Christmas week in Cali

When my dad died hospice told us that 3 months out the family will really grieve and it will be a hard time. Even harder then the initial loss. Well for us 3 months out was Christmas...which seemed awful. So we all decided we were going to change Christmas this year. We went on a Cali trip. It was more like summer vacation and I really think it helped us get through our first Christmas with out my dad. We had so much fun. We went to six flag, sea world, Universal studios. Coronado, the beach, hotel Del, and the San Diego zoo.

At Seaworld Shamu show we sat in the splash zone. Eli wasn't happy about this and freaked. We bought a towel and that calmed him down. The towel kept Eli, Liam and myself pretty dry however Jacob and Lili they got soaked. Jacob dried pretty quick and I always have a change of clothes for Lady Lili.




On our way to SeaWorld my mom and Lee rode with us. We didn't have the middle seat in my mom didn't care she sat there so happy hold Lili's hand.


Jacob took this picture at Hotel Del. Look at those 3 cute little heads.


Jerel is Hilarous and this is him acting like Chase. When chase was little he would pretend to be a dinosaur. It was funny, but this picture might be just as funny


In San Diego Utah State football team was staying at out hotel because they were there for a bowl game. When we went to the zoo they were there too. Whenever Liam saw a football player he would run up to them grab their leg and pretend he was tackling them...or was he really trying to tackle them?


Liam's head poking out from under my legs...he's such a monkey



We loved Universal Studio I think it was a group favorite and we will be going back again!




Jacob doesn't like ride so he took the kids and hung with his parents and Adam, While I went to 6 flags and pretended to be 16 for a day. It was fun, but 6 flags is kinda gross.




Sana Monica Pier was a blast spent the whole afternoon there.








Sunday morning we went to breakfast at a 100% black diner. It was yummy food in a bad part of town. We stuck out like a sore thumb in a church clothes BUT everyone was really nice. Jacob even made some friends and bought some pirated movies.


I took this picture strictly to get the two poster behind them. Michael Jackson and Barack Obama.

Missing someone

My peak today was I found 12 voicemails from my dad that I thought was lost forever. The voicemails range from just checking on me, butt dials to even happy birthday wishes. I feel like its a little gift from heaven.

My pit was my kids stayed up late and I still have a lot to do! I'm done being a mom for today. 

I never want to forget the sweet moments I shared with Eli and Liam this morning. I as crying listening to my dads voicemails. This upset the boys and they asked why I was crying. Eli was still confused and said mom he's around you he's an angel. I said I know but I still can't hear his voice and I miss him and his voice. To which Eli replied and said oh like if you died I would be sad and miss your voice. I started to say yes but Liam interrupted and said and I would miss your warm hair. This was so sweet because Liam is always pinching my hair. I asked him one day while he was doing it to Lili why he was doing that and he said he liked it because it was warm. This was so sweet because I knew this was something Liam would honestly miss if I died. It melted my heart.

Lilia turns 1!

 Today this little angel turned one. What a treat she has been. We love our little Lili la rue.

 

Lili is a doll baby. We have enjoyed every breath this girl has taken. She is still a major mama's girl but she is starting to go to other people when I am in the room. She loves he dad and her brothers very much. Food is also a big deal for the little girl. She literally starts bawling when I tell her "all gone." or " all done". She is getting bigger, but I think she is still pretty tiny for her age. (Well at least compared to the boys.

 

 

For Lili's birthday we took the kids to build a bear for the first time. They all loved it. Lili made the sweetest little girl squeals it was so cute. We were not planning on getting Lili one we just thought it would be fun to go on her birthday. However when we got there she was super cute and was squealing at all the cute bears. The boys had fun and of course after watching start wars they left with one Jedi and Darth Vader (Eli calls him Dark Vader)

 

After build a bear we ate dinner and then everyone met at our house to sing to Lili and watch her eat her cake. Jacob and I joked that Lili would eat the whole giant cupcake because well she's in love with food. But I think the giant thing scared her. We couldn't get her to touch it. At one point she started to cry and tried to climb out of the high chair. She also didn't like the frosting all over her. I then just cut her a slice and that's when she went to town.

 

 

Go Cards!

Today the cardinals have a game,. Larry Fitzgerald was giving away free tickets to his game I entered dressed all my kids up in the jersey's and took pictures hoping to win tickets for Jacob. My Peak was  hearing Eli tell William to put on a jersey and take a picture because Larry Fitzgerald is giving away free tickets. It's funny to hear things from a kids perspective.

Pit worn out from sick kids 30 is lame

Never forget Eli helping me clean to house. He's a hard working and even did most on his own free will. He would just run around and pick up something and then he would say mom I did this all by myself. I saw it was there I knew I could take care of it and I did!

Liam fell asleep on the tile in the middle of the hallway!

Memory

Today I was thinking about my dad and missing him. Today has been hard for me because today is the first birthday with out him. While I was thinking about him I had this wonderful memory of my dad blessing Liam at the hospital.   A long time ago Liam got very sick he threw up everything and every time he threw up he would go to the bathroom too. Jacob was out of town for a basketball game so it was just me with all three kids and one VERY sick little boy. I ended up taking Liam to the Dr the second he walked in the door the DR said that boy need to be in the hospital. Lili was just a tiny baby at this time still nursing on a regular basis and didn't take anything else. My parents and Jacob's parents sprang into action. My mom took Lili and Eli and I rushed to the hospital. Later while we were waiting for test Lili needed to be fed and we wanted a blessing for Liam. I was our front of the hospital feeding lili on a bench (I didn't want her inside with all the germs) and that when my dad up to me. He was dressed in a full suit and tie when only a short time earlier I heard he was far away at work. He rushed home changed his clothes to look presentable to exercise his priesthood and then he rushed to use to give Liam a blessing. This story touches and comforts me now even more then in the moment. In this one act he showed me just how much his love was for me and my children. How important we are to him. He also showed his true faith by rushing to get dressed and look nicely when using the priesthood. Teaching me and my children just how special and sacred it is. I'm lucky to have such a good dad to do and teach me such important things.

The vomiting continues

Peak Lilly napped from 9:40 to 2! That's what happens when your baby feels awful

Pit lots of vomit and lots of laundry. Seriously my kids threw up on everything. It was like they said oh this hasn't been thrown up on perfect I got this. Obviously taking care of vomiting children I'm running on very little sleep. I'm a hot mess

Never forget what my mom said  told her about sick kids. I was laughing. She said Stacy it's so refreshing how happy you are to be a mom. It made me feel wonderful. 

It ended with vomit

Jacob had to pick up some boys for church today. That meant I was alone in getting everyone dressed and out the door. My Peak was we were a  happy family on time to church.

My family came over for dinner tonight. Near the end of the evening we were all sitting and chatting. Lili started to act sad and funny then my Pit Lilly vomiting. She just kept throwing up all over me. You could tell her body just hurt and the vomiting really shocked her. Poor thing

Some days don't go as planned, but turn out to be absolutely perfect. Today was one of those days! We forgot that Eli had to talk in church until last night so 30 minutes before bed I come up with and write a talk for Eli. Then we had to try and get him to memories it as quickly as possible. That is a little problematic when you child can't read. So I printed of pictures that he could look at that would help him. Eli had the whole talk memorized while he was getting dressed for church. He messed up a little when he shared it in church but I have a video of him doing it at home and he did it perfectly!

After Eli's talk they asked us to go in the nursery because no one showed up. Jacob and I were more then happy to go there. After all it's Jacob's favorite place. Lili got to go for the first time and let me tell you the girl loved it. She played, sat there like a big girl for snacks and loved singing time.

After church we got to relax, I got my temple recommend renewed, Jacob got in some football and I prepped veggies for the week to help with my healthy eating. The day was just perfect and lovely.

Never forget Eli's talk. He did really good but melted when he made a mistake in front of everyone. I learned from that moment. That Eli is a very hard worker and when he messes up he is very hard on himself. I need to Learn from it how to help him.