We LOVE adoption!!!

Well, I have done an abismal job of being an adoption advocate on my blog, especially in the month of November. (It's National Adoption Awareness Month.) It's hard to even try to express in words how I feel about the blessing of bringing Benjamin into our family. I remember our Bishop reminding us around the time that he was born that we stand on "very sacred ground." That really sums up how I feel! We have so much love and respect for his birth mother. I have decided that placing your child (not "giving up"--a careful, deliberate plan is made) when circumstances are such that you cannot give him/her everything that you want for him/her (a mother and father, time and attention, financial and emotional stability, etc.) is a very "mother" decision to make. We have been been surprised to learn how many birth mothers actually have children already and when they find themselves with changing circumstances and an unexpected pregnancy they make the choice to make an adoption plan. Here are some pictures of an adoption walk that my friend organized here in Lafayette and we participated in. Awesome!

WE LOVE ADOPTION!

It's about love!

*If you would like one of my crocheted heart magnets for your fridge, like the picture at the top of this post, just comment and let me know. I will GLADLY send you one, two, or more! I want to spread them near and far--it's my effort at being an adoption advocate. : ) They are meant as a reminder that adoption is about love.

Happy Halloween!!!

Halloween seemed to sneak up on us this year! David and I left early in the morning to go to the temple with a couple in our ward who just got baptized (I'll include a picture). It is incredible to experience the temple with somebody who is there for the first time!!!

Benjamin spent the day with Prices and went to Indianapolis with them to drop Grandpa off at the airport. We picked him up and got him dressed up in his costume, a BYU basketball player, and trick-or-treated around our neighborhood. After each house he said, "One more house, daddy?" He loved it. Also, notice the basketball pumpkin he carved with grandpa!

Let there be light!

Our home was built in 1997, when it was apparently not necessary to put overhead light in bedrooms. We got used to lamplight in all three bedrooms and in our living room, but always wanted to install some light fixtures. David's dad being here was the push we needed, okay--David needed, to tackle the project. David, Dusty (brother-in-law) and dad isntalled a ceiling fan in the living room and light fixtures in our bedroom and Benjamin's bedroom. Yeah!!!

Grandpa Blunck's visit

Last week we had David's dad here for a visit. He loves to be with "his boys" (three grandsons) and experience life at their pace. We spent an entire afternoon at a park playing in leaves, building a rock house, and -of course- playing on the equipment. Benjamin is incredibly fearless and will climb anything. There is also a picture from our outing to the Children's Museum in Indianapolis. (Benjamin operating the digger.)

Grandpa and Grandma Sanders

We had a great time with my parents and made a trip to Brown County State Park to see the beautiful fall colors.

Lake Michigan with Grandma Blunck

David's mom was the next to visit, and we had fun playing, making jewelery, and swimming. We also spent one very chilly day at the beach (Lake Michigan). I think Benjamin's favorite part of the visit was the one-on-one lessons from her on dribbling. (She brought him a basketball that is just his size.) Every night in his prayers he says "thanks for going outside, for basketball..."

Let the family visitors begin!!!

We began a long stint of having family company the last week of September when my sister Katie and her family visited from Texas. We had a great time and were even able to celebrate her birthday with her while she was here. She has three darling children, who we got to have for a few extra days while she went to her brother-in-laws wedding. Here are a few pictures:

Benjamin at the park with cousins from both sides of the family!
Alana has a spunky personality and incredible natural curls.
Me and my sister.Another cousins picture.
Tanner and Benjamin had so much fun playing. Yes, Tanner has an awful black eye after an encounter with our piano bench.
I went to check on Tanner and Alana and they were asleep holding hands. SOOO sweet!