Time Out for Erin!

A few weeks ago, I had the amazing opportunity of going to Time Out for Women in Spokane, with my great friend Karine and her mom.....with special thanks to Tutu, Grammy, and my wonderful husband (or now known around here as "daddy") who helped take care of the little guys while I was away. It was a fantastic experience, one that I wish to have again sometime soon. On Friday morning we had the pleasure of going to a wonderful 'life' seminar held by some of the most inspiring and talented women that I have ever had the priviledge of hearing. We actually got to meet Sheri Dew (one of my all-time favorites!!), and Virginia Hinckley Pearce (Pres Gordon B Hinckley's daughter) that morning also. I was so silly the whole time, every time one of them passed by us, I got all giddy and excited. :) They, and others that morning, both gave tremendous talks about how we can all raise to the potential within us, and influence others for good.

Me with Sheri Dew!!!

And then with Virginia Pearce...doesn't she look like her dad?? :)

Then that night, we were able to go to a concert put on by Michael McLain, and also hear some more tremendous speakers as well. I had never heard Michael McLain live before, and he was actually pretty hysterical. At the end of the night, he sang the songs that he wrote about adoption from all different perspectives, and by the end all of the women in the whole conference center were balling their eyes out! We also got to meet Michael McLain, and Sister Okazaki who gave a wonderful talk that night.

Karine and I at the conference center....loving the experience so far!

All day Saturday we got to hear from a variety of speakers and performers, all of which were fantastic. Hillary Weeks performed all day that day, as well as a group called Mercy River who were very good. There were so many speakers, I couldn't even name them all...but all spoke about different ways in which we could live a more joyful life. So many of their talks were just amazing, we felt like we were on such a spiritual high the entire time! That day, we got to meet Marilynn Boyak as well, and learn some of her tips about serving others and getting our children involved in service. She was amazing. By the time we started to head home, we were so exhausted from being so spiritually fed the whole time, that we felt like we needed another vacation....I thought my head might explode! :) But, it was such a fantastic experience, just to be there with all of those women, lds and of other Christian faiths as well, and to be so uplifted and inspired...I can't even descirbe the feeling that we had when it was all over. I am just so thankful to have been able to go.

Hillary Weeks performing for us on Saturday

The beautiful Spokane Temple!

Karine and I at the end of our time in Spokane....what a wonderful trip!

My little miracles

There are so many times throughout my day when I look at my two beautiful boys and think, 'are they really mine'? It is amazing to me how your life can change, or even how you look at life in general, when you have a little one, or ones, around you. I love watching my boys discover the world, learn new skills everyday, and laugh at the tinyest things. I love watching the thrill in their eyes as they crawl so quickly across the room, or how proud of themselves they are when they find a way to get that tiny snack from their hand into their mouth. I just feel very thankful today....for the little miracles in my life. How these two babies were less then 5 pounds when be brought them home, and have had no developmental delays at all. How they embrace life, and all that comes with it. I love them so much, and am so grateful for the opportunity to be a mother. Especially to these two jewels.

Leavenworth Trip

Over President's weekend, our family was able to go on a mini-vacation to Leavenworth with our good friends, the Waggoners. We had a fabulous time! It was great to be able to relax, play with our buds, and go exploring. This was my first experience with Leavenworth...it was so beautiful there right now, with ton of snow everywhere and the shops still lit up with Christmas lights. We were able to rent a little cabin right outside of town, which worked out really well, so we could go into town everyday, and still have our own space, kitchen, bedrooms, etc. I would definitely recommend it!! I am so thankful that we were able to spend some quality time as a family, and that we have such great friends to have fun with!

Our little family by the "pretzel" tree...yummy!

Sweet little Gibson! He is such an angel...I just love him!

Yep....we had to get creative. Our make-shift bouncer for the boys...

Maddie and her ginormous carmel apple!

Our buds....aren't they a good looking family??

Maddie and Lucas hanging out in the "big" chair!

Kate and Reese together again! :)

Teage making sure that everyone can see the town! :) Poor Lucas....