Power of Atonement

Since we aren't taking Porter to church yet with how bad so many sicknesses are going around I have been trying to take that time to reflect on blessings from Heavenly Father (Tyson has to go to church because he is in the bishopric).  The power of the Atonement has been on my mind many times since we were blessed with Porter.  I am daily grateful for this gift.

The power of the Atonement blessed Tyson and I as we went/go through our infertility journey.  Bringing us the comfort we needed.  It wasn't always easy, and it took, especially me, a long time to be willing to let the Atonement fully heal us the way it has the power to. 

Through all of this I think of Enos in the Book of Mormon.  He too went through his needing the healing by the power of the Atonement.  I love the answer for the Lord when Enos asked him how it was he was healed.  The Lord answered him "Because of thy faith in Christ, whom thou hast never before heard nor seen....wherefore, go to, thy faith hat made thee whole." (Enos: 1:8)

The best part of the Atonement is that it is available for everyone.  We each have the same access.  Individually we have to have our own faith for the Atonement to heal us.  I love that Heavenly Father has blessed us all with this wonderful gift. I know that by faith in our Heavenly Father in righteousness all things are possible.

Christmas 2012

Our holiday festivities began on Sunday December 23.  They started by us going to visit with Aunts, Uncles, cousins, GG, and Grandpa before they all went down to Temple Square to see the lights.  On Christmas Eve we went over to GG and Grandpa's early to help prepare for Christmas Eve dinner, Family Home Evening, and games.  We enjoyed spending time with all of the family who could be there.  The kids loved the chocolate fountain and the popcorn can game GG and Grandpa have for them every year.  

What is the popcorn can game?  Throughout the year GG and Grandpa collect items that are $1 or less that can be used for different ages of kids.  Then on Christmas Eve they wrap all of these items around a popcorn can with a ball on it with tape.  When the game begins all of the kids sit on the floor in a circle.  They each take a turn rolling two dice.  Whoever gets doubles gets a chance to start taking off the prizes taped on.  When the next person rolls a double the first person's turn is over.  This continues on until all of the items are off the popcorn can.

Christmas Day...We had to wake up Porter to go and see what Santa brought him. Here is a picture of him Christmas morning.

After opening all of the gifts, we went back over to GG and Grandpa's to have breakfast and then spend time with family members as they were able to come over.  During all of the Christmas festivities it was fun to spend time with our family that lives far away from us as well as those who live close.

This is how Porter enjoyed a good part of all the festivities...

New Years 2013

To celebrate New Years we went to visit Granny, Grandpa, and Nummy.  Granny helped Jami finish making the bumper pads and decorations for Porter's room while we were there.  A couple of the cousins who live in Arizona were also there visiting, so it was fun to play with them too.  To bring in the New Year we had fun playing card games and eating yummy treats Granny had made.

Here is hoe Porter's room turned out:

One Month Old

Big Yawn

Just Chilling

I'm too big for my britches

Check out how cute I am!

Happy as can be

Great Support

We have been overwhelmed with gratitude for such great family, friends, and neighbors during this wonderful experience we have of Porter joining our family.  Calls from them daily to make sure we are doing ok, and don't need anything.  People going out of their way to bring us meals, or be at a baby shower they were invited to.  There is so much love for our little Porter, we have no way to express how grateful we are to each of those who have and are doing so much for us.

One of my young women gave me a the onesie below at a neighborhood baby shower we had yesterday.  It has become one of my favorite outfits for Porter to wear. 

Porter is growing so fast.  I can hardly believe it will be three weeks tomorrow since he has come into this world.  Here is a picture of his little feet in the palm of Tyson's hand.  It's going to come all too quickly when his little feet will be too big to fit in his hands anymore, but we will treasure every moment.

 

Porter was not very happy when I took this picture.  He just wanted to be swaddled.  I think he is super cute, even when he is mad :)

Porter when he is 18 days old

"When can we see him?"

Ever since the news of Porter joining our family has gotten out, we have received nothing but love and support from all of our family and friends.  The favorite question that is asked..."When can we see him?!"

We always knew we had great family and friends, but the support they have shown us through this time has been amazing.  Calling and making sure we are all doing ok; making sure we have enough diapers, clothes, and other necessities for Porter; bringing us meals; and the list could go on.

Tyson and my sister's even threw a surprise baby shower for me on Saturday.  Tyson thought I had figured it out because he was in on the planning of it, but I had no idea and was really surprised when I went to our church to help with some Young Women's things since I wasn't going to be at church on Sunday.  When I walked out of the Young Women's room there was all of our family.  It was so fun!

These are a few of Porter's cousins that were so excited to see him.  The oldest two boys are cousins who were also adopted, and are excited to share that bond with Porter.

Many neighbors have asked if they could throw a Baby Shower for us as well, so that one is in the works and will be happening in the next couple weeks.

Best Thanksgiving Week EVER!

This week has been and AMAZING week for Tyson and I.  On Monday we received a phone call with an Angel on the other end telling us she had a baby boy for us.  He had just been born a few hours before.  Words cannot express the joy, love, or gratitude I felt in that moment.  After hearing this Angel tell me this beautiful news I knew in my heart it truely was my little boy there at the hospital waiting for us.  Tyson was on his way home for work and pulled into our garage less than 5 mintues after that.  When I heard the garage door open I couldn't wait for him to come in the house to tell him.  I went out the door and shared the BEST news ever with him.
After coming in the house and quickly arranging some things we had going on, we headed to the hospital.  When we got to the hospital we were able to meet the Angel who brought our little boy into this world, and blessed us with such great news.  There were others in the room when we walked in to meet our Angel and our little boy.  After meeting all those present, our Angel put our little boy into my arms.  As the Michael McClain song says, "From God's arms, to my arms, to yours".  What a beautiful moment this was.

This is our little boy...