Quote, "This isn't a banquet.... it's an informal dinner."

 

Christina's quote pretty much summed it up.

The girls won the "Patrick" award for swimming... always being a good friend and kind to others.

 

We love our coach!!!

White & Bronze

 

The girls each moved up a level in swimming! They are doing great and we are proud of how hard they work!!

 

Their schedule is a little crazy and sometimes they are in different places at the same time... so a big thanks to Papa who is a saint and helps out so much with rides!!!

 

This great opportunity would not be possible without Yaya Sofia and all of Papa's help!!!

She's Walking!!! (For a month now)

Ella has been walking REALLY well now (at least the past 3 weeks)! She can even balance getting up by herself. She is all over the place and is FAST!!!

Happy St.Patrick's Day!!!

 

I love holidays. It's a bit of planning... but always worth it!

The leprechauns came and made a mess! They put green post its everywhere, tore up the girls room, but left some fun rainbow clay to play with. 

 

We played with gold glitter slime. Enjoyed green lunches... with a bit o' gold.

 

Leprechaun puff painting and rainbow sand art.

 

We did shamrock lace ups and a roll the dice pot of gold game.

 

We even had simple popsicle puzzle sticks!

 

Our meal was green pesto pasta, salad, and a delicious green juice. And when I say delicious I mean disgusting. But it was really healthy!

 

The kids always love when daddy comes home!!!

 

Thanks Yaya and Papa for the meal and green cup cakes!!

 

We also made leprechaun beards, sorted skittles, and watched youtube videos of Michael Flatly.

Tradition.

TRADITION!!!
Tradition.

Tradition!!!
Thank you Fiddler on the Roof.

 

Invasion. Fear. Unease. Dread.

Sung to the tune of Lavender's Blue

 

Mice are disease, dilly dilly-

Mice steal our cheese....

They creep me out, dilly dilly-

And give unease...

 

They'll claw out your eyes, dilly dilly-

Rip off your flesh....

Squeak and creak peep, dilly dilly-

Just kill me now.

I dedicate this song to Stan and the other "unnamed" mice that have stolen my identity, sanity, and happiness.

Yes. Do I want mice to live the measure of their creation? Absolutely. Just not in my kitchen where I cook.

We called pest control and have anywhere between 2-10.... LIVING IN OUR WALLS.

HOW FREAKY IS THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

All I keep telling myself is that this will be over soon. I don't know how this will make me stronger, but it will. Pest control gave us about 2 weeks and they'll be stopping by every 2 days. Plus they will get rid of our red ants, wasps in the summer, and any spider problems we might have.

Clark Pest Control is my very best friend. I love them like Snape loved Lily.

MONSTER JAMMMMMMMMMMM!!!

 

It was kind of crazy, I was driving and quickly glanced upon a sign... could it really be? The monster truck show was in town!!! I found a coupon and got the gentlemen in for 50% off tickets. Papa is required to go next time. Eli was very confused why Papa wasn't coming since it was a boy's night out. Thank you Papa for taking the girls to Piranha night at the Coconut Bowl. (There weren't enough lanes so he ended up treating the girls out to indy car races, Shanghai vegetarian dinner, and Red Robin root beer floats!! Such a good grandpa... yes mom, we know. You taught him well.)

 

Eli was THRILLED!!!!! He had such a good time with his daddy!!

 

Rock on Ray-no people. Rock on.

 

Right before the show started, Eli had to use the bathroom. He was in the stall next to Joe when the trucks started. Eli was terrified they were going to come into the bathroom.

 

He loved watching them!!!!

 

But his ULTIMATE FAVORITE WAS THE FOOOOOORRRRRRRRKLIFT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes. Nothing got him so pumped up as seeing the forklift take away the smashed cars. He was cheering, clapping, shouting.

Pure awesomeness.

 

As they left, traffic was pretty bad.... but fortunately some Cholo with a beer and cigarette in hand got out of his car to direct traffic. You never know where good deeds will come from. Bless you dear sir.

The boys got home around 10PM. Eli was WIRED. He was all over the place. But he finally fell asleep at 10:30PM.

 

It was quite a great night out!!!

Relief Society Birthday Dinner - Alice in Wonderland!!

 

My mom requested that I make a hat... so I did!!

I let my inner burner free and it felt good to create!!

 

 

I made these 2 hats out of boxes and mom's old velvety pants.

 

Alicia always throws GREAT parties and this one was absolutely stunning. The committee outdid themselves. The food was delicious, the decorations were gorgeous, and Alicia's video was hilarious!!

 

Our hats won some prizes. We were honored.

 

I really liked how they layered the tablecloths. Great ideas!!

Even strong things break

 

Our beautiful willow went through a wind storm almost unscathed. However strong it was, it still had a part that was broken. It's a fairly large branch but it's too high up for us to get. So someone is coming this week to cut it.

 

Come to find out. I'm probably going to get cut up sometime in the future. I've been having back pain since last August. I've seen a chiropractor a few times, but the thing that was worrying me was that I wasn't able to stand or walk for more than 20-25 minutes at a time without my leg going numb and some pretty intense pain. However, it always went away if I just sat down.

 

Well, I got some X-rays done and come to find out I have Spondylolysis and Spondylolisthesis. It's an abnormality in my spine causing cracks in my bone. Since it's a structural problem, physical therapy won't work so I'll be needing surgery. The recovery time is up to 12 weeks with no lifting.

I have to have an MRI to see how it's effected my hips.

 

It makes me so grateful for life. For the ability to walk. For the miracles of our bodies. I know everything will work out and I'm just so grateful for the loving and wonderful support of my family and friends. Especially Joe. One life with him would never be enough. He's so good to me. He is my heaven.

 

God has truly blessed me.

 

It's just a good lesson that you never know what will happen in life. I have faith that God has a plan for me and that no matter what happens, I can return to Him through our Savior. Whatever befalls us in this brief mortality, we are not alone. God is always with us and will help us get through.

Enjoying the change of season....

 

Not that it was an unbearable winter, but we're definitely seeing an increase in temperatures. Spring buds are starting to poke out and the sun is shining, a bright contrast to the blue endless skies.

 

The girls were in full mother mode the other day. It's so wonderful to see my children work, play, and love each other. I'm grateful for a home where we value each other's friendship, are patient with one another, and genuinely care about how each other is doing.

 

Ella LOVES woodchips. She loves everything about them. She goes into business mode every time she is by them, carefully picking them up and putting them on some surface of the plastic. She screams, dances, and is just super content for at least 10 minutes doing her woodchip thang. Then, of course, she tries putting them into her mouth and we end up in the grass.

Build! Build! Build!!

 

I love these Saturdays. It's simple, yet so productive. I love watching them create. Eli loves hammers.

We are so blessed to have programs like this for our kids.

This week was bookends!