nine

NINE months ago today, our bouncy, happy, busy Gage was born.

I can not imagine life without him.

Today we think of his beautiful Korin. You have made this Christmas Day full of joy. More joy than we thought our hearts would ever feel. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your life.

You will always be part of us.

We love you with all of our hearts.

Merry Christmas Korin. 

Merry Christmas!

(you may click on it and make it much larger (and easier to read), if you wanna! Click on "Actions" and then "View All Sizes")

reminders

Now that it looks like this outside

It can officially be Christmas, right?
(of course there is a whole heck of a lot more snow than that out there today)

So I decided to show you my Christmas decor. :)

This is something that my grandparents made for me. My grandma did the picture and grandpa Dotson made the frame. I am so glad we have little things like this around our house to remind us of them.

The plate is a neighbor gift from the best neighbor ever. ;)

The bear and snow globe is a gift that Korin gave Gage. She had the snow globe engraved for him. I love it. I love seeing reminders of her around our house too.

(I promise I do dust occasionally)

This is our nativity. Dustyn's mom gave it to us a few Christmases ago. I love that it's something that Gage can handle when he gets older. I love that I think of Dustyn's mom when I see it.

This is my favorite Santa night light. I love it. Again, from the best neighbor ever.

Our stockings. My aunt made them for us when we were married. I hope to make Gage a stocking someday. If not, I like his too!

Remember when I won this from TAMN? :)

Gage's ornament this year. We gave Korin a matching one. It is engraved, even though you can't tell. (I can't figure out Dustyn's camera. Too complicated for me!)

Our Christmas Card station. :)

My favorite non-sentimental decorations. :)

Our fake tree.

I hope the Christmas Spirit is finding you!

grandpa's hat

it's a big hat to fill.

I hope that through the years we can teach Gage just how to fill it.

mom

this is how Gage feels about learning how to say mom.

I keep trying to teach him, but so far he just prefers Dad. :)

George Horold Dotson

Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend, George Horold Dotson, Jr., age 71, passed away suddenly from a heart attack on December 9, 2010 in Richfield, Utah. George was born in Salt Lake City, February 26, 1939 to George Horold and Ether Fontella Dotson. On December 17, 1969, he married the love of his life, Onda Vee Curtis, in Richfield. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Manti Temple, where, together with their children, they were sealed for all time and eternity. Their family had recently surprised them with a celebration of their 40th wedding anniversary.

He spent his childhood years in West Jordan and attended Jordan High School. George served his country in the Navy during the Korean War conflict. He married JoAnn Lowe on November 8, 1958. They were later divorced. He spent most of his adult life in Richfield, an area he loved and was proud to make his home.

George earned a living working in the SUFCO coal mine in Salina Canyon for many years, and also as a truck driver and an owner/operator of his own trucking company. He worked tirelessly and with great zeal to support and provide for his family. He continued to drive truck more as a hobby in his later years because of his love for the road and the happiness it brought him.

He was a wonderful and devoted patriarch to his large family, and took great joy in assisting his sweetheart in organizing and carrying out family gatherings and vacations. He cherished and was tremendously proud of every member of his family, and together he and his sweetheart drove countless miles and spent countless hours traveling to attend every event in the lives of their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Together they have created traditions, memories, and legacies that will be carried on for generations. It meant everything to him for his family to be happy.

George was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and took joy in being active and in serving in many callings through the years. His favorite callings were serving in his ward’s High Priest presidency in recent years, and as a ward clerk. Together with his wife, they served an 18-month mission with the LDS Employment Agency. He loved going to the temple. Beyond his church callings, he used the many skills he developed throughout his life to help others around him in any way he could, including service in many community organizations.

There was always a major project going on in his life, and he was always active and ready to move on to the next project once the last one was completed. He enjoyed hunting and spending time in the outdoors. He was an avid sports fan, his favorite teams being the Jazz, the Broncos, and BYU. He loved to travel with his wife, and in their retired years, they spent a great amount of time together visiting many exciting places. More than anything, he loved spending time with her. George was respected by all who knew him. His was a life well-lived, and a he was a man well-loved.

He is survived by his wife, Onda Vee; ten children: Matthew (Amy) Dotson, St. George; Rachelle Proctor, Richfield; Cindy (Scott) Farnsworth, Taylorsville; Landon (Tiffiny) Farnsworth, West Jordan; Ray (Mary) Dotson, West Valley City; Dan (Cyndi) Dotson, West Valley City; Russell (Christine) Farnsworth, Lehi; Rickard (Beverly) Farnsworth, Richfield; Rowanna (Keith) Mosier, Phoenix, AZ; Lynne, Phoenix, AZ; 35 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; brother Richard (Marilyn); sisters Joan (Hank) Salis and Elaine Martinez. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Pete; sister, Fawn Tillery; and one grandson.

Funeral services will be held Monday, December 13, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. in the Richfield 7th Ward chapel, 159 N 400 W. Friends may call Sunday evening from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Magleby Mortuary in Richfield, 50 S 100 W, and Monday at the chapel from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Burial will be in the Richfield City Cemetery with military rites by the V.F.W. Sevier Post #5050 and the Utah Honor Guard. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online condolences at www.maglebymortuary.com.

dear grandpa

i miss you.

i can't believe you are gone.



i can't stop the tears from falling.

it's funny all the things you wish you would have done once someone passes away.

why don't we do those things everyday?

why is this the only picture i can find of you with gage?

i wish he would have had the opportunity to know you when he grew up.

i'm so thankful for the time you spent with him.

we love you.

we will never forget you or the fun memories we have of you.

we will never forget the way you served those around you.

i can't wait to tell gage about his great-grandpas. such wonderful men.



you are always in our hearts.



we love you forever. xoxo

dustyn, kamie and gage

life changing moments

One year ago today, we had one of those life changing moments.

One year ago. And yet it seems so fresh in my memory. And still I wish I could remember every detail, every word spoken. I'd love to relive that day over and over again.

I remember being so nervous.

I was so nervous I could have thrown up. And I almost did on numerous occasions. My mind was racing at all of the different possibilities. The only details I knew were swirling in my head, and had been for the previous ten days. Korin, boy, April 5th. Korin, boy, April 5th. That is all we knew about Gage's beautiful Korin. And that is all that I could think about.

I wondered what she would look like, what she would think about us, how this whole face-to-face would go. I was freaking out. I do not do too well with social functions and meeting people. I get nervous. What do I do when I get nervous? I talk. I talk a lot. I make bad jokes. You know Chandler Bing? I am Chandler Bing.

And that is exactly what I did.

We drove up in my Tacoma (totally missing it, by the way). As we pulled into the parking lot, I scanned everyones faces and wondered if any of them could be Korin. I wondered if she was watching for us. (She had the advantage here, she had seen pictures of us from our profile). It was a cold and snowy day. Dustyn had taken the day off and we had headed up early. We wanted to make sure that we had plenty of time to get there, and by plenty I mean we had hours to kill.

Good thing I had Aubrey to keep me sane. I just love her. She knew about Korin and about our face-to-face. She kept me calm as I was texting her all morning. She is a life saver.

We went into the LDSFS Office. I had to go to the bathroom. I honestly thought I was going to puke. Dustyn talked to the receptionist and we waited a few minutes. Finally they ushered us into Korin's case worker's office. She told us a little bit about Korin and said that they were running late. As we waited, they tried to shoot the breeze with us. I definitely didn't want small talk at the moment. It was just making more antsy. We sat in silence. That was even worse. I think we were in there 30 minutes or so, but I could be wrong. It seemed like hours.

The secretary beeped in and told P that Korin was here. My heart started racing, gigantic knot in my stomach. I have no idea why I was so nervous. We had met numerous birth mother's before. Why was this one so different? P went and talked to Korin for a moment and then brought her in.

She was beautiful! And so cute! I instantly knew that I knew her. I didn't know how or when, but I knew that I knew her. I can't even explain it. We hugged and she sat down. Her mom and her son came along with her. We talked about her little boy a bit and kind of got acquainted. Of course I was nervous so I was talking fast and saying weird things and making bad jokes that no one got, and tried to ignore. Ha ha. P asked us some questions and we talked. It was awesome. I felt like a dork because I was being one, but I was in awe of Korin and her courage. I watched her with her son and knew I wanted to be a mother like Korin. I wanted to be the kind of mother that she was to her son.

I don't remember everything that was said. I remember a few questions here and there, but I do remember falling in love with Korin and her family. I wish I could get transcripts so I could remember every word that was spoken. (but then again, maybe not. I really was a dork) I am thankful that I can still remember how I felt. Those feelings and emotions are what I don't want to forget.

It was time to leave. We stood and hugged. I think I hugged Korin's mom first. After I hugged Korin, she told us that she wanted us to be her baby's parents. I immediately started sobbing. And I mean sobbing. I hugged her again and cried. Our case workers had stepped out for a minute. We said goodbye and I was walking out of the room when the case workers saw us and instantly were concerned. They left us in the room for 30 seconds alone and suddenly I come out sobbing? They were frantically asking what happened and what was wrong. Our case worker took us and P ran back in to be with Korin and her mom. They were in damage control mode.  Our case worked tried to talk to us. I told him that she had chose us, but I don't think he understood (or maybe he was just being cautious. I think we were the last people he needed to be cautious with! ha ha). I don't even remember what he was saying, but I just remember laughing because I was beaming and he was still in damage control. It was all quite hilarious.

We decided to head on out. As we walked out of the room we were in, we met Korin and her family at the door. Apparently they had just finished talking to P. We said goodbye again and headed to our truck. I was still shocked that this was actually happening to us.

Dustyn I went to IKEA and had a piece of Chocolate Cake to celebrate. We also went to Target and bought Gage's first outfit. As we drove home, I tried and tried to figure out who Korin reminded me of or how I knew her. It was one of the most amazing days I had had, up to that point. The past year has been full of amazing days. More than I ever imagined possible.

You are right, this post if full of gramatical errors. I feel sorry for your eyes and brain. 

i only speak the truth

how gage feels about teething

(this is what he has been doing for a couple of days. No, he does not need to poop.) ;)

foooooood