Our Sealing 8.18.12

“And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven." (Matt. 16:19)

This was such a great experience for our family. Harrison chose to be sealed in the Salt Lake Temple which was cool because that it where Doug and I were married a little over 15yrs ago. It was so nice to return there. I was able to wear the dress I took out my endowments out in. (Little personal brag moment for me.)

We were able to get Dex a special recommend so that he was able to witness it.
When we got to the temple we had to take the boyz to the children's center where the children wait to be sealed to their family. When we walked in there were 2 little old sisters that were a little over excited to see the boyz and they jumped up as quickly as they could to get them ready. They told them they had a video for them to watch and other activities for them to do while they waited. Apparently they are not to equipped for teenagers.  When we returned after to pick them up the boyz they had about 8 -10 pages each that the sisters had them color while they were there since they didn't want to play with the toys. They had some of those flannel bags with a list of things to find in the rice. yah. lol You should have seen their faces when the sister said, "Don't forget your activity papers." The boyz had no idea the sister kept them. Of course I added, "Oh that is so cute..... How fun for you.....You did such a good job coloring."  The whole thing was just funny.

 The sealing was neat in itself. The spirit was so strong. The Sealer talked to us about the Family Proclamation and gave us guidance as parents then gave the boyz advice on how and what they needed to do to be happy. Which included to listen and obey their parents. To which I replied "Thank You"  out loud. It was so neat to have my boyz with us in the temple dressed in white. I hope they are able to remember this forever so they are able to reflect on the feelings and experience that they had. I know I will.

After we walked around the Temple Grounds dressed in our whites for family photos. Everyone would stare because it's normal to see brides in white but not often do you see entire families. Yah, I was not prepared for that.

Anyway, the next day Harrison gave a talk in sacrament on Agency and Accountability and was asked to  touch on his experience being sealed in the temple. He did such a great job giving his talk even though he was so nervous. It didn't help that his forever brother got a head start embarrassing him by making faces at him while waiting to give his talk.

I'm so grateful to my Heavenly Father for the many opportunities that he gives me to learn and grow and bringing me to my knees so we could talk. There is no way that I am able to accomplish anything without help from him and my Savior. It is because of them that I can do the things I do and have the talents that I have. With two teen boyz it's not easy. Good thing they know me and know what I can handle. I just wish I had the same confidence in me that they do.  I love this gospel with all my heart. I pray that I don't slowly stray. Thank you for your great examples. Stay strong.

Adoption and Birthday for Harrison

Today was a great day for our family......
Today was the beginning.....
I would like to.......
We have a new son!......

I'm sitting here trying to figure out what to type. Words just can't express what I'm feeling right now. Today I have had my heart strings pulled in many different directions that it literally hurts a little. It felt sadness for a sister-in-law who lost a cute kitty. It felt frustration towards the parents that left this young boy and that he was in the system for so long. Thankful for the many people in the system that helped Harrison while he was alone. It felt stressed wondering if all the paperwork was in order. Fear that I was going to be responsible  for TWO teenage BOYS! Excited to be able to call him mine. Overdue Joy as I watched Harrison try to control himself as the day was finally here for him. His knees wouldn't hold still the entire court hearing. Proud that Harrison and Dexton were able to hold their own with the Judge. That can be a little intimidating. Grateful for the legal system for having my back when they said to Harrison, " You do under stand that Doug and Regina have the right to parent you and punish you as they see fit as long as it is appropriate."  Embarrassed that both Doug and I both missed that they had our wedding date wrong and we swore that it was correct. Dex was the one who said something because the wrong date made him illegitimate. Love from family who took time to be there and friends with their support. The indescribable feeling when your heart is so full that your eyes draw tears. Sorrow that it took me so long to be able to be in a place where I could except I wasn't going to have another baby of my own. That he would come in another way. Comfort when my close spirits were near. Gratitude when I said a little prayer to my Heavenly Father and thanked him for trusting me with another one of his children. Peace when he blessed me.

Harrison wanted to be adopted on his birthday but it didn't end up on his day but we got close. His birthday is on Saturday but we decided to celebrate it today. So we went to his favorite place to eat. We hit Olive Garden pretty hard then Harrison opened presents and we all managed to find room for cake. 

We are so grateful to be able to have Harrison in our family. It's not always easy but we have fun.

Happy Adoption Birthday Harrison Douglas Caley!

I only wanted a Pedicure!!!

I went for a pedicure yesterday and I was enjoying my massage chair until "IT" happened. At one point of the massage a small ball starts rising right in the middle of my seat. Ya, I just about kick the poor lady as I leap out of my chair. I'm thinking, What the He$$ I only signed up for the pedi. The lady reset my massage and we all just moved on. *Blush* Well, my toe nails are pretty. 

 

Finished Kitchen

My kitchen has been through a lot the last two years since I decided to change it.

I stained the cabinets then decided to add trim.

The trim wouldn't stain properly so I had to paint them and I never really liked it like that. I gave up and never finished the drawers until I could figure out what I wanted to do.That's when I added the tile back splash.

 

And now this is how my kitchen looks today!

I added hardware. I couldn't find what I wanted of course, so I got these and turned them into what I had in mind.

Best of all I got a new tool. Hot HUH! I want to spray EVERYTHING!!! I need to find a wall for graffiti.

Now I just need to figure out how I'm going to change the kitchen table. Not sure how but you can count on me using my new paint gun.

New Car tattoo!

I'm so excited! I just finished putting this tattoo on my car window. It took all morning to design then it took a while to hand cut with an x-acto knife. I love it when things turn out looking so good. I feel a little cool too driving around with it on. I had to take it out for a test drive even though it was dark and no one could even see it. I knew it was there.

I got a little excited that I designed this one for the truck.

Memorial Day 2012 in Adams Canyon

I took the kids up to Adams Canyon for a little Hike. We had a lot of fun. Perfect weather too.

Look who's 14!

Dex turned 14 this Sunday and he was ordained a Teacher.