affectionate towards our dog Sophie ('Fophie"). He is constantly wanting to play with her and she is really good and soft when she plays with him. It is funny when Sohpie rubs up against us, yes just like a cat would do-I know a little strange, Graham says "Ah, Fophie yoves you"

So Tommy got my guitar out of the attic. I know you are saying "I didn't know you played the guitar" .... Well, I don't.... I mean I had good intentions, really I did... When we were dating (prior to our engagement) I had mentioned that I had a desire to learn how to play the guitar. We never talked about it again and then one night Tommy told me he had a suprise for me.... What could it be?!?!!? Considering how seriouse we were you can probably guess the direction my thoughts went.... 'it' was something small, a size 7 maybe, sparkly, white gold.... I could go on.... But then he pulls out the guitar, now eventhough it wasn't said engagement ring, I absolutely loved it! Tommy definitely knew me well enough to know what I liked, the guitar was beautiful! I tried now and then to play it - he had also gotten me some 'learn to play' books. I learned how to play "Leaving on a Jet Plane" which is only like three cords, but I was pretty proud of myself. But there were a few downsides. First, from the time I was in 1st or 2nd grade I remember always liking long pretty nails. To this day I TRY to keep my nails looking nice (not quite as well as I use to, who really has time for polish to dry anymore?!?!), there was only one time when I consistantly kept them short and it was in high school (I was a cheerleader and it was mandatory to have short nails); it actually was a sacrifice for me - silly, I know but it's true. It probably would have been a sacrifice I was willing to make to play the guitar except for the fact that it hurt to play! I know you have to 'grow' (is that the right word-probably not) caulouses on your fingertips but I didn't really want cauloused fingertips. So, I never really played it. Now, to my point of this story, is that Tommy suggested we sell my guitar on Craigslist since I don't use it (but I am super nostalgic, so the thought made me really sad!), so it was out and Graham wanted to play it.... (he may be the next big thing!) Enjoy!

A couple weeks ago Graham, my mom, and I went to Provo to visit my brother, his wife and their new little baby. The entire weekend we were there Graham was obsessed with this little pillow. The video pretty much speaks for itself. My child is a riot!

I also love how in all these vidoes Graham is constantly saying "Cheese" or "I need to see" (meaning the picture or video)

Adoption Update

A lot of you have been asking how the adoption process has been going for us, so I thought I would make a little post about it. Right now we are waiting for first contact... which if I sit and think about it I would probably go crazy... sooo, I am trying to not think about it actually. Right now I am enjoying Graham and the stage that he is in. Whether a baby joins our family tomorrow or next year; I am just focusing on right now because I don't want to miss out on anything! And whenever it happens I will be (overwhelmed) happy, (nervous) and excited!
I appreciate all of your thoughts, support, and prayers! (We can always use all of those!)

Top Gunner

Move over Tom Cruise!

I took this yesterday in the car, Graham really wanted to put on Tommy's sunglasses

and I just couldn't resist!

Follow the Prophet

I feel so blessed to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints! This weekend was filled with such inspiration and words that I needed to hear. Twice a year the prophet of our church and his apostles give us counsel and teachings of what we should be doing.

I am going to be very honest that usually, at least once, I end up falling asleep and missing something. I always try to take notes - because it is hard to fall asleep when your hand is moving but it still always seems to happen. This year I really wanted to "get into it". It is always amazing to me that when you pray for help, God so willing gives it! And let me just say, that I felt the spirit so strong and really enjoyed what was said.

I always try to identify themes in all the talks (there were 26 talks) and I think that the main theme (at least one that I caught) was to Keep Your Eye On the Mark. There were many talks that spoke about our troubled times financially and morally, and that we should remember what is important: Our Faith in Jesus Christ, Raising our Families to be Strong in Christ's Gospel, and to Attend the Temple. When we focus on those things things fall into place. I want to touch on some of my favorites:


Robert D Hales : Apostle in the Quorum of the Twelve
He spoke on living providently.... and I always need to hear this. I try not to be worldly but there always seems to be so many things that I would like to have... He said we need to JOYFULLY live within our mean (catch the keyword?) and to focus on what you do have, not what you don't; because when you focus on the latter it pulls you away from the spirit.



Henry B Eyring : First Counselor in the Presidency
He talked about overcoming trials comes from our faith in Christ. He spoke that Christ physically experienced all that we did in Gethsemane and that he knows how to help and heal us. Our trials humble us and help us to receive the word of God more fully. One of my favorite things he said was "YOU ARE NOT YET JOB". We joked that I was going to get that done in vinyl lettering for my wall; but I really think that statement puts life into perspective - look at the person who lost EVERYTHING and how he dealt with it.


Rafael Pino : Member of the Quorum of the Seventy
Spoke of losing a child to a drowning accident and how something like that can break you, if you let it. But they remembered to be grateful that they were an eternal family and that death could not break those bonds. He related the story of the wise man and the foolish men. The wise man built his house upon the rock, the foolish on the sand. The interested thing he pointed out (that I never really picked up on, I must be a little slow) is that the rain, and wind hit both homes. Just because the wise man built his house in a good place didn't mean the storm wouldn't hit him. I took that to home (haha) that we need to be strong in our testimonies because trials WILL hit us and we will be able to withstand the wrath of the storm when we are centered in Christ.

Dieter F Uchtdorf : Second Counselor in Presidency
All answers come through the gospel of Jesus Christ and it is the ultimate formula for happiness. We don't aquire eternal life in a sprint, it is a long distance journey. We have to be doing things everyday, we can't just plant the seed and nurture it until it is a tree and then leave it; we CAN'T neglect the tree!! This is not a "SPECTATOR SPORT" we need to get off the sidelines and start practicing to be what we want to become. He invited us to start where WE are (not someone else) and begin walking toward Christ.

Jeffrey R. Holland : Apostle in the Quorum of the Twelve
He spoke about Jesus and that he took THE LONELIEST JOURNEY to pave the way to our salvation. This helps us turn to him when we feel lonely or abandoned. He spoke about Pilate who washed his hands of responsibility; of Judas, who was one who walked with Christ and knew him, and his ultimate betrayal for a mere 30 silver pieces; Peter, who denied him three times; how he was alone in the Garden of Gethsemane. Christ, who was perfect in every way, atoned for us; he felt physical pain that we would feel and also the spiritual pain, from sin - when the spirit is removed from us, so that his atonement could be infinite. He knows how to succor his people because of this. We are never alone because of him, even when our path is lonely and our cross is difficult to bear.

Thomas S. Monson : Prophet
FOCUS ON OUR BLESSINGS!! God hath not given me the spirit of fear, but of a sound mind. Be of good cheer, for I the Lord am with you. Men are that they might have JOY.


Okay, so I know that is a lot... and there were many other great things that were said; these were the things that really stood out to me.

Trop50 Commercial

Have any of you seen this commercial with Kyra Sedwick in it? It is for the Tropicana Trop50 Orange Juice (made with Stevia). So I could really care less about the product... but Kyra is dancing around and singing and the first time I saw it I thought: that is totally something I would do....minus the splits of course. And now you know the dark workings of my mind...
Here is the link if anyone would like to laugh a little at my expense, it's ok, I give you permission! Just click on Trop50 then view ad

http://www.tropicana.com/#tvAd

One of the Best Trips

It was 7 years ago (almost to the day) that Tommy and I drove from Las Vegas to Denver to "Meet the Parents". We were both attending the University of Nevada Las Vegas at the time and decided to make a "quick trip" to Denver. Now when I say quick I don't mean that it didn't take long to get there; it was an 11 hour drive, but we drove on Friday and came home on Sunday... so that is what I mean by quick! My family was having family pictures taken that Saturday. Tommy wasn't in that picture, but we did get a couples picture taken just the two of us. It is actually the picture shown... wow I was blond!! (and look at those roots! SCARY!!)
It is funny because back at school all of our friends asked us everyday if we were engaged yet, and everyone thought that was what the trip to Denver was for... especially my family. It probably was for that a little bit because I do remember Tommy asking to speak with my dad in private before we left on Sunday afternoon.
I remember my brothers... I laugh to myself thinking about it now... they were prepared to give Tommy the run down and be my "protectors", that is until they saw that Tommy was bigger than them. And then once they got to know him I think they were really excited that we were serious about each other.
I am so very lucky that Tommy is my husband! He is one of the most caring men I know. He is constantly thinking of others and doing things for them... especially Graham and me. Whenever he comes home from work he is always understanding if I am totally pooped or if the laundry isn't folded or dinner isn't made. A lot of times he will do those things. I am really, REALLY lucky. And I have to say that the quick trip to Denver 7 years ago was one of the best of my life!