It's A Wonderful Life

Yesterday we got an email from the USCIS. We were informed that they had received our application and it would be sent on within 7 days. I wasn't sure what to think of it because I didn't receive the notifications on the last adoption. I had no idea the normal time table. I sent it on to our agency just in case they had not received it. Myriam, at Agape Adoptions, replied back with "This is a good sign". She would know. This is what she does all day. Now we send another check. Normally I would be a little nervous about sending a check this size but I am grateful the money is available and needed so soon.

Malia, who is 6, came home from school on a 25 degree day. It's been on the cold side here, at least for my liking. With enthusiasm for her new found knowledge she says, "Mom, if you run really fast at recess you will get warmer." Me, "That's a great idea". I love to watch their minds grow!

I woke up yesterday morning a little concerned about how I was going to juggle appointments for the afternoon. I figured things out knowing that I was on a very tight schedule. At 2:20 the fun began. I put my coat on grabbed my purse and reached for my phone. No phone. I asked  Bria and Hyrum where it was and Hyrum said my phone was in the bathroom. Not a good sign! I went to the bathroom to find a large puddle on the floor with soggy toilet paper everywhere. The toilet was full of toilet paper and I couldn't see anything good in there. I was not about to reach my hand in and find out if the phone was in there either or not. Hyrum still was insistent that my phone was in the bathroom. I ran through the house looking in all the obvious places and couldn't find my phone. My assumption at that moment was that we may have a clogged toilet coming up. I was now running late and my best laid plans were even tighter than before. I drove to the hig...

I walk in after bringing children to school and notice there is orange juice on the table. I said "Who had orange juice?" Hyrum replies "Me". I said "Daddy loves you". Hyrum "I know". Hyrum with a mouth full of cookie. 

No words can express my feelings towards my Savior Jesus Christ. He is the reason for my happiness and joy. I wish that I were eloquent and could express my deepest feelings for Him who saves. But I am far from eloquent as you have all noticed. Please enjoy this video as an expression of my testimony of the Savior of the World.

Our family Nativity in pictures.  Cast Baby Jesus - Doll Mary - Hannah Joseph - Clayson Donkey - Malia Shephard - Marshall Sheep - Pierce and Bria Angel - Niya Inn Keeper - Hyrum Wise Men - Creed, Casey, Olivia Camera Man - Deanne, video that is Narrator - Doug Audience - Emma We had a great time and it will be remembered for years to come. It's better on film.

I have referenced a talk given in General Conference several times now but this talk comes back to haunt me on a regular basis. I think the Lord is keeping my thoughts and desires where he wants them. At times I feel like I just want to forget all the heart ache and trauma that so many innocent children face on a daily basis. It's not an easy place to be. Last Friday Doug and I went out to dinner and ended up in a restaurant that had average prices. When I saw the bill I just thought what a waste that money was. Mediocre food and not a great atmosphere. I realized that with that money we could be sponsoring a child that has nothing. Doug and I decided that we were going to alter a date a month and sponsor a child in China instead. On that night every month we will be creative with what we eat and remember why we are doing this. We are going to make it somewhat of a game or adventure.  Tonight we got on the computer and looked at some children from the same healing home as our new...

We got word today that our homestudy and I800a application have been overnighted to the USCIS. Just to explain, there is a process a family must go through in the US to prove that a family does in fact fit the requirements set forth by our government to adopt a child from overseas. This application goes to the USCIS. The USCIS is the immigration arm. They require a copy of the homestudy and an application along with some other documents. All the paperwork is read over and an appointment to get fingerprinted is issued. If the homestudy has all the information needed and the fingerprints come back clear the family is then issued their approval. That is called the I-171. It is this process that we are now starting. Normally it is taking 6-8 weeks to complete but we are hoping to be done in just a couple of weeks. We are finally making progress and depending on if the USCIS officer decides that our son's life is in danger or not will determine when we travel and how fa...

Last night we had the opportunity to go see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra with Alfie Boe and Tom Brokaw. It was fantastic!!! Tyler and Jessica were honored to be dancers in it. I think I was the proudest Mama there. Doug and I just smiled the whole time they were on stage. One dance Jessica was right in front but we couldn't see Tyler. That was fine we could watch Jessica the whole time without splitting our attention  She is so graceful and beautiful. We sure love her. Then part way through the song a couple came out dressed in a gold gown and tails. They danced up and down the stairs reminiscent of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. It didn't take long to notice it was Tyler. He was graceful. They danced beautifully! Seeing Alfie Boe perform was great. He has a beautiful voice and is very unassuming. After his first song he took a couple of minutes to speak. One thing he said was that being there was a dream come true. My heart almost burs...

 I heard some very strange noises coming from the direction of Hyrum's room. I couldn't decide if it was someone crying or a cat dying.  I had to investigate and this is what I found. Hyrum barricading Pierce in the cabinet. If I had to barricade someone out I don't think I would use pillows. Pretty smart to start with the truck first.

Today Hyrum, Bria and I were in the car when this cute conversation took place. It went something  like this. Bria, "Hyrum need friend, we need nudder one brudder. We need go Chnia." Mom, "Well, you need to talk to Dad and Heavenly Father about that. We need money to get another         brother." Pause..  Bria, "I got  great  idea. At dark we tell Jesus we money and get nudder brudder then we be happy." The faith and innocence of a child.

As Clayson, Creed and I all stayed home from church not feeling well, we watched a Veggie Tales movie, "It's a Meaningful Life". This story is a spin off of "It's a Wonderful Life". Of course, the main character goes on a journey to see what his life would have been like if his regrets of life had been avoided. It illustrates the change in who he is and how different his life would be.  The main theme was that God is in charge of our lives and places the people and experiences there for us to grow into who He would have us be. I still struggle at moments with giving up some dreams I have had over the years but God is mindful of me and has not given up on me yet. He is still teaching me the importance of giving my life for Him and the showing me the blessing that come from it. This song by  Steven Curtis Chapman "You Were Meant To Be" , is one of those moments that our Father In Heaven reminds us of who we are and that He has a plan for us. I rec...

We are still waiting on getting our homestudy approved by two different agencies. The homestudy finally made it to the placing agency this week and is now back in the hands of our social worker for some revisions. She has had to put another 4 hours of work into it. It seems the placing agency is being "nit picky". Our social worker isn't too happy about that. I find it amazing that all the agencies have different requirements for the same country. Our homestudy made it through one China adoption. Why all the changes this time? Every agency says that what they need is required by China but I know for sure that is not the case. Maybe at some point the agencies will realize that we parents talk online and know what is going on in the adoption world. They really make themselves look silly at times. Hopefully I can write that our USCIS application is submitted soon. It should have been done last week. Oh well, it's all in the Lord's hands.

The American investment banker was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellow fin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them. The fisherman replied, only a little while. The American then asked why didn't he stay out longer and catch more fish. The Mexican said he had enough to support his family's immediate needs. The American then asked, "But what do you do with the rest of your time?" The Mexican fisherman said, "I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siesta with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos, I have a full and busy life." The American scoffed, "I am a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat with the proceeds from the bigger b...