Virginia Beach

We're in and it's great.  We love the house, we love the neighborhood and the kids love their friends.  There are five boys uspstairs with Seth blaring the CD player, as always.  The just came in from making a 12 box fort in the common area.  Ryan is swimming with her two friends down the street after they gave me a great fashion show.  Mom and Dad just drove the 3 1/2 hours back home after painting, pruning, and digging up a BIG ugly tree bush (and, of course, playing with the kids and we went to the movies- can the Preciados ever do anything without going out to eat and to the movies?!?  No!)

Ah there it is... "Shot through the heart and you're to late, you give lo-o-ove a bad name"

Life is good, as always!

Off to bake some bread for my 14 bean soup dinner.  Had to put that in there because we all know that doesn't happen often.

Tragedy

There was a helicopter crash in Sitka and three of our friends were killed.  I was devastated when Adam called me while I was painting.  My heart broke for my friends.  To never have their husbands home again, to have their entire lives turned upside down...  I couldn't stop crying each time I thought of their hurt.  As I prayed, I realized their was not much "I" could do to, but I knew the Lord was the only one that could bring a measure of comfort.  I am grateful that he loves us and I know that he will mend their hearts and bring them peace for as long as it takes.  I will continue to pray for them.  I am grateful for those who sacrifice, in his case their lives, for the benefit of others.  We are surrounded by great people- Coasties, soldiers, police, firemen,... and their families.

I don't know what else to write except that I am sad!  and I am grateful that Christ knows our hurts and can soothe our sorrows.  I have faith that he will do that for my friends as well.

Painting with Daddy

Daddy came down with me to Virginia Beach to help paint our new house before we move in.  We had such a good time.  We drove down on Tuesday, unloaded mattresses, went to buy paint and then instead of painting, we went to dinner and a movie.  The next day we painted, made trips for food and watched a movie on my laptop.  Wow, Daddy laying there with his first laptop ever!  We finished painting the next day, loaded up, stopped at Costco to browse for waterfalls and planter boxes and eat lunch by a nice old guy, and headed home.  I had so much fun with Daddy.  It was like that great house hunting trip with Mom in Astoria.  I will always remember theses few days.  They were great!  I have such a wonderful father.  I am very lucky that he will do anything for me and do it happily!

On a side note, Seth's room is soooo dark and bright turqouise!   We finished two coats (except we didn't do two coats evenly everywhere because we thought it was covering) and thought we were done.  I went in to check on it in the middle of painting my room and, BAM!, there was a light border around every edge of the room (where I had only cut in once).  Well, to our disappointment, we did a third coat the next morning... and his soon to be alien room looks awesome!  My doesn't look to shabby either.  As for the living/dining, I am glad I held off on the daffodil yellow.  I have switched gears to a celery green, it will blend much better with the rest of the house.  I can't wait to see if Mom thinks it holds a candle to her old house (lime green carpet and green fern wallpaper).  Everyone loved it and I hope they think the same about mine!

Excuse Me

Ryan, Seth, Dayton and I were watching a movie on Ryan's floor and she whispered, "Excuse me."  Then, she whispered, "I think you should plug your nose," giggle, giggle, giggle!

New Scriptures

I ordered Seth's new scriptures for his baptism.  AHHHH, can he be turning 8 already?

YEAHHH! Last Day of School!

The kids just finished their last day of school and walked in for summer vacation to a very happy Mom and Dad.  Life has just been very busy and we were ready to have some free time.  (I remember Mom was always waiting for summer vacation to start, too)  The kids walked in with their friends and I took them all to the pool for four hours.  It was killer hot and the community pool was packed and soooo, oh, I don't know, classic 50s, Pleasantville...  All the moms in sunglassas and hats, the highschool band in the corner with all the kids listening on benches during pool breaks, free ice cream bars, vending machine snacks, and the buzz of yelling, laughing kids.  It was just picturesque.  Everything summer should be.  Seth and Ryan had so much fun with their friends and I loved watching them just seem so grown up.  I didn't need to help them with the vending machine or sit with them to watch the band.  It's fun watching your kids get older, and a little scary, too.  And I got to sit and read my book and take random dips in the pool to cool off.
After the pool, their friends stayed for dinner, movie and a sleepover.  I think by midnight, they were finally all asleep.  I ask them all the time, "What, do you think you're 18 or something?"  Their last day of school finally just ended.   We said goodbye to Ryan's and Aubrey's tap-dancing and Seth came back from playing in the water with his friends.  He's now sitting with me sharing a drumstick, Adam is jumping in the shower and we are all getting ready to head off to the temple.  Yeah for summer!

Sick boy gets a trophy

Seth was sick for his end-of-the-year soccer party, so Ryan, her friend, Sarah and I went in his stead.  We got his trophy, ate some pizza and I cut up the banner to give to each of the players.  Seth chose the bullet.  He really loved this season again.  He still runs around the field laughing with a big smile on his face.  As of right now, he wants to keep paying soccer and I can't convince him to try anything else yet.  He's got quite a good throwing arm (and he's not a great runner, just like his mom), so I told him I might make him try baseball.  He remined me that I said he only "had" to do swim (so he doesn't drown) and piano (so he can serve others), everything else is a choice.  He's right!  I will either have to get very creative in my convincing, or I have been teaching them that plans sometimes change and we have to learn to deal with it.  Ahhh, all the things that go into being a good parent (good thing I have Adam)!   Let's hope they forget when we mess up!

 

Welcome Home Mom and Dad

This is what Adam and I got to come home to from our cruise.  Mom was great about taking care of the kids.  We knew we had nothing to worry about with her here.  Seth and Ryan had a great time making a welcome home sign for us.  We loved coming home to our two artists (and photographers!).  Adam and I loved our vacation, but we were really happy to together as a family again.

Piano Recitals

One, Two, Three, Go!  Adam played Seth's duet with him, but Sister Gathright (Valerie, Audrey's mom) played with Ryan.  Valerie set up their recital at our local rest home.  It was awesome.  The grandmas and grandpas loved hearing the kids (Grandma drove over for it, too).  Adam even got to meet the just-retired second-in-command of the Coast Guard (she was visiting her mother).  Seth and Ryan both did wonderfully(I was surprised Seth wasn't more nervous, he wasn't jumping with joy, just a little serious) and although Seth did give a small bow, Ryan gave a great curtsy, of course.

Accessorizing Daddy

Another Brother/Sister Creation

Tada!

Gotta love the creativity, even if it is in underwear.  It was a peaceful Sunday afternoon.  Who needs clothes?

FHE Geodes

We got to have an FHE with extra friends and family- Gabe and Grandma and Grandpa Jones and Grandma and Papa.

Ryan's Field Trip

Lisi, Ryan and Sarah- three best friends!Ryan has really started finding (and holding) little friends, rolly pollies, ants and caterpillars.  She is on her way to finding the beauty in all things just like Jesus does.

Ballerina Ryan

Ryan was front and center for her ballet recital on Saturday.  She was beautiful and very graceful.  She didn't forget any of it and it was so wonderful seeing her on stage.  She told me she wasn't nervous at all.   Well, with all her family cheering her on, no wonder she was so excited!  She had Grandma and Papa, Grandpa and Grandma Katie, Misty, Dayton and Paisley and, of course, Adam, Seth and I.  With her hair pulled back in a bun and all her pink makeup (she LOVED that part), she looked every bit the ballerina.  Even after when she put on her gray yoga pants and fitted tee, she looked just like a little ballerina.  We had a great day! 

You'll notice the shaky camera work on the video and that is because her mom was trying to stop crying.  Between the beautifully sweet song (Grandpa Merrill asked if I wrote it because it sounded like me, if only he knew I can't creative write, but it made me feel good nonetheless) and seeing my little girl so cute up on stage, the Spirit was just too strong.  It is wonderful being a mom.  I think Adam feels the same even if he didn't tear up (this time :)

Ryan's Kindergarten News

Ryan and her classmates tell Mrs. Whitton and Mrs. B their news each week.  Here is Ryan's year:

11/13/09- Ryan went on a trip yesterday.  Sarah is having a play date with Ryan today.
11/20/09-Ryan's mom is going on a trip to see her sister.  Lisi is having Ryan over tomorrow.
11/25/09- Ryan saw Sarah when they were walking down the hall.
12/11/09- Ryan will have a play date with Sarah.
12/18/09- Ryan is going to ballet today.
1/8/10- Ryan is going swimming with Lisi.
1/15/10- Ryan will have a sleepover with Sarah.  Sarah fell at Ryan's house.
1/22/10- Ryan had piano lessons yesterday.  Annie saw Ryan in the hall.
2/26/10- Ryan's grandpa is coming next week.
3/5/10- Ryan lost her cat.
3/12/10- Ryan will have a play date with Sarah.
3/19/10- Ryan's milk was green at breakfast. (St. Patrick's Day, not rotten)
3/26/10- Ryan is moving soon.  Caitlin and Ryan will have a play date today.
4/16/10- Ryan went to her cousin's.
4/30/10- Ryan's grandma will take care of her while her parents are on a cruise.
5/14/10- Ryan's mom came home on Sunday night.
5/21/10- Ryan can make cross eyes.