Family Pictures

A couple of weeks ago we had family pictures done with Daniel's family. We had a nice spot and it was so cute to see the kids. There were even a few of us that I liked!

Daniel's family does this thing where the kids (& their families) each have a letter of their last name 5 kids, 5 letters. Daniel is the fourth child, so we get the fourth letter. Then they get photo-shopped together into a panoramic or mural with the name spelled out. This is the second time we've done it this way. I think it's pretty cute. His younger unmarried brother gets the last letter with mom and dad.

We just love our puppies! Wouldn't a baby look nice there on Daniel's lap? I think so!

Want to know more about us or talk to us? Email us at danielashleyadopt@gmail.com!

10 Things...

So I was supposed to update this on Friday, its now Monday with Five things that I'm grateful for. And while thinking about it I decided that maybe we could use a change up. Instead of Five things I'm grateful for below is two lists. The first is Five things that I'm excited about when we, Ashley and I, have kids. The second is Five things that scare me a little. Cause lets be honest big life changes are both exciting and scary.

Excited:
1. Watching the baby sleep. I think baby's are pretty cute when they are sleeping.
2. Being able to participate on Father and Sons outings or Daddy Daughter dates.
3. Getting a puppy. One of the things that always makes me happy is my dogs and the concept of sharing that with a kid is exciting.
4. Family road trips in the summer. I don't have a lot a memories from being a child, less than twelve, for some reason. But, a lot of the memories I have are about road trips. Whether it was going to Zion's and Bryce Canyon's or the Redwood Forest the road trips are what I remember.
5. The first day when bring a new baby home.

Scared:
1. The first time I'm woken up by a crying sick child and not quite knowing what to do.
2. Wanting to make sure my children are better of than I am, both as people and in life options.
3. Having a crying/upset/hurt child and not being able to make it better; regardless of age.
4. The first date. Yes this is a little ways off, hopefully at least 16 years, but I remember being a teenage boy and I'm not sure I would trust my daughter with one or my son with someone else's daughter
5. The first day when bring a new baby home.

Friday.. already?

I can't believe how quickly the weeks are rolling by. I saw somewhere (twitter maybe?) that Christmas is only 12 Fridays away. Wow.

This week:

1. Fall. I love the crispness in the air and the smells of the earth getting ready to hibernate. And the excuse to sip hot cocoa and apple cider on the couch while reading a book. "it's too cold out, I'll just stay warm inside, thank you very much."

2. Friends. Specifically this week, it's friends who like food. Last night we had friends over for dinner and we enjoyed some Chinese hot pots and some white chocolate fondue. So yummy. We had good conversation and a good time.

3. Greek food. Tonight Daniel and I are going on date night to the Ogden Greek festival. We missed it the last two years because we lived in China. We have been looking forward to this for months. Greek food is so good. The cheese and the spinach and the meat and the desserts. My word, the desserts. My favorite is the one that is deep fried donut balls with cinnamon and honey all over them. I can't remember what it's called, but it's good. My other favorite is the feta cheese and filo dough pie. Very rich flavors, but super yummy. I think this year we are going to buy the cook book so we don't have to wait a year for this delicious food.

4. Golf. Funny that I appreciate this, because I don't golf. But Daniel does. It's good for him. I like how it helps him and the benefits I see from his golfing. Sometimes I ride along and enjoy the quietness of the golf course and being outside.

5. Rain. I love the smell of moisture on the ground and in the air. Sometimes you can smell it before it comes. It makes the earth feel richer and more fertile. It restores me in a way and makes my soul feel clean. I love it.

What's making you smile this week?

Want to know more? Email us at danielashleyadopt@gmail.com!

The weeks are rolling by..

Fridays seem to pass before I know what's hit me!

This week:

1. I'm grateful for my husband's employers. He has put a lot of hard work in over the last few years and they are doing well by him and he has been recognized for that hard work.

2. I'm grateful for the crispness in the air that means fall is here. I love fall. I love Halloween. I'm working on gearing up for some Halloween fun.

3. I'm grateful for support systems. People in my life who lift me up when I'm down and encourage me when things feel hard.

4. I'm grateful for challenges. I have to remember that the devil works hardest when things are going well. We are blessed and I have to remember that, especially when I can see things are going well. I have to remember to feel they are going well too, and not get disheartened. 

5. My new couches. Yup. We got new couches in July and they are commm-fyyy.

What's making you smile this week?

Want to know more? email us at danielashleyadopt@gmail.com

It is still Friday I promise

It is time yet again for another episode of Daniel's take on Friday Favorites.

1. Good books. I was able to read a fun book this week it was the last in a trilogy. It is great to be able to take sometime and a book and be somewhere else.

2. Twitter. I use twitter to follow a bunch of people I don't know but their conversations are funny and make my day better.

3. Apple Soda. I found some awesome apple soda at Ikea. It is one of my favorite drinks some how tart, bitter and sweet at the same time.

4. Rain. Or most specifically the smell after a rain storm. That slightly ozoney smell that means things are fresh and new.

5.Recycling. The city we live in just started doing recycling. It is amazing how much less trash we have now we can recycle some of the stuff.

This week

I'm sorry it's been so long. Summer has just flown by.

1. Tomatoes! We have so many. I'm so grateful for the ability to grow produce from one tiny little seed. Then I can have tomatoes all year long! I already have 14 pints with many more to come!

2. Comfy couches. Finally after 6 years of marriage, we broke down and bought couches. We've been using hand me downs and then the ones that I liked at RC Willey came on a really good sale. So we bought them! They are so comfy. I just love them!

3. Vacations. This afternoon Daniel and I are headed to Bear Lake for a couple days with my family. I am looking forward to relaxing with my family for the whole weekend.

4. Sharing. I shave o many blessings and I'm grateful for all the people that work so hard around me for those blessings and that they are willing to share. (General, I know, but still!)

5. Ikea. I know, silly. But it has some good stuff that can make my life easier. I'm glad there is somewhere to get useful stuff!

A few days late...

I certainly enjoyed the holiday. You? I mostly spent it at home sewing and catching up on all sort of cathartic quilting - just the kind I needed. I spent lunch on the 4th with my grandparents - our weekly Thursday lunch.

1 - Thursday lunch! Every Thursday since I got home from China and once a week for the 3 years proceeding, I have spent one lunch at week at my mom's parents. They live close to my work and I sure enjoy it. I have gotten to know them so much better and our relationship has grown wonderfully. I'm grateful for them in my life and for all that they are and that they do.

2  - America. I have always known this is a great country and living outside of it for 19 months certainly added my appreciation. There were some trips that when we reached American soil it felt blessed. There certainly is something special about America.

3 - History. I got my Bachelor's degree in History. The things we can learn and understand about now can be immeasurably increased by our knowledge of what came before. History has always inspired me and it continues to do so.

4 - 56 men who pledged their life, their liberty and their property to securing the birth of this country. Each one of them suffered greatly in one way or another before they died, loosing either their life, their liberty, or the property as a result of signing the Declaration of Independence. I've had the privilege of seeing the original a couple of times and it truly is inspiring.

5 - My DVD player. I have watched lots of my favorites while sitting at my sewing machine. It has done my soul good!

What's making you smile this week?

Want to know more? email us at danielashleyadopt@gmail.com