Scouts Rocket Car Derby

This is what being a scout master (asst) is all about! This combined the kids having fun, us playing with explosives, and the families all enjoying the evening together.

Project: A normal pinewood derby car kit was given to each boy. In the back end we had drilled a hole that would fit a model rocket engine. There weren't a whole lot of rules or limitations, some boys (let's be honest, some dads) went all out and others didn't do a thing except put on the wheels (this design actually took 3rd place and was a fraction of a second from being in the championship run).

We then got 200 feet of wire for a guideline and set up the track. Some pads were put in place about 20 feet from the end to slow/stop/derail the cars. It was a lot of fun and we plan to do this every year if we can! Here are a couple runs:

Happy Belated "Chosen" Week!

For Sam

Each summer for the past several years I have attended Core Academy. It's a fabulous 3-day-workshop for teachers filled with new ideas, great food and free stuff, held in various locations around the state. The last two years my 2nd grade team and I have made a vacation out of it.

This year we went to St. George and had a wonderful time together. We went shopping at the outlets, to the movies and Tuacahn, laughed our guts out, ate all the delicious food we could find and had an all around amazing time. Thanks ladies!

This year was a big deal - but last years' escape to Heber City brought an unexpected miracle that I will forever remember.

June 12, 2007 - I woke up bright and early, kissed Dave goodbye for 3 days, and drove to Clinton in order to meet the girls at 6:00 am so that we'd have enough time to drive up to Heber and be on time for our first Core Academy class at 8:30 sharp!

We arrived on time, I said "hello" to my cute cousin, Marcie, who was working for the Core Academy, and found my seat. We dove into the new math curriculum and started charting the differences between it and the old curriculum. About an hour later, my cell phone buzzed in my purse. Embarrassed, I clicked the silent button and ignored it. Again, my cell phone buzzed in my purse. I couldn't believe it! What could be so important? Dave KNOWS I'm in class, why is he bothering me?

I went back to concentrating on the presenter and made a mental note to check the messages at our first break. The opportunity arrived shortly and I made a bee-line for the parking lot. What I heard was Dave's happy-yet-shaky?-voice telling me something like this:

"Good morning, Love, I know you're in class, but I just got a call from our
caseworker, Brenda, and she says she needs to meet with us tomorrow.
I told her you were out of town, and she was pretty disappointed. I'm not
sure what that means exactly but call me when you get this. I love you,
call me!"

A thrill of incredulity went through me - are you serious?? No WAY! We had received our adoption approval notice only a month earlier - our profile wasn't even online yet - how could anyone even know who we were? Most adoptive couples have to wait a long time before getting "the phone call," surely this couldn't be it! I didn't dare hope as I immediately called Dave back and we laughed about the irony of the phone call. Then we talked about the seriousness of the invitation. I asked Dave to call Brenda back and see if I really needed to be there or if she just wanted us to sign paperwork.

As it turns out - she really did want me to be there. So Dave and I hatched out a plan that included him and his dad driving our two cars up to Heber later that night in order to leave one car for me to drive back the next day, so I wouldn't have to miss much of the Core Academy.

I walked back into class with a look of disbelief on my face and shared the news with my teacher friends. Of course, they freaked out. I was just so stunned that this could finally be it that I didn't even know how to respond. I was also worried that this might not be what we'd been praying for and even then there were still so many "if's." I don't really remember much of the core academy after that as my mind started focusing on the possiblity of adoption.

June 13, 2007 - The next day I sat through six hours of class, my heart beating, my hands sweating, until I could leave to meet with Dave and our case worker. The time finally rolled around and I jumped in the car and hurried to the Farmington LDSFS agency where I met Dave. We walked in to the office and sat down on the couch. Brenda came in and asked us how we were doing. "Pretty good" was our hesitant reply. And then she spoke the words I will always remember, "I have something for you!"

We stared at the envelope in unbelief. Our emotions welled up and over-flowed as we pulled out the most precious letter and gazed on a picture or our beautiful angel birthmother. She was having a little boy - and she wanted to give him us! Nothing can compare with the feelings of joy and elation and surprise and gratitude as that moment. Finally! Finally! Finally!

As my eyes fell on her picture, I knew who she was. I had seen her in a dream several weeks previous - a dream I hadn't told Dave about because I didn't want to jinx anything. I don't remember much about the dream except her height and long dark hair. But in the dream I knew she was going to give us her heart. And when I saw her - the tears flowed harder - she could easily pass as one of my sisters!

We were also thrilled to find a letter from the birth father. From what we'd learned in our adoption classes, this was rare. Most of the time the birth fathers aren't involved. We read both letters over and over and over again trying to let the words sink in. They wanted to meet with us, face-to-face!

Our son was expected to arrive in about a month - July 17th was the due date. A MONTH! There was so much to get ready, so much to do. We had nothing for the little guy - not even an empty room in our new home!

But none of that mattered - for the moment. Our prayers had been answered. The Lord, in his infinite wisdom, had provided a way for our family to begin. He knew this little spirit needed to be in our home, to be loved and cared for and brought up in His ways. He had chosen us to be parents. He had whispered His will to our sweet angel and she through her love, faith and hope was willing to sacrifice for our son. What a joy to be chosen!

Disclaimer: This is NOT the end of the story...but this post was becoming a novel and we have other things to post as well. Stay tuned!

All is Well in Zions

Okay, get ready this post is way too long. What can you do? On the weekend of May 30-June 1 we took a quick weekend vacation down to Zion's National park with Greg & Wendy, Annie and Mike (and Mike's nephew Levi), and Bruce and Joe. The ten of us crammed into two cars (gas is expensive!) and took the trip.

This was Sammy's first big road trip and of course his first trip to Zion's. We were excited. There were going to be a few firsts on this trip and we were anxious to see how the Super Sam would do. It turns out that he is quite the trooper, and lets us be at ease a bit for going to Nauvoo in a few weeks.

Uncle Joseph was a great help on the way down. Whenever I got sick of sitting in my seat, Joe was there to give me snacks and feed me and all sorts of things. He is my hero!


Here is my first big hike! I was so excited to be in Zions! Dad got this cool backpack carrier that made the hike a ton of fun. I even had big red handles to hold on to and chew on. I loved being taller than everyone! As long as Dad was moving I was happy as a peach. It was only when we stopped that I got a bit ornery. I'd yell to motivate Dad until he finally got moving. I don't see what the problem is, I'm only 25 pounds, and the trail wasn't that steep. It was the Watchman's tower hike.

We finally made it. It took us a couple hours, and then it was photoshoot time of course!




One of the big questions for the hike was what would happen if the little guy got tired. Would he sleep or just be a pill. Apparently the answer is sleep. The whole hike down Sammy took a little nap.
It was so hot that we all stopped by the river. I wasn't excited about getting in the river. My baths are never cold, so I have no idea why I would be interested in standing in freshly-melted-snow-water. I have no problem being held by Mom while she stands in the icewater though!

I'm having a great time, let's do another hike! Dad said his shoulders were pretty sore after the 5 hours of hiking. I thought for sure that he would be ready to go after a break at the river and a shuttle ride up to the trailhead for the Emerald Pools. Afterall, I had a nap and was ready to go!

Turns out, Dad is weak, so uncle Greg helped out. He is cool and huge. Look a tree!

Oh sure Dad, act like you can handle it just for a photo.
Here I am with uncle Greg and aunt Wendy
This hike was real nice. It was in the shade almost the whole time. It was great because that meant I didn't have to wear that annoying hat that Mom and Dad keep putting on me.

Well, after a full day I was hammered. So was Bruce and Joe.
We really had a great time. Mike's mom and dad were so nice to let us all stay over (as well as another family who were in town for a baptism!) and Blaine gave a nice sunday school lesson. Christina (Mike's mom) has a cool tradition. Whenever someone comes to stay the night, they sign a little traveler's log. It is neat for them to look back at those who have come through and to read their comments about the great food and fun that was had. What a great idea!

Anyway, Sunday came quick and it was time to come home. Halfway home we stopped at Fillmore for a break. They had a little play place at the Maverick outside and we had Sammy try a slide for the first time. At first he wasn't exactly sure what was going on but caught on quick and actually quite enjoyed himself.


The Tiger Woods' fist pump sums up the whole little trip. We had a great time and it was a total success. Sammy was awesome, the weather was awesome, and it was awesome to have a good time with the family.