Our Last Hurrah - Bernie In Sedona

This is kind of a sad one for me to post. Last spring I took my parents and the kids to Sedona. Kimball stayed behind for school, he wasn't too thrilled that he had to stay home, but looking back I'm so glad we made the choice to go anyway. My parents were here for almost three weeks, and I thought an overnight trip would break it up a bit and that they'd enjoy the beautiful scenery in Sedona. 

We also took a drive about ten miles to Slide Rock. It was SO beautiful and fun. The water was FREEZING, but Kade was brave enough to jump in and jump back out.

We went shopping for a split second on the main street of Sedona. My mom got tired after two or three stores and had to sit on a bench, so we just called it quits and went to lunch. It makes sense now, she passed away just a few months later. Who knew she had pancreatic cancer, and advanced Alzheimer's (OK, that one was pretty obvious) but still...I wish I'd known how sick she was.

My mom displayed some other strange behavior on the trip, barking at my dad over Diet Coke, shot gun and then there was the whole two a.m. incident. Strange. Poor mom.

The park was covered with beautiful apple blossoms. I'm so glad I stopped and took a moment to capture their beauty. It is a great reminder of what a lovely trip we had with my parents. The last one I'd ever take with my sweet mom.

I remember when my parents left to go back home, I cried and cried when I'd hang up from talking to my mom. She didn't seem to remember me even though she'd just been here for three weeks. It was so sad. :( Each year she was forgetting more and more and having a harder time trying to hide it. By now it was to the point she was totally confused when I'd call. She was embarrassed. I kept trying to convince her to come back to Arizona so I could take care of her and spend more time with her, but she didn't have the confidence to leave without my dad. Clearly she wasn't feeling well either, we just didn't know it yet. 

Heavy topics like this make me want to curl up in the covers and sob...but I suppose it's time I get it out. 

Miss you mom.

xo,

Growing Older

Today is Father's Day. It's a lovely June day here in Gilbert Arizona, the temperatures have been around 105ish but this week should be around 112. After that, there's no looking back until October. : / This morning Sophia and I woke the boys up at 7:30 to make Kimball breakfast in bed. Jaxon cooked scrambled eggs and turkey bacon, Sophia made the orange juice and picked the flowers, Kaden made the toast and a card. We gave him a plane ticket to see his family in Boise, Idaho. His youngest brother Shane is going to get married in August. Sophia's been making him cards and cards all weekend, she's such a hoot! I LOVE having a little one in the house still.

On that subject, I have really been sad lately that my kids are growing so fast. I look at pictures of them 3 or 4 years ago and wonder how it went so fast. I wonder if we are meant to adopt again, I get tempted, then I doubt my abilities. I doubt whether or not I have it in me to be a great mom at this point to a newborn. It takes so much energy and work, at times I feel so dang tired....I don't know if I want to do it again. Also, I wonder if the dynamics would change for the worse or the better. I want to make sure I have enough time and love for all of them.


Soph starts kindergarten this year, it will be so strange to have an empty house every day, but I'm sure I'll find a way to use the time. Sophia is beyond excited to go to school, and I know she'll love having friends and feeling like she's learning and growing. She's such a little mama I can't even tell you! Lately, she's been playing doctor with our emergency kit. She wraps us all in ace bandages and takes our pulse, temperatures and draws blood. For several years now she's said she wants to be a doctor.

Jaxon grew 8-9" last year and gained 25 lbs.

Tomorrow morning Jaxon leaves for scout camp where Kimball will join them on Thursday. He was just made the president of his deacons coroum. Jaxon starts a new school next month, I sure hope he likes it. It seems crazy that he'll be in eighth grade. He had a fabulous time playing flag football this year and loved having Kimball as the assistant coach.

Kade will be going to drama camp in Mesa for the next two weeks M-F. He's SO SO excited! I am anxious to pick him up and hear all about it, I know he'll love it. He's going into 5th grade next year and it hurts my gut. He's my snugly little bear and I just can't get enough of him. :) Yes, he's picking up on some smart mouth talk, but I'm hoping he'll resist the urge to get an attitude.

Being a mom is such a hard job. I'm always second guessing my choices or grimacing at some of my actions. I try to keep the cursing to a minimum ;), but old habits are hard to break. Still, I am capable of much better than I'm currently giving.

My mothers health is getting bad quickly. For a few years now her memory has been fading. She's done her best to keep us in the dark when it comes to her health. It's now to a point that is really upsetting me. I spoke to her the other day and she remembered  nothing. Yes, she remembered me (I think), and the kids, but I have to retell the same stories, plans and occurrences every time we talk (and we talk at least once a day), she seems so confused, frustrated and even embarrassed. We are pretty sure she's getting dementia. It's really sad. Friday, after we spoke, I couldn't help but cry on and off all day. Still, tears come to my eyes the second I start thinking much about it. Last week in Relief Society, I got all teary for no reason but the fact that I started thinking about her. I am sad we don't live near them so I can help as she declines. Being the youngest of seven, I feel way too young to lose my parents. I know there's a lot we must learn from watching our parents grow old, but it's heart wrenching none the less. 

I am getting way too sad writing this...must sign off.

The Crazy Life

Well, things have been kinda crazy lately (or at least in my head) lol. I have been busy working out, dieting (what else is new?), running kids to Scouts, ballet and swim, and now we're MOVING again. I know right!?! But this location is going to be so much better for us. I figure at least for the next 2 or 3 years (until we build or buy), we may as well live in a convenient location and not spend all our time in the car paying rediculous amounts in gas each month....makes me sick just thinking about it. 95% of Kimball's work is in North Scottsdale and Cave Creek, so how we have ended up in Southeast Gilbert I'll never know.

The good thing is, the kids will still go to the same school, we'll just be about 20 minutes closer in. Not to mention right by Lifetime Fitness (Woo hoo!)

On a side note: Soph had an accident at the house the other day, luckily Kimball had just gotten home. The HEAVY wooden, tall file cabinet fell on her when she pulled all the drawers out. Two glass decorative jars also came crashing down and breaking all around her. It was so sad. She had a few cuts on her arm, and it was all bruised and she got a bonk on the head. If that wasn't enough, the next morning she woke up only to puke 4 times....poor little mama! Love her.

Kade's gearing up for tryouts again, he wants to do the musical Pinocchio
(again, moving will make life so much easier for this reason). Jaxon has a girlfriend and is always email and chatting kids at school. Luckily she lives in Costa Rica right now so I don't have to worry too much.

My dad is turning 70 on Saturday, so that will be freaky, you can get an idea of how I feel about that HERE. My brother Jeff didn't end up getting the baby girl (Brayden's full sister), so we're all kinda sad about that. I guess things happen for a reason, but it's still hard.

Can't think of much else except allergies pretty much kicked my but this year and I've been trying to avoid parks & grass at all cost.

Oh and my blog got pretty jacked up with all the Blogger problems I've been having so I'll eventually get it looking good again.

Hope you're all doing well. Have a fabulous day.

xoxo,

Sharpen The Saw

It had been a rough week as I mentioned in the last post, so we decided it was time to "sharpen the saw", as they teach in this book and at the boys school.

Work hard play hard!! We've definitely been working hard, so we called it a family day and went to lunch at Flancer's (an oldie but a goodie). The food was fabulous and this goat cheese bruschette was delish!

We then went bowling at Brunswick in Gilbert. It was a first going to this place (not sure why), but we loved it. It's like the Nordstrom's of bowling alley's...so try it out if you haven't. I have a feeling we'll be back soon.

This was Soph's first time bowling and she was hilarious! She loved every second of it, screaming and jumping up and down with every single pin.

Her ball went VERY slow but eventually (thanks to the bumpers) it would hit the pins and the celebrating ensued.

To be honest, my favorite part (besides watching Soph's celebrating) was the music and lights...so fun!

Too bad I was the only one in the mood for the dance party.

Oh well...

It's my duty as a parent to totally embarrass my kids.

BTW, they try to tell me it's not normal for moms to dance in the car...seriously!?!?!?!?

I refuse to believe it.

Our December

December was maddness I tell you! We had SO much going on, usually I try to keep it low-key so we can focus on enjoying the Christmas spirit but this year we were crazy busy!!

Jaxon and Kade were in The Best Christmas Pagent Ever this year. They had a million practices, rehersals and 13 performances at the Mesa Arts Center. It was a really great show and in Kade's words "a great experience". It was a huge commitment on both their parts and mine as well since it required so much time and driving. Kade's going to try out for another play coming this March, Jax on the other hand would rather not commit to something that big again.

As I mentioned here we went to Minnesota to stay with friends and watch the Vikings play the Giants. My parents had planned to spend Christmas with us so they came out early enough so we'd have someone to watch the kids while we were gone. Thanks Mom and Dad!! It was a great time, here's some of the things we did...

Mom made Sophia some cute tutu's to play dress up. She LOVES them...thanks mom!

Stopped to take in the view of Canyon Lake.

We went on a little fieldtrip up the Superstition Mountains to Tortilla Flat. We had lunch in the saloon with the walls covered in dollar bills. Had fun looking through the shops and bought some candy. 

 The weather was beautiful for pretty much the entire month, Arizona's mild winters are the best!

Mom was a lifesaver and did all the laundry and dishes (our dishwasher was broke)...the girl has some mad domestic skillz! It was like having a sister wife in the house...kinda, sorta. Dad helped Sophia and Kade with their bike riding, and taught Kaden to shoot the basketball (and make it). Kade even scored the first point in our Christmas basketball game.

I did a ton of baking...and paid the price on the treadmill later! Kade helped with these Oreo Brownie's. The recipe can be found on my friend Jenny's blog Picky Palate.

Hiking was another way we burned off all the extra calories. 

Besides my (almost seventy year old) dad's 6X a week workouts, he rocked the hike like a champ. No ski pole's walking stick necessary! He put the other seniors to shame.

We even came across this triantula!!

Yes, I'm painfully aware of how silly these giant sun glasses look on my already round face. I've vowed not to wear them again, the bright side is they only cost me $3, they were a desperate purchase when Kimball and I were in Little Italy, NY.

Christmas Eve, the kids opened their annual Christmas pj's...always a favorite.

Grandma Kay made Soph's day by getting her a robe so she could be like the rest of the kids.

Christmas dinner was just OK, I guess after the big basketball game at the park I wasn't on my 'A game' when it came to the rice and rolls but at least the table looked pretty and we had a nice evening. I was already bugged that my dinner didn't wasn't perfect, so I may or may not have bit Kimball's head off snapped at Kimball for purposly positioning his face behind the candle light...again. Ha ha, so funny! :)

Sadly, on Christmas morning I hopped into blogland for a minute only to find out my blog friend Edie had lost her home and all her possessions in a fire earlier that week. She lives in Tennesse so there wasn't much I could do to help right that second, but it sure was hard to enjoy the holiday knowing my dear friend was experiencing such a devastating loss.

Thanks again to my mom and dad for spending December with us. The kids say it was their best Christmas so far. They came all the way from Texas and are now off on a three week vacation to Fiji, Australia and New Zealand...not too bad! Have a great time and hurry back!

Joining Sweet Shot Tuesday

Twenty-Ten...A Year In Pictures

Twenty-Ten was a big year for us,

we moved, we traveled, we home schooled, we read a lot of great books together, 

went on many fun hikes and made great memories with family and friends.

We experienced growth...both physical and spiritual.

Sophia was potty trained, learned to write her name, ABC'S, numbers and peddle her bike. She saw the ocean for the first time and survived being away from mom and dad for a whole week.

Kade was baptized, became a scout, a better swimmer and a great reader.

 He played flag football, learned to ride his bike and discovered he loves to hike and cook, Kade excelled in

his studies and completed his second year of home schooling.

Jaxon had a big year too; he turned twelve and became a deacon, read a ton of books on

'how to become an author', worked hard on his math skills, he played flag football, got braces,

was elected mayor at school and along with Kade,  acted in his first play 

The Best Christmas Pagent Ever.

I'm so grateful for all that we've learned and accomplished this year,

I'm off to write down my goals and resolutions for

2011

Veterans Day...Grandpa Kenny {a poem}

Young Man from Spokane

By Richard Pierson (my dad)

Young man from Spokane, Kenny Henager's my name.

I'm stationed in Salt Lake, the army's my game.

Tonight I have a special date--Rhea, she's called;

She's wonderful, you know. Do you think we'll become involved?

Everything has worked out great, and now she's really mine.

We've been married just a short while, but now we're out of time.

It's off to fight a war, you see. The place I'm going is Germany.

The nights pass slowly. Nights are long, it seems an eternity.

It's done with, we've won. Now it's back to my wife.

We've two daughters already--they're the joy of my life.

I'm working as a plumber. Good times are now here.

Family's growing, e'er I turn, little footsteps are near.

Daughters Kay and Carol; sons Craig, Steve and Chad;

Young man from Spokane hasn't done all that bad.

Then it's baseball, and circuses and cub scouts galore;

Leadership and genealogy--I've got to do more.

I'm a grandfather now, and each step is a struggle.

Rhea's still my sweetheart, but now has to work double.

Grandchildren abound--some of them teething.

Me, I just have trouble with a small thing like breathing.

I'm slowing down fast, yet there's more work to do.

I can't let our kin down until I'm completely through.

Now my day has arrived, and I've done all I can.

Father, Mother, take me gently. I'm a very tired man.

Young man from Spokane, Kenny Henager's my name.

Introduce me around, if it's all just the same.

Please give me a job; I'll work here until

My family joins with me. I know that they will.

This poem was written by my father and read at my grandpa's funeral. Grandpa Kenny fought in World War II; he met my grandma just before had to go back to Germany, two week's later they were married and conceived my mom. He got a leave and went back for a visit to meet his little one. Grandpa Kenny or "Daddy" as my mom calls him, passed away when I was four years old. My only memories of him are watching him lay in bed, hooked up to oxygen and sucking on lemon drops; but word is, he was a really great man, serving constantly, taking in foster kids and working hard as a plumber to provide for his family. He died of emphysema and lung cancer at age sixty five. I look forward to the day we're together again. Happy Veterans Day!!

New York Trip

Kimball and I finally took a big trip together to New York. He served there for two years on his mission back in 1995-97. He'd been wanting to get back ever since and I'd never been so I surprised him with a trip over fall break.

The picture above is a view from the Brooklyn Bridge, it's one of my favorite's.

Brooklyn Bridge



Top of the Immigration Station...I love all the old architecture in New York, I couldn't take enough photos!

Inside the Immigration Station on Ellis Island



I was SO excited to FINALLY see the Statue of Liberty.

Another one of my favorite pics ever!

View of Manhatten from Liberty Park





Our hotel was near the Empire State Building. I was surprised at how windy it was up there...amazing view though. The sea of buildings is such an incredible site! Pictures don't do it justice.

View from the Empire State Building

The Vikings happened to be playing the Jets while we were there so we HAD to go...such a blast. The game was delayed due to major rain and lightening but it made it that much more fun.

Adrian Peterson...need I say more!?!

We went to two Broadway shows. Promises, Promises and our favorite Jersey Boys. The music was so great and I was amazed at how good the actors were. Next time we'll get tickets in advance though because some of our top choices were sold out.

Times Square was crazy!

The Metropolitan Art Museum was fabulous, one of my highlights. I wish we'd had another day there because we didn't even scratch the surface. Really, you'd need a week or so to see and appreciate everything. The building was beautiful and SO HUGE!

Kimball conducting business while I shopped in Little Italy

We had a delicious, authentic Italian lunch in Little Italy, we also ran into Cliff Clavin from Cheers (I'd recognize his voice anywhere. Ha! We also went to China Town but we were disappointed at the high prices (we expected some bargains)...not the case! It was also way too crowded! Loved Little Italy though!

The Natural History Museum

St. Paul's Chapel

Located just across the street from Ground Zero.

Geoge Washington attended this church.

It served as a refuge for the volunteer workers of 9-11.

Kimball's little brother Shane is currently serving the exact same mission Kimball did. We just had to pop in and say hello. He looked great and was rather happy to see us. He didn't stop smiling the entire time.

View of Manhatten from the ferry.

I still can't get over how crowded and busy this place was. It was a total culture shock to me but it was pretty neat! I have to say I went home feeling like we lived in the middle of no where.

Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum

We rented a car and drove out to Montauk Point (the eastern most point on Long Island). It was beautiful and for a few seconds I pretended like I was high class and visiting my summer home in the Hampton's. :)

We saw so much, but there's still a handful of things I want to see...next time I guess.

When I got back, Carly and I took the kids to Ghost Town. We went on a tour of what used to be a working gold mine....not such a great idea considering at that very hour they were still rescuing trapped miners in Chile AND I'm totally claustraphobic! We also had fun on the gravity tour, had lunch and got the kids ice cream.

Thanks to my niece Carly for flying in from Utah with her three year old Gavin, to babysit for the week.

Not only did she cook, clean and take car of them, she took them to parks and museums, making sure they too had a fun fall break. Thanks a bunch Carly!!