Camping and Fishing Spring Break

Matt fishing in the Verde River:

Mom, Me, Skye:

Gila Monster:

Playing in Apache Lake:

Boating with Gram:

Kayaking:

Making the teenager smile:

Verde River

Gary & I enjoyed a few days together kayaking the Verde River. I took out a few days earlier than the rest of the river runners to meet up with the boys who were camping with my sister and mom. We had beautiful weather and and even better company.

Note to self...

This work week went smooth. I credit it to doing nothing but hanging with the boys in the afternoons after I've slept. My house has suffered. It's a complete disaster. Dirty dishes, laundry, and kids. But we've laughed and played and read books. I felt happy and like I did good. I felt like a good mama. Sometimes I don't have fore site to let my house go and feel anxious when it's messy or undone. And I think we all suffer and I feel lousy and I feel like I am not doing good and not being a good mama... So note to self: leave the dirty plates, let the toys clutter the floor, and let the pile of laundry build. Your kids don't care. You don't really even care. And you felt good not doing it! Love your babies, kiss their sweet little cheeks, play monsters and hide and seek, read stories and your heart will be full.

The HUBs and I on our ANNIVERSARY

MARCH 9th, 2012

THANKS to SKYE we had a dinner date... XOXOXOXO!

TRAMP hair!

This is what happens to TREK's hair while jumping. Occasionally his mouth fills with his stomach contents. I'll spare you those photos. He usually swallows it anyways. (YUCK!)

San Diego with Dad

My Dad treated the boys and I to a trip to San Diego. The hotel was a block from the beach. The sun was SHINING the whole time. Good times.

TREATS FROM THE FARMERS MARKET IN LA JOLLA:

LIVE ORGAN CONCERT IN BALBOA PARK:

CANYON AND BAMPA:

TREK ADMIRING THE OCEAN (from afar... still a bit apprehensive of the big body of water):

SAND CASTLES:

BABY BLUE:

BELMONT PARK AMUSEMENT RIDES:

What to do when snowed in for a couple of days...

Grateful to all be home safe and sound from our spring break activities (posts to come), kitchen stocked, no work, no school, even church was cancelled we watched as our little rock house become covered in 2 feet of snow. The snow was beautiful and only having to leave once to get Gary antibiotics we were racking our brains for inside activities. We watched a bunch of TV (too much), made an inside obstacle coarse for the boys to jump through, built monster trucks, colored, sent thank you cards for birthday presents, cleaned out closets, unpacked and then finally ventured outside...

On the way in Canyon said, "Mom, I love the snow way more than you do."
True, Canyon, True.

The FIVE year old PARTY

...TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME...

We ate a field of baseballs, won tickets from the games to fill bags at the concession stand, and sang HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the sweetest 5 year old I know (he literally melted my heart with his smiles).

A post about a 5 year old.

MY 5 YEAR OLD!! MY 5 year old! My 5 year old...

My 5 year old is AMAZING. He AMAZES me. He is kind, thoughtful, funny, smart, creative, and well AMAZING! Watching him grow makes me happy, fulfills me, make me feel like I am doing good in this world, because is so good. While reminiscing Canyon's birth and the years leading up to the fabulous 5 my little guy was right by my side. We smiled at baby photos, laughed at videos, talked about how special he was because he made me a mama. Here are some of our favorites shots:

Patience

When I moved to Flagstaff just after high school with some friends my heart broke because I was leaving Gary. I cried and didn't want to go. To ease my pain Gary sent me on my way with a Guns-n-Roses CD and instructed me to listen to this song. I listened to it the entire way to Flagstaff and for the next 3 1/2 months while we lived apart. It was so romantic and tragic. Today we celebrate 11 years of marriage. Patience is a constant in our lives, a value we both practice. Without patience we wouldn't be able to grow together, to trust each other, to love each other, to raise children together, to honor each other.

Thank-you my sweet Gary for your love and your sweetness the past 11 years.

Shed a tear 'cause I'm missing you

I'm still alright to smile

Girl, I think about you every day now

Was a time when I wasn't sure

But you set my mind at ease

There is no doubt you're in my heart now

***********

Said woman take it slow

It'll work itself out fine

All we need is just a little patience

Said sugar make it slow

And we'll come together fine

All we need is just a little patience

Patience, patience, patience

Ooh, oh, yeah

***********

I sit here on the stairs

'Cause I'd rather be alone

If I can't have you right now, I'll wait dear

Sometimes, I get so tense

But I can't speed up the time

But you know, love, there's one more thing to consider

*********

Said woman take it slow

Things will be just fine

You and I'll just use just a little patience

Said sugar take the time

'Cause the lights they shine so bright

'Cause you and I've got what it takes to make it

We won't fake it, ooh never break it

'Cause I can't take it

*********

'Cause a little patience, yeah, yeah

'Cause a little patience, yeah, yeah

Just a little patience, yeah, yeah

Just a little patience, yeah, yeah

Just a little patience, yeah, yeah

*********

I've been walkin' these streets at night

Just tryin' to get it right

It's hard to see with so many around

You know I don't like bein' stuck in a crowd

And the streets don't change but maybe the name

I ain't got time for the game

'Cause I need you

Yeah, yeah well I need you

Oh, I need youWhoa, I need you

Ooh, this time

-Guns-n-Roses

(Click HERE to hear the song)