4th of July

The 4th of July was a fun filled day from morning to night. We woke up early and got ready for our annual 1260 N. street celebration. 

Breakfast was delicious

There was face painting, games, and a bike parade

Adaliah and Abbie

Adaliah, Gracie, and Sienna

 

Then the fun broke into a giant neighborhood water fight 

After getting cleaned up Adaliah took a nap while my sister Karen came over and we all enjoyed games out on the patio.

Next was Riverton Days. Adaliah was sad her face paint got washed off in the water fight, so we had to go for round two.

We had a yummy BBQ dinner at Pete's parents then Pop, Pete, and Adaliah went back to Riverton Days for rides and more fun. That night we stayed up late for the Riverton firework show.

Carson Courage

This is a very touchy and sad topic to blog about, but I don't want Adaliah ever to forget her little neighbor and the inspiration he was to us all- so here we go....

As many of you may of heard, our sweet little 4 year old neighbor Carson was killed in a very tragic accident on July 5th. It has been such a horrible and  sad time for our ward and neighborhood, but also a very inspiring and uplifting time.

(Here are a few of the neighbor kids waiting in line to play a game on the 4th of July.  Next to Adaliah is sweet Carson in the blue shirt and cut off shorts)

We spent the 4th of July with our street having our annual street party eating breakfast, playing games, having a bike parade, and having a giant water fight. Our street closes off the road and plays all morning long.

So you could imagine the surprise when we heard the news about what had happened the very next day. Our hearts were broken for our neighbors the Cheneys. They were more than broken, they felt like they had been ripped out of our chest. Not only because we will miss that chubby cheeked smile every day, but because we couldn't imagine the pain Zach and Hilary had to be experiencing. Is there anything worse than loosing a child?

Carson was such an amazing little boy. He learned to ride his bike WITHOUT training wheels at age 2 (a week before his 3rd birthday). He loved pushing himself and trying new things. He loved riding his bike and  was outside every day riding up and down the street and going off a ramp his dad built him (yes- at age 4). He loved to flex his muscles for people to show how strong he was, and when he would get hurt he would grit his teeth as hard as he could and try not to cry. They told a story at the funeral about Carson in primary class. The teacher was telling how Heavenly Father wants us to choose the right, and Satan doesn't want us to because he wants us to be miserable like himself. Carson jumped out of his seat in a karate stance and said "I'm going to kick Satan's butt!' That was Carson. The Cheneys started calling his determination to be strong and try new things "Carson Courage".

The morning of the funeral at 6:30 am the entire neighborhood brought their bikes out in front of the Cheneys house in memory of Carson. It was so emotional and inspiring to see 100+ kids ride their bikes over and park them and then tie balloons on them...all with it being COMPLETELY silent. There were 140+ bikes by the end of the day.

(Adaliah's is the tiny little blue bike with the yellow balloon. Not much of a bike- but Carson has ridden that thing up and down the side walk so it couldn't be left out)

The funeral service was so beautiful. The plan of salvation is real. It was so good to be reminded how special sweet Carson must have been to have a free ticket to live with his Heavenly Father again and not have to be tested any longer in this crazy world. We all laughed and cried together and we all left feeling inspired to have more Carson Courage in our lives and also to enjoy EVERY MOMENT of being a parent.


This was the cover of the program. This was taken only 30 mins before the accident. Sweet Carson saying "I made it! Celistrial Glory is Mine!"



After the funeral, at about 5:30 pm, the ward all came together again and released the balloons. All the primary aged kids lined up to give Carsons parents hugs. Hilary had a smile on her face for the first time in days as all the kids yelled "Goodbye Carson!" as the balloons made their way into the heavens.

Tear jerking. A week later and I'm still sobbing like a baby writing this post.



This whole experience has been so life changing for Pete and I, and hundreds of others. Carson came into this world to touch our lives and remind us to have a little more courage so we too can live with Heavenly Father again someday.

I hope we all can try a little harder and hug our children a little tighter.

Adaliah was a good girl today

Today was one of those days that I wish I could record and play over and over and over again. Adaliah was so sweet from the moment she woke up until the moment her head hit the pillow for bed. I wanted to kiss her little face all day long. I never want to forget beautiful days like today filled with priceless moments.

At 7 am she came into our room and told us "it's not dark outside! It's morning!"
Pete got up with her, fed her breakfast, and changed her out of he night time  pull-up into her underwear (Yes- day 5 of potty training and we have gone 2 entire days without a single accident!)
30 mins later I came out and she was so thrilled to see me "You happy mom? You want to watch a show with me?"
Pete worked in the yard while Adaliah and I snuggled and watched a show.
I started cleaning house and Adaliah went into her room to play with her toys.
I came back to find this-

"Mom! I have lots of friends!!" Such a sweetie. 10 mins later I came back to find all her stuffed animals were gone. I asked her where they went "They weren't being nice to me- they went to time out" Sure enough they were all thrown into the spare room where she usually has her time outs. 

She picked out an outfit to wear for the day and pulled out 1/2 of the things in her drawer while doing it. After I had gotten ready for the day I walked into her room to find her VERY NEATLY folding every last thing she had pulled and putting it back in her drawer. I could have kissed her a million times.

We took Pete to work- and went to the store to choose a prize I had promised her if she filled up her potty chart.
We went to the store and she looked at all the toys one by one...we were probably there 45 mins. She had to try each toy out and decide it if was worthy of choosing. Then she found a wooden Cinderella with lots of magnetic clothes and without any hesitation she announced that she had found her prize and it was time to go home. Such a doll.

We came home and spent hours playing Cinderella dress up. Her favorite thing was to sort the clothes by color and put them away in her little wooden "closet".

After lunch Adaliah took a good nap (she even slept in her underwear and woke up dry!).
After her nap we played together in her room with toys and she played outside with Pete, all while telling us when she needed to use the bathroom.

Tonight we went appliance shopping and out to dinner. We got home and got her ready for bed.
Her prayer was especially sweet tonight "Bless the Chenny's, (our neighbors that just lost their 4 year old little boy) Bless Mama, Bless Grandmother, Bless I go potty on the toilet, thank you Sienna got better, thank you for blessings, thank you for food, thank you for Abby and friends..."

She gave me big tight hugs and kisses and then after helping Pete clean up her room she went to bed.

I love that girl. We are so blessed to have her in our family.

May and June

This summer is quickly passing by. I can't believe May and June are already behind us! As I have said many times- most of my summer has been spent sitting or laying, but I couldn't let Adaliah's summer go undocumented.

Friends, Family, and Neighbors have been SO NICE to offer to have Adaliah over or take her out for adventures. Pete and I  have been SO GRATEFUL. 

left: Adaliah playing at her 2nd cousins house Jocelyn.

right: Our neighbors the Smiths have taken Adaliah to 7 peaks 4 or 5 times this summer. Who does that? Adaliah has been in heaven swimming with her friend Abby.

Pete has taken or golfing with him and his buddies. She loves riding in the cart and especially loves it when her friend Sienna comes too.

Several times- neighbors headed to the park with stop by to see if Adaliah wants to join.

Everybody's generosity has saved her summer. 

Adaliah has had lots of fun family and cousin time
Top L: Aunt Cecily and Adaliah at Trafalga
Top R: Hanging out with some cousins (aren't these 5  adorable?- they will have such a blast growing up together.)

Bottom L: Her cousins the Caspersons have stayed at our house a few times this summer. Here they are having a movie night.
Bottom R: Adaliah and her cousin Eloise at a family baby blessing.

I turned 24 and had a perfect birthday celebrating. My sister Karen came and helped me out in the morning then we had lunch and birthday cake out on the front lawn together. That night my sister Mary babysat while Pete and I slipped out for dinner.

Fathers Day Shopping for Pete

 We made it up to Big Cottonwood Canyon with our good friends Jack and Sarah, and Josh and Megan for dinner and Smores.

Sarah has been so sweet to have Adaliah and I over once a week to play. She has 3 adorable kids ages 4,3, and 2.  I don't see Adaliah the entire time we're over there. She loves playing with her friends and it's so nice to have a change of seinory for me. (Sarah's couch instead of mine!) 

We have felt so blessed to have such amazing friends, neighbors, and family that have watched Adaliah, brought meals, or helped me clean my house during this crazy time. It's been a very humbling summer.

one of those days....

Today has been one of those days. I've been an emotional disaster from the moment I woke up this morning. Please tell me everyone can relate.

My friend Ellen has a darling blog and posted this a few months ago. Click on it- and enjoy. It was a post called "I was a good mom today". I loved it. I decided that next time I have one of those days- I'm going to blog about it too, so I can remember that some days I am awesome! Today, however, is not one of those days.

I'm coming up on 9 weeks of bed rest. I've never felt so insecure as a mother, wife, and friend. Everybody is giving, giving, giving, and I feel like I have nothing to give back. First it was embarrassing, then the pride faded to humility. I've been completely and totally humbled by everyones generosity. Now- I'm done. I feel like I've learned my lesson- it's been 9 weeks-and I'm ready to be myself again. Unfortunately- my body doesn't agree. I'm running on 3 or 4 hrs of sleep every night and I'm in constant pain. ( Have I mentioned- I still love this sweet baby coming? I know she's worth it!)

Yesterday was the most amazing 4th of July I've ever had. (Blog post will come shortly- I'm sure) Even though I only got to "watch" it happen- I still enjoyed every moment. I sat in my chair or blanket and watched Pete and Adaliah enjoy their 4th of July together running around, going on rides, playing with friends,  and playing at the park. I've never been so grateful for Pete- he has been doing IT ALL. Last night we stayed out late and watched fireworks. Bad idea with a 2 year old. She woke up this morning as a complete monster.

I heard Pete get up with her- and he was not in the best mood. I'm not throwing Pete under the bus. I totally understand. He had spent every last bit of energy taking care of me and Adaliah all day. He was exhausted. I wished so badly I could offer to take over..but I had not slept all night and my contractions were strong so I just had to listen to him battle it out instead. It was the worst feeling. I hate being such a hands off mother. The man needs a break! I laid in bed feeling like a horrible wife and mother while exhasted Pete delt with our overly tired child.

I took Pete to work and balled my eyes out the whole way there and back after listening to a sappy song that reminded me how grateful I was for him.

Then I was on my own with Adaliah. The monster version of Adaliah. She whined and cried all morning about everything. I offered to take her to the library but she cried about getting her diaper changed,  screamed about getting dressed, and completely lost it when I told her we needed to do her hair. Finally I told her to go into her room until she was ready to come out and be nice.

10 mins later I went to check on her and found this.....

(the bottow right picture is Adaliah scrubbing the wall)

Adaliah how found a marker and had gone to town on her bed room. Yes- I truly believe it was a way to act out. She knows better. I know she knows better. I  scolded her and sent her to time out. When she got out I helped her throw the dry-erase markers away, never to be played with again. Next I handed her a wash cloth and told her she was helping me clean the mess up. We got clorox wipes and soap and water- I was sure it would do the trick.  We begin scrubbing together but the marker was not budging. Not in the least.

Then I lost it. The combination of pain, lack of sleep,  insecurity's of my parenting and handling the situation, the guilt of being such a dead- beat mom for so long....it all came crashing down and I began to sob hysterically.

When Adaliah saw me crying- she started crying again. She came and gave me a hug and said she was sorry. "It not coming off" she said in her tears. After a long embrace we both got back to work scrubbing, both balling our eyes out with loud sobs. Ridiculous- I know.

 Luckily, I took the time to look up some good suggestions online and learned that the magic eraser by Mr. Clean would do the trick. I happened to have one of those on hand- and 30 mins later the wall was clean.

Over reaction? Yes. I realize I am pregnant, hormonal, and physically a disaster..but my feelings of inadequacy and guilt are real. I can't wait to be back to my normal self and start being the mom I know is in there somewhere.