What a beautiful morning! I am about to step into the world of Preschoolers as it is almost time for my class to arrive - this is such a great job! They are so cute and energetic. It is true, they do say the funniest things! Here's just a few over the past few weeks that have just tickled my daughter and I:

I asked Noah to finish up his picture and he said, "I will in just a jippy".

One day Makoy told Devanne that "my scooter goes faster than your car. You can't ride it cause you'll blood. I got blood yesterday when I rode my scooter".

During play time one day, the kids started talking about marriage - (girl) "When you're old like a Mom and Dad, you get married. You can't have a Dad until your married." (boy) "Well, I hate girls and I won't kiss girls." (girl) "You HAVE to kiss when you're married!!" (boy) "Girls are not for boys!"

During a Thanksgiving art project and discussion of indian corn with all the different colors Devanne emphatically said, "We do not eat indian corn. My family doesn't like it. We can't eat indian corn because we are not indian people!"

At snack time (girl) "My brain made me think 'why don't we have a drink?' (boy) "Did you know that scarecrows don't have brains for real? He does in Wizard of Oz - but that's just a movie"

Noah expressed one day that "I didn't know what colors were before I came down here...you know, before the world was made."

(boy) "Dad was the Hero catching the mosquito in our house!!"

(girl embarrassed that her 'undershirt' strap was showing on her shoulder) "You don't want to know what's under my shirt. It's immodest. It's gross! But if you want me to say it, I will."

Last week we had a few sniffles in class, (boy) "Maybe smelling all those flowers and dead leaves made my stuffy nose. I should stay home if I have a stuffy nose!"

Yesterday as we discussed personal hygeine Devanne said "Well, I had to have my toenails clipped this morning because they were long enough to cut my toes in half and bleed." Noah leaned toward her and blurted "My Mom said that girls HAVE to have their nails big!"

Just before time to leave yesterday and right after playing a game simulating a "restaurant" one little boy leaned on the table and huffed and puffed. I asked him if he was ok and he replyed "Oh, I am not tired. Just sweaty."

What will they say today...?

Thank you for letting me "emote" during my last blog. All that emotion had been building up, then shaken up and the inevitable happened - it exploded!

It seems so inadequate to express my gratitude, here, on our blog to those who have supported me through these feelings and to those who have touched my heart and soul with their words of encouragement, patience, understanding and most of all, hope! You have no idea how much you mean to me and the strength you have given me. I have been changed by your kindness and loving examples - I am truly, truly humbled.

It has taken me a few days to post...just trying to deal with the feelings regarding how things have turned out.

When Alina left on Thursday, November 5th, we were all rather emotional. We were still feeling this way throughout the weekend. I believe it was Monday, November 9th that we had a call from Yuri but I was unable to talk at length with him then. I told him I would be free early evening and he said he would call back. Of course, our schedule was utterly obliterated with kid's and neighbor's last minute problems. Yuri left a message. I called back, left a message apologizing and mentioned that I could talk Tuesday or Wednesday evening. He emailed and stated that this was urgent and he would call Tuesday, November 10th in the morning. Yuri did call Tuesday morning asking what our thoughts and feelings were concerning Alina. He said that we should understand that their main goal was to find a home for Alina. I told him that she was on our minds and in our hearts constantly and we were trying to decide if adoption into our family was: #1 best for Alina and #2 best for us. I asked if she even wanted to be adopted by our family? Yuri said it was unethical to ask - "don't want to get her hopes up. You understand?" And then, "If she doesn't love you back, are you still committed to a long-term relationship with her?" I stated that we wanted a bit more time to be sure it is best for everyone. He said that "they" (I assume Yuri and Vern) think that having her in our home for almost 3 weeks should have been plenty of time for that. "It is privilege to have these kids here - most people have blind adoption." I'm thinking, "So? That was their choice. Our choice was to host first. But does that mean we are to now adopt her, take her away from all that is familiar, force her into our family all with no regard to how she feels about it? And you say it is unethical to ask her if she would be interested...? Is this how you thought and felt about a future spouse...Would you force her into the relationship and then commit to stay married to her if she didn't love you back...?" I expressed that we do love her but we didn't want to make a decision either way because of our extreme emotions at the time. He told me again that their main concern is finding a family for her. "In fact, there are 3 or 4 families right now that are interested." Good Grief! Vern told us that on Halloween, too. Talk about pressure! But when both were directly questioned if others had asked about Alina specifically, they both said "no..." I felt my heart constrict and my mouth go dry. I asked if we could have any time at all to talk and pray further. He responded that he and Vern wanted to put a packet together right then of the children that were not going to be adopted and everyone was completed except Alina. He said that he could give us one day, "through Wednesday...Thursday morning at latest". In the back of my mind, I'm screaming, "Was almost 3 weeks enough time for you guys to date and make the long-term decision of whom to marry? Was almost 3 weeks enough time for you guys to make the long-term decision to begin your family?"

In tears, I called Paul and told him about the phone call. I could tell he immediately went tense. You have to understand something; Paul has never liked being pushed into decisions (about anything!). That is how Paul is. You know, not everyone, including some females, can instantaneously jump off that cliff. (It doesn't mean they don't have faith - they just are more conservative and careful). Anyway, I asked Paul if he would think about it during the day and we could talk and pray, again, about it that night. He said that would be ok. When he got home, of course, all sorts of issues came about and when I asked if we were going to talk about Alina, he seemed closed. I didn't push it, knowing that if I did push it, Paul would bolt. Wednesday came and went with tension building and on Thursday morning Yuri left a message. I called Paul but he was in a meeting. I left a message that Yuri had called and they really needed an answer. I got a tense message back from Paul later that day that he had left a message for Vern to call back and he'ld go from there.

I still do not know exactly how the conversation went between Vern and Paul, however, apparently Paul told him we could not do it at this time, but, we would like to keep in touch with her, if possible. My heart was broken in a million pieces. Everything, everything was pointing to making it work. I know that Paul made the decision he did because he was pushed - made to feel that it didn't really matter who Alina went with, as long as she went somewhere. Our family didn't need the time to decide if we loved Alina or not - that was easy. I know Paul needed the time as he wanted to make sure that all the ducks were in a row before we got Alina's hopes up. We love her - why would we want to hurt her? Alina is a child of God - not a comodity. Heavenly Father loves her and has a plan for her. We deeply desired to know if we were part of that plan. But...

It was becoming crystal clear to me (and possibly Paul) that this is a business - like buying a house, furniture/appliances or a car. "Got to hurry - others are interested and they want to close the deal today..." or "I could give you only an hour because this is the last model and another couple really, really wants it..." I guess somebody has to make their commission; their quota for the month.

How can our Father in Heaven guide if man puts man's time frame on His work or a time limit, in this case? What about His time frame? What about His plan? Maybe our part of "His plan" is finished but maybe not...how will we ever know, now?

It's hard to type very well through tears...I might post more later if I can collect myself. It sounds harsh, but realize this hurts and I am venting!

They're gone. Oh my. Our last day, yesterday, was pretty normal. However, on the way home from our "goodbye" dinner, kids' emotions flared and the evening errupted. I basically went to bed in tears. I had hoped there would be lots of love expressed and hopes for the future. It was hard and we weren't able to give Alina her pictures and translated letter of how glad we were she came and stayed with us, etc. Jessi and Alina stayed up playing Disney Princess Uno until 11:00 pm - I knew it would be hard to get up...

I folded her pink letter and placed it in her little photo album. I hope she reads it. We were at the airport by 6:00 am but waited until about 8:00 am just to get the kids checked in -- something about a need to have a visa for their luggage in Germany. We thought Vern was going to explode at one point but things worked out and the mad goodbye dash commenced. Hugs, tears, kisses. We were positioned so close to where they walked through security and Paul had the camera ready, however, Alina, ducked under the ropes and didn't look at us (maybe she didn't see us standing there but all of the others went around and we said goodbye and thank you to them) -- we could have hugged one more time (Jessi didn't really get to hug her and here was her chance. Jessi feels so sad...). We waited for them to go up a far distant escalator. Vern had them wave as they went up and when we saw her we waved and she was waving and blew a kiss!

It's so quiet at home...

Last two days before Alina returns home. It seems strange to say that -- it seems this is home and she has been here alot longer than 2 1/2 weeks. She is very easy to love. She is smart, loving, playful, funny and wants to learn about everything. She is a sweetheart. I would love to have her part of our family. I am rather nervous to know how she feels about that, though. Last year, we put our hearts out and asked if he wanted to be adopted...it was a resounding "no way!" So you can maybe understand why we have not had the courage to ask Alina. Then there is the flipside that perhaps Alina really wants to be part of our family and the economy dumps us!? I am so, so glad that it is in the Lord's hands. I know He loves Alina, too, and wants her happiness. Well, I haven't waited until the airport to get emotional - actually, I think I started getting "emotional" about her returning to Ukraine when we met at the airport October 17!

(I forgot to apologize long ago about not posting any pictures. I am trying but just can't seem to master that part of blogging, yet!)

After "that's that" we went to the Halloween Party. Vern talked to us and said it had been a misunderstanding...that he had worded it poorly. He said he meant that in the past, families had definately decided not to adopt but they didn't say anything and finished out the stay. He said these children then have no chance to "visit" any other family. Alina is still with us. It's still in the Lord's hands...

Can't believe a whole week has gone by! Every minute has been full. Needless to say, we are all tired. Since the dentist, we have been to two soccer games with Kenton making three goals!; we have had Mom and Dad over for Sunday dinner - it was fun you two (thanks for enduring our family yet again!); we have been to the mall trying on anything we can and spending time at Bath and Body works (my favorite store); we have gone to the zoo, but it had to rushed and didn't turn out very well. In fact, Alina threw somewhat of a tantrum staying in "her" room of her own free will for about five hours! We had to give her a translated letter stating that her behavior was disappointing and hurtful and that she shouldn't have a fit just because she didn't get what she wanted. We had to explain that American children and parents don't always get what they want when they want it either; we have watched movies and been swimming twice. We were swimming last night, but had to get out the pool 45 min before they closed because someone threw up in the pool; we have carved pumpkins while Arcadia made banana bread and brownies! Thank you very much, Cadi! We leave for the Save a Child Foundation Halloween party in just a few minutes - thing is, nobody is awake but me (and Kurtis, as he is at work). After the party we will trick-or-treat and go to Grandma's and Grandpa's for birthday celebration! Yeah!!

Paul just came up stairs and said that Vern Garrett had called. He wants to know if we are planning on adopting Alina. If we are not, they want to move her Sunday after the activity to another family that really wants to adopt her. Guess that's that...

We went to Donated Dental today. This is a chance to have the children's teeth cleaned and checked - work being done if needed. All the above is free. We didn't have a chance to tell Alina before we got there (and thinking about it, I'm not sure we should have said much before anyway as we didn't know how she would react...). She did very well with x-rays, cleaning and general exam. She even giggled at times as things "tickled". Then the Dentist told us she has one cavity and 1 small hole on each front tooth (just the 2 front teeth) and he "could take care of that today". Good grief! What a traumatic, terrifying chain of events that started. Including having at least 8 - 10 people around her during her numbing shot. It was heartbreaking to see how much she cried and how frightened she was - I don't think she was taking little breaths, little lone deep breaths. Several people tried to have her take some deep breaths. 3 different Ukrainian children randomly got out of their chairs, bibs still on, to come and comfort Alina and explain that it isn't that bad. Alina was really brave, overall. She really didn't like the numb feeling at all. Her teeth are beautiful now! One of the chaperones and the translator had both explained to Alina that she needed to have this work done as it wouldn't get done until it was too late or probably wouldn't get done at all in Ukraine. By the way, one of the little boys that was crying at the aiport, was there at the same time, too. His host Mom had told him he was having a check up at the Dentist and it would be ok and it wouldn't hurt. He ended up having 4 cavities and 1 tooth pulled!! Can you imagine living with all that discomfort - never knowing if it will ever get fixed? We are SO blessed, here!!! (His host Mom is afraid he is going to hate her or not trust her...I know how that feels). After the children were pretty much finished with their exams and work, the translator lady got in a chair and they were taking her x-rays as we were leaving. I am happy for her. We were suppose to go the Children's Discovery Museum afterward but there was only about a hour left according to the schedule. Alina was totally exhausted from the experience (by the way she must have said "Thank you" at least 20 times - even personally thanking Dr. Larsen as he began working on someone else!). Anyway, we came home. We were very close to home when our group leader called and said that there were many free museum tickets left as everyone was beat after the hike. As it turns out, the schedule was wrong and once we were there we could have stayed until closing at 8:00 pm. Heavens! Oh well, we were all needing a rest. Arcadia hasn't been feeling well, either. Alina has looked at her "Dentist pictures" 7 times since we've been home. She made sure every person in the family saw the pictures and showed the due amount of sympathy. This was a huge event for her...

Jessi found a witch costume for Alina for Halloween. I thought that was so sweet since most of Jessi's life she wanted to be a witch or princess for Halloween and we just didn't have the money at the time. Thanks, Jess - you're awesome!

Today our activity was a tradition at the Richardson's Ranch in Heber. The weather was spectacular compared to last year! It is so hard to be there and not covet - I'ld live there in a heart beat. Jessi doesn't like it at all, though. Alina rode the horses 2 or 3 times. There was also a mechanical bull and oh, what a riot to watch the kids. Alina was raring to go and rode several times - falling off only to get laughs. We had hamburgers and hot dogs. There were various chips, salads and desserts. Alina would definately win the "Weech off"!! She ate way more than any of us and probably most of us put together.

The wind started blowing from the North and it got kinda cold. Jessi and Alina wanted to sit in the van and since it was about 1:20 ish we decided we might as well leave. As we were heading for the van, Alina decided she needed to visit the buffet table one more time. She wasn't aware that her friend, Christina, had just arrived. We reached the van and Alina was yelling "Mama! Mama!" several times. I turned thinking she wanted to let me know her friend had come and wanted to play for awhile. She was waving me over and I started to walk to her but she had brought the good friend of the Garrett's over (her name is Annie and she is vacationing here for a bit from the Ukraine and is staying with the Garretts). Anyway, Alina wanted Annie to tell me something because she is bilingual - translation: "You are the nicest person/people. She likes you very much. She likes it here. She loves you very much!" Wow! I never saw that coming. My heart is touched. Thank you, Heavenly Father, for such a blessing!

It just gets better and better. We went early to get Jessica's allergy shots with plenty of time to get to the swimming pool on time. Jessi had a reaction (although it was much more mild than the last one!!). We were at the hospital until 9:35 am (if there had been no reaction we would have left there at 8:50 am). Alina was noticably concerned for Jessi and at one point gave Jessi a high five, however, because there was a little monitor on Jessi's finger, they both got a bit of a shock (giggles followed). I got a hold of Arri, explained that we would be late and why but needed help explaining to Alina. Arri called back with a translator, it was explained and Alina was a real trooper. We dashed home to get Jessi's Epipen for the day, took Kenton's gym clothes to the school that he had forgotten and then raced up to Fairmont swimming pool. We were about an hour late but still had around 50 min to swim. Jessica just sat close to the side in the water because of the reaction. Alina is a fish!! I am amazed how well she can swim - all the children! She was diving in, doing handstands, flying in off the sides in crazy positions, went down the slide numerous times (and may I say, she was so polite in line and waited her turn even when a couple of boys pushed her from behind to "go go". She never got angry. Thanks to Arri Rogers (our group leaders) I have some cute pictures.

It had been rainy in the morning so we didn't take a lunch to eat at the park after swimming. But since it was so close to Arcadia's work, we decided to surprise Arcadia and take her for lunch - we met across the street from her work at McDonalds. When we pulled in, Alina clapped (politely that is). When Cadi was safely back at her office, Jessi, Alina and I headed for the grand re-opening of Platos closet. Jessi found some really cute things and Alina got a bracelet. We arrived home in time to pick up Kenton and friends from school. Came home long enough for a potty break and went to Wal-mart for a few things. One thing we hoped to find was some fleece Alina liked. She found one that was pink (her favorite color) with 4 Disney princesses scattered on it. Jessi found one that was black with large colorful dots. The idea was to have Arcadia and Alina cut the edges and tie (fringe) but Alina was too intent on winning a Playstation racing game with Dad. Sorry, Arcadia! You did a wonderful job and it looks really cute. (Alina slept with it last night). Dropping things off quickly, we decided to go to the park by the fire station for just a bit before dinner. The winds picked up, the temperature dropped and it started to rain. Jessica and Alina have some fun pictures of the 15 min of play.

Today has no "group" activities planned - feeling a bit unsure as to what to do. Jessi goes to work at 1:00 pm...I didn't realize how much I depend on her to help out - she's like my right hand. Hopefully, I will remember how to "mother"...

She's here!!! Dear, sweet, loving Alina is finally here! Grandma and Grandpa came to the airport with us - thanks a million times over Mom and Dad, for being there and supporting us! Grandma got to hold the Ukrainian flag while she sat in her wheelchair. There wasn't as much space for introductions and pictures there at the airport like there was last year so it got a bit loud and confusing. We had a translated letter for Alina to open that welcomed her and introduced us. A family in our group that Paul seems to be drawn to and likes is hosting a 12 yr old girl, Christina. As it turns out, she looks like Alina's best, best friend!! Those two hugged and kissed and talked for several minutes. They both seem just cute as ever. (It's funny, we almost hosted Christina...) Alina showered us with kindness, Thank yous, hugs and kisses at the airport, in the parking lot including Grandma and Grandpa and at home. She loved the dogs and interestingly enough, neither one of them barked at/because of her! She gave Paul a beautiful red Ukrainian egg. She gave Jessi a lovely blue necklace. She gave Arcadia 3 braclets. She gave Kenton and I counted cross-stitch pictures. She gave us a piece of paper with words and numbers on it...figured it was a phone number. We asked her if it was her phone number and did she want us to keep it and call her after she went back to Ukraine. After several attempts to understand, we called our group leader and asked her son (thank you, thank you, thank you - it was midnight!) what Alina was needing. He told us that it was Alina's "grandma's birthday today!" We didn't have a calling card to call her - we felt bad but Alina said we didn't need to call if we didn't want to. (Of course, we wanted to...). She asked him if we could understand her. He told her no, and that she probably didn't understand us, either. He also said she "likes us very much. I liked them very much from the minute I saw them at the airport". (Apparently, Alina volunteered this information - no prompting from him). Oh happy day!

This morning, Sunday, Alina was up and dressed in her church clothes! She is such a sweetheart in all ways! We asked her if she wanted sausages for breakfast - "Da" (yes). We asked her if she wanted a banana, too - "Da Da". We asked her if she wanted buckwheat cereal - "Da" (our group leader gave us some buckwheat from the Russian grocery store). We asked her if she wanted herbal tea - "Da Da". We asked her if she wanted orange juice. She kept saying something that I didn't understand so I thought maybe she wanted the orange and not just juice. I had Paul hold up an orange and she got even more verbal - pointing like dots all over her face. I asked if she was allergic to oranges - "Da Da Da". Makes me wonder if there is anything else. She ate five sauages, a bowl of buckwheat cereal, 2 eggo waffles, a banana and a cup of tea. I am thrilled that she has an appetite and wants to eat. After we ate, Alina said something and ran and got the paper with Russian translations of basic English terms and she found and pointed out "This tasted good!" I can't tell you the joy that touched the inner parts of my heart! What a beautiful, happy, loving, friendly, mannerly, darling young lady.

She had a bloody nose this morning. Must be the altitude...they warned us last year but Igor and Natalia didn't have any bloody noses. I guess I forgot this could happen (they live at sea level). Just as a side note, after breakfast they wanted to watch some 'Sponge Bob'. Alina pronounced it perfectly then ran and got her glasses. Did not expect that...What a wonderful blessing from the Lord to have such a choice daughter from across the world here with us for 3 weeks!!!

Ok - I am beginning to feel a bit paniky. Alina comes Saturday night at 9:20 pm (2 days from now) and all of a sudden I'm thinking of everything that needs to be done. The list is enormous, but not as big as the butterflies in my stomach (I think they are teradactyl size now!) Everyone of us hopes that this year is a happier experience...but questions like, "what if she doesn't like us or our home?"; or "what if she thinks we're the weirdest looking people she has ever seen?"; or "what if she is like Natalia?"; or "what if she won't do anything to help?"; or "what if she doesn't like any of the food we fix"; or "what if she throws a fit because she would rather be with the family her friend is staying with?" keeps going through my mind. I'm driving myself crazy. I pray for strength and the Lord to help us during this next 3 weeks.

For some reason, I could not post last night, but this morning the internet seems to be working just fine.

Yesterday, we needed to be fingerprinted/background-checked for the orphans that are coming. Afterward, we picked up some chicken sandwiches at Carls' Jr and took them to Grandma and Grandpa's for lunch. Then we "caravaned" up to the zoo. The weather was a bit chilly, but it made walking around so much more pleasant and the zoo was absolutely packed. We were excited to go to the zoo because they had a new baby elephant (it was so-o-o-o cute!) - this seemed to be the highlight of everyone's visit to the zoo. There was also a baby giraffe, a baby snow leopard and baby tigers. We couldn't see the baby tigers as mom took them out of sight and the baby snow leopard was enjoying a big meaty bone mostly behind a wall. But the day was fun. And a bit exhausting for all of us. Thanks Mom and Dad for going with us and enduring all of our children's moods!

Didn't have a chance before now to say that Jessi did get the job! YaHoo!! She will work from noon until 5:00 pm for awhile and when she has been trained just a bit, the hours will be 1:00 - 5:00 pm. We are excited for her... and this means big changes in my work schedule, also, to allow me to pick her up from work (and the get Kurtis to work since Jessi won't be here). I pray hard for help in changing my schedule the right way.

Three weeks until Alina (the children from Ukraine) come! EEEK!

We found out Saturday night, 19th, that we are on the list for the Save A Child Foundation Fall Hosting activity. We will be hosting an 11 year old girl. Her name is Alina. She is from a Dnipro (abbreviated!) orphanage but not the same orphanage as Natasha and Igor came from last year. Alina looks happy and it is interesting that she has the same jaw line and nose as Kurtis, Jessi and Aunt Janice...The children will arrive Saturday, October 17th around 9:30 pm and will stay until Thursday morning, November 5th. We haven't had as much time to "dwell" on the upcoming experience this time, but it is a spoken and unspoken hope that the time with Alina will be far better for everyone this year - hopefully pleasant and uplifting.

Jessi has a job interview today - if this goes well, she will have a "real" job interview. The hours of this job would be 1:00 - 5:00 pm Monday - Friday. This would allow her to still teach Preschool if she wants to. Good Luck, Jess!

We had a wonderful Labor Day celebration at Mom and Dad's Sunday around 5:30 pm. Annette, Connor and Ryan were there. Annette was taking Connor up to BYU Idaho Monday morning and Ryan was going back down to BYU Provo Monday morning. We had fried chicken, potato salad, baked beans, rolls, tomatoes and cucumbers, chips, Mango drink and for dessert we had lemon bars, brownies and pumpkin spice cupcakes. It was so good to be with family. I found out yesterday that my Dad will be 80 years old this October...! (and Mom is 72 years old). It's not that I didn't know, I think I had just buried the thought so as not to go completely crazy. I don't know what I will do without them - I can't imagine life without them there. They are my strength, my support, my friends, my real reason for living and doing my best. When they have to return home, I think I will cease to function and will have to go home, too. They are my only friends. I haven't been my best and actually have not tried at times - but I always knew what they expected of me and that they had faith in me to accomplish. They have given advice and never judged - just helped me focus on what is most important. Many times when I have felt like giving up in my marriage or raising our children...they have been calm and encouraging and brought the hope and faith back into my life. Thank you, both, a million times over for EVERYTHING you have done and continue to do for me - even though I don't deserve it. My Uncle Warren died yesterday about 4:00 am. What a loss - I know Mom and Dad will miss him so much. He really was generous towards them with time and money. Hopefully, I'll have the strength to get through today...

Life is weird right now. You know how throughout your life everything seems to come together and work out...that's not happening anymore. Nothing seems to be "coming together" or even slightly working out, lately. It is rather sudden and confusing. Work, school, family and church callings all just seem to be falling apart or having major problems. Hope things get back into groove soon...

Well, the boys have gone to school...I feel just the same inside as I did on their first day of Kindergarten! They both looked so handsome and grown up, but they will always be my little men.

Kenton got his braces off today! He has had them on, along with other appliances, for 37 months. He looks so handsome - I never believed that his unique problems would work out so fantastically! YAHOO! He will have to wear a retainer with a fake tooth until he is 18. When he is 18, he can have a tooth implant. If he doesn't wear his retainer, his teeth will begin to move, fill in the space and then he'll have to have braces again - EEEK! After hearing that, Kenton seems quite committed to wearing this retainer every day and night (thank you, Kenton!) We're about to have "back to school blessings". The boys start tomorrow. I will miss them horribly.

Kurtis had his 4 wisdom teeth out yesterday about 10:15 am. The lower right tooth was very impacted - it had been moving 2 mollars for the last couple of months. The surgery went quite well. They said he did not bleed much at all. He seems to be recovering astonishingly fast. (Cadi and Kenton are jealous of this and they are feeling kind of like "a baby" about their experience). So far there has been only minimal swelling (he had ice on alternately 20 min each side for about 9 hours) and no sign of bruising as of this morning. He is still asleep - going through the night without pain medicine. We are very pleased with the work/care they always give at Dr Christensen's office and Kurtis was inspired, again, to look seriously into the medical field as a vocation. Kurtis thought the whole experience was pleasant and "cool"!

I wanted to take a moment to thank Paul for his almost 12 hour job today of putting up our tile backsplash. It looks so awesome! I feel we have been launched into the 21st century, finally! Thank you, thank you, thank you, Paul - job very well done!! Today was only the glue and tile, so after it dries into next week Paul will do the grout. We look so modern! We will paint one wall in the kitchen and fix the island counter. This has been a good day - Paul I know you are exhausted, but I can see you have a happy look on your face!

It seems that life is constantly changing. Just a few of the recent changes: I no longer work at Medex. My last day was Wednesday, July 15. I was coming home so tired and still taught piano. The children were struggling more than ever with me out of the home. So, after 18 months, I am finally home again!! I will keep teaching piano and have started tending 2 children (from different families) that have been begging me to tend for many months. I have been asked several times if I am going to teach Preschool in the Fall, but I haven't decided. Kurtis is needing all four of his wisdom teeth out - this is scheduled for Wednesday, August 19. Ellianna called today for our decision as to whether we will be hosting a Ukrainian orphan again this October. Jessi is really wanting a job to earn more money and have a car. Kenton's braces come off 2 days before school starts. We are waiting on pins and needles to see if Paul gets his reclassification or not. We are so blessed - life might be crazy, but it is rich and full!

Today was a good day! Paul got a call at 8:00 am to come and help at the Temple open house. Apparently, another Stake flaked out and the open house was way under staffed. In the meantime, Cadi, Jessi and I went to Bland Nursery twice getting perrinials for our yard (finally!). They are all planted! Jessi got her shopping done and we got to the library. Tonight we made jam - and they all sealed! Wha-hoo! First time I have ever made jam...hope it tastes ok. We made a "combination" jam of homegrown Gooseberries, Marionberries and Raspberries. It looks so pretty. Kenton's friend down the street helped take the stems off both ends of the Gooseberries (he calls them Googleberries) Thursday afternoon and he begged for a jar of jam if and when we made it. Kenton wants to take a jar of jam to him before church tomorrow! Kurtis worked tonight and Jessi went to ward Temple night. They had dinner, a speaker and those that could, did an endowment session; Jessi and others did baptisms for the dead. It truly has been a good day - we are so blessed!

Mom and Dad are here for the 4th of July celebration and Kurtis' b-day celebration. Great food, great company and great weather! Wish you were all here, too!

We have decided to throw all caution to the wind and create a Love Family blog. This is both exciting and nerve racking. We want to be able to document our family as we come and go and all the excitement along the way! We also want to keep our distant families posted...So-o-o-o, this is our maiden voyage - wish us luck!