More Fun!

Well, hopefully we are getting better. FD went to school today, and Sam back to work. Seth and I are still quarantined home. But that will give me time for home work, cleaning and all the other stuff I need to catch up on. I just feel so bad for the little guy, hacking, coughing, congestion. He coughs so hard that he pukes up chunks of mucus.

On to more fun stuff here are some pictures of our trip. We took over 595 pictures so I let the computer pick random ones.

Seth at 2 months old

Seth at 17 1/2 months old
Sam 2007
Sam 2009

Back Again!

Thursday Sam whisked me away to Oregon for a Birthday Trip! He asked me a little while ago what I wanted for my birthday and I told him I wanted to spend my birthday on the beach, so that's what he made happen. He also got me a amazing Olympus camera I've been wanting for Valentines Day, so the pictures will follow.
We flew out Thursday Morning after our first flight was cancelled, but it worked out OK because we were able to get FD off to school. She got her own vacation at a respite workers house that has a TV in the guest room and a plug for FD's fish. What more did she need for a good time.
We landed in Portland, and drove out to coast. We stayed with our adopted family the Uptons. Their house over looks the bay and is gorgeous. It was so great to see them I miss them so much since they moved.
We ate fresh glorious seafood, sugar free chocolate, flew kites on the beach, built sand castles, stared at the ocean looking for whales, visited a massive aquarium, watched movies, lounged around. It was marvelous!
Seth had a slight congested nose when we left on Thursday, by Sunday he was hardly eating or drinking and coughing so hard he was puking what he had ate and drank. His fever finally broke on Sunday he was still a little grumpy but improving.
We drove back to Portland yesterday after noon and flew home late last night, my birthday. We got FD home and she was excited to see everyone. Seth went to see the Doctor this morning, it's RSV. He's doing pretty well getting rid of the mucus himself so we're just praying it's not going to move down into his lungs more. His fever is back, but he's still eating. So we're hoping it won't get worse.
Sam is congested, coughing, hacking, has a fever but he can wipe his own nose, and is down for a nap. I just put FD to bed because I had to go pick her up from school because she puked everywhere. (She's the 3rd kid this week to get sent home sick in her class). Hopefully that won't spread last time she came home with the stomach flu, she shared with all of us. Seth lost 2 1/2 pounds and still hasn't gained it back.
So here I sit coughing, congested and just waiting for some one to need more medicines, tissues, a puke bowl emptied, Vick's, sprite or some other remedy, but it's OK because being a Mom is great and being a Mom that just had a fabulous break it even better!

The BEST Husband Ever! EVER!

Ok, so Sam woke me up bright and early 4:45 am. And told me to get ready he was whisking me off for a vacation for my birthday! We are going some where, who knows where, well Sam knows. As we were getting ready the airline called to say they canceled our flight so we are leaving a few hours later.

Where have we been?

Well it's still a little over wheming.

Sam leaves for work before 7am and gets home after 10pm 4 nights a week. And when is he home he's doing homework. But he's doing great at it. He got 100% on his first Stats test, and the highest score on his presentation in his other class.

FD is going to school and doing great. They are messing with her meds which has been a bit of challenge but I think things are finally stabilizing. She's a lot of fun just busy with 3 dance classes a week, therapy, sibling visits, and other teenage activities.

Seth is active, very very active. He can climb up the bar stools onto the island, he still loves to splash in the dog water, he climbs the chairs onto the dining table, he loves to be outside and escapes the dog door a million times a day. He's talking up a storm. His new words are sista, yummy, dogga, poopy, tada, sit, get, ouchie, eat, please and more but those are his favorites.

Me, I clean, cook, drive, normal Mom stuff, then from 10p to 1pm (after every one finally goes to sleep) I am a full time student. I don't really have time to enjoy my classes, right now I'm just getting by with completing my assignments, I might enjoy it if I could fit the homework in during the day time. But this works for now.

So that's what's up with us.

Oh the joys!

Ok so yesterday FD came home from school and asked,"Mom what does it mean when a boy says you have some nice junk in the trunk? None of our cars have trunks, and I don't think he's seen our car anyway."

It was so hard to explain with a straight face.

It's About Love!

My Brother's Adoption Profile...



Dear Friend,

Is your head spinning yet from all the profiles there are to go through? It must be a crazy experience, trying to find the right fit for you and your baby. We empathize with you, and hope that no matter what decisions you make, you'll find comfort and even some joy along the way.

We met as missionaries for the LDS Church in Oklahoma, and although we became good friends and respected each other there, sparks did not fly until long after both of us returned home from our service. And oh boy, did sparks fly! From our first date on, we knew we had something special. We've certainly seen our share of struggles in our almost ten years together, but our love has only grown as we've turned to each other and the Lord for strength and guidance.

In 2004, we adopted our son, Tyler. Before he was even born, we came to love his birth family and have maintained a great relationship with them throughout the years. Because of them and Brad's work as an adoption caseworker, we feel a great love and respect for birth parents and their families. You can be confident that if you choose us to parent your child, you will always be spoken of with great affinity and appreciation. We will make sure that your child knows of your deep love and incredible sacrifice. We would love to continue a relationship with you and are open to lots of different ways of communication.

We have a lot of fun together. Water fights, loud singing, dancing, and ticklefests are common occurrences in our home. We love, love, love to travel, and feel strongly that it's a great way to teach children about life outside our hometown. One of the reasons we moved to Texas was to be adventurous, and to have Ty grow up experiencing diversity. At least a couple times a year, we return to our family's cabin on the Oregon Coast, where we romp on the beach, sled down sand dunes, and hold crossword puzzle contests with our extended family. We also like to think we're pretty athletic, so you can imagine our shock and dismay when our 14 year-old nephew and 70 year-old dad schooled us on the basketball court this summer! Sally coaches a girls basketball team in the winter, and although Brad's true loves are football and soccer, most of his exercise comes from riding bikes and playing basketball or baseball, as those are Ty's favorites. We also love swimming, and can often be found in the pool splashing our way through the Texas heat.

About Brad:

I (Sally) don't know exactly how to describe Brad, except by saying that he's a spaz and a spiritual giant all rolled into one. As a boy he was all over the place, breaking 27 different bones before graduating from high school! He's a naturally happy person, and is good at making people laugh (well, except when he's tired. That's when he thinks he's hilarious and the rest of us are left saying, Huh? But even that’s pretty funny). He has tons of energy and is very spontaneous–I think he would be willing to try just about anything.

Brad is the kindest person I know. His heart is pure gold. He lives by the motto, "I just try to help out where I can," and is often the one found comforting a hurt child, cleaning up after a party, or helping a family move in on a Saturday morning. His non-judgmental attitude and genuine empathy serve him well as a therapist, where he has the natural ability of putting people at ease.

It has been so fun watching Brad become a dad. I cannot imagine any dad being more attentive, playful, and kind than Brad is with Ty. It's seriously a party every day when Brad comes home from work. Ty idolizes him, and I'm so glad he has Brad as an example of what a man should be. Brad has always been an equal partner in parenting–he changes diapers and cleans up messes with the best of 'em.


About Sally:

I (Brad) find it easy to describe Sally: AMAZING! She is my sweet companion, and the perfect complement to me. She is the one who always makes me laugh. Her cheery disposition and natural optimism always seem to lift me up when I am having a rough day. I like that she doesn't let me take myself too seriously. One of the things I love about her most is her strength. There seems to be nothing that can get her down for long.


One of Sally's favorite movies is "The Sound of Music." In many ways, she is like the main character, Maria (whom she played in a school production once): able to face challenges head on, continuing to sing all the while. Whether she is playing the piano or singing, I love the fact that she fills our home with music. She is also a gifted educator. She touched many students’ lives as a Junior High teacher before becoming the full time CEO of our home. I love to see her teaching Ty new things. She has him believing that he is a great piano player, and that he can be as good as her someday.


Sally is the most prepared and insightful mother I have ever seen. She is a voracious reader, and always seems to be in the middle of a book(or two or three). She loves to read novels, as well as educational books that help her in her roles as wife and mother. She always knows how to handle every situation with grace and wisdom. She has such a warm, genuine, and loving heart. I am so grateful that she’s mine forever.


About Tyler:

Ty is a very sweet and social boy. He chats up almost everyone he sees. He loves telling store associates about how he turns himself into a transformer or Spiderman, and he actually likes going to the doctor so he can show how big he's getting. He loves riding around the block on his big-boy bike. He is also a sensitive friend, often giving hugs and kisses to his playmates when they get hurt or sad. He can't wait to be a big brother and we have no doubt he'll dote on and fiercely protect his new sibling.


Big Finish:

Adoption is a very important part of our family. We have close family members that are adopted and others that are in the process of adopting. We think our family is kind of neat in that respect: all of us feel accepted and loved unconditionally. We have come to realize that family isn’t necessarily created through blood, it’s created through the heart.

Thanks for taking the time to get to know us a little. Feel free to check out our blog at www.sallycay.blogspot.com to see what our everyday life is like. We’re not perfect, but we love each other, adoption, and birth families. We sincerely wish you the very best as you consider what is best for you and your baby.

Love,

Brad and Sally


Ok, so if you know any one they are great! He is the best Big Brother ever. And I adore Sally and couldn't ask for a better sister in Law.

Business in the Front, Party in the Back

Seth had a mullet growing, and it's taken me some time to finally be ok with getting it cut. I loved the little curls in back. So it was a little more tramatic for me than it was for him. He giggled the whole time. He loved honking the horn on the little car he got to sit in. And he watched Baby Einstien My first signs which is one of his favorites. He giggled when they shaved his curls off the back. He laughed at the other little boy who was crying. And got to ride a motorcycle at then end. What more could he want. He got a lollipop and I got a little bag with my baby's curls in it.

FD's 1st trip to the zoo.

So we went to the Zoo while Sam was in class last Saturday and then went again on Monday because FD was out of school, she enjoyed it so much the first time I figured why not go again.

Trip to Hurricane

We took a trip down to Hurricane over New Year's it was ton's of fun! FD loved meeting everyone, and Seth always loves the attention of Grandma's, Grandpa's and everyone else that thinks he's the cutest boy ever!

The Men in my Life...

Over the past month I've spent a lot of time talking with FD about people in her life, because of her age a lot about boys and it's me thinking about the "boys" in my life.





Of course, there are the most important My Baugh Boys! The center of my world, the ones that make me smile and are my happy thoughts!
But there are more men in my life then just the Baugh Boys.

I guess some of the most influential are my Grandfathers. I was a Grandpa's girl through and through. I adore them. I could do no wrong and I always knew I was their favorite.
Grandpa Forsgren
Grandpa Lund


I guess the next one would be my Dad. I am a Daddy's girl. Need I say more.



My sister used to say when we were growing up she wanted an older brother. And when I was pregnant I prayed Seth would be a boy because no girl shouldn't have to grow up with out an older brother. My older brothers are amazing, very different but amazing in their own ways.

I don't remember being hit growing up by my brothers, I sucked at football but they let me play any way. They screened my dates, drove me places, let me embarrass them in front of their dates, taught me dating manners, helped my Dad with blessings when I was sick... and so much more.


Matt and Jim are like family even though we're not blood related. Matt and I dated for a while before I met Sam and he met Erin. We became really good friends and had to stop dating because he became to much like a brother. They adopted me into their family. Jim's like having another Dad and Matt like another older brother.




Bishop... I guess he's not Bishop any more but he will forever be Bishop to me. He helped us through a really tough time in our life. Gave up his limited free time on a Saturday to come and be Santa for my Camp kids, just to be nice. He was there when we were down and there to celebrate when things were good.




I guess that's why all these guys have made such an impact on Sam and I they have pulled us up when we are down, and been there to celebrate when we succeed. I guess I just wanted to say Thanks, because I look at the effect that men have had on FD, and I'm so glad I have positive men in my life.

Man Tag...

My SIL Sally did this and I thought it would be fun.

Sam's 5 favorite things:
1. Family
2. The Ocean
3. Riding his motorcycle
4. Watching football/basketball
5. Vacations

5 things on his to-do list:
1. Patch the holes in the wall in our bedroom (we took down a “wall” of mirrors, because no one wants to wake up to that sight)
2. Study
3. Finish my spice rack
4. Take down the Christmas lights
5. Make Seth Laugh

5 snacks he loves:
1. Cookies and Milk
2. Spicy Cheese and crackers
3. Pizza
4. Twix
5. Chips and Salsa

5 facts you may not know about him:
1. He hates chocolate and Peanut Butter
2. He spent a year on a TV show
3. He has freakishly large Popeye fore-arms.
4. Was a Basketball announcer in College
5. Ran Cross Country and wrestled

5 places he has lived:
1. Montana
2. Utah
3. Georgia
4. Alabama
5. That’s it!

5 quirky things about him:
1. Has to have new socks. Won’t wear them more than a few times
2. He counts things constantly, like the buttons on the remote, pictures on the wall etc.
3. He is a very messy person; however his gourmet kitchen gadgets have to be kept immaculate.
4. He sings random weird songs that he makes up. Like, “high on a mountain top a badger chased a squirrel…”
5. He always sleeps under multiple heave blankets even when it’s 90 degrees.

I tag anyone who doesn't know what to write about on their next post!

SCHOOL!

So here's what's up with us.
FD started school today! Thank Heavens. She was getting bored staying home all day. She starts a hiphop dance class on Tuesday afternoon, which she thinks is Fabulous!

Sam starts school (MBA at Westminster) on Tuesday. He will drive to Salt Lake every Tuesday evening after work, and every other Wednesday. Sam also got put on the United Way of Utah County Board of some sort. So he is starting meetings for that too. He's learning Spanish with the Rosetta Stone program. And still the Super Sexy Manager at DI!

Seth, is active as ever. After finally getting over the stomach flu and losing 2 lbs (which for him is a ton.) he moved in to a big boy car seat! Is climbing on everything, example, the dining room chairs have bars between the legs Seth will stand on those, climb up to the seat, then onto the table. He is loving the xylophone got for Christmas, his vocab is growing quickly (signing and verbally), he's loving the dogs and having FD around.

Me, I started classes again last week, Anthropology, Oceanography, Biology, and Theater. All online (yep including theater!) Things will be easier to get done now that FD is in school. Still doing trainings on being a professional parent. And trying to keep everyone else on schedule.

We spent new years down south with Sam's family. And had a great time. I'll post pictures in the next little while.

Pictures... don't know why they wouldn't upload to other post!?

Ok so the pictures are out of order but considering it's now almost 3pm and I started to upload them at 9am this is how they are staying.

FD, Seth and FD with Santa!

Snowman

Lights! Lights! and more Lights!

FD at a Nativity at Temple Square

Our family at the Christ statue on Temple Square.

Oh! What a month it has been!

******* With our new addition there are come some confidentiality rules.*******
1. No pictures showing the face of the child...thus pictures will have a bright happy smiley face over the child's face. But know that she is adorable and has a smile that will melt your heart.
2. Can't use the name... Thus our new child will be referred to as FC.
3. Any comments left can't include her "real" name.
4. I can't share much about her story, because of confidentiality.(state required and nice for her privacy.) but know that's it's heartbreaking, and we're doing our best to help her work through the issues.

Now for the post!
Not that anyone has noticed but I haven't posted most of the month... It's been CrAzY!
Our new addition moved in the first part of December. She's a teenager, has a laugh that is contagious and is soooo girlie, everything is cotton candy pink, Hannah Montana and FaBuLoUs!
We spent the month of December very busy!
~FD moved in, did a ton of shopping because she didn't come with much.
~Keith and Jeanette came for a visit from Alaska and spent 3 days with us.
~We saw the lights at Temple Square.
~I got some training on how to be a professional parent
~ We celebrated Christmas with the Uptons early. Jim and Judy were here from Oregon. Matt and Erin, Chrissy, HalfaBuck (I haven't seen him on so long, and it was fun to remember some wacky times we had together), Barb and Jerry, Grace, Laura, and Freddie were all there too (we missed Carla). I think the DVD I made of old photos was a big hit. And FD had a great time meeting every one.
~We built a snow man
~We celebrated Christmas Eve with my parents and had a huge dinner
~ We spent Christmas day in our PJ's and watched movies all day!
~Seth started puking over a week ago, which has taken us to the ER, and the pediatrician in the last week, hopefully it will stop soon, he can't afford to lose any more weight!
~ FD and I had a girl's day on the Friday after Christmas we met up with Chrissy and Laura and spent our gift cards that we got for the Gateway. FD made a Hannah Montana build a bear and I got clothes and fabulous stuff from the body shop! I love that place, (FYI no animal testing done on any body shop product!!!)
~And there are so many other things, ward party, visiting Santa, the list goes on and I have a ton of pictures.(only blogger hates me right now and won't let me upload them so they might be added later.) But it's late and I need some sleep.
So that's what's been going on with the Baugh Boys! and now a teenage girl.

Our Family is Growing!

I just wanted to let you all know of the change that Sam and I have decided to make. (it's the one I refered to in an earlier post as turning our life upside down)

Sam and I have talked about having a disabled child in our home since before we got married. We moved into our new house and decided that our guest bedroom was just too empty. So we decided to open our home to disabled foster children. It will most likely be a long term placement of one child, if it fits.

What finally helped us decide to do this? Divine intervention... Something has been missing since we moved to Utah County and Sam and I just couldn't figure out what. I get emails from the State and agencies looking for staff quite often. But in the last 3 months I had recieved 11 emails about fostering disabled kids I had deleted them thinking there was no way I had time with being a Mom, going to school, Sam working and doing his MBA...Well the 12th email came titled bolded, and every time I tried to delete it the computer froze. Sam and I talked, and decided to give it a try, thinking we had months to change our mind if we wanted to. And I think we would have had months in I would have answered the first email. But that isn't the case.

When we started the process by turning in an application about 2 weeks ago we had heard that the process usually takes a couple of months before you get a placement. We had our home study Tuesday of this week, met with a placement counselor yesterday afternoon, because they have an emergency placement that needs a home. So if I can run like MAD on Monday and get all my trainging done and paperwork finished we will have a foster child in our home by Tuesday.

Wish us luck!