Playing Catch Up!

So life has been fabulous and full lately. Christmas alone as added to the To Do list, but I always seem to tack extras on top of extras. :) Here's the list of extras and just an update on our lovely life!

1. Potty Training- About 9 months ago I read this book called Potty Train Your Child in Just One Day. Perfect! Right? The basic idea is wait until they are ready and then have a really fun, all about them day that focuses on teaching them how to go potty by having them teach a doll. It was really fun; presents, decorations, treats, games, books, movies. Needless to say I was a zombie by bedtime. :) Hallie is not a mess girl so there was trauma whenever her doll had an accident, and I don't think she really likes "Megan" very much anymore because of all her accidents, ha ha. But I must admit it was pretty cool. Hallie has had 2 accidents in the last 5 days, and one was my fault cuz she told me she had to go and I took to long. So hooray, diapers are gone and we're good to go!

2. Adoption - Before I left for Iowa I was in a complete scramble. Everything was done for our adoption paperwork to be put through and I can completed our online profile, questions, and pictures; all except the 2 collage pages with 20 copies of each and then 26 additional pictures that I completely forgot about. So the day before and the day of our departure I tried to finish the selection and assembly of these pictures and pages. Easy right? Nope. Every picture I looked at I thought, "will this one show the future birth mother that WE'RE the right couple?" "what if I add this flower, will she like that?" "is it too girly, plain, colorful?" Every little decision I made was the make or break on whether we would be chosen. It's silly now to look back at it, but... what can I say we just want more kids so bad!!:) I did however finish and we've been online ever since, hooray!
(adoption blog - haydenandcheyenne.blogspot.com)

3. Christmas - We went into the mountains and cut our own tree this year. We use to do it all the time with my family, but then we moved north and didn't fancy the drive. This year was so fun and we have a beautiful tree! Also, every year all of Hayden's siblings create scrapbook pages from the year for his moms Christmas present. My last scrapbooking experience was obviously a little tense so I'm trying to gear up and do some for Christmas.... I am officially ready otherwise and SO excited for Hallie to open her presents. Santa is still a creepy old man to her, but presents and toys almost make up for it. :)

4. Callings - Camp Director and Personal Progress Leader...hmm didn't they realized I'm not that organized. It's great though, I love the girls. Hayden is in Young Mens again so we got to go caroling together, lol. He's also working full time, studying for the MCAT and finishing his last class. HOORAY for Christmas break. Unfortunately he's on call Christmas Day. Keep your fingers crossed that no one will need surgery.

Anyway, that's the low down. We're good, we're happy and we're cold with all the snow.:)

Sad sad sad

So I just got back from Iowa to visit my sister Melissa with my mom. Hallie had an AMAZING time playing with her cousins! I loved the game nights and chatting :) On the way back home Hallie was a little under the weather and as usual didn't sleep in the car. So when we finally stopped in Laramie and in a pack and play she was deliriously tired. It was so sad to hear her little cough intermixed with crying. I am a total wimp and can't stand to let her cry without comforting her, but I've learned it doesn't help when she's that tired. However, I was about thrown over the edge with this...

Background- We talk about staying by Mommy to be safe and not get lost.
In church a 1 or so year old was crying in the foyer amid a sea of adult legs looking for his mom. Hallie asks why he's crying and I explain that he can't finds his mom. Hallie says, "He's lost?" with concern. "Yup."

The Story - I'm laying in the hotel bed reminding myself that Hallie is fine as she is crying her saddest, "just hold me mommy" cry. When all of a sudden she whips out this, "Mommy, I'm LOST! I got lost mommy. Mommy, I got lost!"

No I didn't break down and get her, I just broke down. It is one of the worst thing in the entire world to hear your child cry and feel like they need you and you can't do anything about it.

Of course the next morning she woke up her sweet happy self with hugs and kisses for mom, not at all traumatized, I however can't say the same for myself. (I am a wimp)

Happy Birthday!

We had a fabulous weekend celebrating Hayden's Birthday! My wonderful Hubby turned the big 30 and I've been stressed out about doing something fun for him. So here's how it played out. I got 30 gifts for Hayden and hid them in places that he would find throughout the day, ie his lunch, backpack, in the shower :) He got of work early and I had a babysitter lined up and a tee time at Fox Hollow. It was my first time golfing and I was HORRIBLE but it was SO much fun! Hayden did great and we doubled with my sister and her husband who are avid golfers and thankfully gave us tips :)


Then we had a wonderful dinner at Carrabba's and headed home for dessert, Chocolate Purses. This is one of Hayden's favorite treats so I made it for his "birthday cake." We opened presents and put Hallie to bed. I had a second set of babysitters lined up to come over when Hallie was asleep and we went to the movie "The Invention of Lying." It was pretty dumb, but we had a great time just going out. Neither of us could remember the last time we went to a movie!



The next morning I told Hayden we should go to the park with Hallie because it was such a nice day. So we drove to Rock Canyon Park and walked around toward the playground. I had balloons hidden in the trunk that Hayden pulled out with the stroller. Then when we got to the top of the park I told him I forgot something in the car so we rounded our way back down. As we got toward the bottom we came upon my sister and brother and their families. Cherie made delicious cupcakes for his "birthday cake" (yup awesome) Then my other sister and sister-in-law came later. Everyone was prepared with ice blocks to slide down the hill and party! We had a great time at this little family birthday party! I'm so glad everyone could make it!



I just want to do a little shout out to Hayden. He's so amazing and I feel SO lucky to have him forever! I need the laughs he provides and the love. He is such an amazing hard worker and I'm constantly impressed by all he does and the effort he puts into everyone around him. I'm so proud of him and I love him so much! Happy Birthday Baby!!