Amanda Came to Visit!!

We had so much fun and can't wait for her to come visit again. Hopefully we will get up to Seattle soon to see everyone!

Renaissance Festival

Tyler really wanted to ride an Elephant at the Renaissance Festival so we did. It was really fun, he kept laughing because it's ear was hitting his feet. There are so many things I love about Arizona and going to the Renaissance Festival every year is near the top of that list! Especially now we live like 30 minutes from it!

Pictures Finally!

Here are some random pictures from Jan and Feb. Sorry there arn't more, I was so sick we really didn't even leave the house!

OK I think WE are back!!

So sorry but it has been a crazy few months. It started with me getting MONO!!! Seriously who gets MONO? Apparently me! It was so not fun , being bed bound for a month. Sounds great until you realize that your three year old doesn't like that and you have to do dishes, laundry, and clean. And my doctor told me no contact sports for two months, I have a 3 year old boy, life is a contact sport for him! It was really not fun, I mean why couldn't I have gotten it is high school like everyone else!! Thank goodness for my Mom! Ok I am done venting!

So when I was sick Jake and I talked about selling our car and using our tax money and savings to get a newer car. We decided against it because our car wasn't really worth what we wanted to have for a new car, so we would just drive it till it died, or that is what I thought. Two weeks later Jake got in an accident (went across three lanes, hit the back of another car which spun Jake around and he hit the wall) Thankfully no one was hurt, I really think Heavenly Father just reached down and held Jake and made sure he was safe. But unfortunately the car didn't make it :( But the amazing thing was that insurance gave us over $1000 more then the care was worth if we had sold it. We were also able to find a much better car then we expected to and Jake talked them down to an amazing deal. It has been a crazy few months! Now the only thing I have to do is learn to drive the car, it is a stick! We will see how that goes! :)
Hope every one is great, I have tons of pictures to post and I promise I will do that soon!
Alicia

GO CARDS

On the first day of school, a first grade teacher explains to her class that she is a Steelers fan. 

She asks her students to raise their hands if they, too, are Steelers fans.

Wanting to impress their teacher, everyone in the class raises their hand except one little girl.

The teacher looks at the girl with surprise, 'Janie, why didn't you raise your hand.'

'Because, I'm not a Steelers fan.' she replied.

The teacher, still shocked, asked, 'Well if you are not a Steelers fan, then who are you a fan of?'

I'm a Cardinals fan, and proud of it,' Janie replied.

The teacher could not believe her ears. 'Janie, please tell me why you are a Cardinals fan?'

'Because my mom is a Cardinals fan, and my dad is a Cardinals fan, so I'm a Cardinals fan too!'

'Well,' said the teacher in a obviously annoyed tone, 'that is no reason for you to be a Cardinals fan. You don't have to be like your parents all of the time. what if your mom where an idiot and your dad was a moron, what would you be then?'

Janie smiled, 'I'd be a Steelers fan.'

Some Christmas Pictures

Here are some pictures form Christmas that I took with me new video camera! (Thank you Jake) I will upload some video when I figure out how! Just ignore me in the pictures! 

Thank you to all of our family and friends

I know we haven't posted in a very long time and now that the year is coming to an end I thought I should write about our last few months and how thankful I am for our amazing family and our church, without either I wouldn't have made it.  I have never been a talker about my emotions, and I think it drives Jake nuts, but I wanted everyone who thought or prayed for us to know how much it helped us. 

Most people are aware that our son was still born in September. It has been so hard to talk about or even believe sometimes, it can still feel like a dream. And I haven't even really been able to find words to explain the feelings until I heard a song by Hilary Weeks called Just let Me Cry. I found out it is written about a child named Devan that passed away. We named our son Devin so it hit an even stronger note for me. But the song is great for healing and remembering that this isn't going to stop hurting soon, and we will never forget, but we aren't alone and we will make it through. Just sometimes you have to cry.

Just Let Me Cry

I believe everything happens for a reason

We're not just tossed by the wind or left in the hands of fate

But sometimes life sends a storm that's unexpected

And  we're forced to face our deepest pain

When I feel the heartache begin to pull me under

I dig my heels in deep and I fight to keep my ground

Still at times the hurt inside grows stronger

And there's nothing I can do but let it out

Just let me cry

I know it hard to see

But the pain I feel 

Isn't going away today

Just let me cry

Till every tear has fallen

Don't ask when and don't ask why

Just let me cry

When I agreed that God could put this heart inside me

I understood that there would be a chance that it would break

But I know He knows exactly how I'm feeling

And I know in time He'll take the pain away

But For now

Chorus

I have felt joy the kind that makes my heart want to sing

And so my tears are not a surrender

I'll feel that way again

But for now

For this moment

Chorus

This song is a great song and I am so happy to have heard it. I also am so happy for my amazing Husband, there is no one on this earth I would rather be with and our miracle of a son. I can hardly remember life before them! And our second son, Devin, even though we never got to bring him home, he will always be with us.

I love you All,

Alicia