Memorial Day

Trying to figure out how to get pictures off of Quayde's (Chaiya's old) phone. We had a wonderful day up in the woods and then at the National Cemetery here in town. The wind was blowing a simple breeze, enough to make all the flags valiantly fly. It was quiet and peaceful all around. We read names and contemplated on heroes and their families. Michael spent almost 21 years in the USAF(he retired just 5 years ago) . I spent just three. Our time serving helps our perspective on loss, love and what it means to be a soldier. I am so grateful for our men and women who really are sacrificing every day. Michael and I will most likely both be buried at a national cemetery someday. Heck, our kids won't have to pay for a grave space that way :)
It was a perfect day for being a family!

Sunday Morning = Child Abuse

"Mom, my shoes are too tight! They are killing my feet"

" Where did you get all these tangles, just sit still while I try to brush them out "  " ACKKKKKK, quit it mommy..... it is brushed enough!"

" I don't care where your toothbrush has been, just use someone elses then"

" you should have gotten up earlier, shove the food in your mouth 'cause we are going to be late for church."

"there is too much starch in my shirt, I can't move"

I'm quite sure these things are only heard at my house. Right???

Build a Bear Workshop

The desert warmth and yellow saguaro blossoms greeted us as we traveled down the hill to Phoenix on Wednesday. Lydia had been waiting for the day to arrive and was up at 5:00 am even though we did not have to leave with the rising sun. Our journey was to be a visit with Dr. Raines but this was not what she was excited for. After our doctor visit we went to a real mall!

Lydia's one main wish for her birthday was to go to Build-a-Bear Workshop.

My one rule was that she could not choose any bear that had a Disney character or actor.

After choosing her bear, she went over to find the perfect sound. They did not have any more giggle sound devices. For a moment I thought that she was crushed but she started laughing and grabbed the monkey sound. A monkey sound in a bear? Well, yes! What could be more funny?

The stuff of what bears are made of.

Next you choose a heart and rub it all over your body (?) and place it in your bear.

Next you give you bear an air bath  and a brushing.

They give you free bows to put on your bear.  There is a tons of clothes, shoes and various outfits to make your bear even more expensive  even more beautiful.

I was very pleased when she picked out modest clothing for her bear. There were many outfits that had spaghetti straps and tube top style. She avoided those and picked a great tie-dyed top and  jeans. I tried valiantly to talk her out of the socks and Sketchers tennis shoes but alas she really needed them.

A very happy girl and her new companion.

Her doctor appointment went sort of well. The stoma (hole) where her trach tube is healing well. He will she her again in July to determine surgery options. The bad news is that her palate needs to have surgery again. She had a soft cleft palate repair when she was 14 months.  Over the years the repair has separated and she will need more surgery to correct what is still quite open.

We did have a great day at the bear place. The mall was a little overwhelming, it is Phoenix.  After the bear building we only stayed and ate a little snack then headed home. I guess we are not big time shoppers. lol

Lydia loves her bear and has it has been her a constant companion.  

growing

A week ago Lydia, Thayne and I placed some tiny seeds and a bit of hope in a little peat moss. Surprise! the Moon and Stars Watermelon only took about 4 days to start sprouting. We started 18 little plants and they are all doing quite well. Yesterday we transplanted a few of them to bigger pots. Michael built a larger box  in the garden for them and we hope we will have a bumper crop come August. Little tiny tomato ones are reaching up to the light also. The littles are so excited about checking them each day. Quayde and I had a great discussion about if we had to grow all of our own food, what that would take and how much variety we could come up with, considering the space we have. The cantaloupe and peppers haven't come up yet but squash is right behind the watermelon. I just need to find enough bigger pots to transplant them too. Can you believe it is STILL getting down to almost freezing at night here? It might be a another few weeks before we can plant outside. Our garlic and onions are still thriving well in the yard. I am looking forward to really enjoying this summer!

Quietly

As close as I guarded my heart, I can not stop this feeling of loss for this little girl who will not be part of our lives anymore. We have been nurturing and tending to Melody since she was about 9 months old. Over the last seven months she has been with us for about 10 hours each day for most of the week. Michael got a new position at work, in which he became Melody's mother's supervisor. This change created problems at work since we have been loving this girl for awhile. His new position did not come with an increase in money and we will be a great deal tighter on our budget now that she will not be with us. The money aside completely; her little bed was empty this morning and there is a big difference today.  It will  be nice to get back to a regular rhythm without having to clean the messes that are made as a two year tornado swirls through but for now the little place that is reserved in my heart for her is sad.

All the gear he needs

Last week Chaiya took Thayne on a  sister/brother outing. They ended up watching some baseball games that Cayden is the umpire for. My little boy had a blast playing umpire after Cayden's games. All the ump's came to play with Thayne and dress him up. Sooo cute!

Happy birthday Maliea

Oh yes! It's Maliea's turn for a birthday celebration.

Where have the years gone?

Maliea is 22!

This shirt has a story. It was her very favorite gift of the day I believe.

Maliea purchase another shirt just like this at Snap! Snap! years and years ago. She loved the shirt so very much that she wore it until there were holes in it everywhere!

Chaiya recently snuck into Maliea's room and took the beloved shirt. We have been threatening to throw it away.  Chaiya then found a way to get another shirt exactly like the first, minus the holes and wear. Maliea's face lit up with so much joy when she opened this gift.

Chaiya knew exactly what would thrill Maliea's heart. We all believe that this saying on the shirt is Maliea's mantra for life.

It has been a most blessed day. We were also able to attend the dedication service for the Gila Valley Temple this morning. It was lovely to feel the Spirit so strong. I am so blessed by having Maliea in my life. She is smart and sweet and full of everything that is wonderful. Having her birthday today made everything about this Sunday perfect.  Happy Birthday my first daughter!

QOTD

Quayde: " Well, if all else fails I guess I could be a good janitor"
This he stated as he was returning from doing his chores and taking out the trash.

In our backyard

Today we went out to get our garden boxes ready for planting. As we were fixing the sprinklers and soaking the soil, a little spider appeared. She was protecting and carrying her egg sac. We were all amazed . I did not even know that spiders stuck around to protect their egg sacs. We watched as she rolled and carried it to the side. She would stop and wrap her body around when the water was too strong. Michael ran over and turned off the water as she climbed up the side of the garden box to get out. I had to take a picture of her. What a beautiful spider!

We have some nice onions and garlic growing strong. The weather has been so different this year, that our other things, like melons and squash are still in little peat pots in the house.

While I was outside I thought I would take some pictures of our beautiful weeds.

Our bushes

The bane of my life- Juniper tree

Although I totally love the shade that it provides and it is great for the hammock to hang on.

Toys that are just hanging around

A really cute kid playing in the treehouse.

I really love our backyard. We have a great fenced area with grass and then the back that grows mostly wild.  I think we really need to spend more time out there. It is starting to get warm enough that we can enjoy it again. Yeah for Spring!

To round out the week...

Tonight we were able to go and spend a wonderful evening being uplifted and inspired. Maliea received a certificate of achievement for 2 years worth of study in her Institute class. I forgot to bring the camera with me so we just took this picture at home afterwards. There were only 6 adults receiving certificates like Maliea with about 30 high school seniors receiving their Seminary diplomas.
This has been a very full week. I really don't want to eat another piece of cake but someone pictured above has a birthday next, maybe she'll want pie.

Princess Maliea

My sweet Maliea just left a little while ago to attend the S.N.A.P. Prom. I am crazy happy for her. She is my loving, kind, quiet daughter that has life's flowers bloom a little slower than others. She is so so dear to my heart and is the most pure spirit I know.
Here are some pictures from our getting ready, to her and her date Tyson (Cayden's brother) heading off for an evening of fun!

Whoo hoo high heels! Can I walk around in these all night?

Lydia said Maliea looked like a Disney Princess!

Her date arrives. Tyson is quite the young man and looks marvelous in his tux!

Pictures on the porch before they leave.

I think, they didn't really know what to think as all of us kept taking picture after picture.

The "stretch limo" awaits.

Tyson and Cayden's parents actually had to leave out of town for a family emergency , so plans had to be changed at the last minute for transportation. Right now they are off enjoying a Midsummer Night's Dream themed prom with dinner. I hope she is having the best of time!

QOTD

Michael and the boys just returned from the Father/Sons Campout
ME: " I don't think you can be my husband anymore....I just found an empty can of Vienna Sausages in the cooler!"

Happy 10th Birthday Lydia!

A part of me never thought this day would come, that we could be celebrating this little miracle of a girl on her 10th birthday!  Today has been a day filled with a great deal of joy and laughter. Lydia was so incredibly excited for her day that she awoke at 4:00 am this morning. We have plans for an outing to Build a Bear workshop at the end of the month. Lydia has requested that she would like to go there. Today though, we had to celebrate.

There was a few little gifts here and there. Cayden and Chaiya came back from their lunch out and brought her a bag of french fries. You would have thought they were gold because she was so tickled to have a big bunch with ketchup.

 

She wanted to go to Peter Piper Pizza as a big treat. Their dough doesn't have dairy and they are really good at making sure there is no contamination with cheese. Thursday night isn't a huge party night so we practically had the whole place to ourselves. Everybody played some games and enjoyed some food.

This was her first year of being able to blow out her candles. Lydia blew out all of them by herself. For most people you would not think twice about your child being able to blow. This is a huge deal for us, for her. I am so thrilled and I told her that her wish better be a good one. :)  Honestly, my heart is so full with the milestone that this is. She is been such a blessing in my life, she has taught me so very much about what is truly important and real and I am so grateful for every single moment that we have shared on this difficult journey.

Lydia you are amazing! Happy birthday my ten year old. May there be so many more birthdays that someday you will want to reverse them. I love you with everything I am!!!!

QOTD

While doing math today, Quayde has a light bulb go off..." oh in two years I'll be 16, no wonder they say the world is going to end."

Fresh mint

The property where the reception was held this weekend was out in the country. Basically in the middle of nowhere, where there wasn't a store around to run to when we ran out of potato soup. :( 

There was a tremendously large area of mint growing wild in the adjoining field and we gathered some right up as we were packing up all of our equipment.

Right now I am enjoying the best cup of fresh mint tea that I have ever had. We are drying some for later also. It is delicate and so yummy with a touch of agave. Just perfect for relaxing!

Happy Birthday Chaiya

Chaiya is 19 today!

The years have gone by so quickly yet so full. She is such a remarkable young lady full of ambition and motivation. I think she is just unstoppable. Chaiya has a gift certificate to ModCloth to spend for her birthday. Thank you Shawna for picking up her carrot cake for us. We now have plenty of sugar in our house. I know we don't have many more years that she will live with us which comes with joy and momma sadness. I am so excited for each new avenue that she explores.

It is quite amazing to watch your children grow into bright creative people. Happy Happy Birthday my sweet daughter! Remember to smile and laugh more this next year. You are soooo loved!

Ahhh it is May

May begins our two months of celebrating! There's May Day and Mother's Day then all the girls have birthdays, Memorial Day and then my best friend Kristi's birthday, Thayne's birthday and end with Father's Day. Quayde is the only person who doesn't have a day during this time so his whole life we have given him an unbirthday party too. We throw in a few weddings for work and there is always someone we know who is graduating; so you see things can be a little crazy around here!

Chaiya's boyfriend Cayden is now at the top of my list! He really is so very thoughtful. He made me the most delish, rich, yummy chocolate mousse brownie cake! I'm telling you this boy could be famous some day for this dessert! I took one piece so far and haven't shared with anyone.(the rest is in the freezer) Wasn't it nice of him to bring me something for Mother's Day?

My sweet husband gifted me with these amazing orchids and a chocolate bar! The best thing he did, which gave him major cool points, was load up the van with all the rental stuff from our work this weekend so I didn't have to.

Now I was simply treated like a queen I tell you! Chaiya got me this amazing not practical at all purse! Everyone should have something whimsical and fun in their life and now I have a great item. The little made these great cards that they had to answer questions about what they thought about me. Wow, there were some funny answers that I will cherish forever. Of course Thayne, if he was rich wants to buy me a baby basket????
This weekend we also created an outdoor Euro cafe style wedding reception.

Our decor had old fashioned bicycles complete with bread, flowers and sparkly. We even made this cute little road sign that placed us in the middle of Italy.

Oh this weekend was so much fun, lots of work and lots of love! On to tomorrow and a birthday celebration.