Day 2: Colorado, July 13, 2012

 It was so nice to be in cooler Colorado weather, although it was super hot for Colorado-upper 90's, maybe even a hundred or two.  Still, it cooled down at night and the kids could comfortably play outside in the morning and CK and I could enjoy an evening walk each night.  I love my parents' big backyard.  :)

 My brother, S, loves games, particularly strategy games.  So does C.  They enjoyed spending time together playing around our running around and S working.

 My parents also own many "sets" of toys from when all of us kids were little.  Their grandkids love them.  J and A had a blast playing with these sets together-even though they didn't have much space (since C and S were playing their game on the floor).  :)

 We have a museum pass to a local museum (Thanks, Santa!) and part of the blessing is that the museum shares a reciprocal agreement with other museums, including one in Denver.  So, we went.  It was fun.

One surprise as we entered the museum, a dear friend from highschool, M, was just leaving with her cute family.  We haven't seen each other in years, although we have maintained some contact-Facebook, of course.  :)  We only had a couple of minutes, but it was a blessing to me!

 We let each child choose an exhibit that they most wanted to see as a family.  C chose this overlook that lets us see the view of Denver.  It was very pretty and very HOT!

 J and A especially enjoyed the dinosaurs.  I think J loved it the most.  A loved to check to see if the bones were actual bones or replicas.  It was interesting to read carefully and find that most exhibits were part of each.  Very cool.

We found it very interesting to listen to this gentleman.  He was working on some dinosaur bones behind the glass.  When he saw us watching, he opened the window and shared about the work that he was doing.  It was neat to hear and it sounds like way too frustrating a job for me--like a puzzle that might or might not have all the pieces.

 After we got home, CK and I had the opportunity to go visit one of my best friends EVER!  She has been a strength and support to me and we have both had some challenges that we have dealt with together.  I think she is amazing.  She moved just a mile away from my parents about a year ago.  This time, we visited, both pregnant (me about 6.5 months, her about 8.5 months).

Here she is with her daughter, Q.  I love Q.  I wish I could still see her grow.  I have a bunch of pictures of her doing yoga, but they all turned out fuzzy.  It was so fun to watch and she just loves attention and phones!

What a great day!  :)  Day 2/15 completed!

Day 1: Drive to Colorado, July 12, 2012

Finally....Pictures!  We began the long journey and started the drive to Colorado.  Getting out and walking every hour and a half worked out better than expected!  The kids did well in the car and they needed the more frequent breaks almost as much as I did.

While I have made this trek nearly annually since 2002, this was the first time that another adult has been with me.  I am so grateful for CK and his sacrifice to come with us for the entire vacation.  He had to work on the road, but he chose to do that to make sure my little 7 month pregnant self would be okay.  I am so blessed!

We hadn't seen A for nearly three weeks and the reunion of her with K, C,  and J was precious.  I am so impressed with how they love each other as siblings, never with the nomenclature of "step" siblings.  What great children I have!

Home Again. Home Again.

So much to blog!  So many pictures.  So much to document.  We have had a great, yet very busy summer--and that doesn't even account for this baby coming in less than two months!  We still need to get ready for her and for school.  Life is crazy, yet beautiful.

We just got home from a 15-day vacation.  We saw all three of our families.  (And I have pictures that I have downloaded and gone through and others that I am currently downloading)  Now, being 7 months pregnant, the only way to take a 3600 mile road trip with my doctor's permission was to commit to walking 15 minutes for every hour and a half in the car.  We did it and it was much easier than I expected.  The kids loved the frequent breaks and we worked to time most breaks with a gas stop or a food stop.  We used to not eat in the car, but we did and it worked.  Within a day, we saw most of XDH's family (only missing 1 nephew, 3 nieces, and a brother-in-law and a sister-in-law (nephew on a mission, rest in Boston), on multiple days we saw all of CK's family, and in less than a week, we saw every member of my family--they were more spread out, some in Utah, Colorado, and Texas.  That, alone, is success!

Here is the brief before-picture recap:

Day 1:  Drove to Colorado, 14.5 hours, 800 miles
Day 2:  Spent visiting in Colorado, went to the Denver museum, saw my dear friend, J.
Day 3:  Drove to Utah, 9 hours, 520 miles:  CK and A went up to Idaho with his parents, while the other three kids and I spent time with our other family (XDH's family).
Day 4:  Went to church with my sister-in-law and her family, had family dinner, and celebrated some family July birthdays with everyone.
Day 5:  Hung out with cousins and loved being together!
Day 6:  Went to downtown SLC on the train.  We saw the temple, the church office building, and the new mall.  It took hours for L and I to figure out how to make it all work and it didn't go as planned, but all were safe and happy by the end--and that is all that mattered.
Day 7:  Spent the morning with the Utah family, then drove to Idaho, 2.5 hours, 150 miles
Day 8:  Drove to the cabin where we were holding the family reunion (Island Park, ID), didn't record miles, but approximately 4 hours.
Day 9:  K Family Reunion:  Went out on the boat, including tubing.  We also floated down the river.  Mostly we enjoyed being together.
Day 10:  More reunion:  Rode the boat together, I paddleboarded (that is a site to see with my prego belly). The kids broke pinatas and did a scavenger hunt.  After lunch, we all cleaned up the cabin and headed out.
Day 11:  We went to church with CK's parents, who happen to live in the same small town as many of my cousins and my aunt and uncle.  It was great to see everyone.  We ate a quick lunch and headed to Utah. I didn't write down any notes on miles or timing, but it took a while.  We went to my brother's home where we ate dinner with him and his wife and another brother and his wife. K and A went home to sleep at my 2nd brother's, while the rest of us stayed overnight there.
Day 12:   All of us met for breakfast and then we headed to Colorado, 10 hours and approximately 850 miles.
Day 13:  Visited my friend, J, who now had a baby girl, born while we were in Utah!  We also went to a local amusement park with all the Colorado family and my best friend of over 20 years.
Day 14:  Attended a session at the Denver temple with CK and K then joined us (thanks to Grandma!) and performed baptisms for the dead.  We also met A (my best friend for over 20 years) and her hubby for a double date and then played croquet together in my parents' backyard.
Day 15:  Drove home.  16. 5 hours and many miles.  We were halfway home when a light indicating transmission problems came on.  We stopped at a couple of mechanic places-they gave different ideas and could not help us directly, so we called our mechanic here in town.  He said that the light going back off could mean we were okay to drive home, but if it went back on, his suggestion was to take it in immediately. With that advice, we drove on-45 minutes- and the light came back on.  We were in the middle of nowhere with hundreds of miles of no big cities ahead of us.  We turned around, found a Honda dealer, set up an appointment, and took the van in, 45 minutes back-the wrong way!  Due to all the unexpected chaos, we had not even eaten lunch.  The kids were actually very good.  I am impressed with all four taking the situation in stride.  We left the van doing a diagnostic and walked over to a fairly close WalMart that had a McDonald's inside.  We ate and hoped that we wouldn't need to stay overnight somewhere.  When the call came, the diagnostic revealed that our transmission was okay, but the sensor was bad.  PHEW!  We will need to take it in soon to replace the sensor, but still--what a blessing!

Finally, we were home!!!!!

4th of July 2012

 This 4th of July was great!  It is my favorite holiday by far.  I do miss having a ward pancake breakfast, but it turned out well.

We ate blue star pancakes for breakfast.  Yum!

 Then we headed out early afternoon to a nearby lake to spend the day-basically waiting for the fireworks.  It was hot and most the people there were swimming and boating.  We found a little place in the shade and hung out there for a few hours.  It was fun.  CK and C played catch, the boys and I played croquet.  We read, we snacked, K and I played Dutch Blitz on a blanket.  It was very enjoyable.

 As it got closer to dark, we moved down closer to the lake.  Before it had been directly in the sun, but now we had some shade and a nice cool breeze coming off of the lake.  We decided not to go change into our swimsuits, but the kids did go wade in the water a few times.

 We brought our traditional light sticks and had fun playing with them until time for the fireworks.

This was a new location for us this year.  The fireworks were equally as good and I loved the reflection on the lake.  The downside was that we were across the lake and so the fireworks were smaller and farther away.  This display didn't include any live music like the other one did and we missed that as well.  It was fun, though, and we already have some begging to return next year!

P.S. ---All my older pictures off my computer are gone----time to do some research to find them before I can finish catching up!!!!  Wish me luck

Catching Up---Again

Well-It has been almost a month since my last published post.  We have had such a crazy life and so much that has happened.  We are so blessed.  Now, here I am catching up--again.

We enjoyed having A here with us.  Having all four kids together really makes our family complete.  I feel so blessed with how much they love each other.  All four have been willing to open their hearts and give of themselves to blend our family and to become siblings.  What a blessing!

More and more, I am in awe and blessed that my trials (now that I can look back) have been "but a small moment."  Heavenly Father truly stood by me and took care of me every step of the way.  I have been blessed with a husband that loves me more than I could have imagined possible and a marriage that is absolutely amazing.  How thankful I am.  I know Heavenly Father and Jesus live.  They know me.  They love me.  They know each of us and love each of us and we are all so blessed.

I am working on being optimistic, faith-filled, and happy.  Before all that happened with the divorce, I was naturally quite optimistic, but now, I can see a pessimistic and whining side coming out.  I don't like it.  I have way too much to be thankful for to focus on the difficulties and hardships of life.  So, I am working on it.

Also within the last month, K turned 13.  Me???  The mother of a teen???  Oh, yes!  It is true and she is absolutely wonderful.  She is learning as she grows and developing into a young woman that I am so proud of.

Speaking of being a mother, Baby Girl is now only 2 1/2 months away from due date.  I am uncomfortable.  But, I know this is another small moment that will pass probably before I am prepared for her.  We have not decided on a name yet.  We aren't arguing over different names, we just haven't found one that jumps out at either of us.  I assume it will happen.  :)  I had a second ultrasound to check on the placenta Friday.  All is looking better.  Wahoo!  The cute thing is that she kept sticking her tongue out throughout the ultrasound.  :) Because all looks well, my doctor has cleared me to go on our summer trip at the end of the month:  Colorado, Utah, and Idaho-  Here We Come!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I just have to get out and walk 15 minutes for every hour and a half driving.  We will figure it out.  I am excited to see all my family-3 families in two weeks:  awesome (but not long enough!).

So-this is our life right now.  I will now try to catch up on the posts, but at least here is a picture-less sneak peak!

First Week of Summer

Last week, I had so much to blog.  This week was our first week of summer and I really didn't take any pictures, so I don't have much to blog.  How nice!  A little bit of a break!

C did go to cub scout camp all week.  I have gone and chaperoned the last two years, but, due to my pregnancy, CK went with him this time.  C had a great time all week-even when it was canceled due to rain and thunder storms.  :)  He was so excited to have CK with him.  I love the bond that they share.

We also started our summer schedule.  It is working well.  K finds it easier to control her attitude when she is allowed to sleep in.  They also love "upstairs time."  This gives the kids time to play games together or watch a show together before "bed time."  It is definitely a win-win.  They get a later bedtime and CK and I get time together before we go to bed to read our scriptures, watch sports on TV, finish up the dishes, etc..  They so look forward to this time.  My children all do better with structure, so even a loose structure in the summer works better for our family than no structure at all.

AND....best news of all....CK went up to St. Louis yesterday to get A.  They flew in last night and I am so grateful to have her here with us.  Our family is complete when we are all together.  :)

I still struggle with the non-idealness of our family.  A in St. Louis.  The other three kids gone for a portion of every week with their dad.  It just isn't how it is supposed to be.  I long for a nuclear, intact family.  But, that is not the hand I have been dealt.  And-in reality, I am so blessed.  I have four wonderful children and one on the way.  I have a husband that treats me better than I ever could have imagined.  Our marriage is amazing.  After all the heartache and sorrow, I am blessed beyond measure.  Life is by no means perfect.  I still experience much heartache with regards to my children and their struggles.  I haven't been there, but being a child of divorce is not easy.  :(  But, no matter the trial or the heartache, I have a loving priesthood holder husband to be right by my side, to comfort me and to inspire me.  I am truly so blessed.

Piano Recital

Just under two years ago, C and K both started piano lessons.  They are both talented and relatively focused.  I am grateful for the music in my home.  This year's piano recital happened last weekend.  They both were able to play marvelously!  I was impressed with their music.  They are rapidly improving and that is exciting!  

K has spent the last three years in choir and I know that choir has helped her piano and piano has helped her singing.  

C will being playing the cornet in the fall in 6th grade band.  The gentleman at the music store yesterday said that C taking piano will put him leaps and bounds above the non-piano taking students.  I am grateful that they are both developing these talents.

 C played "Cossack Ride" and "Funiculi Funicula."

 K played "Fly's Adventure" and "From a Distance."

Their music was beautiful.  Again, I am so blessed.  :)

5th Annual Last Day of School Waterfight

This is the 5th year we have done this:  Last Day of School Waterfight!  It has become a tradition that my kids and many of my friends and their families look forward to.  Everyone is welcome.  It is so fun!  I missed my old neighborhood this year.  We have always had the neighborhood kids join us.  I figured we would again.  Nope.  No one in our new neighborhood was even out and about.  Hmmm....maybe we will have to send invitations next year.  :)

I purchased 24 pencil shooters, 12 pizzas, a couple of totes for water-All worth it.  Thank goodness that many of my friends contributed some for the pizza.  :)

I have many more pictures, but this will be enough to remember all the fun we had this year.  Lots of friends. Lots of fun.  And, since it was VERY stormy earlier that morning, we were so blessed that it cleared up and we were able to have it as planned.  :)  All four of us got sunburned.  I did not put on sunscreen this year.  Bad Mom!  It was cloudy and overcast when we began and, amongst all the busyness, I did not.  My three kids, due to being half-Hispanic, had never been sunburned.  The good news is that now they won't complain as much when I make them put on sunscreen!  They now know one of consequences of not!

No More Elementary School

 C.  My little C.  He is so grown up.  I didn't have (handy at least) my picture from his first day of Kindergarten- but this first picture is him in the middle of his Kindergarten year.  The second is of my big 5th grader-almost 6th grader- on his last day of elementary school.  He has changed and grown so much.

I am so proud of him.  During this time, we faced many challenges in our family and his faith and determination have carried him through.  He is a willing helper.  He was also voted Best 5th grade best friend in his class, as well as Most Admirable.  His teacher said these two awards don't ever go to the same person.  I think these awards mean more to me than his A honor role throughout the entire year.  I am impressed that he has made that much of an impression on his classmates.

 Here he is with his teacher, Mr. S.  Mr. S was the best teacher that he has ever had (according to him).  I have associated with Mr. S a lot over the years as I spend a lot of time at the school and I have frequently subbed for 5th grade.  He is a good man and C was lucky to have him.

 Here is C with one of his best friends, G.  They have been together since Kindergarten when they were also in the same class.

 And...Here they come: Ready for the 5th Grade clap out.  What a great group of kids.  What a bittersweet moment to walk their last walk in the halls of their elementary school.

 Here are the younger kids waiting for them.

 And, across the hall, the principal and some of my other favorites at this school.  :)

I loved this sign.  Their mascot is the gators.  She waved it and waved it at the 5th graders.  I thought it was very appropriate.

This good-bye was like a good-bye for me, too.  I have spent the last 6 years volunteering, mentoring, and just being in the school.  I have spent hours and hours there.  Now, we are moving on.  We moved and now J will start going to a different elementary school.  I will miss our old school.  I love the principal.  I love the counselor.  I love the teachers.  I love it all.  We have been very blessed.  I will miss them terribly.

C's Last Field Day

 J and I got to go and be a part of C's last field day.  It was hot.  It was awesome.  I have been so blessed to be at every one of K's and C's field days for a total of 8 years.  Since C finishes elementary school, he is done with field days, however, J starts Kindergarten this fall and the streak of field days will continue.  In fact, due to the baby being born in September, I know that I will have at least 12 more years of field days.  20 straight years!  Awesome!

 I absolutely love the above picture!  Look closely and you can see that C is concentrating-his tongue is sticking out.  :)

 C and the boys worked sooooooooo hard to beat the girls.  The girls outnumbered the boys and the girls won-every time.  They still had fun!

I think this was C's favorite event.  It was so hot outside and this water slide was not only fun, but also refreshing!  :)  He loved it.  Many kids came out muddy-both sides had mud pits at the end of the slide.  C was great about avoiding the pits and I am so grateful!  :)

There were more events-and more pictures, but these are my favorites.  It was so fun!

I am so blessed to be able to attend all my children's events.  I am grateful for both XDH and CK that have allowed me to be home with our children.  I am one lucky woman!

Rededication

I love to blog.  I haven't.  DUH!  I have been busier than ever, but I do love to document my family's history.  I haven't been doing well at this and I am striving to do better.  I have been thinking the last few weeks that I really need to rededicate myself to blogging.  Then, as a further push, my children have been reading the blog books that I have printed- from 2007 and 2008- and I see how much they are enjoying our family's history in both pictures and words.

As a result, I have determined to take an hour or so each Sunday afternoon to document the events of the prior week.  This may not be as good as up-to-the-minute blogging, but it is what I can do right now.  We will see how much I can get done when I jump back into the nursing baby routine!

And....the baby is.....

 We went to our ultrasound yesterday.  I am 19.5 weeks and counting.  So far, so good!!!  When we got home (after a 3.5 hour doctor's appointment-mostly waiting), We found the above at our doorstep.  What a great idea!  How loved we feel.  It is anonymous.  I checked with a couple people, but it wasn't them-or they are great at faking.  I have been blessed with so many dear friends, that I cannot pin down who it could have been!!!!  If you are my secret friend, thank you so much!  This truly made my day.  (I really think it was my sister-but I cannot pin her down and get her to admit it!)

 And....THIS is the bag I opened.  Yep, our baby is a little girl.  I was surprised that I was disappointed.  This whole pregnancy I have wished for a girl.  CK has wished for a boy.  Perhaps during the last few months I have changed my wish to his.  I was definitely shocked that I was disappointed at all.

Not for long- This is what I found in the bag:

Isn't this outfit sooooooooooooooo cute?!? (Even cuter in person!)  I think that shopping for my baby girl will alleviate any and all disappointment!  I haven't had a baby girl in 13 years.  This will be fun.  I also LOVE patterns and this is my family now:  Girl, Boy, Girl, Boy, Girl.  Sweet!