Me and My Girls....plus Boy!

We are going to get to adopt our little foster boy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We had court recently, the week before Christmas, and the judge decided to end it all so now we can adopt him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We are so grateful and happy! We are grateful to his parents that brought him into this world. We know it was rough situation for his parents, but great blessings have come from it. We are thrilled to be progressing toward adoption and even better being sealed in the temple for time and eternity. Once adoption goes though then we can up load a year plus of pictures with our little guy and say his name!

Santa

 We got our pics taken with Santa at our ward Christmas party.

Our Heart Goes Out

 It has taken me a while to post this just because it was such a scare to us. If you haven't heard about the sad news here is a link. 4 Marines killed   Gratefully our Marine is safe, but we feel for those who have lost their loved ones. 
When I got a call on Wednesday of the event from Andrew's Grandmother my heart sank. No one had heard anything, which is suppose to be a good sign right...? It did nothing to stop the "what if" in my head or heart. When I spoke with his dad I could no longer keep it together. Hearing how he was feeling...there are no words to put to the feelings of losing a child. I said a pray remembering that God out of anyone would know if he was safe. The answer came "yes", but I still doubted, heavily. I wanted to be comforted by what the Lord had told me, but it is in times of greatest trial I see where I need more work in trust.
We got word late that night that he was safe! I balled again, but out of great joy. The Lord had answered, and kept him safe.
Though our Marine is safe we feel deeply for those who lost theirs. They served much longer for our country and in greater depth then our friend has. I am grateful for all they did, and I pray for their families to hear the Lord better than I did. I would have them hear the comfort that they will see their family member again. That the Marines that have passed are safe with God, and that He will be with the families left behind to carry them. We just have to recognize His hand. I know that does not magically make the lose feel better, but I know it is true and in time we will understand more and our pain will lessen.

Snow Today!

 The second time we played was much colder than the first. The temp is dropping so I think ice may be tomorrow! Our foster boy loved it!!!!! (Just a note: I say "foster boy" one b/c I can't put his info on this blog legally, but also to promote foster care. Anyone who types it in may run into our site and get an idea to change a life!)

Andrew is Back to Business

Andrew reported back into more training today. This time it is combat training, and he wont be able to contact us for a month. Nothing for a whole month, killer! After that then he can. And maybe we will see him for Christmas, and get to call for his birthday. After all this is done we may face the challenge of a mission for our church. It will be a great blessing it is just hard to have him gone. Gives new meaning to absents makes the heart grow fonder.  But just think of what the future could hold for him because of these great experiences that will make him the man he will be.  Already the change has been great between getting the priesthood and boot camp.

Andrew is Home!

He graduated yesterday morning and came home after. I was upstairs and Randall came up to tell me we had a visitor that I might want to see. I replied with a laugh and said who Andrew. He didn't respond and I ran! While we hugged I balled. I was so grateful to have him home! Still am! Our plans immediately changed. Instead of going to our ward chili cook off we went with Andrew to his sweet grandparents home for dinner. They were the picture perfect grandparents. Spoiling our kids and playing with them, holding them, and loving them. We got to be with his dad Alex, brother Mark, friend Jay, grandparents Naomi and John, and of course Andrew!!!!!!!! It was a wonderful day. Wish I would have brought my camera. I was just to excited to go be with him!  We laughed as we looked over family pictures and heard fun stories of days passed. The kids had a great time playing with Andrew and Mark. Two of there most favorite people. What a great time! On the down side we found Andrew has to go back to San Diego for a month for more training, but for now he is home for his 10day leave. After the month he gets another break then more schooling. Not sure how long or where for that one yet.

Halloween Events

 Despicable me family!

Had to cut out a lot of pics b/c we cant have Ray in them yet still.

Extreme Excitement

RANDALL GOT A NEW JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He has been hired on to a new firm that does family, criminal, and international. Which means he will also get to use Korean that he learned while on his mission! We are so grateful to our Heavenly Father for this amazing gift. To have a great job in the field he wanted, and with great people hand their high moral standards. Life is good today!!!!!

Andrew Comes Home Soon!

Drum Roll Please

RANDALL PASSED THE BAR EXAM!!!!!!!

Heart Attack

The girls were saying how they wish they could have more eggs. We told them that it is not good for you to have to many eggs:

Emma: What happens when you have to many eggs?

Daddy: You have a heart attack.

Emma: A good heart attack or a bad one?

Daddy:(with a quizzical look)...all heart attacks are bad.

Mommy: (from the other room) Randall paper heart attacks are good.

Daddy: Oh. Yes a bad heart attack in your body.

Emma:Oh like in " Despereaux" the movie?

Daddy: Like the Queen had when she saw the rat and died, yes.

Maddy: (aghast) How did she die!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?

We all had a good laugh!

Prayers

• We have recently found out that our foster baby's sister was born on Saturday in a different state, and is now in foster care herself. 
• We also got a semi offer for another little girl. 
• Randall has a job interview tomorrow.  

We have a lot to swallow right now. I know the Lord will work it out but a lot is a lot! We are most grateful that our foster baby's sister is safe,and being taken care of! We don't know details but should be briefed soon. Please pray for these little ones that they may be taken care of and sent to the right home for them.

While We Were Sleeping

 This morning when we awoke the school cupboard was open......................

 Cute right... well... what I came down to was scissors, paper, glue sticks, and the camera...WITH chunks of hair on the floor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 One look at Maddy showed who's hair. One look and the size of the scheme showed who did it, Emma....

I have to admit I would have understood more had I looked at the pictures on the camera first. It would have showed me that the odds are Emma was trimming Maddy's face mask not intentionally cutting hair. But seeing how Emma was already fired from using scissors (for cutting dresses...on accident), I was not in a listening mood. So Maddy got a hair cut and so did Emma. "A hair for a hair" we said. Emma was not thrilled with her punishment especially since she was striving for Rapunzel hair, but sat still none the less.

Fun in the Sun

Cow Appriciation Day!

MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

 Andrew didn't want to look silly...free food, 19 and he wouldn't do it ahugh.

 This is the face Emma gave every time some one asked if they could eat her food.

 It was very windy, so they had to hold on to their cow ears.

Forth of July

 Fourth nails! Got to get ready for the big day with flags and fireworks!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 Randall and I made these dresses a few days before for the girls.

 Super hot out that day, any shade we could find we were there.

 Lana missed out on real face painting so I improvised and used lip-liner!

To finish it of we watched the fireworks with some girly friends!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!