Spring Has Sprung!

Spring is here. This time, I believe for good. I have enjoyed the opportunity to mow the lawn and work in the yard. Leah loves smelling the pear and cherry blossoms. Sally, the Mustang, has been out and about. I took her to her first car show and she won an award. Fun times. Spring is awesome.

Leah loves the concept of smelling flowers, but doesn't know quite how to do it yet. She gets close to the flowers with her nose and then breathes out instead of in. Cute.

She loves the hammock. WHEEEEEEE!!!!

Leah enjoying the Pear blossoms

Leah is discovering the outdoors and enjoys hanging outside with Daddy.

Cheesy grin!

Eyes of sky blue

Enjoying the Cherry Blossoms

Resting in the yard with Daddy

I took Sally to the Cruisin' Chadders Car Show. We took 2nd place!!! I think it my have been rigged to get the new guy to come back. Nonetheless, I am excited and had a fun time.

Giving Back!

Everybody knows how blessed we are to have Little Leah Caity B in our lives. We love her so much. Everybody knows how grateful we are for the major role Caitlin's played in making us so happy. We still keep in touch with her from time to time and are anxious to attend her graduation this May. She is such a go-getter and she has made us proud as we watch her make the right decisions for her life. College and military service have always been important goals for her and it makes us happy to see her stick to those goals that are worthy of someone with her potential.

As we have witnessed Caitlin making the right decisions in her life we often think of ways to give back. Not just to her, though we want to, but to the many other brave young women like her that have chosen to make something wonderful out of circumstances less than desirable. As we consider the struggles we have encountered to start our little family, we also think of those who are less fortunate; those that maybe do not have the resources to complete the adoption process. Adoption is such a mentally, emotionally and spiritually draining experience as it is, yet those in power seem to also make it financially draining or not possible at all due to money. Couples wanting to adopt are taken advantage of regularly by legitimate and illegitimate companies playing on their emotions and promising to bring them happiness. I do not see anything changing soon, but we want to be part of the solution for both the birthmothers and the adopting couples.

Sarah and I are in the process of establishing a foundation that we hope will do just that. Initially it will simply be a scholarship program funded by us that will offer financial assistance to qualifying birthmothers that have a desire to get their lives back on track via higher education. We hope there will be a day that we will be able to do regular fund raising and donation seeking to broaden the scope of who is affected by the foundation. Maybe we can offer low to no interest loans to couples wanting to adopt that cannot afford it. Then in turn, their repayment of the loan will continue to help others in the same way. Maybe we can help couples with the costs of fertility treatment or sponsor seminars and workshops that would raise awareness for the need to adopt or the support of adopting families or birthmothers. The possibilities will have no limit. (Consider yourself warned. We will likely come begging for money in the next ten to twenty years looking for donations! I know you will do what you feel you can.)

The thing holding us up right now is the name for the foundation. We are open to suggestions. We want the name to focus on families or adoption in some way. Here are a few names we have come up with already. Some are great, some are not. Please chime in with your suggestion or vote.

*Moving Forward *Foundation for Forward Thinking *Foundation for Forwarding Families *Further Forward Foundation *Another Step Forward *Families for Families *Furthering Families Foundation *Leah Caitlin Bliss Foundation *Families First *Life for Life Foundation *From Love ~ To Love *Giving Back Bliss Foundation *Trosper Family Foundation *Bliss-ful Family Foundation *Full of Bliss Family Foundation *Forwarding Families Foundation *Two Caitlin's Foundation *Forging Families Foundation *Foundation for Forging Families

Please let us know what you think.

April Fool's!!!

Well, April Fool's came and went and as last year, the girls got me good at work! Last year, if you remember, they wrapped my office and everything in it in Aluminum Foil. You can see it here. That was funny. This morning, I was anxious to see what they had done, if anything. Turns out they had not. Phew! Thursdays are extremely busy for me and I tend to sit at my desk from sun up to sun down and bust numbers all day until it is time to go home. My office is on the third floor in the corner and I park right below so I usually see my car throughout the day. I was so busy today that I didn't even notice that they had got me by wrapping my car in Plastic Wrap! It makes me wonder what they will do next year....Wax Paper?!

Anyways, Thanks Kamie and Shanna and whoever helped. Remember, revenge is a dish better served cold! Here are a few pics of the damage done! All in love of course. Of course.

Protecting my Jeep from the harmful rays of the sun?

Or maybe the snow?

I just told everyone it was a really bad and cheap clear coat.

Sweet, Sweet, '65 Stang!

The newest member of the Trosper Family ~ A 1965 Ford Mustang Coupe

The last couple years I have developed some strong opinions about life and money. I have tried to simplify by selling two of my five cars (the Jaguar and Range Rover) in an effort to simplify. I love European automobiles, but decided it would be better to shed the status symbols and live a life that would be perceived as a little more responsible and less concerned with worldly things. The stupid thing is that the more "conservative" and "responsible" vehicles cost much more than the European cars I have become accustomed to. Nonetheless, it was important to me that I shed some of the world, as the world sees it.

The next step was to sell the Alfa Romeo Spider and get a classic Ford Mustang. Since before I could drive, I have always wanted two cars....an Alfa Romeo Spider and a Ford Mustang. I love my Alfa. Every time I drive it, I have fun and feel like I am driving on Autopia at Disneyland. What a fun little car that is. Unfortunately, it has not been driven for three years. Sarah is not a big fan of the convertibles and the local car shows welcome me, but do so with snide remarks and insults from the corners of their mouths. These are not reasons why I decided to get rid of it, but reasons still. My plan was to sell the Alfa first and then look for a Mustang. I found one I felt was for me and the price was right, so I pulled the trigger early. It will be sad to see the Alfa go, but I am excited to welcome the new ride into the garage. I present to you other gearheads.....my new 1965 Mustang Coupe!

17" Torque Thrust Wheels

Leah makes the beauty of a car look even more beautiful

This car makes my garage look even better

289 bored 30 over and balanced, Edelbrock endurashine intake manifold with matched cam, shorty thermacoat headers and Edelbrock 650 cfm carb. Aluminum 4 core radiator with electric fan. 4 speed aod with stall converter and shift kit. 1979 Lincoln Versailles back end with 9 inch disc brakes 4:11 gears with Detroit locker.

Leah is a Mustang fan. Can you imagine her driving this to school in 2025?! She will be the coolest chick in school with a 60 year old car!

New Pony Interior. I still need to get the door panels switched out.

I need a name for her. Any suggestions? My current Jeep is named Jeep after the cartoon character and the Spider is named Alf. The Jaguar was named Shaggy after Austin Powers' Shaguar, the Range Rover was named Rover and the Jeep Rubicon was named Ruby. Now I need a name for this fine beauty.

Yellow has always been my favorite color so it is appropriate that this car is yellow...Spring Yellow to be exact.

Well, nonetheless, I feel a little silly owning 4 cars. I will feel less silly once I sell the Alfa. My financial views are still the same and this purchase falls in line with them. I still feel it was a responsible move. I guess I can scratch this off of my bucket list. Thanks to Sarah for putting up with me and my hobbies.

The Lazy Christmas Card

Dearest Family and Friends,

We hope this lazy Christmas card finds it's way onto your monitor sometime within this wonderful season. 2009 has proven to be filled with events of joy and sadness for the Trosper household, but ultimately a fantastic year packed with memories and love. While some dismiss the Family Christmas letter as an chance to brag and boast, I believe it still provides the wonderful opportunity to let those we love and those that love us to know how we are doing and what we are up to. My only regret is that we have not effectively accomplished this by mail. We LOVE receiving cards, pictures and updates from each of you and in an electronic world, the value of a piece of mail has only increased. My apologies to you that we were unable to add that same joy to your holiday that you have provided for us. I promise to do better next year. Please keep the cards coming; our efforts will improve!

Little Leah Caity B - Of course, this was our first full year with Leah Caitlin Bliss and it has helped to make it our best year yet! We first need to express our love and gratitude to God for sending this precious angel to us. We next need to express our love and gratitude to Caitlin who has helped to give us this amazing gift. She is in our thoughts always and we are constantly reminded of her by Leah. Of course, this year has been loaded with advancements, progress, and stories of Leah. Anyone that knows us, knows Leah. She is sooooo full of personality, love and beauty. She is so smart and curious about anything new or interesting. She is tall and slender just like her Dad! (please keep the snickering to a minimum!) She has seven teeth, knows where her nose and eyes are and loves to stick out her tongue. She walks everywhere, all the while pointing and saying "Who dat?" or "What dat?". She loves to dance to her Rock n' Roll Elmo and enjoys watching the horses in the back yard while pointing and happily saying, "Hoity". She has been a dream to travel with and is typically the happiest baby around. I worry about her ego as she gets SO MUCH LOVE and attention from everyone around her. Her favorite activity.....looking at herself in the mirror! Our adoption of Leah was finalized in court on April 17th and we were sealed in the Mt. Timpanogos temple on April 25th. We are so so blessed. We love our little angel.

Sarah Kathleen - Sarah has had a fun year adjusting to being a full time Mother and she has done incredibly. Sarah loves Leah so much and is happy to have her life revolve around her. In her spare time, what little there is, she takes on projects for family and friends. Whether it be writing and illustrating books, electronic scrap booking or helping her Mom and step-Dad with their business, she always is happy to help and does an amazing job. She is the most talented and creative woman I know. This year she was released from serving the young women at church but is now an Activity Days Leader so she gets to work with the pre-teens and she enjoys it. She is so supportive of me in my calling and responsibilities. There is no doubt, and I am sure no one would dispute it, she is the better half.

Q - What a great thing it is to be a Dad. It has been quite the adjustment, but a very pleasurable one. Leah has a special way of warming my soul when she chooses on her own to hug me or to put her nose to mine and stare into my eyes. I have thoroughly enjoyed watching Sarah surprise me time and time again at how selfless she is and what a good Mother she is. They both make me so happy. I am currently a Vice President for a small marketing company in Thanksgiving Point, UT. While I may not necessarily enjoy what I do day to day, I realize I am so blessed. The owners are the most amazing bosses and are such great examples to me. My employees are good people which makes my job that much more stress free. There is not a day that goes by that I don't thank my Heavenly Father for such a blessing as my job. I am currently in the Bishopric of the Stake Young Single Adult Ward. It has been a wonderful opportunity to learn, stretch and grow. Even though it seems like yesterday that I too was a YSA, working with them keeps me young. I pray daily that they will find true happiness and will not get lost in this sometimes confusing time of their lives. This year I chose to simplify my vehicle situation and rid myself of three cars. One left...anyone want an Alfa Romeo? While I miss them, it is such a relief to have them gone. The year started out great for me as I entered American Fork's Biggest loser contest. After losing 40 pounds in two months, I fell off the wagon on vacation and quickly gained it all back. The end of the year was a little tough on me as well, as the Men of Troy have struggled. I continuously remind myself that the other school in Los Angeles would kill for an 8-4 season. We will return to glory once more in 2010. I am sure of it.

As a family, we have traveled quite a bit. We visited Grandma and Grandpa, uncles, aunts and cousins in California four times! We went to San Diego, Anaheim, Disneyland, the beach, Sea World, and the San Diego Zoo. We spent some time in Moab (our favorite place in the world). We also visited Zion NP, Bryce Canyon NP, Arches NP, Canyonlands NP, Dead Horse Point SP and Goblin Valley SP with the littlest Trosper and his new sweetheart. We later got to attend their wedding in Temecula, California. After celebrating Thanksgiving with the family in Corona, we went on a Mexican Riviera cruise to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas. Each of these trips involved my wonderful family and/or our wonderful friends and neighbors. We are ending the year off with a cabin trip to Snowbasin to celebrate the holidays with Sarah's family. Traveling with Leah is something to get used to. For being such a little thing, she somehow manages to double our luggage and materials! While it has not been easy, it has been worth it. She loves to experience new things, as do we. Happily, we are blessed to do so.

This holiday season has been stressful (never take a vacation immediately following Thanksgiving) and it has been a trial to work myself into the Christmas spirit. I worry more and more each year as I watch society as a whole slip further and further away from the true meaning of Christmas as they get more and more wrapped up in the gifts, the stress of money and what others may think. I hope we all can remember the true meaning of Christmas as it relates to each of us. This may be, the birth of our Savior, or the opportunity to gather with loved ones. It may be the time to reflect inward on the last year and what we have done for those less fortunate or it may be the time to reflect on how we will serve those less fortunate in the coming year. I hope this season means all of these things and more for each of you. A loving God has displayed His love for us everywhere we look. We simply need to open our eyes and choose to see. From us to you and from ours to yours. We hope and pray that the holidays bring you peace and joy.

Merry Christmas, Melekalikimaka, Feliz Navidad, Yukpa Nitak Hollo Chito, Joyeux Noel, Nollaig Chridheil Huibh, and Frohliche Weihnachten!

The Trospers

Marque, Sarah and Leah

Project, Codenamed "SIMPLIFY"

About six months prior to renewing my relationship with and that would eventually lead to marriage to Sarah, I spent some time in God's country...Alaska. So touched was I by the beauty there that I immediately resolved to live there. I had made arrangements with my employer that I would work from September to May and then live in Denali National Park from June to August. What a freaking cool arrangement, eh?! I have always believed that I could be just as happy living in a tent as I could be living in the lap of luxury. Of course, this is pure speculation as I have not had the opportunity to experience either life styles. Of the two life styles, I honestly believe I would rather live in a tent than in the lap of luxury.

With that said, I have been quite blessed in my life to work for such a great company that has provided for me and my family a lifestyle that is comfortable. One that allows me a few extra unnecessary benefits and indulgences. One of these unnecessary indulgences is my love for European automobiles and automobiles in general. I wholly realize that cars are a complete waste of money and resources and likely the worst purchase ever in terms of value. None the less, I have continued time and time again to load up my garage and driveway with more than I need. I recently committed to end this madness and take up a more simple life.

I am proud to say that I, a person who owned six vehicles six months ago is now down to three! A couple months ago I sold the Saab, a couple weeks ago, I sold my Range Rover and a couple hours ago I sold my Jaguar. Now the key is to maintain this plan. I believe I can do it. Though I did see a good deal on a sweet Bimmer....

May oh May! Where Hath Thou Gone?!

WARNING:

This is an excessively long blog entry!  If you do not have a ton of time to wade through the senseless drib drab, either skim through the pictures or visit another time when you have a more generous schedule.  Warning, this is not a test.  This is the result of a very busy work schedule that has forced Marque to put aside his blogging efforts until he is only able to produce one extremely long blog entry rather than several shorter entries.  Warning!  There are way too many pictures of Leah in this entry.  That is your tough luck!  The author thinks she is too cute to ignore or put limitations on the quantity of Leah pics.  Consider yourself warned.

May brought several changes in the Trosper household, from moving to not moving to possibly moving and back to not moving.  We did have a garage sale and managed to organize a bit better (by we, I mean Sarah).  While we only made $180, we managed to spend WAY more than that (by we, I mean me).  The first of many purchases, was a Suzuki King Quad 700.  We have been debating an ATV purchase for quite some time.  The time seemed right and a friend I trusted made me a good deal.  We are looking forward to many picnics in the canyon this summer.

My two biker ladies testing out the new ride!

We are a happy family!  Now we are a happy and mobile family!

I also felt it was time for Sarah to have a new car.  I did not like her car, though she claims she did.  Of course, cars are my weakness, and for ten years I have primarily bought European.  I went a little more practical this time around and got Sarah a Subaru Forester.  I first made sure that we did not have to be a member of the Ski Team, PETA or Green Peace.  Turns out, Sarah doesn't have to quit shaving her legs to drive a Subaru and I can still avoid Birkenstocks with wool socks.  It needs tinted windows, but otherwise we like it.  It is easier to get Leah in and out of.  Sarah likes that.

While I was there, somehow I ended up buying a new Jeep.  I love it...even if it is Longhorn Orange!  In some light it looks Cardinal.  I need a fifth car like I need a hole in my head!  I actually intended on trading-in the Range Rover and Jaguar, but the offered trade-in value was laughable.  I was grateful to be able to deal with Brad Smith on both transactions.  He is a great guy and I wish him luck on his mission to serve in the Marshall Islands.  The missionaries there will be indeed blessed to have such an amazing mission president and wife.  

For Memorial Day, we got together with our neighbors.  Typically we leave town for a week or so on vacation, but we didn't this year.  We were happy to spend it with our third family.  We sure love our neighborhood and ward.  This little princess is Bella.  She is entirely incapable of smiling without looking to her left.  She loves Leah and Leah loves her.

I promise we did not cut her feet off!  She loved this swing.  Our good neighbors, Brad and Lisa Myler, were kind enough to let us use their yard (really a park we refer to as "Myler Land").  We had a blast.

Our neighbor, Candace Ashby.  Leah's favorite sitter.

I dare you to look at these two and tell me I am not the most blessed dude in all the land!

Mindee and Paul Hansen

Two of our favorite traveling buddies, Rich and Deb Anderson, even if they do get KFC for a BBQ!  You can't tell because he is sitting down, but Rich has a backside like Michael Angelo's David!

Our dear friends, Brian and Jessica Boshell.  We are glad they are staying in the neighborhood for a bit longer.  Hopefully by the time they leave, Brian will have moved up to a big person's chair.

See!  I told you she can not smile without looking to her left!

Candace Ashby and Bella Balue Blackhurst

Bishop Myler and me

Uncle Joe Ashby and Leah

We love introducing Leah to things of nature.  I pray she will appreciate God's beauty as much as I do.  Here is Aunt Brenda showing her a Maple Tree

Okay, She has had enough!

She is happy now that Dad has her.

She did not like the inflatable slide at all!

But she liked the sun!  (Don't worry Grandmas!  We put sunscreen on her!)

I went longboarding early Memorial Day and took a digger!  My elbow got a little road rash, but the part that hurt the most was the palm of my hand.  It was black and blue the following day.  It felt great!  Sarah is worried this is a mid-life crisis.

The day before Memorial Day, we went to visit Sarah's Dad's gravesite.  He is buried at Camp Williams Veteran's Cemetary in Bluffdale, UT

Three generations.  Leah will love him when she finally meets him.

I am so grateful for those that serve our country.  I don't come from a military family, but appreciate those that serve our country or community in any capacity.  My Grandfather served in the Coast Guard, Sarah's Father served in the Air Force, Sarah's brother, Jacob, serves in the Army currently, my brother, Scott, serves in law enforcement and my Father served in the Forest Service.  Don't forget me!  I served at the Olive Garden.

Leah loves you Grandpa Wilson!

Leah says, "Happy Memorial Day!  We love you and appreciate you all that have served, do serve or will serve!"

Leah Pictures!

Apparently that monkey doesn't like Leah.  He is about to attack her!

I have introduced Leah to my favorite past time....lounging in a hammock!  She seems to be a natural!

May also brought solid foods to Leah!  I don't know if you can call most of them solids as they are all mushy.  She is eating rice, peas, green beans and Cheerios.  

Leah's Great Uncle David, drove his semi through Utah from West Virginia on his way to Oregon.  It was nice for the boys and Leah to visit him at one of his stops.  

Uncle David is Sarah's Dad's Brother.

Leah is a Princess at the Burger King

My Nephew, Elijah Reed with a jaw breaker

Our neighborhood has a softball team.  They have a fun time and we like cheering them on.  Here are two of our cutest cheer leaders.

Meadowbrook Mafia's Softball Coach - Brandon Peterson of BP Construction.  (looks like a tough guy doesn't he?  He is!  He broke my camera immediately after I took this picture.  He then repeatedly kicked me and called me bad names)

Joe "the Toe" Ashby...next at bat.

Benchwarmers

Sarah got Leah's pics taken at Kiddie Kandids.

She can be a real goofy girl when she gets tired...I wonder where she gets that, SARAH!?

Apparently we don't feed her enough, because recently she likes eating her foot

What a doll

Sarah's first Mother's Day.  Sarah is an amazingly loving, nurturing and caring Mother to Leah.  I am constantly amazed at what a good job she does taking care of us kids.

Again with the foot

"GRRRRRRRR...touch my apple and I'll...."

My Nephew, Jakey Reed

Leah loves animals and is afraid of nothing.  Of course she is used to seeing the horses out our back yard, but she is a very brave little girl.  Here she is petting the horse at Thanksgiving Point.

That wall kept floating up, so Cole is holding it down!  Way to go, Cole!

Leah is eating her stroller straps and the calf is eating Jakey's lunch in the back of his stroller.

Leah fell asleep with one shoe on

Aunt Brenda feeding Leah her first real food...if you can call it that!?

Thanks for letting me share most of May all at once.  I apologize.  Hopefully life will slow down a bit so I can keep up.  I appreciated all the comments and emails wondering where I had disappeared to.  It is nice to know people read the blog and rely on it for their daily shot of sunshine (aka - Leah Lou).