Thanksgiving

We stayed home in Colorado for Thanksgiving. We did have a visitor though...Spinx, our friend's Great Dane. We had a chance to watch her for a week. Her and Oakley (our dog) are great pals. And Cassidy really enjoys having Spinx over too.

On Thanksgiving morning Derek and I took Cassidy on a date to the movies to see the Disney movie: Tangled! We LOVED it! And for one reason or another I've already seen it 2 more times in the theaters. It makes me laugh and cry. I love the music, and Maximus (the horse) is pretty hilarious. You have to see it!

Then our friends the Dunbabin's invited us over for Turkey dinner. It was so YUMMY! We always have a great time. It was nice not to have to worry about a Turkey that day, although I ended up baking 2 Turkey's later on. One for our family, since Derek loves leftovers and one for our Ward Christmas party. I really don't mind it, it's actually pretty easy.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving! There are so many things to be grateful for!

Spinx our friends Great Dane

Movie Time

We know how to party with Sparkling Cider

Thanksgiving Feast

Cassidy's Sayings

Me: Can you stay 4 years old forever!
Cassidy: "Probably not, but I will ALWAYS be your little girl!"

I was feeling sad one day, and Cassidy kept telling me, "Mom, keep your chin up and be happy!" It really helped me to change my mood.

Daddy Finding a parking space Thanksgiving weekend at the mall and getting worried. Cassidy says, "Stay calm Daddy, it will all work out. "

Walking out of Indigo Sports Bar & Grill Restaurant and Cassidy says "Dad, if we lived at Indigo, you would be a HAPPY Man!" (Because we go there A Lot as a family and watch football together.)

Cassidy: "Mommy, Daddy's a HOT guy!"
Me: Giggled and just smiled
Cassidy: "He likes SPICY food!"
I Love her innocence, but I really think her Daddy's "HOT"!

Cassidy speaking to her daddy, "Do you want to play with me, Big Guy?"

As we were walking to the car to go to the gym:
Cassidy: "Mom, did you forget anything?"
Me: "No, I didn't forget anything. Thanks for asking."
Cassidy: "For real life?" (I obviously forget things quite often for my little girl to ask me)

Cassidy and I share a little game to show our love. Such as "I love you bigger than...(fill in the blank)____________!"
Some of our responses:
Me: "Bigger than all the stars in the sky!"
Cassidy: "Bigger than all the clouds in the sky!"
Me: "Bigger than all the grains of sand in a desert"
Cassidy: "Bigger than all the water on Earth!"
Me: "Bigger than all the pieces of grass in the parks!"
Cassidy: "Bigger than all the ceilings in all the houses in all the neighborhoods!"
She's getting very creative!

I love my Precious 4 year old!!! She is so much fun to talk to!

True Meaning of Christmas

Loved this video!!!

Adoption Fireside

Little Miracles

The Adoption Fireside was AMAZING! I wish everyone I know could have been there. Maybe next year. :) We had about 60-70 people.

I was so touched by the spirit that was there and felt so much love. Our speakers were INCREDIBLE. Each of their personal stories in regards to placing for adoption, being adopted, and adopting to have children, was so inspirational. The musical number that was shared made me cry many times (since I was there during practice too). The song is titled "I Gave You More".

It was great talking with people afterwards as the children enjoyed playing together on the stage. I'm so grateful to all of those who helped me make this possible. To carry out this task in only 2 1/2 weeks. It was meant to be.

I was touched by my friends who came for support as well. Adoption is such a HUGE part of my life I wanted to share it with everyone that I know. Maybe next year we'll have it in September before the holidays creep up on us so many more people can come, or at least earlier in the month of November. Maybe even my extended family members can be here too.

It was a special evening of understanding different perspectives of lives that have been touched through adoption. A birthmother's selfless love to want what's best for her baby, an adopted child that has been blessed by being a part of a family with a mother and father who can provide, and adoptive parents who's prayers have been answered to have children in their home.

Adoption is a huge part of God's plan. I love how the gospel of Jesus Christ plays a role in the miracles of adoption.

Some pictures I took after the fireside:

Display table of pictures, books, art, etc about adoption

Hot Chocolate/Apple Cider & Cookies, my friend Holly serving

November...National Adoption Month

This is an invitation to all of you! This Sunday come feel the spirit of love through adoption at this "Families Supporting Adoption" Fireside at the church. We have opened this evening to the community and to our family and friends. We will be listening to a panel of: A Birthmother, Adopted parents, and an Adoptee.

We will be able to listen to their experiences and their special story. We will also be fortunate to listen to a special musical number. After the program we can visit and enjoy some yummy refreshments. If you have any questions please let me know. I'm so excited this will be an amazing evening where we can all come together and enjoy the miracles of adoption. All you need to come is a heart. Which I know all of you do have. Hope to see you Sunday night.

Kindness Begins with Me

The Fairy Princess Dress-A Gift For A Friend

Today my 3 foot munchkin made her 5 foot mother proud.

Cassidy had her friend Emmeline over while her parents went to the Temple. These two little girls were dressed up all afternoon in fairy dresses. Unfortunately, their play date had to end and it was time for Emmeline to go home. But before she left she expressed to her mother that she wished for a fairy princess dress just like Cassidy's. Emmeline explained to her mother what she wanted exactly, the sequins, wings, and the pretty pink skirt. Her mother agreed she would look for one, Emmeline was hopeful.

Then out of nowhere Cassidy quickly said, "Emmeline can have my fairy dress!" And she ran back to her room to get it and to find the wings too. Tiffany (her mother) looked at me as if to say, "Are you sure?" I said, "It's up to Cassidy." This meant so much to me than my little girl keeping the pink fairy princess dress. When Cassidy handed the dress over to Emmeline she looked as if she just won the lottery. It was so sweet. Cassidy continued to say, "I will grow out of it soon." Which I think she easily could fit in that dress another year. My cutie pie does not grow very fast, at least in inches. I could tell it made Cassidy feel so good inside to do this for her friend. After our friends left I had to scoop her up and give her a giant hug.

After dinner Cassidy went with me to Target. Whenever we go to the store I let Cassidy check out the toys at the cashier aisle. This time she was playing with one of those candy sticks with a fan on top. Cassidy is really good at when I tell her it's time to go she will put the toy/candy back without a fuss. As we were walking away...the lady behind me asked if she could buy that candy stick with a fan on top for my daughter. She went on to say that my daughter was enjoying it so much and that she wanted to buy it for her. At first I felt bad like I was a scrooge for not buying it myself, but I knew Cassidy was content without it. But I was caught by surprise by this nice gesture. All I could say was that she didn't need to do this but without a another second she quickly added it to her bill and told Cassidy to go grab one. Cassidy didn't know what to do, I think she was a little confused but I reassured her that the lady already paid for it and that she could go grab one. I gave the lady a hug and we both said thank you. What a lesson she taught all of us and her son who was around the same age.

It reminded me of the song, "Kindness Begins with Me" from the Children's Songbook. The words are: I want to be kind to everyone, For that is right, you see. So I say to myself, "Remember this: kindness begins with me."

Cassidy and I had a great chat on our way home about what this sweet lady did for her and she didn't even know her. We also talked about what she did for her friend Emmeline and how we are blessed when we do nice things for others. This time the blessing was receiving a candy stick with a cool fan on top. :) Although, I know that the feelings that Cassidy felt after she did what she did was a good enough reason to do it again.

I was so touched by what occured today. My little girl and that sweet lady were great examples of kindness and love. Now I can't wait to return the same gesture for another child. It really touched our hearts.

Halloween Day (BEWARE 4 Posts in a row)

Halloween French Toast with mini chocolate chips and scrambled eggs

Can you tell Derek had fun playing with his food, poor ghost

Cassidy's Butterfly pumpkin. While Derek and I went to the Temple one morning our friend Nickell carved pumpkins with Cassidy. I love it!
(Front)

(Back)

Glowing Pumpkin Halloween Night

After we passed out candy to the trick or treaters...we had a spooky Halloween dinner. On the menu: Mummy Meatloaf, Sea Creature Mac & Cheese with string green beans and olives, croissant rolls, and pumpkin cheesecake for dessert. For drinks apple juice with gummy worms on the bottom with floating pumpkin shaped ice cubes. Delish!

Same picture but Cassidy wanted it in PINK as well

Happy Halloween!

Trunk or Treat

On Saturday night at the church we had "Trunk or Treat". We invited our neighbor and her little Natalie to come with us. We all had a great time looking at all the fun costumes.

The funny part of the evening was that Cassidy and I switched places. She was the mommy and I was the little kid. I really wanted to go car to car and visit while Cassidy just wanted to hand me her bag and help daddy pass out candy. She said, "Here mom, here's my bag you can do it. I'll see you when you get back." It was so funny. My girl is always throwing me surprises. I love her just the way she is. I think she helps to balance me out and helps me slow down. :)

I did talk her into at least one row of cars to visit with friends and say "Trick or Treat" and then we hung out the rest of the night near our car enjoying watching others walk by and visiting with them.

Cassidy with friend Natalie

Cassidy with her babysitters. They have a special friendship, Shirley and Isabell are always asking to spend time with Cassidy. It's very sweet!

Dracula with his pet bat

The Spooky Family

My spider web eyelashes

After Trunk or Treat we went to our friends Halloween Party. The kids made Halloween necklaces while the adults had fun chatting and eating yummy treats.

Garden of the Gods - Ghost at the Post

Derek was going to be working out at the gym, so Cassidy and I decided to head over to Garden of the Gods trading post for some Halloween fun.

They had trick or treat stations, a coloring contest, scary stories on the back patio, a costume contest, and showed the classic movie: "It's a Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown!"

Cassidy and I dressed up as 50's girls. It was fun and everything was FREE. Here are some pictures:

Trick or Treating

Cassidy's 1st time watching this movie

Pictures in the Dark

Isn't this a scary picture?

She tried so hard to look scary...she's just too cute!

Preschool Halloween Party

Cassidy and I made Witch Hat Cupcakes for her preschool party
(Bugles dipped in chocolate sitting on a mint cookie)

Miss Teri's Preschool Class

Cassidy's Ghost

Costume Parade