FHE Distraction

A couple weeks ago mommy was being naughty during FHE and braided Sadie's hair. 

Ears Pierced, Three of Them...

For Sadie's b-day we went to get the girls' ears pierced. Sienna went first and I could tell after they did her first ear she was a little big surprised at how much it bothered her but she was tough and did her other ear. Sadie was also surprised at how much it hurt but wasn't as willing to continue. In fact, we spent an hour trying to convince her to do the other ear with no success. They told us to leave in her earring and come back later when she would do her other ear but I knew that would never happen. I took out her earring and we went home. She was perfectly fine that Sienna had earrings and she didn't. We have talked to her about going back but she wants to wait until she is older. She didn't cry when they pierced her ear but she started to when we tried to do the second ear. It was extremely frustrating but at the same time I was proud of her for not giving into pressure or bribes and sticking to her guns. I was most proud of her for not fussing about it days later when she didn't have her pretty blue earrings she wanted.

I kept showing her both of her ears in the mirror asking which she liked more. She said the one with the earring but it wasn't enough to convince her to do it again. 

Free Jamba Juice for Kids

Perfect Saturday afternoon activity getting free Jamba Juices for all of the kids.

Sunday Walks

We walk down the street to a tiny little dog park almost weekly after church. The kids climb a tree and run around together and then we go home. It's quick, easy and helps get some of the kids' energy out.

SPAGHETTI!

Pool

I told the kids we could go swimming at our pool after their lessons. I was nervous to do it without Matt especially after Tanner's scare but it was so great. Jenny is super helpful but the kids were really easy too. The girls have gotten pretty good at swimming and had so much fun. Tanner just played with his new squirt gun that was reward for him potty training and Abby chilled in the stroller.

 

 Tanner shooting "Auntie Jenny". In Hawaii they say "Auntie" instead of Miss, etc. It's so cute to hear little Mckayla shouting, "Auntie Karin!" 

Sadie loves holding her breath under water and has gotten pretty good at it.

My mom sent this huge bag and it is perfect for the pool. 

Goofball!

I checked the mail while I was there which wasn't the smartest. I didn't have the van and we had 5 packages waiting for us. Jenny refused to let me attempt this ride home. She was pretty concerned for Abby's well being so she helped me carry them home. What a great friend!! Abby loves her too and just lights up as soon as she sees her. From day one, Abby has gravitated toward Jenny. It is so cute. Abby is easy going but she doesn't try to go to anyone on her own except for me and Matt so she must really like Jenny.

Clean-up time.

Swimming Lessons

Swim school is just down the hill from us. Sometimes we drive, sometimes we walk. We love how close it is and it has been a lot of fun for all of the kids. We decided to take Tanner out after this next month because of the cost but the girls are doing so great and improving weekly. Matt can take Tanner to "swim lessons" at our apartment pool weekly and save the 80$!

I love that these two have each other and are best friends. Today they were talking about meeting up and playing at recess together. So cute!

 Sunblock mohawk.

Sienna swimming back to the wall.

 Sadie swimming to the island.

 "GOOD JOB SIENNA!" Tanner is such a great supporter of everything. Last week he was shouting, "Wahoo, good job mommy! You killed a spider, good job!!" Love his energy and excitement.

Nice pose Sadie, so official.

Walking home.

Girls Physicals

The girls had their physicals but luckily they're all caught up on their shots so it was quick and easy. They're both 15% for height and pretty close in weight too. Love these two munchkins and am so sad that they are starting school in a month.

I love that they have each other to do these things with.

Sounding Board

A blog is a nice place to vent or think out loud. I am not looking for reactions or even for people to read what I write but it is a good release for me to type it out and think through my feelings. It isn't as great as talking it out with a close friend but it is still beneficial to me. Sometimes I post them and other times I delete them.

Last night my friend at YW said something that really struck me. She said that she had been talking to her sons and told them that they will be so lucky to find a wife that knows how to cook and clean. It is so true and it saddens me. I am not the best at either but I have a new determination to teach my girls that it is important to do those things themselves. So many of my friends have talked about getting housekeeping and different things which I don't mind but I want my kids to grow up and know how to work and that working pays off. I am not judging anyone that hires help around the house. It can be a nice luxury and sometimes is really needed with other demands that life throws at you but as long as I am able, I will be doing my own laundry, my own dishes, my own cleaning and my own cooking because I want my kids to see that it is possible and that it can be enjoyable too. One of my favorite things is taking care of other people and one of the easiest ways to take care of and serve my family is by taking care of our home.

This time zone difference is making it difficult to talk as often with my closest friends as I would like to. That and the fact that it is summer and many are traveling and super busy. It hasn't stopped us from staying caught up and I am super grateful for the little conversations we get to have here and there. I feel so blessed to have the friends I do. I feel even more blessed that they are all doing so well. They are happy and good things are happening in their lives. I am also so grateful for the friends I have made here. I was worried that I wouldn't allow myself to attach to anyone here because I knew we would most likely only be here about nine months. Me, not attach?! Okay, I know that is an unlikely story but I didn't expect to find such a close friend so quickly. Maybe it isn't mutual yet but she has been great for me and her daughters have been so great for my girls. They beg to play with them every day. I love people and I am grateful for those that are willing to dive into a friendship so quickly and open up and become life long friends right away. There are a few ladies from MBASA and now my friend Jenny here that I feel like I've known since I was a child because of how easy it is to talk with them and they already know so much about me and I know so much about what makes them who they are, I love it!

I don't want school to start. I love having the girls home with me. I don't want them gone for most of the day. I am nervous about sending them too but I know they'll both do great. Sadie told me today how much she misses her BYU school. I think this school out here is going to be a harder adjustment for Sadie but she is ready to learn. She loves figuring out new things and I think once she is submerged she is going to soak it all up. We just found out that there isn't room at the school we're supposed to go to so we will be at a different elementary school. It isn't a big deal because it's a new school regardless but it would have been nice to go with Mckenna and already have a friend there. At least they have each other. I have been so grateful lately that Sienna and Sadie have each other. I got a picture of them holding hands today on their way to swimming lessons. They didn't know I took a picture and it wasn't staged at all. I love this picture so much and almost get emotional when I see it because I am so grateful that they are here together.

 For awhile I was stressed about them constantly comparing themselves to each other as they grow up but have since had a peace come over me. I can have a huge influence on them competing or finding insecurities by comparing themselves to each other or I can help them each reach their individual potentials which is what I am focusing on right now. Other people over exaggerate different situations and the girls' personalities and it used to really bother me but now I just ignore it because my girls are happy and there is no need for them to be the same. It hasn't been an issue to them so why should it be for me or anyone else? I am so very different from my sister, always have been, but we are great friends and support each other in our differences.

I read a couple of articles. One was sparked by “My love life will never be satisfactory until someone runs through an airport to stop me from getting on a flight.” ~Teenager post of the week via the Huffington Post. Quite funny but the author of the blog continued to write what I thought was really sweet and great. She wrote many of the things her husband has and does do for her that is real love. The second article was about how everyone has these high expectations of what marriage is and that it is full of romance, intimacy, companionship, friendship, trust, etc. It continues to say that there is no love in marriage but that love is in people and people put love into their marriage. Marriage starts as an empty box and that these things aren't in marriage but a couple must learn to infuse them in their marriage. You have to keep putting into the box for it to be full by learning to serve, give, love and praise. If you take out more than you put in, the box will always be empty.  I agree fully with both of these articles and they both put a smile on my face and I was overcome with such a happy, peaceful and grateful feeling. It made me reflect on all of the things that Matt does for me to show me that he loves me. Sometimes I think, Matt isn't very romantic and doesn't x,y or z but it isn't often and doesn't last long because Matt does so much more than he "doesn't." He gets up with the kids throughout the night often, he helps with chores around the house before I have the chance to ask for it, he lets me sleep in, he is so comforting to me and the kids when we don't feel well, he works hard, he offers me Mexican food when he knows I am stressed, he supports me, he cleans up messes, he cleans up after the kids throw up in bed because he knows I hate throw up, he surprises me all the time with silly little things, he gets excited about things that I get excited about, he supports me, he pushes me, he teaches me, he loves me. He is kind, he is patient, he is giving, he is helpful, he is nurturing, he is strong, he is fun, he is a good man and he chooses family over friends or work events constantly. I could go on forever about the different things Matt does for me and the kids but that the main point is that he is constantly serving us in different ways which I think is one of the most effective ways of showing he loves us. He might not write me poems or live up to the sappy romance films but he has loved me through eight and a half years of marriage and loved me unconditionally through it all, not just the high moments. He loves me past my looks and through all of my awkward and embarrassing moments. It's an unconditional love that he has for our family and the kind that will get us through challenging times. The best part is that he thinks he has it all too and he is happy doing all of these things. I feel so blessed. I am so blessed. I always envisioned being in a happy marriage and loving my life and feel so lucky that I am. I know it isn't always the case and that makes me sad.

Chevron Update

• There aren't any big updates. We gave Matt's boss the green light to send us to Kazakhstan and were anticipating that assignment. A few days later we were informed that they are placing a full-time employee in that position rather than a temporary assignment. There was still a possible angle to get us there but has since been removed as well so we are 100% not going to Kazakhstan for our next rotation.

• It looks like the odds of us being in Australia next are also very slim for the same reason of giving the position to a full-time employee.

• I know this isn't a big announcement but I didn't want to leave the last post about Kazakhstan without a follow up for the sake of those wondering but also for our journal.

Worst Feeling Ever

Last night as we were getting ready to leave the pool I experienced one of the worst feelings I have ever had. It gives me an instant headache and makes me tear up just thinking about it. 

We were all getting cleaned up and ready to walk home. The girls kept insisting on one more jump or dive for their toys and Tanner was loving the hot tub. We finally got the girls out of the pool and had started deflating Tanner's arm floaties. Sienna and Sadie asked to get into the hot tub before we left to warm up before leaving. I watched as Tanner also got back in the hot tub and started walking around the edges. Soon the girls were out and drying up.Tanner had a tiny squirt gun and was teasing mommy and playing around. He was pointing and laughing at Papa and just being his cute funny self. We continued gathering things up and getting ready to walk out when I looked down and saw my son, my little buddy standing at the bottom of the hot tub. It took me a second to realize what I was seeing and then I just started screaming Matt's name. One second later, Matt, Abby and I were both leaping into the hot tub to save our little buddy. Yes, Abby took a dunk under the hot tub too because that is what happens when daddy has you in his arms and sees his son struggling under water. I quickly grabbed Tanner in my arms and held him tight. He let out a breath of air as we came up and was coughing out water so I knew he would be okay. I don't think he was under the water but a couple of seconds but he was so scared just staring up at us with his huge eyes and legs kicking. It is one of the worst feelings that either Matt or myself have experienced. After sitting on the edge of the hot tub for a minute with mommy squeezing and kissing him lots, Tanner said, "I had to get my squirt gun." As we left the pool Sienna sadly said, "We almost lost our little buddy, Tanner." Worst thought ever.

We walked home, cleaned up and got dinner ready. Tanner seemed to be doing fine and went to bed without any problems. We stayed up late talking with Nana and Papa and enjoying their company but the whole night I just felt sick inside. I couldn't stop looking at the picture of Matt with Tanner on his shoulders laughing hysterically and thinking to myself how lost and heartbroken I would be had I lost my little buddy. I finally decided to go to bed and get some rest before our busy Sunday. I couldn't sleep and instantly just broke down and started crying. I went in to check on the kids and Tanner was still fevered so I picked him up and brought him into bed with me. It ended up being a long-rough night trying to get him comfortable again after waking him up but I couldn't sleep with him in the other room and wanted him near me.  I am so grateful that he is okay. I am so grateful that he woke up feeling better and was his happy self. I feel so blessed and watched over and I am grateful for the reminder of how precious life is. It makes me want to be a better mommy to all of my little people and cherish our moments together. I love them so much and if anything were to ever happen to me or them, I want them to know that I loved them and they brought me so much joy.

On a happier note, a really happy note.....  this past week I just decided to take diapers away from Tanner and brave taking him out without them. He has had zero accidents and has officially potty trained himself for reals this time!!! I refused to let him wear a diaper even on our two hour drive to Monterey and he did awesome! He stayed dry and used the potty several times. He has even been staying dry during nap times. I am so excited and so proud of Tanner for potty training for real now. He's known how to use the potty for months and months but now he is willing and doing it on his own.

Matt's all time favorite picture of Tanner.

Nana and Papa's Weekend Visit

For how much and how long we've all been looking forward to this weekend, it has come and gone way too quickly. We have missed Nana and Papa and had so much fun catching up and playing for a few days. They spoiled us rotten.

Friday: We spent the morning at the Monterey Aquarium and then spent the rest of the day in Santa Cruz at the beach and boardwalk. Nana grew up in Santa Cruz and the girls have been so anxious to see her favorite beach and where she spent a lot of time and even had her prom in high school. It was beautiful and everyone had so much fun. Sadie was about one centimeter too short to do any of the rides so she and Tanner got to choose out a treat while Sienna and I went on the Sea Swings. 

 Saturday: We went miniature golfing, ate lunch at BJ's and then took naps and went swimming at our apartment pool.

Sunday: Today we had to say goodbye and send them on their drive home. We were all sad and wanted to keep them longer. They stayed long enough to hear Matt teach Gospel Doctrine and then me teach Relief Society and then hit the road. Too funny that we were both asked to guess teach the weekend they were here. I think both lessons went great and it was fun having them here with us for them.

 The waves were a lot bigger than the girls have been used to and this one took Sienna out. Luckily she has gotten quite confident in the water and Papa was close to help her up.

Matt and Tanner running away from some incoming waves.  

I was big and let Abby play in the sand and have fun. She loved it.

Building some mermaid tails.

Picture of Abby showing the boardwalk in the background.

The aquarium was awesome. I could sit and stare at their huge tank of fish, sharks and turtles all day.

Playing plah-doh.