Final court hearing for the girls

Today Nelson and I prepared to go to the final trial for Brandon Sanchez (the girls dad). We had both been subpoenaed to testify against him. I was super nervous, I went to the bathroom about 4 times. Although I was nervous I knew I would be ok and say what I needed to. Before we went we fasted the girls would be able to receive permenancy and be able to move on with them life. They had been dealing with this for 2 years.
The moms rights were terminated two weeks prior. We went and visited her in jail. Bit of an uncomfortable feeling for me, it is not an environment I am familiar nor comfortable with.
We sat in the waiting room just waiting and w aiting. The dad hadn't showed up. Court started and he still was not there. They started the trial without him and we were all sworn in. I remember wondering if he would show up.
Trial started and they discussed all the evidence. The evidence was given and the judge gave his final decision. He determined the dads rights would be terminated and the girls would live in our home. The judge gave counsel that we need to do our part to include the grandparents. They do not deserve to be cut off due to other people's decision.
We left the place in complete shock in what had just happened. Throughout the rest of the day we had so many emotions including:
- pure gratitude- so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father for answering prayers and for her plans.
- humbled by the love and service that was shown to us by ward and family members.
- sadness- I was upset and sad beacause where one person wins there is someone that ones out sad. My heart ached for Brandon and the loss he went through. He had to tell people he lost his kids.
I was aching for the girls for their loss. No matter what the decision was there would be a loss.
Such a roller coaster of emotions with the whole experience. So grateful for this trial and learning experience we have gained.
When we told the girls that night they cried. They were sad to know their dad could not do his part. We hope and pray for peace And for everyone involved.

Ogden half marathon (Laura's race)

Two days ago I ran the Ogden half marathon. This is one of the few races I like to pay for. Years past during my race I would catch myself getting upset at the people flying past me as if I were not even moving. It would get to me and effect my running. This year was totally different. If someone did pass me I kept saying in my head this is my journey no one else's.  I have thought of that a lot. There is no reason to compare my life to anyone else's. I don't have to look, act or do the same as others. This is my journey in life and no one else's. Such a realization that I needed.
At the race a kid had on a shirt that said "COURAGE TO START, STRENGTH TO FINISH.
Quote that I loved and needed that day,

Denver Trip

Nelson's brother Spencer and his wife Jami have lived in Denver for some time. I am completely embarrassed to admit it has been 9 years since we have been out there to visit. I was pregnant with Asher last time we were there (wow that was awhile ago). I am not sure what has taken us so long to get back, big factor may have been my inability to sit and travel in a car. I am the worse road traveler out of our whole family, I don't do great. Whatever our excuses have been the last 9 years, we finally planned a trip last minute and headed out there. (Just a side note- our new plan is to not take 9 more years to get back). We absolutely love our family and are so grateful to spend time with them. Of couse while we were there we were able to play lots. Here are a few highlights from our trip:

Max went to work with Spencer and Loved it!!

Asher, Crew and Max playing around at the museum



Max is a big Bronco Fan.  He wanted to go on a tour of the Stadium so we took him.  There was some pretty interesting facts shared. Here are a few highlights from the tour. 
In this picture with Asher and I, I asked him, "Oh Ash why don't we ever have a normal picture".  He replied " mom it is always your fault, because the rest of us always have the same face, you are the one that is being different." 
Wow I guess he is right with that one- silly kid!

contact from the grandma (Laura story)

The girls had moved out and we just found ways to adjust and cope with all of our change so. About 90 days after they left we received a call from their grandma Sanchez. She had asked us to meet her in Layton. This was the first time I had actually met her. She explained to us that the girls dad wasn't doing what he should and that she wanted us to adopt the girls. We told her it didn't work that way, but we would take them if the option was available.  She ended up doing what she needed to do and went to the state and reported their dad. We to this day firmly believe the reason we got the girls was because of that braved grandmother whose jeopardized her own relationship with her son for a better life for the girls. Two weeks after this happened the girls were placed back in our home. Then life started over again figuring out now what.

Family Pictures

We had the opportunity to get some family pictures taken in Feb. Our family pics were way overdue. The lady was running a 30 minute special. That sounds crazy, but honestly getting my family to cooperate longer than 30 minutes is not going to happen. Pictures are not a boys favorite thing. This was a very stress free photo session. We threw the outfits together 15 minutes before and tried to smile our best. Crazy how fast our family is growing.

Bearing burdens (Laura story)

Right after the girls left our home my twin sisters husband left her, decided he no longer wanted to be married to her.  For the past two months I have been helping my sister bear one of the hardest trials ever. Her marriage was failing and she was really struggling.
She needed someone to talk to, to cry to many times a day. I was that person for her. For a few months she bore this burden on her own. Since I have known I knew I was suppose to bear this with her. I had that confirmAtion and can fully see the lords hand in helping me see that. He has buoyed me up to be able to listen to her sadness many times a day. To just listen and reassure her until she was ready to go.
It had helped me reflect on the time with the girls. The number of people who jumped in on a regular basis to bear that burden with us. To call and offer words of support among many other things.
I have a firm testimony and strengthened renewal of the baptismal covenant and importance of bearing others burdens. We are given the strength and put in positions to lift and support in times when that person can't. I am grateful for this lesson and for being on both sides- helping and being helped.

A new Year- Be A little Better

I honestly love starting a new year. I love taking the time to look back at what I learned the year prior as well as being able to recognize all my blessings. We have truly been blessed! I kind of set goals, but don't set things that are so unrealistic for me to achieve or I end up failing right from the start. This year I have decided to focus on trying a little hard to be a little bit better. There are so many different ways that I can be better. It is amazing how broad of a scope this covers and all the many things I can work on. I want to work on control. What does that really mean? When it comes down to it there are a lot of things in my life that I can control- my eating, my thoughts, my time, spending, scripture study etc.... One other way to help me be a little better is to expand myself in different areas. I have a goal to do 13 new things this year. Why 13? Because of the year 2013. I am a girl of habit, I get into a routine and could do the same thing over and over. Heck I could listen to one song the whole day and never get sick of it. So as we go through out the year I will be determined to do a little more to be a little bit better!!