Remember when....

We had our friends come for the 3rd year in a row to stay with us. Matt is one of Dan's mission buddies and his wife, Alicia, and I happen to get along great and I consider her a friend of my own! It's always nice when that happens isn't it? They came a few days ahead of their family reunion and spent the weekend with us. We always love when they come and this time they were a family of 6! I'm not sure how she does it but she has some darling, respectful children. Allison and her little Aspen who is 4, are best buddies when they come. They play great, holding hands around the house, and taking turns with a little drama here and little drama there (it's nice to be around kids that are your kids' ages to realize your kids are just acting their age) :) The stay was much too short but Dan and Matt were able to squeeze in a game of golf, and then together, we spent the afternoon at the pool. We got two sitters to handle the 6 kids and then headed out to dinner and what else but White Lime for dessert! Of course we stay up late while Matt and Dan play the remember when... game from "the mish." They always love talking about the crazy things that happened on the mission and love to be able to relate to it together. Meanwhile, Alicia and I gab about life as moms. We sure miss living close to them and we keep hoping that they will move out here someday. Being around them always makes us want to be better people. They are fun, make us laugh, and we always find our way into a conversation about the Gospel and how it affects our lives for good. Thanks for the visit Gardners! See you next year!

I want I want I want!

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Carnival

Our friends put together a carnival-themed party for their little guy who just turned one. It was OVER the top as always --she creates these things in DETAIL.There were hand-made decor including the flag banners. She even dressed the part! We had a ball toss to win a real goldfish,
and face painting (We could only get our kids to get their hands painted because Cole doesn't sit still EVER and Allison was being too shy.)
They had "fishing" too where you throw your line over and it comes back with a prize attached! The food was all so cute too...different flovored cupcakes of course with a tiny flag on a toothpick in EACH one with little Beck's face on it, corn, THE BEST watermelon, nacho chips, corn on the cob, and popcorn enough to feed an army. Of course we can't forget the goodie bags to go of popcorn and homemade animal cookies! Not sure how she'll top this one of in years to come! It was a good time though and it was nice to be with old friends.

Independence Day!

I somehow convinced Dan that he wouldn't be able to call anyone for work questions because everyone takes today off and that he should to. He decided if we planned something out that he would do it. So we started with the Temecula Parade. Dan doesn't like parades. I told him that the kids would love it and that it was for them not him. Then we got there....only then did he tell me he already saw the line up for the paraded which consisted of scout troops, Paradise Chevrolet, the mayor, the mom's club, some horses...don't remember who they were, some go cart compalny (sadly the highlight of the parade) and police persons. And all we got out of it was a dance from the horse pooper scoopers, a sheriff sticker and a lot of sweaty armpits. No candy, hardly any music, and sorry to be harsh, but no entertainment. So, I'm not sure the parade was over but after over 30 minutes of that we found a lull and clapped and told the kids it was over and then walked a half a mile back to our car. Thank goodness I brought an umbrella which saved us all. Then we went home, got our suits on, and headed for the pool. After hours there, we put the kids down for a late nap so they would be happy for late fireworks.

Dan's mom came up and we went to KFC to pick up some dinner and then headed toward the park where the fireworks were located.....along with I'm pretty sure everyone and their mom (or mother-in-law in my case) from Temecula to Hemet. It was SOO crowded and we parked like a mile away and walked but we found perfect seats right by the action on the sidewalk by the high school right across the street. I ate by flashlight (which I had tied up in the chain link fence behind us)and then the fun began. I didn't think about how Allison might be afraid. She was. She covered her ears most of the time and for the first while asked if we could go home. But of course her daddy softened her up and after calling the fireworks popcorn and pixie dust---she started the like it! Cole loved the whole thing and oooed and awed at every boom and flash. I'm really glad we went.

On a more softy note, there is one thing I did get from the parade besides the sweats, and that was the chills. I know-sounds weird but I really did. One group came up and this man was waving a huge American flag. I seriously got choked up in my throat and had to hold back tears. I really felt the spirit when I saw that flag and I truly feel like we do live in a promised land. This is a land that has been greatly blessed and I feel overwhelmed with the blessings we receive from living here. I think most of us take for granted our freedoms in this country...especially those of us who haven't had the chance to visit countries where those freedoms aren't had or where people are fighting daily just to stay alive, wondering how they will eat. Although I don't wish for that, I sometimes long for the days when it was all about people and families, and neighbors, and friends. Not about this deadline or that activity we need to be at or this commitment or that commitment. Of course I love the luxuries of today but I would also love to be able to let my kids grow up playing outside until dark but that just can't happen now like it used to.

Enough rambling. I just am very grateful to live in this country and to have men of God who followed the spirit to create a free nation for us to enjoy.So with that-Happy Independence Day!

Red Letter Day!

So the other day I was thinking, "I should just call the Del Mar Fair to see if my camera happened to be turned in." But before I did, I get a phone call from Disneyland. Disneyland you say? That's weird. That's what I thought. So a really nice lady says to me, this is so and so from the Disneyland Resort. And I'm like, ok....? And she says, we have a guest that has found your camera and passports! (Referring to my Disneyland season passes.) I was confused. Really confused. I didn't leave my camera at Disneyland!? Then she added, she said she found it at the fair. I was like, "are you serious!?!? Are you serious?!?!" She was all cheery like, "yeah, she said she found it with your Disneyland passes in it so she decided to see if we could contact you." It all made sense. I guess the last time we went to Disneyland, I forgot to take out my passes. I put them in there because I usually just carry my camera case around when I leave the stroller for rides. Crazy thing is, I didn't even realize my passes were in there until I got the call! If I would have realized that I really would have freaked. So she says, "She gave me her name and number for you to contact her." Still in shock I took down the info and thanked her like 10 times. Then at end of the call she says, "Have a magical day!" Sooo cheesy I know but so fitting and funny at the same time.

So I call the number ---a 951 number by the way (meaning local to me--- only to get a voicemail but while leaving the message, she calls back. When I answered she explained that she and her husband had found my camera on the choo choo train ride late that Saturday night we went, which was the last ride I went on with the kids. They figured it would be safer with them as they tried to find the owner than to trust a worker at the Fair's lost and found.....I am SOOO glad they did. She then told me she lived in Menefee! I couldn't believe it. I'm not sure how many times I told her, "There are good people in the world!" I know so many people I told about my lost camera pretty much said, "Good luck getting that back! No one's going to return it!" I really had just settled with the fact that it was gone. I was so grateful for her honesty and making the effort to find me. Funny thing is, she actually googled me and found my blog and if you look at the comments under my post on the fair, she had just posted a comment telling me she found my camera!

I guess it was a good thing our passes were in there or it would have been unidentifiable. Crazy huh? I know. So if you think there are no miracles these days...think again. It was truly and answer to prayers...a lot of prayers... and it really was a tender mercy from the Lord. He could care less about a stinkin' camera but because it's important to me, I know it's important to Him. Yes! There is good in the world!!!!!