Happy Birthday to me! :)

So, I haven't taken the time to blog lately and now I am behind! I think this is one of the reasons I never could get into scrapbooking! :) So Shay, here you go!:)
Well, it's my birthday!! My big 40! Scary and interesting! I have loved having a Summer birthday and I have loved having it around the 4th. For a lot of years while we were still living in Utah, my whole family would get together at the park/school and play softball and frisbee and we would just have a great time. I sure miss those times, but I will get to do some fun things with them soon! Since it is a monumental year, I have been wanting to have a fun and exciting year. And so far, other than my dad's passing, it has been pretty good! And, it is going to get even better. We have had a great summer so far. And, in about a week I will be driving the kids to Utah and spending some time there while Tom is working here and wherever. :) Then,...my birthday present! (and Tom's and our anniversary and mother's day and father's day and Christmas!) I am leaving the kids in Utah and Tom and I are heading to Costa Rica! (did you catch-without kids!) It's ok to be jealous---your time will come. :) Tom has always wanted to take me there and "show me his mission". I can't believe it is actually going to happen. Eight years ago we were starting to plan our trip for May for the temple dedication. We had the money saved, but for some reason we just didn't feel good about going. Mmm.... The Lord knew why we shouldn't go and let us know! We found out the end of May that we were chosen to adopt a boy to be born in August! (Sam) Funny how things work out! :) So glad we had the money to adopt the "Amazing Sam!" :) Our life should would not have been complete without him and the whole adoption process. What a wonderful experience it has been for us and those around us.
Anyway---so today my birthday started in St. Louis, MO. We left yesterday morning and got there in the afternoon. (4 hour drive) We dropped off Tom at the temple ("our temple") so he could get in a session. (it's hard to find the time to go when you live so far away---but no excuse!) One of Tom's employee's picked him up from the temple and he had to work while we headed to Six Flaggs. We love Six Flaggs---or should I say our kids love Six Flaggs. Ever since we have lived in CO, we have had season passes. Tom and I love watching the kids ride the rides. Their faces and smiles are priceless! So, we rode some rides and then spent some time at the water park. We had a great time. Then we went to dinner---well we tried to go to dinner at Joe's Crab Shack--and after we were seated, no one came to take our order. So, we waited a while, then asked the hostess, and then waited another while. We finally decided, after 20 minutes of waiting, to leave and go to IHOP! Sam was excited because that was his 1st choice anyway. Frustrating! But, we got great service at IHOP and all had full tummies. Then, my birthing morning started with a bike ride in the hotel fitness center, then the yummy hotel breakfast, then swimming with the kids while Tom was working. Then we headed back home in time to go to Sam's Club to get Matt's birthday cake for tomorrow, and for Shelby and me to hook up with our friends to go see the American Girl movie---Kit Kittridge! We have been talking about it for a while now, especially since we got to go to the American Girl Store in Dallas last month and because it was opening on my birthday. While driving to the movie, the 3 girls decided to sit in the back of the van and buckled up their dolls in the middle seat. So cute! My friend Amy and I thought it was pretty funny, so I had to take a picture! (good thing I had it in my purse from our little vacation!) So fun for the girls to bring their dolls to the movie! It was pretty much a mom and daughter/doll audience. It was a fun time, with great company and such a great movie. The movie isn't just for girls/kids. I really got some good messages from the movie and I even cried. (not hard for someone who can get emotional quick) One line that stuck with me was "don't let it beat you". I think this went along with something I have been thinking a lot about lately. In my YW lessons for the last two weeks, I talked about opposition and trials. The handout I made had a picture of a door with a keyhole and a door knob. And while I was preparing this lesson, I was reminded of my miscarriage. I remember laying on the emergency room hospital bed just crying because I had just found out that I was going to miscarry. I remember Tom, as heartbroken as I was, looking at me and telling me to not look at this through the keyhole of a door. And to remember that this was part of a bigger picture. I needed to have faith to "turn the knob" and then I would "see" the blessings that would be mine.(the whole picture) And, I have to say, that I do have a "beautiful picture!" I am so blessed to be with the little family that I have and to have the extended family and friends that I have. I know the Lord blesses me everyday. I know that he knows me and you and our needs. But, I also know that we need to have trials and such to help us grow and learn and become closer to him. So, I hope that I can remember to try and have the faith to "turn the knob" and not just look through the "keyhole". (it sure is hard sometimes, isn't it?!) :)