Diamondbacks

We enjoyed watching the diamond backs win last night against the St. Louis Cardinals. Kaelani did what any good cowgirl would do . . . she wore her BOOTS with her shorts to the game! 

Three White Dresses

We spent time in the formal living room this morning. Kaelani noticed the "Three White Dresses" pictures. She exclaimed "Mom, you got married!" She stood and pointed and looked at my wedding picture for a long time. "Mom, you match. Mom, your pretty flowers. Mom, your crown. Mom, your dress go down down down." She said "mom, more get married." So, we dug deep and found more pictures of mom as a bride. 

Your flowers!

She noticed my "crown." 

Look at our cousins, Madison and MaKenzie

Kaiya and I realized - she has already worn two white dresses, there is only one left. The next white dress she will wear will be when she marries in the temple. Where has time gone?!?

Kaelani said, "mom, I get married." When she saw her blessing dress. I giggled and tried to tell her that was when she got her name. 

Love the innocence of my children.

Night Out

We went to Bass Pro Shop for a little Saturday fun! On the drive over Kaelani kepts sticking her feet thru the head rest and into mama's neck! Then, she'd say "mom get me." Mama tickled and tickled the girl! It was so much fun to be able to play on the drive. I did not have to drive and could enjoy being silly. 

 First stop was the fish tank! The girls LOVE the fish tank! After the tank, we stopped by the boats! How can we go to BPS without spending time on the boats. Kaelani Lulu kicked everyone off her boat. Mama cried and was let back on. Then, she wanted mama off again. Mom wouldn't move, so Kaelani got the guard! LoL! The guard did not do anything to kick mama off!. After lots of fun on the boats, we went and snagged dinner at the restaurant. Kaelani had to WIN at TIC TAC TOE! It was funny to watch the she and the guard banter about who won. 

When dinner was done Kaelani was pretty tired! So, we headed home. 

Friends

So grateful for this friend! She is always there. One of the few who have never abandoned me. One of the few who see my flaws and fill them with love rather than turning her back. One of the few who know how hard I can push away to prevent being hurt and never turns her back. She has said so many times, "I don't care how hard you try to get rid of me, I will never abandon you. I know others have, but I never will." We have our fall outs, and I push away to try for self preservation. 

I just am grateful! Grateful she knows my fears, grateful she cares about me, and grateful she can be blunt and tell me when I am pushing others away or pulling back. 

Really grateful for the love she has of my kids. Love that my kids love her. I am just grateful. 

A Good Book

There is nothing like curling up with a good book. 

4 years ago

I can't believe it's been 4 years to the day !! 

Gaining and working on faith in this . . . 

Date Night

This cute girl was my date. We played lots of games. Mama got her clocked cleaned. 

Healing Field

We continued our annual tradition of going to the Healing Field in Tempe. It was a much different experience this year. Kaelani was less impressed with the flags as she was with all the OPEN SPACE to RUN and flags to "hide" behind. Silly kid. 

They have erected a new memorial sign. I wanted a picture of the girls by it. My idea of that and Gizzy's were two different things. 

Kaiya and Kaelani by the Memorial sign
 (Kaelani would be the speck halfway up the heal near the bottom right corner of sign(

Yes, little tinker bum took off! That kid has got some LEGS and can RUN (FAST)!!

This photo was made possible by a landing airplane. 

This was about the experience with the GIZ this year. CONSTANTLY MOVING!! 

Sweet sisters 

 Kaiya asks many of the same questions every year. This year her focus remained the same - the kids. However, she was very concerned with how where there kids involved. So, we talked a lot about the kids being on the planes going some place or possibly at the daycare in the towers.

We got to hear TAPS played twice. 

She is getting prettier and prettier. 

Go CARDS

It was fun to watch our favorite team win their SECOND game of the regular season! Mama tried for three days to get Gizzy to put on this shirt Dada gave her. She kept telling Mama to wear it. I proved several times that it just won't fit me. Finally, I got it on her for about 2 seconds. As soon as it was on her, she wanted it off. It is the wrong color - not pink or purple or blue. 

As soon as the camera came out - her sad face turned to it was funny because all mama wanted was a picture of her in the shirt. She is still trying to master the art of removing shirts!! THANK GOODNESS cause she can remove her britches in 2 seconds flat. I have NO IDEA where she got her "pain in the tushie" picture taking skills (me)! This could be rightful payback for all my goofiness!!

 I mean really - I said "I wanna get a picture of the back with your name" So, she stuck that cute caboose up and out!!

Matthew Williams - You'll Make Her Cry

Great Quotes for this week.

"True love is a process. 

True love requires personal action. 

Love must be continuing to be real. 

Love takes time." 

-Marvin J. Ashton

The number of prayers we say may contribute to our happiness, but the number of prayers we answer may be of even greater importance.'

"Choose to focus on those things that fill your 

soul with hope." -Dieter F Uchtdorf

Water Fight!!!

We had a huge water fight tonight! The floors were soaking wet. It started with Kaiya throwing a little water on Kaelani when handing her her water bottle! Mama had to step in and help Gizzy! Before we knew it everyone was wet and it was past bedtime!! We had SO MUCH FUN!! Crazy KIdS!! 

Loving Sisters

I love these two! Kaelani borrowed a book from Grammy and Kaiya just decided to read it to her. They say and read for 20 minutes together. 

I can't believe it has been that long!

This is a picture I took of Buggie during one of the rare times she would sleep not in my arms. I cannot believe that was 9 years ago today. 

Good thoughts!

Loving these quotes this week!! It is so true life typically is not completely blissful and happy, and happiness is found in being grateful for all the imperfections in life. 

I love this quote! In the last several years my imperfections have been on display in grand ways. Initially, my self esteem took a hit because I held so tightly to living "perfectly" or at least appearing to live perfectly.  It was always stressful to be perfect. A great blessing among many others that I have gained on this path is - 

IT'S OKAY to NOT BE PERFECT!  In accepting that and being open about my imperfections - I have felt more confident and more people than ever have expressed admiration for how I cope with and carry myself thru the struggles of my life. 

I love the quote below by Dallin H. Oaks.

Every morning at school the 6th graders recite: 

"I am in control of my behavior. 

My consequences are determined by my actions. 

I improve my life by improving my behavior. 

I will succeed." 

I love it! It is true- our desires - what we want most - determine our choices and our actions. Our ACTIONS determine our consequences - good or bad! It is true in my life - it is true in everyone's life!