I Cherish My Husband

About a week ago, I had a bad dream. A really bad one. It was so bad that I woke up crying uncontrollably. I think that might have been a first for me.

I dreamed Aaron died, and I was a witness. In my dream, we were on our way to a family reunion with Aaron's side of the family. We packed so much stuff, that we had to rent a U-haul truck, as well as a trailer.

Aaron was driving the U-haul truck with the trailer hitched on it's back, and I was  following him in our van with all of the kids.  We were driving up through CA, and the roads were crazy, busy!

While following him, I saw him trying to weave in and out of traffic, and then all of a sudden things got bad! I saw his trailer swerve while he was trying to miss cars, and then it completely turned over. That was the beginning of the pile-up, and I knew Aaron was in the middle of it.

When I got to the hospital, all of Aaron's family was there, and they were so very nice and supportive. They had some how made it to the hospital before me, so they already knew what Aaron's condition was. When I asked them how Aaron was doing, all they said was, "it was a bad accident."

I knew at that moment, what they meant, and I broke down.

Later in my dream, I was with a few of his family members at the scene of the crash. It all became very real to me then, and I felt in my heart, just how much I really loved Aaron, and how much I would miss him.

I was completely heartbroken!

I then realized that because I hadn't yet finished school,  I would have no way to provide for my seven children. I did think about our life insurance, and how I would have to use it to support us while I went back to school.  This gave me some peace, but I contemplated how our lives were going to change, and knew the road ahead wouldn't easy.

I started to panic because I didn't know how I was going to proceed forward. I had never planned a funeral, and I felt lost.

The only hope I had, was to call on my home teachers and visiting teachers for help. I knew they'd be there for me, and would know what to do, but I couldn't find their numbers and it was even harder to find them because I was so far from home.

It was at that point, that I woke up crying. More like sobbing! It took me a good 15 minutes to calm down.

I've thought a lot about that dream the past few weeks, and I believe I've learned some valuable lessons:

1. Always carry your home teacher's/visiting teacher's numbers on you.
2. Know who to contact when your spouse dies, and have those numbers saved on your computer.
3. Mosiah 18:9-9 has really made a huge impression on me after this dream.  I can now see, even more than in times past, why it's so important to be there for others, especially in their times of need. 
4. And lastly, that I should cherish each and everyday that I have with Aaron.  I have tried to really pamper, and freely show him my affection.  When he comes home from work, I make him my #1 priority!  I tell him that I love him, and how great he looks today.  I make time to fulfill his needs and have found that we've been so much closer!  It almost feels like the old days, but better! 

So I would encourage any of you that may feel worn out and tired, to try to give a little more to your spouse!  It's so worth it!  It really makes a difference.  :)

Sunday Pancakes

Today when we got home from church, I made Anderson a sandwich.  When I gave it to him, he said, "No, Pancakes."  I couldn't believe it.  Aaron has made pancakes after church for the last month-- Anderson has made the connection, that pancakes are what we eat after church! 

The boys were so cute, waiting for Dad to make pancakes:

Since I had pulled the camera out, Christian begged me to take a picture of Abby.  I finally gave in, and it actually came out ok, so I'll post that as well.

I also took some video footage of the kids and asked them a few questions. 

WARNING: 

THIS VIDEO HAS SOME UNSENSORED FOOTAGE, SOME OF THE MATERIAL IS QUITE GRAPHIC.

All I will say, is that it has to do with Anderson and his nose!

Bountiful Baskets

I love participating in the Bountiful Basket food co-op here in AZ!  Just look what I picked up today for only $85 and some change:

I ordered:

• two bushels of granny smith apples (You know what I'll be doing Mon., and possibly Tues.-- that's right, canning.)
• cameo apples
• bananas
• pummelos, I've never tried these before, but I hear they're very tasty and a lot like grapefruit.
• asian brown pears
• mandarin oranges
• lemons
• limes
• rio red grapefruit
• celery
• broccoli
• two small bags of baby carrots
• lettuce leaf
• yams
• butternut squash
• 1 pint grape tomatoes
• five loaves of whole wheat bread
• and whole wheat and cranberry cereal bars

I think that's a pretty good deal, and we're eating healthy!  Every week the ingredients of our baskets change.  Last week we had zucchini, and I made this great zucchini soup recipe my friend, Aimee, gave me.   Here's the recipe, it was a hit at our house! 

Crema de Calabacitas

(Cream of Zucchini Soup)
http://www.recipezaar.com/, Oct. 2009

4 medium zucchini (~1 lb.)
2 cups of water
salt
2 tbsp cilantro
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp onions, finely chopped
1 tbsp all purpose flour
1 (13 oz) can of evaporated milk
1 cup chicken broth
cilantro leaf (garnish)

Wash zucchini. Cut off stem ends, then cut into large pieces. Place in a saucepan. Add water and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil. Cover and cook until tender, about 20 minutes. Cool zucchini in cooking liquid. Place zucchini, 1 cup cooking liquid and 2 tbsp cilantro in a blender; process until pureed. Heat butter in a medium saucepan. Add onion. Cook until tender but not browned. Stir in flour. Cook 1 minute. Add pureed zucchini mixture, evaporated milk and chicken broth. Stir to blend. Season with salt if needed. Stir over medium heat until soup comes to a boil. Serve at once or chill and serve cold. Garnish each serving with a few whole cilantro leaves.

Anyways, I know they have sites in WA, UT, and AZ.  If you want to check it out visit:

Bountiful Baskets

http://www.bountifulbaskets.org/

My New Haircut

First of all, I have to admit, that no matter how hard I try...pictures of me just don't come out the way they should.  When I look in the mirror I see a beautiful me.  Now that doesn't mean I think I'm perfect, if only I were.  With the camera, I see many flaws, the main one is that I'm over weight.  I'm working on that though.  I've lost 6 pounds this week, which is pretty good.  I know you're thinking that's not healthy, but I've been eating really healthily.

My daily menu has been along the lines of:

Breakfast: bowl of Special K with skim milk
Snack: orange or blueberries
Lunch: Salad, my new favorite is lettuce gree
ns, black beans, salsa, and a dallop of Guacamole
Snack: yogurt
Dinner: whatever, as long as most of it is veggies or a salad

I ran two miles today (trying to not overdo things around here, and stay injury free), and had a killer aerobics workout on Monday, and I've sqeezed in a Pilates workout as well.

I'm just glad I'm making progress.

Looking at my wedding photos is really motivating.  Anyways, here's the new hairstyle I'm sporting:

Kaitlyn

Ten years ago today, Aaron and I were blessed with a bundle of Joy.  She was our last child to be born in VA, and I was so hoping she'd come on Valentine's Day, but that day had come and gone.  Instead she came on her Uncle Eric's birthday (one of Aaron's older brothers), February 17th.  I think it's pretty cool that she gets to share his birthday with him. 

I remember how excited I was to bring her home from the hospital.  She was the cutest little baby, had the most darling blue eyes and a TON of dark hair!  She was a chillin' baby, and took to her bed easily. 

Aunt Amy made Kaitlyn this beautiful quilt!

We took her camping in the Redwoods when she was only 3 months old!

Kaitlyn and Uncle Mike Camping in the Redwoods

Kaitlyn's 1st Birthday

She was our fastest talker by far, and when she was little she would speak in the highest pitched voice!  When she was around 2 or 3, she turned into a major DRAMA QUEEN!  She's less emotional these days, but she still has plenty of spunk!

She has always loved sweets (maybe because she's our little sweetie-pie). 

Somewhere around the age of 7, she developed Asthma.  This has been a real trial for her, and us parents as well.  Up until a few months ago, we hadn't found anything that controlled her Asthma, and we found ourselves bringing her to the ER on a regular basis.  She's on Advair now, and that is working, yay!

She's really grown up the past year or so.  She's so helpful, and she has a special way with the younger kids in our family.  They adore her.  She is bilingual, she speakes English and Toddlernese.  I have to ask her to translate what her siblings are saying at times, because she's the only one who can understand, what on earth, they're actually trying to say!

She loves to give hugs, and we love to give her hugs back!  She has a sweet spirit, and is very caring. 

My sister-in-law, writes her children birthday letters.  Thanks for the good idea, Amy.  I think I'm going to steal your idea and do the same.  Here it goes:

Kaitlyn,

I hope you know just how much Daddy and I love you.  You mean the world to us, and we're so glad that you are our daughter! 

You have a smile that can light up a room, and a cheerfulness that is contagious.  You're smart and have a love for learning.  You do your school work quickly and efficiently.  You're a self motivator and an achiever.

You're creative, and I love finding your pictures all over the house.  I've noticed that your drawings are becoming quite impressive.  I am thrilled that you love to sew, and wish we had more time to make things together.  I have noticed that you have a vivid imagination, which comes out in your drawings and the clothes that you sew for your stuffed animals and dolls.  You're also quite fashionable, and you are learning how to style your hair.

Daddy and I are happy to see that you have a love for music.  You're coming along well with your piano lessons, and who knows, maybe you'll pass up your mother's level soon.

You're compassionate and thoughtful.  You're loving and kind to your siblings, which of course makes Daddy and I very happy.  You serve willingly around the house. 

We have noticed your desire to be like the Savior, and have felt the spirit when you bear your testimony of the Him and His church.  We are so grateful that you have a testimony, and a love for the gospel.  We pray that you will continue to be valient and steadfast, full of faith, with a love for Heavenly Father always in your heart.

Kaitlyn we couldn't be more blessed to have you for a daughter.  You are a candle in our life.  You radiate kindness and love.  Thanks you for being you. 

We hope you have a most special 10 year birthday.  We love, love, LOVE you!!!

Love Always,
Dad and Mom


Also, I thought it would be fun to ask her a few questions, a spotlight of sorts, so that we could capture her current likes/dislikes.
 
SPOTLIGHT: (I asked her to tell me about herself)

In her own words:

I love animals.  I love babies, they're so cute!  I'm really happy that I have you and the rest of the family.  I'm creative.  I have three favorite colors-- blue, pink, and purple.  I love to sew.  I like to play outside.  My favorite food is everything, almost--  I don't like chili.  I like to play the piano.  I love to take pictures.  I love to go to Activity Days.  I like AZ because of the tumble weeds and Peter Piper Pizza.  I don't like AZ because you can get carsick in the car from the heat.  I don't like bees.  I love the sunsets here.  My favorite candy is bubble gum.  I love to go to the fair.  My favorite primary song is I Know That My Savior Loves Me.  I love it when my Daddy comes home and gives me hugs.  I'm happy to be ten because I'm finally in the double digits, and I'm not a little kid anymore (that one cracks me up).

So there you go, that's our Kaitlyn!  We're so glad she's part of our family.

Shot taken today.

Feb. 17, 2010- Kaitlyn's 10th birthday!

Valentine's Day, Multiplied

It's amazing how we went from this:

to this:

in just 14 1/2 years!

When I look at those photos of just Aaron and I, I have a tendency to long for our youth!  I love looking back at our wedding photos and it helps me remember "why" I'm doing all of this (a wife and mother).

I met the most handsome guy when I was just 14 years old, and have been smitten by him ever since!  We are like two peas-in-a-pod, bestfriends!  We've had our ups and downs, but we've stayed together, and through it all we've grown.  We're communicating better these days, becoming less selfish.  Trying harder to show one another how much we love the other, and then trickling that love down to our kids.

Today was a delightful Valentine's Day!  We made cards for the children, and for each other.  We called the whole family together.  The kids listened while we read our cards to one another, and expressed how much we love each other.

We gave the kids their cards and told them why we love each of them.  Then they had the opportunity to say why they love us, and their siblings.

This was a special moment.

I think we all realized just how much we love each other and this activity truly brought us closer. 

We're so blessed to have each other, and every single one of the precious spirits our Heavenly Father has blessed us with.

Misc

Here's what we've been up to the past few days:

I canned 12 quarts of tomatoes.  This was a first for me, and I found it quite easy!  In fact, I think they're easier than anything else I've ever canned! 

Morgan's science experiment, gone wrong!  We followed the directions, but some how the pan caught on fire!  Our house smelled like smoke the rest of the night and my pan didn't look so hot!  Now I'm face with the fact, that I have to help him make another funky apparatus, and figure out how to keep the pan from catching on FIRE!  Yikes, and yuck.

I tried to capture all of the smoke that filled our kitchen, really there was a ton of it-- even the fire alarms went off.

We had a Valentine's party for our kids! We invited a few other AZVA families, and had so much fun! We kept things simple:  made sugar cookies and exchanged valentines. We've been busy, but have enjoyed learning new things. I love teaching my kids!   Yes- even though it's challenging at times, it's so rewarding!

The Sonoran Desert Museum

I've heard this museum was good, and it was!  We had so much checking out the snakes, fish, and scorpions.  The kids were so excited!  They were running from one exhibit to another, we could hardly keep up with them!  We only had an hour to check things out, so we went ahead and purchased a one year membership, since it only cost $50.  If we would have paid for a day's admission, it would have cost us $51.75.  You know your family's large when the year membership fee is less than the cost of a day's admission!

This is just a snipet of what we saw:

I thought this was a "real" lizard at first.

A Gila Monster, it's very poisonous.

One cool clubhouse!

A roadrunner.