The Children Were Nestled...

...All snug on the floor.

With the remodel to our home, the kids would have to walk right by the presents under the tree to wake us up Christmas morning, so we decided to have them nest on the floor in our bedroom.

"Nesting" is something our kids enjoy. We build them a nest once in a while and allow them to sleep in our room. I keep waiting for Sydney to opt out of the nest (13 now), but she still loves it.

50's Christmas

Our girls were in a Christmas program tonight. Patty and I took on the project of three poodle skirts last week. We had some good laughs and learned a few things. Our ladies were cute and sassy.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We hosted this year, and I have to say I am thankful for so many things, but this year, I was most thankful for new carpet. When you see the pictures, you will know why.

Indian leg wrestling is a tradition in the Lemmon family.

As is eating...

And we always love a good drama...

I am grateful for my many blessings. I missed my mom and dad this year, but I am glad they were able to be with Zac and Adriana (even if it was at a Golden Corral in Texas). I also missed Bard this year. I had to come to the realization, that I can't fit it all in sometimes. I'm learning. Always learning.

Maggie!

We wanted to see Maggie turn three. Feeling very adventurous, we joined the fun very last minute. I'm so so glad we did.

Proof!

Bobby keeps threatening to tear the playhouse down. I assure him it's being used during the day. He says it's worthless and just takes up space. I say it's a part of our familiy's history. He says it's hideous. I say we have so many memories that include the bright blue, imagination station.

The proof is in the picture, right?

We Really Do Try!

We try to read our scriptures, hold family prayer, and attempt family home evenings.

Here is how tonight looked:

San Diego Weekend!

We tagged along with Chris and Edna to San Diego last weekend. Pictured below you will see the two major highlights of our two night get away.

If you know who this is...you must be jealous. If you don't...I'm sorry. He is a gem. I have laughed, cried, and created with him (in my mind). We saw him at the mall, and he looks just like he does on television; perfect.

I have been dying to try The Lucha Libre Taco Shop for years. This place is fantastic! The food is great, and the atmosphere is fun. The only thing missing was my two boys. We will certainly be taking them for a visit.

Another Tiny Miracle!

Last week I was making dinner and heard Mallory screaming. I ran to the garage and found Bobby's toolbox had fallen, and Tiny was under it. He could not be seen. I tried to lift the box (about 300+ pounds), but I was just able to lift it enough to see my baby was actually there. I screamed and screamed for help. Bob was inside napping, and he finally heard me and came running. He lifted, and I pulled. Mallory kept screaming.

My babe was pretty out of it, beat up, sweaty, and had thrown up what looked like several times. We took him to the ER. He had a CT scan of his head, neck, and body. Everything looked okay, but they admitted him to pediatrics to keep their eye on him. Dr. Rathle happened to be there checking on another patient and after examining Tiny and talking with us, we decided to take our boy home.

We are so fortunate he walked away from this.

If you have this type of toolbox you should bolt it to the wall somehow or separate the two pieces.

Pittsburgh!

Katie and I were able to go visit Joan in Pittsburgh last week. She went up four days before me, and I met up with them from Wednesday to Monday. We had a good time. I had hurt my back, so I was a little bit of an old lady. Sorry, ladies.

Kelly was unable to join us this go round. We hope our next trip will find all of us together (maybe even Z and Adri!).

The Cathedral of Learning was pretty much closed, but we had fun with what was available.

We, of course, played Rummikub.

Phipps Conservatory has a great gift shop! We were in there so long we didn't have time to actually walk through the gardens. Hahaha. Luckily, Katie and Joan had already been through it before.

We went up this hill, and I can't remember for the life of me what it's called, but here is the view. Awesome!

And most importantly, we ate out a lot!

Chocolate Milk!

Strider found me in the office and asked for chocolate milk. I told him I'd be there in a minute to make it. I walk in to find this:

Sweetest Boy.

Eight years have come and gone...My how we've grown (in more ways than one).

Something Sweet About Being Adopted.

This was a super sweet thing my son, Strider (4), said today.

As we drove down 1st Street I said, "There is the house I lived in before I was adopted."

My niece, Naomi (7) responds, "You were adopted?"

I quickly say, "Yes, when I was close to your age."

Then she asks, "Why were you adopted?"

I haven't had to answer that one in years. How do I properly answer that question? I blurted out, "Because nobody wanted me."

Strider chimes in, "It was because I wanted you, Mom."


Powerful words. I needed to hear them.

Day of Firsts!

Yesterday was not only Buddy's first day of first grade, but it was also his first day to ride the bus and first day in school ALL day.

To top it off, last night right before bed he lost his first tooth.

Back To School!

Three of my four kids started school today. Sydney started 8th grade, Mallory 5th, and Maverick 1st.

Maverick's report after school: "The day just kept going, Mom. No playtime just recess." He is adjusting to an all day schedule.

I dropped Sydney off at school and wanted to do the same for Maverick and Mallory. Mallory was excited, but Maverick wouldn't hear of it. He was all geared up for his bus ride. Every day last year we would pass the bus stop full of kids as I drove him to his school across town. We would stop each day and roll the window down, so he could visit with his buddies. If you look close, you can see his white backpack getting on the bus.

Coronado Beach!

We spent an afternoon at Coronado Beach yesterday. It was a quick trip with a lot of sun, but we had a great time. We have had Naomi staying with us while Lexi was in the hospital, so Naomi was able to come along. She said it was her first trip to the beach!

I was nervous about the sand and the camera, so I hardly took pictures. Then I see people with million dollar cameras taking pictures left and right. Oh well.

Thank you, Chris and Edna, for inviting us on your little adventure. It's nice to feel wanted...ALL OF US! I know we are quite a crew.

Future Olympians?

Maverick has been learning swim strokes through the city swim program this summer. He chose to skip the meets each week because he "didn't want to race." He heard medals rather than ribbons were given at the final meet and quickly changed his tune.

He did well, and seeing him excited made the weeks of sweating in the bleachers worth it. Maverick placed in both back and fly.

I have to admit it was fun sitting with Jill each week and then watching our sons accept their medals yesterday. I have to give a shout out to Emma who completely took her heats by storm. Jaw-dropping butterfly. Being a swimmer in a former life, I hold the fly in highest regard.

Thank you for the picture, Jill. Yours are always so much better than mine.

My 8th July 24th

In the Mormon world July 24th is a big deal (especially in Utah). It's Pioneer Day. In Mormon world your eigth birthday is a big deal, as well. It's the year you get baptized.

July 24th has an entirely different meaning for me. It's the day my first son was born, and he would have been eight this year had he lived passed six weeks and one day.

Each year I handle this day a little different. I would not say it gets easier each year. Some years are better than others. I try to celebrate his birth (not death) on this day. I do it quietly. Bobby and I exchange a word or two about it, and we are forced to go about our day's business. Tomorrow we have church, and I even get to teach a lesson on service. Should be interesting.

I am better because of his life. I am stronger, wiser, more faithful, and determined. I sweat the small things less than I did, and I tend to remember what's truly important more often. When Thomas died, I was so in tune. I became the strongest, wisest and most faithful I had ever been. Nothing of the world mattered to me at that time.

Quicker than I would care to admit the world has crept back in. Each July 24th I try to renew myself in honor of his memory. I try to regain some of that strength, wisdom, and determination. I remind myself how silly all of this petty stuff around me is, and I recall what is of most importance.

Let us not forget why we are here and what matters most. Though he was just six weeks and one day my son taught me more than I had learned in a lifetime. I can hardly recall his face, or his smile, or if he had a birthmark, but I can tell you he is mine for the eternities, and the love I have for him never fades.

Happiest Birthday, my son. Till we meet again.

Family Vacation Day 6

Thank you Cook family for your kindness, patience, and hospitality. Let's do it again next summer (or sooner)!

Family Vacation Day 5

Mallory's birthday is July 5th. She woke up to this (thanks to the Cook's):

For the afternoon we headed up to Salt Lake to do Temple Square. Amazing. The best part was lunch. For Mallory's birthday, she was asked to write a wish on a piece of paper with her name on it. They attached it to two balloons. Then they opened up the roof of the building, and she released the balloons. All eyes were on her, and I cried just a little. It sure beat a birthday song at a steakhouse.

It was neat seeing all of the church sites. I had not been since I was a kid.

Special thanks to Carson for watching the boys, so we could just relax and enjoy the sites.