Falling together.

 Since February, it seemed like we were grasping for anything that felt "normal". I would have killed (or severely injured) to see Mark watching TV, sitting back having a frosty Mt Dew or working in the garage. It's funny, before February, I would get frustrated that Mark was working in the garage late into the night after working a long day. How the tables had turned- I wanted nothing more than a greasy, gas smelling husband to make me feel like he was coming back.

Mark started talking about a track day- YES!  I saw him working in the garage and feeling confident as he took his bike apart and reassembled the pieces. It made me cry. It made me happy to see my husband doing something he loved.

He went and raced at the track. All through therapy, the track has been his happy place- not a sandy beach but wearing leather and a helmet, hugging the curves of race track on his bike. It made my heart sing. It also pulled me through a relapse of sorts- that ONE good day made me realize that Mark is still in there, fighting every day to get back to BETTER.

No mere mortal can resist

Thriller is something I am excited to see in October! I LOVE it! I was excited to take Mc this year. She wasn't so sure and was a little hesitant (cried HUGE tears right when the lights went out) but as the dancing began, she too was excited to be there. She was on the edge of her seat the entire time and hugged Fluffy (the birthday cat) the whole show. We had a blast! Love spending time with my Lady Posse. 

Mc and Maddie with the zombies

Dinner with the Lindquist Ladies.

7even

When you hold that teensie baby in your arms for the first time you can only imagine what a 7 year old will be like. Two years old seemed like an eternity away and 7, unfathomable. Seven just seemed so much bigger than six and to think, you are getting baptized next year! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MCKINLEY!

My darling 7 year old! You are everything I hoped you would be. Beautiful, kind, sensitive, friendly, skilled with drawing, making people feel welcome, giving hugs, excelling in reading and Math and you make the world a better place. Stats: 59 lbs (80%) and 48 inches (63%)

Your birthday (more like Birthmonth) was full of gifts and celebrating.  You woke up to an electric scooter that made the day! You were SO excited to ride it! Lucky you, your birthday will fall on UEA weekend- no school on your birthday this year! We went to Thanksgiving Point with friends (twice), Boondocks with Brynlee and Auntie Bree ( you got a free $20 pass- everything F R E E)- you rode solo in the go carts for the first time! Cat cake, cat shirt, cat Build a Bear (thanks, Thomases), cat wrapping, cats, cats, cats. We have been reading "Matilda" and you were excited to get more Roald Dahl books from Grandma Mary Ann. 

My big girl! We love you so much! You're special. You're you. So glad you are ours. 

My big First grader! 

Build a Bear- meet Fluffly our $50 stuffed cat. 

Darling and delicious Kitty Cat- my sweet friend Kelli made this for Mc. 

Williamson party! 

My 7 year old cheerleader!

School 2015

Our back to school dinner 2015 was held at the usual, Red Robin. We talked about being kind and had blessings from daddy when we got home. The kids were both super excited to start school. Mc would be attending Heartland Elementary in Ms Garduno's class and Kingston would be headed back to the Little Blue Schoolhouse with Miss Sally and Miss Jessica. 

Mc still lets me walk her to school. Still likes notes in her home lunch, has to ride her scooter most days and is reading above 1st grade level. 

Kingston likes to color and sing and LOVES going to school with his bestie Lincoln Johnson. It has been fun carpooling and hearing their conversations in the car about wanting to be "polices" and how fast I am driving over the speed limit. 

The days seem to go more quickly and without Alex, are a little more chaotic in the morning but, two months (almost) into school and we are surviving.

It's really tiring to rifle through all your clothes and shoes to try and pick an outfit for the first day. 

When I grow up I want ot be "a chef"

When I grow up I want to be a "struction worker"

And while the kids are at school, Lorenzo entertains himself by making messes, walking and napping. 

The George

We headed down to St George with G & Chris for one last summer Hurrah before school started. I love St George! The condo was a little different than the last time we were there in December- Mc said she missed the pink carpet and I missed the maroon swags over the windows and the rosebud chandelier. 

Boating at Quail Creek was delightful. The day was hot but the water was perfect- not the send your body into shock temps like we had been used to with Utah Lake. The kids loved it! After forcing Kingston to get in the water (imagine trying to get a cat into a bathtub) and convincing him 100 times that his life vest would keep him floating,  he was happy as a clam to go into the water on his own. 

We did the tube, sat in the sunshine, had lunch and swam. Mc did cannonballs off the front of the boat and even Enzo was happy to get in the water with mama.  It was a perfect day. 

Later that evening, G & Chris let Mark and I use their Tuacahn tickets to take the older kids to see, "When you Wish"- a darling Disney montage. The kids made it until about 10:30 and we left to take them to bed. Kingston had already fallen asleep. They thought the play was awesome- the water running on the stage, the live horses and of course the fact that we were watching outside. 

We tried a few new food places, had an awesome scone at Bishop's, played at the playground, went walking, scootering, swimming at the Resort, went to a weird little museum full of donated Antiques, played Phase 10, went to Hurst General Store, yard sales, had a dance party with the lights off in the garage to the sounds of the toy car and just relaxed. It was much needed and a great way to prep for the upcoming school year. 

Starfish

Running through sprinklers with Grandma

We thought it would be a good idea to face Enzo forward to make the trip easier- judging by his face, this was NOT the case. His screams instead echoed to the front of the vehicle. This trip is what motivated us to purchase a new car a week later. 

Summer Lovin' Had me a Blast

Summer is over. We survived. About August 1st, I was pretty sure that extra hours had been added to our days and that bickering children are the result of too much sunshine and chlorine absorption. We spent LOTS of days swimming, at Thanksgiving Point, playing with friends, going to swimming lessons, riding bikes/scooters, going to movies, going to Target, eating Chic Fil A, and just figuring out life without Alex. Summer was short and long all in the same breath. Felt like it would never end but, I will miss the days at the pool and bum suntan lines on my babies. 

Fall is already sliding in- I can smell it in the morning when I open my sliding door. I won't miss the lack of schedule, I won't miss the fear of sunburns, I won't miss telling my kids they can't have Ramen for lunch every day. I will miss the carefree days. I will miss the late night movies (anything after 7 PM). I will miss the bleached out blonde hair of my summer kids. Adios, Summer 2015!

Father's Day with Papa

Cousns are the best. 

Kingston, Brielle and Rock at their first swimming lesson. K actually got in the pool and cooperated. 

Mimi's pool- K  double covered with floaties and a tube 

Every day K would bring me "damn de lions" from the yard. 

Forth of July sparklers

Watching "Little Rascals" and actually being nice to each other. 

We had our annual Brotherhood Reunion- Mark and all of his high school friends with some flashback pictures. These dudes are genuinely good and wholesome people. We love their families and the positive examples they are in our lives.  

Bules, Blackhurst, Nguyens, Swalbergs, Johnson, Johnson, Johnson, Walker (Nelson). Salt of the Earth. 

Babies!