December 18th, 2009-Lauren's adoption day

Today was the day that my beautiful, wonderful, blessing of a daughter, Lauren, was adopted by her daddy.
For those of you who don't know...I'm not ashamed to say how this beautiful angel came into my life. I was 19 years old, living on my own, living the way I thought I wanted, and doing what I wanted. I found out I was pregnant. I was scared, overwhelmed, and dealing with about the biggest reality check I've ever known. I knew from the moment I found out I was pregnant that I wanted to be a mom and that the little being I was carrying would only make my life better...I had no idea how my life would change or the roller coaster being a mommy is but I am so glad that I kept her. There were people who thought it would be best for me to place her up for adoption. That is such a blessing in some peoples lives...but I knew it wasn't for me.

I was thinking about it the other day actually. I have thought over the last 12 and a half years...wondered if someone could have provided for her better, been a better mother to her, if she could've had better opportunities being in another family. She and I have had our challenges, but I wouldn't change a minute of it. She has blessed my life in ways I never imagined. I love her so much and I'm so glad she chose me to be her mom.

That being said, her biological father has never seen her or made any contact with her...it was a dream of mine and Jeremy's for him to adopt her when we got married...I only wish we could have done it earlier but maybe it's better we had time for him to truly become her daddy. He loves her (and Megan and Chase) like they have always been his and I'm so blessed to have the family that I do. Such a happy day, you can see it in their faces...long time coming, but worth the wait!!

Now on to the temple to have her sealed to us. THAT will be a truly beautiful day!!

Another photography session... :O)

Dallin 3 months

Chase's 8th birthday

Chase had an awesome birthday, family from both sides came to our house, Jeremy made an AWESOME cake, good food, great family, great times!! :O) Here's a few pics...

Chase's Baptism and Dallin's blessing - Nov. 2009

Wanted to share some pics from the awesome weekend in November that my big boy, Chase, was baptized and my little boy, Dallin, was blessed. It was a busy but wonderful weekend. :O)

Happy boy getting ready to be baptized...Daddy unfortunately couldn't be in the picture because he had to run to the church on a one hour break from work...barely made it and barely had enough time to baptize and bless Chase. So happy he could do it though!! :O)


Happy Father and Son, Jeremy IS smiling...he has bells palsy. :O(


Daddy and Dallin


Dallin in his blessing outfit Grandma Beckstead made. :O)

My attempt at photography...

Ha ha ha! So I wanted to get some not so candid photos of my kiddos...this was how it turned out. Not too bad...just need to make sure I check things before I click...like the background and stuff. I think they're cute anyways. :O) Let me know what you think...

He's here!!

Dallin Douglas Beckstead was born Wednesday, August 26th, 2009. He was 9 lbs 4 oz and was 20 1/2 inches long. We love him so much and everytime one of us is holding him the phrase "He's so cute!" is almost always being said. I think we like him...just a little. :O) He is very loved and loves to BE loved. He cries if we put him down or he is awake and no one is paying attention to him. I've said he's spoiled but I don't mind one bit. His brother is so proud to be a big brother and the girls love love LOVE to hold, change, play with, basically do anything just to be near him. He has blessed our home in ways I never imagined. My only regret is that it has taken me this long to post about him...bad mommy!! :O( I'll try to be better!! :O)

So important, wanted to share...

My wonderful sister in law told me about this little video

and I feel it is important enough to share with my friends.

With my own past and sometimes present marital issues

I felt Elder Oakes makes such a great statement here.

No marriage is perfect, I've had to tell myself that many

times and I think it's hard not to realize that sometimes.

Until 2 people are perfect, no marriage will be perfect.

And that's why we're all here...to (try) to perfect ourselves

and do the best we can. I truly feel that marriage is under

attack right now and couples need all the help they can

get. Gotten more lengthy in this post than I wanted to but

I hope maybe this video will help

even one marriage. :O)

Families can be forever!! :O)

Couldn't figure out how to embed it so you'll have to

just click on the link. :O)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQ1yLFIEVNo

Hawaii!!

So this is so late, but the first week of May we got to go to HAWAII!! Yeah, we were super excited, first time for me, as well as, the kids. It was awesome and we had such a great time. Jeremy's parents went too and it was beautiful.

I didn't upload all the pics to my blog because there are so many but I have them on my facebook and myspace if you want to see them.

We were so blessed to be able to go and we can't wait to go back...although next time it might just be Mommy and Daddy!! :O)

My daughter is TWELVE?!?!?

That's right, on May 17th, my Lauren turned 12!! I can't believe it. I can't believe she is now in Young Womens, I can't believe she is going on her first temple trip two Saturdays from now and Girls Camp NEXT WEEK!! It doesn't even seem that long ago that I was doing those things for the first time and now I have a daughter old enough to do them??? CRAZY!! She is such a joy in our life, she is such a big help and a sweet spirit. She has a tender heart and tries so hard to be a good example to her younger sister and brother. I couldn't have asked for a better oldest child. I love her so much!!

Here is the cake daddy made for her. Yeah, the man cooks AND bakes. He also made homemade pizza for her party, which the girls loved.

The second picture is of her holding her cousin, Ryker. (LOVE HIM!!) I can't wait to see her with our new addition coming soon. I know she will be a HUGE help and such a great big sister. The third picture is from her party in Tri-Cities with family. I can hardly believe my eyes when I look at her and how beautiful she is inside and out. Happy Birthday, Lauren!!