The Sees: September 2010

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Everyone Asks

"How's the adoption?"

It's an odd question when you stop and think about it because if we had any shred of legitimate news, we'd want to tell everyone before they had the chance to ask.

For Idaho, the average wait to adopt through LDSFS is 2 years. Average means that some couples don't wait that long and some couples wait far longer. I'm not sure where we'll fall when everything is crunched into a statistic, but for now, we wait. And wait. And wait. There is always the bleak, but very real possibility that we will not be chosen by a birthmom and will have to consider alternative avenues to grow our family. So, we sigh and shrug because at this point, there's little we can do that we are not already doing.

Given that we're just one of thousands of couples hoping for the opportunity to adopt a baby, it would also go without saying that we're passionately pro-life and we make no apologies for it. This is why I was so astonished today when I came across a video clip featuring a woman named Gianna Jessen. Apparently, she's kind of a big deal in the pro-life world because she is an adoption survivor. She survived an infant death sentence, imposed on her by a selfish young "mother" and supported and performed by the ever stellar staff at Planned Parenthood. But she survived. She lived. She won. And now she tells anyone who will listen about her remarkable story and encourages people to get educated about the realities and injustice of abortion. If abortion is about women's rights, then where were Gianna's?

Her words are fiery and inspiring and even humorous. It's hard not to adore Gianna and embrace her tremendous message.

Part 1

Part 2

And for the record, should we ever have the opportunity to adopt, we will, in fact, shout it from our rooftop (and on our blog)!

Thursday, September 23, 2010

The Best of Fall

Last night the sunshine made it's final summer sunset appearance for 2010.

This morning, it rose to usher in a crisp autumn morning.

Fall is probably the most exciting season of the year at our house for a billion different and completely wonderful reasons. Here are just a few:

College football season. Go Broncos! (betcha didn't see that one coming...)
Halloween. We are already anxiously planning out Brock's costume. By we, I mean Brock and myself. Clarke doesn't seem to mind what Brock dresses up as, so long as B is cute and masculine--which he will be...naturally. I love what Brock has chosen to be this year, but I won't reveal that just yet! On top of Halloween costumes, we also have Halloween decorations, Halloween parties and Halloween candy (my gym attendance might have to double next month because I have ZERO discipline at Halloween. gulp.).
Leaves, leaves and more leaves! Leaves are good for crunching, leaf rubbing (I sense a preschool activity...) and are the firey grand finale to a season of color. More importantly, leaves make great backdrops for family portraits. Ahem. If you haven't scheduled your fall portrait session with CharSee Photography, you may want to get on that right away as I only have a few more open spots!
Apple Cider. Apple Pie. Apple Crisp. Apple Cobbler. Apple Cake. Carmel Apples. And Apple Enchiladas. Apple enchiladas???? Yup! For our FHE treat last week, I baked up a batch of Apple enchiladas. Don't let the ingredients fool you--they make an incredible dessert:
Ingredients:
1 (21 ounce) can apple pie filling
6 (8 inch) flour tortillas
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/3 cup margarine
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup water

Directions
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2.Spoon fruit evenly onto all tortillas, sprinkle with cinnamon. Roll up tortillas and place seam side down on lightly greased 8x8 baking pan.
3.Bring margarine, sugars and water to a boil in a medium sauce pan. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring constantly for 3 minutes.
4.Pour sauce evenly over tortillas; sprinkle with extra cinnamon on top if desired. Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes.
5.Makes 6 large tortillas; may be cut in half to serve 12.
Denim! It's a universal truth, if you wear jeans, you don't have to shave your legs that day. Woot! Another blissful bonus that comes with cooler weather.No leg shaving = shorter showers = water conservation =environmentally smartie pants decision. ;) Of course, hairy legs=looking like a monkey=lower self-esteem=a longing for summer when shaved legs are a must. Hmm...tough call. Also, I have a confession: I bought a really cute jean jacket in June. Yes, June (what the heck was Target doing selling jean jackets in June anyway???). And I haven't had the opportunity to wear it much seeing as it has been a monotonous NINETY degrees or so almost every day for the last 3 months. So hooray for denim!
Scentastic! Oranges, cloves, cinnamon, apples... 2 weeks ago, I went to a Scentsy party and stocked up on the autumn essentials: Sticky Cinnamon Bun, Baked Apple Pie, Home Sweet Home and Cozy Fireside. All summer long, I've been melting a strawberry/coconut concoction that smells like Lip Smacker and is fun and fantastic. Nevertheless, it's time for a changing of the scents--something that smells like a kitchen full of freshly baked and spicy goodies. Cozy and yummy!
Harvest. Our garden receives a dismal C- this year because of a cold spring and a late summer. We lost many of the veggies we planted (peas, carrots & cucumbers) in early spring because it was just flat out too cold. Our pumpkins got a very late start which means we may not have pumpkins from our garden this year. Boo! The corn we planted yielded about 4 measly ears and our potatoes, well...we actually haven't dug up the potatoes yet (fingers crossed for a good harvest). Our tomatoes get an A- because they did not harvest fruit until LATE August, but now we're overloaded with tomatoes and since my salsa experiement was inedible last year, we may attempt to can spaghetti sauce this year instead. And finally, the A+++++ goes to our strawberries for a bounteous crop ALL SUMMER LONG!!! It will be nice to start with a clean slate next spring.
Carmel Corn. My mom makes the BEST carmel corn on the planet. I could seriously eat it by the bag-full--and I'm not talking conservative sandwich bag-sizes, I'm talking about the BIG paper-alternative-to-plastic grocery bag size. Did I mention that I have to double my efforts at the gym in October???
TV! As daylight savings time draws to a close, we no longer feel the guilty need to be outside working in the yard or necessarily playing late into the evening to soak up the last rays of day and can, instead, settle into the couch to watch our favorite tv shows. These include: House, The Biggest Loser, CSI, Medium, Grey's Anatomy and The Office.
Two words: BLACK FRIDAY. Clarke has a standing babysitting gig every year: the day after Thanksgiving. This is because I do 90% of my Christmas shopping between the hours of 3 a.m. and 9 a.m. on black Friday. It's a great way to walk off the over-indulgence that comes with Thanksgiving dinner and I get to save hundreds of dollars just by doing two things that I'm super good at: waking up early and shopping! Win-win!

What do you love best of fall???

Monday, September 20, 2010

Random Randomness

#1 Stargazing

For weeks, Brock had been pleading with us to stay up late enough to say hello to the stars. I suppose I'm something of a martinet when it comes to bedtime and a late summer sunset is all Brock ever sees as he nestles into his construction-print sheets for the night. After some discussion, we decided to indulge Brock in a privilege of this magnitude, contingent, of course, on exemplary behavior (which is why it took WEEKS for Brock to earn his stargazing privilege!)

Brock had it all planned out. We were going lay out blankets and pillows in the backyard and snuggle with the pups while we watched the stars.

We had an amazing time teaching Brock about the stars (given our meager and rather rusty experience with astonomy) and answering his questions. I'm not sure why we never go stargazing because it was bliss cuddling with my boys in the crisp, black evening, under an unending expanse of twinkling wonder.

#2 Jamin

Best Buddies FOR-E-VER!

It was a pirate afternoon for these goofy boys, clad in their bandanas and swinging about limp, plastic swords. "AAAArrrgh" they shouted at one another, battling with their mighty swords and romping about the backyard. The fun ended when one of the swords found a new home on our roof. Of course, the fun resumed when the boys moved inside and they became dinosaurs, shouting their vicious roars at one another before settling in front of the TV for a movie.

#3 Jake

"It's too hot in here," cousin Jake comments every single time he comes to my house. So, off goes his shirt and at only 3-years old, I don't mind. Then off goes my 4-year old's shirt as he too complains that it's too hot in the house. Whatever, nutty kids, it's only 50 degrees outside!!! They run about the house with more energy than should be legal, shouting and playing and laughing. Then it's quiet as the boys pow-wow in Brock's room, carefully charting their next activity. And then I hear the rumble of two Tonka trucks being raced across the kitchen floor. This is what I found when I checked on them.
Little hooligans!

#4 Meet Tegan

For 3 days each week, we get our baby fix with 2-month old Tegan, the daughter of some friends. I forgot how much work a newborn can be, but such a delight. She talks and smiles all the time and even giggles in her sleep. Ahhhhh... I want a baby.

Hopefully we can adopt a baby soon.

Isn't she a dolly???

#5 Imagination Abounds

Brock proves that capes and bike helmets never go out of style when you live in imagination land. He was a Jedi Virtuoso this day. I can't wait for the day when Brock can begin piano lessons. Yes, he'll be a football player (he already shouts "YEAH!" whenever he hears the words "Bosie State." What can I say, he has parents who teach him well!), but I'd also like him to play the piano. There's just something about a boy who can play...

Drives the girls crazy!

Saturday, September 18, 2010

So, there's this boy...

...and he kind of has my heart.

Literally.

Just the other day, our back door slid open and Brock appeared, sweaty from play in the sun, and he carelessly, but heavily slid the door shut as he stumbled into the cool of our kitchen.

Without hesitation, he gleefully announced that he had a surprise for me.

"It's a rock." he announced, flatly.

"Oh, a rock. Um, great." I thought and shrugged.

"Thanks, sweetie," I replied and held out my hand, expectantly, to receive his gift.

And then I saw it. A heart shaped rock.

I gathered Brock in my arms and cuddled him tightly and then tickled him under the chin.

His smile turned into peals of laughter.

Being a mom doesn't get any better than this.

I love my boy.

Monday, September 13, 2010

Tonight

Tonight...

As you tuck your little ones in bed to wish them "sweet dreams,"

lean down and give them one more squeeze and another kiss.

And tonight...

tell your spouse that you love them.

Because tomorrow...

everything you know and love about your life could change.

A year and a half ago, I was just hours from delivering a baby; an infant who we knew had no chance at life. That night, a friend of mine, from across the country, immediately set to work making two tiny quilts. One for a girl and one for a boy; not knowing if we were going to grieve for a son or a daughter. Then she Fed-Ex'd them overnight to ensure that we would receive the quilts in time for burial. Our baby girl's body is wrapped in one of those quilts, handmade by my good friend.

Last night, this same friend of mine was going to bed happy. She and her family were on a long awaited vacation in Myrtle Beach, SC and she posted online that she had a wonderful day and was ready for a good night's rest.

This morning, she and her family went to the beach. They played in the ocean and collected shells along the sand. Tragedy struck mid morning when her husband attempted to rescue their 4-year old little boy from drowning in sudden waves that had overtaken the tidepool they had been playing in. He saved his son, but lost his own life in the process.

Today, my remarkable friend is grieving the loss of her best friend; her husband.

So, if you're a believer in the power and strength of prayer, would you please open up your heart and include Jessica Smith and her four children in your prayers?

Friday, September 10, 2010

(A More Real) Love Story

When you're young and without little kids, date night is a exhilerating way to top off an excitingly selfish week. When you're married with little kids, "date night" is a rare and overdue repreive from the endearing chaos that consumes your days and nights.

This is fantastically silly and a appropriate tribute to moms and dads of little kids everywhere.

Have a great weekend!

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Preschool!

Today was Brock's very first day of preschool!

He wasn't overwhelmed with excitement and only had to knock on our front door to get to "school." Some friends from our ward and I have created a preschool co-op in which we rotate weeks to host/teach preschool in our homes. This week happened to be my turn and Brock, understandably, could not muster up genuine anticipation when his teacher was "mom" and his first day of preschool was at "home." Poor kid.

He was a good sport, though, and pulled out his backpack and a smile to indulge me in a few minutes of momarazzi.

Here is our not-so-subtle tribute to our team....GO BRONCOS!

Oh, the places you'll go little boy....

Today we learned to correctly write letters Aa and number 1, recognize the color red, draw squares, and recite the days of the week, in order. The children also learned to say the Pledge of Allegiance!! It was a big and busy day for all of us and I only made one kid cry (go me!).

Hopefully next week when mom is not teaching and preschool is not at home, Brock will be as anxious as his friends were this morning when they arrived at our house for their first day.

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Up Up & Away

On Saturday morning we bumped shoulders with a crowd of thousands at Ann Morrison Park early in the a.m. to watch, in awe and wonder, as a myriad of brightly colored hot air balloons took flight over the city of Boise in an annual celebration called "The Spirit of Boise." We left the house at 6:15, wearing jackets to cozy ourselves against the crispness of the morning and rubbing the sleep from our eyes, unsure of what awaited us, but anxious just the same.

The event was ushered in by a fly-over!

Arriving early not only afforded us an optimal parking spot, but also a front row "seat." Although cold, wet grass is not optimal for sitting. Just a tip from me to you! ;) We stood for what seemed like for-e-ver, as the crowds of spectators grew thicker around us; people bundled up their jacket and blankets, armed with cameras.

And then "things" began to happen...

Did I tell you that we literally just rolled out of bed and left the house?
It explains why we look like this...

and this...

Brock watched in dumbstruck fascination as the balloons began to inflate. Come to think of it, I'm not sure Brock has ever really seen hot air balloons anywhere besides TV. It's something entirely different and far more gratifying to see them in person.

And then the balloons took flight!

Blast off! What may have been the ugliest pile of balloon on the ground, turned out to be one of the most popular balloons of the day. The rocket!!!
Of course, as fate would have it, Brock had to use the bathroom just moments before the rocket launched. He missed it! Luckily, his superhero mom saved the day with these images:

Going old school.
The retro Boise State logo balloon was the MOST POPULAR balloon of the day. And why??? 'Cause you're in Bronco Nation, baby, and be it old or new, as long as it is Boise State, it RRRRROCKS!!
Who better to embody the spirit of a true blue Bronco fan that Clarke and our future Boise State linebacker, Brock?!

When the BSU balloon launched, there was a thunderous cheer!
The other balloons were probably jealous because NO OTHER BALLOON received such a spirited send off.

To demonstrate just how early this all happened, here is the sunrise...after most of the balloons had already launched. Most of you'alls were still in bed, right?

The Spirit of Boise is a 4-day event, Saturday being the most popular. The theme that day was competition. The challenge for each balloon was to knock over a porta-potty in the park. Yeah, um, welcome to Idaho???? But in the spirit of true sportsmanship, I will say that for most of the balloons who tried, the task was near impossible. Except, of course, for the sponsor balloon who cheated.

So early that the moon was still out...

I'm not sure we've recovered fully from such an early Saturday morning (yawning even now), but the sleep deprivation was so worth the visual intoxication!

We'll definitely make this an annual family tradition!