Monday, July 8, 2013

Playing Catch-up

I know. I know.
It has been over a year since I updated this little blog. 
Sad, but true. 
Well, a couple things have happened.
(obviously)
Last Fall we decided to Foster. 
(We decided to Foster instead of adopt at the time because we were thinking we would be moving for a possible job. We didn't want to pay lots of money just to find out we would have to pay everything again because we moved to another state)
January we started the classes. 
Which means 10 weeks of 3 hour classes, 
down in Las Vegas, 
that tacks on another 2 1/2 hours of drive time. 
Yep, quite the commitment. 
(Thanks to all our friends who watched Kelsey for us, we are in your debt)
But if that meant for us to have more children in our home, so be it.

The classes ended up, being SO FUN!
(There was lots of food, too)
There were 3 other LDS couples in the class. 
The teacher and the asst. teacher were both LDS. 
Which made the class super nice, because most of us had similar beliefs.

Class 4, we got "The Blue Bible" or The State and Federal Rules for Foster Care. 
I was reading in the book, getting totally confused at all the legal mumbo jumbo. 
I started reading about the residence of a foster family.  
(Read Closely)

NAC 424.370 Doors and Windows
3. Every dwelling must have two exits at least 36 inches wide and 80 inches high which provide unobstructed travel to the outside of the building......Apartment building with more than one story may be required to submit to an inspection by the local fire department or state fire marshal's office. 

I quickly emailed our licensing worker because we live in a condo that has 1 door. 
She told me not be worried, because according to building code, we have to have 2 doors. 
After back and forth emails telling her, in fact, we have 1 door she came to do an inspection. 
This inspection took place after Class 7. 

She came and was baffled we only had 1 door. 
She took pictures of all our windows and 1 door and told us she would talk to her supervisor. 
So we waited another week.
At Class 8, we were told we wouldn't be able to foster in our home 
because we only have 1 door. 
This was near the end of March, that is about the time the snow birds start leaving Mesquite. 
So we thought we could get lucky and find a place fast to move. 
Not the case. 

We love our condo. 
The layout, the space... it's perfect.
Our place is not like a regular condo or apartment that might come to mind!
It's 1400 square feet! 3 bed 2 bath! 
But, not fit to foster, according to the state.  

(We did fight this law, but to no avail)

We decided to finish the foster care classes, with the hopes we would find a place equally as awesome as the place we are living now. 
After a few months of not finding anything, we decided to adopt. 

This is where we are now. 
The middle of June we had our first appt. with LDS Family Services. 
We are in middle of all the paperwork  now, 
(almost done!!)
just finishing up the doctor's appointments. 
Our profile should be up soon, 
but still spread the news we are trying to adopt. 

We are looking forward to another addition to our family through adoption. 
So spread the news!! 


Monday, March 19, 2012

Family Pictures

We had some new family pictures taken by our friend, Amy.
We had a great time taking them and I know it's about time we did! 
There is a lot here, 
and you don't have to look at all of them!
I posted these for my Mom and Mother-in-Law to to look at! 
Tell me which ones you want, Mom and Lynne!

















Which ones?!

Monday, February 27, 2012

Angel’s Landing

We finally did it. 
Angel's Landing in Zion National Park. 
We went with our friend KayLee,
which was the highlight. 
We love you, KayLee!
IMG_4237
Yes, part of the hike, if you didn't know, chains are required. 
Parts of the hike, you are literally, pulling yourself up.
So not only are your legs getting a good workout, 
your arms do too! 

So this is what we hiked. 
See that little line, in the red circle, that would be a person. 
IMG_4250
We are just starting out, little did we know......

We would almost die.
The red arrows show the approximate locations. 
There was snow and ice up at the top. 
4 or 5 places were extremely dangerous. 
I can't believe we did it. 

IMG_4257
But, we did. 
IMG_4258
We can officially say we have been were the angels land. 
We made it to the top! 

Friday, November 18, 2011

Thanksgiving!

We are having a great time, 
doing what we always do!
Have a great Thanksgiving!
Quinn, Ashley and Kelsey. 

p.s. Kelsey typed her OWN name. 

Friday, October 28, 2011

Coffee Table

We got a new
coffee table.
We found it at a thrift store for $5.
Let me repeat, $5.00
Yep!
It's a pretty cool shape.
With two different pieces,
that fit together.
That have lots of shelves.
But we need your help.
The top.....
We have so many ideas,
glass,
chalkboard,
white and black swirl painting,
fabric,
and tile.
What do you think will be best?
Or do you have any other ideas?

Sunday, September 11, 2011

My Hair


I wanted to show you what my sister-in-law, 
and I did to my hair.
What do you think?
She bleached the ends, and random lengths of near the front. 
Then used special effects hair dye to dip dye the ends 
and dye the red. I only did it last weekend, 
and it is already faded so much! 
I think it matches my personality, 
I think my hubby agrees with me. 
I just like how it doesn't look completely fake.
I think I might be hooked!

Thursday, June 30, 2011

5 years!


I can't believe I am old enough to be celebrating my 
5th year anniversary! 
(I just barely am, honest!)
This past weekend, 
we packed our bags and headed up to Manti, Utah. 
It was a impromptu trip 
with some friends, 
and we had a BLAST!
The weather was perfect, 
and the company was even better. 
If you haven't had a chance, 
go see this awesome free show.
This weekend, 
I am headed up to Idaho, 
to be with family.
Which we are excited too see everyone! 
Kelsey and I will then go
 down to San Elijo, CA for some sandy fun. 
 Be back in August! 
See you then!

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Who or Whom?

I know I haven't posted much here lately, 
but I thought I would give you this picture to look at. 

Who does she look more like?
Quinn?
Ashley?

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

365 project Day 15

Day 15 of my 365 project
I put this up here for Sarah, 
here is just a little glimpse of the dress I am making for your daughter.
I am excited to see everyone, next month!

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Ice Blocking

We can sled here in the desert. 
It just involves, some ice. 

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

365 project,
I'm sure you have heard of it. 
Well I joined. 
And am totally excited to see how this is going
to make me grow as a photographer. 
I don't plan on adding all of my pictures here on my blog,
but just in case you want to see all of my pictures, 
here is a link to my profile.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Grandpa Work Shop

Grandpa was a wood worker.
We joke, he made more toys than Santa. 
Quinn wanted pictures taken of his shop, 
so I took pictures.
Here is just a little sampling....
almost all of the pictures I took are here
on my flickr account. 





He touched so many peoples lives with his tools.
Now he is using different tools to touch peoples lives. 

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Josh and Mel are parents!!

We are happy to announce that Josh and Mel are parents!! 
This past weekend, we went down to Mesa, for her baby shower.  
During the whole shower, Kelsey played with Mel's phone,
the WHOLE time. 
Grandma and I had tons of fun, holding her. 
She's so chunky! 
she is 10 lbs, at 2 weeks old!! 
Mel is such a great mom, and is so super happy! 
She got so much at the shower, 
I was really surprised! 
Look at little baby Jovie,
she is so super cute! 
We love her so much,
and are grateful to her birth mother for giving our family a great gift.
We can't imagine, how much suffering you might be going through, 
but we love you just as much as we love your gift.