In Memory of Sweet Nathalie....

Today is a very special day, as it's the day our dear friends' daughter entered the world. She was taken shortly after. Her earth life was brief, but I know today she is with my son and they smile together, waiting for us to return to them.

In honor of her memory, the family has asked that we share a note in purple to celebrate love and unity.

I wish to express my deep love for the Vanns. We went to BYU together and spent many a dinner together. They are just some of those people you know you were close to in the pre-mortal world and while distance may separate us now, true friendship knows no bounds.

In Nathalie's honor, I wish to also express my love for all my family and friends. You are in my prayers daily and I wish nothing but ultimate happiness for each and every one of you. They say after death you appreciate life more. I disagree completely. I've loved you always. I've cherished you every single day like it was our last day. Perhaps it's just because I've always known life is precious. Our relationships even more so. Thank you for being who you are.

Jesper.... Oh dear Jesper....

Sigh. I love my children.

They are awesome- case in point:
Christina has a little friend she made from the other 1st grade class.

Jesper.

Jesper is a boy, and Christina prefers to play with girls.

But Jesper is down with the girls. Slightly feminine I think.

Jesper, according to Christina, is "A quarter black. Just like me. You want to know how I know? I just do."

So today I saw Christina talking to a boy as we left and as soon as she got home I asked who it was.

It was Jesper.

Jesper is a "hefty" little Hispanic boy who was wearing Army Fatigues.

My little Buddy... Michael Bolton

Oh Michael Bolton, my sweet little friend, what would I have done without you today.

We played at the park, did the library scene, you figured out how to work a computer mouse...

And then at bedtime you and Mommy jumped into Christina's bed and were ready to stay there the entire night.

** This whole school during summer is interesting. I'm going to have to work a lot harder on getting the girls to bed at a good hour. Tonight we were invited over to a friends house for dinner.... AMAZING. They own a bakery and were the one's who had the girls on for the cupcake wars- let's just say dessert was the best. :) Anywho, they had an acre backyard that was phenomenal and the girls played and enjoyed themselves the whole time. It was so peaceful, then we look up and it's 8:45 PM. Yikes! Tomorrow I will be a better mom.

My Shining First Grade Star

Sigh. I made it. Barely.
This is just really too hard. Christina is such a joy. It's like she's my core. And the thought of not having my core around is too much.

But I know I'm selfish. She really had a blast today. She came running out wearing a pirate hat and going on and on about the treasure hunt they did. The teacher had parents come in and listen to a story and say pledge with the children. And then we left.

And the clock ticked.

And ticked.

And ticked.
If it doesn't get easier for me this week I'm turning to food and am going to become one of those 700 pound people you need a crane to get out of the house when they die. And I will die because I miss my sweetheart so much.

She walked into class and 4 children malled her. "Oh Christina!! Christina!! Hey Christina!!" A friend from last year was holding hands with her, another little boy trying to give her a hug....

....

....

We saw a little boy from Kindergarten who has shady parents and he had a horrible black eye.

Sigh.

Life after death I hope will be easier.

I dread tomorrow.

I'm trying to hold it together, but I honestly feel like dying and that life is too hard. You see, tomorrow my Christina, my sweet angel goes to school.

First grade.

It seems so unnatural for her to be away from me and every part of my soul is weeping.

Am I dramatic, perhaps? In all reality I know that she has so much to offer the world. She had a beautiful father's blessing tonight and part of the blessing talked about how through school she would become closer to Heavenly Father as she taught others about Christ. I know she'll be an excellent missionary. I know she'll make friends and love her teacher and love learning.

But all of this doesn't really help. I miss her deeply and she hasn't even started. I can't breathe right. Fortunately, I know how to keep a straight face when all I feel like doing is crying. I don't want her to be scared after all, no matter how scared I am.

I just don't want her to get hurt on the swings, or learn cruel behavior or be a victim of ill behaved rats, or be sad or be bored. I want to control her life and make sure it's blissful and full of happiness.

This is horrible. And it was hailing today. I think God is as sad as I am.

I keep reminding myself I believe in the education system, this is why I became an educator. I feel I made the best choice for teacher. I will volunteer in the class. I will be the PTA. It will all work out just fine.

...

...

...

It's just she's my Christini. The minute she was born, I knew true happiness. I knew utter joy. She's my everything. I love her so much it hurts.

Ang's Baby Shower... Once, Twice, Three times a lady!

I decided to do a desert night. I was hoping we could be outside, but in July, what was I thinking? Of course it was windy and dripping rain here and there... and then today it hailed. Ah Nevada, you and your freak weather.
So the food was good and the company even better!

Ang was lookin' good. She got some cute little things for her sweet baby girl that's coming in September. Overall, it was a very nice time and I'm just happy another precious soul is coming into the world with such wonderful parents. Hooray for eternal families.

Melio Gespari Water Fountains

I don't have to worry about them drowning, I don't have to worry about them getting hurt because they don't run....

In fact, most of their time was spent on the above pictured. It was their "pole", where they could do stretches for ballet.

So what is one to do? Watch them and love every minute of it! And also read a book. (The Family Under the Bridge... easy read, very nice book with happy ending) My only qualm was they only accept cash here, which I feel is lame and inconvenient. The same can be said about ABC's series LOST.

The joys of summer. I wish it would never end.

The Girl's Bedroom... Coming along

Perhaps it's because they don't sleep here, but the princess room has really just been empty with no point. And then, I just decided to do it. I fixed the above pictured, the wall border had been peeling and coming off... now it's crisp. Just like a sassy black man riding a horse...open your eyes, shut them, open them... he'ya.

And this little gem was from when I was a young suckling. Tobi was packing her belongings as she found a new place to stay and while we chatted, I got this painted some exotic name that really, when it comes down to it, is just white.

Next on the list, find a white trundle bed for cheap. Or win the lotto miraculously, seeing as I don't buy tickets, then buy princess carriage beds with canopies. My vote is for the lotto miracle. Also, I need to figure out some sort of valence for the window.

Food Network Cupcake Wars.....

Our dear friend was asked by food network to make a video of their bakery. They might be going on to do a national program called cupcake wars on food network.
Is it any wonder they were singled out?
Here's one of the masterminds, Jessica.

Action!!

Hey is that Grandpa Joe over there? No, just faking you out. His limo was repoed months ago, but that story you'll have to wait for as Joe hasn't started his life memoir yet to pay for the girls college tuition. Sigh. Plus Oprah is done, what? This year? Sigh again.

Debbie. Rockstar. My bookgroup homie.

Do you see these lovely bows? 5 years later with 2 girls, I finally figure it out!

This is Jessica's cutie pie. Such a beautiful little boy!

Our dear friend Debbie is amazing! Let me just say she is the nicest, most down to earth, most generous person kind soul!! Plus her bakery is the best to boot! Seriously I could live and die in there and be blissfully happy. It was so kind of her to invite my girls, I felt so honored. I just wish them all the best. Not to mention they sent us home with a box full of treats!! Seriously, sooooooooooooooooooooooo nice!!!

Artground

Well, we knew it was coming after Latina Satanica. I turned our backyard into an art stomping ground. I had about 5 different art projects and mediums scattered around for them to just have at it. It was fun! Especially for me because I just got to hose them down afterwards. Christina lovingly stated, "Mom, you're the best. Thanks for the artground." I thought it was a pretty clever title for the event! We'll be doing it again soon, especially since I found huge mirror for $1 at the thrift store! Reflections in art indeed!