A Special Treat

On October 15th in the year 2008, our little angel, The Lou, entered into our lives. About two months prior to that, this other angel, Caitlin, entered our life. We were so blessed to have her visit yesterday.

The timing of her visit was great. The Lou officially became ours several times in several different ways. To us and Caitlin, she became ours the moment we met each other. To the hospital, she became ours on October 17th, two days after she was born. To the state, she became ours six months later on April 17th. To God and the church, she became ours April 25th. Around the 25th, the two year anniversary of our sealing to The Lou, Caitlin texted us and asked if we could visit. Caitlin was on our mind at that time and it was a welcomed suggestion.

Caitlin has said that one reason she selected us to be The Lou's parents was because she thought that I looked like her Dad. Tom, Nancy, Oma and Annika have become part of our lives along with Caitlin

Caitlin is always very respectful of our space. She politely asked if we could meet with her and quickly added, "if not, that is okay and I understand". Of course, we were very anxious to say hello again.

Anny LOVES The Lou. There were even times when we made sure Caitlin had some time set aside for just her and The Lou and this was devastating to Annika.

When we were first asked if we were open to the thought of an open adoption, we both said yes, albeit hesitantly. We didn't want to eliminate any options. Little did we know that we would become so close with Caitlin and quickly ended up establishing a more open relationship than we even agreed to.

It is awesome how much The Lou looks like Caitlin. It is more awesome still how much she looks like Pooh. HAHA! That is Pooh with a capital "P" not a lower case "p". Seriously, they all look alike. I remember the first time we met Caitlin...after we began getting to know each other, I stopped the conversation and asked, "Does anyone else realize how much Pooh and Caitlin look alike?"

One day, The Lou will really understand what a great thing Caitlin did for her and how much Caitlin loves her.

Nancy is a trooper. She went through this entire ordeal 2-3 years ago while also battling breast cancer and a double mastectomy. She is now 3 years a survivor! She is still a firecracker!

Of course, Grandma Trudy is awesome! We call her Oma. She is definitely one of those Grandmas you can't help but love.

Caitlin and her family gave The Lou a lawn mower that blows bubbles. Of course, Leah LOVES bubbles and I she also likes working in the yard while Dad mows.

Even after the bubbles ran out, she kept mowing and mowing and mowing...

She did take a break. All that was missing was the mint julep.

She copies everything we do, so at one point in the middle of mowing, she stopped, worked on the mower then proceeded. I love her so much.

Service

We have a ward activity tomorrow focused around service. The concept was to get out into the neighborhood as families and serve one another in the warm Spring temperatures. It is a simple concept. One that shouldn't include much drama. I found it interesting to learn that there are many different views regarding service. There are those that are eager to serve and those that are eager to be served. There are those that are embarrassed to be served and those that may be too anxious to be served. Those who are offended to be served and those who are worried to offend. There are those who want to serve and those who serve out of duty. There are those who deny service and those who beg for it. There are those who seek ways to serve and those who serve when asked. There are those who do so quietly and those who serve loudly for all to see. Then of course there is Mother Nature who seems to be altogether opposed to our serving eachother tomorrow and thus has dumped snow upon us with one day left until May!

Elder Eyring recently said in the last conference, "He (God) has from the beginning of time provided ways for His disciples to help. He has invited His children to consecrate their time, their means, and themselves to join with Him in serving others." This was a wonderful talk on service and can be read here. I cannot judge or pass judgment on those who are feeling these different feelings regarding service, for at one time or another, I have surely felt the same way. However, I am certain that there are only two ways we should feel regarding service. Blessed to receive it and blessed to give it. We should welcome those that wish to serve us and realize that their service represents love as it is intended and that they, along with myself, will be blessed for doing so. We should seek ways to serve others...everyone. Of course we have a responsibility to serve those who truly need it, but what a blessing it is in our lives and the lives of anyone we serve to show that love by way of service. I for one will be blessed to serve and blessed to be served.

Easter In Winter Time!

HAPPY EASTER!!!!

What is wrong with this picture? It is Easter Weekend late in the month of April! This should be a picture of a peep or egg in some green grass! Well, in truth, this was taken at 7500 feet elevation.

Jim, Samantha, Hailey and Madyson joined us and Mom at the cabin for Easter weekend. We had a fun time. Even Mady who is seen here sniffing the butt of a stuffed bunny. In her defense, though she is a little goofy, this is a stuffed rabbit that smelled like chocolate.

We had a fun time playing games at the Buck N' Beaver Lodge as we usually do. Incidentally, as we played Pictionary Man, it donned on us that the prop had an uncanny similarity to Jim.

We love playing games

The Lou contemplating what the Easter Bunny may bring her.

Of course, we had a fun time on the ATVs. All we had to do is unbury the garage from under 8 feet of snow!

Jim and Hailey ready to get their ride on!

Me with the other two cuties.

Three of Four Girls. Grace we missed you!

Brothers don't shake hands. Brothers gotta' hug.

The girls really enjoyed riding in the snow. It is melting fast and kind of muddy in spots, but still fun.

My cute little snow bunny.

The Lou loves to make snow angels

Mady loved the snow too!

Hailey and The Lou sledding.

The Lou in Mom's goggles

Grandma played "the old card" to stay indoors while the rest of us played in the snow. I guess she has earned the right.

I love her even more at high elevations!

My snow angels

Riding back to the cabin

Grandma brought sugar cookies with icing and sprinkles. The girls had fun decorating them and I had fun eating them!

Then they dyed Easter Eggs.

We headed back home for church and Easter Dinner on Sunday. Here The Lou is showing off some of her bounty collected from the Easter Bunny.

And of course the Easter pics. Jimmy opting for black and white rather than Easter pastels.

My cute little Gremlin, Madyson

She makes me smile inside and out.

Am I blessed or what?!

Happy Family

My little Cupcake, Hailey Leilani.

Grandma (isn't she looking great as she continues to lose weight?)

Jim's family posing.

Jim's family acting normal.

Dad, Scott, Cynthia and Grace, we missed you!

Samantha ready to look for eggs!

The Lou loved collecting the eggs. She couldn't really care less about what was in them, but she liked finding them.

SCORE! That is a lot of eggs.

"Look what I got!"

Jim and Pooh got pretty competitive during the hunt.

We had to place the eggs low so Jim could find them. HAHA! He is going to kill me for that comment.

Pooh found the most eggs of the adult egg hunt. The kids hid the eggs and we hunted.

What a dinner! Honey Glazed Ham, Flemings Chipotle Mac N' Cheese, Grandma O's Potato Salad, Grandma T's Broccoli Salad, Green Bean Casserole, Olives, and more! I'm still stuffed!

The Lou loves olives...for eating and for playing.

A couple goofy rabbits.

Hailey and The Lou sledding