Mels Last Family Outing!

Well...the time is here. Mel is about to move and we went on our last little family vacation. We had a memorable time! We went to the Olympic Game Farm (see pics below) and there are really no words to describe how awesome it is. We had a blowout at Taco Time (diaper...not car) that we will never forget, and we ended the night at the Clearwater Casino. Ahhh...the Clearwater. That part of the night is best forgot. Let's just say that there was a formal complaint sent to the Tribal Leader regarding their customer service. But even that couldn't steal our joy. I have had the hardest time putting my feelings into words, so I ended up writing Mel a poem. I decided to include it in this blog.

Here we are taking our family photo in one of the forts. It has a beautiful view. This was just a portion of the bread we brought to feed the animals!Yes...that is a big bear. Yes...that is a small fence.This is a pic of the zebra. This is also a pic of Chad putting bread on Michelle's headrest so that all the animals would put their head IN the car.I think this is the biggest animal I have ever seen in my life.Melanie’s Poem
Who can explain it…
Meg and Mel?
It was meant to be,
Everyone could tell.

You’ve been my best friend,
For over half my life.
Through ups and downs,
Happiness and strife.

You’ve moved from friend,
To like a sister.
From heavy (but attractive),
To…men can’t resist her.

I have two godchildren
Whom I adore.
To be very honest,
I wouldn’t mind more.

I’ve tried to ignore it,
Tried to make it go away.
But the time is here,
I know you can’t stay.

I know this is your calling,
It’s what your meant to do.
But it does not make it easier,
To say goodbye to you.

I guess it is not goodbye per say,
More like another chapter.
And in the book of M and M,
It will be happily ever after.

I love you, Melly.

Best Week EVER...

This week was teacher appreciation week and I felt appreciated! I have the best students ever. Of course I can't put their pictures up...but I did take pictures of all the wonderful things they brought in. Each day had a different theme...and each day I felt even more blessed! I LOVE my job!

This day the students all brought in flowers to create a unique bouquet...how thoughtful!
This was chocolate day...yummy! They also bought a book and dedicated it to me....they are so sweet!
This is what it said in the book.
This is one of my favorite days...it is so creative. I don't drink coffee...only Diet Coke. So the students had a Diet Coke day. Yep...those are all Diet Coke's wrapped so beautifully!
This is the book that they made for me. It has all the students' pictures with what they love best about me in it...this one had me in tears.

This is such a great gift...it is my two favorites. I love my bath and I love my golf! Notice that they tried to find everything in orange. What great kids!!!! Did I mention that I LOVE my job??

March For Babies!

Here is the photo we took right before the March for Babies. It was SO cold but I felt such peace being a part of it. Again, thanks to everyone who walked and/or donated!

Potty Training and more...

Well...we were given a potty chair for Malia (a friend's son never took to it or used it) and Malia is fascinated by it. I am not pushing the potty training thing (I have told Malia that her transitions have to happen during summer...potty training, getting rid of the pacifier, etc) but she isn't listening when it comes to potty training. At daycare they think she will be an early learner. Aaron is excited at the idea of saving money on diapers:-) I on the other hand don't want her to grow up too fast. So there are times she runs diaperless and likes to sit on the potty. Not to get graphic but she has done #1 AND #2 in the potty before. It plays music and she thinks that's cool. She doesn't quite get the connection all the way but it is awfully cute to watch.

Malia also LOVES the park. I guess I should say the slide. She has no interest in anything but going to the HIGHEST slide in the park (independently). She is fearless. Which of course means I am filled with fear...and pride. Malia is such wonderful little girl...how lucky are we???

March For Babies!

Well, this weekend we did the five (it felt like ten) mile March for Babies. I realized that over the years I have donated to many causes, but never felt such an urge to be a part of it. We raised over $750. I really want to thank everyone that donated and I beg forgiveness from those that walked. Would you believe that it SNOWED?!!! My cousin Cory, Ryan, and Ady came. I was also lucky enough to have my friend Jessica from church/high school and her husband there. Of course Aaron and Melly were there (we thought Mel might have to run it and get the car for us).

But the person that truly touched my heart was my goddaughter. She is 12 years old and I didn't expect her to be there at all. It was especially touching because she was the only person to see Babydos...she went to my ultrasound with me. That is a very special bond between us and it touched me that she wanted to walk for Babydos. I felt such a sense of peace when we finished our walk...all was right. It is still painful to think of my Babydos...and I can't help but know that I should be 32 weeks pregnant. But I understand that some things are out of my control and that I have to have faith. When we get our team picture back, I will post it. Much love to everyone.

SAY IT ISN'T SO!

Well...the dirty rumor is true. Mel is leaving beautiful Washington for the okay beauty of Maui. I mean...an island with beautiful sunsets and unbelievable weather? So, some people like that I guess:-) Actually, Mel is following her life long dream and is becoming a police officer. I couldn't be more proud of her. Even though on a selfish level, I wish she would stay (she has been my best friend for half my life!)...I know that this is what she is meant to do. Love her.

Spring Break!

Where to start??? We had an amazing spring break. We went on a road trip from Washington to LA (with a stop in Sacramento) to Reno, Nevada...back to Washington. We raced home in one day for a 30th birthday and ended with a quiet Sunday at church. WHEW!

Here we are at the capital in Sacramento. We are excited about being on our way to LA!
Malia did such an amazing job in the car. We had two different days that we drove over 14 hours. She was such a champ! (The DVD player helped, too.)
Welcome to Disneyland. Malia had a very overwhelmed look on her face the whole time...but she had tons of fun. We were there from 9 am to 8 pm...not bad with only a 20 minute nap! God Bless Grammy. Thomasine came with us on the road trip. We couldn't have done it without her!
We got to meet Mickey Mouse after about an hour of waiting. Malia wasn't sure what to make of him...but I think it was worth it so that we will always have the picture.

Malia absolutely loved the ocean. She has a thing about the sand...she loves to play in it. She thought the water was pretty great but had a hard time tearing her eyes from the sand:-)It was SO wonderful to see Aaron's family. We got to spend time with his father and his grandfather. How exciting for Malia and our family. This is a picture of four generations. Malia was quite taken with Daddy Alfred (Aaron's grandfather) and she really loved visiting him.Here we are in the pool. Malia loved the part of kicking in the water...she wasn't too sure about the water wings at first but got used to them.This is my dear friend, Jen. We made a detour on the way home to Reno, Nevada which is where Jen moved to last summer. She has been one of my closest friends since I was 15 and I have been a bit lost without her. I adore her and Malia did too. Also in the picture is Jen's nephew Bradley. He is unbelievably adorable and we are already talking arranged marriage.

Ah...my girls. We rushed home in one day for my wonderful friend Carrie's 30th. It was good times. I always feel like I am coming home when I am with these lovely ladies. One of the Fab Five was missing...she has a beautiful baby girl that I am sure she could not break herself away from. I COMPLETELY understand that.

Spring break ended with a visit to church. Mel and Momma decided that I needed to get back in the spirit of things and boy were they right. I don't want to think where I would be without them.