Daddy, Son Outing

Derek had a little bit of time off after he took step 2 and before he started his Anesthesiology rotation, so he decided in between getting his application ready and all the other school stuff he had to do he would make a date with each Kael and Eden and have their own special Dad time. 

Derek took Kael first. The boys went to Red Robin and Kael got a free meal for his birthday. He loved ordering all by himself. He wanted a pizza and a root beer. The waitress was impressed with him being able to order all by himself. Then, they got to go to a nickelcade and play tons of games! Kael had a blast and we are looking forward to more of these special times with each kid. We are definitely going to stick with this and have lots of one on one time with each kid.

Elara at 11 months

Dear Elara,

It must be hard to be the 3rd child. I don't update about you as much as I did with the other kids. I feel like time is slipping through my fingers as you grow. I feel so sleep deprived I'm not going to remember these special moments with you, but I want you to know that each day with you is so special! I won't ever forget how sweet you are, or your beautiful smile. You make our family so much better. You are standing all the time and walk along any furniture you can. If there isn't something to hold on to though you prefer to sit back down on your cute little bum and then crawl wherever you want. You have mastered crawling and made it an art! It is so fun seeing you go wherever you want. You get into EVERYTHING. I knew this day was coming, but it always is a shock when it happens. You get into every trash can in the house and dump everything you can out. Old food, papers, you name it, it is dumped. Your favorite thing to dig for in the trash cans are Dad's old diet coke cans. You try to drink the dregs. You will take any soda can, but your favorite are the diet cokes weirdly enough. You seek those out specifically. You finally got into the toilet water and even have played in Eden's old pee in her tiny potty. Needless to say it's time to get rid of that thing!

You totally made me feel special about 2 weeks ago when you finally started saying Mama. Dad heard it first and I of course wouldn't believe it until I heard it myself. You weren't feeling great if I remember and I was in the bathroom and you crawled to me saying it. It totally made the last 11 months worth how hard they have been kid! Ok ok each month was worth it, but man it melts your mama's heart to hear you say you need me! Your reflux is finally doing so much better! We doubled your medicine and it seems to have done the trick for now. You still have a bad day here and there, but nothing like before. You seem like a different child at night time now. You still get up at least once, usually twice for Mom to feed you. And you still get these weird bubbles around 10 sometimes, but really you aren't screaming in pain anymore! I have felt so helpless when you would cry and cry in pain and I had nothing I could do to make it better. I was so tired and so sad for you. Now that you sleep better you are even better in the day. When you were really in pain and not sleeping well you were still pleasant during the day, but it seems like you are happier now. You explore everything.

You take 2 naps a day. Sometimes only one like today... I have a feeling you will be like Eden and will give up naps earlier. I blame myself for not giving you a better schedule. Elara, you are a sweet sweet girl. Kael loves taking care of you. Eden loves playing dolls with her sister. Dad is smitten by you. You have us all wrapped around your fingers!

You say Dada, Mama, and Baba for baby.

You love to drink out of your straw sippy cup, and eat anything in front of you. You now have 7 teeth that show. More are coming I'm sure. I love you so much sweet baby girl! You are such a joy and we love having you brighten each and every day by being in our family!

Love you always and forever,
Mom

Kael is 5

Dear Kael,

Seriously kid, you are the coolest 5 year old I know. You have waited a long time to turn 5. Ever since Eden's birthday all we have heard was how your birthday is next. The count down was on! You were so excited to pick out a birthday cake, get presents, and have fun with your family and friends. You wanted everyone to celebrate with you. For your special day we blew up balloons and had streamers and party hats. We went to Seven Peaks and went swimming and Dad took you and Eden on water slides for the first time. It was the best morning. I love these moments where we all get to be together just us and have so much fun! We got McDonalds for lunch and we all came home and took naps. Grammy came over and spoiled you rotten with presents. Then we went outside and had lots of friends come out to help you celebrate with a pinata that you helped me make and the robot cake you requested. We also had popsicles. I think Elara liked those the best. We played outside then came in and watched Sleeping Beauty. We like that one because the Prince had to slay a dragon and you my friend are a Prince and a mighty warrior who can slay any dragon!

I'm still in shock that you really are 5! You tell everyone. It's quite funny. You are absolutely ready for kindergarten. You are excited to ride the bus and be a big kid. You love everyone Kael. Really you do. Just today we made some cookies. We went outside to play and you were riding bikes with your friend Holly. She had to go inside and you came running up to me, "Mom, mom! I want to share my cookies with Holly! I need to go grab a cookie for her." So, you did. You ran in the house, grabbed cookies and ran to Holly's house to give them to her. You are such a great friend. There are so many examples just like this. Don't lose this trait bud! You are a rockstar friend! It goes a long way to be nice to people and I'm glad this comes easily to you. I think your favorite person is Carlee Griffiths. She is in the primary and is the resident assistant for our court. She tells me all the time how sweet you are. You are a friend to everyone, adults included bud!

What a good example you are.

Some fun things about what you can do now that you are 5!
You can count to 100.
You know your ABC's and the sounds the letters make.
You know your shapes and colors.
We are working on tieing shoes, but Mom has been a slacker on this.
You love getting dressed by yourself. (Side story... I told you the other day if you were feeling good I'd take you to school in the morning. You had testing for kindergarten, and I didn't explain that. Well, at 6:45 am in the morning you came into my room and announced, "Mom, I am ready for school!" You had your clothes on, shoes, and even your new backpack!) You seriously are so excited for school and I love this!
You know your phone number and address.
You know how to end a sentence and about the title on a book.
You know several sight words like, the, a, are, look, book, dog, cat, car, an, am, ect.
You can read several short sentences. Here is a goat. The goat is here.
It is so cool.
You love to dance and sing. You love playing angry birds star wars!
You watched all 6 Star Wars movies with Dad and loved it!
You loved playing baseball this summer.
You love bugs and insects.
You love all animals. You love your lizard Igor.
You really love to ride your red bike. You love riding scooters!
You are a great help for me. You are always watching out for your sisters and running around doing things for me. You don't realize it now, but you really are such a good helper and take such good care of your Mom. You throw away Elara's diapers for me and put your dishes in the sink, you pick up your toys and help Eden pick up her toys. You help with so much and I am so grateful for you! You are my favorite little buddy and I love you so much! I'm so glad you are 5 and we are gonna enjoy each day you get to be 5!

I love you bud!

Love,
Mom

Letters to San Antonio #1 August 25, 2013 Sunday

Dear Derek,

I may not be a real writer, but I think it makes me feel a little closer to you to write you a letter when you are away like this for an extended time. I miss you already. You've been gone a grand total of 12 hours. I know. I'm pathetic.

Today was a good day despite you having to leave. The kids and I went to church. Not gonna lie. It was lonely without you. There is just something about having your best friend whisper inside jokes in your ear that makes church a little extra spiritual with those whisperings. Elara didn't nap for more than 40 minutes total today. The poor girl. She was a trooper. She fought the good fight. She actually didn't act terrible like I thought she would and she went to bed great. Actually all 3 kids went right to bed. I could have used a good fight getting them to bed just to keep my mind off things, but no, tonight they all decided to be tired and sleep.

You prayed that we'd be taken care of while you are gone. Guess what? We have been. We are so blessed. We have such wonderful friends and neighbors who are pooring their love already. Dinner is lined up tomorrow for us and also for Friday night. I have someone watching all 3 kids tomorrow night. I have a baby sitter for the girls for the first 3 mornings of Kael going to school so I can follow him just to give me a piece of mind. I have friends helping me with projects and countless offers to help watch the kids lined up whenever I need it. I feel so loved. So blessed. I haven't really cried in a while, but let me tell you with you leaving you know I shed a tear or two, OK a lot, but tonight I am crying so many tears of gratitude. I don't have to be here alone. I have lots and lots of help and you know what?! Tonight, I don't just think I can do this, tonight I know I can do this. These wonderful people are here for me and I'm grateful.

In other news, your baby, sweet, princess, angel girl is officially 11 months old, TODAY. I caught these beauties on camera the other day. Thought you might enjoy them.

Dad, I found your diet coke when Mom left the fridge door open... Guess what, I didn't grab a 7up, rootbeer, or anything else, I went straight for the diet coke. Dad, I am your daughter!

Oh no! Mom caught me! I hope she doesn't take it away!

Better try to drink it while I can.

Oh Dad, we woke up from our nap too early!

Dad, my tummy still hurts and I miss you.

The End.

We love and miss you. This month will be long, but good. We can do hard things. Till tomorrow my love in San Antonio!

Love Always,

Your wife

Kael turns 5 in photos

Grandpa's Funeral July 25, 2013

To start the funeral process, my brother Jerris and sister Shellianne flew in and stopped by my apartment before going to the first viewing. What does Uncle Jerris do when he comes for a visit? He spoils us rotten! Yup, you can't come to Utah on the 24th of July without getting some fireworks. And that is what Uncle Jerris got us. If you have to have a funeral I say the best way to say good bye is with some fireworks. Go out with a bang. Ya know.

That night Jerris and Shell helped me chase after my 3 kids at the viewing at the funeral home. It was nice because I got to see family I wouldn't have seen otherwise and it let the kids see Grandma and Grandpa for a few minutes. I would have preferred not to have to take the kids to a "viewing", but in the end I think it turned out good. It was difficult to explain why great Grandpa was sleeping. I realized that every time our pets die and we say they went to live with Heavenly Father and Jesus there is no body to show them to say goodbye because I flushed both fish down the sink... oops. So, seeing Grandpa's body they didn't understand. They were very respectful as far as kids go when they got to see Great Grandpa and we got to talk about how Grandpa's body is sleeping and now his spirit is in Heaven with Heavenly Father and Jesus. And Kael and Eden had to add with Seymore and Fishy the fish. Yes, yes with your fish too...

Shellianne brought her baby Jenna who is about 5 months younger than Elara. Elara knew she was bigger than Jenna and just kept clobbering her. Poking her eyes out. And who knows what else. But, man, they sure were cute together.

The next morning was the funeral service. It was simply peaceful. I had a sweet friend in my ward who watched Kael and Eden so I only had Elara with me. We got to say our last good byes to Grandpa. And all who spoke at the service shared wonderful memories of Grandpa and about his life. They shared the things Grandpa would want us to hear. About how important family is. My brothers and sisters all sang together for the first time in a long long time. I think it made my parents happy to see us all together. 

Then, came the graveside service. Grandpa was in the Marine's so there were military men there to do a service. It was one of the most touching experiences. To hear the horn play in real life touches your heart. To me it's a mark that no matter what the person who died did at least one really great thing in their life. They served, and that is really important to me. It makes me nervous for when it will be Derek's turn to serve, but it also makes me grateful that we will have our turn to do something great in our lives.

Really, for such a sad day, there was a lot of happiness. Grandpa had a great long life. He did many wonderful things, and I'm really grateful that he didn't have to suffer as he left this life. It was nice to just celebrate his life and that he is in a better place. That I know for sure.

I really loved being able to see all my family. That I guess is the positive to a funeral. It brings families together. And, I love my family.

Joshua, Shannon, Jacob, Dad, Mom, Jerris, Jonathan, Shellianne, and Sharice

And you know what? I think my family loves me too. It's a good feeling.

All of my Uncles, Dad, and brother Jerris were pall bearers. My brother Jerris filled in for my Uncle Jerris who died when he was only 3ish years old. All of Grandpa's son's were together to bury him.

My Dad's last goodbye. I really can't imagine what that must be like.

Sisters

 I walked my Mom to her car. She thought it was silly, but it was necessary. My Dad was taking care of his mother, so I took care of mine. :)

 My date for the day. Elara was a trooper through the really long day. And she was just as cute as can be.

 Cousins, Aunts, and an Uncle with Grandpa's casket. Probably only a quarter, if not less of the family.

With Grandma Gray! It's true when you loose someone you hug your family a little tighter. I was glad to give Grandpa Gray a hug, just wish I lived closer to Phoenix to go give Grandma and Grandad a hug down there.

 Uncle Greg and Dad walking Grandma Gray to the car. They are such good sons, don't let their faces fool you.

And what's a family gathering without making a fool of yourself playing games?

We met up at my Uncle David's house that night for family, fun, silliness.

This particular game was called pterodactyl.

And this is the reaction we were going for with my goofy face.

And the kids having a party downstairs watching shows and playing games.

 The fireworks from the 24th!

That's it. The End.