Predictable

Adj. 1. predictable - capable of being foretold
adjective likely, expected, sure, certain, anticipated, reliable, foreseen, on the cards, foreseeable, sure-fire (informal), calculable

I was told today that I am . . . just that . . . PREDICTABLE!! While being told this, it was used in reference to being a good thing and a bad thing. I guess in truth being predictable is a good and bad thing. It is a good thing because it shows continuity . . . but, it is a bad thing because nothing one does is ever a surprise or ever unknown. To be honest, I am not sure how I feel about being predictable. Funny how one little word can throw a kink in how your feeling!! And right now, I am not sure how I feel about being predictable . . . the good or the bad of it!

Rasberry Laughs

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"Sisters, wherever you are, whatever the circumstances may be, you are not forgotten. No matter how dark your days may seem, no matter how insignificant you may feel, no matter how overshadowed you think you may be, your Heavenly Father has not forgotten you. In fact, He loves you, with an infinite love."
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

I do not feel forgotten, but my days do seem dark, and I feel extremely overshadowed. Thankfully I have two smiling little girls that aide me in getting up and going with a smile on my face. They bring HOPE to me when my life keeps feeling impossible. I keep thinking as soon as I get thru this impossible situation, I will have a time of rest and will have just happiness for a while. I must be a really slow learner.

Wanna Play . . . but I am sooooo TIRED!

Had Kaelani in the swing while I finished off my hair . . . in the matter of moments, playful little Kaelani grasping at the fish turned to this . . . .

It is just ROUGH being a baby, wanting to play but being exhausted . . . .

Mini Vacations

on Friday, we got to go with some friends to spend the night at the Marriott Resort in Scottsdale. It was lots of fun as always. We didn't get off to the resort till 7 p.m. So, we had a rather relaxed evening. The kids stayed up very late watching movies, and we thought for sure we would have them sleep in! Kaelani woke up at 5 a.m. to nurse and decided to remain awake and talk. I tried to convince her it was time to sleep . . . however, couldn't help but giggled softly over her cute grunts, squawks, and coos! Soon, Kaiya came in the bedroom to tell me "You woke me up!" That followed with two other kids being woken up. Before we knew it, everyone was awake, except Kaelani and I! Heee heee, we fell back asleep.

After the breakfast of champions . . . donuts for Kaiya and I had a left over pizza slice and ice cream, we packed up and headed to the pool for the day! Kaelani and I hung out on the side with our friends. Most of the kids except the two youngest swam. Before going home, I got brave enough to go for a swim with Kaelani. Kaelani loved floating in the water of the Lazy River, and Kaiya loved having "sissy" there by her side!

Here are a few cute pictures of the day!!

She loved tummy time, watching all the swimmer float past!

First Trip to the ZOO

On Wednesday, September 14, 2011, Kaiya got out of school early, 12:55 p.m. She had wanted to stay for a afterschool care pajama party, I expressed sadness that she would be away from Kaelani and I. She decided to opt out of the party to be with us. When I picked her up at 1 p.m. on our drive home, I asked her what fun thing she wanted to go do. She first said "The Children's Museum." With a little cohercing such as can we go someplace that is free (well, after a membership was purchased back in March), like the zoo. So, we ran home, Kaiya loaded up "treats" and I loaded up water . . . off we went! Unfortunately, Danny couldn't come because of a commitment . . . stunk, but was nice enough to let us go anyway!

Best time to go to the zoo, in the fall . . . particularly on a day where there is a chance for rain. It felt like we had the zoo to ourselves!! Kaiya and Kaelani really enjoyed themselves!! Here are a few pictures from our fun visit!

Orangatangs . . . nah! Two of them are too cute for that!!

She isn't having fun at all is she . . . . .
Playing in the water!! Oh well no swim suit.
At the very beginning of our trip . . .

Kaiya and I decided Kaelani woudl be out in a second in the car . . . . both of us were wrong! She was out before we even left the gate of the zoo!! At least she was awake for all of it but the walk to the car!!!

Mom and Daughter

J and Kaelani two beautiful girls with two beautiful smiles. I love just watching J with Kaelani and Kaiya she is the best MOM in the world. Not to mention the hottest one too.

Rolling Front to Back

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family fun

My ladies having a great 1st of the school year swim party. Momma and bug and little gizmo having fun. I love the face that gizzy girl is pulling in here it just cracks me up.

FHE Swim Party

In August, the Palmer family had a swim party to celebrate a few things. First, all the August birthdays and second a sort of good-bye party for Danny's little brother who is being stationed overseas for a few year! Kaelani got to go swimming with all her cousins, big sister, and her dad! Lots of fun was had by all! It was Kaelani's second swim party in less than 5 days!! We had lots of fun. Mom was too tired to go swimming after working all day . . . wanted too but it was just too much work to get in the pool. How sad!!!

Silly Moments

One of the things I love the most about Danny is his ability to just be at Bug's every whim! He is so attentive to my needs, and makes sure that Kaiya is taken care of also. He is pretty much up to play ANYTHING she her imagination can dream up! It is these "quiet" by ourselves moment that make me and us so happy!!

Kaiya LIGHTS UP when Danny is here!!

One of the many DRESS UP outfits he wears!!

I love these two!!! They bring smiles to my face and laughter to my heart!!

TWINNERS!!

Okay, so with girls 6 years apart . . . you never ever find outfits that are the same for them to dress in. And as cheesy as this is . . . I have always wanted to every once in a while dress my girls the same. One can imagine my EXCITEMENT when I happened upon these . . . . .


Kaelani loves Kaiya. She gave her first real SMILE to Kaiya on July 17, 2011. And this is just an example of how she lights up with BIG SISTER is around!!!

Simple Fun!

One of those moments in life that you just have to ENJOY!!! Love how much Bug enjoys being around Danny. Love how special Danny makes her feel. Love how much they both love "Lil Miss" aka "Gizmo" aka Kaelani! Love all three of them soooo much!!

One of my FAVS!!

Just one of my favorite pictures from the time at the hospital! Can't describe why it is one of my favorites, it just is!!!

Amazing Daddy

I love this picture of Danny. It emcompasses how much he loves that little girl he is holding. She makes him smile bigger than I have ever seen him smile. She can move him to tears in a second. She has him up all night in the chance he may be needed. I love the joy and happiness this picture captured on my best friends face!!

Shared LOVE = perfect end to a day

One of the things that I LOVE about DANNY is his LOVE of OREOS that matches mine!! We knew before we headed to Heber for Memorial Day Weekend, but on this trip, it became our "thing." We'd have an "OREO DATE" before bed each night. It equated to four or five oreos, a glass of MILK (we do stand divided on what milk is best . . . he likes whole and I love skim), two stools at his mom's kitchen counter, talking, laughing, and having our own personal moment before bed. For the 4th of July trip, we discovered that we can have our own little moment over oreos with lots of people in the room!!

I think it is the perfect end to a perfect day aside from saying prayers together, and then being tucked in and made certain I am comfy, warm, and safely in bed!

Expansion!

We have definitely expanded . . . . well, I personally have shrunk . . . but the number of us has increased!!

June 16, 2011 Kaelani Faith Palmer joined us, in a rush of excitement!!! Felt some lower back pain the evenng of June 15, 2011. I was sent home when I didn't progress as they monitored me! Danny was not impressed because he wanted RUSHED and HECTIC . . . no leisurely and calm!! I came home and went to sleep. Woke up about 8:20 a.m. and began planning a possible trip to the zoo. Around 9:20 a.m. I felt a trickle and a sudden urge to push occured! I was on the phone again with same said friend who told me I was not pushing because I was alone!! I hung up with her and called Danny, and in not so many words told him to get here now or else!!! I then called my friend back and she continued to tell me how I was so not going to push!!

Danny arrived, to what he says was the sound of a fire truck and me flailing my hair around. He wanted fast and frantic, I was about to deliver. Hee Hee! He was in mission mode, mission get J to the hospital now. I love the focus he gets when he is in mission mode, nothing stops him from accomplishing what is is set to do. In mission mode, he wanted me to just up and walk out to the truck. I was in the middle of a contraction when he arrived. On our way to the door, I had another contraction where I stopped and began to bend over to sway and breathe thru it! Danny wanted me to keep walking and attempted to encourage me to keep moving and stop me from dropping to the floor. . . not sure my verbal response but am certain I dropped to the floor anyway. Pretty sure I told him I was not walking any where during that contraction!! There was another contraction mid front yard that I grabbed Danny during cause falling to the rocks and swaying was not happening. He was so sweet, stopped mid yard and didn't complain at all as I am sure I squeezed his arm. We got to the truck, as always without fail, he opened my door for me, and helped me into the truck (somethign that had become an always since my stomach started expanding).

 I remember a seemingly very long drive to the hospital. Danny was getting me to the hospital and was only slowed down because I told him to be safe. We hit every single light on the way to the hospital! Every light!! Danny had a strategy to not be stuck behind the traffice,  he kept going into the right and left hand turn lanes, pulling in front of the cars stopped as he yelled out his window "She is in labor." All drivers were kind as he has communicated to me and waved him ahead! One lady stayed on the same path as us all the way till the block before the hospital. She waved us on with a good luck. All the way to the hospital I beat the door of his truck and probably screamed, "I need to push!" As we pulled into the hospital, I asked him to not park far away, I couldn't walk that far. Danny being the ever insightful man he is, had already decided I wasn't going to walk, and told me he was going straight to the entrance . . . for a moment, I wondered if straight to the entrance meant thru the entrance, he was being very sweet and making sure he got me as close to the door as possible.

We abandoned the truck at the front door, I remember Danny basically lowering me out of the truck, not sure how he got me inside. I remember holding onto Danny (or was he holding me up) swaying and telling the lady at the counter I needed to push!! I remember there seeming to be a ton of people in the waiting room and all of them were glaring at me (secretly I wanted to ask them if they had never seen a lady in labor before)!! I remember a wheelchair being brought, and Danny being anxious (the cute little lady at the counter was not moving fast enough for Papa bear).

 I remember someone in triage saying, "Your a 9.5" I don't remember ever laying on the triage bed, I am certain I did to have been measured, I think!  I remember them saying they didn't have a delivery room . . .  I remember seeing Danny's face and him saying, "we need to get a room." I was wheeled to a room, cant remember if I was in the wheel chair or on a triage bed. After the declaration of 9.5 cm I asked for an epidural . . . eventhough in my right none labor mind, I knew that was too late for such business, I asked for one!! I am pretty sure I asked for one not just once but a few times. Yes, I was whimping out!! The nurses kept telling me we have to ask the Doctor, such monkey business!!    Next, I remember a ton of nurses milling around a room, prepping it! Honestly as I think about it, it must have just opened up and they were cleaning it and prepping it all at the same time.

My next memory is grabbing the rails of the bed, particulary the one on the side Danny was standing next too. Danny in his very concerned voice kept telling me to breathe (yes, we discovered I hold my breath when in pain). I kept trying to focus cause these people weren't giving me an epidural. At one point in time I told Danny to quit telling me to breathe it was breaking my concentration (which he understood because of all the time he has been in pain and told me to quit making noise cause he needed to concentrate)! Then the blessed words of a nurse telling me I could pull my legs up and push!  Danny grabbed one leg, I think the nurse had the other leg, and I remember being so happy to push!! I don't remember much else, except my Dr. arriving, and telling me to not push but to hold pressure! HOW . . . how do you HOLD PRESSURE when all you really want to do is push!! Definitely spoken like someone who had never been in that position before, hold pressure. Not sure if I held pressure or pushed . . . guess it doesn't matte cause it turned out okay she is here right!?!?

Soon, I had a beautiful little girl laying on my lower abdomen cause the umbilical cord was super short . . . so the dr. said. I haven't really ever measured umblical cords, so I will take his word for it!! Danny cut the cord, he kissed me, and then he was off to be next to our beautiful Kaelani's side, she had him hook line and sinker. I asked for food, I remember while Danny tended to what the nurses were doing to our baby, I was chowing down on some good grub. Including Chocolate CAKE!!

 Danny came over a little worried about me, and asked if I was okay. I told him "I think I am in shock!" Pretty sure I was, the whole process took 10 minutes once to the hospital! Really, I was expecting a Danny and J go to the hospital . . . we hang out in a room for a while, laughing, talking, being silly, Danny asking lots of questions of the nurses what is this monitor for, that monitor, etc making certain everything was working well. I was definitely expecting to have a million pictures of me in a bed waiting for the whole thing to start. And to be honest, was just expecting for it to move a little bit more slow so that we could enjoy each other, and take in bringing this child into the world together.

We were taken to the maternity ward for our permanent room. Danny didn't leave my side for a second. Come to think of it, I don't think he ate breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Oh my! He never left the room, unless Kaelani was going some where for test etc. And he did just as we had decided one of us would go with her. I was out of bed by noon moving around the room, which had him so concerned. He wanted me in bed recovering! Kaiya came she was over the moon about Kaelani! We took lots of pictures.

We had lots of visitors, I need to post those pictures. It was just so nice to be there together! Grandma Palmer came later that day/evening. Spent some time with us! I had a dear friend come visit, I showered, and she did my hair for me. We (Kaelani and I) were definitely loved and taken care of . . . . Danny directed all compliment from anyone and everyone towards me giving me credit for it!

35ish Week Silliness

Dada is excellent at taking tummy pictures and remembering to take them. I am so grateful for it because I would forget. We don't have any pictures of your older sister inside my tummy. ;-(  So, I am grateful Dada is such a thoughtful documenter of our life. 

 Buddha Belly!!

 Sometimes because I am such a stinker at tummy pictures your Dada does silly things . . . like take pictures of mama going potty . . . I will spare you the full body shots of me going potty . . . but this was the look he got . . . .

Are you really taking pictures of me going potty? 

(Even then he has me smiling!) 

Camping

We went camping this weekend with the Lumley family, Christianne, and us! We had big plans to head to Danny's favorite place, Big Lake. However, a wild fire changed that plan! Instead, he took us to Canyon Creek. It was pretty, but not nearly as gorgeous as Big Lake! We arrived on a Friday, set up camp with Chris, the Lumley kids, Danny, Kaiya, and I. Shar and CC would arrive after CC got off work!

Kaiya is such a wonderful help and went about helping set up our tent, and then set up Danny's tent near by. We got camp set up, and headed into Heber to borrow the grill from Grandma and Grandpa Palmer. Danny took the kids in his truck to gather wood for a fire in the woods, and let Kaiya drive his truck back to camp. She was please as pudding!!

We fixed dinner, and waited for the rest of our party to arrive. It got later and later. Danny and I got worried about them. With Kaiya in bed, we let Chris know we were headed to look for them. We drove out of the Canyon, to find out they were in Heber, having had confusing directions, we redirected them, and waited to lead them down to camp.

When we got to camp, Danny being the gentleman he is, gave his tent up to Christianne. He spent the two nights we were camping in the back of his truck. One of the things I love about Danny is the gentleman he is, and how he sincerely wants to help others!

The next morning, we had promised Kaiya a fishing trip. So, we got up, and went for a small hike to a fun little fishing spot at Canyon Creek that Danny had taken me for the week before during our Memorial Day trip. We walked up, and Danny prepped the lines for he and Kaiya. I was on camera duty. Kaiya got side tracted by some yellow flowers in a spot that was hard to get to, but her ever attentive Danny made sure his Princess had the flower she wanted! She has him hook line and sinker, and it is cute!! After a successful catch and release trip, we headed back to camp. On the trail back, Kaiya shouted "SNAKE" as she stepped over a little slithering friend . . . Danny nearly squashed it!

Back at camp we had pancakes for breakfast, then Danny and I headed into Heber to borrow the boat. He took all the kids out fishing on the lake. After fishing, it was back to camp to play, make dinner, and roast marshmellows. Danny and I had to run the boat back to Heber, Kaiya came with us! We ran into Great Grandpa William said hellow quickly, and headed back to camp.

The following morning we cleaned up camp, Kaiya was a HUGE HELP!! Danny loaded up his truck with a mixture of everyone's gear. We took the gril back into Grandma and Grandpa Palmers. Before heading back to Mesa, we all grabbed a quick shower to clean up!

Memorial Day

Visiting the graves of my family I loved having J there with me for that and so did everyone in my family. In the pic is J my Mom my Dad and Grandpa. The headstone is Uncle Daryl who is my Moms brother and my favorite uncle.

J and Grandpa Williams

J and my Grandpa on Memorial Day at the cemetery putting flowers on the graves of my grandparents great grandparents and uncle. I have to keep my eye on J and JT cuz J thinks Grandpa is cute and Grandpa thinks J is something special and I think I am JEALOUS LOL it was funny to see those to together.

Catch of a Life Time

What a fisher woman J kicked my butt fishing I have to admit and I will let her tell you all about her battle with the fish I am calling JAWS. I have the best fishing buddy in the whole world. I was very impressed and proud of the skills the J has in fishing and we will get the chance to see them in action again this weekend. J is the catch of my life by the way. I know cheezy but its true. Love you J

Look into my eyes

I get lost in those beautiful blue eyes all the time lol

Canyon Creek Pics

Here we are in Canyon Creek trying to take fun pics of us with nice back ground. It was interesting to run back and forth setting camera pushing timer and running to J and pose LOL. Work with what you got right lol. It was a great trip and I loved showing J all the places that I loved to go as a kid and growing up. We didnt want to come back to mesa we had great weather and beautiful pines and mountains as J said it was the perfect amount of being lazy and being active all in one.

Memorial Day

Spent the weekend in Heber with Danny and his family. We had a lot of fun! I got very spoiled. Danny wanted to get me out of the heat! Bless his kind heart. We arrived and I was quickly told I was to rest and relax.

There is something that brings me back to my childhood about Heber. It is small, quiet, and story book like! Danny has often commented on how he loves to go there to refresh, rejuvenate, and become centered again! I see exactly why he feels that way!! And to be honest, I ache to find any moment that we might be able to get away to Heber.
We had a very enjoyable time! I can't tell you what was more fun! We decorated graves - can I just say I love that Danny and his family has a tradition just like my family. It was heart warming to be able to learn a little about the people who went before, family members they hold dear, and a little history. It was very enjoyable to get to spend a little time with his Grandpa Williams (JT as we call him amongst us). As jealous as Danny may get, his Grandpa Williams is really cute, and I love talking with him. After visiting a few ancestors graves, we went to a family dinner, with his dad's family - brothers and parents. Had a very lovely time enjoying amazing food, talking, laughing, and getting to know more of the family.

A highlight for sure was playing game upon game with Danny and his parents!! It is so fun to have a little friendly competition! I love playing games, especially when we get to team up! I think I haven't laughed so hard in a long long time!! Playing games into the wee hours of the morning was a highlight!!

We layed on the grass and took a nap under the weeping willow tree! I love Weeping Willow Trees!! Love them, they are beautiful, graceful, majestic! It was fun to cuddle and listen to Danny snore on the grass under that tree!! As Danny and his family calls it, "measuring grass."

We went fishing at Canyon Creek. I have never been a huge fishing fan, I equated fishing to sitting in a boat as it trolled the lake . . . . boring. For some reason, with my best friend it is enjoyable, an adventure. Fish aren't just fish when out fishing with him. They are specific fish, apache trout, etc, etc! And there are defining characteristic about them. There is the laughter of when I get my line all tangled up!! I mean REALLY REALLY TANGLED up . . . .

We spent a few hours, eating sunflower seeds, walking, talking, spotting wildlife signs (poop and rubbings), fishing (in my case catching the line in a tree), and just enjoying each others company! I love the outdoors, but I love them even more when I get to enjoy them with my best friend!

Butterfly Release

Kaiya got butterflies for her birthday present from Mom. She had been asking for this live butterfly garden for a while. So, I bought it, ordered the catepillars and we watched them eat themselves fat, crawl to the top of their container build cacoons. And then we transferred them, and watched them turn to butterflies. Kaiya picked fresh flowers and we placed sugar water on them. Sadly, we noticed one had died and while eating dinner one night, Danny helped Mom convince Kaiya it was time to release the remaining 5 butterflies, one of the butterflies was on the down hill side as it was. So, after dinner, Danny took Kaiya out in our backyard and helped her release the butterflies. I don't do creepy crawly things!!! Here are a few cute pictures of that butterfly release!!

I love their faces as they realize one of the butterflies thinks Danny is a flower!!! LOL!!

I love the look on their faces as the butterflies fly out!!!

Kaiya nervous as Danny strategically places the "sick" butterfly on a bush of flowers.

Showing Kaiya how the back of the butterfly wings are a camoflage pattern . . . he noted it is identical to his military uniform . . . . we teased him he was girly cause his camo came from a butterfly!! LOL!!

These two sure are fun to watch interact!! And it is fun to see Kaiya notice little things, and Danny see little things and point it out to her!!

Relaxing

Went up north to do some fishing and get my self rejuvinated. It was a nice trip had a good time visited with mom and found myself getting a better grasp of things that I want and need in my life. It is nice to have a companion that understands what fishing and hunting and camping does for me. Sure its nice to go and do the activity but I get so much more out of it then the actual hunting fishing. I get back in touch with whats important to me and am able to focus all over again and feel more ready to tackle anything that comes. Of course when you catch a fish like this its an added bonus lol. Thanks for being who you are love and supporting me in what I need to be a better man for you love you.