What a month-

Well- Contrary to what most people might think about me by now- no I am not dead. We have had a crazy eventful month though! Neil and Annie came down for a visit from Washington and we were soooo happy to see them. The kids were screaming and hugging and picked up right where they left off from the last visit. We have missed them like crazy! We spent a week doing all sorts of fun stuff- and we had a blast! My birthday was this month also- so happy birthday to me. I got the cutest video clip of the kids all playing in the leaves at the park by my house- so I had to share it.





Doesn't that look so awesome! I must admit- even all the adults got in there and played in them. The pile was HUGE- who wouldn't want to roll around in them! Kenna loved it!

We did Thanksgiving early with my family- and we had the kids doing little games and crafts to keep them busy and out of the kitchen while everything was getting ready. This picture is of the stylin' "turkey hats" that the kids made to wear while they were eating dinner. Yep- I know you're all jealous of how cool they are. They all looked hilarious and it was great.

We found this fun place in North Salt Lake called Kangaroo zoo that the kids just LOVE to go to. It's a place that has just tons of bouncy, blow up slides and things for the kids to play on. We went a couple of times while Neil and Annie were here to just let the kids work out a little of their energy. These pictures kind of give a good idea of what the place is like. Except for the bottom one- which I just added in because of how hot my husband is. (You rock my world baby!)



Well- (sigh) All was not fun and games because I was bouncing around at Kangaroo Zoo with all the kids and I fell...hard...and I broke my shoulder bones in two different places and dislocated my arm. Ugh. It was AWFUL!! Teach me to be bouncing around like a 3 year old huh! So- I have just been recuperating and my sweet husband basically has to do everything for me. The doctors are talking surgery- but I am going to try my hardest to just let the bones heal and get as much of the movement as I can back through physical therapy. I really don't want to do the surgery right now if I can avoid it. (I have had shoulder surgery before...no fun at all!) Anyhow- I literally have been working on this stupid post for what seems like hours because I am working as the "one armed monster" at the moment. Typing left handed and pecking at the keyboard like a chicken really sucks. All in all though- the month has been good, and everyone says from the way I landed that I am just really lucky that I didn't break my neck- so there you have it. Heavenly Father is blessing me once again!

Gotta Love Carousels...

We all got season passes to Lagoon this year with my folks and Christian and Melody's family. It was So worth it because literally we went twice and they were paid for. We didn't even go for a full day once, we didn't do nine-tenths of the rides, but several times during the summer and the fall- we would go for an hour or two and let Kennedy do all of the little kiddie rides. She absolutely LOVED it!!! For me- Lagoon is over rated with huge long lines, too many buildings that need a fresh coat of paint, and hundreds of 12 year olds-dressing like would be hookers and making out with their pimple faced boyfriends in braces. But- for a kid- who doesn't see all of those things- Lagoon is a magic place with rides and music and cotton candy- and life is just awesome for those hours that you are there. It was so great to have a place that was free (because we had paid for it months before...) that we could go and meet up with the family and play. By far- the favorite ride was the Carousel. Which I was completely pleased about because that (by far) is my favorite ride at Lagoon. It just makes me feel like life is a lot simpler and calmer, than all of the other high-tech crazy ones. Kennedy rode it at least 2 times every time we would go. Every time she would wave at people and pretend to do stunts and tricks. I loved watching her imagination go wild. Anyhow- this little video clip was our last night at Lagoon before it closed and I just thought it was fun. She was having so much fun- I just love her so much...and my goofy husband. He just makes me smile!

Halloween!

We had the best Halloween! Kennedy was a pirate and looked SOOOO adorable! I have to say- I was tickled pink that she wanted to be a pirate! I was totally expecting some girly princess or something like that- but she wanted it- and totally went for it. And- I just love seeing all of the other kids dressed up in their costumes! We have an insane amount of trick-or-treaters come to our house every year. Last year I bought 400 candy bars- this year I bought 450- and we only had 20 left at the end of the night! AH! 430 kids!! It even rained- which I was certain would slow them down- but no dice. We literally just had to leave the door open because it was so tedious to close it just to open it 2 seconds later. We had a few friends come over and the guys took the kids out trick or treating while us moms stayed and manned the fort. We had lots of fun just playing and visiting. I am MAJOR bummed because I got the cutest video on my camera of Kenna right before they went out- but I shot it vertical and now it will only play sideways! (sniff, sniff...) I am major stupid when it comes to computer stuff, and I can't figure out how to rotate it...but she is so flippin' cute that I am hoping that everyone that looks at it- won't be too annoyed with the fact that they have to view it with their faces against the keyboard. Awesome.

I love Fall-

I seriously LOVE falltime! I love the colors, I love how it gets cooler and I can wear sweaters but I'm not usually freezing cold. I love the campfire smell in the air at night, and the scarecrows, cornstalks and haybales, and pumpkins that just seem to be everywhere. I LOVE Halloween and seeing all the little kids in their costumes- AND because that awesome holiday is rapidly approaching I realized that it was high time that we went to pick out our pumpkins to carve on Halloween. We went to a place out in Sandy. Kennedy LOVED it- and took her "job" very seriously. She was very careful and picky about which pumpkin would be just the perfect one for her. I got a huge kick out of it.

Kennedy walking up and down the aisles in search of "The one".

I loved all the cute fall decorations! It made it so fun.

Seriously you just thought the last picture was cute- she is a rockstar!

Kenna and Mom

And WALA! The perfect pumpkin! We each got one and now we just have to keep them from getting smashed for another week. Sigh... I will have to post our finished products after they are all carved.

Wahoo for new hairdo's!

Ok- I realize that it is stupid and whatever to "toot your own horn".... HOWEVER- there are moments in life that sometimes you just have to shout from the rooftops and say "YES! I, (Whatever your name is) THE GREAT- ACCOMPLISHED THIS CRAZY FEAT!" (Kind of like the scene in "The Castaway" where Tom Hanks is running all around screaming-"I made Fire!!"- ya- kind of like that...) Anyhow- Last night Kennedy and I went to "Hair night out". A little while ago I joined a group of mom's who have also adopted black kids and it is just a place where I can vent and make new friends, and talk about skin care and hair care without boring everyone else...and Kennedy gets to play with tons and tons of darling little kids that look just like her and also "get" how it is being raised as a black child with white parents. AND!! I learned how to do extensions last night! At first I thought it was pretty hard. It just felt unnatural and I didn't know where my fingers should go- and I was afraid that I would just rip her hair out by the roots if I pulled or yanked too hard. BUT!! I quickly got the hang of it...and after TEN long hours of braiding, and braiding and braiding....(and I am not even kidding when I say it took me 10 hours...I was up until 2:00am and even then I had to finish the next day...) My beautiful little girl has a new 'do'!

I realize that this news seems lame to most people...but I have to admit... it has been a real challenge for me trying to learn the art of black hair. It is so different from anything I have ever experienced and it takes meticulous care and effort to make it grow and keep it healthy. I do a style and then I freak out and worry if it is good enough or if I should start over. It takes SO long even to just comb through it sometimes. Top that off with the fact that I have had complete strangers walk up to me in the stores and tell me what they think of it...good and bad...makes me feel even more completely lost with trying to manage it. However..this past little while I have almost felt like I have had tons and tons of help from the big guy upstairs. I have not only been able to manage it, but I feel fairly confidant- and I am learning new things all the time. ME! The girl who never even learned to braid my own hair! So- I am just so excited about this newly acquired skill and I am so grateful to Kristin for not only showing me how...but making me do it on my own. Now my tiny little girl looks SO grown up!! She loves her new hair- and I am just feeling so good right now.

99 Things...

I thought this was a fun one... I copied it from Cam-
Here is a list of "99 things..." the ones that I have done are in Blue.
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Italy
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty (does half way count?)
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34.Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language- (Do I have to be fluent?)
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Received flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Which ones have you done?...

Adoption Chaos...

McCarrey and I have been working and trying to get our paperwork in for another adoption....here is where it all lies...

We have about $13,000 of "reimbursements" from various sources, my work will give me a certain amount towards adoption and so will McCarrey's...etc. That is an AMAZING- HUGE blessing! Adoption is crazy expensive and definitely the money aspect is the hardest obstacle when it comes to actually going for it. The downfall is that it is a reimbursement and we can only get that money 6 months after a child is placed with us. At this point in time- a typical adoption is going to run us about $20,000.00 give or take a few grand. We will have to pay for legal, and the birthmothers medical expenses. Now- while I would love to say that we just have an extra 20K lying around the house, or even that we had oodles of change hiding in the couch cushions that would be great! But...we just don't. Providing for a child-you bet!....education, clothing, food, vacations- no prob...but 20K in cash right this second...Nope. The crap thing- is that the economy sucks bigtime at the moment and we are nervous about taking out a loan for 20 grand. Even though the reimbursements would come within 6 months and the loan could be paid off in less than a year...we would still have to float the payments on a HUGE loan. At this point in time we would be looking at about $400.00 a month. Ouch! That is pretty rough to just come up with... especially because we would be buying gallons of formula and mountains of diapers at the same time. AAHH! It is a definite frustration to me. Why does adoption have to be so expensive anyway?! Why can't there just be some amazing non-profit organization that just wants to see the children placed with a loving family- and not get rich off the deal? Well- anyhow- just venting a little bit. We will be ok- and if there is one thing I know for sure...when it is right- God will just make it happen. When we got Kennedy we had about $500 in our account. We got the phonecall that day- and I kid you not- in 24 hours we had over $15,000 in our account and we were able to get her with out any trouble. So- we are going to forge ahead- and just trust that when the timing is right...it will happen. We just have to keep working hard and saving our pennies. For all of the chaos and frustration that comes with the adoption process- the amazing experiences far outweigh them. I will try and keep everyone up to date on how the whole "process" is going. Next comes the paperwork and the homestudies...and then the waiting game! Exciting!