Sunday, December 20, 2009

A Song for Megan

A few days after we received Megan, I heard a song on the radio that made me tear up. It's a song I've heard dozens of times and always loved it, but now it has deep meaning for me. It's actually a love song, but it describes how I feel about the journey we went through to receive precious Megan.

You might know the song. It's a country tune by Rascal Flatts called "Bless the Broken Road." I'm listing the lyrics, but changing a few words (in italics.)

Click here to listen to the original song as you read my lyrics.

Bless The Broken Road

I set out on a narrow way, many years ago
Hoping I would find a child along the broken road
But I got hurt a time or two
Wiped my brow and kept pushing through
I couldn't see how every sign pointed straight to you

Every long lost dream led me to where you are
Trials that broke my heart, they were like northern stars
Pointing you on your way into my loving arms
This much I know is true

That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you
Yes He did

I think about the time I spent crying by the wall
The years it took to get you here; you are worth it all.

But you just smile and take my hand
You always knew, you understand
It's all part of a grander plan that has now come true

Every long lost dream led me to where you are
Birthmothers who broke my heart, they were like northern stars
Pointing you on your way into my loving arms
This much I know is true

That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you

And now you have come here, home, into your mother's arms
This much I know is true

That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you

That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you

Now that I'm tearing up all over again, I just have to say: I love you, Megan.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Cheeky!

Let's be honest. Megan has some amazing cheeks. And by amazing, I mean huge and adorable. Don't believe me? Here's proof: Strangers and friends alike constantly comment on her cheeks. They'll see her in her car seat and talk about how chubby she is. However, her cheeks are deceiving. She is not chubby. The rest of her is just perfect. Don't believe me? Here's proof:
Isn't she perfect? The proof that she's perfect is on her onesie. (it says: "perfect")

If you add up the cutie chunky cheeks and the not-so-chunky-rest-of-the-baby, the whole package is pretty dang cute. Don't believe me? Here's proof:
(Notice my arm on the left side of the picture. It's the same color as the white blanket! That's because it snowed last week but it apparently hasn't melted off my arm).

Like mother, like daughter. We both carry our weight in our cheeks. Don't believe me? Here's proof:

(Well, sorry, I have no proof of that one. I didn't want to showcase my bootie on the internet.)

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Ode to Lacey's Song Skills

Here is a picture of my sister Lacey.
Isn't she gorgeous? I'm sure she probably hates this picture but I think she's so dang beautiful, and, frankly, I'm surprised she hasn't been snatched up by some hot boy at BYU.

Anyway, that's beside the point.

Lacey joined Jared, Megan & I for dinner tonight at Jared's folks' house. On the way home, Lacey started singing a song, and here's the conversation that commenced: (if you sing along, it will make this reading experience much more enjoyable for you)

Lacey (singing): "Old McDonald had a farm and BINGO was it's name-o." Wait a minute, that doesn't make any sense. Why would he name his farm Bingo?

It's because the dog is Bingo.

Lacey: "Old McDonald had a dog and Bingo was it's name-o. B-I-N-G-O, B-I,-" Old McDonald had a dog?

No, Lace. There was a farmer who had a dog...

Then, how does the McDonald one go?

E-I-E-I-O.

So, "there was a farmer who had a dog, E-I-E-I-O."

No, Lacey. "Old McDonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O."

"...and on that farm he had a dog?"

Close enough, Lacey. I guess you're not going to be teaching Megan her nursery rhymes.

We love you, Aunt Lacey!


Saturday, December 12, 2009

Family Frenzy... WARNING: lots of pictures!

Our house is a bit too small for 7 adults and 3 kiddos. Just sayin'. At the beginning of November (yeah, I know... I'm really behind on this post), my mom & dad flew in from Michigan, my sister Jasmin & her baby Charlie flew in from Texas, my sister Desiree & her baby Tommy flew in from Washington, and my sister Lacey (who lives in Provo) came to stay with us! Count us all... yep, you guessed it! 7 adults and 3 kiddos. It was so fun to have them all here. It's not very often we get together with my side of the family. Unfortunately, we were missing a few siblings, but we were happy with what we could get.

In fact, here's a picture of all 10 of us:

Essentially, everyone came to meet Megan. However, my sister Lacey thought everyone came out to Utah to celebrate her birthday, and we'll let her believe whatever she wants :) .

The get-together might not have happened if it weren't for my sister, Jasmin, who just moved to Bahrain with her family. You see, my mom was just going to come out, but then my sister Jasmin realized she wouldn't meet Megan for a very long time, and my sister Desiree jumped on the bandwagon as well. It was the one last "hurrah" before Jasmin left the country for a while.

It was so great to see everyone. We didn't have enough beds in our house, so here's what the sleeping situation looked like:

Well, just kidding. Lacey didn't sleep on the coffee table. But, she did sleep on the couch, and my parents slept in the basement. Both Jasmin & Desiree each got their own room to share with their sons.

Megan's baby blessing was on Noember 8, which just happened to be exactly one month from the day Megan was born (and Lacey's birthday)! I think most babies are usually blessed when they're a little older, but since my family was in town, we thought it would be the best time for the blessing. Here is Megan in her Blessing Gown (which is the same gown my father was baptized in almost 58 years ago!)
This beautiful photo was taken by my mother. What a great shot!

A few other pictures, just for fun:

This is at the Lunchoen at my in-laws' after the Blessing. In order: Charlie (belonging to Jasmin), Kienan (belonging to my SIL Andrea), Megan, Jae (belonging to cousin Mikensi), and Tommy (belonging to Desiree)
3 cousins together (Tommy, Megan, and Charlie)

Then, there's my parents with Megan.

I really wished we would have gotten a picture of Jasmin, Desiree & I with our babies. We planned on it, but I guess just never got around to it. The weekend went by much faster than we thought it would!

Lastly, as an ode to a doting Grandma, here's a picture of Grandma Paulson and baby Megan. My mom stayed to visit for a whole week! She was able to spend lots of time with precious Megan, especially during my piano lessons I taught. It was just so nice to BE with my mom. Like I said, I don't get to see her very often, and so I really enjoyed my time with her.
(Megan apparently had ants in her pants during this picture)

Our next get-together with the Paulson Clan will be some time next summer in Michigan. So, until then, adios family! (a special shout-out to my sweet sister Jasmin who is across the world in Bahrain!)

Harmony. Out.

Friday, December 11, 2009

Scrappin' Deal

If you live in Utah Valley or you're coming to Utah Valley before Christmas and you like a good deal on scrapbooking stuff, My Blog is The Place.

A friend told me about this incredible "warehouse sale" for a company called American Crafts (sister company of Pebbles) happening in Orem through December 24th. The address is 476 North 1500 West, and I think they're open 9-4 all days except Sunday. I'm not really into "scrapbooking", (it takes too much time and it's uber-expensive) but I do make homemade cards.

Anyhoo, enough rambling. Here the the goods I got. I paid $50 and the merchandise is easily worth $275+.


Oh, and then I got a bunch of wrapping paper & bows for $15 (retail over $60):

So, to quote Bob Barker, "COME ON DOWN!"

Adios.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Happy Birthday to Me

Yep, it's my 28th birthday today. I don't usually mention to people when it's my birthday. I don't like all the extra attention. Not at a restaurant. Not at church. Not anywhere. So, normally, I wouldn't even mention it on my blog (for fear of someone commenting a "Happy Birthday.") However, since this is MY blog, and therefore a bit of a journal for me, I will mention that it's my birthday.

Every year for the past 5 years, I have guaged my birthday on my accomplishments. Unfortunately, I would always forget that I have an amazing husband, I would forget about my great job, wonderful family and friends, and the fact that I live in America and am a member of our Church. There was really only one accomplishment I cared about, and that was being a mother. So, maybe that's why I never liked my birthday, because it was a cruel reminder that I couldn't have kids. And I hated that. Every year I would be sad for myself (if anyone threw me a party it would have been a Pity Party), and every year I would say, "Well, maybe I'll be a mom next year, or maybe I'll be pregnant next year, or maybe we'll have adopted by next year" It never was the case. The next year would come and I would be neither a mom nor pregnant. And it hurt.

I know it's not healthy to think that way, but when you're in misery you always find a way to be miserable.

Fast-forward to today. This morning, Megan greeted me with a huge smile, followed by a huge surprise in her diaper. I was happy. SO happy. This year when Jared asked me what I wanted for my birthday, I didn't have to say "a baby" like I've said every year in the past. This year the answer was "I don't want anything. I have everything I need." (but I must admit, I did ask for a new watch).

But, it's true. It is such a joy to be Megan's mother. If I never get any presents again from anyone at any time, that's fine with me. I already have the Best Gift. I love my little family, and my little happy family is really all I need. Megan is such a blessing and words cannot begin to express how much I love that little person. She is so precious and I treasure her more than anything, next to my husband. I used to shed a tear on my birthday for lack of motherhood; now I shed a tear of joy on my birthday in rejoicing of motherhood. It's everything I dreamed it would be and much, much more.

I do not take motherhood for granted. I cherish every moment, every cry, every smile, every diaper change. I'm not saying I'm perfect- because I'm far from it- however, if there is one thing I hope I am, it is that I am a good mother. It's all I ever wanted to be since I was a child, and now it is reality. I hope that Megan looks back on her life when she's an adult and knows how much her parents love her. I hope she knows how much energy and time and heartache and pain we went through to get her, and that we wanted her so badly. And that once we received her, she was worth it and it was love at first sight.

Megan is the the most gorgeous baby girl I have ever seen. She is so funny, so perfect, so sweet, so darling, so tiny, and so... mine.

Happy Birthday to Mom.