Vacation @ the Beach House in Newport (Part 3)

Here is the final installment of our fun vacation. On Tuesday and Wednesday we played at the beach. A great time was had by all...I think!

Mom played with the kids a lot. The little girls woke up from their nap and played a game in the warm sunshine.

Dad doing what he does best-playing in the water with the kids. He loves to spray them down.

Dad, Jon and Troy went and ate at a fish restaurant and the rest of us went and ate at The Old Spaghetti Factory. It was so kind of the boys to send all the kids with us! They were actually really good. We had a little talk about good manners at restaurants.

Kim and I went for a ride on the beach cruisers, but she ran away before we could get a picture. So here I am with two little cuties.

We spent Wednesday morning on the beach, trying to soak it all in before we had to leave. This is a picture of Dad with Jackson and Katelyn.

We had a great time and can't wait to go back!

Vacation @ the Beach House in Newport (Part 2)

On Monday we headed to Disneyland. It was SO busy, but it was SO much fun. Disneyland twice in 3 months isn't bad, right?!

Here we are on the Jungle Cruise. It was the first ride of the day. At least we didn't have to wait too long for this one!

The girls really wanted to see all the princesses, but the wait was so long. So we settled with those characters we could find throughout the day. Sadly, they didn't get to see ANY princesses. But here is a cute picture of us with Sulley.

Another character we found. It is hard to pose 4 kids for a picture.

Katelyn was SO excited about the teacups. I don't think any of the adults were though. It was fun to see the kids so excited!

This picture and the next two are on the steamboat. It was getting late and we were tired. But it was a day well spent in Disneyland!

Keegan and Ellie

Mom and Jackson. Jackson is saying "cheese."

Vacation @ the Beach House in Newport (Part 1)

My family spent 5 days in California. Since I have a lot of pictures, and am having a hard time picking just a few, I decided I would post a few days of the trip at a time. It was a much needed vacation at least for me. And perfect timing too! (Minus writing sub plans for 3 days. I wonder when that will get easier.)

We arrived at 1:00 am on Saturday morning. Mom, Dad, Keegan and I were lovingly awakened by Katelyn and Sadie. After we woke up, we headed to the swap meet--a new experience for me.I found a few good deals.

After the swap meet we checked in at the beach house. Spacious, beautiful, and the beach right across the street (hence "beach house"). It was wonderful. We got settled and headed to the beach. Katelyn and Jackson got buried.

On Sunday, Katelyn and Jackson had fun playing together and wearing the shades they got at the swap meet. We were frequently asked where the sunglasses were.

After church the girls and I had fun making faces at the camera. I love that the two little ones were in on the face making action as well.

Sunday afternoon we headed to Laguna (?) Beach just for the experience. It was beautiful. Kels and I posed for a picture.

Sunday Ramblings

Today I got to attend the dedication of the Draper Temple. I feel a bit remorseful because for a while I didn't feel it was really important that I attend. I am really grateful I did. I needed the reminder that it is such a blessing to have the gospel. Not that I don't appreciate it, but I often take it for granted that I have always been a member.

My focus this Sunday was the temple. Right after Kevin died, the reality of eternity felt so real, and I NEEDED to have an eternal perspective or I wouldn't make it through. Well, that eternal perspective hasn't been so ever-present the past couple of months. I needed the reminder today that families really are eternal. I will get to have an eternal family. And eternity is worth waiting for...as far away as it seems right now. I am so grateful for temples. I am grateful that I am sealed to Kevin for eternity. I am grateful for the eternal perspective that gets me through. I am grateful to know that things really do work out.

Is it wrong?

I have way too much time to think on my drive to and from work. Today I started thinking about things that I sometimes think/feel that might be very wrong, but I still feel them.

Is it wrong to avoid conversations of happy marriages and happy lives?

Is it wrong to be jealous of all those skinny, perfect skinned, beautiful, no flaw girls?

Is it wrong to procrastinate paying all those bills? Just because!

Is it wrong to be envious of every woman that I hear is pregnant?

Is it wrong to never, ever want to talk about cancer because CANCER SUCKS?!!!

Is it wrong to hate doctors and never want to go to one again? They only have bad things to tell you!

Is it wrong to dread turning 30 when my birthday is still 7 months away?

Is it wrong to not know all the "rules" of phonics and still teach 3rd grade?

Is it wrong to still have Christmas lights up when February is over?

Is it wrong to talk on my phone while I am driving--because me alone with my thoughts turn into blog posts like this one?!

Is it wrong to want to want to stay home wrapped up in a blanket and read a good book (for at least a week)?

Now that this is off my chest, I can focus again on other things and not worry so much about the things I feel that are wrong!

Love Day

Dawn and I decided to have a party for Valentine's Day...a party for our nieces and nephew. If only my other nieces and nephews could have been here! We had fun making magnets, eating heart shaped pizza, following clues for a treasure hunt, and hanging out.

Missing Kevin...

It has been 6 months and 2 days.

Kevin has been on my mind A LOT...

I was in my car, listening to the radio. A song came on and all of the sudden tears came to my eyes. (Like I have said before, the emotions hit at the most random times.) As I listened to the song, I had an overwhelming feeling that I just wanted to hear Kevin sing again. I miss his calming voice.

I miss those conversations we could have had...work, a family, 3rd graders, faith...or questions I would like to ask him but can't...Why is my computer doing this? What do you want for dinner? How can I solve this problem?

I watched a movie the other night and the couple was fighting. As silly as this sounds, I longed for a fight with Kevin. Not really a fight, because we wouldn't really fight. Just disagree or argue. I want to have another argument with Kevin so we can kiss and make up.

I miss hearing, "Do you want to go on a date with me?" or "You look beautiful!" or "I love you." I want to hear Kevin reassuring me or calming me or just saying the right things at the right moments.

I long to hear Kevin's ring on my phone. Just to make sure he is safe and to let him know I am too.

Sometimes I am sitting at home, or driving in the car and just think Kevin needs to come home or be sitting next to me. It feels like it is going to happen any moment...he will be right there with me.

I wish my hand could be in his--his perfect hands that I love! Just a touch as simple as that could change my whole day.

So Kevin, I just thought you should know...I miss you!