Birthday Party

We had a pretty good party for Adora last Sunday. I say only pretty good, because the presents we had ordered online for her weren't there and my parents got stuck by all the crazy accidents in both Parley's and Provo Canyons. They tried so hard to get here and I felt really bad because they spent the majority of the day sitting in the car, wondering when the roads were going to open up. Kuddos to them for trying though. So we ended up having Carrie, Aaron and kids, Amy, John and Grandpa Jack there. We had good food and Adora loved being the center of attention. I made a birthday cake just for her and she was so confused that I was actually going to just let her dig in and eat it. It took her a while to get going but I couldn't get her to move for about 45 minutes and she just worked on it. She was so funny... she got some fun books from her cousins and a darling outfit from the soon-to-be new Grandma Powers. It was a great day. I just can't believe how big she is getting. Happy Birthday Noodle we love you.

JULIE

OK.. Julie, I really want to hang out with you when you are in town but I can't view your blog so I can say hi back...so if you read this please add me to your blog alright...I really would love to see you and catch up... or email me kelsiekay04@hotmail.com !!

Adora's big day

Today is a big day in our house. Adora is one year old. We can't believe that much time has gone by. She is such a sweet and loving little girl. While she was a surprise to us, we would never trade her for anything in the world. She is doing so many fun things now and is learning more and more every day.
Just in the past week she as learned to go down the stairs (thanks Dan for teaching her that one), get off the couch by herself and how to throw a royal fit to get what she wants. She is standing up by herself, but a little hesitant to walk, I really think by next week she'll be all over the place. She gives me the best hugs and kisses after naps and in the mornings. It's like she just wants to crawl inside of me--for about 30 seconds and then she's off exploring. She loves to throw things on the ground and say "uh oh" but the cutest part about it is she makes the funniest, most expressive face. Like she is so shocked every time. She puts her hands up in the air all the time, like when some one comes to the door or if she can hear Buddy but not see him. Every time music comes on she dances and moves her little hands up in the air (hard to believe with me as her mother). I think her favorite song right now is the theme song to "The Golden Girls" as this is what we watch first thing in the morning as she's being fed. I know that it's about time to stop nursing her, but I can't bring myself to do it. I have loved that bond with her, but I know it'll be a good thing. I keep hoping she'll ween herself and then I won't have to do it but we'll see.
Dorie has four teeth and two more coming. They are so darling. She has the most mischievous looks and she is so curious about everything. She loves to be read to and look at pictures. Her favorite book right now is my scout book for some reason, she'd sleep with it if I let her. Well as a bragging mother, I could go on for pages but I won't. I can't believe how my life has changed in the last year..Dora I love you forever.

P.S. my cousin took these pictures...aren't they to die for

farewell...

I found out a few weeks ago that one of my dearest childhood friends had taken his own life. I have thought about him constantly for the past few weeks and just wanted to say a few words about him. Marshall was a beautiful person with so much to offer life. He was so smart and such a good friend. He was called to bare more trials in his life than almost anyone I have ever met. Watching Marshall deal with these things forever changed my life. I think my ability for compassion and to truly love others came from him. I don't think I am a judgemental person, you can come as you are when you're with me. I learned this from him...he was always different then everyone else. I remember getting in fights in Jr. High defending him from those who didn't understand. I could say so much about him, but most importantly just that I love him.

In thinking about his death I feel peace. I know he is in a better place, with a much better perspective on his life and his relationship with the Savior. I know he can now know how much he was loved in this life. I know that his soul is precious in the sight of our Heavenly Father and that he was received with open arms. I wish him well in his spirits journey and pray that he will find the understanding he searched for in this life but could not find.

I love you Marshall and will never forget you.

MY MAN

Man he's hot. I realized that with all the bragging I do about Adora on the blog I have neglected my sweet husband. I love this man. He has so many talents and abilities. First of all, he can handle me which in and of it's self is a miracle. Secondly, he is so funny and quite the jokester. Something I didn't know about Dan for a long time, is that he loves to gab. He would stay for hours after church, if I would let him and chat with everyone and anyone in the halls. He does this at work too. He talks to people so easily. He's non-judgemental, has no desire or intention to keep up with the Jones', and makes people feel at ease. He's almost honest to a fault and considerate of others feelings. Dan is really good with kids of all ages (I quite frequently come home to him playing in the yard with the neighbors kids or letting them help him in the garage).

Daniel is a carpenter extrodinere. He has an amazing ability to see something in his mind and then build it. He's amazing. Everything he makes is beautiful. He is quite the handyman and many a woman in town call him frequently to make custom furniture, finish work, cabint work etc. I am so proud of him and what he does for a living. He helps to build the most beautiful homes.

Of all the things I love about Dan, I love watching him be a daddy the most. He loves our little Adora so much and is willing to work sooo hard so that I can be home with her. He literally works like 50+ hours every week because he knows how important it is to me to stay home. I couldn't ask for more in a husband and friend. I love you babe.

We've made it two whole years...

Happy Anniversary to me and Dan!! Yesterday was our anniversary and to be honest it wasn't that great of a day. Dan came home sick as a dog and I spent almost the entire day going to Provo for a doctors appointment. We enjoyed subway for dinner together at Carries' house (Dan's sister) so there you go...real exciting. But that doesn't change the way I feel about my wonderful husband and how happy I am to be married to him. Dan really is a wonderful man and I am so grateful I get to spend the rest of my life plus eternity with him. Some of you may not know "our story" so here goes:

We met the first day of my mission. Elder Powers was at the bus stop to meet his new greenie and to show me and my companion where our apartment was. His first recollection of me was that I had way too much luggage and all of it was way too heavy. He was right...I must of thought I was going to a third world country and would need a years supply of tootpaste, shampoo, etc. Anyway, I don't really remember remembering him for a few weeks. I recall watching him at District Meetings, hearing him bare his testimony and work with one of our investigators (who was a teenage boy). I was so impressed by him. On the 5th of July we played freezbie in the park for p-day. We ended up talking for hours over freezbie about our families, why we were on missions, what we wanted to be when we grew up. He became a really good friend and a support to a new struggling missionary. We saw each other off and on at a few zone meetings at that was it.

So anyway... many moons later Dan's time was up in the mission field and his parents were coming to get him. By this time I was serving in the Kirtland Historic sites. All the departing missionaries get to go there one more time and before heading to the mission home, so when he saw me there he asked if I would take his parents on tour the next day. So I did. To make a long, emotional story short...there was just something there that day. His parents and grandparents were wonderful. The spirit was so strong and I just felt a connection to him and them. Later we would find out that his mom whispered to his dad, that she felt she had just met their future daughter in law.

When Dan got home he wrote me a letter thanking me for the tour, I wrote back. We wrote every week from then on. A year later I came home, a few days after his mom passed away, I'm so grateful I got to meet her in Kirtland. Five weeks later we were engaged, 4 months later we were married. Three months later we were prego, 9 months later we had a beautiful little girl. Almost a year after that I am so in love with my amazing husband and so thankful for a Heavenly Father who knows me better than I know myself. He was the master planner of our relationship.

I LOVE YOU DAN!!!

My little girl

Last week when I was in Layton, I went to the beauty supply store and got tiny little velcro rollers for Adora's hair. Her hair is already curly but these's crack me up. They make her look so crazy cute. I also got a her first hair clips and such. She won't wear a handband bow anymore- she just rips them off her head. When I put her hair up in a dubob for the first time I almost started crying because she looked like a little girl instead of a baby. She's growing up and it makes me sad.