Camp

 

She earned her own money. She packed her own bag, three days in advance. She had her book and all her supplies that a first year girls camper needs.  She was super excited!  The young women met at the church on Monday, threw their bags in the bottom of the bus and headed up to Camp Lomia for four days.  It was different to have her gone.  We realized how quiet it is when she's not home.  We missed the nonstop chatter that she brings to our home. 

 

Then Wednesday I got a phone call.  It was a number I didn't recognize on my cell.  But something told me to answer it.  So I did.  It was Alexandria.  "Mom, I don't feel good."  She was in tears.  Throwing up and feeling sick your first year at girl's camp is not fun.  I really wanted her to try and stay if she could. It was their last night and lots of good things happen that night.  I had my kids with me in the car on the way to the gym.  When we got there I hung up with Alexandria then asked my kids if we could say a prayer for her right there in the car, in the gym parking lot.  We did.  After the prayer Isabel said, "now we wait and see if Heavenly Father answers our prayer." 

 

"No, he always answers your prayers. Sometimes its just not the way you want." AJ corrected her.  I'm so thankful for their faith because while in the gym more hours the camp nurse called again.  She and I decided it would be best for Alexandria to come home a day early.  She didn't throw up anymore after that prayer she just slept the rest of the day. I think she may have been a little homesick anyway.  My cute little first year camper, I love you!

Mother's Day with Bang

It was the perfect Mother's Day morning.  My kids had made me a delicious breakfast in bed with scrambled eggs from our chickens, a cranberry, strawberry and banana smoothie and a multi grain piece of toast.  The kids had given me their presents they made in school and then they showed me my present that Papi got me the night before out on the patio, a brand new bike with a trailer for the baby.  Excellent!  We were figuring out where to ride to on that beautiful Sunday morning when I hear a BANG! CRASH! SHATTER! 

Yup, I was lucky enough to get two presents on Mother's Day.  A new bike and a new window?!?  Actually, it's been a few weeks and we still have designer zebra duct tape over that hole decorating our front window with no plans of fixing it in the near future.  DJ swore the rock bounced when he threw the rock at the ground trying to break it open, and instead broke open our window.  I'm not totally convinced. 

Then there's my mom who instead of me buying her a present on Mother's Day she buys me one, soft matching pajamas.  She's the best!  She makes up for my broken window.

I was so excited about my new bike that we rode over 3 miles on Sunday and on Monday I took Stella for a ride to go see Mikey so he could wish me a Happy Mother's Day too.

Ride Cowboy Ride

We love when Uncle Adam and his family come to visit.  Adam had called me a few weeks before with a rockin idea to have a Bon Jovi party while he was here.  We planned the details and set the date.

It was "99 in the Shade" but we partied like it was a Bon Jovi concert. There was music, there were treats and even pizza pies.  It felt like we were "Livin' in Sin". The neighbor actually came over to complain that the music was too loud.  I think he was just jealous he wasn't invited. "Let it Rock" neighbor!

This cutie was "Born to be my Baby".

This is the life, "It's my Life" and I am so thankful for all of these people who I share it with.

To my awesome sisters, "I'll be There for You" always and forever!

"Stick to Your Guns" boys, don't fall off!

 

"Have a Nice Day"! We did!

Last Day

 

If it weren't for the fact that I love sleeping in over the summer I would be bawling my eyes out right now since this is the last day they will all get to go on the bus together and see each other in the same school.  Alexandria won't have another sibling with her until she is a Senior. in. Highschool!  This year there were tears.  Isabel cried because Mrs. Rother is leaving.  AJ cried because he's just a sweetheart and felt bad leaving his crying teacher, Miss Meek.  I've never seen so many tears on the last day of school.  I'm going to chalk it up to them being emotionally drained after working super hard and doing their very best this year.  Now bring on the sleep!

So Not Miserable!!

We have been waiting for this day for months! Ever since the movie came out and I saw how much my kids like the story of Les Miserables I have wanted to take them to the musical. Finally, the day arrived. We may have been a little to eager to get there, arriving just an hour early.

Luckily, the Phoenix theater is right next to an art museum. So we walked around the sculpture gardens while we waited for show time. AJ found some round parts under that dude's skirt. It was....awkward. The things you find in "art".

The show was scheduled to begin at 7:30 but by 7:10 we couldn't handle any more exposing sculptures so we excitedly made our way down the hall of mirrors and into the theater. 

We spent the next 15 minutes pouring over the program and all the actors we were going to see perform. 

Shhh! Don't tell. I snapped this picture while inside. Apparently there are no pictures allowed but I wanted to remember these next moments with these four Les Mis aficionados. Plus, we were on the first 3 rows. That's a kodak moment. Then the lights flickered and the music began. Suddenly, we were swept away to France in the 1800s and loving every minute. 

If the Cesar's had to review the Phoenix Theater production of Les Miserables it would go something like this. (The following was all discussed by my children in the car on the way home after the show.) The favorite was Madame Thenardier. 

She was just enough crazy to keep you laughing the entire time she was on stage especially when she winked at Alexandria and Isabel who were seated in the front row. Jean Valjean sang beautifully but he seemed angry most of the time, a little out of character for Monsueir le Mayor. We were thankful we weren't seated front and center. Those people may have gotten sprayed...by Marius. It was an embarrassing spitting issue that was very noticeable from the front row. "Red, I feel my ssssoul (spit, spit, spit) on fire. Black, my world when ssssshe'ssss (spit, spit, spit) not there." You get the idea. It was enthralling to hear Stars sung by someone who can actually sing and not Russel Crowe. As a whole the production was magical! Inspiring us to love and forgive we cried with Eponine, cheered for Gavroche and hoped for Marius.  The parallels between Jean Valjean and Javert were somehow unveiled to me for the first time helping me to understand the mind of Victor Hugo just a little more. The intimate setting of the Phoenix theater allows the audience to feel like you are a part of the show and the songs envelope you in emotion.  We really liked the French flag sugar cookies during intermission too.  Definitely a must see! My four children may seem a little young to sit through a full show but it was so good that they are already asking if we can go back.

Rap Music

"I have a little girl.  The best in the world. She knows what to do.  She knows who to be.  I'm proud to be her mommy."  - Rapped by Ondria

 

Sometimes we get blessings and we have no idea what we did to deserve them.  Alexandria is one of my blessings.  She turned 12 in January and has been begging me to take her to do baptisms for the dead.  She finally got to go but not with me. Mommy fail!  The young women in our ward went last week.  She was super excited.  I made a lame attempt to make up for not taking her for her first time by getting her a new skirt for the occasion.  I'm resolving to taking her before school gets out.

 

I don't worry about Alexandria.  She usually makes good choices. I never have to explain right and wrong to her. She just gets it.  She was born that way.  I don't know how.  I'm pretty sure she didn't get that trait from me or Papi.  Just saying.  For example, we both got down with Snoop and Dr. Dre 20 years ago.  Rap music, it was cool.  Alexandria's opinion of rap? "I don't like rap. It's just a bunch of bad words in disguise."  I surrender, she's right! Good thing I left my old school rap music out of the iTunes library. I love you Alexandria!  Thanks for being an awesome example!