So this is what they do when mom is gone!

So this all happened when I was at Achievment Days with my primary calling. As I walked into the house, I saw Bryanna pulling Maddox off the table and panicked. My first thought was, "Mark is dead meat!" And my second thought was, "I hope there are no broken bones!"

After two seconds went by, all was well!

My Heavenly Father Loves Me

Whenever I her the song of a bird
Or look at the blue, blue sky,
Whenever I feel the rain on my face
Or the wind as it rushes by,
Whenever I touch a velvet rose
Or walk by our lilac tree,
I'm glad that I live in this beautiful world
Heavenly Father created for me.

He gave me my eyes that I might see
The color of butterfly wings.
He gave me my ears that I might hear
The magical sound of things.
He gave me my life, my mind, my heart:
I thank him reverently
For all his creations, of which I'm a part.
Yes, I know Heavenly Father loves me.


I played this song on my piano today, and it brought tears to my eyes! Music is one of my weaknesses, but I'm grateful no less for the spirit it brings into my soul, into our home. After playing it this morning, then coming home after running errands this afternoon I played it again. I think the words are inspirational, and offer an attitude of gratitude, which I love and need this beautiful reminder daily.

I think this is one of my favorite Primary songs, among a select few. I hope my children will love to sing it as much as I love to play it, and if so, they just might not get tired of me playing the piano!!

Backyard progress

On Saturday, the grass was put in the back yard! I have to say that it changes the feeling completely! My patio stays so much cleaner now, and I can't wait to do the finishing touches with the landscape and lighting.

Juan came to help lay the grass, and Bryanna instantly became friends with him. (She is a magnet for people...and people are attracted to her as well...she has an amazing gift of relating to people and she is only THREE!)

Bryanna asks me what his name is, and I told her "Juan".
She said, "One?"
Me: "No, Juan!"
Bryanna: "Oh. I like his name!" (Still thinking his name is the number one!)

It was pretty funny the rest of the day, her calling him One...I couldn't help but snap the pictures of her talking his ear off!

Now on to planting trees and shrubs!

Breaking Dawn...Warning don't read if you haven't finished the book yet!

As I finished the book today (Bryanna took a 4 1/2 hour nap and Maddox took a 3 hour nap = lots of time to read!) I'm kind of sad it's over. I'm a hopeless romantic who beleives in happily ever after! It was a very good read..long but good, another 700 pages and I wouldn't have minded. I took my time reading...a few chapters here, a few there!

I loved how Jacob ended up playing a big role throughout the series, being a big help to Bella, the Cullens and then to Nessie. In the second book, I was really rooting for Bella to be with Jacob so she could have a normal human life, experience a family, etc...and I'm so thrilled with how Bella's fate turned out. Then Jacob played another role in helping ease Charlie into the supernatural world without really telling him what was going on. I thought that was a brilliant transition! I liked how they could all co-exist...intertwining four species into each other's lives; Charlie, the human, Bella & Edward, the vampires, Jacob, the werewolf, and then Renesmee, half human/half vampire...who's soul mate ends up being Jacob! I should have guessed that he would imprint on Nessie because the day she was born he changed his mindset and went to the city and tried to imprint on any girl he could find a connection with...duh!

I loved that Bella got the best of both worlds, that Jacob could still be apart of her life, even if it meant being Bella's son-in-law! One of my favorite parts throughout the book was Bella's fierce loyalty to her unborn child, then after Renesmee was born, the dedication grew stronger. The locket topped it for me with the inscription, "More than my own life," tender and describes the way the human instinct should be for every parent. I'm just glad that the baby wasn't a boy because I hated the name EJ worse than Renesmee...At first I thought EJ stood for Edward Junior...but then the author revealed what the initials meant...Edward Jacob, it was a bit much for me...thank goodness it was a girl!

And of course, her true love, Edward, and his consistency throughout the series, his connection to Bella and vice versa. I'm a total sap, but I love that they married and had a great honeymoon...couldn't help but laugh a little through it! I was wondering how Bella would transform to the other side, and Stephenie Meyer wove it in pretty good...kind of like a "do or die" situation...she HAD to get the venom into her system to save her life, clever instead of just doing it because Bella wanted to!

And with her gift, a shield, (so cliche) she was the mother of the "immortal child" (but not venomous) so she had to be the hero and save everyone she loved because she, in a way, brought it on herself. I was expecting a grusome (sp?) fight but hoping the Volturi would back down...

Happy endings are the best part of any good story; I'm not a fan of tragedies. Life is supposed to be good and we are supposed to enjoy life to the fullest, right?

Very good book...I'm looking forward to the movies made after each book. Although I think the books are always better than the movies, it will still be fun and exciting and help relive the greatness of this series! I think I need to re-read the series every couple of years just because it was such a great read.

So there you have it, I know, its not a very critical review, but I loved it!!

{the lake}

My mom requested to go to the Lake to celebrate her birthday...and it was SO FUN! I remembered to bring my camera this time, and I'm SO GLAD I did...

My mom AND dad got on the tube and was taken for a spin!! At first we had to do a little convincing for them to get on, but then they didn't want to get off! My dad kept yelling to Jen [the driver], "IS that ALL you GOT?" SO FUNNY!!! He suddenly turned into a teenager looking for adventure...like getting thrown off the tube was something fun!!

The water was as smooth as glass...no wind, the perfect lake day!

We all took turns on the tube...could we have planned a better day with weather to suit the birthday girl so wonderfully??

Playing on the beach, basking in the sun, soaking in the water, enjoying each other's company...sometimes I wonder how my life is so blessed? I feel so blessed and spoiled all at the same time...go figure!

Thanks Jen for taking us out...it was a blast!

I don't think we could have had more fun! With the exception of Mark and Obteen coming...somebody has to work around here!

Happy Birthday Mom!

I just love my mom to pieces! She is the most amazing woman. My mom has so many talents, and can accomplish so much. After getting married and having two kids, my appreciation for her has sky rocketed! I can't express my gratitude enough for all she has taught me, either through her quiet example or while helping me when I had school projects, being there for all my volleyball games, traveling with me during club season to tournaments, and of course having really fun shopping trips to the mall!

Some of her favorite things are: Hawaii, grandkids and tennis!

Mom one of my best friends not only to me, but to my sisters and Nana as well!

Her relationship with my dad is one of loyalty, love and fun! My parents are always laughing, they have good time no matter what they are doing. Mom is so strong and resilient, they have gone through alot together, and to see them come out on top and having grown even closer gives me strength in my own life knowing if they can do it, so can I!

I can't see [my parents] one without the other. They are intertwined and strive for the same goal. I hope when I reach my fifty's, that I am having just as much fun as they are; doing what they love...traveling and being close to their children and grandkids!

My dad just got called to serve as 1st Counselor to the Mission President & his wife of the Las Vegas, Nevada West Mission. I found it interesting that my mom was called and set apart as well as my dad. She will be his companion on speaking assignments, something she isn't exactly thrilled about, but finds it neat at the same time!!

It is so wonderful to see them serving whole heartedly, finding a new strength to help move forward the missionary efforts here in Las Vegas. Seeing them in this new calling has flooded memories of my own mission and those experiences that are so dear to my heart. I view missionary work as sacred and priviledged, knowing that the Lord has trusted you with this enormous responsibility! I look forward to all the great and wonderful opportunities they will encounter during their service!

Thanks for always being there, you are so fun!!

Happy Birthday MOM!!! Love you!!

San Diego

Mark had a little convention for work in San Diego this past Friady, so we made a little family trip out of it! While he was "working" I went shopping...if you can believe it, Nordstrom was right down the street from our hotel, it was a little too surreal...I just love that department store, their children's department is my weakness...and found some really cute shoes for this preschool year that Bryanna will be starting (in just a couple of weeks)! After Mark got his fill in with the products and I got my fix at the mall, it was time to have some real fun!

We went to Mission Beach in San Diego...and it was a blast! Bryanna has a thing for the ocean and the sand...one tropical baby if you ask me! Maddox also LOVED the ocean, in fact, Mark and I had to save him a few times from just running straight into the waves!

We walked down the little strip mall and found a place for dinner...can you say one HUGE pizza slice? YUMM-O! Bryanna also got to get an ice cream cone...I think half made it into her mouth and the other half on her face! :)

Saturday we went to Legoland...it was fun, a little different than I imagined, but fun! I think I was getting ready to have the "Disneyland" experience, so not as magical as I was planning on. Bryanna had a total blast going on all the kiddie rides, but waiting in line for them was another story. For some reason she just didn't get the waiting in line part...it was very frustrating for her (and me!).

But once we found some of the jungle gyms and water features, it helped her get out the wiggles, and cool all of us down!

I was pleasantly surprised that there were characters walking around. Bryanna melted when she saw the princess, and then the pirate too! It was a great trip, and so nice to get away from the hot desert for a few days!

Portrait of Daddy...

Bryanna and I were in the backyard yesterday and she saw an imprint in the dirt from a bucket...and she said...

Bry: "Look mamma! A circle!"
Me: "Let's make a smiley face!"

Me: "Look, Bryanna, he's smiling now!"
Bry: "That looks like my daddy!"
As soon as she said that I had to grab my camera!! I was laughing so hard!!

A new way to watch cartoons...


Maddox's hand is looking better and better!

Finally, the heap of dirt and rocks are gone and the planters are filled, and I'm so happy to report that the sprinkler system is DONE!

The curbing was crafted this morning.

I think we are ready for some grass back here!!!

The planter boxes are now ready to paint!

I am SO EXCITED to get some plants and trees back here...instead of a dirt backyard, it will be nice to have some life growing in the backyard! I think part of the fun of doing the backyard ourselves is, as our kids grow, we can see the difference watching all the beautiful shrubs and trees that will be growing as well!

Poor Maddox

On Wednesday, I took the kids to the free movie that regularly plays at the Rave theaters (Tuesday and Wednesday morning) during the summer. This week we saw Charlotte's Web, and that part was really fun for the day. It was my sisters birthday so I took her kids so she could have a fun day at the mall!

Then we walked over the the Town Square park...of which was fun too...

One minute everything was hunky dory...kids playing...

And the next minute, Maddox got a severe burn on the palm of his hand from climbing onto the "spinner" which had a metal platform...It happened in less than a minute...I was staning only a few feet away and then the screaming started! Note to the people who invent these play things...Don't put metal on a play ground that doesn't have shade in 115 degree heat!!!!

The security personnel tried to help, but with a dinky first aid kit and someone who doesnt' know how to soothe a burn...was a little pointless. So I headed to the closest E.R., and Maddox screamed for the next TWO hours. He was admitted right away, and about an hour later finally got some pain medication, then after that kicked in they wrapped his hand and he was able to stop the sobbing and drift into a much needed little nap.

His hand is scabbing already and I think he will heal fast. And thanks to a preisthood blessing Mark administered to him. I think I needed one too...I felt so helpless, wishing I could take away the pain during those agonizing hours before he was treated properly. My nerves were shot by the time we got home, but my understanding of the atonement may have been increased just a little.

Mark went back on Friday to the park and because of their really good security system with cameras, they caught it on film, and they will take responsibility for all the damage that happened. Thank goodness. It's sad because I really like going to that park, but if it happened once, it could very well happen again, and some poor child and their mother will have to go through what we had to! I hope they either put shade over some of the play equipment or replace it with better material that doesn't burn in the heat!!!