Good times with friends and family

So, we've had quite the couple of weeks. As you see below, my parents came and left last Monday. The week went as follows:

Book group: Tuesday night was our monthly book group meeting. We had read Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. We all had a few different opinions on the book. But we agreed that all the people are just nuts. It was a little dark, but that's my style so I happened to like it. It was nice to have something to listen to as I got ready for the day, or cleaned the bathroom etc. They have the book available on librivox.org. It was Christina's pick, so we went to her house where she had a great spread of treats complete with a chocolate cream pie version of "the moors" and fun size Heath candy bars. Too bad I didn't have a camera in my possesion at the time. A rare occasion.

I got to choose the next, which is Ender's Game. KC and I have been listening to it all weekend in the car and are loving it. Can you tell I like to listen to my book whenever possible? This time I checked out the CDs and the library. The reader is really entertaining.

A visit from Mom Robinson: The next day, we were happy to have KC's mom visit us for a couple days. BYU sent her here for some business, so she came a couple days early to spend some time with us. I had some great one on one time with her while KC was at work. We took brisk walks in the mornings with the newly crisped air (I am looooooooving the weather being cooler), talked for hours, and ate at some great restaurants. One of which was downtown, and reccomended by a friend of Janice. It was called Georgia Browns, that made upscale, down-home southern food. Who wouldn't love that? It was a beautiful night in DC and we loved the great scenery. It really never gets old to walk by the huge, historical buildings and monuments.We were delighted to have her stay with is. Janice and I agreed that it was nice that we actually had time to just sit and talk, rather than be running here or there, as it can be when visitors come.

Williamsburg, VA with friends: We left Friday afternoon and returned yesterday from a great weekend with some friends. We have been planning on vacationing together for a long time, and Molly finally put in into action. Her parents graciously let us use their time share. We stayed in charming suites, and enjoyed eating, swimming, touring jamestown, and playing games together. I got tired of carrying the camera around, so they pictures stop after Jamestown, but the fun continued with Cracker Barrell, working out in the great gym, mini golf provided by the resort, outlet shopping, hot-tubbing, and pulled bork sandwiches and apple crisp. We stayed with the Calls in one unit, and the Murpys and Millers were together. It was our unit's night to make dinner. We loved the crock-pot pork, yet again. It was great gathering around a crowded table of so many people with everyone trying to talk at once. It was like I was a young kid with my family again. We played more games late into the night. We found our people get pretty punchy when we are up late together. The next morning we had to pack up and each went to our desired destinations. KC and I went straight home and both took long naps to catch up on our sleep lost from staying up late into the night.

We loved our couple weeks of fun with our family and friends. But now a normal week has begun and life is back to the same old. I think we'll enjoy a seemingly uneventful week.

Emmys

As I'm watching the Emmys, I am completely embarrassed for all five of the hosts. Especially Heidi Klum, and Howie Mandel. They're pretty pathetic. Who decided there would be five hosts? Did they really think that would work? It's uncomfortable.

I have a lot more to catch up on,I just wanted to add this.

Mom and Dad

We were delighted to have my mom and dad visit the east coast this past weekend. They came for an annual conference in DC, but we loved being with them in the short time they weren't wrapped up in that. This time we actually had enough room for them to stay with us for a couple nights (they actually had their own room), and then with the Turpins for the other couple nights. They were wonderful, effortless guests. They left yesterday and we miss them already. My mom is seriously my shopping muse. We always must have a shopping trip together, because I always have the best luck when she is around. We played games for hours on Sunday and all had a good laugh. We hope they come again sooner than later. I never like dropping them off at the airport (or in this case, the metro station that takes them to the airport). I don't like wondering when I might see them again. good thing I talk to my mom nearly everyday on the phone. And KC's mom is coming tomorrow! What timing! That takes the sting off a bit. It also helps that Melody and Amber are looking in to coming next month! (I'm actually starting to believe they are really coming.) So keep the visitors coming. We are happy to host! We miss you and love you mom and dad.

In a cottage in the woods

We had a great time this past weekend in Berkeley Springs, WV with the Turpins and Cottrells. We stayed in a charming cabin tucked away with an amazing view. It was raining most of the time, but it made it all the more fun. We enjoyed the hot tub many times in the 2 days. One time, all six adults piled in late into the night, another time I got in all alone in the early morning hours, and KC and I enjoyed a relaxing time in the evening while the others were putting the kids to bed. The hot tub faced the endless woods, and in the morning it was so foggy and gorgeous. We played games non-stop (mostly Password, and Wackee Six), enjoyed good food, and did some lounging as we either watched football, the boys play gamecube, or found something on the Dish Network that was provided. It was just right, and I think we all had a great time. The little boys thought it was great and were always keeping themselves occupied in the gameroom attatched to the house. It was wonderful and only about 1 1/2 hours away. I think my favorite part was that I never even touched my make-up or hair the entire time. I could get used to that.



Of course, in true Emily fashion, I got sick while I was trying to get away from it all (this has become a pattern on most get-aways). It happened at the very end of the trip so the fun was not interrupted, and all KC and I lost was a good nights sleep (that we made up by sleeping almost the entire day that we came home). So I won't dwell on that.

A new tradition

It seems we have started a tradition to make ice cream on Labor Day. We did it last year at a picnic with friends, and this year KC threw an ice cream social for the Elders Quorum and their families. We figured it was a good time to use up the fresh peaches I picked. We had a great turn out, and way too much ice cream and toppings to go around with what everyone else contributed. Looks like we'll be having ice cream at another church event soon. I am happy to have quite a bit of peach ice cream left over though. I'm hooked.


And it must be a miracle that I only got one misquote bite last night. I am still recovering from 19 I got on Saturday from doing yard work for an hour or less, with repellent on (two of which were through my pants). so maybe they took pity on me and want me to get a little sleep at night. Or they were actually repelled by the citronella candle I had under my legs the whole time, and the constant bug spraying.

And I just wanted to add a picture of the blanced peaches we used in the ice cream. I think they are so cool looking. Like glass or something. I think all fruits are little works of art.

The harvest

As I mentioned, I had the pleasure of picking peaches and raspberries earlier this week with some girlfriends and their kids. I was babysitting that day, but I thought the kids would like it too. They did great until it was past lunch and nap time and they hadn't had sufficient amounts of either. But we did get our fill of fruit, both while we were picking, and to take home. I'm definitely going back next week to get some of those grapefruit sized tomatoes I saw people picking, and some blackberries that are also in season.

Today, we girls are going to have a jam session-the kind you put on your toast. We decided it would be better to get one kitchen sticky instead of five. I think I'll mix the fruits and make peach-raspberry jam. I'm also going to save some for some fresh peach ice cream KC is planning on making for our Labor Day fun.

Family History on the Today Show

I'm watching the Today show right now and they just mentioned our church's website in reference to doing your genealogy. Pretty cool, eh?

Fresh fruit

I went with Cami and some friend to pick our own fruit at a great farm. We picked ripe, juicy peaches, and golden and red raspberries. I realized I left my camera in the car that KC took to work, so I'll write more about it later. Until then, you can at least see what I had for breakfast this morning (taken with my mediocre/broken camera). I could get used to having buckets of freshly-picked, great-priced fruit.

I gave in

Yes, I have joined a book group with a few of my friends. This isn't really my style, but I decided it would be a good discipline system for me, and I'm sure it will be intellectually enlightening as well. We had our first meeting last night. Molly hosted and chose the book this month, and it was held at my house. She is really the founder and we are all glad she finally got us going on a great productive way for us to get together besides the usual games, movies, toenail-painting, etc.

Molly chose The Importance of Being Earnest, a witty and comedic play by Oscar Wilde that I think we unanimously loved. Molly had a couple activities (prizes for winners included) to test our memories of the characters. She also included a variety of lovely treats that we ate while we watched the hilarious movie made with an all-star cast that had us constantly laughing. She really set the bar high for the rest of the meetings. But we must remember that she was a elementary school teacher for a couple years, so little games and activities come natually for her. We all thought it was a delightful start to what we hope lasts a long time.Christina is next and chose Wuthering Heights, by Emily Bronte. I know Cami will be proud. I'm actually pretty excited to get started. This is a side of me I've never seen before. I hope I don't lose my momentum.

Quick Request

My friend Hannah, you know the wonderful talented girl that designed our website, entered this darling picture into a photo contest. It's so easy to go and vote for her. Just go to her blog for the links, and instructions. Good luck Hannah!

Teddy Bear Tea Party

I was privileged to be invited to Iris's birthday party last Thursday. It was adorable with the mini tea party set up for the little girls. Jan also set our a gorgeous spread of tea food-quiche, biscuits, scones, muffins, clotted cream, a jam assortments strawberry feta spinach salad, fruit, chocolate banana bread champagne, orange juice, sparkling water, and tea among other things. It was a lovely time with some great ladies, some of which I already knew, and other I was glad to have met. It's so nice to have friends and acquaintances in the neighborhood. I told Jan I'd be happy to make a cake for Iris. The sweet 3 year old only had a couple requests: pink and flowers. So I pulled out my rusty flower skills, that I was never really good at anyway, and made a lemon cake with raspberry filling. It was fun getting all my tools out again. I've never been an exact sort of person. I like things free-form and rustic. But it's also good to have a few easy tricks to fake around with. When she was opening presents, mine happened to fall last out of the bunch. When I saw this gift, I knew it might be a huge problem (for me as a babysitter, and her parents). She opened her gumball machine and the kids went ballistic. I told Jan sorry in advance for the possibility of having gum all over the house and that they'll ask for it ever five seconds, but she loved it assured me that they are responsible with gum, and they will use it as a reward system if it gets out of hand. I said I'd be happy to brink a box of KIX cereal or something to refill it next time. Wade was especially thankful for this gift. I think he even used the the word "love" when describing his feelings about it. The party went really well and all the little ones had a great time as well as the adults. Iris was her little princess self the whole time. That includes a little whine every now and then, in true 3 year old style. I have loved babysitting this family for the past year and watching them grow. I was so grateful that she wanted me there for her special day. Happy Birthday IJ (Iris Jane)!
Yeah, she was posing for the camera. She kept saying, "Now look at this, Emily!" How could I resist.

His days are done

Yes, I am talking about my little fish (recently named Popeye, referring to a prior post, since I never really had a name for him) swam his last swim yesterday. I knew this day was coming, but it was still sad to see him go. The biggest inkling, besides the eye condition, fading of his vibrant color, and lethargy, was that yesterday morning when I was trying to feed him, I tapped the bowl loudly and shook it a little to get his attention. He swam like an crazy fish all sideways and upside down for a couple seconds and then just drifted down and landed on a leaf of one of the plastic plants. I seriously looked like he had a stroke or something. It was so crazy, and pretty dramatic. So maybe he died right then, but I didn't notice until I was giving his night feeding and couldn't find him. He blended in with the rocks on the bottom of the bowl. I know this is gross, but I didn't have time to clean out the bowl yesterday, so I was going to do it first thing this morning. I seriously had a restless night as I kept dreaming about the dead fish in my entry way. In some dreams, I was about to flush him and he was alive. I think there were several other dreams (since I kept waking up and falling back to sleep) where I finally flushed him and it was over. Then I'd wake up and it hadn't been done yet and I was disappointed because I just wanted to sleep! So finally at 5:30 I woke up and did the job. The once very rambunctious fish, was lifeless and dull in color. I'm sure he is happy where he is now. It was a little strange not feeding him on my way out this morning. I might get another fish, but it might be nice to not have to clean out the bowl for a while. I'll have to put a picture up on the wall where he was so it won't look like an empty space. Maybe I'll frame a picture of him and put it up there.

Here's to all the betas that have been good, quiet, well-behaved pets. (And probably the only kind of pet I'll ever own.)

Fondest Dream

So, we are pleased and grateful to announce that we now have a website (also linked on the sidebar) all about our adoption quest. My great friend Hannah, well the sister of one of my best friends Sarah (but we also knew each other in high school, so I know her really well), designed this beautiful website to help our cause. We couldn't be more grateful to have such thoughtful and helpful friends during this time that can be so overwhelming and confusing. Hannah is an amazing graphic designer. Her blog is always so creative, interesting, and fun. I know she does freelance projects so don't hesitate to go to her for your graphic design needs. I have loved all of her work that I've seen.On the subject of adoption, we attended a Families Supporting Adoption (FSA) conference last weekend (Fri/Sat) to help us get our feet on the ground in this world we just entered. FSA is affiliated with LDS family services. I was a little hesitant to go being a little timid about learning too many new things too fast. And although we came away from it with our heads hurting due to cramming way to much info into them, we were so glad we went. We feel a lot more confident and excited to carry-out all the processes we need to. The food was also catered and amazing, I thought I'd add. When we sat down with a table full of strangers, it was a little awkward since we knew we all had something in common, but we're quite sure how to start any conversation. Soon enough we were chatting up a storm about everything from fertility treatments (it was so weird to be able exchange conversation in the language I've been using for the past year and actually understand each other), to what part of the adoption process they were in. People were anywhere from just thinking about adopting, to working on their third successful adoption, so there were a lot of stories to tell. The strangest thing about this process is that most of us were coming from fertility problems and seemingly endless evasive treatments that are really not something that is brought up in regular conversation. It's more of a private process (though it doesn't seem that way compared to natural conception. You have to be pretty open about your body to let strangers do all the tests they have to do). But adoption is completely different. They told us that if we want our adoption to happen quickly, we have to be completely immersed in the process. To tell, and give our card, or magnet, or anything with our information on it (seriously, they said to make t-shirts and pens if we wanted to), to every person we see-stranger or friend. It took me a while to get used to this idea. We only had a handful of people in the know with our infertility, and now we are supposed to tell the world? I suppose it the sacrifice we must be willing to make. We are pacing ourselves, but feel the website is a great start here in the beginning, and we are going to work on more projects in the future. Things are really coming together and we really have faith that we will have a family soon.

By the way, the title of our new website was inspired by a hymn that has really been close to my heart during this process. This verse in particular:

I believe in Christ; He stands supreme! With him I'll gain my fondest dream;
And while I strive through grief and pain, His voice is heard: "Ye shall obtain."
I believe in Christ; so come what may, With him I'll stand in that great day
When on this earth he comes again To rule among the sons of men.

I don't think so.

Do the beach volleyball Olympic uniforms for the women really have to be that skimpy? Maybe there's a science to it that I'm not aware of.

This is the first year, however, that I have actually gotten into the Olympic hype, and I think it's pretty incredible.

Ummm...

I don't know what came over me, but in the past few days I have bought 7 cartons of ice cream. Partly because I haven't allowed it in our house for a while to halt the constant craving I had for it every night after dinner. And also because it was on a major sale. I think we have also been boycotting it lately because of all the companies thinking they can make their cartons smaller and smaller while the prices stay they same or go up. Did they think we wouldn't notice? Anyway, Turkey Hill is a brand here that we love and when all there varieties (frozen yogurt, duetto gelati, low sugar, light recipe, and regular old full-fat, etc.) are staring at me at a price of $1.99, what is a girl to do? I can't possibly limit my choices to one or two. I must say, we are pretty strict about our portion sizes (thanks to pampered chef for your perfectly sized prep bowls), but we are so used to it, we feel no deprivation eating this amount of ice cream ever night or so. And besides, most of the flavors I got are very low in calories and fat. My favorites are Mint Cookies and Cream frozen yogurt (only 1.5 grams of fat per serving) and Mango Venice Ice with Vanilla Gelati. I might be willing to share.

Pop Eye

And I'm not talking about the "I am what I am" sailor man. I am talking about a condition my poor little fishy friend has. Tonight as I was practically force feeding him (jiggling and tapping the bowl to get the little guy to notice the food since he always just lays there), I happened to notice that one of his usually black eyes, was completely clearish/white and a little bulgy. It was quite freaky and I keep feeling like if I go over there, he'll jump out of the water at me and kill me or something. I seriously might have nightmares. I googled around and found out what it is. Of course there is a whole cocktail of additives I could add to his water to help him get through it, but I'm not sure he's going to make it much longer anyway. I think his time is coming, and I don't like watching it happen. I really need to change the water, but I'm kind of afraid he won't make it through that. It is quite a ride for him to switch from bowl to bowl as I'm cleaning it. I never thought I'd really have any feelings toward a fish, but he has become quite a little part of our family, and it's that whole watching him suffer part that's disturbing. I won't include a picture, because I don't want you to get the same scare that I did. It's only a matter of time for my little friend.

I should probably mention

We participated in the ward lip-sync/talent show last weekend. It was a pleasant evening full of a variety of talents. KC signed up to do "a little ditty" on the sign up sheet. He asked Andrew Miller to play a ukulele duet with him. They lived near each other in Hawaii, so it was fitting. They sang and played one together and then Molly Miller, who also lived in Hawaii during college, joined in to do a little hula on the next song. It was very cute and Hawaiian. I also wanted to sing a little song with KC called "You Belong to Me" while he played. I also had to help the young women come up with something. We leaders had to practically beg them to think of something to support the organizers. We gave them some ideas and it came together quite well. We did a little cooking show skit named "The Iron Rod Chef." I came up with the name but I don't know if that's really something to be bragging about. I even added at the end, "Your straight and narrow path to good food." I know, pathetic. But that's what ward talent shows are for. Making a fool of yourself and not thinking another thought about it. So the girls had a cooking competition where they paired up, one of them being the arms, and the other being the face. It was hilarious watching them try to put the ingredients to no-bake cookies together with the one the could see the ingredients was trying the tell the arms where to get it. The girls that played the arms were blindfolded so they completely relied on the girls in front to tell them what to do. Needless to say, we made a huge mess, but when we pretended to take the cookies (ingredients splattered on the sheet pans) to the "fridge to cool", we brought out perfectly placed, no bake cookies on the same sheet pans. We asked Judge Bishop Stromsdorfer to come taste, and he concluded that they were both good. It was good and chaotic time had by all. I'm slightly disappointed that although I managed to get both a video and pictures of KC's event (enlisting the help of a friend), he only managed to get a video of mine. he assured me we can get still shots off the camera, though I don't think it's worth that much trouble just for the blog. One of these days you just might be graced with a lovely picture of young women donned in chef jackets covered in peanut butter and cocoa powder.

My little helper

While organizing our office/multipurpose room that has been staring at us for weeks (will the organizing ever end), I was going through a small stack of notes/letters/birthday cards that I've been keeping around. I decided it was time to sort through and read the throw-aways one last time, and find a permanent place for the keepers.

It was very nostalgic to read through notes from friends and family, but what was most delightful was finding KC's notes that he wrote to me during our friendship/courtship. Here is one that was particularly charming. I'll let you in on this since it doesn't seem too intimate to share. I found it on my windshield one morning.
I had been complaining that I was going to work a whole shift by myself. While I loved that sometimes, it seemed daunting that day with so much work to do, so luckily I had this little guy to help me out. Funny boyfriend I had. I wanted to get this documented in case it gets lost in a move or something in the future.

He was always leaving things on my car after I went to sleep. I had an early bed time since I had to wake up in the wee hours of the morning when I worked at the hotel.The note above reminded me of another funny one. He knew I had to pay a meter so once he left a note made of coins for me to use. The R is not my real middle initial. My co-workers thought I just had to have a middle name, and they chose Reese for some reason. It was just an inside joke during that year.I believe it was these little perks that helped me make it through those torturous 2:30 AM alarms.

Alumi, Hors d'Oeuvres, and Wine (ahem...water)

On Monday I had the opportunity to go my culinary school for a gathering of graduates. I picked up my great friend Jennifer from a nearby metro station, and we went together. Jennifer was in another class right before mine. I had the same internship as her, and then followed her to Just Cakes where we really got to know each other and remain good friends. We are slowly working on a business idea together which would be awesome if we got it up and running. Maybe someday.

Can I tell you how strange it was going back there? So many memories came flooding back- the smells, the voices, the commute. My Chef greeted me with open arm and exclamations, and I was delighted to see a couple of my class members there. I wasn't in school for a very long time, but it was a pretty concentrated and intense time, and we saw a lot of each other. We met my old instruction classroom to get settled in and hear why we were all there. We all had to stand up and tell what was going on with our lives, mostly in the way of pastry, if you were still doing that. A lot of people had started up big and successful businesses, restaurants, and bakeries all over the US. Others were back at their old jobs as web designers, dental hygienists, or staying home with kids, etc. Then we all went to one of the giant kitchen classrooms to chat, eat and drink. Yeah, the couldn't stop mentioning to drink up all you want and everyone just kept laughing like it was the first time anyone ever said it. Will that joke ever get old?

It was amazing to see what has come out of the students. One of my best friends was sadly not there, but I heard she is the executive pastry chef at the Marriott Baltimore Waterfront. I am so proud and amazed with her and the other students, yet I couldn't help but feel a little weird that I wasn't doing anything to prove how much I still know and how much I still love it. I would always tell my friends in school that as much as I loved pastry, I would love a family more. I was only 19 then, wasn't even dating KC, and they thought I was crazy. But here I am, working on my family and enjoying it much more than I would working most hours of my life in the basement of a hotel. I think the people that came out to this were the ones that actually had something to say. I don't want to feel inadequate since I know what I'm doing with my life is exactly what I should be doing, but it was interesting to see what I could've become. My life was competely taken over by the pastry arts for a couple years, and I was just beginning. I could tell that if I kept going, it would've consumed my life leaving no room for what I am meant to do. I'm so grateful for those couple of years, but now I know what is right for me. And I'm completely content with it.I loved catching up with my friends from that part of my life. It was a huge character building and learning time for me, and I'll never forget it. It was why I moved here after all. I love what I my life has become since coming here ever if it doesn't mean a tall chef hat, and hiring my own interns. They said these kinds of meeting will occur quarterly for all of us to network, find jobs, find employees, or just catch up. I think I'll just let the others have their parties with out me. That was enough for now.

By the way, the picture above is with my class at our first buffet at the end of our first of three phases. A lot of my family were able to come. I loved that day.

Here is Chef Francois, the founder of the school giving his spiel in his thick French accent.
My classmates Mike and Janice.
My friend Jennifer.
The beautiful spread of sushi that provided.
My plate. I asked which ones were vegetarian. I just like those better. I tried one that wasn't. You can't see, but I think it had caviar on it. There were other bite sized snacks there, but this was the prettiest.

Chef Mark, my instructor. I pointed out that someone had left lipstick marks on his jacket from all the hugs going around. He thought it was hilarious and made me take this picture.

Pandas, and cheetahs, and owls, oh my

We decided to take a short trip to the National Zoo today. It's only a short metro ride from our neighborhood, and it's free. It was supposed to be a moderately hot, instead of deathly hot, day today, so we took advantage. It was still uncomfortable outside, but good fun nonetheless. The crowds were definitely out, but the zoo is so big that we didn't feel too extremely cramped. We usually avoid tourist attractions on the weekend, but we were fine. We didn't see everything there was to see there, but we made sure to see the famous Panda habitat they have. They have a 3 year old cub that is all the rage, because it was born in the zoo. It was actually conceived artificially and there is this whole exhibit on how they did it. I have to say, it's not unlike the human process. They even track her hormones for all to see. Very interesting. I remember when the cub was born. It was not long after I moved here, and it was all anyone talked about for a while. I guess it's big news since there are not many to go around. But I'm glad everything worked out for the panda family. The ones pictured are the mom and the dad.
I read that they open the grouds at 6 am. That is what I'm talking about. Anyone want to join me for an early stroll through the zoo? I bet a lot of animals are out since it's not as hot. I'm in.Anway, we had other stuff to do today, and since we didn't have to pay a dime to get in, we decided to save the rest of the zoo for another trip. We live so close, why make our feet ache, and stay in the blazing heat (though the mango passion slurpee on the walk home helped with that quite a bit), when we can just make the short ride another time. Maybe sometime in the fall. I'm sure it's a nice thing to do during that time of year. And we know they have Thursday night musical concerts we're going to try to attend one of these days.Sorry, we were too hot to make any of the pictures of us very interesting.

Finally somebody is doing something about this.

Check it out.

Babysitting Funnies

I tell you, kids say the darndest things. Yesterday when I was babysitting, cute wade and I were having a conversation. He has this habit of saying "what?" many times while we talk. Probably a habit of most 5 year olds. So, during one of these conversations, I got sick and tired of repeating myself three or four times. Usually what I'm repeating isn't even that important anyway, but he simply must know what it was. I don't mind answering his questions, or repeating them if need be, but it's when he says "what" before I even finish what I'm telling him that gets a little bit on my nerves. Here's a conversation for instance:

W: Can we put the candle in the cake now?
E: Well it just came out of the oven so we better let it cool down some more. (We made a chocolate banana cake for fun, but he insisted that we put one of those huge #3 candles he found in it so he could blow it out.)
W: Why do we have to let it cool down?
E: Well if we don't, it will prob...
W:(interrupting) What?
E: ...ably fall over and...Wade, you didn't even let me finish. If you would just listen you would've heard the reason why? You do that a lot. You make me say something over and over, when all you have to do is listen carefully and you'll hear it all the first time. (All in a kind motherly tone, of course.)
W:What? Hahahahhahaha. I was being silly.
E: Ha ha (slow, sarcastic laughing). Very funny Kiddo.

I couldn't help but crack a smile at this kid's wit, even though I was really trying to teach a lesson here. That is pretty quick humor he has.

Okay, one more. He's full of them. As some of you know (because we complain about it a lot), we have a coin operated dryer...in a house. I know. Lame. But it's cheap, we deal with it, and it's better than going to the laundromat. Anyway, I was running low on quarters and, Wade's mom Jan, a great friend of mine, told me they always have ample change and I could always exchange any of my money for quarters should I be in need. So with my coin purse full, I took advantage. Wade was watching me curiously and asked what I was doing. I told him that I was just exchanging a lot of little coins for the exact amount in bigger coins. He thought for a moment and then said, "So thaaaat's how you guys do it." It was as if he just had all the money mysteries, where it came from and where it went to, all figured out from that point on. Yep wade, this little coin bowl right here on the counter is the money pot for all the world to come and trade as their hearts desire. If only it was that easy.

That kid.

Gratitude

There's no way we can possibly express our gratitude for the outpouring of support and love we have felt from so many people that have seen this blog. Including family, friends, and complete strangers. We feel completely humbled to be the recipients of such support. Thank you so much to all those that have used space on their own blogs to help us. And for those who have emailed, or just told others you know. We have faith that with all that you are doing for us, we are bound to find the child that is meant to be with our family.

We are hoping to get the blog back to normal with it's more upbeat and everyday topics. And with the help of some very gracious friends and family, we will soon have a website with our profile that will provide information about us for prospective birthparents to view to see if we are right for them. I will link it to the side of this blog if you need to refer anyone to it. We know it make take quite some time for all this to run its course, so please just keep us in the back of your minds, and if anything turns up, we'd love to know. And we'll keep you posted with any news as well.

Thanks again friends. We are completely indebted to all of you.

We Need Your Help

Dear Friends,

We're slightly hesitant to write this on our blog as we try to keep it more of a light-hearted and happy place for us to escape the difficult things we are going through. This is anything but a light subject, so we hope writing it here doesn't automatically make it one. Taking the advice of a friend, and with the promptings that keep coming to us, we feel like this is the place and time to share our feelings on this tender subject.

As some of you may, or may not know, KC and I have been eagerly hoping for over two years to have a child. We found out a while after we started trying that our only hope for conceiving was through In Vitro Fertilization. And not only that, but a more extensive technique they add to it that they have come up with in the last decade or so. We had mixed feelings about this. We were extremely relieved and happy to have a chance at having biological children when 10 years ago they would've said there is no possible way. But we were also a little scared about this idea. It's extremely expensive, and doesn't always work. And with it being the only way for us to conceive, it was hard to completely give up that part of our lives to all the many professionals that it requires, instead of just being between the two of us. But we were willing to do whatever it took, so we excitedly and apprehensively agreed to continue. It is a long a very difficult process, but we tried to stay focused and faithful since at the time we completely relied on this to build our family biologically. Since we began the IVF process, we have had two (update: three) devastating negative pregnancy tests. Even a negative pregnancy test when you are trying on your own is hard, so maybe you can imagine the disappointment. The doctors went from pure optimism to very confused. We are learning that we can't rely on it. It's been the trial of our lives and we've been making with through with a lot of support from our families, friends, and of course our Heavenly Father. I have a lot more thoughts on the subject of IVF and infertility in general that I want to share, but it is not the purpose of this post, so I'll revisit that another time.

So as KC and I have been talking to each other, my friend (mentioned above), and Heavenly Father, we feel that we are ready to take the steps toward adoption. We have a lot of the same feelings as we did before-excited, scared, apprehensive-since this is also pretty much out of our control. It can also be a very grueling process with a lot of ups and downs, and we were wondering where to start. The friend I talked to and her husband were under the same circumstances as us and adopted all five of their children. Her advice, and how she got 4 of her children, was purely by word of mouth. She told everyone she came in contact with, strangers included, that they were looking for a baby. Before talking to her, I thought we wouldn't be taken seriously if we took this route. That no one would believe that we were legitimate. But after hearing of her success, I am a believer and am willing to try.

This is where we need you. We are in a day and age where news is easy to spread with the Internet, thus writing this post. So if it's not too much, I'm asking that any of you reading to spread the word that we are eagerly looking to adopt a baby. If there is anyone you know that is going to place their child up for adoption, please let us know. We are on a mission to start our family, and really feel that this is a way for us to get some results. We have so much love to give, and dream of the day that we have a child in our lives. We hope that through this, it can become a reality. Again, we know there are other avenues of adoption, but we feel that this is where we should start for the time being. (Update: we have been approved with LDS Family Services and are adopting through them.)

Thank you in advance. Even in the midst of a trial so great, we have been able to see why we are given such things to endure. We have been blessed, with so many great people in our lives, and even more apparently, with each other. With out a companion so dedicated and faithful, it's hard to make it through even the smallest of trials. So this has made us closer to each other and the Lord. If you find out anything you'd like to share with us, please email me us KCandEmily@hotmail.com. We appreciate your help more than you can ever know.

Love, KC and Emily

Poor aging fishy

I think our little Beta friend is on his last fin. He's just not the cheerful self he usually is. Ever since I cleaned out the bowl last week, or even before, he's been so slow moving and stationary. He hangs out on the bottom of the bowl just resting there kind of on his side. Everyday I move and tap on the bowl just to make sure he's still going. Sometimes if he's really hungry, he'll make what looks like a very labored effort to swim to the top of the water to eat for a couple seconds, and then he'll slowly sink down again. It's a little depressing. He used to be so excited and vibrant. Maybe he got injured in the treacherous process of getting him out of the bowl in order to clean it. He used to follow my finger around the bowl, practically jump out of the bowl to eat his food, and swim so fast. Now he has a hard time even staying afloat. And I think his color isn't as vibrant as it used to be. He just waits for the food to float down to him so he can eat it. He is pretty old, I'm guessing between 3-4 years. So maybe his time has come. It's just sad to watch him suffer, if that's what's going on. Too bad Betas attack any living think that is placed in their bowl, or I'd get him a companion. I'm sure that would cheer him right up.

Good Laughs

Have you seen Wipeout?

It's hilarious.

What do you remember about me? (Hopefully nothing I'd be ashamed of.)

My Cousin had this on her blog and I decided to play along. I would love to hear from anyone and everyone! Don't be shy.

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

Next customer please

Up until last Tuesday, KC has been the only victim of am Emily haircut. Okay, I'm probably being too hard on myself, because I am getting a little better with each cut. It's might've been completely embarrassing the first couple times, but I have found a way to make it presentable. And his hair, being very straight and easily showing mistakes, has made me very meticulous and trained me well. So when given a head full of bushy curly hair, it was easy, fun, and very forgiving, unlike KC's. Here's what happened.When I went to start babysitting, I couldn't help but laugh at Wades head of poofy, yet gorgeous hair. It was just hilarious watching him run around with that helmet. His mom, also laughing, asked me where she should get it cut. I mentioned that before I started cutting KC's he really liked a specific girl (who I still go to and LOVE). She interrupted and promptly asked if I would do it. Now, I am not in the business of cutting other people's hair for fear or messing it up completely and never living it down. But as I was looking at his luscious locks, it looked like a fun little challenge. I said I would think about it. So we were bored, and they always beg to come to my house about a block away. Since we had no plans, I said why not. He thinks it's great when I find something for him to watch on my laptop (via Hulu, or Netflix live streaming). I don't have many toys for them, or shows so this is my way of entertaining them and they seem to think they have hit the jackpot. So I turned on a show and he was so thrilled he sat completely still through the entire haircut, and never complained. He did ask if I was done a couple times, which is a valid question. (I took me a while to make sure I didn't miss anything. He has A LOT of hair.) So we had success and he looked so much older when we were done. Iris couldn't stand wade getting all the attention, so she wanted to be next. I just got her hair wet, brushed it out, and put it in a pony tail. I usually play with braids and other fun ways to do her hair, but she wouldn't have it today. She still thought she was being pampered for sure. I'm telling you, these kids have hair that most of us only dream of. As a prize for being good sports, I gave them these window sticky things that kept Iris happy for probably an hour. (Everytime she stacked the pieces she called it a "Castle" and I had to look-every time.) Wade was content with more Batman cartoons on Netflix. They are great kids and his mom loved the haircut. I tried to leave it a little long since I love his big curls, so I was glad that his mom didn't think it was too short. It's probably silly to a lot of you experienced hair-cutters that I get all worked up over a simple haircut. So as much as the title my suggest it, I'm not really asking to make my customer list longer than two. I'm just a little relieved I am still friends with him mom after this ordeal.

We've grown out of fireworks

But that doesn't mean we didn't enjoy the rest of the July 4th festivities. We did have quite an eventful weekend. Let's see if I can cover it all.

We went over to the Turpins around lunch time for Jake's late birthday fun. He already celebrated, but we couldn't let it pass without a cake. I tried my banana split cake again that Melody and I made for Lili in Utah. But it was a little different. I'll post it on EE soon, because it's so easy and it's a great treat for the summer. We played over there for a couple hours doing some games/exercises on Wiifit, taking pictures of the baby in her adorable outfit capturing her many expressions, and then had to make our leave to get ready for our friends to come over to our house.
The Millers told us they had all the makings for a bbq, so we volunteered our house. The Calls came too and with all of our contributions we had a delicious meal of gigantic hot dogs, green salad, mango salsa (with red, white, and blue chips), watermelon, and berry trifle. It was a great night with some great friends. And, yes, I am too annoyed by the mosquitoes, humidity, heat, and chances of rain to care about fireworks. Maybe next year. Maybe not.

Here is a slide show (mostly of the baby) if you weren't satisfied by the previous pics. That little watermelon Jane is pretty adorable, I have to say.



So as if that wasn't enough for one weekend, I was also hosting a "Wives and Daughters" night. My friend Genevieve has been wanting to watch it with a group for a while, so we made it happen. It was another night of eating too much good food, and even though we wanted to chat the whole time, we actually made it through the five hour movie and LOVED it. It is based on a book my Elizabeth Gaskell, and I don't think there was anyone who didn't cheer at the end. Thanks for the suggestion Genevieve. I think we decided "North and South" was next. I have great girlfriends, and I am happy to have them over for a girl's night anytime.I realized as I was uploading the pictures that I focused more on the food that the people. Habit I guess. I'll try to shoot actual faces next time.

It was nice to have an uneventful Sunday. We ate leftover fondue, watched a couple episodes of Lost, and had a lovely nap. Gotta love Sunday afternoons. Happy belated Independence Day to all.

Just in case you were wondering...

20 years ago I:

1. Was 3 years old.
2. Wore a string bikini with stars on it (or maybe I was younger when I wore that).
   
3. Loved getting my hair done.
4. Played dress-ups.
   
5. Got into the cupboards and made huge messes. Sometimes I throw a bunch of food in a bowl and thought I was really cooking.

(I admit three years old is probably not old enough to remember a lot, but I'm just basing my answers off of family videos, pictures, and stories from the fam. I might not be exactly accurate with the age.)

10 years ago I:

1. Was 13 and in 8th grade.
   
2. Was the beehive president and thought I was sooooo cool for it.
3. Was way too interested in name brand clothing (I blame the location of my school. Too many rich families).
4. Had my first boyfriend, Spencer.
5. Started a Christmas Eve Eve tradition with Jill, Marianne, and Melody that we still do.
   

5 years ago I:

1. Had just graduated from high school.
2. Was getting ready to move to Logan to attend USU. (I hated it. Almost everyday. But that time meant a lot to me because it lead me to where I am now.)
3. Hanging out with friends almost every single day since we'd be separated by missions and college and were devastated about it.
4. Really liked a guy that I'm too ashamed to name here.
   
5. In the same year, I decided to leave USU, apply for culinary school in Maryland, and drive cross country with Dad to live with Cami while I was in school.
   

3 years ago I:

1. Was working at my favorite yet most challenging job at the Park Hyatt Washington.
   
2. Was living with the Turpins who graciously gave up precious space in their home until I was on my feet and then moved in with some girls to a house with a pool.
   
3. KC and I had our first kiss.
   
4. Finished working at the Hyatt and got another job at Just Cakes.
5. In that same year, got engaged on Christmas.
   

So far this year I:

1. Went to Utah for two weddings and spent a wonderful two weeks there.
2. Moved. Hooray!
   
3. Went on an awesome Disney Cruise with the Turpins. (Hooray again!)
4. Have learned a great deal of patience.
5. Camped out on the ellipse in DC.
   

Yesterday I:

1. Went to Target for some more organizing items.
   
2. Talked to Melody and Mom on the phone.
3. Folded some laundry.
4. Made Tuna melts for dinner.
5. Watched a few episodes of Lost that were really weird, really confusing and didn't resolve any other weird and confusing things that had already happened in the first three seasons.

Today I: (It said "today I will", but it's so late in the day I took out the "will".)

1. Touched up my blue chairs. I ran out of spray paint the first time I was painting them.
2. Swept, swiffered, dusted and vacuumed.
3. Put the makings of barbecue chicken in the crock pot for dinner.
4. Would've gone babysitting but they are out of town so I took a long two hour nap that could've lasted two more if I didn't force myself up. (And the lawn mower next door that sounds like it's actually in my living room would've woken me up anyway.)
   
5. Watched an episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents called "Place of Shadows" courtesy Netflix watch instantly library. This is one of my favorite pastimes. The episodes are so intriguing. Hulu also plays them, but I don't like the commercials.
   

Tomorrow I will:

1. Prepare for, and go to Mutual for the first time since I was called into this calling. (By the way, I didn't go to camp after all. I chickened out.)
   
2. Probably watch another Netflix movie or episode of something. I like to mix it up.
   
3. Maybe take a nap.
4. Figure out our 4th of July activities.
5. Hopefully put another post in EE.

(Sounds so exciting doesn't it. Who plans that far ahead? I'm sure I have more productive things to do, I just can't think of them.)

In the next year I will:

1. Hopefully have a lot of good changes.
2. Go to New York.
3. Figure out what we're doing since I have no idea right now.
   
4. Hopefully visit Utah or get Utah visitors.
5. Try to read more.
   

We are in the phase of our lives where we are just seeing where it takes us. So there aren't many goals for next year. Right now, we are just waiting on a lot of things, so life isn't so extremely exciting. But there you have it anyway. I guess I'll tag specific people this time. Hmmm...Melody, Molly, Matt, Sarah J. and Drew (and whoever else wants to).