Weekend at Home

I honestly can't remember the last weekend where we didn't have a lot going on. So I was thankful that this weekend was going to be spent at home, relaxing and getting things done. We did venture down the hill for church....and Kids on Big Rigs. Yesterday we took P to this school that had all sorts of cars and trucks set up for kids to play on. He "drove" a bus, an amps (ambulance), police car, fire truck, tractor, dune buggy, garbage truck and a motorcycle. He loved every moment but his favorite of all the vehicles was the back of the U-HAUL truck. He wanted to play there the entire time! When it was time to go he was very good about leaving without a tantrum but he talked about all the vehicles the rest of the day.

Today was a productive day. I spent a lot of it exercising in some form or another so I sure hope it cancels out the Reese's Peanut Butter bunny I ate after eating a full meal tonight. Either way, it was a nice day to spend outside which is exactly what we did. As soon as it warmed up a little this morning, P and I went out for a couple hours before church. After we got home from church, Rob hung out with P so I could meet a friend for a walk. When I got home the boys were outside, shooting bows and chasing Geicos (lizards). We topped off the night by enjoying our first "Summer" meal....burgers on the grill, corn on the cob and a fruit salad. All in all it was a perfect family weekend!

God's Promise

Growing up in Sacto., I learned to despise the rain. I guess because it was relentless during most Winter months. Living in the high desert now, I love rain! Maybe it's because we desperately need it or maybe it's because it doesn't last long. Or maybe it's because it's usually proceeded by a beautiful rainbow. That's been the case the last week. Every time it rains we get a beautiful rainbow.
Rainbows became important to me on the day of my Nana's funeral because, as we walked into the restaurant, I saw the first double rainbow I ever remember seeing. To me, it was God's way of showing my family that my Nana and Papa were finally reunited. Ever since then I love when I see rainbows, especially double rainbows.
On our way down the hill there was a beautiful full rainbow that looked as if it spanned across the entire city. I was talking to P about how rainbows are about God's promise. P said, "Mommy, it's a rainbow! I looovvvveeee rainbows!! Rainbows are my favorite". I agree lil man. I agree.

At Peace

If you read our blog you know that we've struggled with infertility since having P. As much as we want to have a 2nd child, we also want to do God's Will. Tomorrow I'm seeing the specialist one last time so I'm asking that you lift us up in prayer. Whatever the outcome is (which we'll know in time) we're at peace with it. Thank you for your support, encouragement and prayers through this process.

First Time

We're having a crazy lightning storm right now so I took advantage of it by increasing my photography skills. Unfortunately I don't have a remote shutter release (my next purchase!) but here are the ones I like.....

Camping City Style

You ever look back on a weekend and realize that it was fun from beginning to end, more so than you thought it'd be? Well, that's how this weekend was. Friday evening we met up with some friends and followed them to Fallon, where we camped for the weekend. On Friday night we were going to camp at a golf course where we had attended a banquet, which made us feel like we were going to be on "Duck Dynasty". But the plans changed so we set up our campers at the local college campus parking lot. It was rather loud so the next morning we decided to move around to the other side of the building so we were more in the "wilderness". Our campers backed up to the train tracks much to P's delight. In fact, last night he fell asleep with his little face plastered to the camper window, watching the train test the tracks. He probably would've stayed up long enough to watch it do the full test but he was one pooped puppy. We had gone to the Fallon DU banquet to support that chapter and P had fun running around. He even won a fishing pole in the kids' raffle! Our weekend consisted of a nature tour, a swim at the hotel pool next door, the banquet, a fire pit and lots of fun memories with friends. Here are a few pictures from our time....

100 pounds

I feel like my head alone weighs 100 lbs today because I've got so much weighing down on it. I've been on break for 3 weeks and coming back was a little overwhelming. Overwhelming because of what some of my little students have to deal with on a daily basis. One girl was taken from her mom after her mom got drunk and severely beat her and her siblings. Her dad, who had just had her for a few months, has custody once again and the little girl had to move from one state to another yet again. One boy isn't back because his visit to Mexico is now permanent. His Dad can't get up to the U.S. and his mom is working 3 jobs to raise 5 kids. Another little boy is watching his mom slowly die from ovarian cancer and his dad is at his wit's end with dealing with the kids and taking care of his wife. The last situation is what makes me the most sad and I think it's because I see the girl's emotions change at the drop of a hat. According to her, her mom was put in jail because she was caught with "a bad guy" after being told not to (ie. her mom broke probation and my GUESS is that it has to do with drugs or prostitution). Anyway, she and her brother were put into the foster system. The hope was to get them placed with a family that lives close to the school but that hasn't happened yet. If I discipline her in the least she immediately gets tears in her eyes. She's a needy one so I have to remind myself several times a day to be more patient. It breaks my heart to see such young lives have to deal with so much! I had the "Leave it to Beaver" childhood so I have NO idea what my students are dealing with every single day. Some are homeless while others have several people live in one house (with my student sleeping in the closet) to make ends meet. I could go on and on about my students' lives but I think this is enough of a "downer" blog for one night. I was going to add more that has been weighing on my mind but, on my way home tonight, I realized that negativity can be oh so draining. So, I will end this by asking you to count your blessings. There's a saying that says something like, "If everyone dumped their problems into a pile you'd be quick to grab yours back" meaning that your life isn't so bad. I know mine isn't and I thank God for that!

Fun Recap

P and I went to visit my parents this weekend. As always it was a fun time full of trains, baseball, chasing squirrels, hours at the local park, bubbles, walks and many laughs. I'm way too tired (It was a super busy day!) to go into all the details of the memories we created. So hopefully these pictures will give you a glimpse of our time together.