Recker Turns 5

Recker has turned 5, I cannot believe it's been 5 years.  Our lives have been so generously blessed over the past 5 years, it's hard to imagine what my life was like before.  We have grown in numbers, our 3rd grandson will be born within a few weeks.  Ezra will be 2 February.

Have I said lately how much I truly love him?  He melts me heart.  I can honestly say there has never been one time I've been disappointed or upset with him.  He just lives in a world I wish I could enter for just a few minutes.  I love when he takes my hand and leads me to the candy jar, or to the back door, hoping bonbon will take him out to play, only to be stopped by dad or mom saying "Recker, you can't go outside right now" usually because he hates to wear shoes.  I love how sweet he is to everyone in our family, and how the boys wrestle with him, and when I say boys I mean Jeremy, Blake, Brian and Scott. Sunday nights at my house are pretty crazy, and Recker loves every minute of it.  I love how he can take his little IPAD and maneuver it better than any of us adults, he loves Disney movies, and try's to sing along to the Lion King, I love when he covers his ears or eyes when a character in the movie is being cruel or mean to someone else.  He has appropriate feelings for those emotions, some typical kids love those parts the best, but not my little Recker, sometimes he gets a look in his eyes of complete sadness, he understands compassion, he understands authentic love and embraces all he can get from all his aunts and uncles.  I'm pretty sure his hero is his daddy, the rougher Jeremy is with him the more he likes it, sometimes it scares me but it never seems to bother Recker.  I know for a fact his favorite woman in the world is his mom.  He misses her when she's gone, he searches for her around the house, and he runs from her when he thinks he can.

He now understands so much about his surroundings, and the differences he has.  Kayla has taught us all about teaching him he may be different, but not less.  This sweet little boy has taught me more in his short little 5 years of life than I've learned in my almost 52 years.  I could seriously sit and watch him all day long, he cracks me up then brings me to tears within minutes.  I've never seen a child so curious, he knows every hiding place in my house and many times since he will be very quiet while we are all searching frantically for him.... he knows what he's doing.  He may be non-verbal, but this little guy is anything but quiet, unless he's hiding. A few weeks ago he was upstairs playing in our playroom, well we thought he was anyway.  He was actually in the hall closet up stairs trying to figure a way to climb to the top shelf.  In that closet we have a laundry shoot but he  

All Jacked Up

Ok, so the blog is all jacked up.  We took it down while my book is being published, but putting all the pieces back together is a challenge to say the least.  Trying to get it back in date order is not going to happen any day soon.

Blake Got His Mission Call

those of you who know me well know that the last couple of years has been a struggle for our family. Many tears have fell from my eyes, and my knees are caloused from the prayers that have been given in behalf of our children. Every fast Sunday for the past 3 years have been dedicated to family members. When I attend the Temple names are written down for extra prayers.
My son Blake has really struggled with his testimony, he did not really know if a mission would be the right choice for him. Of course we were sad knowing the blessings that come from serving the Lord on a mission. However we know that force is Satans way and we really wanted that decision to be Blakes. I told him about a year ago that I would know he had changed when I could see a change of heart in him.
The past 6 months that mighty change has come into his life. We have gradually seen him mature and one day he came out of his room and announced he had finished reading the Book Of Mormon. I was so happy for him, and knew that the Lord was touching his heart.
On Thursday, I was at Eric and Blakes softball game when Blake asked me to run to his truck and get his sunflower seeds for him, I went and on the seat sat his mission call, we had no idea that he had turned in his papers. Imagine the over whelming feeling I had when I saw that huge envelope from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I opened it and with tears in my eyes looked out on the softball field and watched as he told his dad, the game stopped they hugged on 2nd base each with tears in their eyes, I knew exactly what Eric was feeling. I wish I could of frozen that moment forever.....prayers are heard and answered.
Blake will be serving in the Dominican Republic Spanish Speaking Mission to report to the Provo MTC September 23rd. This is the perfect mission for Blake he has always wanted to live on an Island, and he wanted to speak spanish sooooo bad.
Although he will be 21 when he leaves he is doing this because "he knows" it is what he should be doing at this time in his life.
We are so happy for him and his decision, it is the right one for him.
I asked him if he was nervous about all of his friends coming home right when he is leaving and he said "NO, this is my time, this is when I am supposed to be serving the Lord."
When Eric and I got home after the game the 1st thing we did was kneel and pray to thank Heavenly Father for this wonderful blessing in Blakes life and our lives as well. Prayers were heard and prayers were answered.

Graduation

On May 21st 2009 Kaitlyn granduated from HighLand High School, it rained the entire time but was still a very fun night. It was so fun to see her with her friends who she loves so much, it will interesting to see how all of their lives will change and if they will stay connected to eachother. This is the beginning of a whole new chapter in her life as well as ours (Eric and I) Kaitlyn moved to Utah a couple of months ago and our house is so quiet. Blake is preparing for his mission and will be getting his call within the next month, we will only have Haleigh at home soon.
We feel like we have been extremely blessed by the Lord, our children are wonderful people who we adore and love so much. I am proud of each one of them for the strength and maturity they show in their lives. My heart is so full as I ponder about what our family has been through the past couple of years, and even though it was a difficult time we truly have felt the Lord's hand in every decision we have made. Being a mother is the hardest but most rewarding thing I have ever done. I love each one of my children, they are not perfect but they learn with each mistake and know of the Love our Heavenly Father has for them. It is a wonderful feeling when you can let go of your children knowing that they understand the gospel and that they WANT to do what is right not because you told them to but because they know it is what they should do. It is much easier to sleep at night these days.

Kaitlyn is Gone To Utah

I miss my little Kaitlyn girl!!!! She is now living in Utah and going to UVU. I am so proud of her but our house is so lonely without her bright smile entering the room and lighting up our hearts. I went to visit her this weekend, she lives in a cute old house downtown Provo. It was fun to visit her and her roommates and see her wanting to do everything just right and be responsible.... (we hope anyway)
She said she reads her scriptures every morning and is getting involved with all the Young Adult activities, but as a parent we still worry, I guess that is our job to worry and to pray everyday that our kids make righteous choices, not because mom and dad tell them to, but because they know they will be blessed for making the right choices. It is now time to see what they have learned.
Haleigh is missing her so much but now that she has her drivers license she will be able to not rely on Kaitlyn as much and be able to go see her friends and hopefully make new ones. It is a wonderful feeling to know that your kids miss eachother and that they have become best friends with eachother. I love that my kids can get into arguments but still say " I LOVE YOU " everyday to eachother... isn't it wonderful that they know they can work it out???
We will miss you Kaitlyn, but dad and I are looking forward to what you will make of yourself, your future is bright and you are a dedicated sweet girl, go for it all, and don't settle for anything less than what you know you can achieve.

I'm Gonna Be a Grandma !!!

On April Fools Day Kayla sent out a text to everyone in our family saying she was going to have a baby... I was so excited then my friend at work said "do you really think she is going to send that out in a text?" So now Eric and I are in Mexico on Thursday and this is how the phone call went:
Me: "Hello"
Kayla: "Mom are you on speaker?"
Me: "yes, dad and I are both here"
Kayla: "I'm pregnant"
Me: "Whatever....that joke is old, what's up?"
Kayla: "No I'm serious, I went to the dr today to get my annual checkup and renewal of my pills, and she said I am pregnant"
Me: "I still don't believe you, put Jeremy on the phone he won't lie"
Jeremy "Yes, its true we are having a baby in December"
Me/Eric: silence
Kayla: "mom?"
Me: "yeah?"
Kayla: "are you happy for us?"
Me: shock ... "Um.... sure I think so" (still not quite sure if its true)
eric: shock and silence
Me: "You know what your up for, right?"
Kayla: "ok well I will call you back later"

We were in such shock, because we knew they wanted to wait until they were done with school, just on Sunday night they were talking about waiting for 3 years. I realized that night Heavenly Father has a different plan then we do. WE have so much to be grateful for in our lives and having a grandbaby is one of those blessings.

One hour later the phone rings again

Me: "hello"
kayla: "mom, are you and dad mad at us?"
Me: "heavens no, we were just a little shocked thats all, we are so happy for you and Jeremy, anything you need we are here for you....but I am too young to be a grandma"
kayla: "I love you mom"
me: "I love you too, and I am proud of you, you are going to be such a better mom than I ever have been"
eric: "we are happy for you sweetheart"
kayla: "I love you dad"
eric: "I love you too"

WE are so happy for a grandbaby to come, boy or girl it will bring such blessings to our lives and we are looking forward to it.

Spring Break in Mexico

We had so much fun in Mexico for springbreak, this year the media has really talked a lot about Mexico being so dangerous. This ended up being good for us because there were less college kids down here. It was quiet, all the LDS kids came to have a good time and we really enjoyed it. I tried to tell people there has been NO violence in Rocky Point but once people hear ""Mexico"" they get paranoid I told one of my friends it's like saying "since there was a killing in Los Angeles it's not safe to live in Arizona" in fact if we were to do a search on violence in the World Arizona is in the top five and is the #2 most violent in the US and is #1 for kidnappings in the US. So basically it is more dangerous to live in Phoenix than to come to Rocky Point. I would never try to convince people to come down here,but we have never had a bad time coming across the border, I have never even seen any guns at the border and as long as you are obeying the law you wont get in trouble with the law, in other words if you are a good person in the USA then you should be a good person MEXICO and you will be just fine.

Girls Road Trip to Los Angeles --- kind of

Finally a New Post

TWO Tag Alongs for you to read...HAVE FUN!
10 TV Shows I Love to Watch:
1. lost
2. 24
3. Greys Anatomy
4. Heroes
5. One Tree Hill
6. Travel Channel
7. Private Practice
8. American idol
9. Everyone Loves Raymond
10. King of Queens
10 of my Favorite Restaurants:
1. Pei Wei
2. Golden Gate
3. Rigatoni's
4. Anzios Landing
5. BJ's
6. Oreganos
7. Outback
8. Cheesecake Factory
9. Javiars
10. my kitchen
10 Things that Happened Yesterday:
1. woke up at 5
2. Worked from 6-10
3. ate cottage cheese with no sugar peaches
4. kickboxing/cycling classes 2 hours of cardio love it
5. ate grilled chicken breast with cucumber
6. took a photography class 2 1/2 hours
7. picked up hales from school
8. cleaned all the drawers out in my room
9. worked on Heritage Makers business
10. got upset with Kaitlyn
10 Things I am Looking Forward to:
1. Spring break with my kids
2. going to Mexico
3. womans conference in Utah with my sister Sonya
4. my sister Kris coming to town
5. The Highland basketball teams boys/girls winning STATE CHAMPIONSHIP tomorrow
6. Haleigh turning 16 so she can drive next month
7. going to the movies with Eric today
8. going to New York with Kaitlyn
9. going to Europe with Eric and the girls
10. Blake going on his mission finally
10 Things on my Wish List:
1. swimsuits
2. new running shoes
3. A new pair of jeans
4. going on a mission with eric
5. getting my new kitchen
6. Some new house decorations
7. new lens for my camera
8. Heritage Makers scanner
9. new car
10. a cabin in the woods
Here's what you're supposed to do...and please do not spoil the fun. Copy, paste in your notes, delete my answers and type in your answers. Then tag a few good friends! The theory is that you will learn a lot of little known things about each other.

Three Names I go by
1 . Mama
2. moaners
3. bon bon
Three Jobs I have had in my life
1. taco bell
2. Sees candy (yes I wore that wonderful white dress with the black bow)
3. American Express Travel, and now UsAirWays..

Three Places I have lived
1. Phx
2. Chandler
3. Gilbert

Three TV Shows that I watch....Only 3?
1. lost
2. American Idol
3. 24

Three places I have been...only three?
1. Switzerland
2. Greece
3. London, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Monoco, and Mexico
People that e-mail me regularly
1. Heritage Makers
2. Las Palomas
3. Eric
Three of my favorite foods
1. MEXICAN
2. Chinese
3. Italian
Three friends I think will repost
1. all
2. of
3. them

Things I am looking forward to
1. A mission with my husband
2. all my kids married and happy
3. Family gatherings

Kaitlyn and Eric Hiking the Mountains!!!

Kaitlyn and Eric went for a little hike up Usery Pass, the wind caves. She said it was really fun and Eric said it was a good time to spend talking and joking around with her.

Just a Few Minutes in Town With Eric

Eric and I are in Mexico for our monthly trip to check on our condos. The weather is beautiful and I am not looking forward to the heat that is sure to come in the next couple of months. We went to the fish market today, eric wanted to grill some shrimp for dinner. I did not want to go down to the market, I just wanted him to go and bring it back, but he really wanted me to ride with him. So off we go,and the whole time I'm thinking this is not going to be a quick trip, anyone who knows my husband knows he likes to talk to the locals down here. It's quite funny to watch since he knows very little spanish, he tries to speak to them in French, and apparently thinks they are all deaf because he talks very loud when he speaks to them. I also knew that since we were going to buy something he was going to haggle with them and I hate that part. So here is how it went:

Eric (remember he's real loud) Hola, amigo
Fredrico: Hola, how can I help you (he speaks english quite well)
Eric: what kind of deal are you going to give me on this shrimp?
Fredrico: Oh for you sir, very good deal, best in the market, special just for you
Eric: How much?
Fredrico: no worries, for you good deal....you buy from me I am the only honest one here on the street
Eric: Oh dont give me that....you all say the same thing...just tell me how much
Fredrico: how much you want to buy?
Eric: it depends on how much you are going to rip me off, I could buy more if you just give it to me for $3 a pound
Fredrico: (laughing outloud for everyone to hear) you wont find that price any where here in the market. I am the only one who has the american scale...(then he proceeds to show Eric his top of the line scale, takes some shrimp out and weighs it then sticks it on the "rip Off" mexican scale) see ev everyone else has this scale they all rip you off but not me I'm honest
Eric: you mean to tell me your friends next door here are ripping people off? (then eric gives his signature wave of the hand, as if to say get lost)
Fredirico runs after us saying please come back I will give you best price on the street this time.....
We got the shrimp for $3 a pound.....and 45 minutes later I was ready to go.....although I was highly entertained once again by my husband, I was so ready to get back to the condo!!!!

Sawyer... Today Im thinking about You

Ok so besides my darling husband Eric I have only kissed like 5 guys in my life, but I would probaly not say no to a kiss from Sawyer. He is a dreamy man, part of his appeal is his personality on LOST though. I love his little comments he makes and the pet names he randomly gives people. Why are women attracted to men like that?

Eric in Paris with the Girls

I found this picture of Eric and thought it was funny. When I first met him he had a mustache and I didn't like it at all, I was not sad when he got rid of it for good. A couple of years ago he took my girls on a trip to Paris, he wanted to show them the place where he served his mission. He came home with this thing on his face, he looks like a French Man, or something. The girls loved that trip with him and when they got home they told me all about it for weeks. Eric would only let them eat French food and how he bought a loaf of bread (baguette) every morning and ate it with a piece of cheese (he loves cheese) they finally talked him into getting them a McDonalds hamburger they said it was the best tasting burger they ever ate, I think it tasted good because they were force fed French Food for so many days. I love to travel with Eric because he really enjoys the culture of where ever we are visiting, I am sure the girls did not appreciate it as much as I do. He is a good traveler and I am glad that the girls got to have this experience with him, they will treasure it forever. We thought we had lost all the Paris pictures so I am glad we found them.

Super Bowl Let Down? Or Super Bowl Pride?

We went to the Browns tonight for the Superbowl, (we do every year) well at least the past couple anyway. I liked all the excitement, the yelling the chanting and the food. I know I should of been more into the game, but I really just don't care. I felt sad for them, they were so close to victory....But was the super bowl a let down? I don't think so, ARIZONA CARDINALS MADE IT TO THE SUPERBOWL, HOW AMAZING IS THAT? We should have pride in the team and support what they accomplished and no-one thought they could get where they were. So pull up your chin and stop the crying, it's over and we should be proud.

Tomorrow is SUPERBOWL??? Who Cares

I think it is amazing how no-one in this town has cared or supported the Cardinals until now. Everytime someone has mentioned the Cardinals since they have been an Arizona team, there is always someone who rolls their eyes, or makes some negative comment...come on you know its true, I dont even watch football and I know that. Today on my way to the gym I saw car after car with cardinal support flying high, and what happens if they lose tomorrow? Are we back to blah, blah, blah? I think so!!! To be a true FAN you have to support through the good and the bad....Me? I could care less about the CArdinals and I dont pretend to, we will have the game on tomorrow I'm sure but I won't even watch, I am happy for the Cardinals though and I hope they do well. I will eat and enjoy all the food, but will not watch the game since I know nothing about Football and I am not about to try and figure it out now.

Bet you didn't Know

I am going to expose myself to you and tell you some really funky things about myself:

1. I hate my feet to be covered up, I told Eric I dont want my feet covered when I die...
how will that work? I'm not sure figure it out
2. I hate when people make noises when they eat.....
3. I will not walk under a ladder..... no way.....no way
4. There are a lot of cats in my neighborhood, if a BLACK cat crosses in front of my car I will go all the way around the block again to get home.
5. I love clean sheets, I am obsessed with clean sheets, love the feel, love the smell
6. I love silk pillows every night.
7. Last one because I think you can only handle
7... I love the smell of books... the inside pages.... especially brand new books..........
I know really weird huh?
8. I do not like Friday the 13th, it's a bad number, why do you think hotels don't have a floor 13th? Blake was born on the 13th ....... need I say more?
I have so many weird Funky things that make me ME..... I cant list them all, I could write a book and you would be bored.
These are just a few things that make me tick or get me happy......

Our Mexico Trip

Haleigh, Brekyn and Kaitlyn funny sun-glasses down at the mexican

"dirt mall"

Haleigh wanted me to buy this dog so badly, and I said "uh....let me think....NO" they were really cute but I am done with animals...
Brekyn, Haleigh, Katilyn, Ashley and Jamie...where is Lindsey?