Bad Egg?

Look what one of our hens laid!

Braces!

I've never seen a kid so excited for braces. Her Uncle Jason pulled six teeth just to make it possible for her to get into braces before school starts. She is thrilled. Dr. Cook should have fun with this case.

Oceanside '13

For several years now my family has been spending a week of July in Oceanside. This year I was granted a timeshare of my grandpa's for five days. It was so nice! We had a wonderful time with so much family. I didn't take enough pictures, but here are some favorites.

Hummingbird Rescue

Bobby brought home two hummingbirds in a nest that was cut down on a job site. For eight days we tended to these tiny creatures. Did you know hummingbird babies need to eat every 20-30 minutes? Did you know they need more than just nectar? Did you know if they are not given the right diet, they can go cripple and never fly? Did you know Yuma has a hummingbird garden?

Tending to the baby birds was fun and cute at first. After eight days of constantly feeding and worrying about these helpless babies, I decided I had done the best I could, and it was time to let the birds go to where they could receive the best care. This was hard. I felt a little like a failure. I felt sad. Defeated. I wanted to be the mother to two little cuties and become the most amazing hummingbird whisperer on YouTube, but I knew I was not the ideal situation for the birds.

Then it hit me; this little situation I had myself in paralleled my childhood a bit.

Again, I know I haven't written much about my childhood, and I keep saying I will...and I will one day. It's in the works, but it needs to be just right.

I don't know if my birth mother reads this blog anymore. I heard she used to.

For thirty something years, I have struggled with feeling of inadequecy and inferiority. It's something I work on every single day even now. When I was first adopted at almost seven years old, I felt excited and so loved by my new family, and that was enough. As I grew into a teenager and started thinking a little deeper about life, I decided my birth parents didn't want me or love me enough to keep me around. I felt unlovable. Unwanted. Abandoned. Different. I mean, if your own blood can't love you then who can, right? When I became a mother myself, these feeling increased. After carrying and birthing a child, how can you let it go?

Well, these miniature birds answered these questions for me.

I know, I know...Ridiculous. Two little birds taught some major life lesson? It's true.

My birth parents did love me. They did the best they could. It took them a while to realize, they weren't the best fit for me. I needed more than they could provide. They loved me enough to let me go. They were smart enough to see it. I know it was not easy for them. It was without a doubt, the hardest decision they ever made, I'm sure. They may even regret their decision sometimes, but they know it was the best choice for six year old me.

Angie, if you are reading this, I thank you everyday for letting me go and giving me a greater chance at life. I love my life. I have you to thank for much of it. Thank you. I love you.

Camping

I haven't camped in a long time. The people pictured below convinced me to try it again. I did it for them and the family. I don't think I will camp again for a long time.

The Bears

Buddy started playing flag football a few weeks ago. He likes it but not as well as basketball.

He said, "On the last day of football, I'm quitting."

Buddy Decides to Get Baptized.

Turning eight in the LDS religion is a big deal. This is the age children choose to get baptized. I posted this on FaceBook a while ago, but it perfectly captures Buddy's attitude towards baptism and church.

Funny: My boy turns 8 today. In Mormon world that's a big deal. You get baptized and you officially become a member of the LDS church. Bobby asked him if he was excited to become a member of the church. His response, "So, I've been going all this time for nothing?!"

We let him decide for himself if he wanted to make this commitment, and he finally decided to do it. It was a lovely day. He was able to experience the event with is cousin, Lino, and another boy named, David. Sydney and Kay-Lanie gave talks, and Mallory and Malaya sang. It was neat to see the sisters run the show.