Thank You

I just have such a feeling of faith in Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ & the Holy Spirit.

Tonight, I took a neighbor to walmart with Eden in tow. He wasn't listening well and I was flustered. I got into my purse and paid for my goods and then put my card away.

The next thing I knew, I was pulling up into my house and realized I didn't have my purse. (This is not the first time I have done this) I had no idea where to even begin. So, I put the car in park and asked Eden to join me in a prayer for Heavenly Father to help lead me to my purse.

So, I rush back to walmart, check the carts outside, check customer service, check the check out counter I went through. It wasn't there! At this point, my heart is pounding and the tears are being held back.

We get back in the car, say another prayer and shed a few tears. I have this feeling to head back home and call the bank to cancel my card so no one can use it.

As I pull up and start getting my bags out of the van, I notice a vehicle that I don't recognize and two people wandering around the apartment complex. They come up and ask if I am Staci. And of course, I say yes. The woman (and her husband) held up my purse.

I was speechless and just started crying. I was so worried about my purse. It had my id, debit cards, personal info, pay stubs, etc in it. And, this amazing family recognized it sitting in a cart and were kind enough to search on their phone for my information to find me and return it. They tried calling but I wasn't home and so they came to the house they said. After a second I was able to compose myself and explained we had just moved to Twin Falls about 6 weeks ago and I had no idea where to start looking for my wallet. Sarah (the lady) said that when they stumbled up on my wallet, they said a prayer to Heavenly Father to ask if they should return it to walmart or to my home.

How truly awesome is that?

And guess what............ They are LDS and live in our stake! Tony and Sarah go to 4th ward. So, I invited them to dinner and they said yes.

I just love Twin Falls. I love being around more LDS people that share the same gospel standards and have faith in Heavenly Father. I'm so thankful for everyone we have met and have taken us as friends. I'm so thankful for the family I have that share the same beliefs and covenants and our children that are being raised with the fullness of the gospel.

A change for our family

Well, we are all settled in Twin Falls. We've been here for about 4 weeks now and enjoying our time so far! We've got all our boxes unpacked and trying to organize now. It's sad to realize the space we took for granted in Saint Regis. This apartment is definitely smaller. But, no complaint. We know this is where Heavenly Father wanted us.

We are also making a few changes already though. We submitted an application to foster care. We will be hearing back within the next 3 weeks if we are approved or not - we have to wait for our fingerprinting to be done and cleared. Then the next step will be PRIDE classes (training) and a home study. Joel and I have talked about gaining a licensure for foster care since before we married. Knowing we couldn't have more children but wanting them in our home, we thought this would be the best. We will also be licensed for adoption but just don't feel that's in our cards right now.

So, even though we only moved 4 short weeks ago...... We are looking for a larger house already. We are going to stay with our property manager and find something with her. She's just been amazing and worked so hard to get us here. She's excited for a bigger place too. (Hey, a girl has got to work to make a living!) She has a few places that we will be looking at this afternoon.

Joel & I have both settled into our work routine. I am working days and Joel works evenings. It's a great option because then we aren't worrying about childcare for our boy. He plays at a new friends house for 30 minutes during shift change, usually 2-3 days a week. Our friends our foster parents as well. They currently have 2 seven year old boys and Eden absolutely loves going over there. We do a lot of play time with both of them.  We've also bought a membership to the local YMCA and usually go to the pool every other day or so. Eden really enjoys this! They have a fun little area with a slide and then it gets deeper. He's really excited about swimming this year, where in the past he has been a scared to even get in.

It's been a lot of fun meeting new members of the ward. It was even more rewarding to move into this complex and have quite a few LDS neighbors and all ages. We have a young newly wed couple that lives down stairs and then the next building has an 74 yrs old lady and a family of 2 above her. Aloha (the 74 yr old) is currently going through radiation treatment and I have been taking her Monday - Friday. And then, we just had a cute little gal move into the complex next door on the other side. Can't remember her name but I will be making it over to talk with her again. I met her just this last Tuesday at our Relief Society meeting but didn't get to stay long and get situated with her much. She doesn't drive and we've offered to start taking her to church and work on the other side of town.

Staci

What's that smell?

Work.

work = stink

 I've  been able to be a stay at home mom &  homeschool the past year and absolutely loved it. Today, I had to work my first Sunday. I know I'm feeling sorry for myself but it's not fair. Sundays are a special day to celebrate the sabbath and be with your family while devoted to Heavenly Father & Jesus Christ.

It wasn't a terrible day but all I could think about was Joel & Eden being at sacrament without me. I would have done anything to switch my shift. I've talked with my supervisor and asked for Sundays off from now on. We will see what happens......

Procrastination

Yes, that is me.

I should be packing right now.

But, after 27 boxes and 17 buckets of our food storage early this morning. - I'm taking a break.

My back was sore by then.

I still have a to-do list:

Fix hole in Eden's room & paint

Stain the back patio

Shampoo rugs downstairs

Scrub down the entire house

Mow the yard

Finish laundry from yesterday

Keep packing

I know it doesn't seem like much, but I am overwhelmed at the moment & want to just run away from it all. I'm considering paying someone to come finish all my chores & magically put my new house all together for me!

Wake Up Call

I woke up at 4am today......

In excruisiating (sp?) pain......

My mind is saying to the the ER and get checked out.......

My neighbor drives me the 15 minutes......

 4 hours later.......

IV fluids..............

Fenagrin................

Morphine...............

Lab Draw................

X rays & CT scan..................

The pain finally goes away and I get a diagnois of...............

Multiple kidney stones. Some already in my bladder but most still up in my kidneys..................

Yay for me! NOT!!! Definitely something I could have lived without experiencing in my lifetime. But, this too shall pass.

Sealed for Eternity

June 1, 2012

This will forever be a special day in my family's life.

Joel, me & Eden were able to be sealed as a family for all eternity in the Spokane Washington Temple. We had my sister (Emiley), JoAnn & Jerry Wolcott, John & Donna Rios, Justin Leonard, Mark & Amy Farris, and Rick & Judy Seemann attend with us. We also had Amy (Judy's daughter) waiting outside to take some photos for us.

Joel & I had to arrive at the temple at 3:30pm. We were even 15 minutes early bc I wanted to be able to say hi to the Wolcotts - they had a nephew getting sealed at 3:30 also. So, after we left Eden with Aunt Emiley in the waiting room, we began our journey in the temple.

To begin, our recommends would not enter into the computer system. We both were denied access and had to wait for the temple president to come speak with us. So, while we're waiting 3 more people were denied access and they relized the internet was down and let us go in anyways. We were ushered to wait in the lobby area until the President could meet with us.

After about 15 minutes, we were lead into the President's office for our meeting. We reviewed our family member & group records as well as a few other minor details. We discussed our sealing and what was about to happen to our family. It was a great conversation and really got to know our temple president on a personal level.

We were then ushered to our separate changing areas - I got the bridal suite! We changed and met in the celestrial room. We were able to start our sealing in a sacret manner & learn more of ourselves. We proceeded then to go into the sealing room and sit with our family & friends until our sealing actually took place. After a few minutes, our sealer came in and gave a wonderful sealing service to us. I remember, just holding Joel's hand and knowing I could feel all the love he truly holds for me at the very second. He just kept looking in my eyes, I saw the unspoken promises he was speaking to me while listening and covenanting with me, as his wife in the ceremony.

Then, Eden came in. He was quite dashing in his white suit - thanks Grandma Bev for that very special gift he will have forever. I've never seen him so handsome before and all smiles! He was determined to know what type of treasure was hidden at the alter. (He still thinks he missed out on the gold, lol.)

When our sealing was completed, I could't help but realize the power of the priesthood that was performed through Heavenly Father's plan. The Spirit was definitely with us that Friday.

I loved being able to visit with and hug the Rios & Wolcott family. It has been a few months since seeing both of their families. I was overwhelmed with the love and support that my sister, Emiley, showed by coming on our special day. My dear friend Judy traveled with her husband 2 hours to come with us. As well did the Farris'. Justin came from the Seattle area and followed us home after a delightful dinner at Tomato Street with John, Donna & Emiley.

Amy (Judy's daughter) was waiting outside the temple for us. She had brought her daughters along and kept them entertained outside. She shared with me that Zoey was so excited to come to the temple that evening. It's such a blessing to see the happiness that the temple brings to everyone. Amy was so sweet & patient with us. Eden was in his usual mood of trying to show off and wanting only to show off his muscles or make an awful face in all the pictures. But, she was able to convince him to give a few smiles and sit up straight. I look forward to seeing her photos and enjoying them for years to come.

As most know, my mom is not a member of the church. But, it was so sweet of her to leave the message she did on my phone. I didn't save it (should have) but said that she had thought of us and wanted us to have a great time at the temple that day. - It's those bittersweet moments that you treasure forever.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I hope these memories will last with me this entire lifetime. I don't want to forget any of them.

On a side note, June 1st is also the anniversary of John & Donna. It was a great day to celebrate their special day too!



It's official.... We're a family!

On May 14, 2012, a dream came true for our family.

Joel was granted by the Judge to legally adopt Eden. Everything is set in stone and we couldn't be happier. Seriously, it was an amazing day.

It was just Joel, Eden & I in the court room on Monday, but it was ok. We know that our family was there in spirit supporting us.

And, just two days ago, we were able to become an eternal family.