FSA Co-Chairs

Well, most people know that we have been working with our local FSA; families supporting adoption, group here in Nevada for the entire time that we have been approved and waiting for our adoption. We have loved the experience and enjoyed the events and the activities and met lots of great people. All that being said, just this past weekend the couple that was heading the group up called us and said that we were going to make some changes in the organization and they felt that WE should be the ones running the group. WHAT? Us, running it?! They must have lost their minds. Dan and I aren't ready to do this. We are so not the people to be in charge. We have not been placed with yet. We definitely don't have all the answers, and never will. What in the world were they thinking.

So after telling them that we would have to think about if for a few days for sure. We called them back and talked to them again, and again, and decided that we really do enjoy the work and hope to learn and grow and honestly just hope to not screw up what they have done and accepted the challenge. So here we are.... the new co-chairs of Nevada FSA! Wish us luck. We sort of have a rough outline of what we are going to be working on for the year, but that always changes as the year goes along. We have a great committee and that is what we will so be couting on during our time as the co-chairs. Our first big obstacle is coming soon..... Next weekend we have a Conference that we are putting on for waiting couples.

Weekend Wrap-Up: Joshua Tree

This weekend we celebrated Valentine's day with those that we love... Brian, Cindy and Daniel. We look a trip to California to do some hiking and just get away. We thought that we might have to cancel because of the weather but the clouds parted and we were able to go. Yeah!

We had such a great time in Joshua Tree. We all enjoy getting out and seeing nature and being together. It is great to be able to have friends to do things with and who all get along and who can stand to be together 24 hours a day... a rare find! We already have tons more trip ideas in our heads we just have to find the time and the money to make them happen....

YW Fun-Raiser

Everyone loves fundraising right??? Just kidding. Fundraising and putting on ward parties are probably some of the things that people like doing the least. Well tonight I was in charge of doing those two exact things. Great....

Actually after a few weeks of planning, TONS of great help from the ward, an amazing turn out (which was so not expected on a Valentine's day, holiday weekend.. hello!) and an awesome assistant we did have a successful event.

We held a Valentine's Dinner that we called "Sweets for your Sweet". The entire ward was invited and it was a baked potato bar. Then we had the young women (okay mostly their moms, grandmas, YW leaders..etc.) make sweets that we auctioned off at the end of the evening as our fundraiser. We ended up with so many sweets I could not believe it. This was the part that I was the most nervous about, but was the most successful.

The whole ward (practically) turned out to support the YW and I am so thankful. I think we might actually be able to make it to Utah for Camp this summer. Yeah!!!

A special thanks to Dave Smith for running the auction. A part of the night I was not wanting to do at all.

Dan was able to head home with a Hawaiian desert that he missed from his mission. The Polynesians in the Branch used to feed him well.

So I stressed a bit but when all was said and done it was a great night and we were able to earn some money for Girls Camp and that was the most important part!

Make someone feel loved.

This Valentine's Day Give Your Heart To A Child

Make this Valentine's Day mean a little more for you and your loved ones by giving your heart to a child. Make a charitable donation in honor of a loved one or special friend and they will receive a personalized e-Valentine. Your gift will help children like Joshua find the love and stability of a "forever" family. Spread your love and help change a child's life forever. . . what a better way to say I love you!

Donate Here

*** The Adoption Exchange is a wonderful program that does great things throughout the year to try to help kids who are currently in foster care and looking for their "forever family". We worked with them during our Library Project this past November (National Adoption Month) and they were very helpful. They also run a great book exchange program!***

Weekend Wrap-up: Concert Style

This weekend was a lot of fun. We were able to get out for a bit and enjoy a concert and then a fun football game.

Friday was the normal. We went to my mom's house for Friday Night Card Class. Tons of people were at class this week which was great. The guys did their thing and us girls had our weekly creative fill (which is always needed!)

Saturday we headed down to stateline to enjoy an evening of music. We got tickets to see Leann Rimes and ended up with room reservations at the hotel as well. It was nice to be able to see the concert and not have to drive all the way home when it was over.

The rooms are not too bad for being in the middle of nowhere! We got there and had time to get ready for the concert before and then watched some TV afterwards too.

Leann Rimes was a good show. We had seen her once before and were not totally impressed but she was much better this time. We had good seats which always helps too.

She didn't dress up too much which we thought was sort of weird. She was wearing her hair in a bun and literally had on stretch pants, with heals and a "wife beater". But hey, the girl can sing.

Sunday we went over to Brain and Cindy's and watched the Pro Bowl just for fun. I enjoyed the game but ended up with a pretty bad headache so we had to call the evening off pretty early.

We had a good weekend and are not looking forward to this busy week ahead of us. Tons of things to do and get ready for... Dan is out at the Marinas working all week. I have Visiting teaching, work for my mom and work for a friend. I am getting ready for the big Girls Camp Valentine's Dinner Fundraiser on Friday night... lots to do so I better get to it.

Red Alert

Heart Disease is the #1 killer of women in America and this Friday, February 6th we can all show our supporting by wearing red.

Go HERE and find out more about a great cause and a great campaign, and what you can do to help fight such a terrible disease.

In 7th Heaven

Yep... most people know that today is Groundhog's Day but it is also our anniversary. As of today we have been married for 7 years! Yes.. we got married on Groundhog's Day and were fully aware of it, but we also got married on 02/02/02, figuring we wouldn't forget it.

Time sure flies when you are living a full live and able to spend time with the one that you love. We have had our fair share of ups and downs during the past 7 years but I am so glad to have been able to spend this time with Dan and be able to go through everything with him.

A short list of things that make marriage great..... 7 things in fact!

1. Waking up next to your best friend every morning.
2. Always having someone on your side.
3. Knowing that there is someone who is going through it with you.
4. Never having to say goodbye at the end of a date.
5. Laughing at each other.
6. Learning new things together.
7. Knowing we will be together for all eternity... and he has to deal with it!

.... I was surprised this morning by those beautiful flowers from Dan and tonight we are heading off to see the movie "New in Town" and out to eat as well. Ah.. the simple things in life.

The Six-burgh Steelers!

WE DID IT!!!!

You notice that Ben is giving me the eye in this picture!

Getting ramped up for the game....

So... after a long season, of UPS and DOWNS, tons of injuries and nail-biting games we finally came out on top, after a too close for comfort Super Bowl Game. But what a game and what a season. (I do love that I act like I had any part in any of it. But I so feel like I did!)

We spent most Sunday afternoons over at our friends' Brian and Cindy's house (who are from Pennsylvania actually) enjoying the games, so of course we had to go there to watch our team WIN the Super Bowl. We had a great time and they had lots of fun in the final moments while I nearly had a heart attack no knowing if we were going to be able to pull it out or not!

Dan enjoying some of the cookies that I made in honor of the big game.

#92 - Harrison. Dan's Favorite player

Cindy and I with our Terrible Towel

Our friend Dan and Cindy cheering on the "D-Fence"

All of us watching the commercials during half-time with our "cool" 3-D glasses on

What a great season... I can't until next season for more football and to watch my Steelers play. I am hoping they come to this side of the country this year so that I might be able to actually see a game in person.... (fingers crossed)!