Chores

Here's a little secret...I am lazy! For example, when I was washing clothes and packing for the kids to go down to Utah for the last Round, I didn't want to pack some and put away some...so I packed it all. Every piece of clothing my four youngest owned was packed for a two-week (that turned into three-week) vacation at Grandma's. It was so easy!! And fast!! And has now come back to bite me. As seen here...

We made it home on July 12th. 17 days ago. Since my mom has a washer and dryer, she washed all of their clothes for me to have less work when we got home. I took full advantage of that scenario! Clean clothes in one suitcase made for a perfect excuse to be lazy. They knew where they could find clean clothes, and since everything they owned was in one place, I just sat back, propped up my feet, and did nothing. 

And then came the day of washing. Since I was used to doing nothing, I'd wash the clothes, put them in a basket, and tell myself I'd fold them while watching a movie that night. The time of day when I am most tired. And have no energy. And just want to sit some more and relax. So, that is what I did. For days. 

So, to motivate my lazy-self, I had my slaves bring all six baskets of clothes downstairs to our couch. The couch you can see from the front door. The longest couch to sit most of our family. 

Things just got real! 

And the doorbell just rang. Tachycardia at it's finest!

Brick 'Em Young

A friend asked me if I had ever heard of Brick 'Em Young. I hadn't, so I went home and researched them. After looking at one, I knew I wanted to do it. However, Mary had other plans. She bought one for Caden to do for Round Six. I was equal parts excited for ,and jealous of, him. Well, let's be honest, shall we?! I was more jealous than excited. 

He was so excited about getting it that he opened the FedEx box in the lobby of  the Ronald McDonald House. It was fun seeing his excitement. 

Randy was bursting at the seams to help him. He got quite bossy, actually. Caden had to remind him a few times that it was his project. I'm pretty sure Randy would have taken over the project if he would have been the one to purchase it for Caden. As it was, Mary did him a kindness by being the one that gave it to him. He had an excuse for not letting Randy push him around. 

Caden would have taken a lot longer had Randy not been so anxious. Caden had to make him go to bed. 

It was fun waking early the next morning to Caden trying frantically to finish before Randy awakened. 

The pride in his voice when he presented the finished product to Randy upon waking was priceless. He practically crowed, "I finished it without you!" Imagine it in a sing-song voice!!

He asked if I would display it in my decorations downstairs. Psh, as if he even needs to ask. If he truly knew me, he would have known I was hoping he'd let me!! Look at how amazing that beauty is!!! 

Nauvoo will be ready to purchase in September. Randy and I will do that one for a date night!!! And when I say we'll do it, I mean...Randy will take over while I admire his face. Cause we all know he won't let me touch a single piece!!

Boat races 2014

Tri-Cities Boat Races 2014

We found this location last year. It is the perfect spot to watch. And it's FREE!

We realized that we were at the end of the track, but we still get a ton of 20 ft. water-wall action. I love these boats!!

Since Danielle and Taylor's wedding last year, they planned to come see what we were so excited about. It has been fun having them here to enjoy our beautiful weather and river. Sherry and Ryan came last year, Danielle and Taylor this year, and you next year! Plan now to visit the last week of July!!

Cancer Care Room Tracker 2014

Room Tracker 1-31-2014 through 7-8-2014

Cancer Care Floor
FA.7.303

FA.8.323

FA.8.301

FA.8.304(2)

FA.7.322
FA.7.219

FA.7.205

FA.8.322

FA.7.224

FA.7.316
ER

45

22

49
14

21
11

ICU

RB.6.507

Surgical

RC.6.803

RC.5.808
Ronald McDonald
C 208
A 383
C 208

Until October!

I'm gonna miss this view (And many others)...

But not this one!!!

Caden and I left this morning at 4:30AM for the last drive to Seattle until October. I LOVED watching the sky change from black to bright. We had absolutely clear skies and road until the outskirts of Seattle. I was able to take a different route and make it without a problem. It may have been an early morning start, but it was worth it!

Caden's port removal surgery is planned for about 10:00AM. And then we drive home for the last time. It feels amazing. And surreal. Caden is DONE!!! Cancer Free 3 weeks and counting!!!!!

I'm the luckiest girl in the world!

All dressed up and ready for the ball. My own Joseph And Yhe Yechnicolor Dreamcoat. 

They wrapped him in warm blankets when he got to the recovery room because of the violent shaking. He looked bewildered telling me that he wasn't cold, but couldn't stop shaking. I've had that many times, it's not a lovely feeling! I sure enjoyed seeing my warm, healthy burrito!

They were able to make the incision in the exact same spot to remove it. The surgeon removed the old scar tissue and brought it back together, telling me that he hoped the scar would look better than the previous one. I'm glad he cared. Even though people will probably notice the thirty inch scar more than the new two inch one, I thank him for taking such good care of my son. 

The tiny red dot below the tape is a callous. With my personality that loves absolutes and numbers, I can't believe I didn't keep track of how many times he was poked in that one spot with the large needle. I can say with certainty it was more that 35! I am SO grateful for that port!!! It was a lifesaver in more ways than one. 

This free feeling is very freeing. Imagine that!! I feel new. And whole. And happy. And grateful. But most of all, Humble. Today was a good day!!

To remind me that once, a short time ago, things had been hard. The road ahead is paved with Gold. And yet our feet barely touch the ground!

Old West Photos

 I have always wanted to get one of these photos taken.  When we pulled into Bryce Canyon and saw the sign, Randy and I both knew we would do one.  I am SO glad that we did.

 We first realized that no one was at the campsite, so we quickly ran back to the hotel and asked if we could.  It was 1:35, she had another photo shoot at 2:00, so we threw on our costumes and started posing.  It was a blast!

 We knew that we wanted all of the pictures, so we paid the $5.00 to get them on a disk.  I'm so glad we did.  I love looking at all of the different faces.

 And the costumes.  Look at Tyson's gun belt.  May have been a bit too big.

 And Tyson's face doesn't really change.  Even though we're all supposed to be smiling.

 Randy knew that he wanted to be an outlaw.  And what does an outlaw need besides guns?  An outlaw wife and kids.  We all got our guns!

 Ummm.... Brennon?!  Whatcha doin', Pardner?

 Again, Brennon and Tyson.  Love those faces!!!

 My...

 Favorite...

 Pose!!!

We had such a good time doing these.  We were a hot mess when they were done, but it was a definite highlight of our quick trip down South!

Howdy Partner!!!  Yee-haw!!!

Bryce Canyon 2014

Grandma Griffin's 80th Birthday Party

Bryce Canyon, Utah

 I loved all of the different color rock cliffs on one drive.

 Can you see the Arch that Keilie found?

 About 10 minutes after we left this spot, I thought of a better pose.  I just wanted to be surrounded by my kids.  Now I see it looks like I have to relieve myself.  Oh well!

 Cedar Breaks, Utah

 Entering Bryce Canyon National Park

 In the river above the waterfall.  

They kept asking if the could cross, but I kept imagining them being swept away and going over the falls.  They may not look as tall as Multnomah Falls, OR, but the fall is too much for my liking.

 Mossy Cave

 It was a small hike to make it to the Mossy Cave.  Water falls between the cracks of the cave, making it a mossy beauty during the summer and a frost cave during the winter.  In fact, the ice sculptures have been known to last until June!  We just missed it, if you can believe it!!

 Chuck Wagon Dinner

 Shelby could not get enough of Uncle Ryan and Aunt Sherry.  They are her favorite.

 We knew that we wouldn't be able to go to all of it, or even stay for the rest of it, but it was worth it to see Grandma, even if it was only for a couple of minutes.  This is the wagon that we sang Happy Birthday.

 The view we were taken to for our Chuck Wagon dinner.  The 10-mile irrigation (all dug by hand) still feeds this amazing 100 ft. drop.  Gorgeous!!

 I love the way the rocks change color with the sun.  Where these were bright red before, they now look mustard yellow.  I also love the small sculptures on the top.  Such beauty!

It was a short, fast trip for only a few hours, but it was more than worth it!  

This world has so much beauty!!