Close to My Heart...

My emotions have been incredibly close to the surface this week. On Sunday we lost our cousin, on Monday one of our student's fathers attempted suicide, the Tooele Transcript photographed our nursery-which I was mortified about, on Tuesday we prepared for an extensive surgery, on Wednesday we thankfully endured a less-than-extensive surgery, Thursday we dealt with a lot of pain and frustration and I wasn't quite sure how to help, Friday I felt guilty for going back to work, and tomorrow we have a funeral. Coupled with all of the hard things, on Monday I took a group of wonderful kids to the U to see an awesome play for FREE, on Tuesday our colleague had beautiful twins, on Wednesday Shawn had an amazing surgery and the blizzard wasn't so much a factor after 30 minutes of driving, Thursday the power went out but thankfully turned back on and we were both able to sleep for a few hours in the morning and my friend told me that she has a hot date with her hubby tonight, on Friday the majority of our students were gone on a field trip and I was able to teach fundamentals and make some of the students' day, and tomorrow I get to spend three hours driving with my dad and partaking of his wisdom, love and concern for us on the way to attend a funeral where we will celebrate the life of an amazing man.

Apart from the rambling-here is the link to the Tooele Transcript article. Let's just say that I want to prepare for a baby like we know its coming-because it will one day-and it helps me feel like we are working toward a goal and acting in faith for that miracle. I haven't wanted anyone to know for fear that I would be looked at like the girl who buys her prom dress in anticipation for a date and everyone knows it, but she doesn't get asked. Please don't criticize me for preparing...you weren't supposed to know!

Yay!

It is National Adoption Month!

Let's celebrate how much we love adoption!

We've had the opportunity to be interviewed and photographed for an article about adoption in the Tooele Transcript. I will give you the link when we know more!

I wish we were doing the following on Saturday:

"Walk With Me"

5k to celebrate adoption

Liberty Park

November 8th

Register by 9:30

*It won't be so much fun if I have to push Shawn in a wheelchair-we'll avoid that*

Please talk to everyone you know about adoption. It is miraculous and powerful!

Good News

Shawn's surgery was a success!

The doctor was happy to find that there wasn't as much damage to the ligaments as he has expected. He was able to easily repair the LCL and meniscus and send us on our way. Shawn has been in some pain but he has a painkiller in him and a desire to have a Pirates of the Carribean marathon. I will indulge him!

Called Home

My heart is heavy today because we just found out that our cousin passed away this morning from an arduous battle with cancer. I ache for his wife and children who will miss him tremendously. So many people will miss him. He was a big Samoan teddy bear. His culture was always so fascinating to me and his complete ability to love and welcome people is something that astounds me. Today, as I have thought about his life, I feel very lucky that I got to be related to him. I am lucky to know his children who carry on pieces of his culture and his warm personality.
My heart is also light today. I am so happy that he has been released from the heavy suffering that he has been enduring the past several weeks. The reunion with family and loved ones on the other side today was probably spectacular. I'm sure my mom was there. His spirit will continue to live without the mortal restriction of his imperfect body, he will continue to look over his family and he will wait for them to join him, and one day in the future, his spirit and body will be reunited in a perfect form. Can you imagine that sweet reunion with his wife and children?

I am so grateful for the knowledge I have of our Heavenly Father's plan. We have existed a long time before this life and will continue to exist and progress after this life with our families. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, lived a life that we are to emulate and died so that we will live again.