made me miss you guys

I heard my kids talk to my inlaws the other day on the phone. It made me miss them. Inlaws I mean. I miss them all the time but even extra sometimes.

I mean look at this:

And these crazy guys...

letting this crazy girl attack them...

really attack

someone who can always laugh even if she just got through crying, and who understands what it is like to have all brothers...

someone who always stays young even though she gets older...

A little playful cute kid cousin and her bigger playful cute kid dad

and cute mommy giving us more cousins! Yipee! And who always has extra love to give to her niece and nephews.

Someone willing to join our crazy family even though and BECAUSE she knows us so well! and give us a fun wedding to go to!!! (and a wonderful new person to be with us forever!)

And a guy who can help Sam the man not to be homesick by taking him to the mailbox every day, to pick oranges from the tree, and take out the recycling.

A grandpa who can keep up with anybody and can also calm down a fussy infant like magic (I still wish for him to come and calm miniman during his fussiest moments!) He has passed down the gift to my husband of being able to easily accomplish things that are very hard for me.

AND not only the best meat maker in the US and CANADA,

but also one of the most willing helpers (with any project) you could ever ask for

This is everybody (besides bro in law grilling above, future sis in law and I) with some wonderful friends and former elementary school teachers/mentors. Amazing ladies. The impact of a good teacher! Such a nice shot of the inlaws too.

Tia-to-be helping Fernando give Miniman a haircut. Or a mullet-removal I guess.

Not an easy task. Poor miniman.

And just to get in the spirit of the spooky season...

With a lady who kept them busy with art and storytime and big kid responsibilities and inside jokes and healthy food and carnivals and even learning Spanish songs and dances. Amazing.

I'm so lucky to be as part of this family! And I feel SO happy for my kids. It's nice to know Heavenly Father gives our children (HIS children) people constant in their lives who have strengths and talents different than their mom's. These people help and will help our chilren have such wonderful, wonderful lives.

change of scenery

Miniman is doing a bit better, thank you. He had a blessing which led me to think of mixing the formula and pedialyte differently, and I think that's helped. Although he is still pretty miserable. But no vomitando for 15 hrs! Nice.

To clear the air, here are some pictures of the stylings of Mimi and design by Mimi, because she usually helps Samo.

eww.

Wittle Fatguy (Sammy's nickname for miniman) is sicky.
The bad news:

• He tossed his cookies violently 9 times one night
• Plus he had equally violent diaper explosions
• The frequency has died down a bit but it's 4 days later and he is still doing both
• And he whines all the time in pain and I can't get much done in terms of the ever mounting vomity laundry and growing pile of molding dishes (the gruesome facts)

The good news:

• He seems to be maintaining some hydration (somehow?!)
• He still smiles and he even developed a new "fake smile" where he makes a smile by using his huge cheeks to jam his mouth and face and eyes into a small envelope of smashy space around his nose/eyes
• It seems to be just a virus and I recognize that it could be so much worse. I marvel at people who deal with constant health challenges personally, or with family members, and especially with one of their children or even their spouse (like my cousin right now).

The most positive side-effect:

• he snuggles a lot.
  

4 really amazing blessings

"However many blessings we expect from God, His infinite liberality will always exceed all our wishes and our thoughts." --John Calvin

Miniman: Every morning when he wakes up (before the sun!) the first thing I see is a huge smile of gums and two little poking bottom teeth, a smile that uses up jowells, fatty baloon cheeks and sparkly eyes.

Sammy: Tells me I'm gorgeous on demand. Also snuggles into my covers and squishes his little cold self towards me to get warm. I can feel his little cheek on mine and his warm breath on my face.

Mimi: Chooses the right, even though it isn't easy sometimes, or what everyone else is doing. She reminds me to keep my word, and I need that. Treats her brothers with kindness and love.

Fermando: His perspective teaches me new ways to see the world. When he sings, I feel healing, like the cracks in me are being filled and softened. His compliments are never superflous and they change the way I see myself.

This picture, above, is my new favorite picture. I have so much to be thankful for.

Back to Blog Time

We've been missing in action this summer, but it's because we've had an AWESOME one. I am really excited to record our adventures here.

When I was a little thing, I used to march in the pioneer parade in my Grandma's ward boundaries, which incidently was my ward for a span of time. It was such a dream come true for me to see our little Peruvian pioneers march in the parade this year! G & G Baugh made this great covered wagon and our kids were basically the only ones who dressed up! Gotta love it. Fernando knew when he married me that I love all things pioneer/Church history, but that love continues to manifest itself in new ways and I think he sometimes realizes he's married a pioneer junkie. And I plan on training these guys to be the same. It's my secret plot and it's working. In fact we're off to This is the Place Heritage Park today! I LOVE our heritage!

I should note that Pioneer Sam got tired of walking pretty quick, but Pioneer Mimi who is known for her "determination" (she always uses that word to motivate herself when she's set her mind to doing something difficult), let him get in the wagon and she pulled him nearly the whole rest of the way! She would have made it all the way but another cousin Reid offered to let her ride for the last little bit. Heroic.

I bet the real pioneers felt this happy to arrive in Salt Lake City!

Retro Series: Miniman's Blessing Day

Self, please remember this....

"We know that we are involved in God’s work every day, and that changes everything."

" It changes the way we think."

"It changes our decisions. It changes the way we dress. It changes the way we talk.

It changes the way we live. "

" We have the responsibility and the challenge from the prophet to believe deeply and actively in the family. We will need to do that in order to preserve our families."

"That means we have to be intentional about everything we do. Our life is not just happenstance. We know where we are going and what we have to do."

--Nourishing and Protecting the Family
Julie B. Beck

May 1, 2009, at the BYU Women’s Conference