Love at First Sight

Something that immediately attracted me so much to Kenny was his love for Kason and his desire to be the best Dad he could. When it was time for Kason to come to Vegas for his summer visit, Kenny and I were just starting to get more serious. The more serious we got, the more nervous I got about meeting Kas. He was only 22 months, but I KNEW that if Kas and I didn't click that would be the end of Kenny and I. Kenny was actually flying out of Utah to pick up Kas for the 4th of July so him and I drove up north together so I could spend the 4th with my sister and her family. I dropped him off at the airport and planned on picking him up the next day.



I went inside the airport so I could help Kenny with the bags. I will never forget that sweet little Kason in Kenny's arms. He was so little and happy. We sat and waited for the bags and I remember Kason just sitting there smiling at me. Kason has a smile that will melt your heart instantly. Him and Kenny took off right away for Malad so it was a brief, but great meeting. A few days later we all headed back to Vegas together. We left late so Kas could sleep while we drove. He was having a hard time sleeping so Kenny had me climb in the back seat with him. I'll never forget him holding on to my arm cuddling it. It was a first sweet moment with a little boy that has become part of my everything.

Isn't he the sweetest thing?

He has grown up so much since then!

 

Because I was working at a bank at the time I had Thursday's as my day off so I offered to take care of Kason so he didn't have to go to daycare. Thursday's became my favorite day of the week. I would come pick up Kas and he would come run errands with me, we'd have lunch together, and play with all of his toys at the house. He was my little buddy and we bonded. He couldn't say my name very well so Emily became Mimi... it's still what he calls me today and I love it. He tells everyone that I'm his Mimi because I'm a kind of a Mommy.

 

 

Waiting for Daddy to Come Home

 

Blowing Kisses

 

I am so grateful for this little guy in my life. I feel lucky to be part of his world. I can't believe how quickly he is growing up! He is such a little boy now and it amazes me how time flies. I can't wait to have a baby so that he can be a big brother. His Mom has a daughter and he is so sweet and cute with her. When we were in Texas last time he told us that, "When you have a baby from your tummy and it's a boy (he really wants us to have a boy, haha) I want to share a room with him. I want his bed like right next to me so I can hold his hand while he sleeps."  Aw, I love the kid so much!

 

Kas graduated from pre-school this last week and he seriously looked so handsome in his little cap and gown! He'll start Kindergarten in a few months and we are praying that we will be there in Texas for good by then so we don't have to miss any more big moments like this one! :) Love our Kas!

 

 

 

Timing

There's so many more stories I have to tell about Kenny and I... but one of the most important stories is how Kenny's family was always meant to be my family someday. It's a pretty crazy story actually...

Rewind to Fall of 2006...

I was sitting on a plane heading home from my brother David and new sister-in-law, Robyn's wedding reception. They had eloped a few months earlier so we all traveled to Denver to celebrate with them. On the way home I had full plans of getting caught up on the school work I had fallen behind on while I was gone. As I was reading my book the cute older man sitting next to me started to chat. He was SO funny and interesting and I had a great conversation with him. We ended up talking the entire 2 hour plane ride. He told me all about his family. His kids, grandkids, great grandkids, etc. As the stewardess announced that we were going to be landing this cute man asked me if I was dating anyone. At the time I really wasn't so he asked if could set me up with this grandson, Landon. I figured one date was harmless and so gave him my number. A few days later his Grandson Landon called and we went on a date. We hung out a few times after that, but figured out we were just good friends.

Now fast forward to Winter of 2009..

Kenny was hanging out at my house looking through my Facebook. As he scrolled through my friends list he stopped and asked, "How do you know Landon?". I told him I had been on a few dates with him, but hadn't seen him a few years... Shocked he says, "That's my cousin!" I then told him the story of how Landon and I even met... Then he says, "Did that cute man have the last name Budge? Cause if so that's my Grandpa!". We died laughing and couldn't believe the coincidence. A few months later I got to see Grandpa Budge again and he was in just as much shock as me that all these years later I ended up with one of his grandsons! He still to this day LOVES to tell the story and that he always knew I was supposed to be in this family somehow. He sure was right... just a little off on the timing. :) I couldn't be more grateful for the family I married into. I really feel like Heavenly Father blessed me! They truly are the most amazing and inspiring people you will ever meet.

 

Grandma and Grandpa Budge

 

When Kenny and I talk about our college days there are so many times him and I should have met but never did. Kenny used to study with my best friend on campus everyday. I would visit her frequently and she would have study groups at our house. He did all of his banking at the credit union I worked at all through college. We hung out at all the same places when we were both single... I can go on and on... The point is...

 

  It's all about timing people! There are so many opportunities that Kenny and I should have met  before we were with the people we married at one point. But we didn't. I could sit here and ask why... it would have saved so much heart ache for both of us if we had just met first. But then would we have even liked each other? Some of the qualities we most love about each other and that keep us strong as a couple were developed when we've gone through our hard times. And because of how it all happened I'm lucky enough to be a step Mama ("Mimi" or "Kinda Mommy" as Kas calls me) to Kason. Kason is so much of the reason that I want to have my own children... because I love him so much that I can't imagine not expanding that love to a bigger family! I feel so lucky that I get to have him in my life!

 

 

These two are my entire world.

 

 It's just another reminder to me that I am not on my own time table... I am on the Lord's time table. And thank goodness. He knows me better than I know myself.

 

As this opportunity with Pound the Pavement for Parenthood has come I am reminded of that yet again. For the last couple of years as we have been struggling with infertility I have kept asking "Why us? Why can't we have our family now?". But now I have my answer. Because I needed to meet the incredible people involved with PPP. Going through infertility has just been one more thing that has strengthened Kenny and I as a couple. Because I needed to open up to others about our struggles so they could open up about their own. So many doors have been opened. I am sure that as time goes on I will find even more reasons why this is how we get to start our family... but I know that all of it is happening because my Father in Heaven has a plan for me. It is the best way for me. I love him so much and am grateful that he provides the opportunities and trials he does so I can become a better person.