Mother's Day was Awesome!

Okay, so it has been a while. Now that that is out of the way, I just want to say that Mother's Day was Awesome!! I woke up to a yummy breakfast, after sleeping in.(Dan camped out on the floor outside the door so the kids wouldn't bug me.) Breakfast was a feast, and church was good with all of the spiritual feasts as well. I especially loved Relief Society, the lesson on Prophets and also their mothers, loved it. Thank goodness for waterproof mascara! Then, dinner was another great part of the day. Any meal is better when it is made by someone else, right? I enjoyed my day, thank you DAN and Hailey and Kyle, for giving me the best Mother's Day!

I LOVE my Husband

I LOVE my Husband!

I don't think I can say it enough- I know he get's uncomfortable when I can't stop saying it, but it is true. I love -YOU- Dan.

Although the process of adoption can be tough, it has brought out the best in Dan.

I can honestly say, who wouldn't want Dan as a Daddy? I think he is the best! As I was listening at our training, I couldn't stop reflecting on all of the wonderful things he does as a dad. I am so thankful that I don't have to feel insecure about this category. I can't be the dad, and thank goodness for that, I could never amount up.

Dan, you are the best, whether you get uncomfortable hearing it or not. I can't ever be thankful enough that you were sent to me. Thank you Heavenly Father, I wouldn't have found him without your help.

Adoption here we come

Just went to our Adoption Training today and last night and were enlightened greatly. Wow! To all those who have gone through the process of adoption, you are my new heroes.

The first day of training was completely overwhelming as they inform us we are basically trying to sell ourselves online, and it will be much like an online dating thing? Yikes! As we heard all of the other couples and the things that they had done so far and ideas of what to do to "sell" yourself out there...Dan and I were left feeling completely "UN-COOL."

Next day, went in feeling pumped for more knowlege and excited to hear more from those couples who we were beginning to build new relationships with, then got completely knocked off my seat when the panel of birth mothers started to share their stories of placing and the struggles and joys and the bitter sweet experiences that they have. I cried with them, and then kept going when they stopped, I just wanted to take each of them and heal their pain and make it all better. It absolutely broke my heart. I almost couldn't take in the last two, my tissues were shreds and my heart was shocked, hadn't cried like that for a really long time thanks to good emotional drugs.

I am tremendously greatful for the experience and I will forever be changed as my perspective for birth mothers and fathers has been completely enlightened. I feel these people are such special spirits to be able to be strong enough to go through this great hardship for the love of their child. I am left feeling like I can never whine or feel like I have any troubles again to call trials. I can't imagine anything that compares to their experiences.

I am so scared to get to this stage. I don't want to make anyone hurt like that ever, it breaks my heart. I just want to hold them and tell them everything will be okay, except I can't do anything, I feel completely helpless. I am so thankful for my Savior's sacrifice, he is the only one who can understand, and take the hurt and heal and bring peace. That was one thing that I was so thankful to hear each of the birthmother's say was the peace that they felt and the answers to prayers about the families that they placed their child with. I am thankful to have been able to go to this training to learn more and to get an idea of what is to come.

It looks like I will be spending a good chunck of my life in a constant prayer to get through this. I am so thankful for a sweet husband who held my hand and through the tears and put his arm around me and tried to comfort me when I drained my tears as we listened and ached for those who were sharing their hearts with us.

THANK YOU!

Perspective

We were just "BOO"ed just after we finished Family Home Evening. My kids were so excited, they wanted to go and "BOO" everyone that second. The family that gave us the Boo, gave us a decoration saying BOO. Dan said, "Maybe it is because they know you can't have the treats?" If so, thank you.
My daughter Hailey asked if she could make cake in her easy bake oven today, and I said I didn't have any mixes, she went straight down to the basement and found a brownie box. She said that would do. I really didn't want to make either treat as I know I can't have them. She said don't you think this will be good? I explained, yes but I can't have any. Does it have wheat she asked? Yes, I told her, she said that it was okay. I just didn't have to eat it. Oh how sweet. I got to help her make and then cook the yummy brownies in the easy bake oven and then the regular oven. Then, she wanted frosting, so I made this for her and we decided it would be the Family Home Evening treat.
I decided later after watching the family eat the brownies, that I wasn't just going to sit and watch them have my much missed chocolate fix. I went straight to the cupboard determined to find a recipe that was gluten free and that had chocolate in it. What do you know? On the back of the Gluten free Chex box? Yea, a desert snack I had almost forgotten about. "Muddy Buddies" Also known as Puppy Chow to my husband. So I made this and enjoyed a little and put a whole lot away in the fridge and freezer for the next time I need chocolate.
Celiacs? What? Don't even notice...:)

So after the kids went to bed, I saw this posted on a friends Facebook, I liked it and thought I should post it too.

PERSPECTIVE

One day , the father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live.
They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.
On their return from their trip , the father asked his son , "How was the trip?"
"It was great , Dad."
"Did you see how poor people live?" the father asked.
"Oh yeah , " said the son.
"So , tell me , what did you learn from the trip?" asked the father.
The son answered: "I saw that we have one dog and they had four.
We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night.
Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon.
We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight.
We have servants who serve us , but they serve others.
We buy our food , but they grow theirs.
We have walls around our property to protect us , they have friends to protect them."
The boy's father was speechless.
Then his son added , "Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are."
Isn't perspective a wonderful thing?
Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for everything we have, instead of worrying about what we don't have. Appreciate every single thing you have , especially your friends!
"Life is too short and friends are too few."

Celiac Disease- another one for the list

Yes, the lab results are in with a yes to having Celiac disease. My family said they are taking dibs on what next disease I will be diagnosed with. (THANKS!) I am hoping that a lot of my health problems were the cause of this celiac disease and that everything else will get better as I avoid gluten and wheat etc. A lot of research to do, but it should be okay. I am actually ready to face this bull by the horns and hit it straight on and hopefully I can become self-reliant without wheat products. It is amazing what it is in, like shampoo's and conditioners, lotions, any food that is processed, even lunch meat! Yikes, this is going to be a struggle for a bit until I get the hang of it. Luckily my doctor kind of thought that I have had this for a while and I kind of tried to wean from wheat, just not whole heart idly because I wasn't going to go without until I knew for sure, but I tried to avoid the basics, so I have started anyway being more aware and now it is time to be a strict Gluten Nazi.