Some Good News and.... GOOD NEWS!

The month before we left for AZ, Trav had been well acquainted with this area of our house... the basement. No, he wasn't in the {dog house}, he was studying for the boards. Occasionally he'd come up for fresh air or victuals, but other than that he was mostly MIA. He took the exam on July 17, then off we went on our trip knowing his results would likely be waiting for us when we got back.

The day after we got home, I went off to the store and the mail came. He patiently waited over an hour for me to get back before opening it. (And even posed for a picture... what a guy).

He PASSED! Hooray!

Congrats Trav! This was no easy thing to study for and I know it took a lot of hard work and effort to make it happen so I am very proud of him!

Ok, that's the good news, and now for the GOOD NEWS.....

we are expecting another baby in February!

Sadly, I went through my picture archives looking for the picture of the day I took the test, and couldn't find one. I forgot to take one! I guess this is a good indication of how {on top of things} I'll be with #2. Poor child.

 I am feeling fine, until I get hungry... then the nausea sets in. It's wise to have crackers with me at all times. I may be a tad bit more emotional also.... a month or so ago I was having a crying spell and memoaning my hormones when Trav muttered, "It's gotta be a girl". Everyone else seems to agree. But we won't know for at least a month. In the meantime I am on the hunt for sundresses or moomoos/mumus (is that how you spell it?) This humidity is killing me!

Hoping to Adopt

Well, we are back from vacation and still recovering..... we had a great time, but didn't get much sleep and are still catching up. I have so much to blog about, I'm feeling like procrastinating indefinitely! It got to where, every picture I took, started to weigh on my shoulders, knowing it would make my posting that much longer. Ugh! I just keep reminding myself... it's for a good cause :) My kids will appreciate this someday, right?


Anyway, before I even think about tackling our vacation home, I wanted to post about our friends, Ryan and Rachel, that are wanting to adopt. They just got their adoption papers and application approved so it is available to be viewed HERE.


I'm not sure how much I should go into, but I really cannot say enough good things about Ryan and Rachel. They really give whole new meaning to the word {Amazing}.  They have been married almost 5 years and Ryan is going into his last year of dental school. Rachel is starting her fifth year teaching high school English. Every summer they go to El Salvador to volunteer at an orphanage of disabled children (and adults) and even spent their first three months of marriage there, volunteering.


It breaks my heart that they haven't been able to have kids, because I can't think of anyone that would be better parents. I haven't actually told them this yet, but Trav and I have jokingly (ok, maybe seriously) talked about how, if something were to happen to us, we would be thrilled to have them raise our kids. No offense family! One day we were just discussing options and they came up and we just looked at each other like, hey, they would be awesome! We would totally put them on our will! (Don't worry Rach.... we aren't actually going to do that to you... but we certainly would have no problem with it either! :) The point is, that we just 100% would trust them and know that our kids would be loved, taught the gospel, taken care of, and thrive in their care.


They are going through LDS adoptions services and I guess the ratio of families wanting to adopt, verses the number of babies given up for adoption is hugely off balance. There are WAY more wanting to adopt than babies available. So it's important to spread the word near and far. If you know of a situation where a mother is looking for a family to adopt her baby, I couldn't recommend Rachel and Ryan more.

If you want to get to know them better through their blog, click HERE. If you want to add their button to your blog, there are instructions on how to that on her blog also.

Lesson Learned

Yesterday I discovered an important truth.... toddlers are dangerous when they are holding their mother's keys and in the car.

It was a typical afternoon. I was loading Collin in the car to go pick up some friends to take them to the airport. He was screetching while I was putting him in his carseat, so I handed him my keys. 

Then I remembered I needed to take the stroller out of the back so they could fit their luggage. The SECOND I shut the back trunk, I hear an ominous {click}. He had pushed the lock button.

Noooooooooooooooooo!

I run to the side door and try it. Locked. All doors... locked. I peer in the window and see my purse, phone and spare set of keys sitting on the seat. Collin is looking at me like we had just started a fun game. "Push the other button, Collin! Push the other button!!!" Like a good little boy, he does. And the alarm is now going off. "Dang it child, not THAT one!"

I am praying, pounding on the window, pleading, and starting to hyperventilate. It's hot in there. It's been a hot, muggy day and he's already looking redder. But I'm sure he'll push the button, just give him time. But it's been 10 minutes.

Then the 10 year old neighbor boy suddenly appears next to me. "Is Collin locked in the car?" I sob YES and ask if his mom is home.

In no time, I've got his mom Celeste, dad Ernest (a firefighter), older brother Andrew, twin sister Jayla, and posse of friends surrounding my car. Celeste is telling me it's going to be fine. Ernest and Andrew jimmy the side door and slide a hanger down, trying to push the unlock button. But the pressure is bending the hanger, before it's pushing any buttons. Collin is starting to sweat and cry. Celeste is telling them to hurry, the baby needs to get out. 10 minutes later and no success.

They need something stronger but still skinny. A yarstick! They run to get one as my panic is getting out of hand. Down it goes and {click}. I pull my red, drenched baby out of the car and smother him with tears and kisses.

Words don't describe how grateful I was for my neighbors! They saved the day. What would I have done without them? Probably would have had to call the fire department. Embarrassment would have risen 100%.

And my friends even made it to the airport in time to catch their flight.

I think now I can laugh about this.... but also testify that a toddler is definitely dangerous while in possession of his mother's keys.

Pageant & Family

You're lookin' at a FREE man right here. Yesterday, Trav took the first half of his National Board Exam (he'll take the other half next summer). He's been studying day and night for it for the past several weeks. Of course we won't know if he passed, for another couple weeks, but right now it feels good to be him! Yea for Trav and thanks for everyone who prayed for him.

We celebrated by driving to Palmyra to see the Hill Cumorah pageant. We had to stop and get some pizza from our favorite place... Marks. Yummmm.... I had been craving this for some time now. We don't even have a favorite pizza place in Buffalo, but we sure do in Palmyra! We staked out our seats, snarfed our dinner, then walked around for the next hour, following this guy as he threw a frisbee or ball. He didn't tire of it until just before the pageant started. Such. a. Boy.

My friend/adopted brother Steve was out east doing some sight seeing with a friend and happened to be there that night. He looks like a happy camper, doesnt' he? :) It was fun catching up with him whilst scouring each clump of boy scouts that walked in. My younger brother Jefferson is on the National Scouting Jamboree (a massive scouting, touring trip that you can participate in every 4 years) and was scheduled to go to the pageant that night.

Around 8:15pm, we finally saw him filtering in with his troop. I ran/crept up to him, then pounced. He didn't see it comin. :)  He has changed a lot since Christmas... taller in height and deeper in voice. He's now taller than I am! It was so fun to see him and visit for a while. My cousin Ethan and Uncle Kent walked up not long after and I about got teary eyed. Its just been so long since we've seen family! I loved it! I just wish we had more time together.

The pageant started at 9:15pm and Collin thankfully crashed in our arms.

Grateful for: Family, cheesy pizza, nice weather, funny protestors, and having my husband back!  

Playin' with the Girls!

My friend, Crescent, saved me earlier this week by watching Collin for several hours, one afternoon. She has two girls of her own, Maia and Elsie, and ended up also watching Megan's little girl, Lily. Well Maia is 3, Lilly is almost 2, and Collin and Elsie are 16 months, so talk about having your hands full! Of course he had a blast, swimming, going on wagon rides, watching Baby Sign Time, and eating cookies. When I dropped him off, he literally jumped out of my arms to start playing and didn't look back. When I tried to take him home, he threw a hysterical fit.... how embarrassing. I don't really blame him. I'd rather party at the Marchant's house too, over going back to our boring house.

Crescent told me that he was definitely the {BOY} of the group.... throwing balls and kicking and splashing in the pool. I think this picture shows that the girls weren't quite sure what to do with this {disturbance} :) But apparently Maia also said, "Boys are funny", "Collin is funny" "I want a brother Collin". How stinkin' sweet is that?! I'm so grateful for great friends and their awesome kids! Thanks again Crescent and girls!

Funny Collin

Collin definitely goes through {phases} where he enjoys or gets attached to an item/toy. This week it has been the OxyClean bucket. It is his hat and he loves it. I think half the fun is just putting it on and then pushing it harder onto his nogan. I thought tragedy struck yesterday when he fell on it and it cracked down the side. Well he still loves it and now it just fits his slightly-larger-than-normal head better.

One morning, he found it, put it on and sat down to enjoy Sesame Street. I think he was curious as to why this completely normal act, warranted a picture. Then he crawled over to sit in his Bumbo and I cracked up..... the king on his throne.

I don't know if I'd call the phone thing a {phase}. It's been going on a while and I see no end in sight. Everything is a phone and he quite enjoys talking to whoever is on the other end of the sewing machine peddle, remote control, or shoe.

I'm bummed I didn't get a better picture of the sunglass phase when it was hot. Now he bats them off the second they are on, but once upon a time he thought they were the grooviest and would giggle to himself the second they settled on his nose, flashing a big goofy grin. It was adorable. No longer. :(

Celebrating.....

4 years married and turnin' 27! Well, almost.

Actually, I've felt 27 for about three months now. For some reason, once Trav has his birthday, my mind just thinks I'm a year older too. I just want to be like him so bad. :)

Ok, so to back up.... we had our anniversary on Wednesday, but it was kind of a flop. It started out well- with donuts. Always a good start. But then Trav had to study the rest of the day (minus 2 hours spent watching the Spain vs. Germany game). I spent my evening making dinner for a new mom and going to mutual. I got home at 9pm, exhausted and stressed. So at Trav's urging, I went to bed. At 9:30pm. I thought I'd just lay there thinking about how it was too early to be asleep, but I don't even remember hitting the pillow.

The next day was much better. My friends, Rachel and Camille threw me an early birthday party. Since I have a summer b-day and most people are out of town (myself included) they decided to party pre-emptively. I really felt so special.... and a bit awkward. For some reason it just feels weird to have the spotlight. I get a bit squeamish. Which isn't fun for anyone. I was pondering this social {uncomfortablness} when it finally hit me...... I'm a twin! I never had a birthday to myself growing up. And then my younger sister's birthday is the day after ours, so it was always a party of 3. Plus my family isn't way big into birthdays. I guess it's just not a big deal to be born. Honestly. I mean, I kind of agree. The mom probably deserves the party more. But anyway, I digress. Once I got over all that, it didn't take long to soak up all the attention. And food! Just looking at these pictures makes my mouth water and I want it all over again. French Toast casserole, Pear Claufetti (really the best thing I've ever put in my mouth), muffins, egg casserole, cinnamon rolls, fruit and cream. Divine. And the presents! *squeal* (sorry, this may be my girliest post yet) An adorable cake platter, fancy buffet set, jam, and a book! My friends know me too well. Thank you everyone! I've never been so spoiled.

Ok, back to that anniversary. Friday night we decided we had better do something to celebrate. Trav took a few hours off of studying and we went to a movie. Ooo la la. We put Collin to sleep at the Shaws and headed to Walden Galleria. You know it's a date when you get your door opened for you and your hand held. :) We snarfed on Chipotle and watched Toy Story 3 in 3D. And it was all paid for with gift cards. Boy we love our philanthropist parents. Maybe someday we can be fancy when our anniversary comes around, but even if not, I'm more than happy to just snuggle with my honey during a sentimental cartoon with a stomach full of Mexican food.

And the winner is..... Espana!

They did it.

For reals.

World Cup Champions.

A hubby bursting with pride.

And now.....

It's OVER!!!

:)

4th of JuLy

With the actual 4th being on a Sunday, we just had to start the festivities on Saturday. The Shaheen's hosted a brunch at their place which turned out great. However, I think this may have been about the first day of our {heat wave} we have been experiencing. So after an hour or so, the {melting} commenced. Somehow, high 80's with humidity feels even worse than 100 in a dry heat to me. Collin had bright red cheeks after just 10 min. of running around. I wish I had gotten a better picture of his outfit. Grandma Paula sent a package with the cutest 4th of July outfit for him (It said PEACE on the front with the hand sign), a few packages of {real} tortiallas, a bracelet for me, and some moolah. LoVe packages. I get all excited when I see one awaitin' us on the doorstep! Thanks Paula! 

Saturday night we had a ward BBQ at the stake center, then on Sunday night we had a BBQ at the Shaw's house with some friends. I had fun making a flag fruit pizza for it.

They have a crabapple tree that had shed some fruit that Collin liked. He stuck the whole apple in his mouth with the stem sticking out. Looked like a little roasted pig all ready to eat. :)

Collin was being a stinker and not eating anything, but finally near the end of the night he started taking bites off of Doug's plate. Suddenly it seemed like all the kids were swarming Doug for nibbles. He looked liked the Pied Piper. So we have Doug to thank for Collin getting something in his stomach that night.

Of course the fireworks don't start until it gets dark (9:30ish) so we knew we would be homebound with Collin asleep. We scaled the garage roof (the house one is much too steep) and even then I had a mini panic attack. I guess I may be more afraid of heights than I'd like to acknowledge. Even on the roof, the trees were so tall that we couldn't see the Cheektowaga Town Park fireworks and not much else was going on besides the mosquitos finding their late night snack on our appendages. I didn't think bugs could get so high! :) So we got off the roof and went inside and minutes later we hear some big explosions. It seemed the people kiddy corner to our backyard had gotten their hands on some grade A fireworks. So we enjoyed quite the show, sitting on our back two steps. I love the 4th! God Bless the U.S.A!

Eclipse

June 29, 2010

Midnight

Walden Galleria

Hundreds (thousands?) of crazy Twi-fans

4 Twi-moms (ok that's a stretch) 

Caffeine in tow

Non-$10 candy {smuggled} in 

Hours of laughing and fun

Thanks for organizing a great night Karli! I wouldn't have gone without your planning skills. And I was quite surprised at how much I liked the movie. 
Go Team Jacob! 
(had to throw that in)