Happy Anniversary to my Hot Rock Star Husband! I love you with all my young girl heart.
You have given me an amazing 9 years. I definitely would not have done it without you by my side. We have shared the most amazing 9 years together. I only wished we could have met sooner than we did. I look back on the years together and we have done so much. We traveled together our first few years of marriage. We were able to go to Mexico, Bahamas, Spain, Switzerland, France, Canada and parts of the USA. We have lived in 3 different states over the years. We owned a business for 4 years and closed it up. Adam was there for me while I had my heath issues and he sat by my hospital bed for four surgeries in 2 year period of time. Adam graduated with his Masters. There are so many other things we have been able to accomplish and do over the years.
He is my love, my strength, my best friend and my Lover. He is everything to me and I want the world to know what an amazing husband I have.
“It just keep getting better”
Monday, May 18, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
Joy and Pain over 11 weeks
Mis-Adoption & Mis-carriage - all at once
I have been hesitant to share the things that have happen the past few months in our lives. We have experienced a miracle, we experienced joy and along with that came much pain. The last few months have been a whirlwind for us. I can barely remember the dates all the events happen, just knowing it did and we went through it all in 11 weeks.
Pregnancy - This CAN'T be real? After 9 years of trying?
The beginning of March we learned that we had a miracle; we found out that I was pregnant. I was feeling odd and talking to a co-worker and she told me to take a test. I have never been able to get pregnant. We had spent 9 years and allot of money working towards conceiving and with the end result, "you are the small percentage of couple we have no idea why you can't get pregnant." I remember thinking that day I may have a test tucked away in the filing cabinet and so that evening I decided to find it and put it in the bathroom.
Test 1
I thought to myself, if the next morning I decided to take the test it would be there. I was not going to spend the money to get a test. The next morning at 530am I decided to just do it. Wow what does 2 lines mean? I had to go online and look up the exact test I was using which is what they use at the hospital. Then I went into the bedroom where Adam was sleeping because it was 530am and I jumped on him and asked him if he knew what this meant. He was half awake and it barely registered with him.
I got ready for work still not believing the test. I pack the test in a zip lock bag and bring it to work to show my co-worker Kelli what it meant. She took one look at it and gave me a big hug and told me I was pregnant. I immediately call the doctor to see if I can get in for a test. I made the appointment the next day after work.
Test 2
Kelli convinced me to stop at Walgreen's and buy a test. I really didn't not want to waste money on a test as I had spent thousands of dollars over the years on test and junk for fertility. I made the choice as I was at the intersection waiting for the light. I walk in the store hoping not to see anyone and be able to look over all the options in private. I decide to spend the extra money and get a test that tells me so plain that even I understand. I got the digital test that says "pregnant or not pregnant” I didn't need to fuss with lines wondering if they were dark enough. There was a long line and I was standing there waiting, still hoping that I would not run into anyone. Hoping the clerk that was checking me out would not question me what I was buying. I have heard it too many times before in the past. I purchased it and was heading out of the store when I ran into a member from my church. Rachael, she was going in with her kids as I am heading out. I put my bag behind my body and talk with her for a bit, then quickly leave to go home and try out my test. I call my older sister as I am heading home and talk to her about it. She tells me, drink as much water as you can. Just water load. And if the pee is all water and it shows you are pregnant than you know for sure you are. I did just that and within sec the test read "pregnant”.
Test 3
I was still not convinced and took another test the next morning. Once again it was the same result.
Test 4
That afternoon I went to the doctor they did the same test and came back in and told me. I demanded a blood test. After talking to the doctor on why I needed one, she finally sent me to labs to get my blood drawn.
Test 5
The next day I got the results and it was right on. I was officially pregnant. We decided to see and wait for my first appointment so that I could know I really was. At this point I didn't believe it.
Adoption - We were chosen! Started the adoption process in Mar 2008, chosen in March 2009
The week I had my first appointment we got a call that Monday night from our case worker who told us that our birth mother had chosen us. We were in shock. We were so excited and couldn't believe we were chosen and that we would be getting a baby in 8 weeks. As that sunk in, Adam and talked back and forth about telling our birth mother about the pregnancy. People urged us not to say anything until we were far enough along in case of a miscarriage. A miscarriage, no way, that will not happen to me. This baby is coming and I know it. I know we are supposed to adopt and I know we are suppose to welcome Isabelle's baby into our home. We wrapped the idea around in our minds that we were going to have two babies and they would be 6 months apart. I could not believe we were going to be parents and be able to have two babies. I felt so blessed.
Test 6 - no heartbeat? (yet?)
Then the Wednesday came for my first appointment. I was so excited I could believe they were going to confirm I was pregnant. It was awesome and scary all in one. When she did the ultrasound. This chatty woman became silent. As she was looking her smile went to a worried look. She confirm with me my dates and I explained what I knew. Then she tells me I may not be as far along as I thought. No I was sure I was 2 weeks further than what she was telling me. Then she tells me all this medical logo that is going over my head. I am looking at this women and all I hear is "there is no heartbeat” then bla bla bla. She had me go get labs and then to go get them in 48hours later and come back on Monday for another appointment. I did what was requested and in the mean time research on the internet all I could about what she had told me. I found the more I read, the words she used started to make sense.
Miscarriage
The next Monday I went in. Not once did I think they were right in her diagnostic, not once did I think I would miscarry. I went in knowing they would find the heartbeat and everything would be just fine.
I was completely blind-sided when they are using the words DNC and right now. (This is where they go in and "scrape out" the fetus and any dead tissue from the miscarriage). What? I was told that I was nine weeks pregnant now and that the baby stopped growing at 6.5 weeks. I should be bleeding and it should be making its way out. But since it has not we need to do a DNC today because of the risk of infection.
My mind was could not take it all in. I asked for a moment to call Adam and talk to him about it. I was still in denial and still thought they didn't know what they were talking about. My mind waved back and forth wondering if they were right or wrong, wondering if I should do this or not? I could not make a decision and I was all alone, and then would do this and not be medicated and then drive myself home. Could I do it, of course I can. I am strong and I can anything on my own, but is this what I should do? I decided I would just do it, but in my heart I was breaking and wondering if it was right. The doctor came back in and he could sense my hesitation. We talked and he changed from being all business like and turned into a human being. The next thing I know he is telling me to embrace my pregnancy, enjoy the next few days and listen and understand my body and make the appointment the end of the week. I left with a cloud over my head. I felt like I was going to explode. I felt sorrow and pain and I sat in my car and just cried. How could this happen. How could I get pregnant, how could I lose it? Why now? After all these years why now? I got home and felt like my world was over. I felt so alone and sad.
Adoption - a baby is coming! - (No time for mourning)
I was excited for what was going to happen the next week! We were meeting our birth mother and she was going to place her child with us! I told myself I would mourn this week and then the next week I needed to focus on our other baby. That Wednesday about 6pm the night before my DNC was scheduled. I began cramping, the pain was terrible. It happened two hours later. I passed the baby on my own at home. This may sound gross to you and so move forward it is too much detail. But I saw it, I picked it up and looked at it. I cried and I made Adam look at it. Even though he almost threw up looking at it. Then I cried some more. How this could happen, and why did it happen to us? I took the next day off work and back in on the Friday. It felt like weeks before my body turned back to normal. I was only pregnant for a short while, but I felt so many changes in my body. I listened to the doctor's advice and really listened to my body. I really saw the miracle that took place with it. I felt all the changes that had happen go back.
My birthday - meeting our birthmom!
The next week on my 38th birthday we were able to meet our birth mom! That is where we were on our grand adventure to the "great northwest" I was meeting the woman who would change our lives. I was so scared and excited all the same. We had decided to tell her I was pregnant before I had the miscarriage. But then it happened and we kept it to ourselves.
Getting ready for the baby!
One thing that stuck with me in our meeting with our birth mother is she asked us if we were ready. I was hesitant to tell her, but we were ready. We were ready for this child in our hearts. As soon as we got back home I was on a rampage to get the house and all the things we needed for this little girl. Did you know you can move a husband out of his office in a week and get it painted and the carpets cleaned too? Yes within a week we had the room ready for the crib. I gave myself a deadline to have a bag packed and the baby's room done by May 1st. I was done a week before schedule. I had dreams at night about what I needed to buy and I would wake up the next morning exhausted because I have been shopping all night and making mental notes of things to get. So the next day I would go get those things. The next night would be something I had missed and so the next day I would get that item. This continued until we were prepared. We were so excited and our minds were on Baby thoughts. We had her named picked out, we had her room decorated and ready for her arrival. We had her clothes packed for the trip to go get her. After weeks of thinking it through I found a port-a-crib for the hotel room and got a bottle warmer and all you could imagine that we needed for our hotel stay with the baby.
We even made hotel reservations for a week (3 days before and 3 days after the due date, just in case). We drove by some hotels before our flight out and I suggested to Adam that we stop at a particular one. We stopped there and ended up getting a deal that was much cheaper and nicer than any other comparable hotel (for the next month)! We found out that it was a good thing to make reservations early because there was going to be several sports teams in town and rooms would be scarce during that week!
I thought I was so prepared.
But one thing that I never prepared for was a broken heart.
Not once through the process did I feel Isabel would change her mind. Not once did I think this baby would not come to our home. Not once did I think that Heavenly Father's plan would change for us.
Free Agency - Choice & Accountability
Then I realized that Isabel has her free agency and she used it. She made the choice to place her daughter with us, as she made the choice to keep her child and raise her on her own. I didn't prepare for this to happen. My head started to spin, my world yet again changed.
How could this happen?
Why now?
Why us?
Have we not done all that is required of us?
Have we not lived long enough without children in our home?
Have we endured enough with this trial?
My pain turned to anger and back to pain. My heart went numb and my world has been shattered once again.
How could I have gone from having two precious babies to none in 11 weeks?
There is much to be said for our trials and what we can endure. I want to crawl into a hole and never come out. But that is not who I am.
I will pick myself up and go on! One day at a time.
I am super woman and can do anything!
I can endure all the pain that is thrown my way!
Mourning the loss of children
So as I see people around me expand their families. I see the joy in their worlds. I am happy for them, but in my home with my door shut I cry for my own pain.
I want to recover and move forward, but how do you recover from a broken heart?
Time will heal a broken heart. A baby in my arms will heal my broken heart. I know without a doubt that Isabel's child was meant for our family. We had too many spiritual experiences (signs and wonders) along the way to deny it. I also know that God's plan for us in our lives will not be frustrated. It will happen one day, just not today :-(
The future ...
I wanted to share a glimpse of our experience over the past 11 weeks of our lives. I want to express my love for Isabel. I know she had allot of pain in making her choice and even though she has decided to keep her child and raise her. I pray that she will find happiness and joy in her children. Not take them for granted. Give them all the love and support that they need to make it in this hard world. I pray that her relationship will work out with her new boyfriend and that they can provide a stable two parent home. If she ever finds herself alone, that she will be able to have the strength to go on and raise her children the best that she can.
As for Adam and I, where do we go from here?
I am not sure?
What I do know is that we have the hope to have little feet running around with sticky hands in our home one day. Just not today.
I have been hesitant to share the things that have happen the past few months in our lives. We have experienced a miracle, we experienced joy and along with that came much pain. The last few months have been a whirlwind for us. I can barely remember the dates all the events happen, just knowing it did and we went through it all in 11 weeks.
Pregnancy - This CAN'T be real? After 9 years of trying?
The beginning of March we learned that we had a miracle; we found out that I was pregnant. I was feeling odd and talking to a co-worker and she told me to take a test. I have never been able to get pregnant. We had spent 9 years and allot of money working towards conceiving and with the end result, "you are the small percentage of couple we have no idea why you can't get pregnant." I remember thinking that day I may have a test tucked away in the filing cabinet and so that evening I decided to find it and put it in the bathroom.
Test 1
I thought to myself, if the next morning I decided to take the test it would be there. I was not going to spend the money to get a test. The next morning at 530am I decided to just do it. Wow what does 2 lines mean? I had to go online and look up the exact test I was using which is what they use at the hospital. Then I went into the bedroom where Adam was sleeping because it was 530am and I jumped on him and asked him if he knew what this meant. He was half awake and it barely registered with him.
I got ready for work still not believing the test. I pack the test in a zip lock bag and bring it to work to show my co-worker Kelli what it meant. She took one look at it and gave me a big hug and told me I was pregnant. I immediately call the doctor to see if I can get in for a test. I made the appointment the next day after work.
Test 2
Kelli convinced me to stop at Walgreen's and buy a test. I really didn't not want to waste money on a test as I had spent thousands of dollars over the years on test and junk for fertility. I made the choice as I was at the intersection waiting for the light. I walk in the store hoping not to see anyone and be able to look over all the options in private. I decide to spend the extra money and get a test that tells me so plain that even I understand. I got the digital test that says "pregnant or not pregnant” I didn't need to fuss with lines wondering if they were dark enough. There was a long line and I was standing there waiting, still hoping that I would not run into anyone. Hoping the clerk that was checking me out would not question me what I was buying. I have heard it too many times before in the past. I purchased it and was heading out of the store when I ran into a member from my church. Rachael, she was going in with her kids as I am heading out. I put my bag behind my body and talk with her for a bit, then quickly leave to go home and try out my test. I call my older sister as I am heading home and talk to her about it. She tells me, drink as much water as you can. Just water load. And if the pee is all water and it shows you are pregnant than you know for sure you are. I did just that and within sec the test read "pregnant”.
Test 3
I was still not convinced and took another test the next morning. Once again it was the same result.
Test 4
That afternoon I went to the doctor they did the same test and came back in and told me. I demanded a blood test. After talking to the doctor on why I needed one, she finally sent me to labs to get my blood drawn.
Test 5
The next day I got the results and it was right on. I was officially pregnant. We decided to see and wait for my first appointment so that I could know I really was. At this point I didn't believe it.
Adoption - We were chosen! Started the adoption process in Mar 2008, chosen in March 2009
The week I had my first appointment we got a call that Monday night from our case worker who told us that our birth mother had chosen us. We were in shock. We were so excited and couldn't believe we were chosen and that we would be getting a baby in 8 weeks. As that sunk in, Adam and talked back and forth about telling our birth mother about the pregnancy. People urged us not to say anything until we were far enough along in case of a miscarriage. A miscarriage, no way, that will not happen to me. This baby is coming and I know it. I know we are supposed to adopt and I know we are suppose to welcome Isabelle's baby into our home. We wrapped the idea around in our minds that we were going to have two babies and they would be 6 months apart. I could not believe we were going to be parents and be able to have two babies. I felt so blessed.
Test 6 - no heartbeat? (yet?)
Then the Wednesday came for my first appointment. I was so excited I could believe they were going to confirm I was pregnant. It was awesome and scary all in one. When she did the ultrasound. This chatty woman became silent. As she was looking her smile went to a worried look. She confirm with me my dates and I explained what I knew. Then she tells me I may not be as far along as I thought. No I was sure I was 2 weeks further than what she was telling me. Then she tells me all this medical logo that is going over my head. I am looking at this women and all I hear is "there is no heartbeat” then bla bla bla. She had me go get labs and then to go get them in 48hours later and come back on Monday for another appointment. I did what was requested and in the mean time research on the internet all I could about what she had told me. I found the more I read, the words she used started to make sense.
Miscarriage
The next Monday I went in. Not once did I think they were right in her diagnostic, not once did I think I would miscarry. I went in knowing they would find the heartbeat and everything would be just fine.
I was completely blind-sided when they are using the words DNC and right now. (This is where they go in and "scrape out" the fetus and any dead tissue from the miscarriage). What? I was told that I was nine weeks pregnant now and that the baby stopped growing at 6.5 weeks. I should be bleeding and it should be making its way out. But since it has not we need to do a DNC today because of the risk of infection.
My mind was could not take it all in. I asked for a moment to call Adam and talk to him about it. I was still in denial and still thought they didn't know what they were talking about. My mind waved back and forth wondering if they were right or wrong, wondering if I should do this or not? I could not make a decision and I was all alone, and then would do this and not be medicated and then drive myself home. Could I do it, of course I can. I am strong and I can anything on my own, but is this what I should do? I decided I would just do it, but in my heart I was breaking and wondering if it was right. The doctor came back in and he could sense my hesitation. We talked and he changed from being all business like and turned into a human being. The next thing I know he is telling me to embrace my pregnancy, enjoy the next few days and listen and understand my body and make the appointment the end of the week. I left with a cloud over my head. I felt like I was going to explode. I felt sorrow and pain and I sat in my car and just cried. How could this happen. How could I get pregnant, how could I lose it? Why now? After all these years why now? I got home and felt like my world was over. I felt so alone and sad.
Adoption - a baby is coming! - (No time for mourning)
I was excited for what was going to happen the next week! We were meeting our birth mother and she was going to place her child with us! I told myself I would mourn this week and then the next week I needed to focus on our other baby. That Wednesday about 6pm the night before my DNC was scheduled. I began cramping, the pain was terrible. It happened two hours later. I passed the baby on my own at home. This may sound gross to you and so move forward it is too much detail. But I saw it, I picked it up and looked at it. I cried and I made Adam look at it. Even though he almost threw up looking at it. Then I cried some more. How this could happen, and why did it happen to us? I took the next day off work and back in on the Friday. It felt like weeks before my body turned back to normal. I was only pregnant for a short while, but I felt so many changes in my body. I listened to the doctor's advice and really listened to my body. I really saw the miracle that took place with it. I felt all the changes that had happen go back.
My birthday - meeting our birthmom!
The next week on my 38th birthday we were able to meet our birth mom! That is where we were on our grand adventure to the "great northwest" I was meeting the woman who would change our lives. I was so scared and excited all the same. We had decided to tell her I was pregnant before I had the miscarriage. But then it happened and we kept it to ourselves.
Getting ready for the baby!
One thing that stuck with me in our meeting with our birth mother is she asked us if we were ready. I was hesitant to tell her, but we were ready. We were ready for this child in our hearts. As soon as we got back home I was on a rampage to get the house and all the things we needed for this little girl. Did you know you can move a husband out of his office in a week and get it painted and the carpets cleaned too? Yes within a week we had the room ready for the crib. I gave myself a deadline to have a bag packed and the baby's room done by May 1st. I was done a week before schedule. I had dreams at night about what I needed to buy and I would wake up the next morning exhausted because I have been shopping all night and making mental notes of things to get. So the next day I would go get those things. The next night would be something I had missed and so the next day I would get that item. This continued until we were prepared. We were so excited and our minds were on Baby thoughts. We had her named picked out, we had her room decorated and ready for her arrival. We had her clothes packed for the trip to go get her. After weeks of thinking it through I found a port-a-crib for the hotel room and got a bottle warmer and all you could imagine that we needed for our hotel stay with the baby.
We even made hotel reservations for a week (3 days before and 3 days after the due date, just in case). We drove by some hotels before our flight out and I suggested to Adam that we stop at a particular one. We stopped there and ended up getting a deal that was much cheaper and nicer than any other comparable hotel (for the next month)! We found out that it was a good thing to make reservations early because there was going to be several sports teams in town and rooms would be scarce during that week!
I thought I was so prepared.
But one thing that I never prepared for was a broken heart.
Not once through the process did I feel Isabel would change her mind. Not once did I think this baby would not come to our home. Not once did I think that Heavenly Father's plan would change for us.
Free Agency - Choice & Accountability
Then I realized that Isabel has her free agency and she used it. She made the choice to place her daughter with us, as she made the choice to keep her child and raise her on her own. I didn't prepare for this to happen. My head started to spin, my world yet again changed.
How could this happen?
Why now?
Why us?
Have we not done all that is required of us?
Have we not lived long enough without children in our home?
Have we endured enough with this trial?
My pain turned to anger and back to pain. My heart went numb and my world has been shattered once again.
How could I have gone from having two precious babies to none in 11 weeks?
There is much to be said for our trials and what we can endure. I want to crawl into a hole and never come out. But that is not who I am.
I will pick myself up and go on! One day at a time.
I am super woman and can do anything!
I can endure all the pain that is thrown my way!
Mourning the loss of children
So as I see people around me expand their families. I see the joy in their worlds. I am happy for them, but in my home with my door shut I cry for my own pain.
I want to recover and move forward, but how do you recover from a broken heart?
Time will heal a broken heart. A baby in my arms will heal my broken heart. I know without a doubt that Isabel's child was meant for our family. We had too many spiritual experiences (signs and wonders) along the way to deny it. I also know that God's plan for us in our lives will not be frustrated. It will happen one day, just not today :-(
The future ...
I wanted to share a glimpse of our experience over the past 11 weeks of our lives. I want to express my love for Isabel. I know she had allot of pain in making her choice and even though she has decided to keep her child and raise her. I pray that she will find happiness and joy in her children. Not take them for granted. Give them all the love and support that they need to make it in this hard world. I pray that her relationship will work out with her new boyfriend and that they can provide a stable two parent home. If she ever finds herself alone, that she will be able to have the strength to go on and raise her children the best that she can.
As for Adam and I, where do we go from here?
I am not sure?
What I do know is that we have the hope to have little feet running around with sticky hands in our home one day. Just not today.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Free Agency
Tonight my mind has been on free agency. I am reminded by a talk given by President Monson back many years ago. There are Three R’s of Free Agency. “Right, Responsibility, Results.
Our Heavenly Father gave us free agency, even from the very beginning, after He had pointed out to Adam the trees in the Garden from which he might freely eat, He then directed Adam’s attention to one tree and advised him that he should not partake of the fruit thereof. He then added, “… nevertheless, thou mayest choose for thyself, for it is given unto thee. …”(Moses 3:17)
I think about the RIGHT of choice – what does this mean?
I have the right to choose what is best for me. I have the right to move in the direction I feel is the best choice to make.
I think about the REPONSIBILITY of Choice – what does this mean?
If I choose my direction then I will need to take full responsibility of that choice and never look back and know that I made the best choice to begin with.
I think about the RESULT of choice – what does this mean?
The results of my choice will impact me and those around me. It may be for the better or for the worst, but I will live with the result.
So next time you make a choice, remember you have the right, but you will need to take responsibility and you need to deal and live with the result.
Please let us know with a burning in our heart that our choice will be for the best what ever the choice may be.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Where did April Go?
I can hardly believe it is May? Where did April go? As for our month it was full of adventures and fun. The day we got back from our trip, when I got home for work I heard an extra barking in the house. Oh yeah, we dog sat for a friend of ours for a few days. Buddy, you may recognize from Halloween. Adam and Buddy were in the same costumes. Well he came and stayed with us. As for him getting along with “the girls” they did just fine. They pretty much stayed out of each others path during his stay. I have to tell one funny thing that happened while Buddy was here. Saturday night we stayed up really late. We were painting that night and it turned into a late night early morning we finally went to
bed around 1:30am. Well the next morning we were up at 7am and went down stairs to let the girls out. They are always excited no matter how much sleep they get they are ready for anything. I went over to Buddy who would not come out of his kennel, I peeked in and he started to growl at me. Okay Buddy I get it, you are not ready to get up. Take it easy, you can sleep longer. Later that morning I realized I had not seen him for a while so I called his name and he did not answer. I started to get a little nervous and so went out to the back yard to see if he was out there. Nope, I could not find this 6 lbs dog. Where could he be? I went upstairs and was calling his name to try to get a response, I went into the loft and looked at the couch all I saw was a blanket. As I got closer and could hear a growl and thought maybe he was back behind the couch. I am moving towards the couch ready to put my knee on the couch to get on it so I can peek over the back and look behind, at that moment I see Buddy with his teeth growling at me from the blanket. Oh there you are. Ok Buddy back off I just wanted to know where you were. He had cuddle up in the blanket on the couch getting some more sleep. So yes the late nights with us did affect Buddy and I am sure he was happy to go home and get more sleep than he was able to get at our house.
bed around 1:30am. Well the next morning we were up at 7am and went down stairs to let the girls out. They are always excited no matter how much sleep they get they are ready for anything. I went over to Buddy who would not come out of his kennel, I peeked in and he started to growl at me. Okay Buddy I get it, you are not ready to get up. Take it easy, you can sleep longer. Later that morning I realized I had not seen him for a while so I called his name and he did not answer. I started to get a little nervous and so went out to the back yard to see if he was out there. Nope, I could not find this 6 lbs dog. Where could he be? I went upstairs and was calling his name to try to get a response, I went into the loft and looked at the couch all I saw was a blanket. As I got closer and could hear a growl and thought maybe he was back behind the couch. I am moving towards the couch ready to put my knee on the couch to get on it so I can peek over the back and look behind, at that moment I see Buddy with his teeth growling at me from the blanket. Oh there you are. Ok Buddy back off I just wanted to know where you were. He had cuddle up in the blanket on the couch getting some more sleep. So yes the late nights with us did affect Buddy and I am sure he was happy to go home and get more sleep than he was able to get at our house.
April is our month full of Birthdays we have seven to be exact. This means a lot of phone calls and birthday cakes. Easter Sunday Adam and I got together with my parents to celebrate Easter and while we were there we celebrated all our Birthdays except for Adam who is later in the year. My mom made my favorite birthday cake. I grew up requesting it. It is a chocolate torte. I have requested this to be 4 layers in the past; it is a chocolate heavy cake with crushed almond in it with a chocolate ganache frosting. Very rich and very decadent. One layer is all you really need. Once a year is all you really need to eat this cake as it has a pound of butter and sugar in each layer.
As having the planting bug hit me early this season, I really want to get out in the yard and start planning flowers and take an early start this season. That came to a halt when it started to snow. Uh yeah got to love the weather guys when they say this storm could bring one to thirty inches of snow. Hmmmm I think they were right on as just about every where in the area received that much calculation for this past spring storm.
Last weekend our church had a Pine Wood Derby. Anything goes was the motto. We invited our neighbors to go with us, so during the week we got together to make our cars. I still need to get the pictures from the night at their house building the cars. We had all our tools out on their kitchen table trying to build our master pieces for the night. We had a lot of fun making the cars and we had even more fun racing them. As both our cars went 3 rounds before losing.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Learning about Colorado Blue Spruce trees
Well, last night I finally decided to abandon the idea of having any sort of "native" (indigineous) trees to our yard. This comes after year two of trying to plant another one of these in our yard. Year one I planted it and it died. I suspected lack of water so I tried this past year (year two) to water it more during the winter. No luck. I guess it needs more more than that? Perhaps they are used to getting tons of water from being planted on the mountainside and getting lots of rain/snow runoff to drink from?
The good news is: The Austrian Pine trees that I planted over two years ago are still thriving and doing very well! I guess they're better suited to this drier climate out here on "the plains".
I think this weekend I'll have to plant some more trees (since it IS arbor day and all). Or have they renamed it to be "earth day"?
Anyway, my goal is to plant two more austrian (black) pine trees and another maple tree in front too. I like the idea of non-decidious trees for a year-round privacy barrier near fences and property lines, and the decidious maple trees in front for summer shade and winter sun (when they loose their leaves).
Also, I found out our city is giving away trees this weekend if you're planting in a "common" type of area. I think our "tree lawn" (between the sidewalk and the road) may count. Who knows, maybe I'll get a free one? Or perhaps just go out and buy one.
Hopefully after this year I won't have to plant any more (as long as no more trees end up dying on me) :-)
The good news is: The Austrian Pine trees that I planted over two years ago are still thriving and doing very well! I guess they're better suited to this drier climate out here on "the plains".
I think this weekend I'll have to plant some more trees (since it IS arbor day and all). Or have they renamed it to be "earth day"?
Anyway, my goal is to plant two more austrian (black) pine trees and another maple tree in front too. I like the idea of non-decidious trees for a year-round privacy barrier near fences and property lines, and the decidious maple trees in front for summer shade and winter sun (when they loose their leaves).
Also, I found out our city is giving away trees this weekend if you're planting in a "common" type of area. I think our "tree lawn" (between the sidewalk and the road) may count. Who knows, maybe I'll get a free one? Or perhaps just go out and buy one.
Hopefully after this year I won't have to plant any more (as long as no more trees end up dying on me) :-)
Just updated my iPhone app (ver. 1.01)
Well, I just figured out how to go through the iPhone update process. I added some new features to my iPhone app and submitted it for an update. I guess they (Apple app. store folks) have to "re-approve" it. Although I hear it can only take 4-5 days (if they don't find any glaring holes or copyright violations, etc.).
I have in mind lots of cool new features that I want to add. I figure I'll add them in bit by bit as I get time.
I just added in some more cameras for all those ski resort bound folks traveling west on i-70. You can now see traffic all the way from eastern Denver to the Utah-Colorado border on i-70 with my latest update to the app.
Next up: add actual ski resort cameras (i.e. see what the snow looks like at the resort before you leave). Neat idea eh?
p.s. we are getting LOTS of rain here today. Could turn to snow tomorrow, we'll see...
I have in mind lots of cool new features that I want to add. I figure I'll add them in bit by bit as I get time.
I just added in some more cameras for all those ski resort bound folks traveling west on i-70. You can now see traffic all the way from eastern Denver to the Utah-Colorado border on i-70 with my latest update to the app.
Next up: add actual ski resort cameras (i.e. see what the snow looks like at the resort before you leave). Neat idea eh?
p.s. we are getting LOTS of rain here today. Could turn to snow tomorrow, we'll see...
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Our Visit to the Great Northwest!
Adam and I booked some flights a couple of weeks ago to take a quick trip to go see some new sites. We were gone for a whole 36 hours. You know you can see a lot and get quite a bit done in 36 hours. We flew what I like to call the “cattle herder” You know the carrier, the one carrier that when your Letter and Numbers are called you rush to your stall and board the plan looking for the best seat pos
sible. No matter what you number is, if you are not number one, you just don’t get a good seat. Adam and I were not able to sit together on the way out. I thought we had good number being that we were in the “A” group, but nope, it was 2 full planes and we were lucky to sit in middle seats for the flights. Here we are waiting in This is the plane that is taking us on our grand 36 hour adventure during midweek. You know I worked for the airline way back when, I remember the days when you would get a whole can of soda, not a watered down one, they would give you a choice of chicken or beef and now it is peanuts or nothing. Oh the days when you could sit in first class and have them bring a Sunday bar on a cart and ask you how you would like your ice cream. Sometime there was warm cookies baking. Oh those where the days. Do you remember when they had clean blankets and pillows to use? Now if you bring your own you are good or you just get off the plan with a stiff neck from trying so hard not to touch the passenger next to you while you take a cat nap. Oh the days of the flying are just not the same when you feel like cattle being herded to your destination. The flight was not as bad as it sounds; you adjust and take it as it comes.
We had a good two hour layover that we were able to walk around and get some exercise and find something to eat before catching our next flight. I made some calls and then before I knew it, it is time to board our next flight. It was awesome, mostly because it was so short and it seemed that as soon as we got our drink in hand it was time to gulp it down and put up the trays because we were landing. Here are some pictures taken from the window.
Yeah Adam was able to open the window and put the camera out to take these pictures. Just Kidding but it looks like it doesn’t it? It was a part of the country that we had never been to. It was so beautiful. There are so many lakes and mountains. Just plain beauty everywhere you looked. I can only imagine how it looks in Spring/Summer. Once we land we made our way to the car rental and we are on the road heading to our hotel to check in. You know I love when you are given a warm cookie when you arrive at a hotel. There is something that makes it so comforting when you arrive to be fed. So maybe when we have company who come to visit I will start feeding you a warm cookie when you arrive from your long travels. We quickly find our room and unload the car. I rush Adam to get settled because we still have 2 good hours of daylight and I want to go see the sites before it gets dark. We pull out the GPS and find our way to the next town to see what it was like. Little did we know how beautiful it was. 
There was an awesome lake that we found just before sunset. We took a small walk through the park.
There we found a dock that had a plane that Adam just fell in love with. As you can see we took a picture. I think he may just need to take a ride on one of them sometime soon. They were closed otherwise I would have insisted on him taking a ride. We had to admire the plane for a good 15 mins before I could get him going to see something else. I am not sure what the deal is with the Moose, but we saw Moose statues everywhere. We even saw a few on balconies that were decorated.
Just before the sun went down we were able to drive and see most of the area. They had a charming downtown with lots of shops and restaurants with patio seating. We found the town to be a big spot for tourists. We were able to get our bearings of the town and headed back to our hotel. There we were able to prepare for the next day and the grand adventure we had in store.
I think we were both excited to start the next day that there really was no need for the alarm clock. We were both awake about a half hour before the clock was to go off. It is funny. I was laying there hoping not to wake him while he was doing the same thing. Then finally we both just looked at each other and there he was with a smile on his face. Then we took that half hour and just cuddled until it was time to get up. Breakfast at the hotel was very disappointing even though we both tried to eat something. Our stomachs were in knots. I rushed to get us checked out of the hotel. I didn’t want to be late for our appointment. We came all this way and the last thing I wanted was to be late. I was packed and ready to go. I had to take a deep breath and keep my mouth shut and just sit on the bed and let Adam get his things together. Watch him gather all his gadgets and gizmos. I have learned along time ago, if you rush him he goes slower. So even though my heart is pounding out of my chest, I just sit there and wait for him to give me the heads up it is time to go. We get to the building at 9am right on time!
We would have walked right in at 9am but as we are going to the doors Adam tells me he needs to use the restroom. Oh I am dying. My thoughts are “HOLD IT” but I don’t say anything and wait for him. In the mean time I have knots in my stomach and dying that we are going to be late. As we walk in we are greeted with warm smiles. They are expecting us and Brad pulls us into his office. We sit and talk for a bit and then he tells us that we are going to go into the next room. I think about what is waiting for us in the next room. I second guess myself about what to say, what to do. Now my stomach feels like it is going to explode and I have pain shooting everywhere. I am so nervous. Do I hug her? Do I shake her hand? What do I do? Then the thought comes to my mind. “Just be yourself” Hmmm. Now that is an idea?
I walk in first with Adam right behind me. Two seconds after entering the room, the knots in my stomach magically go away. There was a different spirit in the room. Something that is hard to describe. I see this beautiful woman with a warm smile stand up and reach out her arms to greet me. As I embrace her, I feel the spirit of love and joy in my heart. It was a beautiful experience. There was something so familiar about this woman, there was something so natural that it felt like we were suppose to meet and we had all been lead to each other. I won’t go into details of who we met or why we were there. But it was a life changing event in my life. It felt like God’s hand was involved in the whole process. This woman to me was beautiful both inside and out. She is just very special to me and will always be special in our family and in our hearts. The time flew by and before I knew it once again we were saying good bye. As I held her in my arms I pulled her tight and didn’t want to let her go. I wanted to give her all my love that I had inside.
We were done sooner than we had expected and had a good four hours before our flight.
We found the directions and headed to the temple and found it to be closed. Adam took a few pictures. Shortly after a women arrives and we ask her to take a picture with us and the temple. As she takes the picture she tells us that
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
my new iPhone app finally approved!
Yeah,
My iPhone app is finally approved and in the app store. (Please tell people to check it out).
Search in the iphone store on "denver" or "denver traffic" It's only .99! (It's called "Denver Traffic Master")
I submitted it on March 4th, and so it took about a month to get approved (man, what a long wait).
My iPhone app is finally approved and in the app store. (Please tell people to check it out).
Search in the iphone store on "denver" or "denver traffic" It's only .99! (It's called "Denver Traffic Master")
I submitted it on March 4th, and so it took about a month to get approved (man, what a long wait).
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Earth Hour - March 28, 2009 8:30 - 9:30pm
This is a global event created to symbolize that each one of us, working together, can make a positive impact on climate change. We call all do this by doing one simple task today and that is to turn your lights off for only one little hour.
Earth Hour was first celebrated in Sydney, Australia when 2.2 million people and thousands of businesses turned out their lights, allowing the message about climate change to shine brightly. In March 2008 , Earth Hour went global.
Earth Hour 2009 will be the largest climate event in history. Already 250 cities in 74 countries have agreed to take part including Atlanta, Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami and Nashville Around the world cities like Moscow, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Shanghai and Mexico City will turn out their lights in support.
Earth Hour isn’t just for big cities—anyone can participate. To see what Earth Hour is all about, check out this video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CRs-7lRlPo
Be apart of history!
Saturday, March 21, 2009
First Day of Spring!
I can't believe spring has sprung! Today is the first day of spring. I don't know how I can go about life and not notice the first buds on the trees. I saw a whole row of trees today with white blossoms. I love this time of year, my tulips are sprouting, my strawberry patch is green and my lilacs have buds that are ready to form. The grass which is yellow will eventually turn the dark green. We had our first treatment on the lawn this week, which tells me it is time to get out and pull the dead to help the new growth have a better chance. I want to hit the nursery and get some flowers for my pots on the front porch. I know, I know, it is too early just yet. But the planting bug has hit.
It has been a crazy month. I have leaned to make my own yogurt, so cool and very healthy. I will post my process later with pictures. I have got the bug in me this week to spring clean. I have taken on the task of cleaning carpets. Each night when I got home from work I took on a room. I still have some more to do, but had to take a break for a few nights. It was nice to sit on the couch and cuddle up with my honey and "the girls" to watch a movie.
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