Ode to Spring

Spring break is here but where are you?

I hope you haven't come down with the flu!

I have a week to sleep in and I'm ready to play

Will you send the sun our way today?

The Cardinal in our tree tells me you're near, 

but the weather's predicting snow, I fear.

I've cleaned the house and I'm ready to plant

But the Earth is still frozen so digging I can't.

I'll try to be patient, and still wear my coat

 I'll accessorize it with my new scripture tote.

And I'll start on my list of things to do

I think I might paint our bedroom sky blue.

And if I have time and you haven't yet come

I'll make this spring quilt as a gift of welcome.

I must now say ado, before my friends think I've cracked.

but I'll say it once more hurry up and welcome back.

80's Flashback

We are finally laying to rest the Blue couch.

It has served our family well for over 1 generation.

Goodbye ol' friend, we'll miss ya.

Handyman Extraordinaire!

While I was in Utah playing, Shane was back home busy at work with a surprise of his own.  My amazing handyman husband put up crown molding in our living room- a project we've been talking about doing for a couple of years.  When I got home I could tell something was different, but I couldn't figure out what it was.  Everything on the shelves looked a little bit off, our couch pillows were in disarray, and it looked like there were a few pieces of confetti scattered around.  (Not that this was a big deal, but it every time I talked to him on the phone he was tidying the house so I expected it to be really clean.)  I asked him if he'd had a party or something and he seemed really secretive and a bit smug as he pointed to the top shelves and pointed out how he'd dusted everything, even up close to the ceiling.  I still didn't get it and he finally had to tell me that he'd put up crown molding.  He did such an amazing job that it fits right in.  I love it!  Thanks sweetie!  What project should we do next?

Our beautiful crown molding!

Girls Night in...

When I go to Utah it is a tradition with my mom and sisters to get together one night with the girls in town to eat, talk, and play games.  My mom suggested tying one of the quilts that I'm making for our baby (I'm making a boy and girl quilt so that we're prepared whenever our baby joins our family).  I was worried that my sisters wouldn't want to spend our girls night tying a baby quilt but I was wrong.  Not only were that happy to help, but they took it a step further and when we finished the quilt they surprised me with a mini baby shower!  They gave me some adorable little onesies, burp cloths, and other necessities.  It was so sweet of them and such a fun surprise.  We truly are blessed with such an amazing support group of family and friends who love us and help us remain positive and full of hope during this adoption adventure.  We know that our baby will join us soon and we are so excited for that day!

Sunday Dinner!

Every month my mom has a big family dinner (there are 10 of us plus spouses and grandkids).  Everyone brings something so that my mom doesn't get stuck cooking the entire meal.  It's something we look forward to. We tell stories and laugh, play games (including Rock Band), celebrate the birthdays for the month and just enjoy spending time together.  Since we live in Chicago we usually participate through a noisy phone call or video chat.  This month I was so happy to be in town for the big dinner (my mom would have planned a family dinner specifically because I was in town, but it was fun to be at the one already scheduled).

Playing connect four with my niece.

Nephews and Nieces!

I'm having so much fun spending time with family. I've been able to see all of my nieces and nephews that live here and they are just so adorable! Here are a few of the highlights: (above photo - licking the beaters after making frosting)

Watch me crawl up the stairs! You're so busy cooing at me maybe I can sneak past you!

Caught red handed! You don't think Grandma will mind if I rearrange the video tapes, do you?

Hugs for everyone!

It's not a Birthday party without Balloons!

Cake and ice cream? Yes Please!

Girls Night!

I'm in Utah visiting family and having a great time (while my sweet husband is at home holding down the fort and making a living)!  I got together with the girls from Shane's side of the family for a night of good food and great company.  We went to one of my favorite restaurants - Rafael's.  I love their chips and salsa.   

After dinner we did a spring craft.  I made wood blocks that say "spring has sprung"  I should take a picture but I packed it up in my suitcase already.  We had such a great evening and stopping for ice cream on the way home was a sweet way to end the night.  Thanks ladies!  I love you!

ParentProfiles.com

We are excited to add an additional adoption resource to our arsenal.  We have set up a profile with parentprofile.com, a website where birthparents can search a collection of profiles to help them find the right family to place their baby with.  They are promoted by a collection of the most popular adoption websites and we feel it will be another great way to help us find our baby.  LDS Family Service is still our adoption agency, but parentprofiles.com will help spread the news of our desire to adopt.  You can check out our profile here.