Another one For the Fans

I am post happy today but what can I say, a two month absence would lead to this. Since we have moved back to Arizona in 2005, we have been out of town every 4th of July. This year was no exception. We spent an AMAZING weekend in San Diego, CA.

We visited La Jolla Beach, Sea World and the Mazda dealership

We had a great time in California. I knew that is was only a 6 hour drive to San Diego, but it never really occurred to me before to go there with the kids and enjoy the long weekend. We didn't tell the kids that we were going so that we could surprise them. I am afraid that Ki thinks that the whole weekend and the trip was her half birthday present-well she's wrong.

We enjoyed all the sights and sounds and shows. The girls talked us into going on a ride, the journey to Atlantis- a roller coaster/water ride.They didn't realize what they were in for-neither did we. They do a good job at keeping things hidden in the park so that you will be surprised. It was a bit scary to El, who was barely tall enough to ride and I was a bit nervous that she was going to fly out on some of the turns. But, we made it out okay and she looked at me and said, don't ever make me do that again. Trust me, I won't! I am not the thrill seeker that her father is. The Blue Horizon's dolphin show was great and the Shamu show was El's favorite. It has changed since we were there 9 yrs ago, but still a great show. It was not even 70 while we were there, and I was in a sweater and jeans. You could probably tell we were from out of town.

 The beach was amazing and so much fun, then El got tired an fell asleep.

When we were leaving on Monday the check engine light came on and we had to replace the thermostat in the car-super bummer- but you gotta do what you gotta do.

I think I have a new favorite place to spend a three day weekend!

Hello...Hello... Are you There?

Why Yes, I am but you would never know-it's been a while.  

(El on her 1/2 Birthday)

(yummy tomatoes)

( Ki on her 1/2 Birthday)

So, lets recap the last two months. El and Ki started taking swimming lessons back in May. Ki is now swimming on her own-but has a long way to go still-but she's doing great! El is learning and loves the water! El, Steve and Ki have celebrated their 1/2 Birthdays. Steve is an amazing Gardner-the corn patch is impressive-it takes up half our back yard and some of it is as tall as me. We have enjoyed the tomatoes, cucumbers and zucchini. The watermelon are growing but not ready yet. The lemon tree (very pretty and the lemon flower is sweet but,) oh, sorry I can't help but hum that tune every time I look at my tree, is finally producing-or at least they are growing, no harvest yet. Ki has a month left of her Summer break and we are getting excited to go to Idaho the first week of August, that is when the Stott family calendar was clear for the summer. Steve is working with an endocrinologist and making progress on trying to see if his seizures are related to blood sugar/glucose issues. I have been taking a water aerobics class at the city pool, twice a week from 8:30-9:30pm and I really like it. It is nice to a least get a little bit of exercise in my schedule .
We are a bit bummed b/c our ward is going to start attending a newly constructed meeting house next week. Steve and new buildings don't mix well so we aren't going to be attending our home ward for a while-boo hoo. All  in all things are moving at a rapid pace and we are just trying to enjoy each day that we get to share together.

Scrap, I Can

I haven't scrapped in quite a while and last weekend I finally took time to scrap.

I have several pictures from last summer that still need to make it on paper. I need to just take some time and get it done! It always feels good to finish a lay-out or two:

We love Grandpa Pops! because they live in Idaho we only see my parents a few times a year. Last year we were so LUCKY to get to stay with them for an entire month. It was awesome! It usually takes El a few days to warm up to my parents and this particular photo is towards the end of the month long stay, as you can see she was very happy and comfortable in Pops arms. We look forward to going there in August this year.

This beauty is Great Grandma Lois. She is Steve's Mom's Mom. Last July we drove almost into Canada to see her in Kettle Falls, WA. It was a LONG trip but it was so worth it to be able to see Grandma Lois. I am not sure how many more visits we will get to have with her and I wanted to make sure that the girls remember it. I never met my Great grandparents on either side. I hope they will cherish the few times we have spent with Grandma Lois and Grandpa Jack. We sure love them!!!

Oh, How Things Have Changed

If we take a stroll down memory lane we would notice something has changed. When Ki was in kindergarten she was awarded for her demonstration of character of Responsibility. Well this year she was nominated again for responsibility-I would Love to say it's because we help foster that in our children-but that's not true. She is just a child who naturally is responsible. She loves her teacher Mrs.Tropea and she likes to please her teacher so that helps too. I was SHOCKED when Ki came into the cafeteria and saw us there-it's supposed to be a surprise for the kids and parents are invited. She ran over to us and was all smiles. Last year she was very shy and maybe even upset with all the attention. She was all smiles when she got her award and happily received her donut, which she shared with El.
 I can't believe the inches she has grown but also how much she has grown as a student and socially. She has an amazing imagination and she is always speaking her mind and crack'n me up. I love you Ki!

So Like Wednesday was Our Anniversary

I am not only in the running for slacker mother of the year, but I just may win for looser wife of the year too. I always have these great plans but I never quite get'm done. Steve is a patient and loving man, and that is a good thing. Our 9 year wedding anniversary was on Wednesday. I got home from work and Steve had lasagna ready-my favorite- and his dad was here to baby sit. We went to Clash of the Titans in 3D only it wasn't all that 3D (That is where I took this smashing photo-we look like two people who are desperately in love with one another). When we got home the girls were in bed fast asleep-Grandpa Homer is awe-some! I had bought Steve some T-shirts and I didn't even wrap them up, I just threw him the bag and said "Happy Anniversary." I am a lame-o.

I do love Steve and I am thankful for the last nine years that we've spent together.

*Note to self-next year is 10, that's a pretty big thing

so act like it, I mean, prepare for it

Just beacause it's Monday

I have a slight obsession with rings. The chunkier the better. I have learned the hard way, that glass rings break, and that me and gold-don't mix. So my original wedding band sits in my jewelry box and I have become a HUGE fan of thecarrotbox. A few years ago Steve found this site and we both love to see what Alice has in her store. I can always find a reason to own a new ring. So check out my newest purchase.

Life, or something like it

Wow, have I really let an entire month go by without blogging? Yep. I am a slacker in many departments these days. I don't see my family as much as I'd like to, I don't see my friends-or talk to them for that matter, as much as I'd like to, I don't get my check books balanced as often as I'd like to, I don't get to exercises anymore-my butt has an issue with that. But this is just a phase, right? I keep thinking that I can establish a new normal and I realized that it has been a year since Steve started having seizures. An entire year of chaos and unpredictability and anger and frustration and sorrow and life-I guess. When you are wrapped up in something so huge you don't see an end or a solution to the problem, but you have to keep on keeping on. So that is what we do. I know it could be much worse and we are getting by pretty good and we've learned a lot in the last year. I have an amazing family. Steve's family is great, and our ward and friends have been terrific. It is such a small moment in the big picture but sometimes I loose track of that big picture. I hope I can be better about that this year. I am most grateful for Steve, and all that he brings to my life. I hope that one day we can think back on this time and see how far we made it past this trial-is it a trail? I am not sure now. I think it may be life from here on out and we will get to the point that we will except it and continue to move forward. All I know is that the Lord does love us and keeps blessing us with the support that we need.
And, it's bed time so until next time-count your blessings and share the love!

Birthday Eve Surprises

I have a few sneaky friends, and you know who you are. You are the greatest! I was pleasantly surprised last night, on the Eve of my 30th Birthday. Steve said that we were going on a walk to the park to let the girls play. I had to work yesterday and I knew that the girls would love to spend some time with me and it was very nice outside. We were almost at the play ground and I thought I saw David Dean, and I thought I saw Reed and Lora's red car in the parking lot. It took me a minute to put it all together and then I heard Megan yelling and I realized that there was a gathering of friends and family at the park. I kicked Steve, and he said all he did was bring me to the park. I guess that was true.

We had a pleasant evening chatting and eating as our kids played in the park. I had a very nice time. I have been struggling with the fact that I don't get to hang out anymore with friends or my family for that matter since I've returned to work. But last night was a perfect gathering that made me remember I have amazing friends and a very supportive family that I love very much. Many thanks to all who joined me to Celebrate-as Ki has dubbed it, Birthday Eve.

My oh My, Ki is 7

When Ki asked for a blue horse cake I turned to Steve and said you are all over that.

And he was, and he did a fantastic job!

Notice that I was holding back her hair so that we didn't have another hair fire.

Ki sure does love my little ponies-the very little ones-that have gumball machine houses.

She's looking a bit crazed! El choose to give Ki a Littlest Pet Shop doll, they were both very excited when Ki unwrapped it.

Thank you to Grandpa and Grandma Smith for being here and thanks to Kelli and James for joining in on the fun too!

I can't believe that Ki is 7. I clearly remember the day she was born and I hate to think that it was that long ago. She has lost 7 teeth, loves first grade and grew half and inch last month. I look at her sometimes and have to double take, it that really my child?

I am so grateful for my Ki girl. I love her very much and am enjoying watching her grow up.