Breakfast w/ Tami & the boys

When I was a youth I had many great leaders. When I was 17, this wonderful lady was introduced into my life. At first I was hesitant because I was being given a new young womens leader and I was almost graduated from high school. I thought it would be such a drastic change for me, but I soon learned that Tami was nothing to be worried about. In fact she was one of the greatest supporters and example I had growing up. I have since those days in young women kept close contact with her. When I went away to college we talked on the phone often. When I moved to Hawaii we still kept contact. She listened to my sorrows and she listened to my gushings about cute boys and my hater attitude about loser boys. She and her family even traveled from Arizona when Evs and I were married. It has been almost 3 years since I have seen this lady and her boys. Everyone has grown up so much, but she is still the fun loving tall beautiful young womens leader I remember, one of the greatest friends someone could ever have. Love you Tami...oh and love you too ginormous boys of hers! 

the move

We are moved. Finally moved again. I hate moving. But who doesnt? Its been a crazy month, with Evan gone in San Diego working and me working late hours and then going to girls camp. We came home to a house of boxes to be unpacked and a house to be organized. We moved to Downtown Riverside into a cute little house that was built in 1906. It has no air so the hot summer days around 3-8pm (sometimes 10 pm) are sweaty, but we got a cool fan thing that sits in the window of our bedroom and at least that can be cool while we sleep. It has a yard so the dogs like it. We are happy where we are and hope we can stay put until we leave May 2012. We love our little house.

Sunday

Headed to my Mom's for Sunday dinner...

Sage and Jade hanging out in the back seat.

Loving my Ru time! It was so hot today that we needed to cool off!

Dinosaurs in the pool

We had a good time in the hot humid weather!

"It can be difficult to recognize our blessings when we’re continually praying and looking forward to future blessings."

I am truly so blessed to have an amazing husband by my side and a great family surrounding me. Thank you Father in Heaven for all my Joy.

Girls Camp " A League of Our Own"

I had the chance to be a Camp Leader at Girls camp (youth age 12-17) this year in Big Bear, CA {same camp I went to when I was a youth}. It was my first time going as an adult leader and I had a great time. It was so chill and laid back for me. I enjoyed learning and feeling edified, whilst making sure my girls were engaged and having a good experience too. Because the theme was "A League of Our Own", each cabin was given a sports team to decorate their cabin. We were Water Polo. I think we did a great job and our cabin turned out fun and bright.

We had lots of speakers that spoke basically with the theme about being on a team, the Lord's team, and thigns we should be doing in our daily lives to make sure we are on His team. The girsl had fun Olympic games where they had to work together to win.

Girls using team work on the wood slats {left, right,left, right}

Our Cabin-team Water Polo

Arlington Heights Ward- at the Alpine Slides.

Arlington Heights girls Friday Night fun!

Arlington Heights leaders that were at camp

Time to pack up and head home. My helpers deflating my air mattress {the real way to camp..with an air mattress}

On the road home. Only 1 girl got sick coming down the mountain and puked..outside on the street..thankfully not in my car. These girls were wiped out.

There were many events at camp that allowed me to feel the Spirit and be thankful for my blessings and for the gospel. One of the events that becaome my favorite, happened at midnight. While everyone was suppose to be sleeping {not likely with a cabin full of girls}, I was up late with my girls braiding hair when we heard a knock on the cabin and voices saying, "He's coming, the Bridegroom has come, hurry!" We werent sure what it was all about but I woke up my girls that were sleeping and they were dazed and confused. We headed down to the lodge and there was beautiful music and a beautiful scene of the 10 virgins. For an hour we heard from the "5 foolish" and the "5 wise virgins" on how and why their lamp was either empty or full. They spoke about choices and things we all choose to do or not to do everyday that can either leave us prepared or unprepared. It was such a strong experience for me. I really enjoyed it and I know, even though it was late, the girls enjoyed it too.What a great experience! Such great fun! I'm on the Lord's team. Whose team are you on?

Happy Birthday Jade!

(At Grandmas watching us wash the cars)

Today Jade is ONE! She is such a lover, cuddler, and is happy as can be! She can sit, stay (sometimes), lay down and dance. She loves treats, scrounging for human food, and annoying her brother Sage. She prefers sleeping in our bed over her own bed. She cracks us up! She is small for her age but puts up a good fight. She is like a mini football player and doesnt take anything from Sage. She will take him down! She is a licker and always has lots of kisses for us! We just love this little angel!

Reunited

Its been a long summer with Evs away working at the University of San Diego. But we were reunited today and I am so thankful we dont have to be apart anymore. We had lunch at Chipotle and ice cream at Coldstone. Love me some date time! I sure love this guy! 

Then we headed to our new place and set up more stuff and watched "Unknown" and "Red Riding Hood"

I Love you!

Oh Monday!

YOU BROUGHT ME JOY!
Yesterday, one of my fitness members (83 years old) came into the fitness center to exercise like he normally does on Monday, at 9:30 am, except he was about a 1/2 hour early. I set him up to start exercise and during our conversation I asked, "Which daughter brought you today?" (his daughters trade off driving him) He said,"None of them. One was at the dentist and the other was still sleeping." Puzzled, I looked at him and said, "well how did you get here then?" He said, "I drove." I replied with, "Do you have a license?" He said, "No it was taken away from me., but I didn't want to miss out on my exercise." Meanwhile, his daughters were trying to call him on his cell phone while he was exercising and he kept messing with the phone, like he didn't know how to use it, and hanging up on them (accidental? I think not). Now this is what I call DEDICATION to your health!

First there were two....

And now there is one. 

Evan went back to San Diego for work {what a blessing it was that he had such a great opportunity to work}. But he will be gone for 2 weeks this time around and then we will be together again. I sure do miss my boy when he is gone. Love him!

Rubi time @ The Cove

This day was a last minute idea. I wanted to do something fun since I finished work early, but I also wanted to see my nieces. Well Rubi was the only one that got permission to go with us {Josh tagged along too}. There is this new aquatic center in Riverside that has a mini water park with a kids area, a lazy river, a pool, and some big kid slides. Poor Rubi was about 3 inches too short to go on any of the slides, but she still had so much fun and she actually lasted a while for not being able to do much. 

Rubi was so funny. She followed where all the kids were going and she even tried to sneak onto the slides when the lifeguard wasn't looking! 

At this point she was tired, wanted to leave and go get "bites" but wanted to stay. She got a little cranky and then asked for a "cupcake" of all things. We went to Del Taco for lunch. There was no cupcakes but there were cheesecake bites that we said were cupcakes. She didn't care one bit. 

We had a good day. I love having family so close.