Living the Unexpected Life

This Easter, like many others, I will be thinking of all the loved ones I have lost and loved.  I often think of these people as I am going about my day wondering if I am living my life to the fullest.   I wonder if I am taking full advantage of all that I have been given.  Most days I can say, "YES!" and other days I realize that I am taking a lot for granted.  It is quite an experience to ponder your life consistently and make small commitments to work harder and grow.  I have enjoyed that process the most in this life. I am not afraid to try new things.  I am not afraid to admit that I need to change.  I am not afraid of death.  All because of Him.

According to David I take way to many pictures.  So many in fact that I do not live in the moment and someday I may regret that.  I don't know where Dave hears this stuff but he really wanted me to put the camera down.  Below is the last shot of the day. Dave lecturing his Mother on why living in the moment is better than taking pics. I asked Evan to kiss the pig.  He was a little too scared to get any closer and it took me 5 shots to get a good one.  I think that pig wanted that popcorn which smelled a whole lot better than she did! Miss Priscilla thinks Evan is pretty cute. Watching the boys play tether ball was hilarious since Evan is half the size of Dave.  They giggled like a bunch of girls and I loved taking shot after shot.  I could have watched them all day! I   The boys are not getting smaller that is for sure.  This pic illustrates quite well what I deal with on a daily basis. ...

OUR NEW FAMILY TOY We are having a blast staying home and hanging out.  I am sure this is what heaven is like! MY HANDSOME 14 YR OLD SON THESE BOYS STILL KNOW HOW TO PLAY TOGETHER ONE MOMENT OF BEING STILL MY YOUNGEST-NOT A BABY ANY MORE

  I have recently become friends with someone who adopted a baby three years ago.  I have learned a lot about the other end of adoption from her and it got me thinking about what others may think of my story.   For me, being adopted has always been a known.  How could I not know with 5 other white brothers and sister! My 4th bday   I had an amazing childhood and my Dad always told me I was his favorite.  (Something tells me he said this to all 6 of us!)  My parents burped me, fed me, potty trained me, got up with me at night, loved me for who I was, and sacrificed.  In my mind this defines what a "REAL PARENT" is. There have been many times in my life when people have asked me what I know about my real parents.  I have always taken that question with a little surprise because my Mom and Dad are my real parents.  I have learned that the correct terminology is "birth parents" and "parents". Now that truly makes a lot more ...

Eastmont Swim Team 2014  When my boys were babies I would sometimes dream up scenarios of what it would be like raising them into teens.  Nothing I imagined compares to what is actually happening today!  It is amazing to watch these kids grow up and try hard at everything they do.  I do not remember being like that when I was a kid. I recently watched a video called "THE POWER OF BELIEF" and it struck me that I think that way today. (see video above)  It took me a long time to believe in myself that way so it blows me away that my kids think that way now.  I take some credit for their belief because I have tried extra hard to be a good example of what it looks like to set a goal and accomplish it.   However, I actually think my kids came to earth with this belief and mindset a part of them already.  According to the video their minds are OPEN to possibilities (they try) and combining that with their INTELLIGENCE makes them s...

Where do I see myself in 5 years, 10 years, and 15 years? 5 years: According to Jason's calculations and master plan (which I honestly am going to have a hard time living) we will be debt free in 5 years with no mortgage!   I have been struggling with THE PLAN only because I have been really good so far with my money so why change.  (Thanks Mr. Money Moustache BTW) However, thinking 5 years ahead I see myself doing the Dave Ramsey debt free yell along side my hubby and I am getting a tiny bit excited about that.  I will not be weighed down by my job but choosing to work 100%.  I will be studying how to play the organ with one child on a mission and a sophomore in High School.  I will still be madly in love with my husband and riding and running the loop trail, eating tacos right afterwards because I burned a bunch of calories and need to get them back.  I will also be driving the same car, living in the same house, and finally practicing sewing b...

The person who has gotten me through the most.   Obviously this person is my handsome husband.  We have known each other since I was 14 which means that we have been hanging out for 25 years now!  Crazy, isn't it?   My husband does a lot of things for me that the world may not consider valuable or proof that he actually loves me.  He does not lavish me with chocolates,flowers, or useless gifts.  He does not tell me everything will be okay when he knows it won't.  He has never sugar coated a response and does not value money or things.  He does not put his job above all in order to take me on wild expensive vacations and he doesn't buy me everything I could ever want. My husband is the kind of person who tells you what he thinks, loves you honestly, and puts thought into every action he takes.  He values our family more than money and shows me that he loves me by spending time with me.  For example, on our last adventure we...