Cheep Seats & Fire Works

The week after the 4th of July we went on a family date. The house was hot and I was feeling restless so we went out. It started in beautiful PB, we walked along the beach while kids ran along the splashing in the waves. We made it to Cristal Pier in time for sunset. Susan was so funny on the Pier every couple of steps she had to look down between the cracks and talk about the water. Then walked to Fat Burger for dinner. (Side note)--Its always fun to out with the kids especially Friday Nights, we get lots of looks as a big, young family. That night there might have been even more looks. Last time we walked on the beach I lost my sandals, I did not want to risk loosing my new Roxy sandals so I left them in the car. Katie followed my example, so did Susan! luckily we were close to the beach to bare feet wasn't too trashy---

After filling up on high calorie food we walk again on the beach, and the car. On the way home we drove by Sea World to see the fireworks. We arrived an hour early so we left to go home, for baths PJ's and headed back. We made it just in time and enjoyed the show with a few other cheep locals and fishers at the bay.

We have been back a few times to the firework show, to put the kids asleep with the drive and enjoy the cheep seats. I told Brian that because we missed the great Tempe Town Lake show and the San Diego Bay show, about 5 Sea Wold shows will make up for that. The Last time we went (Saturday) it was extra fun Because Daddy Packed a stove and the Jiffy Pop! We got smart and brought the Explorer. The kids could sit in the big back with the door open to the show. Then I got real smart and left Susan in her car seat, unbuckled it and put in in the back with the big kids, so she is happy in her seat but and crawling around everywhere. It's good cheep fun walking on the beach and enjoying the fire works, we love SD! Do ya like how were getting the lingo down PB (Pacific Beach) & SD (San Diego) Like you needed that translation :)

Le'me Up On That Soap Box: Don't Judge a Girl By her blog and I blog for me.

When someone comes to my house, I clean it. It is not always clean but clean and perfect is how I like it best. I clean because it makes me and my family happiest. I clean because I have been given responsibility to care for my blessings. I would be embarrassed if somebody saw my house at its worst. I would never invite somebody over to see the messy house. Just like my house, life and blog. Everything here, at my blog, may seem to reflect a perfect life. that is because I choose to highlight the good stuff. I don't blog every shortcoming and flaw. Everything I blog is real, true, and I have spent a lot of time on every entry editing and adding cute pictures. I may clean up a bit to highlight the positive but not to be fake. don't judge a girl by her blog.

I blog for me. I blog to keep a journal and create this awesome book. In my book I want my kids to look back and remember the positive time we had camping, at the library, and being together. I know they will love it. I blog to keep updates with my friends and family. Jenny and Clarissa almost always comment so I know at least they will read it. My parents and Charmaine tell me they read I also have a list of readers I expect to drop by occasionally. ( lemme know if you want to be added to the reader list, this blog is usually private) I know myself and others, I have talked to, have felt life this after reading some body's blog, "Oh she is so perfect, she has so many friends, she always looks beautiful, her kids are so smart, she does so many fun things, I'm so jealous!" Lets all stop that and remember not to judge a girl by her blog! Keep your blog real, and remember she is not going to blog her "dirty house"

That was it, I am done how, I will get off my soap box...

You may be asking why did she just post that? The inspiration came from several sources, This blog, (that is funny BUT I do not like) this friends thoughts, (who I agree with) and the comment I first left on her blog but edited because it was too long, the conversation with her,(a real girl) who shared options. Lastly, this was some advice a gave to my sistas before they joined the dangerous work of blogging.

One more thing, I wrote this post yesterday before the comment on the last post from "Sara" and I will be going back to private after this post, so please if you want to read your welcome to it. Just leave a comment.

10 of the cutest things Susan does.

1. The way she blows on hot food. She gets her lips real close to the spoon, so I think she is going to sip it then she blows hot soup every where.

2. How exited she is when Daddy comes home. She drops everything and runs to the door, yelling, Dadda! Dadda! Dadda! then dances at his feet until he picks her up.

3. The little fists she makes when she gets exited. Susan make to small fists and flexes her arms, then squeals when she gets real exited.

4. Her relationship with her 10 year old cousin Sullivan. This is especially cute because Sullivan is unique. He has Asperger Syndrome a form of autism. Sullivan is incredibly intelligent, but doesn't understand nonverbal language and is not affectionate. He loves Susan and is very interested in her, and her development, and Susan loves Sullivan! When they are together she follows him around, watches him, sits by him, talks to him. All the kids (Mardells 3 and my 3) love to sit on the trampoline and play who's lap will Susan choose to sit on. She sits on Sullivan's lap, gets up circles the group, passing by everybody, then sits back with Sullivan.

5.When she talks. She is very talkative! She has been talking for a few months. Everyday she says something new. Or surprises us with sentence! I swear she said ."Mom, this is hair." As she picked up a few strands of hair. She did this after I had been telling her then names of her body parts. Another time it sounded just like she said, "But I'm just a kid." after I asked if she wanted to sit on the potty. Then Yesterday, I asked if she wanted to take a nap and I picked her up, it sounded like she said, "put me down!"

6. When she yells mama! She does this in the car, store, school, church, crib everywhere. I love it when she yells "MAMA!", just once loud and quick. I usually yell, "SUSAN!" back. She laughs and does it again. Everyone close enough to hear usually laughs also.

7. How much she loves her blanket. At breakfast on the way home from Arizona we stopped at Cracker Barrel. She took in her blanket and binki. During breakfast when she was done she put her blanket over her head and learned back with her binki in her mouth. I thought quick take a picture. I hurried and got the camera out, but there was no need to rush. She left the blanket up there for a few minuted just loving her blanket.

8. How friendly she is to everybody. She is always waving and saying hello. When we are out she says "hi" or "hello "and waves to everybody!

9. How much she loves her Dadda, All day she asks "Where's Dada?" (remember #2)

10. The way she quickly kneels to pray. Every time we have family prayer we call the kids in and they seem to take forever, but Susan. She droops, or throws everything, quickly kneels down, and bows her head wherever she is. The waits for everybody.

Susan is the cutest baby ever! She is my sunshine! I have little nick names I call my kids, usually unplanned just what comes out when I talk to them. I lately have been calling Susan "My Squishy" Which is also the name Brian Sr gave to the pillow I demand to sleep with every night and will him fight for. I just love my Squishy Baby Susan. she is such a joy.

Seriously so Blessed :)

Library Day

I want to be an avid reader. Every once in a while find a real good book then I totally get into it. I enjoy the break from reality and get lost the story. I can think of 6 books I have read this year (even more I have started but stopped) and that is a LOT for me. I think it was the Twilight Series that made me want to read more. I got very caught up in the story and look forward to the final book coming soon. While I did enjoy the, high school romance, and teenage directed writing, of the books, I don't think that type is my favorite. I feel like if I am going to spend my time reading I want to learn something also, but not have to work to hard to keep up with the language. I want something fiction, a memoir, a life story, a historical narrative, a classic, or something highly recommended. I just finished reading A woman in Berlin, 8 Weeks In A Conquered City. That one I finished and enjoyed even though it was a sad story she did not dwell on the pain but was very resilient. I borrowed The Red Tent, and bought The Mermaid Chair from the library, then bought Water for Elephants, at a thrift store. All three of these books I started and decided not to finish, all for the same reasons, SEX! in all forms; adultery, masturbation, animals, dreams, shows, rape, YUCK! YUCK! YUCK! I don't think I will start another book without reading lots of reviews first!

I have never read the Work and the Glory or The Kingdom and The Crown series. I guess I will stick to those for a while. They are both historical, clean, highly recommended, spiritual and uplifting!

I want to teach my kids to love books and reading. As I am getting Brian Jr ready for Kindergarten and teaching him to read. I thought reading to him would be the best start, and would teach my kids how fun reading can be. I often read to the kids but this summer I have been really trying harder to read to them more.

I decided to try out the public library and their summer reading program. It has been great! The kids check out 5 books each we read them for 2 weeks and exchange them for new ones. On Fridays we have been going and checking out a few movies. They have already earned a few prizes and always are exited to go to the library. Here are the book bags I decorated for the kids. I love how they turned out! (I will post Brian's bag later) I Love it when I catch my kids reading. Or when I hear them telling stories or talking to their toys, making up things using their imagination!

Pretty normal 'round here

Its pretty normal around here to see this, after dinner and the kids are all clean. Susan gets on the table to finish off dinner, throw everything on the floor then call for help to get down.
Its pretty normal to find my purse full of new treasures. One evening I found the normal contents of my purse on the ground and when I found my purse it was full of apples. I think Katie is responsible because the next day at preschool she asked if I had any apples in my purse for her.

4th of July, not so independent anymore.

This has been a 4th of July we will never forget. I hate how bad things sometimes happen around special events. Like you may have heard before, "I always hated my birthdays that was the day my ( fill in the blank with something terrible!) ."
We have always been lucky to not have any holidays that also remind us of something sad to make us not want to celebrate. Until...
This 4th of July we spent in the hospital with Brian's parents. On that day, Brian's dad was diagnosed with Leukemia. (Officially called AML).
I hope that we will not look back on this 4th and feel sad. Although he is very sick and there are still a lot of trials ahead for the family. There has been some positive things. Brian's Parents have had an optimistic attitude, and they have great faith. Brian's Mom keeps saying that she knows Heavenly Father knows them, and knows what they need. They are hopeful that the treatments will do their job. The Jones family has come closer together with relatives that have not always been so close. Faith and prayers have been tested and strengthened. We, and others have had the opportunity and to serve.
My father in-law started Chimo-therapy on Friday and he is already feeling, better. His blood work is showing improvement. Then after we left to come back to California they found a, staff infection, and the Chimp is staring to make him pretty sick. I will keep updating on his condition.
It seems to be the trend to take unplanned trips to AZ, celebrate with family, experience someunexpected announcement, enjoy the dry air, warm breeze and thunder storm. This trip still the same, considering everything we still have another great trip to AZ!
A word about our country, I love this country, The Constitution, The founding fathers of the United states were inspired men. Everything may not be right but somethings still are. With my father-in-law in the hospital he is receiving the best treatment available and given great care thanks to the hospitals, doctors, and nurses in our great country. Please remember Brian's Parents in your prayers!

Garden Journal Entry #2

Remember back when we were all Jazzed for gardening? Those cute little plants grew tall and I thought they were almost ready to go out side so I took them in the direct sun light for a few hours, as instructed my the information pamphlet, and the little sprouts got sun burned and died a few days later. Then we put off gardening until school was out and we knew out summer plans better.

A few weeks ago Brian planed our garden. We have a banana tree, basil, yellow peppers and Jalapeno peppers (from last year) cilantro, lettuce, cantaloupe, pumpkin, and 3 tomato plants. I am exited to see how these grow! We could have a nice salsa, and salad. The kids loved the water Mellon last year I bet they will love the pumpkin! I love that Brian loves to garden. I enjoy researching how to grow, harvest, get rid of pest, water, feed and even cook the veggies. Brian got creative with the web tomato cage. Well see how our garden grows this year!