5 years and counting

Happy Anniversary to us!

Yeah, think we've both changed a bit in the last 5 years. One thing for sure hasn't changed... Jared still makes me smile big! I couldn't ask for a better best friend, eternal companion, etc. These last 5 years has definitely been a roller coaster. Jared is the one that has kept me sane through it all. Words cannot express how much I love him! I can't wait to spend eternity with him. But you know, still ain't long enough. Okay, enough of the mushiness. Love to all!

We've been spotlighted!

Quick background story... so a while back I got an awesome e-mail from an adoptive mom! Her name is Kenna (check out her incredible blog here). I can tell she's amazing, and I don't even know her in person... yet :oD In the e-mail she asked if she could spotlight us on her blog! HECK YES! Love getting our info. out there, meeting new people. After crazy, busy-ness on both sides, the spotlight got published yesterday!! I absolutely love it. I will be honest, we did write some of it, but she did a good hunk on her own and got us to the "T" I think!! Check it out here and let me know what you think!

Thanksgiving in Las Vegas

So I promise I did try posting this the other day, but blogger was being retarded. Still kind of is, but I found a way around. SO! Our Thanksgiving in Las Vegas! We had majority of my siblings and their families there. It was a lot of fun. Although, we did miss the ones that couldn't make it... we still had fun without them. But shh! Don't tell :o) We didn't really do anything exciting. We visited, played, ate, watched movies, and had fun! There was one exciting event that happened, but we'll let Jared tell it. It's his story, sorry. Anyway~ here are some fun pics. from the trip. Caption/explanation at the top of the pic.

So, in my family we teach them young to do chores. :o) Within reason of course. Here's my cute little 4 (almost 5) year old nephew helping with the dishes. No one even asked. He just said he'd do them.

So, they might kill me for putting this pic. up so no one tell :o) 3 generations! grilling. My 8 yr. old nephew had to cook outside for a cub scout requirement. My bro. and my dad were helping him. I thought it was sweet. They got mad at me taking pics, so that's why there's water on the window. :o)

Me and super dude doing dishes! I think he's a keeper!

Oh, how adorable is he? 2 yrs. old and already knows the good stuff (whipping cream and pumpkin pie).

Papa teaching him how to enjoy the goods.

And we must not forget this little handsome man! He's just less then a week younger than "Thor" but definitely is bigger then "Thor". We just love him to pieces already!

Fell off the face of the Earth?

You might think we have, but I promise we haven't! We are still alive, doing well, and lovin' life!

Jared and I ... same ol', same ol'. We're pretty boring like that. :o) It was hard being out of town so much these last couple of weeks, but we're both catching up on our responsiblities and getting back into the routine of life. Just in time for Christmas!

"Thor" is ... well, growing up is hard! :o) He's doing good. Getting stronger, getting bigger, and developing his personality. He has now made it over 8 lbs! Never thought it would come. He decided eating wasn't too bad when the milk comes out of the bottle faster. He especially had a hard time being out of his environment, but he didn't do that bad. I can't complain. OH! Fun little story~ so we had our ward Christmas party last Saturday. Part of the program was I played "The Nativity Song" out of the children's song book while people acted it out. Right before we go on, the primary president comes up and asked if they could use "Thor" in the program! He was baby Jesus! Luckily we had just fed him and gotten him to sleep, but I had Jared on the side just in case "Thor" didn't behave. :o) I guess the girl who was holding him, she's like 6. She's use to holding babies for about 2 mins. Apparently she got all red, just a shaking trying to hold "Thor" for that long. Finally, her dad stepped in and had someone take "Thor" from her before she could drop him. Thank you Dad! Wish I could have seen it. I think there was someone there taking pictures.

Anyway~ think that's about it for us. I'll post about Thanksgiving and our trip to good ol' Blanding soon! Hope all is well. Love to all!

Grandma Hurst

Helen Redd Hurst

Sorry about the black square. She was holding a foster child.

On Sunday, Nov. 27 my dear sweet grandma took her last breath. Grandma was a remarkable woman. She was a woman of faith, as well as many other things. She was extrememly loving and caring. She'd always offer whatever it was that she had. Whether it was ice cream, tomato, or anything else. One her mottos was "We share in our family". ALTHOUGH! It later came out that we don't share strawberry pie. :o) Grandma loved quilting, croching, sewing type stuff. I have a quilt she made me when I graduated high school, she made us one when we got married (that she nicknamed the happy quilt- it was called that because of the bright colors she used.), as well as many flannel baby blankets, burp clothes she crotched. Grandma wasn't dealt the easiest hand in life, but she did the best she could. OH! Grandma was an LPN (licenesed practical nurse) for many of years. She is one of the reasons I choose to go into the nursing perfession. One of my favorite memories of Grandma is... so we'd all be visiting late at night. She would start drifting off to sleep. We'd tell her to go to bed. Her response? Something along the lines of how she can't because she doesn't want to miss anything. Yes, another trait I inherited. I also loved how she'd always ask what we were thinking.

I could go on and on forever about the amazing woman my Grandma was. I'm proud to be her granddaugher. I also take comfort in knowing that I will be able to see her one day, and be with her forever.

I miss you Grandma! Love you!!

Oh! I also wanted to share. Please let me know if you're not LDS and would like me to try to answer any questions about this next little story. So my grandparents were temple workers. We had the honor of doing a session while they were working one time. I had the privilage of my grandma helping me at the veil! It was such a neat, memorable expierence that I will never forget!

Nothing much

Hey everyone! Just wanted to write a quick post letting you know we're still alive, doing fabulously!

Jared has been absolutely swamped at work the last few days. He's been working long hours and still manages to be the best husband and dad EVER! Tonight we'll be going to a court of honor for his scouts. He's getting those boys advancing pretty good. So fun to see him interact with him, and watching these boys mature.

I'm still lovin' the stay at home mom thing. Some days are absolutely long and I do question my sanity, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

"Thor" is growing each new day! Since being off his med, he has now starting being more alert, focusing on things more, SMILING!, and every now and then gives us a "coo". It's so fun to watch him develop. We go to the doctor tomorrow, so on our next update I'll post how much he weighs and all that good stuff.

Buddy is still an awesome, pretty obedient dog. He's showing more interest, and loyalty, to "Thor". It's cute to watch.

That's about it for us! Hope you all have a wonderful, relaxing, amazing Sunday. Love to all!!!

Why hello!

How are all of you?!? We're doing fabulously! Like always, busy, but I honestly don't know that I would have it any other way. Life is great! Word of warning~ I picked funny pics of us because I feel like in reality they do describe us better lol

Jared is still busy, busy at work. I know he loves it though. Scouts has been keeping him on his toes too. I have to tell you all~ let's preface this by making sure everyone is aware that Jared is a pretty big TCU fan. I think it's his Texas pride (TCU is the college closest to where he grew up). Jared claims it's because he likes to get on all the BYU fan's nerves. Either way, Jared NEVER misses when TCU plays BYU in football. This year was no acception, even though he was on a camp out with his scouts! :o) He made it to that they could get the game up in the mountains or wherever they were. I guess everyone sat in our van, eating hot dogs, and watched the game. Some camp out, huh? :o)

I've just being doing the mom, friend, wifey thing. Nothing exciting going on with me personally. I am so excited though!! Tonight I will have the honor of going on a girls night out with a bunch of fellow foster moms!! I so can't wait until 5:15 when I pull out of my driveway! :o) Don't get me wrong I love all three of my males (Jared, "Thor", and Buddy). I will so enjoy the woman time though.

No, that baby is not actually "Thor". Remember I can't post any pics of him unless/until we finalize adoption."Thor" is still doing his baby, growing thing. He is now completely off one med!! Now he just takes a vitamin once a day. He has recently started smiling a bit more on command, following us with his eyes, and definitely letting us know what he wants. So fun watching him learn and grow. Tummy time is still a tragedy here but "Thor"'s getting strong. I so wish I could post pictures of him! Oh well!

I think that's about it for all of us! Hope this finds you all well. Love to all!!!

Guest blogger

I had the privilage and honor of guest blogging for my good friend Sharon. Hope you guys all enjoy!! Click here to read it.

questions answered

so I will answer everyone's questions here... keep checking this posts to see you're questions answered. Here's the first set of questions I got:

Will dec 12 be the final decision? If the parents don't clean up themselves then baby t stays with you guys? If they do then baby t goes with the parents? How is that going to work?

Dec. 12 will not be the final decision. From what I understand, at that hearing it will be determined if there's enough evidence and reason to bring "Thor"'s case to a trial. If it goes to trial, THEN it will be determined to terminate the parents right or not. Yes, if the parents DO NOT clean up we will get to adopt "Thor". If the parents DO clean up, then he will go back to them. The judge will look at how the parents do over the next 5 weeks. If the parents are showing improvement, we'll keep going. If they do not show improvement, then we'll go towards termination of rights.

Court appearance #3

Today we had a third court hearing regarding "Thor"'s case. We somewhat have a better idea of how the case will go. So... what the judge ruled was no reunification services, except for supervised visits by DCFS. What this means is "Thor"'s parents still have to do 4 or 5 different things to get him back BUT! The state will not pay for it, the state will not help them get into rehabs, etc. Pretty much state is sitting back and watching... not being proactive. I hope this makes sense. If not, if you still have questions, PLEASE ask!! We'd love to clarify and teach! We go to court again Dec. 12.

I have mixed feelings about this! My heart just breaks for his parents! More so, my heart breaks for "Thor". He has a lot going on and has had no choice in the matter. I will admit though, I'm excited (and a bit nervous) because ... with today's ruling that means we are one step closer to being able to adopt!!!

More then anything, please say prayers for the judges, lawyers, caseworkers, and everyone else involved in "Thor"'s case... including us! Have a happy day!! Love to all!