Thank you to a dear friend and roommate of mine for the GENIUS idea of becoming a PEANUT BUTTER & JAM sandwich for Halloween. It was a blast. Everyone was envious of our wittiness. And one of the best parts: It was a DIRT cheap costume. Lauren: please forgive me for hogging most of the glory, but I will have you know I gave you some credit.
The Stake YSA went Trick-Or-Treating, but we went around asking for donations for the local food bank. It was chilly, but a lot of fun. And it was for a great cause, so it was definitely worth it. Think about doing that for as an activity if you feel too old to cash-in on the free candy! (As if that ever happens!)
Also: take a look at that glorious beard! It is filling in quite nicely. I love it!
Six Months. Six months have gone by. That is insane! Bennett and the Davis Clan had their Adoption Court Hearing this morning...I was stuck in Price giving my Business Law Exam a quick kick to the junk. That's right. I said it. I feel good about the test, but we shall see what the grades reflect. Anyways. I know I have been a slacker with Blogging. Sorry. It's not you, it's my whole life. I suck at life. BUT, I have been having an amazing time. AND I do plan on updating you on all sorts of super-cool-great stuff. But for now, Congrats to My Cherished Friends, the Davis Family. My family. I am so grateful for all the many blessings we have been given. Life would not be the same without Paxton and Bennett, thank you for being willing to take on that responsibility and being incredible parents! You are a joy and a treasure. I love you so very much. Blog-Stalkers: We shall talk soon, and don't worry, more photos will be posted. This weekend is Bennett's sealing. Me = Photo-Happy can pretty much go without saying.
Turns out Jaylene didn’t die in a horrible floor, fire, or car accident! She has just been afraid of her explosive computer!
After the Flight.
That’s right folks. In case none of you know this, I rock a Dell Inspiron 1521. It was a Birthday Gift from like...what...2007? And I still have it. And it still uses the same battery. And so it frequently gets rip-roarin’ hot and I fear that it will:
a)Burn my Thunder Thighs (shout out to Farley for that lovely compliment circa Gr. 12)
b)Explode and disfigure my face
c)Simply Turn Off and refuse to ever come back on.
Lauren, Shani, Aeva Mei & Me
Helmets are so hot right now...
Now I realize that this is probably my fault for clogging its computer arteries with music and photos...I figure I have enough data to be the equivalent to a life time of Big Macs for this beast. Thinking I could save my wonderful Bumble (my computer’s name, because it is Yellow. And this was BEFORE Transformers became super cool, thankyouverymuch) I bought an external hard drive and I have been trying to figure out how to use it. I guess I could now plug it in and have it here at my desk all the time. But that just seems like such a hassle. Anyway. POINT IS: I am making excuses for why I haven’t blogged in forever. And now I am done.
Me & Keels
So. Let’s move on to the Summer Wrap-Up:
Me & JB
Edmonton was a delight. I had a great time (despite my room flooding, sigh) and was able to see a lot of great friends and even snuck away to Saskatchewan for a weekend to see My Peeps over there.
Some Summer Highlights:
·Breanna’s Baby Shower
·BSB Concert with Rachael
Classic William & Jaylene
·Shakespeare in the Park with Tyler, Lauren, Brian, and that overly-friendly squirrel
·Going out with my RE/MAX girlies
Me & Amanda
·Flying over Edmonton at night with Sheldon and his brother
·Seeing Shani and her gorgeous gem of a baby girl
·Keely’s weekend trip to Edmonton
Me & Rachael
·My Annual Summer motorbike ride (I have since ridden a Dirt Bike. Scary)
·Roadtrippin’ to S’toon to see the fam and friends in the 3-0-6.
·Then the delightful chore of re-packing up all my belongings and coming back to Utah
Me, My Mom (Patti), and my (little?) brother Will
The Trip to Utah in Two Words: Hot and Long.
Here’s the thing, Kiddies. It wasn’t too bad when I originally came down in December 2009 because it was cold. My car has a sick (sick as in good, get with it People) heater so that was no big deal. And it wasn’t too terrible heading back to Edmonton in May 2011 because it was overcast and still relatively cool. But August wasn’t as kind. So I melted. And drove. And melted some more. Did I mention I don’t have A/C?
Ya. Bad Idea, Jaylene. (Duh)
But anyway, for now I will just update you on the summer pics and all the fun the summer was stuffed with.
Fall will be next. And maybe after that I will cease to be a horribly late Blogger. Doubt it, but we can dream people.
OH! I also wanted to talk about my feelings (eww gross I know) over the last few months.
Bennett’s 6-mo. mark is coming up, and that means the Adoption will be finalized. So, as a Birth Mom looking out for other Birth Moms, I will be happy to share what’s been on my mind in regards to that.
It was crazy busy, and crazy awesome…here’s what went on:
Leasa & Tori
Monday: Dinner with Rachael & Kevin
I love it when this couple feeds me. Rachael is an amazing cook! And it’s a throw back to high school. I still remember the time I had dinner with those two and Adrian, and Adrian told me ‘get back to the kitchen, woman!’ Classic.
Tuesday: New Kids on the Block/Backstreet Boys concert with Rach
Thank you last-minute tickets. $21 well spent.
Nick and I have yet to spark our romance, but whatever. At least we were in the same room together for a handful of hours.
It was super awesome. Rachael & I both brought one co-worker and we danced the night away while straining our vocal chords trying to match the 15 year olds there.
Surprisingly enough, there were a lot of older women there, the NKOTB gang. And boyfriends. SO many boyfriends tagged along. Way to take one for the team, guys.
Wednesday: Eyelash Extensions Appointment
Lahses
These were awesome! Not going to lie, the glue does burn when you first try to open your eyes. Buuuuut, after about a week my one eye got really aggravated and I ended up ripping some of the lashes off (they are glued to the tops of your natural lashes)...then I had to rip some off of my other eye, then it looked weird. THEN I didn’t know what to do because it looked stupid, so I tried to trim the fake lashes to be the same length as my naturals, but I only had a HUGE pair of scissors, so that was terrifying. Then I didn’t like the way that turned out...so I ended up RIPPING ALL OF THEM OFF. And a fair amount of my natural lashes got ripped out with the fakes... Yes. I should have gone to the salon and had them remove them, but that would have taken too much time etc. etc. SO I just did it myself.
Not a good idea, I know, but whatever. They’re back. Don’t worry.
Thursday – Yoga
Nothing exciting. Sorry. I am slowing becoming more flexible. Yay!
Friday – Harry Potter movie (Rachael also presented me with delicious cupey-cakes)
Birthday Cupcakes
It’s FINALLY OVER! Haha. I was not a huge Potter-Fan. I didn’t read any of the books, I didn’t always go to all of the movie premieres, so it’s not like a part of my life is over and I have a huge dark hole that needs to be filled. I am fine. My life goes on. But it was decent. I always thought Daniel Radcliff was very good looking; he’s got that hot-nerdy look to him that I seem to be attracted to, so I don’t mind staring at him for a few hours at a time.
Owls at HP
Rachael made some amazing owl masks (see picture) so those were fun to wear around. And they fit nicely over my glasses despite you thinking I can’t see worth a junk.
Saturday – BBQ @ Rachael & Kevin’s
Whew!
So yes.
I am now 24.
For this year’s resolution, I have decided on a few things. I would like less gray area in my life. I have had a hard time in the past with communication, so I am going to try to work on that this year. Leaving nothing hidden or behind. Putting myself out there, being willing to take a risk and get hurt, because I know that love and success is worth the risk, so I am going to try to go for it more often in my life. It’s not going to be easy, I expect to get hurt and have had some minor pains already, but it’s going to be fine. That’s what I need. Moving on.
Be careful. I feel a blog-rampage coming on. Sorry! It’s because I am so far behind...but the sooner I update you on everything else...The sooner I can post sweet cute pictures of our favourite sack of potatoes...I mean...baby...Bennett!
Not only was it my Dad’s Birthday (Happy Birthday Mullet-Man!)
and Canada Day (Happy Birthday Country!)
but it has now been appointed Paxton’s Day!
This was the day that Jared & Amy were able to take P-man to the Temple and have him sealed to their family. Hurray! I am pretty bummed that I was stuck in Canada for this monumental event but I know that a good chunk of Amy & Jared’s friends and family were able to attend and celebrate with them, so that takes the sting out, just a little.
Jared & Amy are blessed to live very close to a Temple. In fact, you can see it from their front yard. It also happens to be on the way to the Wal-Mart in their area (love you, Wal-Mart!) and they often drive past it. Paxton has always been in love with the Temple. Whenever we drive by he looks at it and often asks to go inside.
Davis View of the Temple
Wish granted!
I am so delighted for the Davis Clan. They have been so patient and I am always so impressed with them. They deserve every happiness and I am blessed to be a part of their extended family.
While I was pregnant with Bennett and building my relationship with Amy & Jared, I would often tease that Bennett & I were a two-for-one deal. Well, now I am a five-for-one deal. The Davis Family is a very real part of my family, and a huge part of my life. They have a huge chunk of my heart and know me inside and out and I could not imagine being linked to a better family for all eternity. So, Future Husband (we can just call him Mr. Wonderful), you may be shocked to find out that you are joining such a large family, but we are the best there is. Our cul-de-sac in Heaven will be hosting Block Parties nonstop.
Speaking of Bennett,
I do have some new photos of him!
(And the crowd goes wild!)
Ta-Da!
Can I just say,
and I know I say this all the time,
but
HOW CUTE IS HE?!
Seriously.
I made that.
Weird, right?
SIDE NOTE: Bennett is rolling over. Crazy, yes? I joke that he only has to go ½ way, then gravity pulls his chunky baby body back to the ground.
Bennett and Teddy
I was showing a friend some photos tonight and I pulled up some pregnancy photos and it was surreal. I didn’t feel like that pregnant girl was me. I know it was me. I know I have a beautiful son. But it is so odd to think “that is me” and that it was only three months ago. Does anyone else ever feel that way? Maybe it is partially due to the fact that I am in Canada over the summer and am somewhat removed from the entire situation...but still, that feels like ages ago.
With Paxton’s sealing complete and Bennett’s three-month mark so close together I have had a lot on my mind. I have so much respect for Amy & Jared, and I hope I have conveyed at least a fraction of the love I feel for them. I am over the moon to see their family coming together, but when thinking of Bennett it comes with a pang in my chest.
Sometimes it is hard for me to think about Bennett’s Adoption being finalized and Bennett attending the Temple with them. Not that I don’t want him to be sealed to them. One of the most important factors when considering Adoption was that Bennett would be sealed to a wonderful family for time and all eternity. But when the Adoption is finalized, Bennett will receive a new Birth Certificate. My name will be removed and Amy & Jared will be listed as his parents.
Now, please understand that I do not feel as though Jared & Amy are removing me, but it almost feels as though the world is removing me. It is hard to feel as though I am losing one of our special connections when at times I feel there are few left. Jared & Amy honour me. They really do. And I know that will never change. I can have confidence that Bennett will know who I am, and how much I love him. They will help him understand that the situation I was in was less that superb, but that with Heavenly Father’s help, I was able to make the best decision for Bennett. We are all blessed because of him and he is my greatest treasure and joy. Placing him was the hardest thing I have ever done, the hardest thing I ever will do, but we did it, we are doing it, as a family, and Heavenly Father is watching out for us.
There is a movie called Mom at Sixteen.
Why yes, it is about a girl, who does happen to be 16, and she gets pregnant. She originally decided to place, but changed her mind after her son was born and parented for 5 months before realizing that the best thing she could do was make the best decision for her son; so she ended up placing him with a wonderful family that she formed a relationship with throughout the film.
There is a brilliant clip at the end of the film, the last few minutes, and it just brings me to tears. Happy Tears. But I LOVE it. I think it is so perfect.
This is my family. I may not have the last name Davis,
So. In the last few months there has been what I feel is a large number of birthdays.
William (my brother) May 31
Hayley & Michelle shared June
Je t'aime, Patti Daniels!
My Dad (1st), my Mom (13th), my French Buddy Patti Daniels (10th), Myself (15th) and Team Canada Companion Amanda (17th) share July.
Amanda and myself this summer
And there are more I am sure (ahem, Andrew Hall also on the 17th)
But I just wanted to do a little blurb on birthdays have come and gone without enough recognition and show everyone how beautiful all these people are. I am super lucky to be in the company of such good looking people. I am sure I look better just standing by them.
So Happy Birthday to all, and to all…more blog posts.
Do you remember when you were 16 and you thought by the time you were 24 you would be married to Mr. Right (this wedding would obviously be a double-marriage with your best friend and her husband), have 1.5 children, a dog named Rufus and a perfectly manicured lawn?
Ya.
So didn’t happen.
Did I ever think I would go back to school? Nope. What am I doing? Finishing my Accounting Certificate. Did I ever think I would be spending copious amounts of time in Utah? Heck no. Where is Price? Smack-dab in the middle of NoWhere, Utah. Did I think I would own so many college sweaters? Nope…buuuuuuuut those are just a bonus.
Truth be told I love the way life has turned out. With Heavenly Father’s help I have become more than I ever thought possible. I have been able to stretch and grow and I can truly appreciate God’s ability to take difficult situations and create blessings for those who trust in Him. l nowhere near perfect, but it has been an amazing journey thus far and I am sure it will only continue.
So, what’s in store for 24?
Well. I’ll finish up my Certificate for sure. This next semester will suck, but it has to be done. My “fun” class this fall? Business Law. Mr. Vogel, please save me. I may also look into getting an Associate Degree, but that has yet to be determined. (Yes, yes, everyone who has been harassing me to get a Degree can now pat themselves on the back. Good job kids.)
I’m hoping to end up back in Edmonton after everything is said and done. I think that is where I will “settle” for a bit. None of my family lives out here, but it almost feels like home.
And you better BELIEVE Bennett and the Davis Clan will be a big part of 24. I’m telling you, if I could pack them in my car and bring them home to Canada with me, I most certainly would.
But. Before I continue to whine about 24, let’s begin to recap what’s gone on lately, shall we?
