Come one, come all...

The high school girls basketball team that I coach is traveling quite a ways to play in Panguitch, UT on Tuesday at 3pm. Since we live forever and a day away, not many of our fans can afford to come watch us play. If you are around/close we would love to have some fans come out and support us at Panguitch and wear maroon/red. Unfortunately, Sara won't be able to make it, but it would be cool for our girls to have some "fans" cheering them on. And, it would be cool to see some friends again. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.

A Magical Vacation

Where was I on my birthday?

Umm. Here! The happiest place on earth!

See that snazzy machine my dad is on? It pretty much kept us at the front of the lines all day long! We had an AMAZING time! We rode almost everything 2-3 times.

Is that a tiara on my head? Why, yes. It was my birthday hat. See those buttons? They told everyone in the park that it was our birthday! I can't tell you how embarrassingly enjoyable it was to have EVERYONE wish us a "Happy Birthday"!

Three days of Disney magic were therapeutic to my soul. It was so fun to be with my sisters and dad. Lest you think I didn't miss Shawn-I did-but I was having a blast!

The dawn of a new day...

Well, I survived the night. I woke up this morning trying to figure out what to do with my day off. I decided that a short drive to the metropolis of Tooele was in order. As I was gassing up and entering our modest convenient store, I was greeted by some friends that also wanted to go the big city in about an hour. So, I agreed to go with them. I went in to get some hot chocolate, and ended up getting a couple of movies (Eli Stone season 1 and The Bucket List) for a really cheap price. I then went home, bought a ticket to a BYU basketball game, and looked at some romantic places for Valentine's day (for when, hopefully, Sara and I will be together). I did get to T-Town, bought Sara's B-day present and then picked up dinner on the way home. Before Sara left yesterday, she gave me the green light to buy/do some things just for me. So, I did. Now, I am just chillin and dreading going back to work tomorrow. Sara is, by all accounts, enjoying her time in Cali and so is her family. For those that were wondering, I am doing better today. Tomorrow will be challenging getting up, but hopefully I can have an enjoyable time teaching.

Two Worlds(Or States) apart...

So I am writing this post from the comfort of my home. And, while you may read this post, this message is actually for Sara. You see, Sara is in California right now, no doubt getting settled into her comfortable hotel room across the street from the so-called "Happiest place on earth," while I am looking around at the silence that pervades our empty home. I have already rearranged our movie collection into alphabetical order and by type (dvd and vhs). I have craved chocolate chip cookies but cannot bring myself to make them, have had cereal for dinner, and have generally not done anything productive since Sara left a short six hours ago. And I already miss her. I cannot determine whether that makes me a melodramtic sap or a hopeless romantic. Either way, there is no denying that I miss her. I hope that she enjoys her time in Cali and I will periodically write messages on this blog as a recap/shameful blubbering about my days away from my sweetheart. Hope all is well in Cali-land. As for the middle of nowhere land, it is pretty dull.

December Miracles Cont'd

Well, I haven't been keeping track every day since the sixth, but we have certainly seen a lot of prayers be answered and we have had some thoroughly enjoyable moments together. So, here are some of the miracles-in no particular order.

I am grateful for our family, friends, and neighbors who take care of us and who help us with their time and talents.

We are alive and well. (D-school had a school shooting threat this week and Shawn is finally recovered from intense pain from both his knee and a freak bout with costochondritis last week.)

It has been one year and ten days since we began to journey down the path of building our family through adoption. Our testimonies have been strengthened, our faith is fortified, and we are temporally ready.

I had cannolis from Caffe Palermo shipped to our home for Shawn's birthday. They were divine and the Cannoli King is now my friend. (Go ahead, look him up in New York City)

Shawn was born. That is certainly a miracle for me!

Shawn and I took some time last night to do some shopping and celebrate his birthday. We ate at the Melting Pot-that rocked my world.

The best miracle of all is that it is Christmas-when we celebrate miracles because they are normal and they happen and a couple thousand years ago-the greatest miracle happened.

We hope you have a very miraculous and merry week!

December Miracles

We've decided to keep track of the miracles we find every day. So here's the list.
December 1: Our little prelit Christmas tree has a section that does not light up. We don't have time to go get a real tree-besides the fact that Shawn can't help me. So...we began decorating it anyways and I thought, "It would just be miraculous if these lights would work." Shawn adjusted the tree and all of a sudden the lights came on! Miracle for day one!


December 2: I'm a reader. I read. When I get busy I forget to read. I picked up a book and read. It takes me away and I come back to reality rejuvinated. That's a miracle!


December 3: In the education profession, November/December is considered the "Blahs". The students have no desire to be at school, and the teachers don't really either. Everybody is in the same old ebb and flow and are anticipating Christmas Break. I am determined to try to not be in the blahs. I love my job and the students (when they aren't stinky-but they have been exceptionally stinky lately). So, I have been praying to find joy and be more loving. For some reason, Wednesday was the day. I laughed with the kids, we had great lessons and discussions, and the day was great! I needed that miracle.

December 4: Shawn doesn't have to wear the stupid brace at night! I have my personal heater back in my bed! Love him! Thank you doctor! Thank you!

December 5: Our little town has its advantages and some glaring disadvantages. One being that we are 50 minutes from any other real community with gas stations. We were all packed and ready to go to my dad's house on Friday night and we just needed to get gas and be on our way. Well, when the gas station closes, it takes 30 minutes for the pumps to reset. We were after the time for the resetting to have already taken place and we were panicked. Miraculously, the worker at the store came out while we were waiting and said that she had to reset something inside but that they would come on in five minutes. They did. We left. We are lucky.

December 6: Saturday was full of miracles! In the morning we had our annual cousin Christmas party where my sisters and I take the nieces and nephews and do something fun. This year my sister wanted to do gingerbread houses. She has been stressing all week about them, but on Saturday morning, they were SOOO fun! The kids had a blast. The houses are so cute and it was thoroughly enjoyable. Then we had the opportunity to go to a sealing. Our good friends were sealed to their adopted baby! I am a sucker for adoption successes! Adoption is a miracle!

More miracles to come!

Wait

"No"

A little boy at the end of a day knelt by his bed to say a prayer

And Father up in Heaven heard the prayer he prayed

And listened to each work with greatest care

The boy said, "Please bless that tomorrow I won't have to take a bath,

And bless that they will cancel school for snow."

And God had the power to protect him and never let him grow

But He said, "No."

A young man was holding tightly to the hand of a girl who had to say goodbye

And as she walked away he had to whisper a prayer

As he fought every tear that filled his eyes

He whispered,

"Please can you make her turn around and change her mind?

It's the deepest hurt that I have ever known."

And God had the power to protect him and never let him grow

But He said, "No."

And there are yesses that our father can hardly wait to give

And they are packed in every crevice of the lives we live

Sometimes God will pour down miracles and amazing twists of fate

And other times He chooses just to whisper, "Wait."

How many times have I prayed for blue skies

So no one has to cancel the game

And I feel so abandoned when the sky gets dark

Never knowing all the ones who prayed for rain

And usually the story's even trickier than that

With solutions that only God could know

But if you ask Him if he's ever overlooked you

Or ceased to love you so

He'll say, "No."

-Cherie Call

This song is my personal theme song right now. We have been elated for the past several weeks with the feeling that our baby would be coming soon-but there was an immediate change-when I think that God whispered, "Wait." We've cried and ached and cried some more.

Why would we assume that there would be a baby coming? No reason. I suppose it's our belief in miracles. Why the sudden change? I don't know that either-perhaps someone changed his/her mind. Whatever it is though, it's okay.

Perhaps I am the one praying for "blue skies" when there is a mother praying for rain. When both of our prayers can be answered, our paths will cross, and we can share our love for that sweet spirit that will bless both of our lives. It is hard for me to wrap my mind around the fact that her very difficult sacrifice will be our blessing and our miracle. I ache for her and pray that she will have peace and support as she makes such a difficult decision.

In the meantime, we've decided to look for the "yesses" and the miracles that are in our life right now. One day our baby will come.

When it is time.

When it is right.

Bless those birth parents!