Old computer / TV card

Well, Nikki used her "jedi mind tricks" on me and we got a 22" monitor and a USB TV card for $20. I started to try it out to "make sure it works". However, I discovered that one of our computers is so old (about 6+ yrs. old) that it doesn't even have USB 2.0, in only has 1.0 and the card was only designed for 2.0. I tried it on the other computer that is slightly less old (only about 4 years old), and it has USB 2.0 and actually worked!

The good thing is that I can now start using the "newer" computer (4 yr. old) to act as a DVR (Digital Video Recorder) / HTPC (Home theater type of PC). I'm going to test it out next week and record a week's worth of Nikki's favorite shows on the PC and see if they turn out.

The newer card is pretty cool, it even has auto-record and programmable features. The last TV card I bought was so old that Windows98 was the newest thing around, back then. So it will be nice to have one that actually works on a modern operating system.

Black Friday

I have to say I am one of those fools who enjoy getting up early morning and going out on Black Friday. This year I convinced Adam to tag along with me on the fun. If you know Adam, then you know how precious his sleep is. He will not get up early for anything. So Thursday night we set out a plan. We each went into our offices and found the items we were interested in. About an hour later we met up and went over our list of deals. I was surprised to find that we had circled pretty much the same stuff. As I am trying to convince him we need the 32" flat screen and how there is this cool new gadget that I think I should get called the Cricket, he just sits and laughs at me as I plead my case. Adam is the rational one in our relationship if you couldn't tell. He talks me out of these extreme items and leads me to a more productional path of shopping. So we decide to try our luck at Office depot for the 22" monitor. As he wants to get to the store at 7am I proceed to use my wisdom of persuasion on him that we really need to get there when it opens if we think we have a chance. As his power of persuasion move my thoughts from the 32" TV to a 22" monitor. My power of persuasion gets the man up at 530am and in line at the store 2 mins before they open. What luck we were able to get the monitor. The rest of the day was running around town doing errands and decorating our home for Christmas. With all the shopping done for the season and the Christmas tree and decorations up at the house. We are ready for the season. We wish you and your family the best the Christmas and hope that you enjoy the love and treasures that the season has to offer.

PS I had to make sure the monitor works so I am using it right now. It is awesome. Maybe I will be able to convince Adam next year with my mind Yoda powers to get the 32" LCD TV.

I am thankful for.........

Happy Thanksgiving

I have so much to be thankful for where do I begin? I am thankful for family and friends, for our jobs, for our home we have to live in, for our cars that run and have had no problems for a while. I am thankful to have the gospel of Jesus Christ in our life, just to name a few things that I am thankful for.

So Adam and I were planning on being hermits this Thanksgiving, yes the natural introvert in me speaking. We were going to hide out and have a small dinner at home. But a week ago we decided to spend it with some good friends, and then the day before I get a call about getting together with a couple more families. So that’s what we did, we got together with 9 adults and 7 children. BTW all the kids were under the age of 6. It was great. Everyone pitched in for dinner, which was an awesome way to do Thanksgiving dinner. The family who hosted it had a great clean garage to put tables up in and we were all able to eat together in there. As you have seen from my garage there is no way we could have hosted anything in my cluttered, packed garage. The food was so good and the company was even better.

The triplets as you can see are eating their thanksgiving dinner. There was a race with who could finish their bottle first. I tell you Tatum and Carter were neck and neck, but in the end I think Tatum won. The babies look so good. They are a month old now and about a week away from their due date.

Thanks so much for letting us come and enjoy Thanksgiving with your families. We love you all and are so lucky to be a part of the holiday.

Happy Thanksgiving!

One hundred forty-two years ago, our greatest President, Abraham Lincoln proclaimed:

"The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God…
No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.
It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and voice by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility and Union."

I hope that all of us recognize the great blessings we have, set our mind toward gratitude. As we do our minds will focus on the positive things we have been blessed with.



"Let thy hearts be full of thanks unto God" Alma 37:37



It may seem a simple suggestion, but if you wake up with gratitude on your mind and heart it is almost impossible to feel anything but peace.



I wish all of you a happy, meaningful Thanksgiving,

7 Random Facts about Adam

Well, I've been slacking off a little and needed to post some content on here too. Here's 7 random facts about me too:

1. I learned to fly a plane in less than 3 months (over a summer) and got my pilot's license



2. I once saw the Queen of Spain (only for a brief moment)



3. I have a voracious appetite for learning about lots of things. I especially enjoy learning how things "work".



4. I also like to learn little trivia facts about random stuff



5. I love music and when I'm having a bad day, or just having a hard time getting motivated once in a while, I'll put on a good upbeat tune to keep me going.



6. I love photography, in my college years I took lots of scenery shots. I love sunset and sunrise and those hard-to-find nature shots (like when the clouds form a certain way, or the sun shines through the clouds, and especially colorful sunsets). I took some pictures on some sub-tropical islands and loved to see if I could take a picture on the top of one island looking towards the next.



7. I once rode a "jet foil" between two tropical islands. Similar to this one:

Nieces & Nephews...

I was just updating facebook and one of my friends commented that he had 19 nieces & nephews and 4 different time zones...It got me thinking...Hmmmm... How many do I have?

I think I have around 18 nieces & nephews in 4 time zones... Kinda cool eh?

My project is complete

So I got the idea to redo my office this summer, to try and make it a space that I want to be in. I wanted to bring something special to the room that I house my workout equipment, my computer and now my new hobby of sewing. I really thought this through with my plan and I think it all came out pretty good with my budget. I had to really think about the future plans of this room. For now it is my space but as our family grows Adam will be pushed out of his office and into mine. So I wanted something neutral that we would both enjoy. I fell in love with this paint color and knew he would like it once he ends up in the room. But for now it’s still my room and I love it. I love the clean lines; the plant I think balances the room. I took the project on during conference weekend and finished it, but last night Adam took the time to put the pictures on the wall and I took the time to clean up my office and de-junk my desk. Thank goodness for paper shredders and that it was garbage day today. I have added shelves to my closet so everything has a place and the junk can be there just not seen. It’s all about the illusion that I am organized. LOL

Here is Adam in his office, now that is another project. TBD

Fondue Anyone?

We had a blast last night. Tis the season to each cheese!
One of our traditions is to have Fondue during the holidays. We decided to jumpstart the season early and invite some friends over last night for a fondue party. I am completely bummed that my camera was not working. Not sure what is going on there, so unfortunately there are no pictures to post of the great feast. It is a great excuse for me to pull out the china and set a nice table for the event of Fondue. Fondue has a special place in my heart. I lived in Switzerland and with that experience I have a fond love for cheese, the smellier the better I say. So with that love of cheese I have to produce a table setting worthy of the food. With that I pulled out the crystal, silver chargers and the finest china.
Once the group arrived we immediately sat down to start our first course, which was a wonderful salad that Tamra brought. “Note to self – get the recipe” It was a divine! Because I like to multi-task; we had the broths simmering on the table and were able to start cooking our meat. I tried a new recipe this year for my broth and it turned out pretty good, not sure if it was a keeper though, I think I still like my vegetable one that I make. We ate chicken and stake. I had made a couple of dipping sauces for the meat. My favorite was the cracked black pepper dip. When something is made with cream cheese and butter it can never go wrong. We also had BBQ sauce with a little kick, and a garlic dill sauce. When we seemed to have our fill of meat the 3rd course began with the cheese fondue. I use the authentic Swiss recipe for my fondue which is made with Gruyere and Emmentaler cheese. Yeah baby! You really have to pace yourself with this meal. My favorite part of the cheese fondue is when the cheese is almost gone and the cheese starts to burn on the bottom of the pot and there you find the garlic pieces and burned cheese. Oh does it get better than this? I also served an apple herbal tea as the beverage on the side of the meal. Everyone was willing to try at least a cup. The Swiss believe to serve a warm drink with their fondue as to not let the cheese harden in their tummies, and so we drank this wonderful tea my sister sent to me from Germany. With a full belly of salad, meats and cheese it was time to push the limit and have dessert which was a chocolate fondue. Unfortunately one of our couples had to take the chocolate and treats on the road as it was time to get back home and relieve their babysitter. But those who stay sat back played a little of the Wii and ate a wonderful spread that another couple brought of yummy items to dip in the chocolate. One of my favorites off these platters of heaven was the bite size rice crispy treats. I have never thought to add that to the plate to dip in chocolate. Oh where have I been?

All in All it was a great night with good friends, good food and lots of fun, one that we will remember for a life time.

Adam was so helpful; after everyone was gone we had a pile of dishes to do. I tried to keep up with them during the night, but of course as your belly gets fuller and the cheese sits in, you kind of just want to kick back and relax and let the food just settle. Adam helped me clean up after the party and we chatted at the sink as we hand washed the crystal and the china and laughed together into the late night. Once the kitchen was clean, the dishwasher set and the dry dishes on the counter we went upstairs with "the girls" and had our family cuddles for an hour or so, this is wher we just sit together with a big blanket and the dogs find their places with their chewy and we talk about stuff on our minds. It was the best part of the night.
I just want to say how much I love Adam and how good we are together. He is my friend, my companion, and my life. I am so glad that we were able to find each other. The wait was worth it.

Wait no more....its here

Oh, it is so beautiful. The wait is no more.

I woke up this morning as my ritual I get out of bed and peek out the window and see what the morning will bring. It is sort of a quirky thing I do every morning. I peek out the window with the anticipation that I will see something new. Every morning I see the neighbor’s car parked in the same spot, the light post shining brightly and a quiet calm street and I think to myself, I wish I was in bed. Then I walk into the bathroom and begin my grooming rituals. But this morning was different. As to my surprise I found a light dusting of snow and snowflakes falling from the sky. The light post gleamed with light and you could see the millions of tiny flakes dropping. With this made my heart skip a beat and a whirl of excitement take over. I wanted to wake Adam up and tell him it was snowing. I just looked at the lump of him under the feathers and let him sleep knowing he would have his own excitement when he was ready to wake up.

I took the back roads to work so I could slip and slide my way in. I love the rush you get when your brakes lock and you loose control just a bit. But only when you are the only one on the street and you have to be really careful not to end up in the ditch.

I remember the old days, back in high school. I drove an orange mustang, we would take that thing into the parking lot and do donuts with it. Oh the fun we had back then.

7 Random Facts about me.

Oh where do I begin? Not quite sure what to say.

1. I was born crossed eyed, and through two surgeries my eyes were corrected.

2. I could not tell time until I was 16, I some how missed that class when moving around as a child from the US to Canada back to the US. We only had digital clocks in my house. So that is why I have a fascination with clocks and I like the big ones as you can tell I have them all over my house.

3. I enjoy ice skating, when I was a kid in Canada that is what I did every Friday and Saturday night, go to the rink with friends and skate around and around and only leave the ice when it was time for it to be cleaned. I still love the ice and skating around and around and around. We don’t go anywhere except around and around and around.

4. I am double jointed and found it to be really handy when my mom who was dropping me off at early morning seminary ran over my foot/angle with the corvette. Yeah, it didn’t break or anything. Lucky me. Just got ate up by the gravel.

5. I can make an airplane out of my tongue. Ask me and I will show you.

6. I have learned with all my years of sitting quietly in sacrament meeting as a child to entertain myself with my hands, I can make some pretty cool creatures that will eat the meeting programs. Good Times.

7. I have a pretty good high kick. Ask my sister, I used to use it on her. LOL

Ok Adam ....when you read this it is your turn to add.

Does She Know?

I have some thought today to share.

So much is going through my mind about this opportunity to adopt. I wonder how it will work out, how long it will take and how the contact with our birth mother will be. We want to work at the comfort level of our birth mother. We hope with an open adoption we are able to invite our new family into ours. I want so much for our birth mother to know that her child will always know how special you are to be able to give your child life, and to know that with all your love you choose a family to raise your child. You will forever hold a special place in our hearts and with our family.

We promise you and your child will always know of your love and sacrifice you made for him/her.

Words cannot express the love that is in my heart for you. You are an idea in my mind, I can’t picture your face, and I can’t seem to know who you are or where you came from. Just hoping one day we will be able to find each other.

The love I feel for you is unique, even though we have never been able to speak. How can I thank you for your sacrifice. How can I know the tears you have shed, when I myself have shed those same tears for the opposite result. How can I know of your pain to make your choice on what to do? I wish I could know you and help you not feel alone in this time and help you find peace in your choice.

Does she know that I am kind, will she know that she is always on my mind. Does she know that this child is so wanted and will be a blessing to our home? Does she know that we are content with our life now, but will be blown away when we get the opportunity to be parents? Does she know the void that I feel in my heart? Does she know I have so much love to give and waiting for the opportunity to shower this child in our home with it? Does she know that Adam and I will be the parents that will help her child grow and spread their wings and learn and love live as we do?

Does she know who we are and who we can become in her choice?

Waiting for the first snowfall...

I had half-expected to see snow on the ground by Halloween. In our part of the country, that usually happens. However, this Halloween there wasn't any yet. The weathermen are predicting snow today, but I haven't seen any yet.

The first snowfall is a bit magical. It symbolizes the start of the winter and the realization that Thanksgiving is just around the corner, with Christmas ahead, which is exciting. It means that you can enjoy a cup of hot chocolate after being out in the cold. It also means the start of the ski season (which we're looking forward to this year). It also means visiting with friends and family, and a season of giving and Christmas Carols.

Although the growing season is already over, and I'll miss our garden, it also means I don't have the mow the lawn anymore for a while :-)

Approved for Adoption!

I feel like climbing to the top of roof and shouting for joy that this has finally happened. I received word today that we are official. We have been approved for adoption. Our profile will be up and active in a few days. Of course I will be searching daily and several times through out the day so find it. The letter should be arriving any day in the mail and reality is starting to sink in that we could be parents one day. I can’t even begin to express the happiness that I feel that this day has come. I know the day we are chosen will also be a blessed day in our lives.

We have had many road bumps along the way to get to this day. I now feel like we are moving forward with our life. I mean it has been so hard wanting to start a family and watching those around me accomplishing something that I have wanted my whole life. I see that it seems so easy for others, yet something so difficult for me. It has been draining both emotionally and physically. But now it seems like we are finally putting our energy in something that will actually help us start a family.

Now it is just taking it one day at a time and possible one year at a time. The average wait for couples are 18 months. We can do that, we have already spent 8 years trying to conceive. So get the word out, let anyone and everyone you know that we are looking for a baby. We are looking for a special birth mother who feels that she can trust us with her child and that her child will receive the love, stability and all that we can provide in life for her child.

Once our profile is up, I will add the link to this site. I am so happy and wanted to let everyone know of our joy!

"Dog the Bounty Hunter" and his "Paycheck"

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Halloween was a blast this year. We had allot of fun with friends and "the girls" Our church throws a Halloween party every year, this year it happened to be on the night of Halloween. We start off with a chili cook-off. I made my Northern White Chili. There were all kinds of chili there, hot and spicy, healthy and vegan. So there is something for everyone. Then there were side dishes and cornbread. All very delicious and everyone left with a full belly. After some games and fun we have what we call a Trick or Trunk. All the cars are lined up in the parking lot and the owners of the cars go out and hand out candy from the trunk of their cars. A very safe way for kids to get candy and enjoy the tradition of Halloween.


Adam and I like to go all out if we can. We dress up and light up the car with a strobe light, flasher and battery candles and pumpkins. We also like to bring "the girls" and they love it. Here are some pictures of the fun night. I went as Dog the Bounty Hunter and Adam was my Pay Check. Nice jail bait don't you think? Lot’s of adults dressed up right along with the kids. I seemed to scare a few of the little ones with my tuff looking costume.

Sara Palin came and I had to take a picture with her. I ran in to Cinderella before the ball and the Wicked Queen was there trying to hand out Apples. HMMM.



Adam found his partner in crime "Buddy Kleiman"




We were able to go stop in and check on our neighbor to see if she had her baby yet. We found her playing the Wii in the front room and handing out candy to the kids. We hope that with her bowling last night it will help her go into labor soon.