The little things

When Charles and I were first married we started a morning ritual of reading Pres. Hinckley's Stand A Little Taller devotional book together (it contains a scripture and a short commentary from Pres. Hinckley). Then we concluded with a prayer and went our separate ways to work.

About 5 months after we were married I became violently ill with pregnancy and started going into work late or not at all (it was a tender mercy that my job that year was extremely flexible). Thus, started the new ritual of Charles reading the devotional book to me while I laid in bed sometimes half-asleep or fully asleep or occasionally awake. Then he would kneel by my side of the bed and pray and then leave for work.

Almost 6.5 yrs later he still does this. And I am usually still asleep :) I am not a morning person and Charles likes to refer to me as his corpse bride since I am almost always asleep when he leaves for work. Though, we haven't read Pres. Hinckely's book now for 2 yrs or so (he grew tired of it after reading it 3x in a row) he still kneels by my bedside and prays.

It is and always will be a fond memory in my heart that he takes the time to do this. Though, I don't always remember the exact things he says in the prayer, since I am half-asleep, I can feel of his love and my Savior's love for me as he does this. Sometimes he's rushed in the morning and running late- doesn't matter- he stills prays with me. One of the most striking characteristics I first noticed in Charles when we first met and started dating was his integrity. His commitment to pray with me every morning continues to be an example of that integrity that I first noticed.

In celebration of The Family: A Proclamation to the World this month I want to echo that "the family is ordained of God." And that "marriage between man and a woman is essential to His eternal plan." And it is through the love, mercy, atonement, and resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ that the love that Charles and I have for each other (and our children) can last eternally.

"O love that binds our family, O love that brings my heart to thee,

Pure love that lasts eternally- Come, fill my soul today; Come, fill my soul today.

O love that overcomes defeat, O love that turns the bitter sweet,

Pure love that makes our life complete- Come, fill my soul today; Come, fill my soul today."

(O Love That Glorifies the Son)

Family Vacation Part 1

Unfortunately the 50 mile hike was the week of the 4th of July so we couldn't celebrate with Charlie. We met up with some friends at the Parker's home, had a cook-out and watched a nice firework show in their community (The Landings) complete with bounce houses for the kids. It was great! And it was the first week I was actually feeling better. Hooray!

I made my famous flag cake. This time as a real sheet cake and with raspberries instead of strawberries.

2 days later I packed up the kids and we drove up to Asheville, NC. We had wanted to go to the Biltmore Estate but, we were too exhausted. Instead we just played at a park while we waited for Charles to call and tell us where to pick him up.

Finally reunited, we headed up to Virginia the next day. It was a long day of driving- even with the DVD player. We were all in a bad mood.

Monday we took the subway into DC and spent the day visiting The National Mall. It was hot (esp for a pregnant woman) and I was glad to get inside the Natural History Museum. We spent most of the day there. It is huge! I don't have anything to compare it to as it was my first time, but I thought it was pretty crowded.

She insisted on doing this pose for the pics repeatedly

Our irritability only skyrocketed as the day progressed (family vacations are always so blissful aren't they?) so we ended with a visit to the Lincoln Memorial- separately. Unfortunately, the Washington Monument was closed for renovations so we couldn't go in.

I started feeling better being in Abe's presence. He is one of my all-time favorite historical figures. I so admire his perseverance and courage.

The day could only get better from there and it did! We ate dinner at Cafe Rio! (I may have started tearing up once I saw the sign.) Oh, sweet pork barbacoa salad how I love thee! What could be better? Eating there with one of my favorite people? Yes, indeed! We got to meet Catherine there and spent the rest of the evening chatting with her. Good food and friends is probably one of the best combinations in all the world.

Catch Up: Azure's birthday and party

On Azure's actual birthday (Thursday, June 21- she was born on a Thursday so we've already come full circle) she had art camp. I made cupcakes for her to bring to class. That was when I was sick and hadn't cooked in almost 2 months. I didn't have any oil except extra virgin olive oil so I used that. It didn't taste so bad with the frosting added to it, but definitely a distinct flavor w/o frosting.

That night for dinner we went to Chuck E Cheese at her request. We had talked about going for the past 2 yrs and still never had done so. Her birthday seemed like the time to finally make it happen. The Saavedras joined us (minus Brian who was deployed).

She loved it! Their pizza wasn't as bad as I remembered and their salad bar was actually pretty good. This was extremely important to me, being sick at the time.

Skee ball with Daddy

Vince had this strange fascination/fear of Chuck E. He asked Charles to keep letting him see him, but held onto Charles for dear life.

you can see Vince's sweet curls here really well

Then on Saturday we had Azure's party. She chose a Strawberry Shortcake theme. For the first time I bought her cake. With me being sick, there was no way I was going to attempt to make it myself.

It was a pretty simple party. A few close friends (Josie & Lily Clark, Tyla & Tessa Bryce, Addi & Colton Saavedra), swimming, water balloons, food, cake, and presents (though I debated asking for no presents). A great way to celebrate not only Azure's birth, but summer solstice as well. I think it's kind of fun that when I was in high school I used to orchestrate a summer solstice activity (at least a couple years) involving having a bonfire at Huntington Beach with my friends. Now, on summer solstice I orchestrate a birthday party for my first born. I celebrated her birthday even before she was born :) God is most definitely in the details of our lives. AND my Mom's birthday is the very next day.

Celebration Bahama- Our 6th anniversary

On Black Friday last year we bought a Groupon for a 2 night cruise to the Bahamas. We had seen this deal before and talked about getting it, but we weren't too sure. We decided the next time it came up we would purchase it, so we did!

We knew we would use it for our 6th anniversary in May. We could only go on a weekend and gratefully for us, our anniversary this year landed on a weekend (Sunday). I really like celebrating the actual day of things so this was meaningful to me.

When we found out we were expecting last Christmas I realized I would be too far along to go. (The cut off limit per cruise rules was 24 wks). So, we looked at going for my birthday instead but, it didn't look like it was going to work. When I miscarried I realized this was yet another reason that the timing was not right.

The timing of this trip proved to be one of my respites from the nausea and vomiting. I only wished it was longer than 2 nights. This trip was just too quick. It almost feels like it didn't even happen! 

We dropped off the kids at the Dworczyks Saturday morning and boarded the ship in West Palm Beach, FL that afternoon.

The boat took off at sunset.

The food wasn't as great as Royal Caribbean's but, I was still grateful for it and ate every 2 hrs :)

We purchased an off-shore excursion to spend the day at this resort- Lucaya Grand Bahama. My jaw dropped when I saw the view. I loved their swimming pool! (This is not us if you can't tell)

 I love my buttermilk-mayo boy :)

Charles had the brilliant idea to purchase snorkels for this trip. We saw lots of cool little fishes.

And he took lots of pics of me. I don't look like this anymore because I'm almost 6 months pregnant and am fatter :)

Coconut water is not my favorite. I made Charles finish it. Made for a good pic though, right? Also a word of caution- it does a number on your bowels.

It was a fabulous trip filled with romance and food. Only one slight quarrel regarding a jet-ski rental ;) Happy 6 years to my eternal companion and best friend. I love you Charlie!

Other life updates

We decided not to buy a house after all. We had 2 different realtors and looked for about 2 months with no success. We weren't excited about any of the houses we saw (in our price range). Of course, we saw some outside of our price range we were excited about. Those dang Pharmacy school loans!

We both feel good about renting and staying here in our current house. We do like it here. Our house is only about 4 yrs old and it is nice and new (except the carpet.) We plan on having Azure and Vince share a room with bunk beds once this little one gets out of our room (probably around April or May). Hopefully that works out well. And hopefully, we will move by the time we have baby #4 because 4 kids in this house will be too tight of a fit.

On July 31st, we bought a new vehicle! A family sized vehicle! A 2013 Kia Sorento. We've never bought a new car before- only used. It's kinda fun to have a car from the future :) The first couple of days that I drove it around with the kids I felt that I had arrived in a new stage of life driving around in a family sized vehicle with my kids in the back. Kinda fun.

It is so nice not having to drop Charles off at work if we want the car for the day. It has been such a blessing. And, we can give people rides now since it fits 7. Azure now says that we need to have 5 babies to fill up our car! I'm only hoping for 4 ;)

Oh, and we bought a bread maker! We've been wanting one for awhile now. It's nice to have homemade bread made by a machine and not me since I can't bake anything that calls for yeast.

Vince said the other day that his tummy hurt. "Do you have a baby in your tummy?" I asked jokingly.

"No."

"Boys don't have babies in their tummies. But, your wife will when you get married."

"No, I go temple."

I was so impressed he recognized the word "married" and knew that "temple" went with it! What a lucky girl his wife will be!

His mind is really going through a growth spurt right now even in the last week.