Adoption analogy

This is a touching analogy about adoption. My hope is to bring an awareness to others about the joys, hardships and blessings of adoption. We are not going through LDS Social Services. We felt this was not the path for us. We have a private social worker who has a few leads for us, but we just wait. We try not to get our hopes up because we just never know. We can't buy anything because we don't know when it will be or who it will be....we pray and hope that whatever is supposed to happen, will. We keep our faith alive. And we wait....

ADOPTION IS LIKE AUSTRALIA
Deciding to have a baby is like planning a trip to Australia. You've heard it's a wonderful place, you've read many guide-books and feel certain you're ready to go. Everyone you know has traveled there by plane. They say it can be a turbulent flight with occasional rough landings, but you can look forward to being pampered on the trip. So you go to the airport and ask the ticket agent for a ticket to Australia. All around you, excited people are boarding planes for Australia. It seems there is no seat for you; you'll have to wait for the next flight. Impatient, but anticipating a wonderful trip, you wait --- and wait --- and wait. Flights to Australia continue to come and go. People say silly things like, "Relax. You'll get on a flight soon." Other people actually get on a plane and then cancel their trip, to which you cry, "It's no fair!" After a long time the ticket agent tells you, "I'm sorry, we're not going to be able to get you on a plane to Australia. Perhaps you should think about going by boat." "By BOAT!" you say. "Going by boat will take a very long time and it costs a great deal of money. I really had my heart set on going by plane." So you go home and think about not going to Australia at all. You wonder if Australia will be as beautiful if you approach it by sea rather than air. But you have long dreamed of this wonderful place, and finally you decide to travel by boat. It is a long trip, many months over many rough seas. No one pampers you. You wonder if you will ever see Australia. Meanwhile, your friends and family have flown back and forth to Australia two or three more times, marveling about each trip. Then one glorious day, the boat docks in Australia. It is more exquisite than you ever imagined, and the beauty is magnified by your long days at sea. You have made many wonderful friends during your voyage, and you find yourself comparing stories with others who also traveled by sea rather than by air. People continue to fly to Australia as often as they like, but you are able to travel only once, perhaps twice. Some say things like, "Oh, be glad you didn't fly. My flight was horrible; traveling by sea is so easy." You will always wonder what it would have been like to fly to Australia. Still, you know God blessed you with a special appreciation of Australia, and the beauty of Australia is not in the way you get there, but in the place itself.

I've Been Tagged!!

1. WHAT ARE FOUR JOBS THAT YOU HAVE HAD IN LIFE?
Wife (that is a full time job, right??), Massage Therapist, Photographer, Teacher

2. WHAT ARE FOUR PLACES WHERE YOU HAVE BEEN?
Canada, NYC, Washington DC, Virginia

3. WHAT ARE FOUR OF YOUR FAVORITE FOODS?
Fettachini Alfredo, anything Chocolate!!, Salad, Pretzel Salad

4. WHO ARE FOUR PEOPLE YOU WOULD LIKE TO GET TO KNOW BETTER?
1-Jesus Christ...I want to be able to know and recognize Him when I see Him again
2-Joseph Smith 3-My husband (We don't get a lot of time together and I love the times where I just get to talk to him) 4-Stephanie Myers (the lady who wrote the Twilight series)

5. FOUR REASONS I LOVE BEING ME?
1-I have an amazing family, my biological family, my in-laws and my "adopted" family (you know who you are!) 2-I have so many amazing friends who love me and always check up on me 3-I have such an amazing job where I get to teach my passion of massage to others! 4-I have a great husband that loves me and cares for me

6. WHAT ARE FOUR CLASSES YOU WISH WERE OFFERED TO YOU THAT YOU COULD PARTICIPATE IN RIGHT NOW?
I would defiantly LOVE to learn more about my photography! 2-Scrapbooking 3-Cooking
4-Sewing

7. WHO ARE FOUR FRIENDS OR RELATIVES THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO TAG?
Lisa, Sarah, Liz, Kym
TAG YOU'RE IT!!!

Blog Facelift

I found this link on one of my friend's blog sites. All of the templates are free, the only thing the publisher asks is you put a link on your own blog site. So, here ya go. It wasn't very hard to figure out (ok...I'll admit, I didn't read the directions carefully, so it took me a little longer than most!) and they are so unbelievably cute! Enjoy! Love you!
http://cutestblogontheblock.blogspot.com/

Day at the Aquarium

It is quite obvious that we love our nieces so very much!! Their parents celebrated their sixth wedding anniversary so we took the girls for a day and we had a great time!

We went to the Denver Aquarium and saw all sorts of great things! Matt and I didn't get to really "look" at all the exhibits, but we had a great time none the less! Being to young, both girls were a little frightened at the "dark" parts of the exhibits and neither of the particularly appreciated the glass tunnel with fish all around you, but those were the parts, as an Aunt, I think I appreciated the most. They would snuggle right into the crook of my neck and hold onto me so tightly. Being one, Hannah wanted to run around anywhere and everywhere. Matt realized how much work having a little one is. Reagan chatted up a storm in my ear about the sharks and the big fish. We found a little baby stingray and its face was pressed right up against the glass. She kept saying, "Look Branny. A smiling fish!"

This is Reagan's "smiling" fish

We went to McDonald's for Happy Meals and then Target to pick out a toy. No Aunt/Uncle day is complete with out it all! We had such a blast! By the time we got back home, the girls were exhausted and tuckered out, but Matt and I were too! We didn't realize how much work two little girls are, but we love them dearly and can't wait to have them again!!

Hannah would ONLY go with Uncle Matt. But that worked out really well because Reagan would ONLY go with me!

Hannah loved the Jelly Fish!Reagan loved the Shark Exhibit!

I love my girls!!

Jesus wants ME for a Sunbeam?!?!

Well, it finally happened: I got released from my calling as Relief Society Chorister, aka "The Flappy Arm Lady after nearly 4 years!!" (I hope I didn't offend anyone!!) I received a phone call late Saturday night calling me to be a Sunbeam teacher. I know the counselor in the Bishopric who called me personally. I laughed and said, "Nick, you are joking, right?" Nothing really set in until they announced my name over the pulpit: Sunbeam Teacher. Wow....I didn't join the church until I was 13 and I have never had a calling in Primary. I am nervous, but so incredibly excited!

I had my first "round" with the Sunbeams yesterday and loved it! The first thing they told me was my Sunbeams had a lot of "wiggles" but what 3 year old doesn't? I think "wiggly" was the understatement of a lifetime! But I walked out revitilized, like a fresh breath of Gospel Air! It took everything I had to keep from crying most of it. What beautiful, amazing, strong children of God the Sunbeams are!

So here is to learning the songs, staying strong in the Gospel, and loving every waking moment of my new calling! Also, if you have worked with Sunbeams before, I would LOVE your ideas, your input, your advice or whatever you have to offer!

Count your Many Blessings

It started with a simple, blue envelope on my desk at work. I opened it up and inside was a gift certificate for a massage from one of my dear, sweet co-workers! I just cried--she has been helping me on my quest to be a mom and this particular massage has been proven to help in that quest. I tried to give it back, but she wouldn't take it. I knew exactly how much it has cost her, and it was a pretty penny! I am SO blessed!!
Then, I was out late last night walking the dog and I had an epiphany, a paradigm shift. It was so unbelievably clear and a little chilly and incredibly quiet in my little apartment complex. Because there was nothing particular I needed to focus on, my mind wandered. I realized how blessed I truly am. I have an incredibly handsome, sweet, amazing husband who loves me and is a worthy priesthood holder. I have so many friends who love me and are patient with my many faults. I have a loving family, on both sides, that support me in whatever my endeavours are. I have a job, that I don't always enjoy, but that pays semi-well and allows me to share my passion of massage with others. I belong to the true church of Jesus Christ and I have sincerely felt His love at very pivotal points in my life. My list could honestly go on and on and on.

So, why am I constantly a "Negative Nelly" or a "Debbie Downer?" I have NOTHING to complain about!! Sure, life happens. It rarely goes the way I plan it, but I guess that is the beauty in it: Growing and learning along the way. So my goal this week is to complain less and thank Heavenly Father more! I am going to try to show those I love how much I really appreciate them. I am going to have a positive attitude if it kills me! (j/k)

So let me start out with you: If you are reading this, you are appreciated. At one point or another in my life, you have done something to touch my heart and make me a better person. I am who I am today because of you. Thank you seems trite and small, and it doesn't begin to express my thoughts and emotions, but it is all I can offer at the moment! You are amazing, wonderful, talented and beautiful just the way you are!

I wanted to share some pictures of just a few of my blessings:

My nieces' Reagan and Hannah! They are truly a joy and light in my life! They are beautiful and I love every minute I get to spend with them!

I love my cute hubby and our little "baby" Doogie! They both bring me such love and laughter!

This is Matt's side: I couldn't have asked for more wonderful in-laws!!

Brandy Needs

This was funny! My friend Karen did this on her blog and I thought I'd try it out. Just go to google and type your name and then needs. I typed "Brandy needs" and this is what came up in the explanations of the Google articles:



Brandy needs to keep the toughness inside, but look like a soft, supple model on the outside (hmm...I actually hear exactly the opposite at school...I need to be more rough on the outside. But I have never heard that I need to look more soft or supple. I think I have plenty of that!)

Brandy Needs A New Wig
(I know my hair isn't the best, but....really??)

Brandy needs a home very badly
(This statement is very true! I am ready to move into a house and out of my apartment! But I guess home is where ever your heart and your family is, so in that case, I am home. I guess the statement is probably talking about a dog; I hear all the time, "I used to have a dog named Brandy!")

Brandy is in need of hip surgery
(Well, not quite, but I am making my way there!)

Brandy Needs Your Prayers.
(I will never turn down any prayers! I could use all the blessings I can get!)

Brandy Needs A Good Lawyer
(Does the computer know something I do not??)

Brandy needs to go back 2 eating meat, so maybe her body can be better proportioned
(I eat meat regularly...I have always thought my feet were too big)

Brandy, needs to hurry up
(Not sure what all the rush is about, but ok)

Brandy needs somebody to Slap
(Sometimes, aggression is the only answer!)

Brandy needs to get used to new people before trusting them, so patience is a must
(Wow....hit the nail right on the head!)

(My Mom tried to teach me for many years the differance between a "need" and a "want." Do you think I will ever learn? Is there any hope?) :)


Just a photo of me when I was a little tike. Thought I might be cute to add to the posting. Love you all!! Have a great conferance weekend!!