Forever Family

The youth in our ward by the fountain


Our ward

It was four years ago today that our family was sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. First of all, I want to say that what I am sharing is in no way meant to hurt anyone who has not had the opportunity to be sealed to a spouse or a family. I can say that I honestly know how it feels to love someone so much who has different beliefs than yourself. I also know how it feels to hope and pray for an Eternal family when it feels impossible and out of reach.

My husbands conversion was nothing short of a miracle. He was raised in a very catholic home as a child. When we married, he told me that I could take our children to church with me but he would never be a member and that he never wanted missionaries at our home.

People in my ward would ask me what they could do to get him to church and I would just tell them to be his friend, that's all. One day the missionaries came to our house with a man from our ward and I ran inside and closed the door. I was so afraid that Carlos would think that I told them to come over.
When I got the courage to peek out my bedroom door I noticed that Carlos had invited them in. My jaw dropped. That was the beginning of the longest missionary discussions ever I'm sure. He would never commit. Every time they left I felt more and more discouraged. I finally told him after months and months of discussions that
he was waisting their time. I also told him that he hadn't prayed like he needed to to receive his answer. While he was at work I cried and cried that whole day. As I prayed I told Heavenly Father that if he never was baptized that it would be okay. That I just wanted him to have peace with his decision. And to let the missionary's move on to someone who really needed them. Little did I know how much we really needed them.

That night when he came home from work he went in our bedroom and didn't come out for at least an hour and a half. When he came out he said, "I'm ready to be baptized, I know what I have felt is true."

He was baptized almost 6 years ago. The same day our oldest was baptized. Two years later we took our family to the Salt Lake Temple to be sealed. I can't even explain the feeling. To have the two children I adopted and the two children I gave birth to and my best friend with me at the altar was wonderful. I felt like I was in a dream. After we were done our ward surprised us and met us outside. They were in Salt Lake for youth Conference and thought it would be fun to be there when we came out. It felt so good to have all of those people who loved us and supported us through all of our challenges to welcome us.

You could say, perhaps it would have been much easier if I had just picked a worthy LDS guy. But at that time in my life I wasn't exactly living the way that I needed to. I was certainly not ready for a Temple marriage myself. But I am grateful, thankful and blessed everyday to have a loving Heavenly Father that knew and knows my weaknesses and has allowed me to and continues to allow me to repent of my mistakes and try to do better each day. And I'm grateful for a family that makes me want to be a better Wife, Mom and friend.

I have always had a special place in my heart for missionaries. I often think about where we would be today had they not followed the prompting they received. At that time, they were probably thinking about the conversion of just one person to the gospel. But through that one person they affected a family of six who are now a forever family. We will forever be grateful to them.

Happy Birthday and Fathers day!

Today is my husband's 34Th birthday. I thought since it was a day before Father's Day I could roll this post into one.
I just want to express how much I love this guy. He came into my life when I really needed something positive and he brought his two incredible kids with him. He is such a hard worker. In fact he is working right now. I have recently had some career changes and he works so hard in order for me to stay home with our children. Whenever I am feeling guilty about not working he tells me to enjoy being a mommy and he will take care of the rest.
He works insane hours and shifts including lots of overtime and as soon as he gets home he sets everything aside and plays with our kids and helps me with whatever I need help with. He loves, loves, loves being a Dad! My kids will never question where his priorities are. I can't imagine being married to a better person. All I ever wanted was a husband that loved me unconditionally and a wonderful father for my kids and I have both. I am so blessed!
Happy Birthday Sweetie! Te amo Mucho! (impressed aren't you! Not bad for a white girl)

Utah Summer Games

Yesterday my son, brother, sister in law,and friend from Kanab and I ran in the Utah Summer Games 5K. This was the second year for me to do it. It was so fun to have more people from my family there and my cute friend who smoked us all on her very first 5K (way to go Angie Castagno). Last year my sister Angie and I ran it but she was in Mexico and couldn't come although I missed her terribly.
In an earlier post I complained about not being able to find my knees. Well today they are still lost. Along with my shins, my hamstrings, my back, yeah pretty much everything hurts today. I just wish I would have been a little more prepared for it this year. Last year I ran all of it without stopping. But this year around mile 2 my body and lungs said, "stop now!" and I had to walk for a minute. It really stunk because had I kept running I probably would have beat my last years time by a couple of minutes. Instead I ended up adding two minutes to my last years time. Have I ever mentioned how hard it is to get running again once you have stopped. Oh well, remember my goal this year was just to finish right?

My son Victor took the bronze in his age division. He ran it in 22 minutes. Not so bad for his second time. He is so cute, after he gets done with the run he waits for me at the home stretch and runs the rest of the way with me. He has done this both times he has ran with me. I get all choked up when I see him and have tears in my eyes when I cross the finish line. What a guy!

I'm so glad I did it and I am glad my family has caught on with why I love to run. Or should I say "slow jog" lets be real.

Graduations!

Dr. Caldwell


Jon and Amy at his graduation


A.J. Jayden and Josh in Spain


Picnic in Spain


Katy and Eric with my sister Angie and her husband Mike (Katy's Parents)


Katy with Grandma Dickinson, Grandma Kathy and her Mom







This week we went to my nieces Graduation. I am so proud of her! I still can't believe she is old enough to graduate from High School. I know it sounds silly to say it seems like yesterday when she was born but it really does.
I was 12 when my sister had her. I remember waiting at the Hospital for her to be born. We were so excited and surprised to see her with beautiful red hair.
My Mom, brother and I stayed in Salt Lake for a week with her family when she was born to help take care of her. I still remember crying when we had to leave her.
When I was 17 I lived with her family for a while. I loved playing with her and her brother everyday. The three of us (Me, Katy and Eric) have always been close because of the time we spent together back then. All of my nieces and nephews are so special to me. I am so proud of the fantastic woman she has become.

I have been meaning to put this on here but wanted to wait for Katy's graduation so I could post it together. In April my brother Jon graduated from Chiropractic school. It is so strange and fun to say that my brother is a Doctor. He has worked so hard.
His wife, kids and him recently moved to Portugal where he has opened his own Clinic. Jon served his mission in Portugal and loves the people there. His wife and him felt strongly that the Lord wanted them there at this time. I am proud of him for heeding the promptings he had been given.
He has the most adaptable wife. She has always supported him in every decision even if it has meant moving away from her family. We love her so much and miss their family.

Have you seen my knees?

I know this is a silly question but recently I have lost my knees. I am getting ready to do the Summer Games 5k again and my knees and lungs are so mad at me. Sometimes I wonder if it is worth it. My knees swell up like cantaloupes and seem to just blend in with the rest of my leg. I sometimes wonder if the pain is worth it too. I try so hard to prepare for any 5k I do. And I marvel at the people that just show up with no training and finish way before me.
Last year my goal was to just run the whole thing without stopping and I was actually able to do it.
I have also been blessed with the lungs of a sixty year old smoker. I realized I had asthma when I was about 9 or 10. It has now turned into one of the hardest things I battle. It makes all the enjoyable things that people like to do like camping, exercise, playing in the snow, being in the mountains and sitting by a warm campfire miserable for me. Did I mention, getting near animals puts me in an instant asthma attack. Seriously, I have not been in any of my siblings houses who have animals for years. Sadly, the 2 children I gave birth to also have it. Not bad thankfully! (lets pray it stays that way) See, your not feeling so bad about yourself right now huh? I'm glad I can boost your self esteem J/K. My brother Jon (the chiropractor) has promised me he can heal my asthma and allergies. Praise the Lord if he can!
I have learned to manage it as depressing as it can be at times. It has been hard and sad to miss out on things not to mention embarrassing. (I hate asking people if they have animals in their houses before I come over.) But it is what it is. It could always be worse or be something else right?
Wish me luck on this upcoming run, Victor will be doing it with me but will be finishing way before me. Instead of setting the "run the whole thing goal" I am going to set the "just finish goal."