We LOVE our Family & Our Garden!!

Yesterday my parents came over early in the morning to help us plant our garden. We have grown tomato plants for the last 2 summers and this year we decided to add some peppers to the mix! (Oh and thanks to our friends, the Morses, we were able to get 4 tomato plants for free! We get to help him out with his study of tomatoes and submit some samples as the summer continues). We also planted strawberries last summer, and we weren't sure if they were going to make it, but this year they are flourishing. If anyone has suggestions about how to keep the birds away from them, we're open for ideas.

Our love for gardening has grown a great deal over the last few summers as we have taken on the project! We love nourishing and nuturing the little plants and watching them grow! I even get excited to go out and water them each morning before work!

We were so glad to have my parents come too! Not only did they take us to the nursery in their truck so that we could bring back a load of mulch, but Dooders (Keith) even fixed our dryer while he was here ~ He still says he didn't know what he did to fix it, but he shook it around a bit, cleaned out some dust and we have a working dryer again!

I am so grateful that Micah and I are blessed with families who love us and support us in our endeavors. Whether it is the adoption process, planting a garden, having birthday celebrations or just being there when we need to talk on the phone ~ they are wonderful parents and we are so blessed to have them in our lives!

Just to mention a word about our adoption process....we are now playing the "waiting game" in full force~ we have been an "approved couple" for almost 3 weeks now! As most of you know our adoption profile was posted on the LDS Family Services Adoption website last week (and if you didn't know that, then please check out the link at the very top of the side bar). We are anxious and excited. We know that Heavenly Father is preparing a special spirit to come into our home and we are looking forward to what He has in store for us!

That about sums up life with us at this point in time, but stay tuned we will keep you updated as things progress and change!

Here are the pictures from yesterday's adventures.

It's All About Team Work (Keith digs, Micah pours, I plant)
"What are we going to do with these?"
The Finished Product, I loved Micah's idea to outline in Marigolds!

Micah even created us a little Marigold Garden
The Gardening Crew ~ Tired & Hot, but Happy & Excited!
Us By our Garden at the End of the Day, Just before the Storms Came

Our Profile is Available on the LDS Family Services Website!

We just wanted to make you all aware that our Online Profile through LDS Family Services is Available and we have a link to it on the sidebar! We love you all and are excited to share this amazing journey of the adoption process with you, our family and friends!

A Fun Family-Filled Weekend!

Let's See How Many Can fit in the chair!
Everyone Loves Uncle Micah (even the stuffed Bunny!)
Family Photo at Nathan's Birthday Celebration

This weekend we headed up to Northern VA to spend some time with Micah's family! We had such a Great time! On Friday night we got to attend the temple with Micah's little sister, Ruth, and her husband. That was really nice, it was the first time we had been back to the temple in about 5 weeks ~ I am so grateful to have had the opportunity this weekend and being their with Ruth and Matt made it even a more special experience.

Then on Saturday we got to spend the whole day with Nathan's family! We watched the kids Saturday morning (and took tons of pictures, of course) while they got a way on a morning date to the temple and then we also were fortunate enough to go to Joseph's violin recital, probably the cutest concert I have been to in quite a while!

That evening we got to celebrate Nathan's birthday with most of the family! We had a yummy dinner of Chicken Tetrazzini and some Pecan Pie for dessert! We had a blast and we are so blessed to live so close to so many members of our family ~ and we are very excited for the time when Heavenly Father will send children to our family, so that we can add some cousins to the fun!

Our New Tools!

Tonight was such a beautiful night, the weather was perfect for.....yard work! And we were really excited about it! Why, you might ask. Because we got to try out our Christmas Gifts. I know, I know it's already April, but some things just take time! My brother Josh gave Micah these awesome clippers and so he decided to give our Holly tree a good trim. Then we both really enjoyed using our brand new weed wacker that we bought at Sears in January with a gift card that we got from Micah's mom! Yay for family who really know just the right gifts. Believe it or not, in our one use of these two things our lives (as far as outside yard work) have become so much easier! We also have a beautiful butterfly bush around the other side of our house that I was able to give a good trim before it got too dark! Now it is getting late and we need to go read some Harry Potter, we are on the 3rd book! Micah reads it to me and he even does the voices!

Honoring Ezra's Life

This is a post by Micah. On April 12th my family and Matt Wassum gathered in remembrance of Ezra, one of my younger brothers who died in a motorcycle accident in 2003. We ate one of Ezra's favorite meals for dinner, then we passed around photos and watched a video slide show of Ezra that his friends put together after his passing. Then we took a few pictures, including the one above. It was a nice evening. And it was good to think about Ezra and remember his life.

Fun Facts About Us!

(This is a picture of us During our First Snow of 2008)

In celebration of our 1 Week Anniversary of being approved as an Adoptive Couple through LDS Family Services ~ I thought it would be a fun idea to do a little questionaire, so that everyone can learn a little bit more about us! And Micah, being the supportive and loving husband that he is, allowed me to "pull him along for the ride". So here is to learning more about us ~ Then and Now.........

Questions for Micah:

What were you doing 10 years ago?

I was attending NVCC and trying to figure out what I wanted to do with the rest of my life.

Five things on your to-do list today:

Go to work, send my brother a birthday e-card, print a claim form from Cigna, have family home evening, and clean the bathtub (which I did not do).

What would you do with a billion dollars?

I would enjoy spending it.

5 Favorites
Favorite Color: Green.
Favorite Food: There are so many! I really love home-made Macaroni and Cheese.
Favorite TV Show: Dark Angel.
Favorite Past Time: Building something or playing the piano.
Favorite Type of Music: I like all feel good music, but I love hymns.

5 jobs I have had

Bagger, receptionist, mailroom clerk, Teacher Assistant, Security Alarm Technician, Job Coach, Data Analyst. Okay, that's seven.

5 things people don't know about me:

I like to sing. I want to compose music. I like to make things clean. I was mistaken for an Italian in Italy. I have a fear of thick books.

Questions for Holly:

What were you doing 10 years ago?

10 years ago I was getting ready to graduate from High School and applying for colleges! And getting excited about going to college and finding my future companion ~ little did I know it would take 7 more years after graduation to find him and 8 years to graduate from college!

Five things on your to-do list today:
1) Mail off thank you cards, 2) Buy a birthday card for Micah's Grandpa, 3) Pack a lunch for Micah, 4) Make Dinner (tonight we had Macaroni & Cheese and Salad), 5) Do a Post on our Blog

What would you do with a billion dollars?

First I would pay our tithing on it, then buy a new home, and buy homes for our brothers and sisters too, then I would go on a fun shopping spree (every girls dream!) and I would save the rest for a "rainy day"

5 Favorites

Favorite Color: Definitely PINK

Favorite Food: Macaroni & Cheese (Homemade or From a Box)

Favorite TV Show: American Idol (Is that considered a TV Show?)

Favorite Past Time: Spending Time with My Husband:)

Favorite Type of Music: Country (My favorite song changes from time to time but for now it is "I've Had My Moments" - By Emerson Drive. This song gives me chills everytime I hear it! I LOVE it!)

5 jobs I have had

1) Cashier at Ponderosa, 2) Sales Associate at the Cosmetic Center, 3) Child Care Provider (taking care of 2 twins from the time they were 3 months until they were 3 years old was my favorite child care job! I still LOVE those boys!), 4) Assistant Office Manager for a Dental Office, 5) Receptionist

5 things people don't know about me

1) I was the first person in my family to graduate from College with a Bachelor's Degree, 2) It took me 8 years to obtain my Bachelor's Degree & I attended 4 different colleges (but it was my life goal, and I am so grateful to have achieved it!), 3) I know how to change the oil in my car, 4) I have an EXTREME fear of mice, 5) I was known as the "Internet Dater" in my singles ward (I loved LDS dating sites ~ especially LDS Mingle, because that is where I met Micah!!

The Drawing

This is a picture of the drawing that Micah gave to me on my birthday! I love it so much ~ It is now framed and hanging in a prominent spot on one of our living room walls! I am married to such a talented man!

Celebrating 28 Years!

Well, I turned the ripe old age of 28 on Tuesday April 8th! I had a wonderful day! As has always been my practice, I took off work on my birthday ~ so that got it off to a great start and then I got to spend the majority of the day with my parents. We went to Shoney's in Waynesboro for breakfast (the best breakfast buffet around!!) and then we just spent time together shopping and laughing...reminiscing some of the "good ol' days".

Then in the afternoon my mom and I went out and got pedicures. Nothing beats feeling like a pampered princess on your birthday! Nothing that is, except finding out that your husband secretly took the day off of work to prepare your birthday gifts! What an amazing husband I have! He took off the whole day and personally detailed the interior of my car (which was a mess) and the best part of all, he finished a drawing of us that he started many months ago and framed it for me. That was so special and meant so much to me! I truly am blessed, I have the greatest family on earth and I am sealed to a worthy priesthood holder who honors and cherishes me with all of his heart! And yay for 2008 as it could be the year that we start to welcome children into our family! We are both looking forward to that day! Speaking of that, we should have our online profile with LDS family services posted by next Friday, so be on the lookout for the link on the side bar of our blog!

Me, many birthdays ago, blowing that candle with all my might!

My Handsome Prince giving his lungs (and cheeks) a workout on his birthday

My mom and I ~ enjoying breakfast at Shoney's
Nothing like an early morning Hot Fudge Sundae to bring a smile to my face!
Birthday Dinner at Mema's House ~ Having a Great time with the Party Horns!

We're Approved!

Today was a very special and important day for us! Not only was it my 28th birthday, but it was the day that we became an Approved Adoptive Couple! We were so excited when our caseworker finally called us to tell us it was official! It was supposed to happen yesterday at their weekly meeting, but due to unforseen circumstances their meeting was post-poned until today at 2pm!
We got the call from our caseworker at about 5:15pm with the official word! My phone had died, so Micah got the call on his cell phone, then he called to tell me the Great News! We will definitely keep you all posted over the next few weeks and months as we continue on this journey to bring our family together! We are excited to be traveling this alternate route together and to be able to share these memories with you!
We were so excited for our approval yesterday that we had to continue with our original plans ~ free pizza (that I won on the radio) and a brief lesson, then our Family Home Evening Activity of putting together the crib and changing table that arrived from Babies R Us! And just for fun we kept track of how long the assembly took ~ 1.5 hours for the crib and 1 hour and 40 minutes for the changing table~ not bad at all! We hope you enjoy the pictures, I know we had fun taking them!

My Handy Man
Putting together the Headboards
Now that it's together, how do I get out?
The Finished Products & the Tired But Excited Couple

New president of the church

What a wonderful weekend we have had! It was General Conference weekend. And for those who don't know what General Conference is, it takes place the first weekend each April and the first weekend each October. There are four general sessions that happen where we get to hear the Prophet, Apostles and leaders of our church speak to us. Micah and I get very excited each time conference weekend rolls around, but this one was even more exciting. We were able to participate in raising our right arm to the square to sustain Thomas Spencer Monson as the 16th president of the church in this dispensation. It was a remarkable experience and one that we will remember and cherish forever.
I remember hearing Elder Monson speaking when I was a lot younger and thinking to myself, "one day he will be the prophet". So it was wonderful to be able to be here and see this day come to pass. We know that President Monson is a true prophet and was indeed called of God and has been prepared for his special calling for many years. This reality was re-affirmed today as we sat and heard this wonderful man speak and bear witness of God the Father and Jesus Christ whom he knows so personally. It was a wonderful experience, one that allowed our testimonies to grow.
We also wanted to share a picture of the new First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. President Thomas S. Monson as President of the church (center), President Henry B. Eyring as his First Counselor (left), and President Dieter F. Uchtdorf as his Second Counselor (right).