Alan's Baptism

7.31.16 

After jumping through some hoops, Alan was finally given permission to be baptized in Utah.  We were able to celebrate his special day with family and friends.  We even got to snap some pics at the Ogden temple grounds.   I know he felt so special that afternoon.  He brought his new scriptures and we even snuck over to Farr's for a double dip cone after.

Sunday, we met in the font room. The same room where I was baptized and confirmed 30 years ago. Ben was also baptized there.  I love the idea of the saints who sacrificed to build this building, wanting there to be a font even though it wasn't a Stake Center. 

We celebrated after with some good eats and cake and ice cream, per Alan's request. 

He confessed to me that he felt like Superman after this shot. We talked about how our baptismal covenants make us feel and about whether the water would be cold and about how licorice ice cream is seriously the best flavor... I hope he will remember his baptism forever. 

Way to go Alan, it's great to be 8!!

Eight Big Ones

7/6/08...A date I can never remember. It should be 6-7-8, or 8-7-6, but it seems fitting for this middle man of ours who is always a little discombobulated.  A swim/sports/race car birthday is what he chose.  Never an easy choice for him, but we tried hard to deliver.

Finally, a hoop for the pool!

See those clouds? Totally ominous. I checked the forecast this morning and actually texted all the invitees and asked them to come 4 hours earlier.  Luckily most everyone could come because sure enough, the Monsoon rolled in and it's raining as I sit here typing this.

 He asked for a cake with his favorite game, "Sharks and Minnows".

The rain was closing in and I asked Alan to move his un-opened presents under the patio.  I  figured he would start opening them, but what surprised me was that several boys asked him to wait for his brother and then I heard one say, "Alan, read the card first", another said, "Alan, what do you say to your friend?", and still another said, "I'll get a bag for the wrapping paper".  I had to giggle... their mom's would be so proud!

The timeless art of the chest bump!

Geranimo!!!!

 

Oh, Alan!  I counted the number of times he cried during his own party. Three, three separate times he dished it out and couldn't handle the repercussions.  I told him I could send everyone home and he said through his tears, "can't you just have them sit and watch me swim?"  

 Happy Birthday, Alan!!!  Eight looks good on you!!

Losses and Gains

He's 6 months old today! A milestone for any baby, but one that I've been thinking about a lot, particularly with him. You see, the first six months of a baby's life are super duper critical.  No one really ever tells you this before you have kiddos.  Oh, I took the child development classes.  But it wasn't until our foster care classes, all three rounds of them, that it really sunk in.

Really, the first 12 months are critical, but in the first 6 months the attachment and bonding that occur will follow a child, for better or worse, throughout their life.  

All I could hear during this last round of classes were the terrible side effects associated with the loss and separation a child experiences in their first 6 months. Already "J" had had two very significant ones and we were about to be his third. I left every Tuesday night class feeling like we were fighting a losing battle.   

We waited while the wheels of the system turned incredibly slow.  Every email, phone call, text, stressing the need to have him with us before that 6mo deadline. Thankfully, we had J's foster family on our side, and they pulled the rug out from under the system, hard. And then it was our turn. 

The last month and a half has not been cake. It hasn't even been anywhere close to resembling anything close to dessert.  Babies are hard. Period. Foster babies come with their own challenges. 

I know the really hard part, the purple-crying, up all night, crazy newborn phase had been done for us. (We can never thank J's foster parents enough for their time and energy)but I won't lie. His arrival threw us all off our groove. 

I think we're faking it pretty well.  Every day is easier. Two nights ago I was the only one awake. It was late and I was trying to sneak in the last episode of "Parenthood" (don't judge me for my Netflix choices) before turning off my light. 

Joe and Julia (two main characters) had just found out the birth mother of their 11 yr old adopted son was about to have a baby girl and she was hoping they would adopt her as well.  As they met with the caseworker, I started to cry.  It wasn't so long ago I got a very similar text.  And while they were given the weekend to consider, Dean and I got 15 minutes.  

They decide their lives are full.  They're done.  But as the weekend progresses they both have second thoughts. I was expecting the happy ending. The part where they both reconsider and decide, "of course we'll completely turn our lives upside down and adopt!" What I wasn't expecting was for one line to really touch me. Julia looks at Joel and says, "so we're really doing this?" and he responds, "she's already ours".

I was overcome.  A complete mess. I woke Dean up out of a dead sleep and made him listen to my blubbering.  The writers nailed it. That is exactly how I felt when I found out about baby "J". 

So, there it is.  We had exactly 6 weeks and three days with him before he reached his 6 month mark.  I think/hope/know it made a difference.  And even though we were one of his losses, I like to think we were also one of his gains. We can never give back what was taken from him, but we can try every day to come close. 

Happy 6mo "J"! We can't wait to see what mountains you will move.  For now, let's just work on sleeping through two nights in a row!

Bff's

I'll admit, I was nervous when one of my very best friends asked if she and her daughter could come to AZ and visit over Spring Break.  Not nervous for the company, but nervous because way down here, there's not much to do.  Thankfully their main goals were to see "a real desert" and do some thrifting.  Two things I was happy to say I could easily provide. 

We found our way to Saguaro National Park.  Actually, a really beautiful place.  I am always impressed by National Parks, and this time was no different.  We even got in free thanks to having two fourth graders in our company. The Federal Government supplied every fourth grader with a free park pass this year. (Getting the passes printed was a pretty funny story too involving a late night, a hotel lobby, a super slow computer and some good quality time with my friend, both bra-less and in our pajamas)  

Their trip also included a visit to the Desert Museum.  Apparently the second most visited place in Arizona. Number one being the Grand Canyon, of course. We saw javelina, cougar, bobcat, hummingbirds, snakes, and even a bear using the bathroom which became a running joke among the kiddos and the highlight for Sadie.  She's still taking about it... "Mom, remember when the bear was pooping and we watched?"

building cairns

I'm sure he was feeling like the third wheel all week, but he was a trooper

Swearing in as Jr. Ranger's

We had our hands full.  Five kids between us. Something she handles on a regular basis.
 I was so grateful for her extra hands!

Hummingbirds at rest, and building nests.  Fascinating!

I mustache you a question!

We went from Tombstone to Tucson and every thrift store and junkyard in between.  We even snuck in one last adventure to Casa Grande on our way to the airport.  (Thank goodness for smartphones and GPS)
I know it's unusual for a 10 year old to have a best friend of the opposite sex, but I know they're better for it.  I asked him what he enjoys about her friendship and he thoughtfully replied," she's funny and she listens to me." I hope he always remembers what makes a good friend. I know she gets it from her Mama. 

I know they'll be back.  Byrdie still has a few things on her desert to do list, among them, swimming and a scorpion hunt.  We can't wait to oblige.
Come back soon!!  The desert misses you!!