Too Good is True!

Mike and I are proud to announce that we are now a family of three! Jaxson was born on Monday, November 8, weighing in at 7lb, 15 oz and 20.5 inches long.

We found out about two weeks ago that we had been chosen by a birth mother (K) to adopt Jaxson. We had the opportunity to meet her and her mom before he was born. She is such an amazing person, and we feel so blessed to have her in our lives.

We got a call at 1:40 on Monday morning telling us that K had gone into labor and for us to drive up to the hospital. We were able to visit with her and her mom for a little while, and then we went out to the waiting room. Shortly before she was ready to start pushing, we were told that we had been invited into the delivery room to witness Jaxson's birth! After he was born, I was able to cut the cord, hold him, and give him his first bottle and bath. K was so wonderful to want us to be involved.

This is our first family photo after Jaxson was born.

We were able to have our own room in the hospital, which was great because it allowed us to help take care of Jaxson and get to know him better. It also allowed our families to come up to the hospital and see him. We honestly love him so much!

While he was in the hospital, there was a photographer that was taking newborn pictures. Here are a few of my favorites:

We brought Jaxson home from the hospital today, and so far things have been going really well. The only eventful thing was that his bilirubin was high, so we had to have home health set him up with home bilirubin lights. It makes it hard because we can't hold him as much as we would like to, but he will hopefully be done with them within the next few days.

Blog Challenge, Day 21

Today's challenge is to post a recipe. I got this recipe from Lori, and it is SUPER easy, delicious, and the perfect treat for this time of year! Enjoy!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:
Spice cake mix
Small can of pumpkin
Chocolate chips

Combine the spice cake mix with the pumpkin. Add chocolate chips to taste.

Bake at 350* for 20 minutes.

Blog Challenge, Day 20

Today's challenge is to post about one of your hobbies. The hobby that I chose to write about is crafts. Although I usually need a few ideas to be in a more creative mindset, I really enjoy making crafts to decorate our home. For fall this year, I made a "harvest" wall plaque, "Boo" letters, and I still have a turkey to make. I also enjoy sewing, although that tends to go in spurts. I have a craft blog, but I will admit that it has been quite a while since I updated it. :) I have taken a few pictures, so I just need to get around to writing the posts.

Blog Challenge, Day 19

Today's challenge is to post about one of your talents. I chose to write about playing the piano. I started taking lessons when I was five years old, and I kept taking lessons through high school. Although I don't play as much as I would like it, the piano has always been a good outlet for me, especially when I am feeling a little stressed. I am so grateful that we have a piano in our home for me to play!

Blog Challenge, Day 18

Today's challenge is to post about your wedding!

Mike and I got married on August 29, 2006, and it was such a great day! We were married in the Salt Lake Temple...it was the perfect day to get married because there were only two or three other weddings planned at the temple that day, so it wasn't crowded at all. Something that was unique about our wedding pictures was that Temple Square was decorated with hundreds of American Flags, because President Bush was coming into Salt Lake for a visit the following day. So even though we were married in August, we have some very patriotic pictures.

Sorry the pictures are so small...I can't get them to upload any larger.

Rather than holding a wedding luncheon, we had a wedding dinner. Our dinner and reception were held in the Garden Room at Thanksgiving Point. It was so beautiful there because our room overlooked the gardens, we were able to take pictures in the garden, and all of our guests were able to enjoy the gardens. The only bad thing about the gardens were that for some reason, there were a ton of garden snakes out, and I have a HUGE fear of snakes. Our wedding colors were pink and black and we used pink roses and candles to decorate.

After the reception, we headed back to Salt Lake. Mike had originally planned for us to stay at the Little America, but because of President Bush's visit, we were upgraded to the Grand America! The next day, we took off for a honeymoon in Southern California.

Blog Challenge, Day 17

Today's challenge is to post a piece of artwork:


I chose "The Singing Butler" by Jack Vetriano. I love so much of his work - they seem simple, yet romantic. I have a few prints of his in our house, and as cheesy as this sounds, I sometimes day dream about the people in the picture - what is their story? Did he surprise her for a romantic picnic lunch and they had an impromptu dance? Did they have a mysterious meeting? Who can say???

Blog Challenge, Day 16

Whew! I have officially passed the halfway mark!

Today's challenge is to post a song that makes you cry (or nearly). The song I chose doesn't really make me cry, but it is one that is close to my heart, because it reminds me of when Mike and I got engaged.

Your Everything, by Keith Urban

The first time I looked in your eyes I knew
that I would do anything for you
The first time you touched my face I felt
what I never felt with anyone else
I wanna give back what you've given to me &
I wanna witness all of your dreams
Now that you've shown me
who I really am
I wanna be more than just your man

I wanna be the wind that fills your sails &
be the hand that lifts your veil
be the moon that moves your tide
the sun comin up in your eyes
be the wheel that never rusts
be the spark that lights you up
all that you've been dreaming of & more
so much more
I wanna be your everything

When you wake up
I'll be the first thing you see &
when it gets dark
you can reach out to me
I'll cherish your words &
I'll finish your thoughts &
I'll be your compass baby
when you get lost

I wanna be the wind that fills your sails &
be the hand that lifts your veil
be the moon that moves your tide
the sun comin up in your eyes
be the wheel that never rusts
be the spark that lights you up
all that you've been dreaming of & more
so much more
I wanna be your everything

I'll be the wheel that never rusts
be the spark that lights you up
all that you've been dreaming of & more
so much more
I wanna be your everything

I wanna be your everything
I wanna be your everything