Lake Mead 2012

Lake Mead has been a much needed vacation! I think both Jake and I needed to get away from everything at this point and have some fun. We ventured out on Tuesday morning after Jakes interview (which was a total bust, hate you Edison) and I think we were going 70mph on the freeway just to get there. Once at Mead we met up with the Evans, Barron and Anderson family. I love that all of our kids get along and it's just easy. I got a call on the way up that Gage got hand foot and mouth so we came prepared with Tylenol in hand, that was not going to stop us from having fun. haha (can you tell we were desperate to get away). Anyways we did a ton of skiing, laughing, EATING and just making memories. The girls got to go to the strip and have an awesome buffet at the Cosmopolitan and do a bit of shopping. Of course Jake and Cory got to go to the MAN MALL (Bass Pro Shop), Laurel and I were totally cracking up at watching them look at guns, we were mimicking them about how they say we don't need purses and we have enough but then need guns that they can't even use on a daily basis. Haha!
Jess and Kaelyn water skied and even Jake and I did a bit of wake boarding, it was the first time for me, I loved it. The day before we left I banged my head saving baby jake from flipping out of the boat, of course he had a life jacket but I still panicked and jumped over the boat without my life jacket on and was holding him above water and I lost train of thought and went to pop out of the water and hit my head on Cory's boat. I look like a freaking unicorn! lol Anyways, I'm grateful that we were introduced to this lake and I'm glad that we have good friends to share memories with.

Forgiveness

Forgiveness is the renunciation of cessation of resentment, indignation or anger as a result of a perceived offense, disagreement, or mistake, or ceasing to demand punishment or restitution. I hope one day I can do this, I know I come off stubborn and I hold on to things but this time I was hurt pretty badly. I can't get it out of my mind and I play it over and over to see if I'm at fault. I guess I should explain my frustration. Currently I'm not talking to my family, it's been almost 2 1/2 months. It started with my dad not coming to my daughters baptism, then my brother not coming to my daughters baptism  because I belong to a weirdo church and it was his day off. Then my brother announced that my sister inlaw is pregnant and I was informed as if I was a stranger, by that I mean I got a Thank you card telling me weeks later when my family was told at a birthday party that I was at and my sister got a text that same day with the news but I was not important enough to find out. Then what broke the camels back was a trip to Maui that my family planned and we were not included. I think that hurt the most, my kids mean everything to me and when family did that it was hard. I know I have 4 children and it can be much but family is not suppose to go there. I would of rather them be honest to me. Today they left on their trip and I'm feeling really hurt by it, I don't even see a light at the end of the tunnel or a resolution to it all. My heart hearts and I for once can't even go numb to it. Normally I don't let things like this continue because I don't want something to happen and the last I have as a memory is that we were fighting but I can't get past it and I don't know if I will ever at this point. I pray every night to this to blow over and every time I give them a chance it has got worse....

The Horocks are in town

Rachel and Bren were able to stop by and have lunch with us today. Jake had to work and I decided that it would be best not to tackle church by myself. Joe and Amanda came over and the kids got to play. We headed to Cindy and Russ's for a bit to visit. It's always fun hanging with the Horocks family and miss them so much!

She is finally 6

This day has been talking about all year long and finally she had her birthday. I was under some major pressure to get this right, Kaelyn told people that we were going to Disneyland then skydiving and to top it we were going to Hawaii. We were going to celebrate her birthday in Mead but we had a change of plans and it was the park instead. I didn't tell her about it and thanks to some awesome friends it was great. Kaelyn was asked if we could have her birthday party in a couple of weeks and she said with a smile "sure mommy, I'm okay." I love her so much she is so easy to please. Her kindergarten teacher even came and I have to say I got tears in my eyes with that one. Grandma took her and went miniature golfing and to toys r us. Cindy told me that Kaelyn said "Grandma we should go play golf," and Cindy's response "Okay." haha love it! On her actual birthday she went on the boat with Jake, Joe, Amanda, Rick, Jessica and Kaelyn. I had things to do so I stayed home. They got up on the wake board with their Aunt Amanda and had a blast.

Interview:
 What's your favorite color? Pink
Who's your best friend? Taylor
Who's your favorite teacher? Mrs. Evans
Who's your boyfriend? Mommm, I don't have one remember
What's your favorite food? noodles
What do you want to be when you grow up? a nurse (tear here lol)
What was your favorite part of your birthday? the cake and I got to eat it

Mola Di Bari

When I was 15 years old my father took the family to Mola Di Bari to visit my grandmother and grandfather. It was a long trip with 8 hours of flying and 10 hours on train to get where they lived. Then I didn't appreciate it as much but now it was a great trip. We were there for the festival of the Madonna a Mare, men carried the Mother Mary through the town on their shoulders as people threw money and jewelry on her. The festival is in September, it is celebrated the second Sunday of September. The town has white arches with lights and at night they are lit up and fireworks go for 2 hours straight. I wish I was older to appreciate it more. I remember going to the town and getting our food fresh, I loved the bread and fresh mozzarella. I was able to visit the cemetery and see some of our family history. On the wall of the mausoleum they had pictures of the dead and a lot of the graves were above ground do to water levels. We were able to go into one of churches in town Parrocchia San Nicola where my parents renewed their vows and I got to learn that they bury thier priests under the church when they pass away. Anyways thought I would write about it because it came to my mind.

 

Rylee's baptism

Tonight was our friends the Deleon's daughters baptism. Rylee has played soccer with Jessica and we have got to know the family pretty well. They are really great people to hang out with, always a fun time with them. The Evans family were there too and it's always a party when they are around. The kids alway play so well together and I get to hang and talk with Laurel.

This week has made me stop and think about my kids so much lately. I've noticed that they play well with other kids and enjoy seeing their friends any chance they get. It fills my heart and I sit here now and smile.  I've always said that I want my kids to get close to others and to make memories with families like ours. I think that wish has come true and I've developed great bonds along with my kids.

Dolla movies

Dollar movies are the best but not fun with an 18month old. Jake worked a overnight shift but I was able to get him out of the house to come see Puss and Boots the movie. We met friends and stood in the long lame line, got the popcorn and 30mins into the movie baby Jake went all Hulk crazy on us. I had to take him for a car ride so we hit up Starbucks and got some chocolate milk and let daddy and the girls enjoy the movie...Next year, maybe? lol

Swimming Swimming and more Swimming

I feel like we have lived in our bathing suits for days now. I even went today to go get another set of suits for the kids because I can wash them fast enough. I swear that if my kids say we didn't do anything this summer there will be blood. We went to the aquatic center and I haven't been there in years but my friend Kelly called and I figured, why not. Talia loved it so much because she could touch the ground and she was all smiles. My friend Rachel was able to come with her little ones and it was nice. Today a friend of mine took the kids to Hurricane Harbor, it was a good time hanging with her and her daughter but the sun was really getting to me. I felt like my face was burning and due to the overcast it was horrible. We decided to leave and go to the kids favorite spot, Souplantation! Yumm and the best part was baby Jake slept the whole time haha.