Where Did the Summer Go?

If you are reading this, do not worry that something bad happened to us.  What happened was SUMMER!  And although it was a great summer, there were some things that happened that threw off our world.  We started out like any summer.  The kids stayed home with the nanny, I went to work, we swam in the pool in the evenings, etc.  But then on June 18 my dad had open heart surgery to replace a heart valve, and there were bleeding complications, and that's when my world got flipped turned upside down.  It's been a long recovery road for him, but thankfully my dad is tough and he is now back to his normal self.  I end up taking 3 trips back to North Dakota this summer and we also went to California for a weekend.  The kids are back in school and they are all doing very well!  I'm super busy at work but I wouldn't have it any other way😆.  We hope everyone also had a great summer and is ready for this heat to go down🔥!!!!!

And they are off!

Well, it's official..........my boys are getting BIG!  They left for church camp yesterday.  They will be gone for 5 days with no means of communication with them.  It seems so strange to not be able to call or email them, but wait, that's how it was when I was a kid!  I mean, I remember going to tons of camps and I never got to talk to my parents while I was gone.  It is amazing how we all become accustomed to our modern day conveniences and then feel strange when we can't use them.  You know what it did though?  It forced me to write actual letters, put stamps on them, and mail them to Kyser and Paxton at camp📬.  I bet they will be just as confused when they get the letters😂!!  So my house was extra quiet last night.  Some of the parents were celebrating that their kids were going to be gone for 5 days.  Not me........  I am counting down the hours until they get back.  But I am so happy that they are off having a good time being big boys.  I need to savor every moment of their lives because before too long, they will be off living in the world on their own.
I love you Kyser and Paxton💙💚!!

Happy "Gotcha Day" Paxton!!!!!!!!!

June 2 is Paxton's Gotcha Day!  And of course we celebrated in true Paxton style.  Trampoline park, dinner at Cafe Rio, and he chose a gun for his gift.  We love you so much Paxton and are so happy that we "Gotcha" 9 years ago💙💚💛💜

Tired of Waiting

Do you ever get tired of waiting?  I'm not talking about waiting in line for lunch, I'm talking about the kind of waiting where it's something you want so badly you can taste it.  Something that you can feel deep inside as an aching desire and it just won't happen.  I have had this happen to me in different capacities in life.  Wanting to get into dental school, wanting to become a mother, wanting to advance my career, etc.  It happens to all of us in one form or another and the process of waiting is difficult, almost even painful......  But you know what, once the thing happens, the waiting process was totally worth it!  I am in a season if waiting, and it just makes me so excited for what's about to happen😁!

Bring on Summer 🌞

Memorial weekend is the official beginning of summer and we are ready for it!  We started off the weekend right by enjoying the extra day off work the very favorable AZ weather (especially for this time of year).  We saw a movie, had a sleepover, went to feed the ducks/fish/turtles at the pond by our house, and went to the public pool.  It was a fabulous way to celebrate the end of school and the start of summer 🌞!!!!!!!!!!!!!

About last week........

So, last week was rough!  Trying to get through all of the class awards ceremonies/plays and keep up with our normal routine and a hectic work week made for no extra time to do anything!  But, some pretty great things happened last week.  Besides Kyser completing the 6th grade (the post before this one), Paxton also completed the 3rd grade and Tayvia graduated Kindergarten!  Yay!!!!!!!  Now for Paxton, this boy is the best friend that anyone could have and he is truly a social butterfly (and a chic magnet).  Tayvia Tayvia, where to begin........  I am so relieved that she completed Kindergarten because there were some days when I wasn't sure how we were going to make it happen.  But she pulled through in the end and I am so super proud of her and Paxton for finishing the year strong and advancing to the next grade!  Now, it's time to enjoy summer break 😎..............

So proud of this kid........

I am so proud of Kyser and how well he has done in school this year.  Last night, he was awarded as being on the honor roll.  You may be thinking "cool but a lot of kids get on the honor roll".  Well, the real deal is that Kyser is registered as and supposed to be a 4th grader.  However, his academic performance awarded him to be bumped up two grades so he just completed the 6th grade!   Not only that, but he got thrown into middle school and the beginning of the year was rough but he powered through and did an amazing job!  WAY TO GO KYSER!!!!!

I think the thing I am most proud of is the fact that neither he nor I gave up.  There were days when I didn't know how I was going to survive with him.  And he was just as confused and troubled by the BIG transition that had occurred.  I know I laid it all in God's hands and trusted that he would get us through.  Some days I feel like my work as a mom is failing.  And then there are days like this when I can breathe easy and know that we are all good.

Keep working hard Kyser and "Oh The Places You Will Go"!  I love you more than anything and am so proud to be your mom💙💚💛💜🧡

This girl right here.......

This daughter of mine makes me laugh, shake my head, become frustrated, and smile all day long!  She is a complete cuddle bug and will say out of no where "Mommy, I love you"!  She has an amazingly strong personality and her zodiac is Cancer (which she fits perfectly).  She came with me to work last week, and as we were walking across campus she stepped off of the sidewalk and onto the grass.  The is how the conversation went:

Mom: "Tayvia, you can't walk on the grass so please step back on the sidewalk."

Tayvia: "Why can't we walk on the grass?"

Mom: "That's just the rule and everyone (including mom) has to follow it."

Tayvia: "That's lame.  Why have grass if you can't even walk on it?"

I laughed the whole walk back to my office thinking about her practicality and her forwardness.  Stay you Tayvia because we love you just the way you are 😘!!!!!

Laughter is the Best Medicine......

You know the old saying "laughter is the best medicine", well I wholeheartedly believe this to be true.  My work environment can be stressful and tense, especially considering I work with adjudicated youth.  They have been through more in their short lifespan than I could ever imagine.  So at work, we laugh.  It shows the kids that even though things can be tough, it's ok to laugh.  I found this saying and someone who is amazing at making signs had it made into one for me 😁...........

The Opinions of Others

As I sit back and look at the news stories around the world, it amazes me how many people are caught up in what others say about them.  I admit, there was a time in my life when I would get upset if other people didn't like me or if they talked bad about me.  However, life happened and I learned that no matter what anyone else says, I am the only one who can let that stuff bother me.  And I made the choice to not let it bother me.  In fact, I daresay that the more people are talking about me, the more I must be doing and they are hating on me?  And to be honest, Jesus was hated on by so many people simply because they wouldn't get to know him or give him a chance.  People just saw all the good works and deeds he was doing and decided they were jealous so they hated on him.  At this point in my life, the people who love me will tell me to my face if I am out of line and they will continue to love me no matter what.  Those who don't love me aren't worth my worry or time........  Choose your happy and don't let others be the rain on your parade!  Happy Thursday😌

Date Night

I love date night, especially when it's with this handsome guy!  Paxton wanted to have a night all alone with mom so we got to do just that last night.  Kids are so different when they are alone and away from their siblings.  The stories he told me had me falling off my chair!  Then we got him the Tik Tok app and sat in bed laughing at funny videos.  I love these alone moments with each of my kids!  Each year I realize how time seems to move faster and faster, so I am working very hard at really appreciating and enjoying life and the really special moments that are given to us.  Thank you Paxton for the wonderful impromptu date night.  I love you to the moon and back buddy 🤟🌙💚!!!

My Greatest Blessing

Do you ever have weeks (maybe even months) where you feel like all you do is work and feel tired?  And even though you have slept, you can't seem to feel rested?  That pretty much sums up how I have been feeling for a while.  And there are days when I just want to throw in the towel, sell all of my belongings, and move to a beach somewhere (I actually told my kids this on Sunday)!  But then something happens to remind me why I do everything I do and why God has placed me here on this Earth.  My greatest blessing will always be my children and I thank God everyday that he chose me to be their mom.  Even on my most challenging and exhausting days, they make me laugh, swim, play, do silly things that remind me to stop and smell the roses.  So thank you Kyser, Paxton, and Tayvia for being the amazing kids that you are and for helping mommy see that life really is about the ones we hold closest in our hearts.  I love you💙💚💜!

It's no fun being sick......

Tayvia was sick all last week and it was rough😩.  As a parent, it's so hard to watch your kids miserable in pain and not be able to take it away.  She had an infected lymph node on the right side of her neck (just under her ear lobe).  Her neck was so swollen and sore that I could barely even comb her hair.  She couldn't even go to school because they won't give her any Tylenol or Ibuprofen, so mom took her to work!  After being at the physician's office, feeling terrible for 3 days, and getting an ultrasound on the area, we decided she needed some pampering.  She was very happy with a mani and a pedi to end the week 😁.  I am so proud of how tough she was and am happy to have her back to her normal talkative self!!!  Love you Tay Tay 😘

The Sweetest Boy.............

Sometimes as a parent, you don't always feel like you're doing the best job.  But then, sometimes your kids do something that makes you realize that you're not failing.  This past week was a rough one for all of us because Tayvia was sick.  While I was cheering Tayvia on to take her medicine (Amoxicillin which she does not like), Paxton said the sweetest thing........

Paxton: "Mom, I could give you money to pay for Tayvia's medicine.  I got $10 from the Easter Bunny and $5 from my Grandparents so I have $15."

Mom: "Thank you so much for offering buddy but you should keep your money.  Mommy works hard to be able to pay for stuff like this."

Paxton: "I know mom that's why you should let me help pay for the medicine so you can save some of your money."

This is just the sweetest thing from the sweetest boy I know!  Thank you Paxton for always being so caring and thinking about others more than yourself!  I love you and am so grateful to be your mommy🥰!

Sometimes You Want To Throw In The Towel.........

Admit it, we all have those days where we just want to be done with whatever we are doing and go home to sit on the couch :(.  The past two days have been like this for me.  The kids were not happy to be going back to school on Monday while driving by all the other schools that were off due to the Easter Holiday.  I was tired from the lack of sleep I got over the weekend.  One of my dental assistants was out sick.  When I actually arrived at work on Monday, I found out that our x-ray machine and a couple of our computers were not working (apparently they took off for the Easter Holiday as well)!  On Tuesday, Tayvia developed swelling and pain in her neck (a chronic problem) and I had to leave work to go pick her up because she was in a great deal of pain.   And a couple of the subcontractors that are working on my office remodel project either didn't show up or didn't complete their portion of the job, therefor delaying everything else..........

I am not complaining, more just demonstrating my daily obstacles (like everyone else has).  The important factor that has taken me years to develop is my ability to stay calm through it all and never quit.  On Monday the easy solution would have been to just cancel the day.  But that's not the best solution for my patients, so I spent two hours figuring out how to fix the problem so I would get my patients the treatment they needed.  It's ok to fall, be tired, be discouraged, etc. as long as you always get back up.  You may feel broken, wounded, betrayed, ignored, but you ALWAYS need to get back up and keep moving forward.  And for me, if there is ever a day that I truly feel like quitting, I just take a look at my three beautiful children and know that quitting is never an option.  I need to practice what I preach, and I would never let them quit.

Easter Blessings

I just want to take a minute to thank God for all of the blessings in my life.  The one blessing that still moves me to tears is my kids.  How is it possible that I have three amazing adopted children?  I can tell you how......  God made three divine interventions and placed these babies with me.  So on this first morning after Jesus has risen from the grave, I am so very grateful for everything that has been placed in my life.  The blessings, the difficulties, the heartaches, the victories, all of it.  Because without all of this, I wouldn't be who and where I am today💙💜💗💚.........................................

Sometimes it's just hard!

Admit it, we all have days when we just don't want to do anymore.  Like we just want to be "grounded" and have to spend the day in our room.  I have been feeling this way lately, and there are some days when I am not sure how I will get to the end of the day (although God always pulls me through).  Sometimes we have a rough day, and sometimes it a rough season.  No matter which one you feel or have felt yourself in, it's so important to understand that it won't last forever and to just keep the faith.  I always think that whenever I go through a rough patch, God is preparing me for an unbelievable breakthrough.  I am ready!

Sometimes your soul is touched.........

I debated going to church yesterday (terrible I know) because I had sooooo much stuff to get done, but God was pressing on my heart to attend and I am sure glad that I did.  We have been going through the "Sermon on the Mount" for the past couple months and yesterday we specifically touched on Matthew 6:19-34.  The main idea of the sermon revolved around Jesus believing that "life never consists in the abundance of one's possessions".  I completely believe this to be true, however I also believe this is hard to follow due to the fact that society today seems to believe the opposite.  During church, Pastor Cal asked us three very important questions:

1 - What is the most significant goal in your life?
2 - What makes a person successful?
3 - What will be the measure of how well you've done in life?

Do you know how you would answer these questions?  I know that all of my answers revolve around the success and happiness of my friends and family.  And I know that when my time on earth comes to an end, the relationships I have fostered and the people I have touched will be what truly matters.  Our earthly possessions are only temporary and will be left behind.  Use your time and your resources here on earth very wisely.  Remember, you are preparing yourself for the Kingdom of Heaven 🙏

If you want to watch the full sermon, it is definitely worth your time!!!!!

https://media.centralaz.com/2019/04/14/on-building-sandcastles/