Family Matters

Here are some of our family pictures we had taken in February by Natty.

{photosbynatalie.blogspot.com}

Robyn's family...

Regina's family...

Richelle's family...

Ryan's family...

 

My family...

Dad, Carlys & Raelynn...

My parents...

 

Wendy, Carlys & Suzanne...

 

My dad & his girls...

All the sisters...

All the grandkids...

I love our pictures this year.  I love that we always make time every other year to do this.  I know it was important to my mom...I think it's pretty cool that it's stayed just as important to us.  I think it's so fun to see all of our pictures throughout the years...to see how everyone has changed & grown. I hope next time we aren't missing anyone...

Peace...and Quiet

{warning: this is the longest blog ever...read at your own risk.  It's a whole lotta life packed into one blog.  I want it all for my family journal...sorry.}

It's been a very long week...or two weeks, I guess.

Michelle's dad was diagnosed with stage III pancreatic cancer in the Fall of 2010.  I don't know all the particulars, but it seems the family didn't know/wasn't told of the severity of the diagnosis (that's my opinion, sorry if it's offensive...that's not how it's meant). 

Michelle's dad, Doug, with The Boy...his youngest grandchild (out of 12).

Ryan & co. were here in February for The Boy's blessing...they spent the week in town...and left for Disneyland...and then home.  While they were here, they spent time with our family, with her family and with friends.  They always have to divide their already limited time in so many directions.  It makes for a rough visit...I don't envy them.

Michelle, The Boy & Doug...February 2011.

After they'd been home a week or so, Michelle received a phone call from her family...she needed to come home (this home) because her dad was going to die.  She hopped on a plane within a few hours with The Boy and Lexi.  Ryan drove the next day with Emily & Bella.  The other members of Michelle's family also gathered/flew in.  What an awful way to come home.

We knew Michelle & Ryan would need help with the kiddos while her dad was in the hospital & we knew they would need help as soon as they got here...between Richelle, my parents and I, we figured we could handle whatever was needed.  While they spent time at the hospital, we spent every spare moment juggling the kids.  By Friday Michelle's dad was sent home from the hospital with hospice...and died early Monday morning.

We took Lexi out for ice cream...she held my hand the entire time. *sigh*

I truly feel for what Michelle is suffering.  I have lost a parent, so I understand how hard it is...I also can't fathom the thought of losing my dad.  I can't imagine life without the Patriarch of our family.  Even typing these words hurts to my core.  I also feel for Michelle's mom...since I have also experienced the loss of my spouse...also an awful experience.

Throughout all of Michelle's family's struggles this week, we have had the kids off and on.  We loved every second of it, but it was starting to take it's toll.  The commotion of all of this, was a bit frazzling...to say the least.  There wasn't a lot of communication, but with what was going on, it seems understandable.  Luckily I have a flexible boss who believes family comes first. 

We can barely remember two weeks ago, and this past week is becoming a blur very quickly.  On Monday I was off, so Richelle and I took the kids (her boys & Ryan's girls) to Peter Piper for lunch.  After that, we ran some errands...and bought the girls each a new swim suit for Wednesday (pool party at Nana & Grumpaw's.) Richelle took all the kiddos to a movie Monday night, but I kept Lexi home with us.  We had dinner and went for ice cream.  I want to keep her.

Lexi does not always enjoy having her picture taken...but she's adorable anyway.

Since we don't have kids, adding kids that are out of their element to our already hectic schedule is exhausting...more exhausting then the schedule we are already attempting to keep up with...which is nearly impossible.

Mike & I get told a lot (by people with kids...some of whom don't work outside the home) that our schedule is quite a bit easier to change (because we don't have kids), but I think that's truly the opposite.  If we had kids, I doubt we'd work the hours we work...or take on the things we choose to take on...we'd be forced to be home more & on a more regular schedule.

Our "twins"...McKenna & Bella. Born only two weeks apart.

Anywho...with work and kids and family things going on the last thing we needed was a car issue.  We took my 4Runner in for an oil change and the service guy handed over the happy news that it was time for my timing belt to be changed.  Awesome.

In the past, I would have just had the work done, but since we are trying to save money in every way possible...we called in a favor from a friend.  He was able to save us a lot of money.  We dropped of the car on Thursday afternoon after the funeral. 

Hayden's belly after a few too many belly flops in Nana's pool...Ouch!

Robyn figured out how to get me there and back...after we picked up Richelle's suburban from the shop (new transmission x 2) and got her rental car dropped off...plus transferring more kids than I can keep track of from car to car...including car seats & boosters too.

We tried to take all the kids to Jump Street on Thursday afternoon (because it's 1/2 price on Thursdays), but they were sold out...so Richelle took ALL the kids by herself on Friday while I was at work.  What a trooper she is...I don't know how she does it.  She never thinks twice about taking all the kids and doing whatever needs to be done.  She never complains and is always happy about helping...even when her own needs aren't met.

I forgot to mention that on Wednesday Regina left Brooklyn, Hayden & Miss McKenna with us...adding to the cousin fun, but...well...adding to the adult "fun" as well.  :)  It really was a great week...just too much going on all at once.  I took 1/2 of Wednesday off, all of Thursday for the funeral & kids (all but Ryan's), and I worked Friday.

Just pure crazines...kids being kids.

Friday morning Mike woke up to take me to the bus stop so I could get to work.  We arranged for Richelle to pick me up at a different bus stop when I came home.  She volunteered to drive me to the shop to pick up my car.  Funny enough, our crazy timing didn't work out as well as we planned.  Richelle got stuck in the line at Kohl's (the land of no cell phone reception), so when I couldn't get a hold of her, I started walking.  I didn't feel like staying at the Park & Ride...I also didn't feel like walking over a mile...but at least it isn't summer.  She finally picked me up after I walked to 35th Avenue-ish.  Luckily, I don't hold grudges...and I learned I need new shoes.

Oh...I should mention that Rob took me out for my birthday lunch on Friday too.  He took me to a place called Seasons 52.  It was fantastic...I highly recommend it.  The atmosphere was great and the food was yummy.

Lexi-licious in her new swimsuit..."I'm a strawberry!"

After I got my car back, Richelle and I headed to Nana's house to pick up ALL the kids...Brooklyn, Derek, Emily, Carsen, Hayden, McKenna, Bella, Jake & Lexi...and headed to my house.  TWO ENTIRE SUVs FULL OF KIDS!! Poor Mike worked an earlier shift than normal, so he was home to endure all of it. 

We watched movies & then the kids ran wild...we made cookies and tried not to hang ourselves.  Richelle stayed for the majority of the fun.  When she left, she took all but four little girls and Brooklyn home with her.  Brooklyn and Lexi shared the bed in Raelynn's room while Emily, Bella & McKenna slept in the wannabe-nursery.  Everyone slept in until after 8am.  Funny enough...Mike & I were the first ones to wake up.  Probably out of fear of the girls waking up and their continuous shrill screams beginning again.

Hayden, Carsen & Emily...swimming at Nana's.

Ryan & Michelle picked up their girls by 11-ish, so I only had Brooklyn and McKenna...while Mike & my dad worked on the yard. They are easy peasy.  They funny part- the girls all wanted cereal for breakfast...thanks to Emily (our pickiest eater in the entire family x 10) we went through 2 boxes...one of Lucky Charms and one of Honeynut Cheerios.  I think she ate enough for the entire day so she didn't have to suffer through eating food she hates (which is everything)...and then starving. LOL

After a couple hours of shopping with Brooklyn for new clothes (sizes 4 & 6...not 10), all the adults met at Carabbba's for dinner...minus all children except one infant. 

Bella-rella & Big D

We had a great time at dinner together...we always do.  I hate that Ryan lives so far...I don't even like that Regina lives as far as she does.  We chatted at dinner & then went back to Regina's to relieve Sydney and Brooklyn (the babysitters). 

Brooklyn...wishing she was at our house without all the other kids...haha :)

Mike wishing the same thing Brooklyn was...

It was a great end to a long, hard, busy, amazing two weeks.  We dropped Richelle & Co. off at their house and headed home...in silence.  Mike prepared for his annual fishing tournament (that took place today) while I got ready for bed...in total silence.  We both went to bed and enjoyed the peace and quiet of our home.

One Mike's catches during his tournament...

Some days we feel a tiny bit blessed about our clean, Cheerio-free floor, quiet, no screaming kids interrupting our TV watching abilities and all the other "good" things about no kids.....you get the idea.

Sleep, Slides & Corndogs

We spent Saturday doing some of our favorite things...starting with sleeping in.  After we got our butts out of bed, we headed to Target to pick up a birthday present for Mike's God-son, Tyler.  Tyler turned five on Friday and yesterday was his party.

I can't wait for Mike to spoil his daughter rotten...and never say "no."

We spent the rest of the day playing with Miss Molly and laughing with Patrick & Sarah...two of our favorite things for sure.

When we arrived at the party, Molly was already there and came RUNNING to me...calling my name and everything.  *sigh*  I scooped her up and gave her a huge hug...and then she planted a kiss on my lips with her Doritos cheese covered lips.  It was so funny and so sweet...and so cheesy.  What a doll.

Tyler & his little sister, Lizzie

So Tyler ran around with his friends and we played with Molly.  I am loving her age...I love when kids get to the point the can verbally communicate with you and are more fun than babies.  I hope I thoroughly enjoy my own babies from birth to three.  I love the infant stage, but then I really don't get too excited until kids are closing in on three.

In Patrick's defense...that's Molly's corndog & pink backpack. haha

We left the party and wondered what to do next.  We never go out anymore and I figured we'd sit on the couch and watch a movie on Netflix.  Instead we headed out to meet some friends at Popo's (where Garcia's used to be on 59th Ave & Bell).  We sat and chatted while we enjoyed a cheese crisp, chips and salsa.  After that, we headed to Mellow Mushroom for 1/2 price wings.  They have THE best baked wings...and we get them naked (no sauce).  Yum.  We sat there for a couple hours and chatted with out friends Sheila and Mario.  It was nice to be out of the house.

Out With Friends

A little background:  Rebecca and I became friends a long, long time ago.  One Saturday afternoon after "class" our mom's picked us up...when we came outside they were chatting as if they had known each other previously.  Turns out they did know each other.  Becky's brother Chris and Raelynn were in Sweetwater's "side by side" program together...and were friends.  Funny enough...they are good friends and they totally love each other.

Raelynn and I were invited to attend Chris' bowling birthday party on Friday afternoon.  I planned to leave work a little earlier than normal (actual "normal" not the last 12 weeks normal), pick Rae up and bowl for a couple hours with our friends.

I think this is my best score (or close to) ever. Yay me!

Raelynn was very excited to see her friend Chris...and she loves to bowl too.

I picked her up and we headed for the Sonic drive-thru to get drinks.  I got my favorite cherry-Coke and she ordered a sprite.  Then we stopped off to get Chris a little something for his birthday.  Raelynn chose to get him a little stuffed dog.  She LOVES dogs and said Chris would love this dog.  Okay...so we paid for our goodies and headed for the bowling alley.

Raelynn brought her own personal ball and shoes...she's nearly a pro.

We all bowled and had a great afternoon.

After we finished, Raelynn and I picked up Richelle and Carlys.  We drove out to Carol's some girl time for my birthday. We didn't do anything...just sat and talked.  It was perfect.  It made me miss Carol even more...She is the only thing I miss about Chandler.  And I miss her a lot.  Life is so busy and so overwhelming, but I hope we are better about making time to spend together.

When we left Carol's, we drove out to my friend Stefany's house in Queen Creek to pick up some garage sale items.  It seemed SO far on the way there from Carol's, but we took Ironwood north to the US60 and it only took a little over an hour to get home.  Much quicker than I thought.

Our garage is filling up with garage sale items.  I can't even park inside anymore.  Good times.  Hopefully we will make good money to put towards the baby fund.

Notes

I have been feeling pretty bleh as of late.

And I mean Bleh.

I really had to stop and think about how truly blessed I am tonight before I ended up beyond bleh.

Not sure what comes after bleh...but I don't want to be there.

Random Note: I am putting together a garage sale to help fund our baby.  So far I have filled the garage an 1/8th full of stuff to sell...I am on my own in the endeavour.  Mike is anti-garage sale...and anti-helping for the sale.  I ask him to help me and I get resistance and then a fight...so I decided tonight I am done asking.  I lived on my own for over 8 years.  Surely I can put together a large garage sale all by my lonesome, right?  I don't blame him...I'm not mad.  Just add to the frustration of infertility.

Adding to my bleh.

Something Else: We have decided to get certified to adopt in Arizona.

I am not sure where we will adopt...or how.  To adopt through LDS Family Services...we both have to be Mormon.  Catholic Social Services requires us both to be catholic...Mike probably isn't Catholic enough for them.  Arizona Baptist Children's Adoption Services doesn't seem to think Mormons are Christian, so we can't adopt through them either.  Jewish Family Services...may be a hope, but not sure.  A lot of others are so expensive there is no way we could afford to use them. 

There is a lost of research still to be done.  I am getting serious about making a move toward adoption, but I am still wanting to try to get pregnant first.  I'm not sure how much longer that desire will continue, but getting certified to adopt is a good next step...for when that direction is our last hope at becoming parents.

The expense of adoption is really baffling...truly an outrage.  If adoption was more affordable, more people may be able to help all the children in need of good homes.

I am still torn. 

The pros of adoption would include: keeping my hips from spreading any further...not adding any stretch marks to my collection...no childbirth...and having the possibility of having a child that can do math.  Plus there wouldn't be any more negative test results.  I know there are more, but I am too tired to actually think about this.

On the cons side of the list: never getting to be prego...no childbirth...never having at a child that looks like me...always wondering where she got this or that from...maybe she'd be a lunatic (like my 2nd cousins adopted kids are...no...seriously)...what if she hated us because we aren't her "real" parents...or what if she hated everything because her mom "gave her away" (proper term is placed with)...and what if she still can't do long division in her head or pass chemistry? (would that still be our fault?)

Still having some mixed feelings...although I support adoption 100kabillion%.

Maybe we should just travel.  No mixed feelings there.  Lots of places to see and explore...maybe Richelle's boys will come see us when we are old and live in Friendship Village...we can leave our money to the ones that visit the most...and bring us Pepsi.

On a Side Note: The weather has been incredibly beautiful the last several days.  It's hard to be locked in an office when I just want to wander the streets of downtown Phoenix.  I got a new hat for the summer...I need to work on my bathing suit body, but at least the hat will be cute. 

Forgot to Mention

I forgot to post a picture of the beautiful flowers I got for my birthday from my sweet friend, Michelle.  They were a fun surprise...Thanks, Michelle!!

My favorite boots (of 11 years) broke on The Boy's blessing day...the day before family picture day.  I had to wear the boots for pictures, so I wore them broken.  By the end of pictures...the other boot broke too.  I need to get them repaired...I look every year for new ones, but I have never found another pair I liked or thought were worth the money.

Yep. This is the guy I married...the one I come home to every night (err...the one that comes home to me every night...).

Birthday Week...Bleh.

This week has been exceptionally difficult...in many ways.

My sweet friend Natalie lost her baby girl, Natalia Rae, at 18 weeks on March 2nd.  My heart breaks for her loss...I wish there was something I could say or do, but I know there is nothing anyone can say or do.  I know she will be okay with time.  It just seems so unfair...and I pray many times a day for her peace.

On a less important note, I have been working way too many hours.  There are some days I am there so long, I forget what time I started...I get home late and then after I sleep a few hours, I get to repeat it...then I feel like a truck hit me, so not a whole lot is getting done around the house...or so it seems. 

I was sick two weeks out of the last two months.  A rare issue for me.  Other than a sinus infection a year (or maybe two), I never get sick.  I got that horrible cold that was being spread around (from people going to work sick) and then I got the flu from my Carsen. (How can I be mad at him? Yeah...I can't.) 

My case load has seemed overwhelming lately...I can't seem to get caught up.  I could work for weeks without getting any new cases and I still don't think I would be caught up.  I literally have hours and hours of writing to do.  I have started bringing it home on the weekends...in case I have a spare minute.  I might actually go to the office tomorrow.  Working for free doesn't sound fun (at all), but it might bring some peace of mind...which would help a lot.  

New cases still come in...and I have landed some real clusters lately, not to mention some call-out on top of that. I really love my job, but there are weeks I just don't want to do it anymore.  It seems ridiculous to work and work and work...and never make a dent in the amount of work there is left to do.  Oh well.  I'm not complaining...just venting/explaining.  I am lucky to work where I do and with the people I work with.  I am truly blessed...the case load has just been overwhelming the last few months. I have been blessed to work with Rob...the best partner anyone could hope for.  He helps me so much...I hope I return the favor equally.

Aside from work, our rental house became a true rental house this week.  Full of problems.  The renters are still making their rent payment on-time every month, so I truly am not complaining.  I have heard the horror stories, so I know we are blessed.  The dishwasher needed to be replaced (after 7ish years)...and there was a plumbing issue in the laundry room.  Both in one week.  Awesome.  It wouldn't be so bad if that payment our renters faithfully made actually paid the whole mortgage...and any of the ($130) monthly HOA payment.

Plus...for fun and excitement...my 4Runner needed the oil changed this week...and the I couldn't take the sunroof rattling any longer.  It's been off the track (or something) for longer than I can remember, but I have been too cheap (thanks a lot, Dave Ramsey) to fix it.  I just couldn't take it any longer.  I was pretty shocked at the price tag.  Not as shocked as I was at the price of the timing belt, the other belts and my hospital bills after the stroke.  It's obviously worth the money to fix and maintain...it will last me forever and it should be paid off in the next six months (thanks a lot, Dave Ramsey).  I need to replace at least two of the tires next week too.  Hopefully only two of them need replaced...because we also have to buy four tires for Mike's truck as soon as we get our tax return back.  (Hopefully the HOA will let us put off painting this house until next year's tax return).

My beautiful chandelier in the entry way has had a bulb burned out for several months.  We weren't able to borrow the ladder we had used for the chandelier, so we finally bought our own...for a few hundred dollars we found a used one in good condition on Craigslist.  When we got the ladder in the house and changed out the bulb (on the top tier)...we realized it wasn't the buld.  That receptacle is not working.  Awesome.  I found the receipt and other paperwork...and was happy to see the chandelier was still under warranty. 

I called this week to figure out how  to get my way-too-expensive, still under warranty, very beautiful chandelier fixed so it will be beautiful again.  The short version is this: I didn't pay them to install it.  So I can either take it down and bring it in (which is not possible) or I can pay their install people $95 to take care of it.  Had I paid their installers to begin with, it would be free now.  Had I known that then...or that it was only $95 for them to install it (when I paid about 6x that much) I would have just had them do it.  Awesome.

All these things just make our baby seem that much further away.

Which makes life seem that much harder most days.  It's no one's fault...life just seems to happen.  I'm guessing life happening is why making babies is supposed to be a free, stress-relieving experience...not the complete opposite.  I guess we'll never know.

On a happier note...on my actual birthday, I slept in and woke up just in time to make my massage appointment.  I spent 90 minutes being tortured in the best of ways.  It was wonderful...and I think I should go more often.  After my massage, I came home and got ready for the day with Mike. 

After that, we ran some errands, ate some pretzels at the mall and shared a big Pepsi.  I got a couple new shirts for work when I returned a couple things I bought for family pictures we did not end up wearing.  We wandered around Marshall's for a bit and I ran in to Bev Mo to get my missing flavor/ingredient to my Mint Julep recipe I found to pretend Disneyland is at my house.  I will try to make my first batch this weekend...we will see how they turn out.  I'm a little nervous...and excited.

Mike made dinner reservations for the two of us at Donovan's.  We have been wanting to try this place for a while, but are really doing our best to only splurge for special occasions.  Donovan's was amazing...worth every penny.  We ordered the "seafood tower" for an appetizer...then I ordered my favorite tomato salad.  I love the beefsteak tomatoes that seem to only be found at ridiculously expensive steak restaurants. 

picture courtesy of Donovanssteakhouse.com

For dinner I ordered a filet medallion with broiled shrimp scampi.  Mike ordered his favorite bone-in ribeye.  The meals came with vegetables and a choice of potatoes (smashed, au gratin, baked, or skillet fried potatoes with caramelized onion and gravy).  I chose smashed...and Mike chose the skillet fries.  We both agreed the stinkin' skillet fries may have been the best part of our meal.  They were seriously incredible. 

For dessert, they brought out creme brulee with fresh strawberries.  I have to say, creme brulee used to be my favorite dessert...then I met and fell in love with tiramisu.  I usually don't order the creme brulee anymore, but this was the best I have ever tasted.  It was perfection with caramelized heaven on top...with some strawberries. Delish.

this is how we felt after dinner...

On our way home, Mike made my day complete with a stop off at my Prettiest Sister's house.  I wanted to love on my boys for a bit...and I was lucky enough hat they gave me what I needed.  Carsen sat and let me snuggle him for a long time on the couch...he even gave me the sweetest present.  He handed me a gift bag...and inside was a red heart-shaped guy (?) with little feet.  He was stuffed and was meant to be hung from (maybe) a review mirror.  Kind of a random gift, but I loved it none the less. 

Also inside my bag was a $20 bill.  Carsen very sweetly informed me he wanted me to add his $20 to my Baby Buvala fund. *sigh*  I could just eat him up.  He is saving all his money to buy his Lego Star Wars Death Star...and he was thoughtful enough to share his $20 with us for our baby.  He was so proud...and his smile beamed.  I wish I had a picture of the little heart man thingy, but I already took it to work to hang up.  He was a nice addition to my bleh cubicle.

Derek was also sweet on me...and also gave me $20 for our baby fund.  Just when ya think the boys are growing tired of me loving on them...they love me back.  Jake, of course, still does not love me, but that's okay...he's the one missing out.  At least he snuck himself into the picture.

I tried to call my birthday buddy, Alexis, on our way to dinner, but nobody answered.  I thought I'd get a call back, but haven't heard anything.  I so wish my little birthday buddy lived close enough to spend our day together every year.  Maybe someday.

I will celebrate with all my sisters next weekend at Carol's...and my girlfriends and I need to get it together and plan something.  We didn't celebrate last year...we kept putting it off until it was my birthday again.  So this year, I hope to not do that.

Turning 30 in Cabo last year was a lot more fun than this week while turning 31...I am pretty sure it was cheaper to turn 30 in Cabo too.  Oh well...I have my health, my career, my family, my friends and my sweet husband.  What more could a 31 year old girl ask for?