Accident

Yesterday we were out shopping. Leata was being silly and ran away from me. I was playing along and chased after her. Long story short, I was running fast when I tripped and hit my face on the cement, hard! I broke my nose and have stitches also.

 Nose Before Stitches

Nose After Stitches

Nose the next day...

Mark's 3!!!

Mark seeing his balance bike for the first time.
He was so excited he dropped his car so he could get on

Wednesday (Arizona Part 3)

We knew when we went down that Wednesday was going to be a long and emotional day. 

It stared by heading to Amy's house, where my mom and Kendall had stayed the night before, so that we could drive up to National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona together. This is where both my grandmother (who passed away 2 years ago) and grandfather (who just passed away on February 29, 2012) are buried. 

I am so grateful for the service they both gave to this country by serving in the military. I am also very grateful that because of this they were able to be buried side by side in a National Memorial Cemetery. 

We went Wednesday because that was when they were doing a service to honor my grandfather (and others who had died recently) for his military service. After the service we went to my grandparent's grave and my great Uncle dedicated his grave. He said that grandpa had to go because grandma was getting in too much trouble up in heaven and grandpa had to go so he could keep her in line.

My great uncle also shared that when he was there dedicating my grandma's grave, there was a family of quail walking around right by her grave. It was a mama and some babies.He said it was so very appropriate because she loved being a mother, the outdoors and she loved wildlife. 

Tired Mark snuggling with daddy.

Grandma holding Luke waiting. 

At the service I was able to hold it together until they played Taps. At that point, it was so hard. I think it was for everyone there. When they presented my mom with the flag that they used for the ceremony, I had tears streaming down my face also. 

Taylor kept the mood somewhat light by taking photos and telling jokes.

After the ceremony we all headed over to visit their graves. This was the first time since my grandma had passed away, two years ago, that I had been. It was hard to go. I am glad we did though.

Kendall and I holding the flag presented to my mom.

Mom holding the flag she was presented with.

Sarah and Taylor Ailine by Sarah Ailine's grave.

After the services and visiting we headed down to Grandma and Grandpa's house. It was so hard to go there and see so many things gone and change. So many things missing but most of all Grandma and especially Grandpa (who was there last time I was) not their anymore.

It was hard to take things to bring home knowing that they had no place at that house anymore. It's getting closer and closer to empty now. Our lives have been forever changed by knowing and loving and being loved by these wonderful people. They are also forever changed now that they are gone. We miss you Grandma and Grandpa! We know you are happy and doing the work of our Heavenly Father now on the other side of the veil now.

Monday and Tuesday (Arizona Part 2)

Monday was a day to sleep in a bit and hang out with friends. We went to visit my friend Amy and her two little girls. I have known Amy for about 18 years now. We met in England. Both of our dad's were in the Air Force and stationed there in and we went to church together also. 

I brought my camera but forgot that I did so I didn't get a single picture while we were at Amy's house. He older daughter (she's 4), Leata and Taylor all played out in the sprinklers (it was a nice warm AZ April day in the 90s) while the little ones (Amy's 1 year old daughter and Mark and Luke) played and Amy, A.J. and I visited. It's always fun to see Amy and catch up! 

We had to get back to Brad and Kae's house that afternoon by 4 though because Mica had invited Leata to go to her Activity Days activity with her. Leata had lots of fun and can't wait until she is old enough to go here! 

Tuesday we met up at the park with a friend of mine that I know through her blog Birth Faith. It's one of my favorite blogs and how I found out about a book she was compiling with a few other LDS women called 'The Gift of Giving Life'. I submitted a story for the book and mine was one of a few chosen out of many to be used in the book. I had never met Lani in person so I was excited to meet her. We sat and visited fora few hours while the kids got lots of outdoor time at a covered playground. It was so fun to meet Lani! 

Me and Lani at the park. It was fun to meet her and visit!

After the park we went back to Brad and Kae's house (Kae and her two younger ones met us at the park) and spent more time visiting and just hanging out and relaxing at Brad and Kae's.

Arizona Part 1

 For Leata's Spring break, we went down to Arizona. We drove (as we always do unless it is an emergency like it was in February) and the kids did great, as always. In the last few years, we have often left in the afternoon stayed somewhere around Vegas and drove the rest of the way the next day. This time we drove all day Saturday to get there Saturday. It took us about 14 hours because we made some long stops for the kids to run around and eat. One of those stops was a beautiful rest area we stop at often. 

When we got to Mesa we stayed with our good (great, awesome, amazing, fantastic, I am not sure there are enough words to describe how great they are) friends Brad and Kae and their kids three kids.
They we so kind to let us come and stay at their house for the entire week! We really enjoyed our time there.

Sunday we celebrated Easter with them. In the morning the kids woke up to fun Easter baskets and then had an Easter Egg hunt. After that we went to church with them. Leata and Taylor decided to go with Mica to senior primary. They had a very special sharing time for Easter and Taylor told Mica "Your primary is AWESOME!" Mica then told me that it wasn't a normal sharing time and thought Taylor was cute.

 There were only 7 but at times it seemed like many more! So much fun!

Mark didn't quite get what the Easter egg hunt was all about. He just went out and ran around. Fortunately all of the kids were nice and shared   some eggs with him.

 

Luke love the egg hunt and really got into picking them up!