Expecting the unexpected!

It's a miracle but it's true! Eric and I are expecting a baby! We are so, so excited! I have been getting a lot of comments from people who knew we were going through the adoption process because we were unable to get pregnant who weren't sure if I was pregnant or if we were chosen as adoptive parents, so I just want to clarify that I am pregnant! Everyone said this would happen, you go through the adoption process then you get pregnant, it's VERY common I guess! In our case, we had only just finished the mountain of paperwork that goes along with applying to adopt before I found out I was pregnant. I am so glad that we got to go through that process though because it got me so excited to be a mom again after we have had two years of disappointments in trying to have another baby. I KNEW that we would be parents again and there were more children that needed to be in our family. In fact adoption was the easiest choice we had to make in the last two years because it was going to be the answer to our prayers. I definitely feel like we will be looking at adoption again down the road.

Things are going really good so far, I am due in December, just exactly at Christmas time, which isn't exactly the time of year I would have chosen but beggars can't be choosers! We don't know what we are having yet, but we have had several name suggestions ranging from "Jesus" (since it will be Christmas) to"Corn Cob on a Tree" which is Nate's personal favorite (he just starts howling with laughter every time he says it!)

This really is a miracle for us, most of you know that we had exhausted all efforts and it got to the point where the doctor said we were just wasting our time and money. I am not sure if the lesson we needed to learn was patience or faith or something else, but I truly am grateful for my Heavenly Father's generosity and love. I have received more miracles than I deserve!

Tag......you're it!

A. ATTACHED OR SINGLE? Happily Attached

B. BEST FRIEND? Eric, my BFF! :)

C. CAKE OR PIE? So hard to choose, I am going to have to go with cake since I was given a delicious lemon cake for my birthday today!

D. DAY OF CHOICE? Saturday since we usually spend the entire day together and I always get help cleaning the house!

E. ESSENTIAL ITEMS? The computer, i know, I can't believe I just said that either.

F. FAVORITE COLORS? Black, white, lime green

G. GUMMY BEARS OR WORMS? I LOVE sour gummy worms, not sure if they make them anymore though....

H. HOMETOWN? Well Sonora will always be my home, hometown, but I live in Carson City and am very happy here.

I. INDULGENCE? Chocolate, any kind, any where, any how.

K. KIDS? Yup, see "U"

L. LIFE ISN'T COMPLETE WITHOUT? My family, the Gospel, humor and fun.

M. MARRIAGE DATE? January 6, 2001

N. NUMBER OF BROTHERS AND SISTERS? 2 sisters, 1 brother

O. ORANGES OR APPLES? Oh the little cutie oranges from Costco are heaven!!

P. PHOBIAS OR FEARS? Fears. I worry about bad things happening to the people I love.

Q. QUOTE? "How about corn cob on a tree?" -Nathan Thornton (I'll explain for anyone who really wants to know!)

R. REASON TO SMILE? Too many to mention! Let's just say I smile a lot! :)

S. SUPERMAN OR WONDER WOMAN? Superman because it reminds me of Eric

.T. TAG 5 PEOPLE: Hum...well you are assuming I know at least five people...how about Carole!

U. UNKNOWN FACT ABOUT ME: Well, most people who read this already know, but I am having a baby! Yay!!!

VEGETABLES? Roasted zucchini, summer squash , red onions and mushrooms roasted in olive oil with some sea salt and pepper

W. WORST HABIT? I have to pick just one?! Celebrity gossip, there I said it. I am addicted.

X. X-RAY OR ULTRASOUND? Ultrasound since it lets me see our little "lima bean"

Y. YOUR FAVORITE FOOD? I would have to say Honey Nut Cheerios at the moment, even when nothing sounds good, I can always eat cheerios!

Z. ZODIAC SIGN? Gemini

I'm a model if you know what I mean....

A few Sunday's ago, Nate had just gotten out of the shower and Eric had wrapped a towel around his waist. I thought he looked so cute and grown-up! I asked him if I could take his picture and he readily agreed! He started posing in all kinds of "model" poses, I swear I didn't tell him to do any it! I don't know where he gets it!

Party Time!

Nate loves his birthday. In fact I think that was the first things he ever memorized was his birthday is on May 31st! Nate had a fun little birthday party today with his friends. Nothing fancy, just playing together, eating goodies and opening presents. We are lucky to have such wonderful friends!

Nate got a "special cake" this year. I am still feeling a little low on energy so I wanted something super easy to make and even easier to serve. I came up with this donut cake in about 5 seconds and it took about 30 seconds to make! Can't get any easier than that! Poor Nate, someday I will give him a proper birthday party!





I can't believe Nate is 4! He was our little miracle baby and I guess he still is. I feel so blessed to be his mom. Why he chose us to be his parents, I don't know, but I am so glad he did. He is so funny and smart and caring and such a BOY!! I love this picture of Nate, isn't it just like him to come out of the womb and immediately let us know that he is #1! He is asleep in this picture, and for months after he was born, he would sleep with his arm in the air like this !! So funny!!

Swimming Lesson

Nate had his first swimming lesson yesterday! That kid loves the water! I was surprised he wasn't afraid to put his head under, although holding your breath underwater does not come naturally apparently! He got a few unexpected gulps of water! Good job Nate!!

Fat Lip

Gotta love boys! The only day I was wishing and hoping to avoid all bumps and bruises, Nate's lip collides with Anna's head and he gets a big FAT lip! We were supposed to have our photo session with the photographer tonight to take our pictures for the adoption paperwork. Luckily our photographer is a friend and also a very skilled children's photographer so she totally understands about rescheduling, after all we can't have anyone thinking dear old mom and dad were responsible for it! This picture is after a few hours of ice and lots of love, so it doesn't look as bad as it originally did!

Making Memories

The older Nate gets, the more I realize how important it is to make memories. Some of my favorite childhood memories involve my Grandma and Grandpa Altaffer. Some memories are of outings like camping, hiking, fishing and the frog jump! Some memories are more simple, like standing around the fire chit-chatting or sleeping under the electric blanket and taking walks down the road. We went to visit my grandma and grandpa this past weekend. The first thing Nathan said as we pulled away from their house was "I had so much FUN!" Nathan went exploring with "the guys," took a walk and found some great sticks, played an Indian drum, went on a bear hunt, played with tons of new toys, slept upstairs with mom, stuffed himself with Uncle Jim's tri-tip, and had an audience to show off his somersaulting skills! I love that Nathan enjoys doing the same things that I did when I was a kid. It's almost more fun experiencing it the second time around as a parent and seeing the happiness on Nathan's face! I love you Grandma and Grandpa!!