Favorite Pastime

Is it rude to say that it gets old how often he wants to do this??
It always makes for a good laugh though.
My personal favorite is #4... His face looks so funny!

Disney Trip Post ll

We went to Down Town Disney after going to the beach and checking into our hotel, which was one block away. Totally awesome in every way! We waited in line to eat at the Rainforest Cafe. After finally being seated, and Cole getting sick, the kids were spent before the food ever came! I ended up walking home with my kids right after the appetizer came.

The next morning was bright and early for us. We used our Magic Morning pass and got in an hour before the park opened to the rest of the public. We waited in line for a good 45 min. to go on the Nemo ride. Tate hated it, so did I, and Ella loved it! She was great on the trip. I have decided that she needs alot of stimulation to entertain her. She would just fall asleep in the Chariot, stroll around, go on rides, be happy... not like her AT all. I am actually going through a minor post trip depression due to this. =)

Tate covered his ears and was upset at any ride that was dark... He was ok on the roller-coasters because they were outside. When we watched the Fantasmic Show the last night he screamed the whole time. I felt bad for him. I think he really was traumatized by it. He won't stop talking about how he doesn't like the wicked witch and he doesn't want to go back if she is going to be there! She was actually one of our favorite characters. She walked around acting so rude to people. If you asked her to take a picture with her she would ignore you, or rudely say "come this way" without pausing or looking at you.

My favorite food: Mexican food, tied with the Mozzarella sticks, along with the churros, pineapple slices, and pineapple whip ice-cream from outside the tikky room.

I also LOVED Tigger and Poo. They were so cute with the kids!

It was get up at 7 and stay until 9 or later every night.

The kids were exhausted, along with the adults!

Next trip, lying on the beach... and not doing much of anything else! I wish!!!

(Note Tate covering his ears below. There were firecrackers going off and he was so upset about it!)

(Also Note: Tate's face on the carousel! haha Sometimes it's hard not to laugh at him, he can be so serious! Also, I think he loves Tinkerbell!)

Disney Trip Post 1

We went to C*lifornia last week to visit the bea*h and Di*neyl*nd.

The drive was better than I thought it would be considering how Ella does in the car.

We stayed at the state line the first night, then woke up and drove straight to the beach. They loved playing in the water. Ella would get mad if you took her away from the water or out of the sand. The first time Cole put her feet in the water she started to giggle. Tate had a blast running in the water until he fell and got a mouth full of salt water. He didn't want to go back out after that! He does hate water anywhere around his face after all! I was just happy that he played at all. When I told him we were going to the beach he said "but I don't want to because the beach is the ocean, and sharks live in the ocean!"

One

Some Birthday pictures:

Some celebrating:

Some of her stuffed animal love:

Some convincing to Cole that these have to be made into large gallery wraps for the wall!:

AI

Does anyone else out there love A*erican I*ol as much I do this Season?

I usually don't plug in until closer to the end, but it is so great!

Tate and I sit together every evening that it's on to watch. It's quickly become our show time!

I am a huge fan of Me*an! I have been since I saw her audition. She rocks!

Do you like her? I think she has a rad voice. Different! and I wish I looked like her! I'd even take the sleeve tat, which I have to admit I like it on her!!

As for the little man, he told me his favorite is S*ott, or "the guy who can't see" as he would say. I think it's so cute that he has picked him to be his fav.

Happy Day

How does a mother express her love for her babies?

I am not sure it's possible. That is for me at least. All I can say is that they bring me the greatest joy, and fill my heart with love beyond what I thought was capable of feeling. It's a surreal sort of love. They are a part of me. Completed with my other half, who owns my heart.

How can I not be completely swoon?

It's six A.M. and I get an unexpected call from the Hospital letting me know that I can be there at 8:30 to be induced. I was 12th on the list, and didn't expect to go in until three or four at best. Mom was there to stay with Tate, as Cole and I enthusiastically headed to the hospital.

With how fast I had Tate, and a history of quick childbirth's in my family, I opted for the epidural after only an hour of being in labor. Six hours later I was still only at a 3, and a generous one at that, but sitting pretty. No pain. Just watching those contraction lines, and her heart beat.

I began to get restless. I couldn't get comfortable. Then the pain came. I shouldn't be feeling this, and my epidural should not have stopped. I hadn't been in labor that long. The nurse had just checked me thirty minutes prior. I was still a 3. So when I called for her to explain how much pain I was in, she hesitated to see if there was any progression. I was at a 10, ready to have a baby! My Dr. was already in the hospital, and in my room within minutes. With two simple pushes, and all the pain in the world, our little Ella Ta Bella made her debut.

She came in screaming, and hasn't let up yet.

She loves attention, and loves to be held. Held, not cuddled.

She is a talker. I can't wait to hear all that she has to say when she actually can put together words.

She has no fear, but will cry for an hour if she gets hurt.

She has the sweetest smile.

She loves me. I love that. I love her.

Happy first birthday sweet heart.

You have a Mom and Dad who love each other so much, and love you to pieces. Along with big brother who is your #1 fan, who just whispered in my ear he wishes you could open your presents right now. He wrapped them all for you, and even gave you his present that we got for him - so that he wouldn't feel left out!

I am so happy you are a part of my life. Your momma's little girl, and you better always be!

Love ya baby

Here's to looking back:

March. B-day Month.

Bad Timing

I got a ticket about a month ago and I was so bitter about it. I have always respected the police and appreciated their service. That respect was seriously jeopardized after getting this ticket.

I know that my current situation has nothing to do with the ticket itself, but I couldn't help all the feelings that I thought: "What an a**. My baby is sick and screaming in the back seat as I am trying to get her to her Dr. Apt on time, and you are seriously going to ticket me for this!!!!!!!! I now HATE you! all of you!"

Here is how it all went down. I am on my way to take Ella to the Dr. because come to find out, she had another double ear infection, back to back with the one she had just gotten over. It had been a good month of a crying, grumpy baby. I was fed up. SO, on my way I notice that the cops are out in full force. Note to self, don't speed! I come around a corner and see another cop that was in the process of ticketing another car. I drove by. The next thing I know, I am being pulled over. The car in front of me pulled over too, not knowing if it was him or not. There wasn't enough room to pull over behind him, so I signaled, pulled over, and kept driving slowly so that I could get to where I wasn't blocking traffic. He flipped on his siren! It was SO obvious that I wasn't about to run, come on!!!! He walks up and asks the usual "do you know why I pulled you over?" NO, I don't. "You failed to yield to a stationary police car. If there are two lanes, you are required to merge into the other lane if possible." Which I think is crap. I would be willing to bet that the great majority of people that crash into parked police cars are under the influence.

He let me off easy by letting me pay for the ticket and going to traffic school! (Don't pretend like you are doing me a favor. I ended up paying $180.00 for that favor!)

Last night I had my class. The lobby was full, so a good group of people, including myself had to wait outside to be let in. When we were being filed in, I thought, look at all this money they are herding in here. Someone later made a comment that we "paid them off" SO true.

I'm rambling. Here is the point of my story:

Low and behold, the officer that I despise is there to teach us, along with another power tripping officer. But guess what. He is funny, and he has a sense of humor. He even knew how to crack a joke! Not at all like the cow I saw on the side of the road that day. hmm?

I decided when I saw him that I would comment about my ticket.

Come to find out, He was standing between two parked police cars, in the exact same location that I was given my ticket (what are the odds?) when a drunk driver crashed into the back of the first car, hitting it into the first. Somehow he escaped death that day, and now he is out to enforce that it doesn't happen again.

WOW, I felt a little guilty thinking there I was saying to myself "You have no idea what I am going through, or where I am going. Can't you find someone who is actually speeding, or doing something wrong?" when I had NO idea what he was thinking. Probably something like: "I almost died because of this same situation."

I did still ask if the officers thought the majority of these problems are caused by people DUI. They both defended no. Then went on with more stories, to which ALL of the drivers were under some sort of influence. I do have to add that if it were my loved one out there, I might like the idea that people are watching out for them, and staying as far away as possible. But again, the people that are doing the damage, aren't going to notice anyway. It's a lame law in my eye. A lost cause. Another way for us to bow down to the authorities.

I learned a few things from going. Nothing about traffic laws. More about understanding a cops mentality, and the things they are faced with.

At the end of class, someone raised their hand and said "to everyone that may have heard me say if I say something and get tayzed for it, get it on your cell phones!"

Thank goodness for people with a sense of humor to make dull and crappy things fun!

AND, if you see an officer in PG, move over for them. FAST! They are out to get you. Don't fall for their "we try to give breaks crap!"

We got robbed!!!

That's right we got robbed and what was stolen we can't get back. This guy is the most disgusting nasty low life there is. I have a photo so you will be able to spot this looser and avoid him at all cost.

I will never be able to get the time back that my wife and I could have shared. If you like what he does and invest your time in evil that he spreads then you are a disgusting person. The Bachelor is the worst freakin show in the world. How could anyone be entertained by this trash. I wish my little niece Livy could type because she could sum this guy up in one word... This is a family blog so I'll leave it at that.

That's my post for this year, we'll talkin again next year.

The Message

My sister in law lent me a book. I just finished it and wanted to share a few thoughts on it. I am in no way articulate when it comes to words. But I am going to try.

It's about a man named Lance who had an accident, and while in an induced coma for weeks, has an outer body experience, between here, and Paradise/The Spirit World. There, He is met by his family that has already passed. Particularly his cousin Randy who died of cancer, and his Grandfather. This is a true story. It may sound far fetched for some, but for me it hit so close to home, and I believe it.

While I was moved to tears numerous times, and touched deeply again and again, there is one part in particular that I wanted to share. This is a conversation between Lance and his cousin:

Randy smiled again. "You never know how much your family means to you until you are separated from them, do you." I nodded in agreement.

"I remember when I left to come here," Randy continued. "I had suffered so long that it was a welcomed rest to leave my bodily pain, but, oh how I missed my family at first. I wondered if it was right for me to have died. Then I was shown what is about to happen in your world. And it was explained to me that certain members of each family chose, long ago, before this life, to die and come to this realm that they might better help their families endure the challenges to come."

Randy's expression changed to one of reverence. "There are many powerful, wonderful spirits who are being called home right now, that they can better help their families prepare for that which is about to take place in your world. One of the major reasons many of us are here is to serve and help those in mortality. Remember that word "serve" for it is a vital part of our world, and can change yours." His eyes did not move from mine. I knew what he was saying was deeply important.

"Lance, do you understand what I am saying to you?" I have helped you many times in your life. I have been given assignments on several occasions to assist you and inspire you."

Randy then shared several stories of times when he had helped me. Each was a time I could remember, and I became deeply thankful to God, to know He had sent someone whom I loved so much to help in those times when I had needed help so desperately. Again I gained a greater appreciation for family and eternal function.

Uncle Howard had approached as we were talking. He had listened to Randy explain what he had done to help me.

"I, too, have similar assignments," he explained. "There is other work I must do, as well, but I am often called upon to help my wife and children who are yet in mortality."

I have thought this and expressed this before. I have so many close friends, including myself, loose a parent at what seemed to be too soon. An early good-bye if you will, and I have always believed that there must be something going on on the other side that they are needed for. I have wondered if these righteous people are being gathered as an army of missionaries. To teach to those spirits who never had a chance to learn of Gods truths here on earth. I have at times felt grateful to think that my Dad's strengths must be needed, and at times cheated; feeling like I need him more. I love the thought that he is there because he can help me more there, than here. It's comforting to think that maybe I am not being cheated, but in reality, being strengthened. I am not saying I understand it all. If I had my choice, I would have him here with me in a heartbeat. To be here to see and love my kids would mean the world to me. Now that I am grown and have a family of my own that is the hardest part. He is irreplaceable and my kids will never have that Grandpa figure in their lives. I hate that. But there is more to it. I don't know what that is. But I know that my Dad believes that he can do things for us where he is now, that he couldn't do before. How I know this is another story, too personal to share. But when I read this part in the book, I had a moment where I could relate. I KNOW that our loved ones are still around us and here for us. I have had one very personal experience in particular where the veil was thin, and through the power of the Priesthood, I was able to witness personally that my Dad is still here, and very much with me.

There is a plan for each of us. We are all capable of so much good, and are all so greatly needed to do our part. I look forward to the day I can converse about the times my Dad has been by my side, with, or without my sense of awareness. I'm curious if I will be able to say, "oh, I remember that!"

To all of my family, please read this book!

I believe the time has come for us to choose how we want to stand. I also believe it's never too late, and hope that we as a people can unite individually, and together, with God; to strengthen our relationships with him, with our families, and with our neighbors.

A Little Early Boy

The best part about the below pictures is how he has his little feet propped up, and how he is looking into a mirror in deep concentration.

And remember THIS post? Man, he is on top of things!

It took me back! It reminded me of how he used to always hang his bottle between his teeth so that he had free hands. He even got a really bad rash from it irritating his face.

I won't even go on about how much I miss him at this age! He is quickly turning into a boy... any idea how to stop time?