Joel & Syna

Like I said in this video, you guys are already probably sick of our last video that has been going around so I thought I would make a new one. This one is a little more silly and shows what huge dorks we really are! This adoption process is an emotional rollercoaster so it's nice to still be able to laugh at yourself! :)  

Joel is the best thing in my life! He is so patient, loving, and incredibly selfless. He'll be pretty embarrassed about me gushing over him, so you should tease him about what a softy he really is!  ;)  He wakes me up every morning with a kiss and makes sure I have enough blankets. On the weekend, he makes me breakfast on top of our normal morning routine. Joel always goes out of his way to make sure I’m comfortable in any situation. I know he will do the same for his future children.

 Joel does new home construction and remodeling with his dad and brothers. It's pretty amazing that he works with his family all week long and then they still wants to hang out on the weekends. They build beautiful homes and take pride in their work. One of the first things I was attracted to (other than his good looks of course) were Joel's rough hands. I knew right away that he was strong and a hard worker, which is still true today. He is always helping my parents out on their home as well. He remodeled their main floor and put in new flooring without expecting anything in return.

 He has such a great work ethic but is still so fun and makes me laugh all the time. He's really silly, always busting out awkward dance moves and cracking jokes. Lately he's been working on his hand stands to beat one of the neighbor girls on who can do one the longest. It’s so funny to watch him walk on his hands around our kitchen island while Cooper tries to nip at his feet. Those two wrestle and play the second he gets home from work and it's pretty dang cute.

 Joel's up for anything and will eat everything. You would be amazed to see how much ice cream he eats regularly. We already mentioned previously our love for the outdoors. Indoors he loves to play ping-pong. He's a big fan of BYU football and Jazz basketball. Joel gets pretty fired up while watching any sporting event while I usually read next to him, trying to ignore him yelling at the screen. At night to relax he likes to watch whatever show we have recorded or are currently binging on Netflix but hardly ever stays awake for a full episode.

 Joel is very athletic and has a passion for sports. He played football, soccer and wrestled when he was younger and now plays softball on a city team.  I remember when we lived in Salt Lake, Joel played on an all Polynesian Rugby team, making him really easy to spot which was helpful because I hadn't a clue what was going on. Your child will have the opportunity to try all types of spots and have their dad helping them along the way. Joel enjoys playing catch with his nephews and would love a child of his own to do so with. 

His testimony inspires me to be better, he is always serving the Lord and his fellow men. He served a two year mission in Samoa where he grew to love the people there. It was one of the hardest and most rewarding thing he has ever done and I know it has played a big role in making him the man he is today. We recently had a chance to go back and it was a trip of a lifetime. It was so touching to see the long term effects Joel had on some people we reconnected with. The people there are so happy and loving and we hope to go back one day but next time with kids in tow.

 Joel is very social and gets along with anyone he meets. He's easy to talk to and easy going. Joel is so great with kids. He is a hands on uncle and loves his nieces and nephews very much. I know he will be such a great dad. I can’t wait to see him step into that role!

My life has changed for the better since I met Syna. The first thing that caught my eye, other than her drop dead good looks, was her super unique personality. She was friendly and social with everyone. Even me, who she had never met before in her life! That whole night I was trying to think of ways I could be close to her and get to know her better. Not much has changed since that night! Syna is still the same fun, loving, and energetic girl now that she was then and she is everything to me!!

 When Syna and I first started dating we had so much fun together! I was surprised after a couple weeks that she was still interested in me! When we weren't together on a date or just hanging out we were talking or texting on the phone. We were pretty much completely involved with each other’s lives every hour of every day and I loved it!! I had never felt this way about anyone and was excited each day by what new things I would learn about her! 

I learned early on that Syna is Cambodian and very proud of it. I loved that she took so much pride in her culture and ethnicity. I loved Syna's parents from the moment I met them! The first time I went to Syna's parents house Syna's mom said I could come over and watch a movie if I stopped at the store and picked up a gallon of milk!! I was very entertained by this and told her I would be happy to! All of Syna's family members are warm and kind and we love being together for parties, we especially love doing karaoke together!! 

Syna and I have been married 8 and a half years now and its been a fun ride! Syna has turned into quite the adventure buddy! When we first met I think she had gone camping a couple times with some friends and I hoped that was going to change. Syna knew then that I loved the outdoors and that I wanted us to enjoy them together. One of the first things we did when we got married was invested in climbing gear. Living in Nibley we are so close to many canyons that have endless amounts of climbing walls. Syna is a natural at climbing! She is fearless and puts all her trust in me when we climb together!  We can't wait to take our kids climbing with us someday and hope that they develop the same love for adventure sports as we have! We also love backpacking together. The first time I took Syna backpacking I was pretty nervous, but she was super tough and had a great time! Syna is not a quitter, and although it wasn't easy for her she finished strong and we have been many times since then! I love her spirit of adventure!!

 Syna is one of the most compassionate people I have ever met! She is so understanding of all types of situations that people find themselves in. If any of her friends ever need advice they call her. She will always take the time to talk to them and help them in any way that she can! I can remember a time when Syna got a call late at night from a friend who had had a rough night and had been ditched by some friends and needed help. This happened in the middle of the night and Syna went right away and picked her up and took her back to our place to sleep for the night. The next morning Syna fed her friend and then spent a few hours just listening to her friend vent. Thats all she needed at that time and Syna has offered that same attention to others that she is close to!  I know that any time I have a problem or concern that I can talk to her and she always calms me down. Syna is the best listener! 

She loves everyone she comes in contact with and makes everyone feel comfortable in any situation!  I also watch the way she works with the youth in our church and those girls love and respect her and it’s because she shows that same love and respect to them! She is going to be a wonderful mother someday, hopefully sooner than later!!

 Syna has a very entrepreneurial spirit and I love this about her! When we started looking in to buying a home she already knew that she wanted her own home salon. I thought this was an awesome idea! Syna has been working there now for nearly 4 years! She loves her clients and they love her!! She also does videography on the side. The most recent business venture has been a hat company. She started to help her parents out financially. She is great at getting online and finding classes she can take that teach her to do all these things. She is extremely talented and loves making people feel good about themselves! I love it because I have the best hairstylist in Cache Valley in my home all the time and she's never too busy to take care of my hair!!

 One of my favorite things to see is Syna interacting with our nieces and nephews!! She loves each of them so much and spends time getting to know them individually!  Syna on multiple occasions has had sleepovers with them on one condition that they are out of pull ups! This has been a great motivator for certain nieces and nephews and we enjoy having them at our house! Syna is about the only adult in the family that can match the energy levels of these kids! She will play with them for hours and hours and never act bothered or irritated! I think I already mentioned that she is going to be an awesome mother but I will mention it again!!! She absolutely loves kids and will do anything for them! She always looks for opportunities to get together and do something fun with the nieces and nephews! Earlier this year Syna saw that Beauty and the Beast was coming to a local theatre so she asked which nieces wanted to go and planned a fun night out with the girls! 

Syna is the best wife I could have ever asked for! She shows complete devotion to me and I know that she is always there for me no matter what!  She is completely devoted to her religion as well! Each Sunday we walk together across the street to the church house and enjoy worshipping there. We are excited to take our future children with us someday and hope they will have that same devotion to the Lord! I know that Syna's testimony of the things she believes is going to bless the lives of our children and will be influential in their growing up to be awesome citizens in society!

 I hope this little bit that I have written about Syna helps you to understand what a wonderful person she is! I can't wait to see her as a mom! If the things I have seen her succeed in are any indicator of the type of mother she is going to be then your child will be in the best hands!  She has so much love to give and wants more than anything to give it to your child!!