I am now 26. Last year I recapped my life to that point with my Quarter Century of Greatness post.
This year I would add:
2011: The highlight of this year is of course the addition of our sweet, rolly-polly Jace. Oh, and definitely the year long wait for our child in Ecuador defines this year as well. A highlight for sure if you define highlight as rollercoaster-ish, crazy, frustrating, exciting, long, up-and-down, or did I mention anxiety inducing?? Yes, great times! Need I mention the loss our family has experienced? Okay, I won't. This list is supposed to be funny, afterall.
Uh, yeah. Looking back on it, this year has probably been one of the best and yet one of the worst of my life. Weird how that happens, huh?
My birthday was a great day, but at the same time, it was hard. It surfaced a lot of difficult feelings in relation to the loss of Linda and to the emptiness I feel due to MF's not being here yet. I look back at when we started the adoption process around this time last year and I really honestly thought we would have her home by summer. Well, that obviously didn't happen and while we are much closer, I still can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak. Regarding Linda, she was always amongst the first to text me on my birthday, often at the crack of dawn, just because she could. One of my favorite birthdays was when Linda was babysitting us as my parents were out of town for my dad's job. I was turning 12 I think and Linda threw me a surprise birthday party. She also decorated my room with balloons and candy while I was at school. It was one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me and I always remember that birthday because I really felt special. Linda was always very thoughtful. As special as they are, holidays and birthdays are also going to be a reminders of what we are missing from now on. (*)
I am so blessed to have such a sweet, caring husband though. He made my delicious meals, got me flowers, and most importantly, spent all day with me. I love that. Oh- and just so you know, he also gave me my very own set of golf clubs for my birthday! We really are going to be a golfing family--never mind the fact that I have only played about 3 holes total to this point in my life. I am really good. Really, really good. Just wait until next year when for 2012 I will add to my list: "Joined the LPGA and won a million dollars!" You just wait and see. (No, really though I am super excited to learn a little more and to have a hobby to do with Devin.)
Here's to a truly happy 26th year! One that finally brings home our MF!!!
*I don't write these things so that people feel bad for me or to get pity calls, comments, or texts. I just want to be real about the processes I am going through, both the grief process of losing a loved one and the struggles inherent to adoption. I know chronicling the ups and downs of both has helped me a lot and hopefully will help someone else at some time, too. I would never share things here that I feel are too personal or to private...and to me, none of this is. It's simply a commentary on what life is like.
September 19, 2011
September 16, 2011
Hallie-isms
This girl is funny. And wild. She is starting to really push the limits sometimes. Fun, so fun. I try to keep in mind that she is only two (soon to be three) and focus on the good in her personality versus the button pushing parts. Some days are better than others. Ah well, such is the ride, eh?
Apparently the videos uploaded first, so here you go: The first is her dancing skills. TERRIBLE Rhythm! I wonder where she gets that from??? Ha, ha, ha. The second video is of her reciting the 2nd Article of Faith. Do forgive her appearance as she had just gotten out of the bath tub and was ready for bed. Please also forgive my annoying voice in the end. She wanted to say it for Grandma and Grandpa Perry, so we sent it to them, but some of my family may enjoy it as well.
*One day while we were driving somewhere, it was silent. She piped up from the back seat: "Mom, it's okay to talk to me." Okay, will do.
*We visited my cousin one day, and while using her bathroom, she told me, "Mom! This bathroom is PRETTY! Why don't you make ours pretty?"
*While playing and pretending, she handed me a rattle and we had the following conversation:
Hallie:"Here, Mom! Eat it!"
Me: "What is it?"
Hallie: "A Sandwich."
Me: "What kind of sandwich?"
Hallie: "A cucumber and french fry sandwich!"
(yum, yum...I think I will invent it...)
*One night, my cousin Carlie was over and Hallie had gone to bed (well, she was supposed to be in bed, we will put it that way.) She uses the technique that she needs to go to the bathroom all the time to get out, so of course she pulled out her favorite card and told me she needed to go to the bathroom. She was on her way up the stairs and Carlie and I were in the living room. As she was making her way up the stairs, she called down, "What are you guys doing?" and I replied, "We are watching T.V." She came back down, peered around the corner and proclaimed in a very matter-of-fact tone, "I love T.V."
*A conversation I overheard her having with Devin one day:
Hallie: Daddy, why is mommy crying?
Devin: She's not.
Hallie: She is crying because she had a bad dream about raspberries, huh?
(Where in the world does she come up with these things??)
*One day we were talking about birthdays and how old everyone is. She asked how old I am, how old Devin is, how old Jace is, how old Sadie is, how old Jen is, and then we got to Steve. "How old is Steve?" I answered, "He is 30." This seemed to just top the charts...her eyes got huge and she whispered in awe, "Whoa..."
* We have been riding our bikes a lot lately, especially after the death of the Honda. I was pulling her and Jace in the bike trailer one day on our way to the bank, when about halfway there:
Hallie: "Mom, where are we going?"
Me: "To the bank."
Hallie: "Well, that's not good news."
Me: "Sure it is good news!"
Hallie: "Well, it's not good news for me and Jacer!"
That's a rough run-down of what Hallie has been up to lately. She really is so funny and so much fun to be around. However, she also has an attitude. We are working on that....
Apparently the videos uploaded first, so here you go: The first is her dancing skills. TERRIBLE Rhythm! I wonder where she gets that from??? Ha, ha, ha. The second video is of her reciting the 2nd Article of Faith. Do forgive her appearance as she had just gotten out of the bath tub and was ready for bed. Please also forgive my annoying voice in the end. She wanted to say it for Grandma and Grandpa Perry, so we sent it to them, but some of my family may enjoy it as well.
Here are some recent "Hallie-isms" and pictures of her as well:
*During quiet time in her room one day, she yelled, "Please let me out! That would be helpful!"
 | |||||
| Hallie is such a cheeser. We went to a Latin-American Festival in Provo over Labor Day and she LOVED it. She wanted to sit and watch the singers and dancers for a really long time. We finally had to drag her away so that we could go home and get the kids to bed. She was trying to sing along (In Spanish) and was standing on her chair shaking her maracas the whole time. Funny. |
*We visited my cousin one day, and while using her bathroom, she told me, "Mom! This bathroom is PRETTY! Why don't you make ours pretty?"
 | ||
| At the same festival. Loving life. |
Hallie:"Here, Mom! Eat it!"
Me: "What is it?"
Hallie: "A Sandwich."
Me: "What kind of sandwich?"
Hallie: "A cucumber and french fry sandwich!"
(yum, yum...I think I will invent it...)
 | ||
| Hallie at her first dentist appointment ever! I know, I am behind. She did a great job & was particularly fascinated by the train running around the office near the ceiling. She has no cavities! yay! |
*A conversation I overheard her having with Devin one day:
Hallie: Daddy, why is mommy crying?
Devin: She's not.
Hallie: She is crying because she had a bad dream about raspberries, huh?
(Where in the world does she come up with these things??)
 |
| Cutest model of the Lady Linda t-shirts ever. Do you see a theme in that dress? Seriously, the girl has a massive wardrobe, yet she only wears dresses and skirts, so therefore they repeat often. I did convince her to wear the cutest little pair of skinny jeans one day and she looked adorable, but I haven't managed to convince her to wear them again. Sad. |
* We have been riding our bikes a lot lately, especially after the death of the Honda. I was pulling her and Jace in the bike trailer one day on our way to the bank, when about halfway there:
Hallie: "Mom, where are we going?"
Me: "To the bank."
Hallie: "Well, that's not good news."
Me: "Sure it is good news!"
Hallie: "Well, it's not good news for me and Jacer!"
 | ||
| This girl loves vegetables. I can't complain. When she wants a snack, she will often go into the fridge and eat whatever we have. She loves peppers and will eat them whole, as seen here, and also will snack on broccoli, cucumbers, carrots, celery...and whatever else is there. It's weird. But like I said, I am not complaining! She also does not care for fast food, for which I suppose I should be grateful... |
September 15, 2011
A Story
Hallie has a blanket on her bed that means a lot to me.
When I was in Ecuador with OSSO, some of the other volunteers and I had an idea one night that we ought to get the hand prints of each of the babies in the main orphanage where we worked. We had all become very connected to these children and felt like we needed some tangible way to remember them. At the time, we were only allowed one picture at the end of our three months, and it was a group shot of us and all the babies. So of course we felt like we needed something more.
We found a little fabric shop where we were able to buy a bunch of white fabric, which we then spent an evening cutting into hundreds of squares for each of us to have one hand print of each of the children. We re-arranged the shifts for the next morning so that the four or five of us heading up the project were able to go to the orphanage together.
We thought that the nuns likely wouldn't approve of our idea to hand print each of the children, so we were on a secretive mission. When I think back on it now, it's kind of funny that we thought we needed to be so secretive about it. I doubt the nuns would have cared, but who knows.
The process was chaotic to say the least. A few set up shop in one of the play rooms with the huge stack of squares, paint of different colors, and paintbrushes. The others of us took each baby, one at at time, into the room to have their hand painted and then placed on the square 12 times before taking the baby back to get into the bath tub (ahem, sink) and then getting them dressed for the day. Babies don't cooperate well with having their hands painted and then spreading their fingers out to make the prints look nice, just so you know. Considering that, what we actually got was pretty amazing.
We managed to get them all done (30 babies or so x 12 squares each) and onto the regular schedule for the day and I don't think anyone even noticed. Crazy.
I treasured my hand prints when I came home, but they just sat in a stack in my room before my mom was kind enough to make a quilt out of them for me.
I love this quilt. It reminds me of each of the special children who were and are a special part of my life. I don't have any idea where most of them are- though I do know of a few who were adopted. Even though MF has always felt like "my child", each of these kids took over a corner of my heart as well. The experience I had in Ecuador changed my life for the better and it was all due to the experiences I had with these amazing children. They would all be 5-8 years old now...and that is just crazy to me.
I want MF to have this quilt someday. Here is her little hand print, the very first one on the quilt. I hope to be able to tell her stories about each of the other hands on the quilt, friends she had in her first home. Friends who taught me amazing things. Friends who mean so much to me still. I look at each of their little names and funny memories pop up, pictures come to mind. For example, I can't sing or hear the song "Michelle" by the Beatles ("Michelle, my belle, these are words that go together well, my Michelle...") without thinking of my friend Beth singing the song to one of the little girls there, who seemed to be particularly unliked by a lot of the staff. Who knows how having someone care about her enough to sing to her each day has impacted her life?
So many memories. Can you tell I am just eager to get there?
When I was in Ecuador with OSSO, some of the other volunteers and I had an idea one night that we ought to get the hand prints of each of the babies in the main orphanage where we worked. We had all become very connected to these children and felt like we needed some tangible way to remember them. At the time, we were only allowed one picture at the end of our three months, and it was a group shot of us and all the babies. So of course we felt like we needed something more.
We found a little fabric shop where we were able to buy a bunch of white fabric, which we then spent an evening cutting into hundreds of squares for each of us to have one hand print of each of the children. We re-arranged the shifts for the next morning so that the four or five of us heading up the project were able to go to the orphanage together.
We thought that the nuns likely wouldn't approve of our idea to hand print each of the children, so we were on a secretive mission. When I think back on it now, it's kind of funny that we thought we needed to be so secretive about it. I doubt the nuns would have cared, but who knows.
The process was chaotic to say the least. A few set up shop in one of the play rooms with the huge stack of squares, paint of different colors, and paintbrushes. The others of us took each baby, one at at time, into the room to have their hand painted and then placed on the square 12 times before taking the baby back to get into the bath tub (ahem, sink) and then getting them dressed for the day. Babies don't cooperate well with having their hands painted and then spreading their fingers out to make the prints look nice, just so you know. Considering that, what we actually got was pretty amazing.
We managed to get them all done (30 babies or so x 12 squares each) and onto the regular schedule for the day and I don't think anyone even noticed. Crazy.
I treasured my hand prints when I came home, but they just sat in a stack in my room before my mom was kind enough to make a quilt out of them for me.
So many memories. Can you tell I am just eager to get there?
September 11, 2011
September 11, 2001
That morning, I woke up to get ready for school as usual. My thoughts were far from anything related to my country, terrorism, or anything of the sort. I was a week away from my 16th birthday and I had just been asked to homecoming, which would not only be my first dance, it would be my first date. I was thinking of typical 16 year old things: what I should wear, how should I do my hair, my upcoming date, probably what homework I still needed to finish....
But that all changed quickly. I heard commotion upstairs and ran up to watch the TV to see the events as they were unfolding. I was confused as I heard reports of a plane hitting the first tower. I remember thinking "surely this must be some kind of mistake! How can someone not see a huge tower in front of them??" It quickly became apparent that it was no mistake as we saw a second plane appear and careen into the second tower. I was horrified, yet at a loss for meaning. How could someone do something like that??
I listened to the radio all the way to school and spent the majority of the day watching the reports in each of my classes. I still couldn't grasp the magnitude of what had unfolded. The pentagon? Another plane crashing into a field in Pennsylvania? Where was it headed? How did it happen? As time progressed, I began to understand the devastation that had occurred.
The Flight 93 story became a fascination for me-- I read book after book about it in the years to come. Those on that flight are heroes in every sense of the word - countering the terrorists and taking back control of the plane, knowing full well they would die, but that they would save countless lives at the same time.
It seems unreal that it has been ten years. Ten years. Wow. We were a large part of history that day. I remember the feeling of unity in the country and the added measure of love and compassion people seemed to have for each other. It is sad to me that most of that seems to have faded. Everyone is back to living their own lives, thinking less and less about what happened that day. I wish that sense of unity prevailed.
What I know is that September 11th each year will always be a reminder to me of what our country endured together that day. It will always be significant to me. It was a catalyst that helped me grow up. To be less egocentric.
Did I still worry about my hair, dates, and friends after 9/11? Of course. But I think I also internalized the value of caring for and loving others, regardless of our seeming differences. We are all together in this human race and we are here to help one another as we make our way through. Unity is of utmost importance. That is what I learned from September 11th, 2001.
(P.S. Darn you 20/20 for your segment on 9/11 kids--the kids who were in utero when their fathers passed away in the attacks on 9/11. Tear jerker, for sure.)
September 8, 2011
A downer post
I warned you. Read on only if you wish.
We found out tonight that our official assignment for MF did not happen today in Ecuador.
I can't tell you how bummed I am. I was set up to believe for some time now that this was going to happen today. I told myself to not plan on it so that I wouldn't be disappointed in case it didn't happen.
I tried hard to not set my heart on it. But I did. And I am disappointed. Not just that, but I am sad. I want my MF to be here so badly. My heart aches every day that I am not the one putting her to bed. That I am not the one hugging her when she wakes up in the morning. That I am not the one to play games with her, teach her, show her the world.
The reason our case was not assigned has to do with our agency's suspension. The worker in Ecuador did not feel comfortable presenting the cases (ours and one other family were supposed to be assigned today. Good thing we are going through this together. We have texted/emailed all afternoon and it is so nice to not be alone...) due to the suspension. She got a sense that the committee did not know about the suspension and did not want to jeopardize things by approving documents under a suspension without the committee's knowledge. So- our agency is hoping to have the United States notify Ecuador of the suspension before next Thursday and hopefully we can get the referral then (the committee meets every Thursday.)
However, I am not going to plan on it. I am not going to plan on anything happening until the beginning of October, when the suspension should be lifted. If it happens before, yay! But, I am not going to set my heart on it like I did this time. That means we will be one month behind.
One month may not seem like a long time, but it is a really long time to me. We have been in this process for almost a year and each day that passes by without progress is more and more torturous. I am so ready to be done.
I was also hoping we would have her home by Christmas. Who knows if that will happen now? We also really really really need the adoption to happen this year so that we can get the tax credit next year. Remember how we are driving Devin's parent's car while they are on their mission? Well, we are planning on using the tax credit money to get a larger car that we can use for our three kids and that will be easier to get MF in and out of as she grows (she has special needs remember and has limited walking abilities.) Waiting another year for the tax credit will hurt us a lot.
To top it off, our trusty (not so trusty anymore) Honda needs major repairs. Major enough that the cost is more than the car is worth. So, it looks like we will be getting two new cars. One ASAP- since the Honda is not safe to drive. That definitely puts a damper on the funds going toward our adoption (travel costs).
Don't get me wrong- we are SO grateful for all the help we have received. I keep thinking how blessed we are to have such good friends and family. We would really be in a world of hurt if it were not for your kind donations and help. It just seems crappy that everything is going on at once.
Maybe the delay is for a reason? I don't know. I just have to trust that God is in charge and that He has our best interests (and MF's) at heart regardless of how things seem to me.
Tomorrow is a new (and better) day, right?
We found out tonight that our official assignment for MF did not happen today in Ecuador.
I can't tell you how bummed I am. I was set up to believe for some time now that this was going to happen today. I told myself to not plan on it so that I wouldn't be disappointed in case it didn't happen.
I tried hard to not set my heart on it. But I did. And I am disappointed. Not just that, but I am sad. I want my MF to be here so badly. My heart aches every day that I am not the one putting her to bed. That I am not the one hugging her when she wakes up in the morning. That I am not the one to play games with her, teach her, show her the world.
The reason our case was not assigned has to do with our agency's suspension. The worker in Ecuador did not feel comfortable presenting the cases (ours and one other family were supposed to be assigned today. Good thing we are going through this together. We have texted/emailed all afternoon and it is so nice to not be alone...) due to the suspension. She got a sense that the committee did not know about the suspension and did not want to jeopardize things by approving documents under a suspension without the committee's knowledge. So- our agency is hoping to have the United States notify Ecuador of the suspension before next Thursday and hopefully we can get the referral then (the committee meets every Thursday.)
However, I am not going to plan on it. I am not going to plan on anything happening until the beginning of October, when the suspension should be lifted. If it happens before, yay! But, I am not going to set my heart on it like I did this time. That means we will be one month behind.
One month may not seem like a long time, but it is a really long time to me. We have been in this process for almost a year and each day that passes by without progress is more and more torturous. I am so ready to be done.
I was also hoping we would have her home by Christmas. Who knows if that will happen now? We also really really really need the adoption to happen this year so that we can get the tax credit next year. Remember how we are driving Devin's parent's car while they are on their mission? Well, we are planning on using the tax credit money to get a larger car that we can use for our three kids and that will be easier to get MF in and out of as she grows (she has special needs remember and has limited walking abilities.) Waiting another year for the tax credit will hurt us a lot.
To top it off, our trusty (not so trusty anymore) Honda needs major repairs. Major enough that the cost is more than the car is worth. So, it looks like we will be getting two new cars. One ASAP- since the Honda is not safe to drive. That definitely puts a damper on the funds going toward our adoption (travel costs).
Don't get me wrong- we are SO grateful for all the help we have received. I keep thinking how blessed we are to have such good friends and family. We would really be in a world of hurt if it were not for your kind donations and help. It just seems crappy that everything is going on at once.
Maybe the delay is for a reason? I don't know. I just have to trust that God is in charge and that He has our best interests (and MF's) at heart regardless of how things seem to me.
Tomorrow is a new (and better) day, right?
September 7, 2011
Man V. Mud 2011- The Results
We completed our first 5k Mud Run over the weekend in Logan. First things first... A picture tour:
Okay, so who won? The MUD or the Lady Lindas? (explanation on the Lady Lindas name if you care: Brad looooves cows for some reason and a few years ago bought two. He named one Zuana's Pride after one of his favorite co-workers (what an honor, eh?) and the other Lady Linda after his beloved wife. Linda used to joke that at least Lady Linda was the skinnier of the two...)
Best Part: The Mud trench. And the slip-n-slides. And the mud pit. Oh fine, I loved it all.
Worst Part: Running in shoes filled with water. UGH.
Funniest Part: Watching Cortney run on the floating bags in the water-- you know what I mean? You have to run on top of them just right or they tip you off. We all fell off right away, except Cortney who made it almost to the end with this dainty little run. It was hilarious.
Other Worst Part: My face. Sunburn around mud splotches = me looking like I had been beaten around the eyeballs the next day. White spots where there was mud surrounded by red everywhere else? Not pretty!
The Most Surprising Part: Devin cracking the whip on us all. If we ran too slow, he made sure to give us a good push in the back to get us going. No stopping during the mud where your feet just get dug in...no- instead he demonstrated- and then insisted upon-all of us using the high step to get in and get out really quick.
The Other Best Part: Knowing we were contributing to a great cause and at the same time, remembering our Linda. We talked as we ran (okay walked...not that we did much of that, just here and there you know..) about how we could just see Linda laughing at us and calling us nerds or something because of our participation.
The Classic Clark Family Moment: Of course we had to sing some Neil Diamond songs for a while (before we were too out of breath to continue, I mean, that never happened...)
The Scariest Part: Oh, just going down these huge slip and slides coated with SHAMPOO and water. Yes, Hailie and I spun clear around and flew off the mat before reaching the bottom. Yikes. And Cortney may have sat at the bottom for a while after saying "Guys! I am hurt! I mean, I am really hurt!" all the while getting hit over and over again by more people coming down. Funny.
The Other Other Worst Part: The huge mud trench may or may not have smelled like manure. I'll let you guess how we smelled when we were done!
What We Will Do Different Next Year: COSTUMES!!!!!
So the results are in: Though it was a close call, the LADY LINDAS definitely beat the MUD!
We had a great time and I really look forward to doing it again. I am no runner, but running in the mud was quite fun.
 |
| Carlie and I grease-o loading at Denny's before the race |
 |
| The Lady Linda's- Pre-Race. Notice that Devin is not in the picture..he refused to wear a tutu, can't imagine why?? |
 |
| The Lady Linda's Post race. Don't we look good!? Lisa, my mother, refused to get in from stomach up. Mud Run without mud? Come on woman. |
 |
| Devin and I |
 |
| I was most definitely the muddiest! No contest. Sorry other LL's, but it's true. |
 |
| Hallie, Sadie, and Jace got to hang out with Aunt Mari Ann during the race. Here they are enjoying the view. |
 |
| After the race, we went to a local diner called Angie's to "Clean the Sink." Devin did it himself, can you tell? |
 |
| Okay- Hallie helped too. And the rest of us. |
 |
| Gone. In no time at all. Do you see theme here with us and eating? |
Best Part: The Mud trench. And the slip-n-slides. And the mud pit. Oh fine, I loved it all.
Worst Part: Running in shoes filled with water. UGH.
Funniest Part: Watching Cortney run on the floating bags in the water-- you know what I mean? You have to run on top of them just right or they tip you off. We all fell off right away, except Cortney who made it almost to the end with this dainty little run. It was hilarious.
Other Worst Part: My face. Sunburn around mud splotches = me looking like I had been beaten around the eyeballs the next day. White spots where there was mud surrounded by red everywhere else? Not pretty!
The Most Surprising Part: Devin cracking the whip on us all. If we ran too slow, he made sure to give us a good push in the back to get us going. No stopping during the mud where your feet just get dug in...no- instead he demonstrated- and then insisted upon-all of us using the high step to get in and get out really quick.
The Other Best Part: Knowing we were contributing to a great cause and at the same time, remembering our Linda. We talked as we ran (okay walked...not that we did much of that, just here and there you know..) about how we could just see Linda laughing at us and calling us nerds or something because of our participation.
The Classic Clark Family Moment: Of course we had to sing some Neil Diamond songs for a while (before we were too out of breath to continue, I mean, that never happened...)
The Scariest Part: Oh, just going down these huge slip and slides coated with SHAMPOO and water. Yes, Hailie and I spun clear around and flew off the mat before reaching the bottom. Yikes. And Cortney may have sat at the bottom for a while after saying "Guys! I am hurt! I mean, I am really hurt!" all the while getting hit over and over again by more people coming down. Funny.
The Other Other Worst Part: The huge mud trench may or may not have smelled like manure. I'll let you guess how we smelled when we were done!
What We Will Do Different Next Year: COSTUMES!!!!!
So the results are in: Though it was a close call, the LADY LINDAS definitely beat the MUD!
We had a great time and I really look forward to doing it again. I am no runner, but running in the mud was quite fun.
September 4, 2011
The Temple
What an amazing weekend. I can't remember the last time I have had such a great weekend. It started with a Friday night date night- all thanks to my cousin Che'Lyn and her husband Landon for taking the kids- and then the Mud Run on Saturday. More on that later--suffice it to say, it was pretty dirty...and so much fun.
Our date Friday started with a visit to the Salt Lake Temple to do some proxy sealings. We have a temple just about five minutes away from us, but it is fun sometimes to attend other Temples. What happens inside is the same regardless of where you are, but being in the Salt Lake Temple is particularly meaningful as it was one of the first temples built. It took the early members of the church over 40 years to complete it. You can definitely tell that great care was taken as the architecture and finish work are beautiful and one of a kind.
There are different ordinances that take place in each temple, culminating in the sealing of families for eternity. Since Devin and I were sealed in the temple when we were married, we now return to act as proxy and do sealings for families (our own ancestors or otherwise) who are dead.
Our experience on Friday was incredible. It was really a spiritual experience for me, but also a fun one. Our sealer was really enjoyable. There was a couple in our session with us celebrating their 47th anniversary, so the sealer took them through a back route to the room where they were married. I would have loved to see that! The rest of us were sitting there when another worker came to bring another couple to join our session. He peeked his head in, looked around, and said, "Where is he?" (It's not really standard practice to leave in the middle of a sealing session...) We explained that he had taken this couple to see the room where they were married and he said, "Ahhh. Of course. It sounds like him. Just so you know, he is the most ADHD sealer we have!" Totally random- but he was right. The man couldn't sit still, he was fiddling with items on his desk, standing up, sitting down, opening drawers, shutting them, etc. It was really funny. All while pronouncing the sealings.
An incredible spirit was there with us that day. I couldn't help but think of my dear Aunt Linda. I am so grateful that she was placed into our family and that she was taken to that very same temple when she was three to be sealed to her parents and siblings for time and all eternity. The sealing covenant makes everything all right. It may not be all right now, but I know with a certainty that things will be okay. I will see Linda again. We will be together. We are tied eternally.
Of course, this led me to think of our sweet MF. We too will get the experience of taking her to the temple to be sealed to us. I am so anxious for this day. This is a unique experience as babies biologically born to us are "Born in the Covenant" meaning they are sealed to us automatically upon birth. However, since MF will be adopted, we will get the privilege of taking her to the temple to be sealed to us. I just sat there envisioning it and I was so overcome with emotion and with the Holy Ghost, which again testified to me that we are on the right path. I am so blessed. I think of her already as my child (and I have for a long time) so you can imagine my anxiety and the sense of urgency I feel to get her here and to have her sealed to us. I don't even have words to convey how important that day will be to us. I can't wait.
The temple was the best part of the date for me. It was just so refreshing and so needed.
We also went to dinner and then to see the latest Harry Potter movie (which I LOVED). I know we are like the last people in America to see it (there were about 10 people in the theater) but we have kids and weird work schedules, so it is hard to get out and see movies. We then stayed in a hotel in Salt Lake and then picked up the kids Saturday morning in time to head to Logan for the Mud Run. That was an experience...pictures and details to come!
Our date Friday started with a visit to the Salt Lake Temple to do some proxy sealings. We have a temple just about five minutes away from us, but it is fun sometimes to attend other Temples. What happens inside is the same regardless of where you are, but being in the Salt Lake Temple is particularly meaningful as it was one of the first temples built. It took the early members of the church over 40 years to complete it. You can definitely tell that great care was taken as the architecture and finish work are beautiful and one of a kind.
There are different ordinances that take place in each temple, culminating in the sealing of families for eternity. Since Devin and I were sealed in the temple when we were married, we now return to act as proxy and do sealings for families (our own ancestors or otherwise) who are dead.
Our experience on Friday was incredible. It was really a spiritual experience for me, but also a fun one. Our sealer was really enjoyable. There was a couple in our session with us celebrating their 47th anniversary, so the sealer took them through a back route to the room where they were married. I would have loved to see that! The rest of us were sitting there when another worker came to bring another couple to join our session. He peeked his head in, looked around, and said, "Where is he?" (It's not really standard practice to leave in the middle of a sealing session...) We explained that he had taken this couple to see the room where they were married and he said, "Ahhh. Of course. It sounds like him. Just so you know, he is the most ADHD sealer we have!" Totally random- but he was right. The man couldn't sit still, he was fiddling with items on his desk, standing up, sitting down, opening drawers, shutting them, etc. It was really funny. All while pronouncing the sealings.
An incredible spirit was there with us that day. I couldn't help but think of my dear Aunt Linda. I am so grateful that she was placed into our family and that she was taken to that very same temple when she was three to be sealed to her parents and siblings for time and all eternity. The sealing covenant makes everything all right. It may not be all right now, but I know with a certainty that things will be okay. I will see Linda again. We will be together. We are tied eternally.
Of course, this led me to think of our sweet MF. We too will get the experience of taking her to the temple to be sealed to us. I am so anxious for this day. This is a unique experience as babies biologically born to us are "Born in the Covenant" meaning they are sealed to us automatically upon birth. However, since MF will be adopted, we will get the privilege of taking her to the temple to be sealed to us. I just sat there envisioning it and I was so overcome with emotion and with the Holy Ghost, which again testified to me that we are on the right path. I am so blessed. I think of her already as my child (and I have for a long time) so you can imagine my anxiety and the sense of urgency I feel to get her here and to have her sealed to us. I don't even have words to convey how important that day will be to us. I can't wait.
The temple was the best part of the date for me. It was just so refreshing and so needed.
We also went to dinner and then to see the latest Harry Potter movie (which I LOVED). I know we are like the last people in America to see it (there were about 10 people in the theater) but we have kids and weird work schedules, so it is hard to get out and see movies. We then stayed in a hotel in Salt Lake and then picked up the kids Saturday morning in time to head to Logan for the Mud Run. That was an experience...pictures and details to come!
September 1, 2011
Jace- 6 months
Our little bug is 6 months old! I've said it before and I will say it again- so crazy that time goes so quickly. He is such a wonderful part of our family and we are so blessed that he is ours. 
{Jace}
{For comparison's sake, Hallie at 6 months. What do think? Definitely siblings, I'd say...}
Jace's stats:
{Jace}
{For comparison's sake, Hallie at 6 months. What do think? Definitely siblings, I'd say...}
Jace's stats:
Weight: 19 pounds 1 ounce (75%)
Height: 29 inches (off the charts)
{Again, to compare: Hallie was 18 pounds 4 ounces and 26.5 inches at 6 months}
Jace is sitting up pretty well...just as long as you balance him. He needs to use his hands to steady himself a lot,but he will get better. He rarely rolls, though he does know how. Hopefully he will pick that up more soon.
Jace is a happy, smiley boy, but is more reserved with his smiles than Hallie was. He is a mama's boy for sure and we are already working on saying "mama" since I know his tendency will be to say "dada" first, just like every other baby. I know he won't let me down, though... (just kidding about all that- other than that I do say "mama" to him all day long. Haha!)
Jace loves to eat (as if you couldn't tell!) He enjoys foods of all types. The only food I have discovered that he does not like is bananas (the real deal, though he will eat the baby food jar kind. Weird.)
Jace is very interested in what we eat. The other day I was sitting at the table while he was in the bumbo and I was eating a mini cookie. I was talking to Devin and not paying attention and before I knew it, Jace had grabbed my hand and yanked it into his mouth. He sorely needed that cookie apparently, and took matters into his own hands. First cookie ever and it didn't disappoint!
Check out the rolllllllls. That's how we do it around here.
Jace is blessed to have boy cousins on both sides. He gets to see Hudson a lot and sure loves him. Hudson used to hold Jace on his lap (he is 10 weeks older or so) and now that Jace has far exceeded him in size, he can hold Hudson. What a funny pair. So fun that these boys will be able to grow up together.
A few other things about Jace:
*He is still a great sleeper. He naps three times a day usually for anywhere from a half hour to 2 and a half hours. He sleeps 13 or so hours per night.
* He loves to pat people's faces, hold your hands/fingers, and put his hands around your neck to hug you, though he is not much of a cuddler
*Wears 6-12 month clothing as well as 9 month clothing. Too tall for 6 month clothes.
*No more than his two teeth that he got when he was 3 months old. Where are the rest???
*Favorite toy is still the bouncy chair. He can get that thing bouncing! He can also rock himself in his carseat, which he likes to do. He just gets his legs kicking and gets it going back and forth.
We sure love our Jacer boy! We are truly blessed.
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