One man's trash is another man's treasure

Matt and I are hoping to adopt. But adoption costs an arm, a leg, and a lot of blood, sweat, and tears! Not to mention the financial aspect of it! lol So a few weekends ago we hosted a yard sale to raise money for our future little one.
It was HUGE! I had a month of planning and gathering donations and promoting it like crazy and it still didn't feel like enough time! We had everything: clothes, shoes, toys, baby stuff, furniture(large and small), china, small appliances, decorations, books, games, and tasty treats! It was amazing how many donations we received. Everyone was willing to part with their household goods to help us! And some friends let us borrow their garage and yard! (We live in an apartment, it's a little difficult to have a yard/garage sale with no yard/garage!) We were way in over our heads with this thing! WOW!
(Pst...I'm the one in the hat above. And Matt is in the blue shirt below.)
(This was only on the first day!!! We got soooo much more that night and the next morning!!!)

We had tons of friends come and help us out! Here are some of our "Helpers"(Stephanie- she was a huge help! She helped set up and take down...and she answered people's questions and even helped take money! Thanks Stephanie!!!)

(Ben- he was an organizing genius!!! Did you notice the puzzles? All his doing!!! Thanks Ben!)

(Brittany- she and her hubby*down below* came both days to drop off donations and give moral support! And they couldn't leave without a few of the items we had there! Thanks Brittany!)

(Robbie- don't let the toy car fool you, he did some very heavy lifting!! Thanks Robbie!)

It was a ton of work...we were going non stop all week! We're so glad that our friends were so willing to come and support us... And in the end, we had a lot of fun and it was a big success! Even though I got SOOOO sunburned-with sunscreen! I'm still pink(and it's almost two weeks later!)

I think we may try to do another one in the spring....

The family is a haven in a heartless world

This last couple of weeks have been super crazy! We've been busy getting our yard sale together. I'll be blogging about that next. But before I can tell you all the fund stuff about our fundraiser I have to finish telling you about our vacation!!! LOL

So after the conference and spending a few days with friends, We went down to St. George UT to spend time with my parents!!! While we were driving we listened to Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. We love books, and have enjoyed the Harry Potter series! But while we were listening I noticed something very funny! It was a Utah license plate that said MUGGLE!!! It was perfect timing too! The story was talking about muggles!! I grabbed the camera and Matt got close enough and I got a picture!!!! Sadly however, that was one of the great pictures that was lost. I still had to share though!

When we made it to St. George it was so hot! But it was so wonderful to be in my parents tiny apartment with the WHOLE family!!! *A little background- one of my brothers and my sister haven't really been on "speaking terms" for the last 6 years. But while we were there they decided to start working things out!* It was so comfortable to have everyone in the living room on the couch just hanging out and joking around! I had thought that it might feel monumental for everyone to be there but it felt natural, like the way it is supposed to be!

While we had everyone together I knew we HAD to do family portraits! The last family portrait was about 17 years ago!!!! Just after my sister Jericca was born!!! So being the family portrait photographer I forced the issue. Most of the family knows about my bossy and obsessive ways when I'm behind the camera(I'm not that bad!) but Josh, my youngest brother, was in for a shock!!! We decided it was be fun to go out to the Red Rock Canyon and hike and do pictures. It was a lot of fun! And it was so pretty out there! We stoped a lot to do a shot here and there. But we got some great shots!!!

Anyways, here is my family!

We wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfillment

Sorry about leaving you on that cliff for such a long time! My boss lady at the studio had me working a whole bunch of hours while she was on vacation. I know you can find it in your heart to forgive me!

So where were we? Ah yes! The conference. So FSA(Families Supporting Adoption) held a conference in Layton UT with classes for everyone in the adoption triad. We of course attended the adoptive parent classes, but the kids classes and Birth Parent classes looked really good too. There was only one class that we wished we hadn't gone to. It was just a bit too negative, which was really sad.

The big event was the keynote speaker, Troy Dunn. Wow! He was amazing! He talked a little about his company and what they do...his TV show...and even about his own family. He has an amazing testimony of adoption. It was truly inspiring. I am so glad that he was able to take the time away from his family to speak with us.

"My mom introduced the beautiful concept of adoption in a very simple manner," Brother Dunn said. "She said, 'There is something that is called prayer trading, and we're going to trade prayers with somebody. Somewhere out there is a girl praying for a good family for her baby. We are going to pray for a good tummy with a baby in it, and we are going to answer each others' prayers.' "


After Brother Dunn spoke we had the wonderful opportunity to listen to the experiences of several birthparents. They were so brave to open up their lives and share their own history. Adoption touches so many people, it's amazing to think that we are all here on earth to love and support one another. Adoption is a wonderful process that Heavenly Father uses to teach us of His love for us. The birthparents at the panel bore their testimonies of His love and of adoption in general. It was a very heart felt hour. I wish I could find the broadcast to share but I don't think it's available yet. But if you're interested in reading some amazing stories from actual Birth Mothers check out www.ItsAboutLove.org

We really enjoyed our time at the conference. The classes were jammed packed with information and we walked away a little overloaded. =) Thank goodness for all the handouts they gave us, otherwise I'd forget everything we heard! We tried to attend a good varity of classes. We did a few parenting classes, finacial classes, marketing classes, transracial classes, and a few other panels. I wish that we had more time to do a lot more classes, or that I could split myself into two and been able to attend two classes at once! It was really great and I want to go again next year! Most of the people there were from Utah but there were a few of us from other states. I think we were the only ones from MI.

We were able to get together with a few friends after the conference, Chris and Theresa. They had some great advice for us. I'm so glad we have friends who have been touched by adoption. They told us about this amazing group out in UT, The Genesis Group! We just happened to be in town on the night of their fireside. So we went! It was absolutely amazing! The group is a Church organized support group to serve the needs of the African-American Latter Day Saints. Anyone is welcome to attend the firesides and I highly suggest it.

If you come home as happy as you leave, you have had a good vacation

We went on VACATION!!!! We took two weeks off and headed to Utah! (Really, honestly, truly we had to take my sister back home before school started for her.) We had a blast!

We packed up on Monday, and left town in the early afternoon. We drove a straight 18 hours to Denver. My Grandma and Aunt and Uncle live in Littleton so we stopped for the night. We hung out with a few of my cousins who just had a baby...an adorable little boy! We had a very tasty dinner and then it was off to bed. We left early in the morning for the remaining 9 hour drive to Provo. But it was really nice to see my Grandma.

On our way we stopped in Grand Junction for gas and some lunch...We had to stop, there was a CHICK-FIL-A!!! We don't have one here and I've missed it oh so much. I know it's not gluten free but sometimes it is worth the pain! *sneaky grin* We even took a picture to celebrate. However, during some routine computer updating, all of our car trip photos have been sadly lost. But I promise I thought of you when I took the picture. So just imagine, a lovely, colorful picture of the tasty Chick-fil-A.

We finally got into Provo, after a few melt-downs on my end. (I can really freak out when driving through mountain passes. The twists and turns and shoulder drop offs do me in.) My brother met us in Provo to take Jericca, my sister, home to get ready for school and we spent a few days at Jill's(Matt's sister) place. Matt got to visit with two of his siblings...which sadly doesn't happen enough. We're looking forward to the next family reunion.

While we were in the general Salt Lake Area, we attended the National Families Supporting Adoption Conference. Wow, talk about uplifting! I know Matt wasn't super crazy about going but he had a good time. There were a few classes that we weren't that crazy about, but the overall experience was great.

I'm going to leave it here for now. I want to go more in depth about the conference and then we still have to head down to St. George. Plus some pictures have survived! However, this is long enough...and it's late and I have an early morning. (The car window broke while in UT and now I have to get it fixed)

So consider this your cliff hanger....

Seize The Skies

Last weekend we went to the annual air show. This year was very exciting. We had the Blue Angels in town! Matt's company was hosting a picnic and we tried to make it but traffic was so backed up around the airport that we turned around and went home. Luckily for us we live close to the airport and so we were able to watch some of the show from the strip mall near our place! Here are some of the pictures of the Blue Angels.



Unfortunately however, most of the cool tricks like loops and low passes were done on the other side of the buildings. So we didn't see a lot of the special Blue Angel show. Next year we'll know better! Matt and I both took our cameras to try to get some awesome shots of the flight action. I think a few came out ok. I like this one of Matt...all the action was behind the buildings and he was anxiously looking for where they might reappear for us! He really loves anything to do with flying!!!


Here is me with my sister who was still in town! It was a little chilly and raining just a bit, so we snuggled up in our picnic blanket that we keep in the car!


This was my first time seeing the Blue Angels and it was awesome!!! Not even the rain could bring down the experience! Next year will be even better, now knowing the absolute best place to park and watch!

Freedom cannot be bestowed; It must be achieved

Courtney's mom and sister were here for the Fourth of July. We had a wonderful time watching the fireworks from our balcony. We settled into our camp chairs wrapped up in a few blankets and watched the pyrotechnics.
I didn't get very many good pictures...but here are a few that turned out.


And here's one of my sister...she's so cute. I thought I got one of my mom but her eyes are closed, so I won't post it.

Show me the books he loves and I shall know the man far better than through mortal friends.

Matt and I LOVE to read! Almost every night we climb into bed and grab our books and read a few chapters before turning off the lights. Since reading is such a big part of our lives we thought we should share what's on our reading list.

Courtney
Currently I am reading "What to Expect The First Year". About a month ago I started stressing about knowing nothing when it came to taking care of children. I think every parent goes through it at some point, right? Well, I went out and bought this most informative baby book. It takes you through every month with developmental details and answers concerned questions. It's a wonderful book and I am learning from it. It's funny for me to see how much I already knew, since I work with children. But reading this book has given me a lot of confidence that I'll know what to do when we have a child. I'm about half way through it right now. I'll finish reading the 6 month milestone today.

My last book was "First Family" by David Baldacci. A really great book! Baldacci is one of my most favorite authors. I have read all but one of his books. This story is a continuation of the King and Maxwell series. Sean King and Michelle Maxwell are two ex Secret Services workers who now run their own private investigating practice. They are hired by the First Lady to find her missing niece. It twists and turns and you're not sure at the end of the book who really is the bad guy. I mean you find out who did it, but...well, I won't spoil it for you. I'm not sure that Baldacci will continue with this series. He ended the book so beautifully, it just completes the story of King and Maxwell. I can't wait for his next book, whatever characters he decides to use!

I think that my next book is going to have to be "Lord of the Rings, Return of the King". I've read the first two this year but I needed a break since it is a very intense story. It's a long and slow read... I love the movies and enjoy reading the story because I'm getting so much more out of it. But it is very tedious. Once I finish "What to Expect" I'm going to buckle down and finish the saga.

Matt
Ok so I have read a few books this past month.

Liberty and Tyranny A Conservative Manifesto by Mark R. Levin:

During this time of where it seams to me that common sense has been disregarded, and replaced by madness, it discusses the progressive movement and how that movement has destroyed our liberty's as Americans. In the end Mr. Levin talks about some ways that we can reverse the liberty's lost and help preserve this great country of ours.

Odd Hours by Dean Koontz:

The fourth book in the Odd Thomas saga, about a young fry cook that can see dead people who have not moved on and he tries to help them, he can not talk to them because the dead can not talk, so he has to try to help them. I have enjoyed each one, the third book seamed to have run the course, so I was not sure if I want to invest my time to a bad book so I waited until it came out in paperback at Sam's Cub. I was pleasantly surprised but how well the storied played out. With Odd on trying to stop a madman from smuggling and detonating nuclear bombs on US soil, while helping Mr. Blue Eye's Frank Sinatra move on, and while he did not end the series, I am happy with the ending.

The Third Revelation by Ralph McInerny:

This is a ok book, it's about the Catholicism and the story of Our Lady of Fatima, the attempted assassination of Pope John Paul II, the CIA, and the Former USSR and the KGB. Since I am not a Catholic I am talking the information provided in the book as fact, and it has a good plot line and some interesting twist, with the conclusion tying everything up nicely by the end. I would not read it again and will place it in my book case to be given to someone else to read.

I don't know what book I will start reading next! any suggestions???