Our own Christmas time miracle

12/5/09



It was a milkshake kind of day, so Ed and I decided to hit Shari's up.... We had spent the day with Ed's newly found grandmother Gail and her husband Tom, and had plenty to talk about.

(Ed was adopted and had never known his real father's side of the family until just recently.)

We had seen pictures of them and his biological father but meeting them would propose a whole new story. It had been a crazy type of day. It's not everyday you meet a family you thought you'd never see. Dinner at their house had been a little nerve wracking. His bio-logical father showed up in the middle of it! Ed was not ready to meet him yet, so Gail didn't let them in. He didn't know we were there, but I don't think Ed's face has ever been whiter. His lips even matched his skin. So, after making it through the nerve wracking dinner, we went to the festival of trees. It was nice, but as you can imagine, the air held a bit of awkwardness. Over time I know things will grow more comfortable.


So, back to Shari's... As we talked about our night and the future, I raised my eyes to the door where a new group of hungry people were emerging. The waiter led them to the booth right behind ours, and as they got closer my face was now the one turning white.

"You will never guess who just walked into this restaurant," I whispered to Ed, "Ed, your "dad" Ed!" (They have the same name...confusing I know)

Both of us started to laugh at the irony. You know, that nervous laugh you do when you aren't sure what to do or say. We talked quietly about what to do, since we had to walk right past them to get out. We were worried they'd recognize us from the pictures they had. It had only been two weeks since Ed's bio-logical father found him on facebook. It was the first time they had ever spoken in 20 years. So, as you can imagine...this was all happening so fast. Ed was not ready to meet him...so we waited for the perfect moment. The waiter was bringing them their food, so they were distracted. We got up quickly and walked past them keeping our eyes and faces elsewhere. We reached our car and began to drive off.

"What if this was a sign?" We were both asking ourselves. "How can almost meeting him twice in one day be a coincidence?" Ed stopped the car ready to pull out onto the busy road, then all of a sudden just flipped it into reverse and said, "I'm doing it!"

I definitely began to have a panic attack, but more of an excitement type of one. He had the nerve to tell me to wait in the car. So, obviously after he was in the restaurant I got out and followed. I caught the end of the initial meeting. Later I found out it went a little something like this...

Ed walked up to the table and looked at everyone, "How are you all doing? I'm Ed." Well, from that even I would think, ok, this guy works here.

Then he looked at Ed SR. and said..."no, I'm Ed." His father jumped up in surprise and the tears began. The next half hour was full of hugging and mumbled tearful talking.

(Well, on their side and partly mine. Ed isn't much of a crier. I've never figured out what is wrong with him. :))

Many words were just repeated throughout the time. Not much was said, but what was said, was said a lot.

Before we left, which was hard to do, we promised we would go to their house for Christmas. They exchanged phone numbers, since the only contact they had for the previous two weeks was through email, and we left.

What a night to remember...



12/19/2009



Ed has been talking to his father on the phone now. They are beginning to get to know each other better. We agreed to have dinner at their house in Nampa. It was nice, but different then we are used to. We are from two different worlds, that surprisingly can connect. We really enjoyed their company and it was fun meeting Ed's siblings that he just found out about. They are so cute...well, I should say Sarah is cute, but I probably shouldn't call his teenage brother cute. I'm sure he would rather like being called....let's go with awesome. So, that was a ton of fun. LeAnn, Ed's wife, made delicious pizza. Pizza is my favorite food by the way...so I loved it. We talked a lot about each others lives. Everyone was nervous, we could tell, but we expected that. We even got to talk a bit about the gospel, which was new to them. I love watching and listening to Ed teach. It's soothing and I can always feel the spirit there. Although he did not serve a mission, he teaches very well. So, that is how we finished the night. It was such a fantastic night. I am so glad that everything is happening this way. We all feel comfortable and happy. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the Lord is leading us on this new journey. He is providing a way, and I feel so blessed. Our life these past few months has been filled with so many wonderful blessings. I love our Savior and his plan. I have never felt so happy in my life.



12/25/2009



Merry Christmas! We spent the morning at my family's home for breakfast and presents, then hit up Ed's family before heading to Nampa for our Christmas day dinner with the Jennings family. (His father is Edward Jennings, if you hadn't caught that) LeAnn had prepared a wonderful dinner, with my favorite side dish, green bean casserole...and she didn't even know it! So, that really isn't the point, but so far both times we've gone there she has cooked my favorite foods. Pretty awesome if you ask me.

The air was a lot more casual then last time. Everyone was relaxed and we had pleasant conversation. Ed had hung out with his brother Matthew the week before and played guitars, so Ed brought his guitar for them to have some fun on. I love hearing him play! I think that Matt and Ed will have fun with that. So, our day was great! It will be nice to continue to get to know this family. We are both looking forward to the years to come and what they will bring.



I couldn't be more thankful!

Going Private!

So, I've decided I am going to make this blog private, like many others doing so. Much has happened lately in our lives, and I feel that the whole world may not need to know. So, if you'd like to hear our new fun stories, just send me your e-mail address!

Annoying

So, now that I have a computer I'm trying to finally get my novel typed up, but because all the neighbors seem to want to blow leaves today I can't concentrate. I spent months hand writting it and now that I have the time the world doesn't want me to finish! I'm a little upset about it. I guess I will have to put it off yet another day and do something else. Life isn't cooperative as much as I wish it would be, but that is life I guess. I have other things to do...just not as fun :)

Thinkin'

Have you ever had a time in your life when you feel like you should be doing something more. Like you aren't fullfilling your full potential and that your life is at a monotinous standstill? I have reached yet another one of those lovely moments. I know what I want to be doing. That isn't the question. It's just finding a way, or the time.
I've decided it's a wonderful day for thinking. I'm just sitting on my balcony, enjoying the last bits of warmth before winter hits. I think the birds are celbrating. There are seagulls everywhere. It's nice to have the sun again for a while. I'm feeling a little less down. I do hate winter because of the one fact that it makes you so depressed. I just miss sitting in the sun and doing things outside. At least there is something to do.
Work has just been stressing me out lately. There is so much to do and not enough people to do it. I take over in two weeks and I'm not sure how I'm going to get everything done that I need to get done! I really don't want to work anymore. I want to stay home and do all the things I never seem to have time to get done. Or, maybe just work less. That would be nice too. I don't feel like I can really take care of the home and Ed while I'm gone all day at work and tired when I get home. I mean, yes, I might be a little wimpy. My job isn't that hard, it just tires out my brain. Now I also spend some of my evenings preparing for my lessons. I guess I'm just not a very good multi tasker.
Ed is doing so well with everything. I think he's helped more people than he knows. He's so strong and I'm so proud of him. I can't wait to see everything come into place that he's set up. I learn a lot from him. We learn a lot from eachother. That is how marriage is supposed to work. A team is strongest when everyone has different skills and talents that can work together. I know we have that. I just wish I was able to use all of my talents to my full potential. I want to be a homemaker and make sure my home is a calm and happy one. When both people are working it doesn't provide someone who is stable to take care of things. I want that! We haven't been fighting much or anything, I just feel like I could do a whole lot more if time allowed it.
I guess that is life though....

My friend, Stefani's, new little twinners! They were born September 24, 2009. It was so neat to see them. They are so little and so precious!

Bailey and Cassidy

This last September we went to Vegas again! I don't have a good pic with my mom in it :( But we had a pretty good time! This time Market was at the Rio. I would not recommend that hotel to anyone, unless you are a drug dealer, or prostitute. I don't really know any of those, so anyone reading this should never go there. Last year we were so spoiled because we stayed at the brand new Palazzo. So, the Rio kinda ruined parts of it. We did se La Reve! It was such a neat show. Very talented people. We also ate at this yummy restraunt in Excalibur...it was Italian. Very good! If you go there, I'd recommend that! We found some amazing wedding gowns though. I'm excited to get them in! That is usually always my favorite part anyway!

New Calling!

Two weeks ago I was called to be the Young Women's Beehive Advisor. I've taught 2 lessons so far. It's been interesting. I've got a big group of 12 year olds. Three of them are still in Primary...so they are pretty much an open book for writing in. It makes me feel like I'm really teaching them something though, because they don't know very much. So, that's kinda nice. There is one girl who can't seem to sit still though. She gets up and walks around, even up to the front behind me. It kinda threw me off! haha...but I'm having fun. Tomarrow we will be leaf raking with the Young Men, in the dark...Not sure how that's going to go. Should be fun and interesting!