Ready or Not

 

I got a phone.  It's overwhelming and I am sure it's awesomeness is lost on me but it's here and eventually I'll grit my teeth and learn how to use it.  It's the iphone 5.  Glenn bought it for himself, was unimpressed, went back to his old phone and threw this one in my direction.

My kids are beyond excited, my friends are relieved and I am sure once I learn how to use it I'll be happy I have it ................if I remember what it can do.

You see, a few weeks ago I was running with Glenn's iphone so I could listen to Pandora.  About halfway through my run I heard a call come in.  Oh no, it was a client of Glenn's & what if it was important?  If only there was a way to get a hold of him and let him know.  I was nearing an intersection where I might come across a fellow runner, a kid on their way to school or a car stopped at the light.  Surely they wouldn't mind letting me borrow their phone to make a quick call.

What to do, what to do, if only I had a way to get a hold of him.  I am picking up my pace nearing the intersection when all of a sudden it dawns on me that I could use my Pandora thing-y to call him.  Brilliant.

This may take a while.

When you wish upon a Star............

 

Lila Glenn turned 10 and a pink party was in order.  She had about a dozen friends over for pink food including pink grilled cheese sandwiches, pink popcorn (it's not a celebration if there's not popcorn!) some crafts & a doll fashion show.

I couldn't have done this party without Emry and her friends.  They decorated, learned how to do the craft on youtube an hour before the party started, made awards and were in charge of judging the fashion show.  They were so cute and interviewed each girl and asked about all their dolls favorite things and talents.  Of course each girl got their own award fitting to their doll.  Utterly Adorable.

Lila sporting the hat and boots she got as gifts, & the necklace craft we made.

As much as I love the kid parties, I was really excited for the next night when all Lila's adult friends, who happen to be my friends :), came over for a dinner party.  This Raspberry Truffle Cake was so rich and decadent.  I guess I take after my mom in that I made enough food to feed an army.  Guess I won't have to cook all week :)

Clockwise from left - My parents and Lila - Katelyn Downs, Emry, & Maddie Dixon - The Dixons, he is the Bishop of our ward and we love their family - Jeannette & our friend Sarah.

The moment I've been waiting six weeks for (ever since it arrived in the mail).  Honestly I've never been more excited to give anyone a gift than I was this doll to Lila. The American Girl Caroline doll.  She is absolutely beautiful.  Ethan & Emry gave her the set of Caroline books and my parents gave her an outfit.  That hat - it kills me, it is beyond words precious.

It truly is more blessed to give than to receive as seeing Lila's reaction to her doll was more fun for me than anything and everything I've ever received combined.

Glenn & I are very aware of not spoiling the kids.  Of teaching them how to work hard and be responsible.  Making sure they are considerate of others needs and not just thinking of themselves.  That school is a priority.  But sometimes ............sometimes it is breathtakingly beautiful to throw caution to the wind and make all your child's dreams come true.  To get them the one thing they've been wanting for 4 years.  To throw fairy dust up in the air and witness the magic it creates as it falls down all around them and takes their breath away.

Caroline had 4 outfit changes that night.  A few hairdo experiments.  Dozens of hugs.  And if a doll could feel loved (which I believe they can) then she must have felt utterly adored.  I watched Emry & Lila kneeling in front of the doll crib for a good 10 minutes tucking her in.  Putting another doll next to her so they could sleep together.  Making sure the blanket was perfect.  Tucking in her pet owl as well.  Emry is probably as excited as I am for Lila.  They both went to bed talking about all they would do with her the next day.

Glenn & I take parenting very seriously, but as well as all the hard work that goes into these kids, thankfully our job also includes making sure they have enchanted memories like these that will hopefully stay in their minds forever.

Cold Water

Glenn came home last Thursday night with a grin on his face and I knew something was up.  He said, "Hey, I think I am taking off to Santa Cruz to watch the Cold Water Classics".

I said "Great, when?"

He said "Right now", and 10 minutes later he hopped in his truck with his business partner & drove 8 hours north to watch a surfing competition.  Apparently him & Eric specialize in surfing and watching other surfers.  It must be a legit job because we have food on the table.  

They ran into my brother who lives in Santa Cruz and is married to the ocean.  Yes you can be married to the water.  He is the most loyal, doting husband ever, making sure he's in the water every single day of the year.  He's dedicated to his family like that.

Nielsen & I would play hooky from school to watch this same competition years ago.

This is my brother Nielsen's dog Nessa (pictured w/ Glenn).  Nessa will just pace back & forth on the beach for hours waiting for Nielsen to come in from surfing.

This is our San Jose family.  Left front is my girl Marisa.  I have known her since I was 12. We would always introduce ourselves as "Marie & Marie-sa",  she is completely awesome and knew me back when I was a complete nerd.  Don't try and say I wasn't Marisa because we both know I totally was.

Going counter-clockwise from Marisa - there's Deborah and Sean, Eric, Tiffany & Brandon, Glenn, & Troy (Marisa's husband).

Just seeing this picture makes me laugh because all these boys are HILARIOUS!!!!!!  Honestly, they make me laugh so hard and they all just feed off each other it's the best thing ever in the whole wide world to behold.

I miss you all & next time I am in.  Ten minutes is more than enough time for me to pack.

Weak in the Knees

In the 6 years I've dealt with Rheumatoid Arthritis it's never affected my knees.  Until now.  It started out of the blue last night and progressed as the night went on.  I was at a youth activity for our church with all of these teenagers b-bopping around trying to walk normally because heaven forbid I be seen as some sickly old lady they can't relate to.  By the time I arrived home I had to pop some pills and literally fall into bed as I couldn't bend my knees.

I am not sure why but for some reason, having it in my knees makes me feel old.  It conjures up images of people who can't walk, can't run.  That would be me right now.  I've always exercised through the pain but when you can't bend your knees,  what can you do? 

It's the weirdest thing for your body to betray you.  I've made many mistakes in my life but abusing my body hasn't been one of them.  I remember as a  child seeing a  small boy in a wheel chair.  He had no legs.  The image literally took my breath away and has stayed with me to this day.  From that moment I have never taken my health for granted.  Ever.  A healthy body is the greatest gift I have. As I said my prayers that night I let Heavenly Father know how grateful I was for my legs.  My hands.  My heart.  Everything.  I still say it.  Every night.

I am not perfect but I eat good (dare I say great), I get plenty of sleep, am spiritually fed and am very active so what gives.............

What gives is I have peace of mind knowing I did nothing wrong.  I know we are all given challenges and trials that with the Lord's help we can if not conquer, live through.   It's just life, the way it has to be.

I turned off  the comments because I already know how those who care about me feel.  I don't want a pity party, I don't want anyone feeling sorry for me, I couldn't take it.  But know that I am aware of your thoughts and I appreciate it.  You are all in my thoughts too.  Every one of you.  I know at any given time we are all dealing with loss, heartache, pain, loneliness, frustration, or a myriad of other emotional & physical trials. 

I've made an appointment for my treatment next Thursday.  It's the soonest I could go.  I am like a junkie now just waiting for my fix.  I can't even put into words how excited I am.  I feel blessed beyond belief to live in a day & age when this treatment is available (also to have a husband that's footing a very expensive medical bill).  I think all the time about people who lived with this pain before any treatment was made available.  I can't even imagine.

If you are able to.  Take a walk for me today.

Kylee Marie is 15

I'll take any opportunity to call Kylee (front in the blue sundress) by her full name :).  My sister Jeannette's (center in stripes) firstborn turned 15 yesterday, only 1 more year until she's behind the wheel.  She's a typical teen who loves texting and clothes, her friends and having fun.

"Emry & Ethan, can you not smile for 1 picture?!?"  That's it, I am only taking pictures of Lila from now on.

Jeannette worked for days prepping Thai food for Kylee's birthday dinner.  It was heavenly.  My sister served a mission for our church in Thailand for 18 months when she was 23.  So as well as teaching and helping the people there, and having to learn one of the hardest languages, she picked up on all sorts of tasty tips to prepare authentic Thai food.

Satay Chicken, one of my kids favorites!  I took a few other pictures of the food but deleted them as darkness, shredded veggies and an amateur photographer make for a bad combination.

My sister Jeannette & my namesake (close enough :) )  Happy Birthday Kylee, we all love you so much!!!!

Happy Halloween 2012

Last night was our ward Halloween Party.  Primary (which I am a part of) was once again in charge of the cake walk which is super fun as we just get to dance and pass out treats all night.

We started with chili and cornbread, then games, then trunk or treating.  Glenn & I were so busy helping out with the games that we missed the whole trunk or treating portion and by the time Ethan caught on he only got to 5 cars.  When he saw his sisters stash he was heartbroken.  Emry & Lila can sniff out free candy a mile away. I am sure tonight will more than make up for it.

Emry's friend passed down this costume to us and we just added some fake leaves and sparkle and voila, she's a nature fairy.  The cute red head is Madison, Emry's partner in crime.  Madison's mom worked for days sewing this Merida costume and finished just in time for Hallween.

Madison found a cool Merida costume online for $900 and of course that wasn't happening so Shannon (Madison's mom) had to take things into her own hands.  But by the end of the week which also included Madison's birthday party, another Halloween party, a lesson to prepare for church and the day to day of her other 3 children I told her the $900 costume probably wasn't a bad deal after all :)

 This is a family in our ward who had the most awesome family costume, & ALL homemade, amazing.

The top I am wearing was actually Lila's costume from last year.  I couldn't get the tiny waist over my head so I just ripped the waistline and pinned it back together to fit, white trashy and just my style.  I just paired it with a hat I've had for a few years, some pants someone gave me and my own boots.  Ethan's costume is borrowed from a family in our ward who has 4 boys and love anything army related.

We have 3!!!!! more Halloween parties to attend tonight plus trick or treating.  The kids can hardly stand it.
Happy Haunting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fall Carnival 2012

Saturday was the kids School Carnival.  It was a beautiful day and I took Ethan, Lila & 10 dollars on down to join in on the fun.

Last year I was room mom for Lila's class & was in charge of our booth for the carnival. It was so nice to just show up and have fun this year with no responsibilities.  We ran into some friends who inspired my kids to.......................

..................eat sugar.  But really, they need no inspiration for this.

We spent time with their cousins Nathan and Kiera.  They won candy and little toys and thought it was a great day.

And it was.