Just regular life.

Busy as usual! I just got three new wedding clients this week. We are now averaging 3 weddings a month. Plus I have been trying to find some semblance of normallacy here. I have to go to court on Friday for child support stuff with Mark. Just preparing paperwork for that took half the day yesterday. Michael's work schedule is so crazy that we hardly see each other right now. We got a larger mini storage unit to try and get some of the work stuff out of the living room but haven't had time to even get started over there transferring things. I want to spend a couple of days just working out stuff for the kids school. Chaiya's been at camp for the last several days. I love how minus one kid bring a whole different dynamic to how the family interacts. Very interesting stuff. July is full--- two weddings in the next two weeks. Then we are headed to Flagstaff for a few days to relax and let the older kids visit with their Wilson grandparents. After that Chaiya is off on a Pioneer handcart trek. By the time she gets back there will be about a week and 1/2 before the schools start around here so Chaiya will be headed to seminary that first week in August. Crazy! So I am trying to regain a little of my organizational skills to put everything in place again. I'm off to working on a meal plan and clean the living room before the nurse gets here this afternoon. Oh and one more thing. We are going in to get Lydia hearing aids on the 3rd. She still has about 20% loss that the doctor wants her to hear. I struggle with this even though its a minor thing.

Chaiya's blessing

It has been a very full month already of lots of life happenings. On Sunday Chaiya went in to receive her patriarchal blessing. Before she was born I had impressions and visions about this child being a warrior for Christ. Stupidly, I thought she was going to be a boy. As she received her blessing from Patriarch Townsend, we were overwhelmed by WHO she is. Patriarch Townsend he said that he was arguing with the spirit 3 times over which tribe she is from. This amazing daughter of mine. I have always known how incredible strong , super smart and wonderful she is. Chiaya you are such a blessing in my life. Don't doubt that you can accomplish anything, you have every thing in your path to do amazing things. Thanks for choosing me to be your mom, your mentor and your companion in this life!

Terrific Twos

He made it to his second birthday! Thayne was born on flag day which has always been a favorite holiday of mine. That might be strange but I have tons of happy early morning memories of celebrating this day from my childhood. The last two years have felt long.
I love two year olds! Many many years ago Mothering magazine published a wonderful article on "Two Year Old Time". I loved that article and appreciate that someone took the time to write about the wonder of two year olds. When we aren't trying to keep them on our time schedule constantly and see that the world is so new and so amazing , two year olds aren't that bad at all. If we can try to remember to see that crack on the sidewalk with amazement or follow that ant as he is crawling down the sidewalk maybe we can reclaim wonder in our own lives.
I am so grateful Thayne choose to be here! Thank-you to all of you who helped get him consciously here. I can't wait to explore the world this year through his eyes.

Father's Day

Super Dad title of the year goes to Michael!
There are no words to express how incredible of a man he is. Our kiddos adore him. He is everything that LOVE is embodied. Patient, kind, loving, gentle, etc..... He makes our family whole. Celestial DNA. I love being married to this amazing person. Check out chaiya's blog to see how she feels about him. Wow how blessed we are.

Amazing Maliea's graduation

Tonight we had Maliea's graduation! For all of you who were able to attend, THANK YOU for sharing a special night with us! For all of you who couldn't; we are putting together a special little package with the speeches and pictures so you can feel like you were with us.

This was so important to Maliea and I am so happy we homeschool where she could thrive, grow and learn at her own pace. Maliea gave a fabulous speech and Chaiya blessed her sister with a reading of Dr. Suess "Oh The Places You'll Go". Thayne was everywhere and I mean everywhere during the ceremony. We had some fun little quips about homeschooling and lots of love was shared as several shared memories of Maliea. Part of me is a little sad that she grew up so fast and is excited about facing new opportunities out there. Most of me is so very very pleased at how far she has come and the amazing young woman she is. What a gift from Father that she has been for my life!!!!!!

boy/girl flu

Quayde calls it the boy/girl flu. We have had it before. It hit the boys first last time. This time all four of us girls have been not well! Lydia is still not okay. I think her immune system was low from her surgery so she is still throwing up. The rest of us girls are recovering. Michael is starting to come down with it tonight. It usually only last 24 hours. Hopefully it will pass up Thayne and Quayde this time.
Maliea's graduation ceremony is planned for Saturday evening at 7. We have had fun looking through old pictures and remembering lots of fun times. We are making a poster of pictures of Maliea from little to now. I need to get everything together so it will be wonderful for Maliea.
So I'm off to sleep and recover more!

Lydia's surgery went quick and easy! When we arrived at the hospital she looked around and said "OH I've been here a thousand times"
Dr. Raines said she kept talking and talking and they finally just put her to sleep to get her to shut up. At least he knows now she does talk past that trach tube!
Were home and tired..left for the hospital at 5 am. My face is swollen on one side looks like someone gave me a black eye. I woke up this morning and surprise, I'm a chubba. I am pretty sure its a ethmoid sinus infection. I don't have any pain anywhere, so it's sort of a mystery. Unless I got bit by something and its a reaction. Who knows it doesn't hurt at all so we will see. Michael said he'd still love me even if I looked puffy for the rest of my life.
Off to take a short nap!

QOTD

"This dad stuff is hard work" by Michael as he is reading yet another story to Lydia as I am driving home from the hospital.
He thought he would be able to sleep if he let me drive. Lydia had other ideas!

Deep Concern

This morning Michael and I are laying on the bed with Lydia. I tell her that she is going to the hospital tomorrow for surgery and we need to change her trach etc.. tonight to get her ready. She slaps her hands to her cheeks and say "OH S**T!" I was shocked but sometimes we don't understand Lydia's words very well. So concern I said what did you say sweetie? " She replies" OH S**T!"
Me:"Lydia we don't say that word, it's a trash can word..You can say OH NO or OH Heck"
Lydia: "Okay... OH S**T!"
Me:" Lydia...no! We don't say that word!"
Lydia: " Okay....OH S**T!"
Michael:" Maybe we aren't hearing her right...I don't think that is what she is saying"
Okay..now I am laughing so hard that I have tears in my eyes cause really it sounds soooo cute from her. So I tell her I am so sad she is choosing to say bad words.
Me: " Lydia...you aren't really saying bad words right? You are making mommy sad"
Lydia:" Yes I am saying S**T, I said... OH S**T"
Me: "LYDIA!!!!"
Lydia:"I'll say nice words tonight"

Summer Movie Nights!

Yes, Summer Movie nights are back! Tonight's feature was The Rescuers . Quayde and the little ones had never seen it and Chaiya only remembered small amounts. Maliea, of course, remembered every detail! She has an amazing memory. Next week we will bring more snacks and extra blankets as some of us got a little cool. Thayne did ok and only screamed at the screen a little. Come join us next week on Tuesday night...8:00pm at the library's back lawn. It's free and fun. Next week's feature is The Apple Dumpling Gang. It looks like there is no theme (remember last summer was all dog movies) except that they are old disney movies.

Happy Birthday to my very best friend

I shared a yummy meal with my very best friend today. It's Kristi's Birthday!!! Yeah. I am so privileged to share my life with her and to be a part of hers. It's almost been 19 years since we first met and we have been through everything together. Babies, divorces, falling in love, teenagers, crazy little boys and more! She reminds me of Who I am and she supports me even if she doesn't agree with me. We have been through many eternities together. I wish everyone had a Kristi in their lives. Today she reminded me about perspective and how having brunch doesn't mean you forgot breakfast. Sorry I don't have a thousand extra dollars to buy you that dreamy luggage you want. Hopefully the magical mug will do! Love to you Kristi . I truely hope today was filled with joy.