Living the Gospel

We, collectively and individually, as a family, number one in our lives, love to live the gospel of Jesus Christ. He is our Lord and Savior. Vinny and I are now studying and reading "Preach My Gospel" - Elder McKell has challenged to do so. We can't believe or would want to know where our lives would be without the atonement that our Elder Brother, even Jesus Christ made for us, so that we can repent and go on to fill the measure of our creation. We want to share the "good news" with everyone out there. We invite all to read your scriptures as a family, say individual and family prayers together, go to the Temple often, and attend your meetings. Keep close to your Father in Heaven, for He truly loves you and watches over you. We, as a family, have a divine testimony of this. Although we are not perfect, and bear many faults, we truly try to love one another, and try to bear each other's burdens, and try not to talk about other people. We LOVE our faith! We hope all who practice any faith to do the same.

Musings on Cami

So there we were. On a journey to get a child in Russia. We were excited and scared at the same time.

They suddenly, across the miles, thousands of miles, this small, scared, sweet face pops up on the internet.

Se is thin. She looks cold. Where is her hair? And yet....... I cry... I see a princess - diamond in this bruised unkept little body of a girl. And so... I make her ours.

Cami. Where do I start. Three years ago a tiny girl with short blond hair and beautiful eyes jumped into our lives. Literally. Jumped. She jumped and sprang from chair to chair. She was delighted when we saw
babushka's" (grandma's) and babies. She didn't come to me as much as the others did at first. She would play on her own for hours at at time. She fought with Aliana. They BOTH wanted to be so right, and the first one to be so.

Cami was so loved at school. Wherever she went she made friends. She loved to color and draw and play in mama's make-up. She loved animals. But could she love me???

So - three years later, Cami is a hauntingly beautiful girl, who only gets prettier by the day. She loves gymnastics, music, animals, coloring, etc.. (mom's make-up). But now, Cami laughs and laughs and laughs!!! She loves me unconditionally. She is silly and talks and talks and talks and talks and talks and talks.. and well, you get the picture. =)

Cami's bubbly personality spills out and effects everyone that comes in contact with her. but most of all, Cami is mommy's girl! We love each other so much, and grow closer every day. I can't imagine life without her, and to think I almost didn't adopt her because I was afraid she was "too young". But Daddy held firm, he wanted that beautiful six year old!! She can read, write, loves school. Oh, Cami, How I love you!!

They are my three bugs,

Aliana - Lady bug - Jitterbug
Nikki - Love Bug - Snuggle bug
Cami Baby bug -Hug bug


For more info on the girls and their stories on how they got here, go to, www.mythreelilttlebugs.blogspot.com

Musings on Nikki

Nikki -

Three years ago, in Stavropol Russia, I found my Nikki.

Those eyes cried out to me seven thousand miles away. And so for seven months I worried over her. Was she cold? Wet? Hungry? Tired? Abused? How I longed for heer.

When Nikki first arrived to her new home in America three years ago, she was happy, friendly, dark olive skin, and somewhat shy. Always content to be in the background, she was the last to ask for anything, always waiting patiently for her turn to come. There were no attitudes on the way the other two girls demanded attention. She accepted that in her quiet unassuming way.

About a year and a half ago, just before we moved from Utah, Nikki finally opened up and literally "busted" out of her shell. Nikki had always been a book worm, always reading, absorbing everything around her like a sponge. She at times had showered us with dry wit, but when she finally exploded, she really "exploded'. What joy! She instantly turned from a shy "pick me last - I don't care girl" to someone, who decided to believe in herself. She is hysterically funny. She is bright, articulate, well read, and extremely happy go lucky. She has a very european exotic beauty look. She doubts herself on her beauty, but Nikki's beauty is VERY special because she doesn't even realize how beautiful she is - she is beautiful in the most beautiful way - INSIDE AND OUT. She has a heart of gold. Nikki can do amazing things with her hands and fingers. She could be a Doctor if she so desired, her hands are that steady and sure. She helps me with my hair, I LOVE it. She would be a great Beautician. Nikki has the world at her fingertips, and it is because she is so well - informed.

She is my Russian Beauty, who defied all odds to be here, with her Mama that loves her so much. Don't ever forget your beauty or your self worth, my little girl, and don't forget your daddy's love either! (Nikki shown in my dress I wore at 18 also)

Musings on the girls

This was written Nov 2nd 2007, on our way to Utah on an airplane. Aliana has asked me to publish it, so here I go.

Well, the girls have been here from Russia for three years now. The journey has been an incredible one. I can't believe that that three short years ago, we went seven thousand miles. It was a great wonderful experience then, and continues to be so.

Aliana came here loud and boisterous. She was demanding, silly and fierce. She knew what she wanted and went after it. At ten years old, she thought she was in charge, and most of the time, we helplessly stood by, and gave her the control so we could translate Russian to English. Not that she understood the English, but she was able to pick up very quickly on things we needed - temporarily- and with keeping both other girls in check. She was a huge help in Russia. (And home in America).

Now, three years later, Aliana has calmed down somewhat - but can still be load and bossy. She doesn't like the teasing and silliness as much as she did before, and sometimes now she is sullen and acts like she is bored to death and just doesn't care about anything. It's called "I'm thirteen now, and I'm all that and a bag of chips". "Word up'!

She is amazingly beautiful, and smiles so delightful that it captures your heart and takes your breath away. She loves to dance, chorus, she loves to sing. She loves music, her IPOD, Frankie, (our shit tzu), and is now big into wearing fashionable clothes. Her hormones are all over the place, (of course, I would be worried if they weren't!).

Would I trade her? Do I ever regret getting her "last minute"? NO!!! NEVER!!! She has added so much dimension, diversity, frustration, giddiness, spirituality, you name it, that I know - yes I KNOW ----Aliana is supposed to BE HERE. She is a gift from up above. Thank you Heavenly Father for her life.

She is very helpful and self sufficient. She has the mind of an engineer - always can figure out how to do something and to put things together. Beauty and brains make for a lethal combination. She is a handful, but has sung her way into our hearts. Also, Aliana is a Daddy's girl!!!! How she is loved! (this pictures is a picture of Aliana in a dress that I wore at 18 years old!)

We miss you Morgan!!! He's been gone a year now!! Yeah!! We love our Mowgie Man! Elder McKell!

Elder McKell has grown in leaps and bounds this year. We always knew he could. I love him so very much. The man he is becoming is fascinating to watch, and it is very humbling also. He works so hard on his mission, and doesn't complain, although he has had many things to distract him. Many miracles have happened.. and for that, we are eternally grateful.

We love you, Elder McKell!!

My Cami, Aliana, and Nikki and their cute new bangs, March 18, 2008

As you who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints know, our Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley passed away January 27th at 7pm surrounded by his family. He was ninety seven years old. We loved Gordon B. Hinckley- because he was a good man, a good example, one whom you wanted to be associated with. His spirit was young, and his smile so engaging. He was such a happy Prophet, and was known for holding onto his cane, but rarely walking with it. What a man. We all got the news here at 10pm eastern time from our son Mike, and the girls had just gone up to bed minutes before. I called them down, and told them the news. We all stood and cried, holding onto one another. You see, President Hinckley played a CRUCIAL role in these girls being here. We didn't talk about it that night - or the nights to come - but we have talked about it several times in the past.

When Vinny and I were going to adopt, we got to a point where we felt maybe we were talking ourselves into adopting. So we decided to pull back and wait. The next Sunday was a combined Priesthood/Relief Society meeting - and we found ourselves watching a video about adoption. At the end of the video - President Hinckley came on and admonished all that could to adopt. While the film was largely about babies, President Hinckley said anyone one who had the means and the heart to open up their home should do so. We were so touched, and felt that this was truly a sign from on high that we were to adopt. The girls know that story by heart.

Well, last night we decided to have the girls write their feelings about Gordon B. Hinckley. Here they are, unedited, and you have to know - we did not encourage them in any way to say anything. They spoke from their hearts. Vinny and I were so touched.

Please enjoy and comment.

Aliana -
Gordon B Hinckley is my Prophet. He is the most honest man I have ever seen. Gordon B. Hinckley has been a Prophet for more than ten years. Tonight I am going to tell you why I love him, and would like to thank him for everything that he has done for our religion and our family.

Three years ago, I came to America. My parents were listening to one of his talks. In one part he said "If you can adopt, do it"! My mom and dad thought about it for weeks, maybe months. They came to a conclusion, they were going to adopt. So here I am, because of Gordon B. Hinckley.

I love my Prophet very much. He has taught me so much. I will never forget him. Last week Gordon B. Hinckley died at seven p.m. That was the hardest time. Because when you love someone so much, it is hard to let them go. He has brought so much happiness and joy into my life. I love him dearly. He was reunited with his lovely wife. She was waiting for him. I will always remember him. Twenty years from now, I will teach his words to my children. Gordon B. Hinckley was old, he could be my grandpa. He loves everyone just like Jesus did. I think that Gordon B. Hinckley is perfect. I love him so much. But I know that he is in good hands. We will never forget him.

Nikki -
This subject is about my Prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley. He is a very good Prophet and man. He is also a good obedient child, he is a good father and brother. He is most of all a good Prophet....MY Prophet.
About four days ago, Gordon B. Hinckley passed away. I feel very bad for his family because they lost such a great man. I also feel bad for the world because of a loss of a great, wonderful Prophet. He was a nice Prophet. He died when he was ninety seven years old. He died with his family. 'In conclusion, we should all be grateful for our Prophets, and the things they teach us. My grandmother said "what a great reunion with his wife". I thought that what she said was a beautiful thing. I am very grateful for our new Prophet, President Thomas S. Monson. Right now we are reading one of President Gordon B. Hinckley's books "Way To Be!" It has helped me very much. I love my Prophet.

Cami -

I'm going to tell you about my Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley. He is a great man, I love him so much. He taught us so many things! I believe that he sees vision's.
I really love Gordon B. Hinckley! I want to be just like him. He really chaged my life, because in Russia I did a lot of bad things. He really helped me with the gospel. He is one of not many perfect men. I feel that he brought me here.
I am very sad that he went, but he is happy. I feel very warm when I see his picture. He is kind, nice, always happy. Gordon B. Hinckley rocks!

Well - after we read these outloud - and Cami -You did not do anything bad, sweetheart!! - But at any rate - I read from my journal what I had written about the Prophet and we felt such a sweet spirit. Aliana then had a wonderful Idea. She wanted us to sing "God Be With You Till We Meet Again". So she went and grabbed some hymn books. We cuddled together on the bed, and said a prayer, and asked that President Hinckley would know of our love for him. We then sang the song. It was such a pearl. I really can't believe the girls faith, love and devotion to the gospel of Jesus Christ. They KNEW a Prophet of the Lord when they saw and heard him. Aliana and Nikki both wore dresses to school to show respect for the Prophet when he died.

We love you, President Hinckley! You have touched our lives in so many ways. We will never feel quite the same without you, but we will love President Monson, and go forth. You rest for now - (If you get to.... ha-ha!) and FEEL OUR LOVE. I can only imagine your reunion with your family - the Savior - and Joseph Smith -Moroni- Paul -Moses -Enoch-Adam- Abraham -John the Baptist - Alma - Mosiah -the list could go on and on and on...

God Be With You Till We Meet Again! We love you and will try to be like you and carry on your wonderful legacy.