Planes, Planes & More Planes

 Eldon like airplanes (to put it mildly).  So he simply couldnt resist the opportunity to visit both the Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport "Aviation Day" and the Luke AFB "Luke Days Air Show".  He was in heaven to say the least.  It was pretty cool to see all the different airplanes and helicopters.  Eldon could name each one by sight practically.  We got some pretty cool pics as well.  The best part (other than Eldon's pleasure of course) was the Luke Thunderbirds and their jet show.  It was pretty neat, and amazing to think how fast they were flying. 

 

Lookin Good

Our dear friend took some Spring photos of us to add to our adoption profile.  I think they turned out pretty great.  We are still waiting for a few more to be edited, but I thought Id share.  Hopefully some kind and generous person sees these pictures and thinks we are so dang cute and adorable that they just must give us a sweet little baby to add to our little family!  Who knows, maybe it will work.  In the mean time, we have some great family photos.  Enjoy!

Christmas Time Fun

We were able to go up to Snowflake for Christmas Eve and enjoy some of the fun traditions of the Larson Family Christmas.  It was a lot of fun and we were really glad to spend time with our loved ones. Check out these super cute family pics.

We drove back home Christmas morning to spend time with the Seals side of the family for the remainder of the day.  My little brother surprised our family for his gifts, he gave us all matching outfits so we could take a new family photo.  Our last family photo was at his mission farewell (more than 4 years ago).  We went out to the park by my parents house and took some super cute family pics, if I do say so myself

Hand Made Ornament Exchange

My cute friend has a super fun Christmas tradition of doing a homemade ornament exchange party. When she asked if I wanted to participate, I have to admit at first I wondered what in the world I would do with 17 homemade Ornaments (especially with the hopes that we will have a house full of children some day who will provide a great deal of homemade specialities to add to our tree) but after she explained a little further and directed me online, I was in.  She invited 17 different people to participate and then each person had to make 17 of the same ornament.  This cute little guy was my creation.  I wish I could take credit for the idea (I found it online), but I did make it from scratch.  My wonderful hubby even helped me.  The Marshmallows are made out of clay, which I had to spray paint white because they dried gray (grrrrrr!) the chocolate is brown foam and the graham cracker is cork.  The rest is paint, ribbon, and wire.  I am pretty proud of how cute they turned out, but I have to say making 17 was a lot of work!  It was really neat to see what the 17 different people came up with.  We each did something unique and different!  It was a great time and I am super excited for next year's party.  I am totally hooked and already have planned my ornament for next year :P

Bereavement Donations

It was very important to us to try to do something positive in Ethan and Tommy's memory for their birthday. We decided that it was most beneficial to "pay forward" the gifts of love and support that we recieved during the hardest time of this trial (right after the birth and the loss). When I was in the hospital delivering the Boys, I recieved a huge outpouring of gifts. Most of the gifts came from the hospital. The gifts were a variety of mementos and keepsakes to help us preserve the memory of our sons such as a scrapbook, pictures, picture frames, candles, beanies, blankets, etc. Those precious items have become very special and sacred to me because they remind me of my sweet babies. We decided that we would celebrate the Boys' birthday by making a donation in their honor to help show love and support to other Mothers and families that would have to endure the hardships that we have gone through. I was incredibly blessed to be able to request for donations from our Ward Relief Society, the entire Police Department where I work, and our dear family and friends. We were completely stunned by the outpouring of love and generosity we recieved on behalf of our sweet babies. Over several months we collected a huge amount of items to donate in loving memory of Ethan and Tommy.

This was a gift basket for the loss of twins

I was also able to make little scrapbooks to give as gifts to the Mother's so that the special moments and information might be able to be preserved in a way that was cute and ready to share.  Each scrapbook contained 5 tags that pulled out to reveal different poems about the loss of a baby.  These poems were my absolute favorites that i have found and helped to share my thoughts and feelings about the loss of my sons.

We are absolutely so grateful to everyone who donated items, money and time to help to make this possible and such a special event in our lives.  I truly hope that the loss of our Sons and our family's sacrifice may be able to bless and benifit others, even if it is in dealing with a tragic loss of their own. Thank you!

Happy Birthday Ethan and Tommy

It is hard to believe that it has already been a year since we lost our sweet boys.  The days approaching their first birthday were incredibly difficult ones as we prepared to celebrate their memory. Eldon and I decorated their plot.  Because it was December it was important that they have a Christmas tree and gifts, but we also needed the balloons for all to know it was their birthday.  On their big day, we a balloon release in their honor.  "Sending our love to Heaven".  In good Seals' family fashion it became a competition to see whose balloon could reach Heaven first.  It was actually quite sweet and entertaining and definitely lifted the somber mood. 

Following the balloon release, family and friends joined us for dinner at our home. It was a very sweet day and I am incredibly grateful for everyone who supported us, both on Ethan and Tommy's birthday and over the past year.  The love and support we received has made all the difference in the world to us, and we know that we are truly blessed with incredibly people in our lives.  Thank you to everyone and Happy Birthday to my sweet darlings!

Giving Thanks

Recently it seems I have been a little bombarded with the notion of being grateful for all that I have and the need to stop worrying about the few things that I do not.  While this is definitely easier said than done, I do feel that this is something that needs to become my focus.  I have done a very good job recently of murmuring that while I know I am truly blessed, there are a few things that I desperately long for and do not seem to be getting.  I am very grateful for this bombardment and for the little reminders that have come my way. 

My sister in law Misti's family created a wall of gratitude.  For FHE, they gave their kiddos sticky notes to write the things they were grateful for and then they stuck the list on the wall.  Seriously, they filled up a good chunk of their livingroom walls.  It was amazing to me the things that they were grateful for.... like fabreeze, spoons, forks, the number 40, etc.  While I chuckled at some of these items, I realized that I would be lost without Fabreeze, spoons, forks and the number 40.  The kiddos, Im sure were having a good ol time just trying to fill up the wall, but it was a fabulous reminder to me of all the things that I take for granted.

A few weeks later, the state of Arizona had a fabulous state wide stake conference.  It seemed to me that the entire conference was based on the topic of remembering Heavenly Father in all things, especially remembering to thank Heavenly Father for all the gifts that he gives, which is many.  This struck me very hard, because it was specifically stated that our focus needs to be on showing gratitude for the gifts we have rather only focusing on the things we do not.

I am definitely trying to get the message.  So while it is quite easy for me to focus on all things I lack, I am going try to show my Heavenly Father that I know that I am truly am blessed and that while my life is definitely far from perfect, it is good and I am grateful for all that I have.  

Trunk or Treat

We went to our Ward's Trunk or Treat.  It was a lot of fun.  They sure know how to throw a party!!! Some people decorated the trunk of their cars, and we even had Snow White's magic mirror which told fortunes to the kiddos.  They really enjoyed it!    

 We have a wonderful bishop who is so much fun!  His wife too!  I thought their costumes were hilarious.  Especially because he really is a very young bishop. Karen's costume was just awesome! The butt pad was the best!

There were so many great costumes.  The whoopee cushion was hilarious.  And I absolutely adored this little lady bug.  Amara, was so good the whole time, and just so stinkin cute!!!

 This little girl, Riley, absolutely loves Eldon!  It is so stinkin cute!  At church she will run up to him as if she hasnt seen him in forever.  She snuggles and giggles and flirts. Its so funny.  Her mom text us after the trunk or treat to tell us that she said she had "fun wid Edon".  So cute.  I was rolling because we even brought Zeus to the party, but she had fun with Eldon!  ha.  We might have to fight because i am a jealous girl, but it just goes to show that Eldon is going to be a wonderful father!!!  Next to Riley is her big brother Jaxon. 

 My good friend Nicole and her hubby came along for the ride.  It was alot of fun.  Eldon and I went as ourselves.... nerds!  And Zeus was a pirate.  The kiddos thought it was really cute to get a treat and pet the puppy.  He always does so good with kids, especially crazy scenes like this one.

 Bobbi made a great pregnant nun.  She really is pregnant.  It made it even better that her hubby Kyle went as a priest.  Hilarious!  And our good friends little girl, Sophie made a beautiful queen of Hearts, especially when liking icing off her lips from the yummy Halloween cupcakes.

We had a wonderful time with our dear ward friends and are excited for the rest of the holiday.  Happy Halloween!!!