Just what I needed today!

Some of you may not appreciate this. It's a non-conventional way to get a very true message across. I apologize if any of you don't appreciate this or are offended by it. I needed to hear this today though, but nobody knew. I was fortunate to have a very good friend who was very in tune with the spirit to pass this on. For that I am grateful. Prayers are answered and today my friend was that answer. I hope you enjoy this and I hope it helps or touches you in the way you need it.

Emergency Room

So today I went to the Emergency Room. I have been having back pain (see previous post) and it's been getting worse not better. I've been texting my mom each day (at her request) to keep my parents updated about how I'm doing etc and today, after getting my texts and conversing with each other, my dad told my mom to take me to the ER. (My dad was at work or he would have taken me too.) So my mom came and picked me up and we headed over. We sat in the waiting room for about 15-20 minutes, which isn't bad, but it STINKS when you have a back injury. Finally they took me back to the triage area to get some info. The nurse took my vital signs and said my heart rate was almost 200 bpm. He asked if I was anxious and I just looked at him like he was dumb. I finally said "No, I'm not anxious, I'm in horrific pain!"

I have to say it was quite an unpleasant ER experience. I've been to the ER several times, and even though you're there because you're sick, you can still have a good experience. Today was not one of those "good experience" days. I was totally un-impressed by the doctor. He didn't even listen to me tell him what was wrong. He sent me to get an x-ray to make sure it wasn't broken...which clearly it wasn't broken because there had been no trauma. He then came in and said I needed an MRI but he couldn't let me have one while I'm there because it wasn't an emergency. He told me to go see my doctor tomorrow and have him send me back to the hospital for an MRI. Lame, I know. Then right before I left he made me so angry. He said he wanted to see something, so he took the pillow out from under my legs and had me put my legs flat on the bed. That hurt, but it wasn't the end of the world. He then lifted my left leg up in the area and after about a foot off the bed I cried out in pain and he said it back down. I started crying (hard) and clearly there was a problem. Then what does he do? He lifts the other leg too and gets the exact same result. Did he think there was going to be a different outcome with the other leg? Seriously? I was so mad. He then has the nurse bring me some lortab after I had told him I was allergic to lortab, so I had to wait another 10 minutes, crying and in pain, for the nurse to come back with a percocet for me to take. (I have to say...the nurse was awesome. I don't even remember his name, but he was sympathetic and so nice and helpful.) The doctor then sent me home with a prescription for pain medicine and a muscle relaxer and he was out.

I am now home and in bed again, in MUCH more pain than I was before going into the ER. My mom and dad feel bad because they are the ones who decided I should go to the ER. It wasn't their fault. At least we know I do need an MRI and that something is wrong. My parents are thinking ruptured disc. I don't know what to think other than something painful! So that was my exciting and painful night! Hopefully I get more answers from the doctor tomorrow than I did from the hospital today.

Oh, the pain!

I have been sick this last week. I know, people are shocked! I got the flu and was super sick for about 2 days. I threw up and ran a fever and was pretty much just miserable. Fortunately, it went away after 2 days. However, the day after I threw up for the last time, I started having back pain. I woke up to go to work and it hurt a little and by time I came home 6 hours later, I couldn't even walk standing up straight. I was in SO MUCH PAIN! And it just kept getting worse. I couldn't stand up straight, I could roll over in bed, I couldn't do anything. All I could do was lay in bed flat on my back with my knees partially propped up and not move. Then I was almost ok, but still not quite. I was sure I had pulled a muscle. My fever also came back and I got these awful headaches. I was pretty sure those (the fever and headache) were still from the flu, but I had no idea how I hurt my back. The only thing I could think of was that I had thrown up so hard (kind of gross) that I pulled a muscle. The first day I was in pain was Thursday. Today is Monday and I am still in pain. I'm not so convinced it's a muscle anymore though. I think it's something else, but I don't know what. I'm going to the doctor tomorrow and hope he can help me. I have to get out of bed without pain and be able to go to work and sit without feeling like I'm going to die! It's been one of those week.
One good thing (I'm thinking positive here) that has happened while I've been stuck in bed bored, is that I learned a new way to braid my hair. This isn't the best picture, but you can kind of see.

This has been my view for the last week. (Ok, it hasn't been a week, but it sure feels like it!) Exciting, right?

And this is another view....oh, wait....there is no other view. It's the same thing over and over, day after day. I am so bored of watching tv and laying in bed!

And this is me. This is a HORRIBLE picture, I know, but I took it anyways. I'm bored. I'm tired of being sick. I want to get better and hope the doctor tomorrow can help me. Especially because I work 25 hours between Wednesday morning and Thursday afternoon this week and cannot afford to be sick!

My funny girls! :)

The other day I was at work and I got a text from Jessie. Her and Meriam were chilling at my moms house and I was supposed to meet them when I got off work. I finally got a free second and opened the text to find this picture:
The best part of the whole text was the comment that went along with the picture. "We are dying to see you!" Oh, I love these funny girls! :)

Fun with the girls!

We had a little "girls night in" on Saturday and it was so fun! I had to work in the afternoon at Orem, and as soon as I got off I headed out to my moms house. Jessie, Meriam and my mom were all there. Jessie and Meriam were making sugar cookies, and when they were done we cooked pizza and had a yummy dinner! After dinner we decided to decorate the cookies. My moms downstairs neighbor (who is one of my moms best friends) has a little 2 year old girl Melayna (sp?). We called down and asked Marta (the mom) if Melayna could come up and decorate cookies with us. Marta agreed and so she sent her up.

We had SO MUCH FUN! Melayna is too cute for her own good and has such a funny personality. We seriously enjoyed having her there. We took turns having her sit on our laps, and we would frost the cooking and then she would do the sprinkles. She had so much fun. We also sang songs with her while we did the cookies. After the cookies were all done we gave her this little babydoll to hold, and she showed us all about how to be a big sister (her mom is due in 5 weeks with baby #2...a boy)! She was so funny. She showed us the right way to hold him, and how to rock him. She told us when his eyes are closed he's tired so he's sleeping. She told us that she gets to help her mom with "baby brother" (his temporary name) by kissing and hugging him. She was so cute and so much fun.

After Marta came and took Melayna home to go to bed, we decided to play games. There were just the 4 of us still (dad was home but in bed because he wasn't feeling well). We played Tri-Bond and had so much fun. I really like that game but forget how much until we actually play it. We then decided to play Park-N-Shop (a board game from like the 1960's that my mom had to order off ebay) and had alot of fun playing that too. Meriam used to hate it but now it seems to be growing on her. We had so much fun playing and I stayed WAY too late (by time I got home it was midnight and I still had to shower and get ready for bed and wake up at 0600 the next morning for work)! But even though I was super tired at work the next day, I think it was worth it. I love my girls!!

(Sorry, no pictures. I went straight to moms from work and didn't take a camera.)

Book Club

I've been in a book club for 3 months (I think 3 months...) and I love it! I've actually only been able to meet with the other ladies 1 time because of school/work obligations, but I have read all of the books. I have really enjoyed the opportunity to read new books that I probably never would have known about or read and I feel like my appreciation for reading has increased substantially! I also have been able to see old ward friends that I haven't seen in awhile and meet new people. They really are 11 awesome ladies. (So thanks Maleen for starting the club and letting me in even with my poor attendance!)

The lastest book we read was "The Hunger Games" and it was awesome! I seriously wish I could have read it all in one sitting, and would have if there weren't other priorities that took up my time. I did manage to read it in about 2 days though and it was seriously so good. To be honest, I was skeptical at first, but ended up liking it so much that I am going to read the next book in the series. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a good book to read. The other books we've read are "The Summerhouse" and "Sundays at Tiffany's" and they were both really good as well.

I am really enjoying finding time in my day to read and also enjoying the array of books that are chosen. And because we choose what we read they are generally "smut" free! I feel like reading and being part of the book club where we can discuss what we've read has helped me open my mind to different types of books and different authors and I'm loving it!

Ammunition...

That's right...I finally got bullets for my gun. I've had it almost a month but had yet to purchase any bullets. I don't know why. I kind of thought I would just wait to shoot it until school started, and I still may not shoot it until school starts, I don't know. I finally just decided to get a box of ammo and grandpa thought he had a box of 9mm. He looked and looked but couldn't find any, so I went back to the gun store and bought a box. The box came with 100 rounds, and each magazine holds 17. I came home and loaded up my 3 magazines until they're full. I put the magazines back in the box with the gun, but didn't put a magazine in the gun. I don't have a gun safe yet, so I'm kind of nervous to keep it loaded. Not that the kids (big or little) come in my room much, but I don't want to take a chance and have there be a problem. So right now the loaded magazines are sitting next to the gun in a box and will stay there until I go shooting or until I get a safe. I also plan on moving the gun and ammo from my "secret hiding spot" (it's not really secret, I just haven't told anyone) and put it in the very top of my closet until it's secure. Anyways, I'm excited to finally have ammo so I thought I'd share it with you all! ;P

My sister-in-law

My sister-in-law Marie is from Guatemala, and she doesn't drive in America (yet). She got sick with Mono about a month ago and has been pretty sick off and on since then. The mono has caused problems with her spleen and she's been in a lot of pain because of it. Today she called me and asked if I would be able to take her to the doctors. She goes to a doctor at Student Health Services at UVU. The doctor called her today and told her she needed to come in and have some blood work done. So when I got off work I went to Provo and picked her up. I haven't seen their new apartment yet (they've been in it about a month) so I went up for a tour. It's a nice apartment and they have it decorated so cute! After the tour we went up to Student Health Services. She didn't have an appointment because the doctor told her just to come in any time. By time we got there (right after noon) the doctor was gone. She had already left for her lunch break and wouldn't be back until 1. Marie had to have the tests done so she asked me if I could wait. I was supposed to have plans with a friend but couldn't ever get a hold of her to confirm them, so I had the afternoon free. Marie and I decided to grab some lunch from the cafe down the hall from the doctors office while we waited. Marie was so nice and paid for my lunch to thank me for taking her to her appointment. Of course I didn't mind, I'm happy to help, but it was so nice. We ate and talked for about an hour and then finally headed back to the doctors office. She got to go back right away and was back in the office for about 20 minutes. I sat in the lobby and caught up on my celebrities reading People magazine. After she was done (and stuck 3 times to get enough blood) we headed home. She was so thankful for me taking her even though I kept assuring her I was happy to help. We finally got her home so she could go back to bed and take some pain medicine. We ended up spending about 2 hours together and it was fun to just talk and catch up. We haven't seen each other much lately since she's been sick and I've been crazy busy, so it was fun to spend the afternoon together. Now I just hope she gets better soon so I can teach her how to drive! (I asked her if I could...not because I don't want to help her, but I think she could benefit from it...and she agreed.) I had a great day with my sister-in-law. Thanks Marie!

(Don't mind the wedding picture of her. We need to take more pictures of her in regular life! :) And I have some other pictures of her but they're on my camera which is dead. She's such a funny girl though and has a great personality and she's a great friend already!)

Happy Anniversary!!!

I want to say "Happy Anniversary" to my awesome grandparents! They've been married for 51 years today and they are just as happy now as they've ever been. No matter what hardships have come their way, they've stuck together and have eternal love because of it! Grandpa was so cute...last night he was telling Sami and I how we was going to go early this morning and by a beautiful bouquet of fresh flowers for grandma. He's also taking her to Sizzlers for lunch. She is SO excited! She loves Sizzlers, and she's excited to get out of the house on a little break and enjoy herself and time with grandpa.

I thought I'd make a list of things I love about my grandparents and reasons I'm so grateful I'm their granddaughter, things they do for me and things they let me do for them, favorite memories I have of them, etc. And, since it's their 51st anniversary, I thought I'd list 51 things! (Clever...I know...) So here they are:

1. They love me no matter what I do. They don't judge, they don't criticize, they just have never-ending love for me and all their grandchildren. Even when we make mistakes they are still there to comfort us and love us.


2. They don't yell when I forget to salt the food I'm cooking for dinner! :)


3. They remember the things that are important to me. If I tell them a story they listen and ask about it later because they know that, to me, it matters.


4. They always remember your birthday, and call you on your birthday. I am 26 years old and I have never had a birthday I can remember where they didn't call me to talk to me. It makes me feel so special!


5. Grandpa always goes in my room to empty my trash cans. I tell him I will do it, but every time he takes out his and grandma's, he takes out mine too.


6. Grandma lets me help her do her puzzles even though she sometimes likes to do them without help.


7. Grandpa lets me mow the backyards with the tractor mower, even though I'm pretty sure I've never driven it in a straight line and it takes me way longer than it takes the boys.


8. Grandpa brags about me to everyone he knows. I did good academically in the first block of the academy and I'm pretty sure he's told every person he knows!


9. Grandma lets me use her puzzle books.


10. When we were little we would have "girl sleepovers" at their house and they would make them so special. They would always take us to Storehouse Market so we could get treats and we'd put on makeup and have awesome slumber parties!


11. At those slumber parties we would always make up dances. And my grandma would "bribe" us with sourpatch kids...she'd give us a whole bunch if we would do our dance for her. We LOVED making up those dances for her!


12. They help me with my homework.


13. They let me tell them my work stories when everyone else is tired of listening. :)


14. Grandpa takes such good care of me and grandma and makes sure I'm always up on time and always am full...(I swear it's impossible to be hungry around here).


15. Grandpa lets me watch cops with him and he actually looks forward to Saturday nights so we can watch it together!


16. Grandpa is the best calendar keeper ever and if I have an important appointment or date I need to remember he makes sure I remember it!


17. Grandma lets me hang out in her room and just watch tv with her.


18. Grandma lets me do errands and chores for her.


19. When I was sick with my pancreas disease grandma would always "babysit" me (I was 21) and she was amazing. She would keep me laying on the couch covered up and would force-feed me popsicles and applesauce per my parents and doctors request.


20. I got my love for watching Opera (don't judge) from days being babysat by grandma. We would watch it together every single day.


21. I also got my love for doing jigsaw puzzles from grandma. I do them online more than actually putting them together, but I love them!


22. Grandma is one of the best cooks I know.


23. You can tell grandma anything and she won't judge you and she won't tell anyone.


24. Grandpa gives me new experiences. If I say I've never done something but want to, he makes sure I get a chance...like using a chainsaw.


25. I never leave my house without my grandpa saying "Kayla Rae, be good!" :)


26. Grandpa tells me I'm as strong as any of the boys and so he lets me help with the "tough" work and I love it!


27. Even though grandpa wasn't initially super excited about me going to police academy (he worries about his granddaughter in that type of situation), he is so proud of me and my choice and my success so far. Once I explained to him why I wanted to do it, he has been a constant support, help and mentor. I would be lucky to be half the officer he was!


28. Grandma supports every choice I make at work, school, home, etc.


29. If I'm sad grandma makes me "buck-up"! :) She helps me to be strong and learn from my problems.


30. Grandpa always lets me (makes me) help babysit with him. Baby's make him nervous! :) So I get to spend quality time with him often.


31. Grandma is always stocked with any food you may ever need. Cooking at our house is so easy.


32. Grandpa has pretty much every random thing you'll ever need...small baby nails, blank rewritable cd's, colored tape, etc.


33. Grandpa humored me and used my pink tools instead of his "manly" tools, and didn't even make me feel silly for it.


34. Grandpa always has a joke or story to tell.


35. Grandma will play games with you any time you ask. I've learned some serious Boggle skills and Yahtzee strategy from her!


36. Grandpa checks on me in the middle of the night, even though I'm an adult. He just always wants to make sure I'm ok and safe, and it makes me feel special.


37. They let me move into their house with no reservations when money was tight and I was trying to work 2 jobs and go to school full time. And they don't even let me pay rent even though I've tried.


38. They accept my friends. If they're important to me, they're important to the grandparents.


39. They pray for me by name every day.


40. They let me help decorate and cook and are open to my sometimes crazy ideas!


41. They listen to me when I need to talk. Even if they're busy, they take time to listen if that's what I need.


42. Grandpa makes sure I get to "visit" his shed every month or so. It's fun and we get to spend good quality time together.


43. Grandpa comes visits me at work and makes me and my coworkers laugh.


44. Going to Arizona with grandpa and Meriam was so much fun and it's an experience I'm glad I didn't pass up.


45. I get to help grandma when she's sick, and even though she was a little hesitant sometimes at first to let me do certain things, but she trusts me now to be able to help her with anything she needs.


46. Grandma always helps me fold the laundry, even when she can only lay in bed. She said it's fun for us to do it together.


47. Grandma has always made me feel like I'm one of her favorite grandchildren, even though I know that all of the grandchildren feel the same way I do.


48. They took the girls (Me, Jess, Kate and Vanae) camping one time and we spent a whole weekend with just us. Grandpa even took us hiking up a mountain and let us tie ropes around each of our wastes so we were all five connected. He always did fun, silly things with us because he knew we liked it.


49. Grandma is one of the best women that I know and she has always done everything she could to be an example to me. She is one of my heroes!


50. Grandpa always encourages me to do the right things...go to church, say my prayers, write in my journal. He believes those things are important and so he wants me to do them too. I appreciate him caring so much about me and my happiness.


51. They are 2 of the very best people I have ever known and I am truly blessed to be their granddaughter and to have the opportunity to live with them and be friends with them. I love them both so much and don't know what I would do without them. Happy Anniversary!! I hope it was amazing. Thank you for letting me make dinner and be part of it!

A day to remember...Sept 11, 2001

I will never forget September 11 2001. I hope that nobody will ever forget that day and what it meant to each of us individually and what it meant to us as a country. I can still remember that where I was that morning. I was getting ready to go to school at UVU when my mom called me into her bedroom to watch the breaking news of the first tower being hit. She wanted all of her kids together. She went and picked up my siblings from school and we sat together as a family and watched the horrifying destruction as it unfolded. I was sickened as I watched the plane hit the second tower. I remember my sister crying as we watched the news and saw people jump from the buildings to the un-beckoning ground below. What they must have been feeling. I remember the feeling I had as I watched the firefighters and police officers run into those buildings, and then just minutes later watched the buildings fall KNOWING that they were still inside. I remember being thankful for my family and the feelings of peace, and guilt, knowing that all those I loved were safe. I remember being afraid and having thoughts of "What else is coming?" as I watched helplessly from the temporary safety of my home. I remember seeing firefighters and police officers go in and out of the buildings rescuing people, and being thankful and proud to be related to heroes like them! I remember being heartbroken, thinking of all that we had lost that day and all of the lives that were selfishly taken. I remember watching people as they ran from the rubble and wondering what they must be thinking. I will never forget September 11 2001 and hope you won't either.

I think it's important to remember what happened that day. It's important to remember those who lost their lives. It's important to remember that we are fighting for our freedom because of what others chose for us that day. I also think it's important to remember those who are still fighting for our freedom. I have had 2 coworkers injured in the war and several others who have served. I had a very important friend injured in the war and remember how I felt the day I found out about his injuries. I was sickened. I prayed so fervently for him and his family. I found out just this week that a friend in my academy class has 2 brothers serving in the war and 1 of them was just critically injured by an IED. I know how she feels to know someone she loves and respects is injured. I remember being angry at those who had hurt him. I remember being told "He's fighting for something good" and wanting to scream at those people who said that. How could anyone being injured in a war being good? I know that we are fighting for our freedom and I will be forever grateful to those who serve and to their families for the sacrifices they make. We must never forget. I will never forget!

I found several pictures on the internet tonight and thought I'd share them. I think it's important to look back and take a few minutes to really remember. Alot of the pictures are Law Enforcement related. I am so proud to be in Law Enforcement. I work with heroes, every single day. I am amazed at the caliber of people who choose to put their lives on the line every day to protect and to serve you and me. I am so proud to have Police Officers and Firefighters and EMT's in my family who would do anything to protect their communities. I'm grateful to them for instilling that desire to serve in me. Please take a moment and remember while you look at these pictures. And please take a moment and remember to thank a firefighter or police officer next time you see them. We lost heroes and members of our Law Enforcement family that day, but there are still those members of our family who put their lives on the line every day for you and for me. Remember them. Remember September 11 2001.
The brave men and women who chose to go into those buildings while everyone else was running out. I look at pictures like this and wonder if these heroes made it out?

The "Twin Towers of Light" shining bright in the empty sky that was once filled with the World Trade Centers.

I love this picture of the towers. It's hard to think of how many people were in them when they fell.

Through the rubble the brave firefighters and police officers continued to work.

I wonder what this firefighter was thinking as he took a moment to kneel in prayer in the midst of devistation.

A chilling sight of the towers shortly before they both came tumbling to the ground.

I will forever love this picture. This is a reminder of what we fight for, and what we live for.

It's tiring to think of the many hours the firefighters and police officers worked without a break, searching for any sign of life and any hope through tragedy.

What this firefighter must have been thinking. To know so many people he loved had died, and yet not having time to mourn. These men and women fought on through sadness and are heroes for what they do.

One of MANY funerals that were held for police officers and firefighters who selflessy gave up their lives saving others.

Banding together as family to fight a war that nobody wanted to be a part of.

Paying tribute to those who chose to give up their lives saving others.

Amidst a sky of black smoke stands a symbol of our country. We will not be defeated. We will not give up.

I think this gives a small insight into what happened that day. The devistation was unfathomable and the loss even greater.

We must never forget the freedoms that we have and the sacrifices made so we can have them.

So many lost and so many loved.

Another example of coming together to help just 1; only it wasn't just 1 that was saved. One by one lives were saved and lives were lost.

We will never give up. We can never give up.

"Where were you when the world stopped turning, that September day?"

Through the rubble stand a symbol of our country and the colors that we love.

Please, please remember.

Labor Day

We have an annual tradition of having a family reunion with my dad's family every Labor Day. It's my grandparents, the 5 kids and all of the grandkids. We were fortunate enough to have every single person be there for some amount of time.

FRIDAY: We met at Golden Corral and had a family dinner. We had reserved a room so we could all be together. The whole family showed up that night and we had a great time. There was lots of eating and lots of visiting. After dinner Jamie and I took Meriam to Spanish Fork to her high school football game. We didn't stay long, but it was fun. We then came home and played games then went to bed.

SATURDAY: We woke up that morning and had a pancake breakfast. After breakfast a few of us went to the BYU Museum of Art. The museum had an awesome exhibit and we really enjoyed ourselves. We spent about 2 hours there. We went home, ate lunch and then played games. We had a great BBQ that night for dinner and then played more games. We also took pictures of the grandkids. We were able to get a picture of all the granddaughters (except Marie) but we were missing a few more grandsons. After games we set up a projector and watched a movie (Game Plan) on a sheet that was hung up. We were planning on watching it outside but it was windy and too cold for some of the smaller ones so we moved inside to the family room but still set up the projector. We crammed a bunch of people into the house but had a great time. There was popcorn and treats and all of the kids (and adults) loved it!

SUNDAY: We woked up and had breakfast. Some people went to church and others stayed home and played games. We had an early dinner which was delicious and just enjoyed playing outside games (the tennis game and croquet). Jessie also gathered up the girls and did makeovers. She did their hair and make-up and while all that was going on, Jamie and I were mkaing the best snickerdoodles ever! Also Jessie let Cameron do her make-up and it was so funny. I'll have to find the pictures of that and post them soon. That night grandma and grandpa had a fireside for the grandchildren. Everyone was able to be there except for Brady (on his mission in Madagascar) and Russell and Marie (who were working and couldn't get out of the shift). We taped it for Brady and it was so touching. They told us how grandma has struggled with her health and how we've helped. She told us a little of what she feels being sick. It was just very sweet and made me love them even more. After the fireside we played games and then went to bed.

MONDAY: We woke up and ate breakfast. Several people went to the Hogle Zoo and the others went to my parents house for swimming. Me and Jessie stayed behind and helped grandpa clean the house and get it back in order. We then all met up at my parents (everyone who could) and we had another BBQ and played games. It was so much fun!

Grandpa had set up the tent trailer in the backyard so we slept in it over the weekend. We kind of switched up each night who slept in it due to people not staying certain nights etc, but we had a great time. I love my grandparents and I'm glad that even though they're not the healthiest, we were still able to spend the whole weekend as a family and enjoy each others company!

And now to the pictures. Right now I only have the pictures from Sunday. I'll get the others and post them soon. Also...a warning. I gave Cameron the camera and he took every single one of these pictures. Some are a little blurry, but I think he did good for a 4 year old!
Selea was such a good sport to let Cameron take so many pictures! And I think she looks good!

The beautiful hair-do Jessie did for Selea.

An array of supplies to add beauty to the already beautiful girlies! :)

Selea got bored waiting for her turn so she alphabetized the cards from the games Apples to Apples. She was so funny just sitting there intent on alphabetizing! :)

Jessie doing Mari's hair.

Who couldn't love this face?!? ;P

I don't think she took a serious picture during her make-over.

Jamie was trying to take a nap on the couch but the kids wouldn't stop taking pictures of her! We sure are going to miss her when she leaves us in less than a week. She's been such a great adopted family member! Everyone loves her so much!

My mom chilling during the make-overs. Her and Mike were visiting...not being beautified!

We had the Wii out and Cameron thought it would be fun to take a picture of the TV. The Wii really did help entertain several adults and a few kids.

Vanae visiting with the grandparents outside on the swing.

Grandpa chilling on the swing. I love him so much!

Grandma outside. She did so good all weekend. She went to the resturant with us and spent time outside each day. I haven't seen her do this good in a LONG time. She did have a rough day Monday and also today, but I think she's going to keep getting better. I'm so happy. I love her so much and just want her to be happy and feel like she's back to her normal routine.

Neechol visiting outside. She doesn't look happy to be having her picture taken. She was a good sport for Cameron though!

This was Cameron when I told him he could take pictures. He was so excited and then got so antsy while I was getting it ready. He kept saying "Are you still doing it or can I have it yet Kayla?!?" Once I gave it to him he was off. He had fun though and I got some good pictures out of it.

I love my family and I'm just so happy I was able to spend the holiday weekend with them. I don't know how many more holidays we have together. I know that time is limited and because of that I'm trying my hardest to enjoy each day and make the most of my life. I am also trying to be there for those who can use my help, like my grandma.

I hope you all had a great holiday weekend and were able to spend time with those you love!

Shower Arm

For any of you who have had a cast on a limb or have had a child/family member with a cast, you will conect with this post. IT IS HARD TO SHOWER WITH A CAST ON YOUR ARM!! I tried so many things to help keep my arm dry while still showering, and I finally came up with a system. I would wrap a layer of syran wrap and tape it on. I would then wrap a larger piece of syran wrap and take it too. I then put on a medical glove and taped it on with one more layer of syran wrap on top. It worked, but I hated it. I felt like my circulation was being cut off and I am just so happy that I finally have it off and can shower without my "shower arm".

I love how big my hand looks! My fingers looked tiny compared to the rest of my hand and Meriam and I got a good laugh out of it a few times!

Such a cutie!

So I've not been babysitting Katherine as much anymore because I'm working days at the college, but every chance I get the time to watch her I take it! I can't get enough of her. I am in love with how cute she is and how much she is growing. I love watching her grow so quickly! She's is such a doll. Here are a few pictures I took from watching her a few weeks ago.
Look how cute her little pierced ears are! She got them done when she was 3 months and has done so good with them. They don't bother her at all.

She was looking at me like she was sick of me taking her picture! She is the only baby I know who HATES being in the car. I'm not kidding...she'll be fine until you put her in the car and then she fusses and cries until you take her out...and then she's totally fine again. I learned though that she loves her baby washcloth! I will put her in the car and hand her the washcloth and it helps alot. She will chew on it and be happy for a long time!

Poor thing was squinting because the sun was in her eyes.

How could you not love this face? And she's so cuddly and so smiley! I love when she wakes up from her nap and is so happy for almost an hour. She will lay on the floor and play and smile and laugh. I love it!!