update and April

 Beautiful tulips at nelson's grove park!

 Uncle David and aunt carol came for a visit to help with wedding plans for Lori and Daniel. We had a nice family gathering at pizza pie cafe. The food was good, company great!

It was a nice spring day. We took Jaymee to Nelson's grove and she enjoyed feeding ducks, swings, slides and even got to pet and walk a ferret. 

 Aunt Debbie came for a visit for a family funeral. My great aunt Daphne's We had a nice visit with games.

 Dan, Me Debbie

 Jer and Nicole getting Easter egg coloring ready

 Owen with the colored eggs

 making deviled eggs. yummy!

 After the Easter egg hunt!

One of our good family friends lost their 4 month old baby boy Ryker. He was a true fighter from birth and touched many lives. He will be missed

Best Buds: Bryan, Jer, Eric, Sam and Randy

 letting balloons fly for angel baby ryker

The sweet family!

I have been very bad at blogging lately. These are the pictures from April. I had a really good Easter with my family. It's always fun when kids are involved. We colored eggs, had an easter egg hunt, played games. My Aunt Debbie was in town for a visit. I also got to see my brother Eric. We had some family fun at Nelson's grove park. I loved the tulips! I got a job at Preferred Family Clinic in May. I do patient billing and collections. I like my coworkers. It's a very easy going place. We also have some fun perks. If we meet monthly goal we get to go to a movie and so far we have always met it. I have had a very busy social life which is way I haven't blogged. I have been dating James since January and see him most every day. We go to lots of singles activities such as firesides, FHE, dances etc.

Holi Festival Of Colors

James, Heidi and I went to the festival of Colors on Saturday March 24th. I had never been before. I was surprised that as we were walking to the temple from where the shuttle dropped us off people were already throwing powdered chalk at us. We did the same on our way back. We made the 5pm throw and then ate dinner there. It was fun. I'm not sure I would go again since I had a hard time washing some off.

 James and I before we got to the colors.

 Heidi before

 the crowd

 lots of Llama's

 James and I having fun.

 The Temple

Heidi and I after.

Spencer's Baptism

I got this cute keepsake book for Spencer's Baptism.

Spencer with his dad, Mike about to be baptized.

Audrey, Mike, Spencer and Me.

 

holding Jacen, Spencer's new brother.

Spencer's family

Mom, Dad, Audrey, Jacen, Mike, Spencer, me and Heidi

Yesterday my Mom, Dad, Heidi and I had the opportunity to be a part of Spencer's Baptism. I was so proud of him. He looked so cute all dressed in white. We drove out to Kamas, UT since his baptism was combined with his cousins Makenna and Kennedy. Makenna is a couple months older than Spencer and Kennedy is a week younger.

The Opening song was "When I am Baptized. Audrey was the chorister. The talks were given by each grandma. I liked the talk on the Holy Ghost the most. She read a cute story and interacted with the three kids getting baptized a lot. Audrey and her sisters sang a beautiful song called "To Become Like Him" It was so cute watching her sing right to Spencer and he waved and she winks at him.

Spencer told one of his cousins I am his birth mom. She seemed confused but I thought it was cute. My dad was able to be in the circle for the confirmation of the Holy Ghost. I thought that was very special and Mike did a great job. I'm so glad Spencer has such a good dad.

After the baptism we all had ice cream sundays and visited. We each took turns holding Spencer's brother Jacen. He is so cute and smiley. Spencer asked me why I placed him for adoption. I was not expecting that question. I told him that I wanted him to have a mom and dad that he could be sealed to and loved each other and could take care of him. He then asked "why couldn't you" I told him I wasn't ready at the time. He told me that Jacen's birth mom cried when she placed him and I said I did too.

We were able to meet a lot of Audrey's family but didn't talk to many or formally be introduced. All her sisters were there. We met her Mom and Dad too. We also met Mike's Mom. It was neat seeing how Spencer interacts with his cousins/family and how much love they have for him. I'm so glad we were able to be part of such a special day. I'm so grateful for having an open adoption.

Spencer's Birthday!

My sweet Spencer's birthday was two days ago. I can't believe he is already 8! He is getting baptized on March 9th. I have been invited to the Baptism. I hope I can be there. Shane was nice and took me out to dinner for Spencer's Birthday. We went to Applebee's. I also got a cupcake from sweet tooth fairy. super yummy! I looked through all the pictures of Spencer. They grow up so fast. It doesn't seem that long ago that I was pregnant with him, feeling him kick and seeing him for the first time. His first cry, coo's. I will always remember those two days I had with him in the hospital and the wonderful visits I have had since. I am so glad I have an open adoption and I'm able to still have a relationship with him and his parents.

White tigers are my favorite animal. Mike and Audrey gave me one at placement. I named him Jaden which is what I was calling Spencer while I was pregnant. He is my comfort stuffed animal whenever I had a hard time after placing Spencer I held him and cried.

 Eating at Applebee's.

Red Velvet cupcake to celebrate Spencer's birthday!

Placement 2/29/04 four hearts connected.

 First time holding Spencer.

Placing Spencer into Audrey's arms.

Today is leap day. I placed Spencer 8 years ago today. It is only the 2nd anniversary though. I am glad I only have to deal with placement day every 4 years but it also makes it seem like a shorter time has passed. I do feel a little down and sad today. Placement was bitter sweet. It's hard to express those feelings. I am so glad Spencer has a loving family that is able to provide everything he needs and more that I wasn't able to give him at that time.

 Fatherly love. This was at placement and I could tell Mike loved Spencer instantly as his own.

I recently watched a movie called Couragous that is about 4 Father's. It reconfirmed my decision to place Spencer. I knew if i had single parented he wouldn't have had a father. It was very important to me that he have a father that loves him, could teach him and be an example to him. Mike is an amazing father. I couldn't have asked for anything more. Spencer is Mike's buddy.

Valentine's Day and more

I have been to several dances in the last few weeks. It has been pretty fun. I had a really fun double date last friday. I went to Los Hermono's and to Comedy Sportz. We also got ice cream for dessert. I had a great valentines day. I got these pretty flowers from a guy I have been dating. We went to sizzler and the movie "The Vow" The movie is great i got teary eyed several times. It's been a good few weeks been going out a lot.