Privacy no More

As you may have noticed, our blog is no longer private, for invited guests only. I'm pretty sure this will be a temporary change, but we'll play it by ear. It's just been fun to catch up with people lately that I otherwise wouldn't really get the chance to keep in touch with, & I'd like to get as many of these old pals on board as I can before we go back private. So, hopefully all creepies will stay away for this brief stint. I will let you know when we go back to private mode so you can all make sure to give me your info for stay-in-touch-oh-so-splendid blogging purposes. Thanks for your cooperation. I sure hope I don't regret this.

Again, It's About Love

Here's the deal. I have a couple of friends that have a very special place in my heart. Well, I have many friends that have a special place in my heart, but there are a couple I have been thinking a lot about lately, & I'm going to give them a shameless plug right now.
Here they are.

As you all know, adoption is a very near & dear subject to my family & of course, myself, & it is the ultimate tie that binds me to these 2 couples. Both of them have been on the journey to starting a family for quite some time, & if there's anything I can do to help, by gum, I'm going to do it. Not only in my own experience, but in experiences of people I know, I've been amazed to see how these babies get home to the families they belong with. I know it sounds cliche. I understand it sounds cheesy. But the point of the matter is that it's the truth. So. Here are the links to their adoption blogs.

http://ourhopetoadopt.blogspot.com/
http://jimiandsarahadopt.blogspot.com/

I might not be the link that helps these amazing people find their birthmothers, but then again, I might. I don't want to take the risk. So, get it out there. Spread the word. I know firsthand that people come out of the woodwork when a woman decides to place her baby for adoption, & I know there are a lot of wonderful, capable, great people hoping that someday soon will be their day. My prayers are with them, but unfortunately I can't help them all. But I just might be able to help these choice few. You just never know. Help me help them, won't you?
(Note that their links are permanently in my left hand column for easy & frequent access.)

And So it Continues

Today's project & by far my new favorite. Eh?

Just Call me Crafty

I have a new favorite craft. They come often & generally don't last long, so I thought I'd share while I was still gung-ho about it. Nifty little freezer paper & fabric paint craft. Here's the shirt I did Mr. P last night. He loves it, I'm sure. I'm going to raid his drawers tonight for plain shirts that need a little pizazz.

Busted

If the question of Porter truly being my son ever arises, please refer to this picture & remove all doubt. Yes folks, he has found the Hershey's syrup & makes a bee-line for it any time he is aware that the fridge door is open. I'm not entirely a horrible mother; the lid is closed & he generally can't get it open, so the actual sugar intake is minimal. I'm often found standing behind him, sneaking chocolate chips from the cupboard.

Stake Conference

This weekend was our stake conference, so despite the chastisement for the poor attendance at the last stake conference, we planned a little last-camping-trip-of-the-summer weekend. That didn't work out. But...we did get to go over night to Park City with our good friends & without the babies. (Thanks, grandma & grandpa!!) We had a nice dinner, perused main street, went swimming, relaxed in the spa, played games, ate too many treats, went to bed when WE wanted to (much too late!), & slept in. It was divine. We also went to a little concert up at Snowbasin with Cami for a little bit & enjoyed some music, dancing & hula-hooping. And by dancing & hula-hooping I mean some great people watching. The leaves are changing & it was GORGEOUS! I was happy to get home to my baby, but it was a great little getaway!! Thanks everybody! And my apologies to the stake for not helping out with better numbers this time. We will be there to teach primary next week!!

Sleepy Head

What's better than lying down while having a little afternoon snack?

Little burrito wrap.

Yes, I do prefer sleeping with the dog on my head, thank you.

Take 1

These are a few of my favorites from Porter's 1 year photo shoot. Dang, that's one cute kid.

Remember

I debated sharing this yesterday, but somehow talked myself out of it. But today I decided that those of you who aren't linked to my sister Brooke's blog could benefit from this, so I hope you enjoy it.

http://hatchadventures.blogspot.com/2008/09/i-remember.html

I share this for a couple of reasons. First, I think she puts the remembrance of this tragedy so beautifully & it's just a nice tribute to 9/11. Second, I just am amazed every day at the energy & vivacity my son has for life. There are days when I feel like I follow him around & pick up his messes all day. I love it & would have it no other way, and like B., I pray that I am never the one who takes that excitement for life from him. Thanks, B.

Birthday Extravaganza

He's One!!

I am having a really hard time believing it, but Porter turned one today. How does it happen so quickly?! I don't think it's entirely fair that one of the best years of my life went by so fast, but I'm sure every year will get better & better. We celebrated the day by doing some cleaning, grocery shopping, napping & dancing before a great party at the park with family & friends. We had pizza, a pinata, cake & some good relay races displayed by Tyler & then completed by the kids. It was a good time, complete with somersault & hand-walking contests. Pure entertainment.

Porter had his own little cake & had a hay-day smashing it, eating it & sitting in it before wiping his messy hands & face all over my jeans & shirt. Or perhaps grinding is a better term. I was a mess. Thank goodness for Spray-n-Wash, right? I was wearing my current favorite pair of jeans, so let's hope for the best. The weather was dang near perfect & having it at the park meant I didn't have a huge mess to clean up after everyone went home. Nice.

THANK YOU to everyone who came (especially those who drove long distances), for the gifts, for the help, & for your love & support in general. Porter's a lucky boy to have so much support & love so close at hand. Sorry for the sugar high all your kids left on. That's what parties are for, right? And HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Mr. Porter! We love you!!!

First Haircut!

I did it. I broke down today & gave Porter his first haircut. It was a very daring move on my part for a number of reasons. Why I thought I had any know-how to give my son the first haircut of his life is a mystery to me, but the end result was pretty good, if I do say so myself. Yes, there are a few twangers & a few uneven areas, but the cuteness of his face detracts from the flaws. I had to bribe him to sit still with some cookies (hence the messy face) but that didn't hold his attention long enough, so I couldn't get the second side as short as the first. Oh well. What do you do. I'm not trained in managing small, squirmy children while wielding a sharp object. And he looks pretty pleased with his new hair, doesn't he?

Old & Moldy

It's official. As of today Tyler is old & moldy. Yes its' true, our favorite grown up kid is 30 years old today. THANK YOU to everyone who helped me with his surprise party on Saturday & also THANK YOU to everyone who helped throw him off the trail. I do realize that it was difficult at times- Ty's not an easy one to fool once he gets an idea that something's going on. I appreciate all the lies told on my behalf. Surely you'll be forgiven. And to those of you who thought I cried because he saw your car, rest assured that's not the reason. I was amazed that I got Tyler to the restaurant before he knew what was going on. The crying is a result of a genetic malfunction which causes me to cry anytime I'm overwhelmed, nervous, relieved, etc., or a combination of said factors. Don't let it alarm you, & get used to it. It was a great night & Tyler keeps talking about how nice it was that so many people showed up for him. So THANKS again, everyone!! We're so lucky & blessed to have so much wonderful family & so many great friends.

And on that note, here are 30 reasons why I love Tyler & am so blessed he's ours.
1. He's Fun
2. He works HARD
3. He's not prideful (bring on the smokin' 78 Rabbit!)
4. He's a great dad
5. He's super handy
6. He's super handsome
7. He sings ABBA with me
8. He's a good friend
9. He upholds his Priesthood
10. He shares the covers (or lets me have them all)
11. He loves to travel
12. He's a joker
13. He supports his family
14. He's spontaneous
15. He has gorgeous green eyes w/ flecks of gold
16. He humors me
17. He doesn't bother to be a slave to fashion
18. He's a dreamer
19. He's smart
20. He has kissable lips
21. He makes up new words to all songs
22. He's strong- physically, emotionally & spiritually
23. He's a good cook
24. He loves me just the way I am
25. He loves to try new things
26. He's himself ALL the time
27. He cleans up real nice
28. He loves his son more than anything
29. He spoils me
30. He makes me happy

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TY!! I LOVE YOU!