Posts

Posted on

a date to remember

45614565

Okay, okay. I know people are checking our adoption blog way more than this one, but I have to blog it before things get crazy around here in Bogota.  Jaime Lynne and Robert chauffered us on our very last date as a childless couple last weekend. It’s not often that we get chauffered, and it is even less often that it is on such a momentus occasion. Look how adorable J & R are in their matching famLea t-shirts!!! And where do you think we chose to eat….yeah, I know, it’s a complete stretch to think that we went to Claim Jumper (that’s CJ’s to the Brummetts)…

45804583

We had water,  no appetizers, and light dinners so that we could feast on the yummy deliciousness of THE DESSERTS. Robert and Jaime actually switched places so that Jaime and Adam could share one of the many things in life that they have in common–the chocolate chip calzone. I actually can’t stand the thing, but they swear by it. I begged Adam to let me get the mint chip mud pie (Jes, are you jealous yet?) Robert shared it with me. Thanks Rob!

So the post-eating portion of the date was supposed to include some Wii action, but by the time we got back to our side of town we were all too pooped to party. Lame, huh? That’s okay. We are perfectly content in our lameness…we have our friendship. :) Well, I guess by now everyone knows that we are finally in Colombia picking up our children. We won’t be posting anything on this blog for awhile. Check out the adoption blog for lots of updates.

4574
Posted on

relay for baby george

My dear friend of 22 years, Jessica, is participating with her husband and family in Relay for Life in Portland, OR this weekend. Dan and Jes lost baby George to brain cancer just a few short months after his birth. The Davenports have been champions in the fight ever since. I have seen them grow in strength and talent as they continue to perservere and spread Georgie’s story across the West. Baby George is a great reminder of goodness to us all. His story reminds me that one life can touch many…and that every life is valuable. Our time here on this earth is a gift.

I am proud to be George’s Auntie. And I am extra proud of what my dear friends continue to accomplish in the name of their son. Next year, I hope to take my children to Portland to walk with their Aunt Jes and Uncle Dan in Relay for Life. This weekend is for you Georgie, and for all of those who are here still fighting the good fight!

Posted on

thatcher, az

4557

Meet our friends, Heather and Kavika. Adam and I drove to Thatcher this past weekend to hang out with them. Thatcher is two hours past Globe and about three and a half hours past Phoenix. Heather and Kavika are super cool and super fun. We went to a Chinese buffet for lunch, saw a movie–Journey to the Center of the Earth, and played scrabble. We had a great time. We want to thank their grandma, LaVana, for letting us come. Her hospitality was truly appreciated. While we were in Thatcher LaVana arranged a tour for us of Spencer W. Kimball’s childhood home. It was a fantastic opportunity for Adam and I. We spent a good two hours going through each room and talking with the homeowners. They had some wonderful stories about the house and President Kimball. We felt blessed to have the opportunity. Below are a few of our favorite pictures.

45514530
45424523
Posted on

wii for the wallaces

42184227The Leas were gracious enough to introduce our FHE group to their beloved and favorite friends, Chad and Megan. The Wallaces are in town visiting family and friends for the week, but they reside in Arizona. Jaime decided to hold a little dinner party so that we could all meet their best friends, finally! And Gina, another of Jaime’s great friends, also joined us last night. She and her daughter, Amelia, were the perfect addition to our party. I’m so glad she came over. It was a really great evening. Jena brought another fabulous dessert–chocolate and raspberry souffle. It was absolutely scrumptious. And Jaime outdid herself with her grilled chicken and couscous salad. We made use of the Wii, which is always a blast.

4224424242514254And we had some of the kids over as well. They had a blast trying the wii out and playing with Carter’s makeshift “parking garage.” Val, you are so patient to help him with his crafts. Uncle Rob and Uncle Adam will make superb daddies someday. Good food, good friends, and good times. Thanks for hanging out, Megan and Chad. We hope to get to know you better over the years.

4221423042334239

Posted on

my love

This post must do without a picture for I am too sickly spent to find my camera. Adam spent two hours last night running around getting my prescriptions and other things on “my list.” He didn’t get home until 8:00 because of me. And after all that, he also brought me a bouquet of flowers. I was too out of it to thank him properly, but I want  him to know that it truly brightened my night and my morning.

Thank you, my love! 

Posted on

brian’s birthday at the lake

3937

Brian turned 34 on May 29th, but he was kind enough to defer his celebration because my adoption shower in Logan was planned for the same evening. Thanks, Brian! Since it was our last weekend in Utah, we all went up to the Lake and stayed in one of the Hirschi’s cabins. Brian had brownies for his cake and we had a camp fire. The kids had a ball playing in the sand volleyball court and running around with Uncle Adam playing frisbee. The weather was perfect for outdoor play. Thanks Hirschi family for inviting us to tag along.

39243928

39313934

39523955

39583964
Posted on

snow, anyone?

3940

Is it ever going to be possible to hike without snow again? We went on one last hike with Brooklynn before leaving Utah–and there was snow, in JUNE! I know that some hikes aren’t possible until July our August–but Limber Pine Trail? Give me a break. We did the hike regardless, and we are really glad we soldiered on. There actually ended up being fairly dry ground most of the way. After several of our spring hikes were thwarted by the nation’s WEIRD weather this year–we are grateful to have finally completed one. And per her usual, Brooklynn was the leader the whole way, except during the deep snow crossings. :) She made uncle Adam go first so she could step down into his tracks.

39433949

3946
Posted on

a night under the stars

3975

Spring Mountain Ranch–One of Las Vegas’s semi-hidden treasures.

I have been wanting to go out to the ranch to see a play since I moved to Las Vegas in 2003. Adam and I had talked about going many times…and finally, we made it happen. Thanks, Dave and Jena, for inviting all of us along. Jaime and I sat in line starting at 4:45 until the gates opened at 6:00 so we could reserve the best blanket seats possible for our little band of comrades. We definitely took one for the team considering the summer temperatures, but it was sooooo worth it…and I would do it all again tomorrow!!!

Spring Mountain Ranch is past Red Rock and higher in elevation than LV so the temperature is about 10 degrees cooler than in the city…a much welcomed respite after the heat we’ve been having. I actually had my sweatshirt on and was snuggled between Adam and Jaime under a thick blanket. If I had a pillow and socks, I could have comfortably spent the night out on the cool grass.

This month we saw Beauty and the Beast. The costumes were amazing!!! And the Ranch has some new lighting and sound equipment…Wow, what is better than a night under the stars watching a show with good food, good friends, and cool air?

The picture of Adona is of her eating a sour gummy worm–her look says it all. We’re training her at an early age so she’ll be canyon-ready in no time. The picture of Adam and Jeremy HAD to be taken. They were so engrossed in their new business scheme that they didn’t even notice Val and I cracking up and taking pictures of them….super cute. And the picture of me with my little “nothing bundt cake” bundtlette proves that I am no longer an nbc virgin. The cake was so deliciously moist. It was definitely worth the wait! Thank you sweet friend for thinking of me at the perfect time.

3968397239783981

Posted on

FHE, anyone?

We had our first Family Home Evening back in Las Vegas with our friends last night. Check out Jaime and Rob’s blog for pics!!! We made pizza and homemade ice cream at the DeMarcos. They have also started a food blog–which I’m sure will contain only the most fabulous recipes. We are never disappointed when we eat at Dave and Jena’s!!! From Italian to Indian to yummy desserts–their cucina is incredible.

I am so glad to get back to our semi-monthly family nights. Hopefully, we will have some children to contribute to the “family” very soon. :) Two Mondays from now we will be at the Brummetts. I love my friends.

Posted on

goodbye for now…

As we head to Las Vegas to await our travel date to Colombia, we must say goodbye to the Hirschi Family in Logan. We are so grateful to Jaimee and Brian for their support, generosity, and kindness this past year. We never felt like strangers or guests in their home. They helped us feel like it was our home too. A few things we will miss the most:

*Brooklynn watching Spongebob in bed with Uncle Adam

*Spencer screeching and giggling at the top of his lungs when we throw him in the air

*Hand and Foot

*Leaving our bedroom window open and listening to the rain

*the many nearby hikes in and around Logan Canyon

…….and much more. We pray that your business prospers this summer and that you enjoy your time at the Lake. The next time you see us, we’ll be a family of SIX!