How all birth parents should feel

While passing out programs with Caden for the FSA fireside on Sunday (Russ was sitting on the stand to introduce the speakers), I witnessed something remarkable: how I wish every birth parent should feel. One sweet birth mom, that just placed 3.5 weeks ago, walked in right after seeing a picture of her with the adoptive couple. Her eyes filled with tears as she gave her caseworker a hug. She looked at him and said "I'm famous". I really wish every birth mother could feel just how special, loved, honored and angelic they are to the couple they choose to place their baby with. There really aren't words that can express the respect, love and honor that the adoptive couple has for them.

I also saw many of my friends at the fireside with the birth mom that placed with them. Often the birth mom would take the baby to change his/her diaper, to feed him/her, to just hold him/her and give them love. It was perfect! We are looking forward to an open adoption and hope to form a lasting relationship with the birth mom that places with us and making her and her family a part of our family. This post on the r house warms my heart. We look forward to visits with the birth mom after placement.

We found this song on the R house blog and LOVED it! Enjoy!

We love FSA!

We are currently serving as the co-chairs for the Colorado chapter of Families Supporting Adoption, and we LOVE it! Here is an upcoming activity that we are so excited about! It is a fireside dedicated to the blessings of adoption for all people involved! Feel free to come and check it out if you are interested, involved or seeking info about the miracle of adoption!

Trip to Utah

We love having so much family in Utah, but it also makes for a busy trip when we are only there for a short weekend. We packed as much as we could into the trip. Here are a few highlights:

We got to see Russ' two brothers and their families.

We got to see Kylee's two sisters and their families.

I got to hold my sister's new baby (just 2 weeks old). My first thought when we found out we were going to Utah was that I could see my sister's baby. What an angel!
Caden got to see some of his girl cousins (yes, we all like BYU).I got to get some new clothes from Downeast Outfitters. Love that store!

We got to eat in the Cougareat (but not at L&T which is a favorite) and at In 'n Out Burgers.

We got to show Caden around the BYU campus and watch him run all over.

We went to a Ryan Shuppe concert for recruiting (the main reason for the trip), and Caden got to request the song "corn dogs". Before they sang the song, they dedicated it to him. He was in heaven.

We got to hear Russ' cousin give her talk in sacrament meeting after returning from a mission in Taiwan.

We got to go to a big luncheon for Russ' cousin and see all the aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins, etc. The best part was that Russ announced to all of them that we are trying to adopt and handed out a bunch of pass along cards with our info. What a great husband!! Everyone was so happy and excited for us to adopt and were willing to spread the word to other people.

Fall Fun

We love fall!! While Russ was doing his second camp out portion of Wood Badge, Kylee and Caden went to the Littleton Museum Harvest Festival with the Colorado Chapter of Families Supporting Adoption. They had a pumpkin patch, games from the olden days, an apple press to make apple cider and the usual farms, animals, etc. It was a lot of fun!

Here is Caden with his friends from the FSA playgroup watching the women make apple butter.
Caden loved the games that they used to play: bag races, walking on stilts, jump rope and some game with a big wooden circle that you had to hit with a stick to keep it going.

Caden liked the very first pumpkin he found. However, we kept searching and found one that he really loved.

He got to help this lady make apple cider in an old press. It actually tasted really good and it was fun to see the process.

It was fun to see the animals at the farm.Just the other day, Kylee was babysitting her friend's kids and they went on a walk. They decided to rake up some leaves and jump into them. Caden had a blast with his friend while the baby slept in the stroller.

Life is all about the little things and the fun things you do with each day!

I spy with my little eyes....

A BIG ROCK!!

We drove to Utah for a quick weekend trip, and this is the game we played all through the Grand Junction area (which is surrounded with big rock canyons on both sides)! Caden kept saying it almost every time and we all laughed so hard, because there were huge rocks all around. How were we supposed to know which one? We played it on the way there and on the way back. What a funny kid and fun memories!

I will post about the trip (with pics) a little later. We only had a few hours and we squeezed a lot in!

When we went grocery shopping this week, we went down the Halloween aisle. Caden said "Hellloooo candy!" He says the funniest things. Russ and I love to just talk about all the funny and cute things Caden says every day. We love being parents!

Bread, Banana Bread, Blankets and Puzzles

We had the great privilege of listening to General Conference (where the prophet and other leaders of our church talk to the world) last weekend. As always, we learned about many things we want to improve in our lives. Caden loved hearing the names of the prophets, apostles and other gospel words. He would shout out the words or names he recognized. We played LDS Bingo and did LOTS of puzzles. He loves puzzles and we loved that he was being reverent. :) After doing the 12 pictured below, we did a 500 piece Monsters, Inc puzzle.
Also, in Kylee's family, they have the tradition of making homemade bread and cinnamon rolls for General Conference. It is a very tasty and fun tradition. We also had banana bread as a snack while we watched the conference.
Kylee is also a blanket fanatic, so anytime she sits down to read a book, cuddle or watch TV (or General Conference), there is always a blanket involved.

After the conference, we drove to the mountains again to see the fall leaves. We also got to see a beautiful sunset. Russ and Caden were climbing on the rocks when Kylee snapped this pic of them watching it.

Fun weekends

Russ got the opportunity to go to Wood Badge this past weekend. He learned a lot about scouting and a lot about being a leader. He also loved being in the forest with the changing leaves. He came home singing a few weird songs and teaching Caden how to make a "woggle". We are proud of all he does to learn and improve in all aspects of life! I love my handsome scout! :)

While he was gone, Caden and I had a camp out in the family room. We ate ice cream sandwiches and watched Caden's favorite movie (Cars) from the tent. Then we slept in there. Caden was so excited about the whole night.

After church on Sunday, we drove to the mountains to see the fall colors. I love this tender moment I captured of Caden (who just woke up) cuddling with Russ. So sweet!

This was right after we told Caden he could get some ice cream if he smiled. :)

Loving on our sweet angel. You can never give enough hugs and kisses!