The Hospital

Summer sure has a happy smile for where she is. Trust me, the smile slowly went away as they began working on her.

 My sweet girls wound up spending several hours in the hospital a few days apart from each other. Summer slammed her finger in her basement door. She ended up breaking her finger, having stitches and her finger nail removed so she was a wreck. She can't stand pain or to look at her own blood so here she is looking away as they worked on her finger. I would have been there with her but I was at work when it happened.

 A few days prior to Summers ordeal, we were all shopping in the mall. Now mind you it was a Saturday, the last Saturday before Christmas, so the mall was packed. After shopping awhile, Sabrina begins to feel very ill. As we were making our way to the car when she passed out in the walk way inside the mall. I threw my bags to the side and tried to get her to wake up. While she was unconscious, she began to throw up. We were surrounded by police officers, security guards and several spectators. Poor little girl. We took her to the hospital to have her examined. Several tests and x-rays later the conclusion was just the flu. Thank heavens...

After a bag of fluids fed through her IV, we were on our way home. She was all better within 24 hours. The body is an amazing healer...

San Francisco

Hiram went with the boys on their scout trip to San Francisco. He is such a good father. He has always gone with them on the scout activities. The boys love having him come....

Gosh, I love these boys

Considering I wasn't there, I have no clue what this wall Howard is climbing up is for. He did happen to  mention that it was fun...

Last year to cheer

This is Adriana's last year to cheer in high school. They had a little appreciation night for all the senior Cheerleaders. Adriana cheered for 6 years straight, well minus a little break her junior year. She is now applying for BYU Idaho. Keep your fingers crossed. JK. I'm sure she will make it.

South Korea

We only were able to spend a few days with Christian after he graduated then he was off to Korea. It feels different around the house without him, especially this time of year. He is the one who usually hangs the Christmas lights on the house. Even though the house this year is so much smaller than its been in years, we still didn't put up outside lights. Next year.....I really can't wait to see our son again. Hopefully soon!!!

Graduation Day for Troop 5-15

Pride fills our hearts. We are proud of you, never give up on what you believe in. My solider. Thank you for all you do and everything you stand for Christian. You uphold truth and right and love for your country. A man of honor!!!!!!

 

The girls each wanted a picture alone with Christian. He's like a new car and we all want to show him off. Hiram was texting pictures to his family before the graduation was over. PROUD father.....

 The girls put their picture up on face book with their brother within minutes.

 I got so caught up in the pictures of the girls that before we knew it we were walking of the field without a picture of the boys or the whole family together. These days are priceless and will be rare as the children go their separate ways as the years go by.



Christian's Graduation Dinner

This was the first sight of Christian in 6 months. My heart was pounding and I was so overwhelmed with joy. I looked over at  Sabrina and tears were pouring down her face. The children love Christian so much and they really missed him. My son is no longer a boy, he's turned into a handsome young man that I am so proud of.

 My family...... Oh how blessed I am. It is so different with these sweet children growing up so fast. Each stage is something new. It seams like yesterday when I was rocking Christian to sleep. I miss holding him. I love him very much.

 Dinner was great. We were able to spend a few hours with him before he had to return to base. He is so polite and respectful and it is so wonderful to watch him smile and just interact with his brothers and sisters. He said he had 2 hours of sleep the night before. They were packing and doing equipment cleaning to get ready to leave. 

 Our son. Now his hair matches his fathers. Strange to see him without hair, considering he usually wears it so much longer. It is so rewarding seeing our son in his uniform. My heart is so full and I can't begin to express how I feel.

Red Bulls against Diet Pepsi. The race was one. I think 2 of Christians were his buddies. They had another long night ahead of them and were going to stay up cleaning the barracks to perfection before graduation the next day.



Georgia

 We had an excellent time in Georgia a few weeks ago. We were so blessed to be able to go to the South for Christians graduation. Its been over 6 months since the whole family has been together. We visited the Swan House in Atlanta Georgia, and the museum along with a few plantations.

We did a little bowling. saw a movie, shopped and of course had to out the Chick- Fil-A. (We don't have one here).....

We got to see some of the base before the graduation. The kids checked out the tanks.

Summer got stuck on a separate row without us. There was 7 of us on the flight there to see Christian. She ended up in front of a screaming little boy for a 5 hour flight. Poor girl.....

The only children who have flown in the family is Summer and Christian. It was neat flying with the other four for the first time. Adriana is 17 and this was her first flight. Our kids are so deprived, Lol.... The only trips we've taking have been car trips. I like to plan a family trip once a year but the cost is crazy. Looks like we will stick to more car distance places.

We were quite the crew walking through the airport. You know how they say to get to the airport an hour early, well we didn't. We barely made our flight, total chaos. We RAN!!!!!!! We made the flight by the skin of our teeth.

Handsome Boys

I love these boys, well not the haunted man in the back... lol... Wish Christian was here...

The Army

We are so proud of our son and his decision to serve his country. They truly sacrifice so much and leave all the comforts of home to go off and protect others. What an honor it is to be his parents. 

 He learned so much everyday and was trained to defend his country. Its amazing the things they go through during training. Some things I'm sure he withheld telling me because I would want to run in and rescue him. Here he is doing what he loves.

 We missed him like crazy but knew this is where he belonged. He talked of fighting for his country from the time he was a young boy.

Right after the gas chambers, need I say more!!!!

Love Life

It's all about attitude. The way we choose to see our life is what matters most. Each day is a day to be better than we were yesterday. We have two choices, happiness or misery. The ultimate form of therapy is gratitude. How can we be depressed if we are grateful for all we have. See the best in yourself and others and find greater joy in life today.......

Adriana's Birthday

Happy birthday my sweet Adriana. Considering that Adriana's birthday fell on a Sunday then we went out with her last night. Well, actually she went out with her two girlfriend's and her dad and I tagged along when they were almost finished eating. We then went out to yogurt. It was a quiet night. It's hard to believe she is now 17....

One of Summer's famous amazing cakes. She made this one for Adriana. So cute....

Happy Father's Day





 What a true statement. So many boys see their father's as hero's and that is how it should be. What better man to role model yourself after than your father. I am so thankful that my children have a father that they can look up to.

Sabrina and her hero...

 My parents were here for Father's Day. It was the day after my birthday this year so we were able to celebrate this day with my father too. Hiram said that the best gift he could receive is if Summer came to church with us. She made it. It was stake conference today so it worked out perfectly.

 We had a wonderful father's day. We went to church and then my mom and I made a delicious dinner for the men that have been incredible fathers to our children. This chocolate cake tastes better than it looks ;)

This is what the day is all about.. Resting... Felix the cat and my father taking a nap!!!!!



My Birthday

 My birthday was nice. Curtis had a few baseball games in the afternoon  but after they were over then the family went out to dinner. Summer made me this amazing cake.

 It was a six layer cake. She is so creative and thoughtful to take her time out of her day to make it for me.

 

Ummm. the frosting goes ON the cake Summer...

 My sisters sent me this pillow, that I put on the living room chair. Great saying, " A sister is a forever friend." I am so thankful to have 4 beautiful sisters as my friends.

 Mexican food is always a winner. I picked Las Margerita for my birthday dinner. We usually go with my friend to dinner because we have the same birthday. My parents were down in southern California for my niece Lauryn's senior graduation so they came out to our home after. 

 My niece Lauryn and her mom at her graduation.

Dad and mom and Lauryn

Grandma Nana

 Our kids really love their grandma Nana. She is in the rehabilitation facility right now. We enjoy visiting her and we should see her more often than we do. Her spirits are always uplifted and positive. One thing about Hiram's mom is her ability to stay neutral in our marriage disagreements.

Mom has so many friends in her facility. She is so caring and always asks others how they're doing and feeling. She has a deep compassion for others.

My Parents

My parents are so young at heart and physically. They are always on the go. They amaze ME..

 When they're not teaching school they enjoy skiing. It's incredible having such active parents. I am so thankful to be loved by them and get to love them in return.

 My father is quite the artist. He is very talented and you can see why he draws, he is good at it!!!!

More skiing. They really love each others company....