Week 5

SUNDAY - PPI at 9:30am church at 1pm

MONDAY - Dave's funeral with a screaming kid.  Fun.  But such an amazing service.  Came home to a barfing Jackson.

TUESDAY - Being chilly outside, we decided to forego our swimming plans and instead head over to the park.

WEDNESDAY - the movies of course - slip n slide - tofu - and sick kids

 THURSDAY - Mail and the park

So exciting seeing Andi and Ryan both have preschool mail!

Marci texted me Wednesday asking if we could meet up for a play date.  I declined because of the two pictures above... fevers = hand foot mouth potential.  Well, all worked out considering it was already running it's course through the DeLeon home so we were good to play!  Took the kids a while to warm up but once they did they had fun!

FRIDAY - Some birthdays!

Jackson has spent too much time "forgetting" how to learn so I picked up a work book and he loves it!

The highly anticipated birthday of Kaelyn Milhoan finally arrived!!  Andi was especially excited to give Kaelyn her gift.  Super excited.

To celebrate Kelsey's birthday we all headed out to BJ's for dessert.  I missed the movie beforehand because we were partying with Kaelyn, so I was so glad I was able to meet up afterwards.  Love Kelsey - she's fabulous!

SATURDAY - Preparing for Mead

Jackson packed up his backpack with the essentials: work book, an umbrella, toys, snacks.

 

The classy way of organizing the kids' clothes!

Week 4 - Abuelos

MONDAY

I had a great day with Tristan at Ikea, Olive Garden and Krispy Kreme.  That afternoon I received sad, sad news.

When I first heard the news, I wanted to cry and yet I couldn't.  I felt odd knowing how awful this was and knowing how much my heart hurt, but I could produce not a single tear.  And then I went there.  I saw them.  I hugged them.  I left.  And I cried.  I couldn't stop.  I could not remove the image of Logan's face.  Jade huddled on the ground with Ty as they both sobbed.  Shook.  Trembled.  The police sat and looked over at me and I cried.  There was nothing else I could do.  I had to go home.


My second visit I avoided going inside.  Is that awful?  I couldn't handle it.  Too many memories rushed back.  Not of this family but of the pain within our own family nearly five years ago.  I struggled with what I needed at that time and wondering how I was to best serve this family now.  Coming from my position in their lives and from my own personal place.  The fact is, I still don't know what to do.  What to give.  Love, yes, I know.  But how?


I can't sleep.  Every night this week I stay up two to three hours past my bedtime just so I can pass out once in bed and not think.  I cleaned the garage and backyard at 10pm and then sat idly on the couch frying some brain cells.  You think about them, you talk about them, you hurt.  Is this because I am spiritually weak right now?  Is this because I have not dealt with the pain in our own life?  Is this because I think of our future and wonder 'what if'?  Surely each is a possibility.


So from here on out, I will aim to focus on God's plan.  We celebrate His hands in everything good, shouldn't we also celebrate His hands in everything sad.  Because truly, it's still his plan and there's still good laced amongst the heart break; right?


Dave DePrez... I never wanted to release him because he was a joy to have in Primary.  I can see him sitting there, smiling at those crazy boys all the while having his arm around his son.  They whisper back and forth and grin, but are never disrespectful.  I see him in the halls or at activities and his smile is there yet again.  He was kind.  I see Logan's eyes, swollen and red.  I see him pacing feeling lost and alone.  I hear Jade wondering who will baptize her next month.  I see Jade running over to Angie to curl up in a ball.  I see Ty, huddled and shaking.  I see Lisa, white, white and stunned.  My heart goes out to this family but I am amazed at their strength.


"Just lost my husband of 22 years yesterday. Our family is devastated and heartbroken but is continually receiving comfort from the Lord by the angels who walk this earth and without reserve offer their love and support and words of comfort. We feel greatly blessed because of this. We are an eternal family and know god has a plan for us. We will greatly miss our family's wonderful father and husband -We love you David Maurice DePrez!!"

TUESDAY

Swimming at the Wirthlin's knocked out Cole but inspired Andi's inner fashion designer.

Tuesday afternoon we hit up Staples for the Back 2 School goodies.  Jackson's inner writer was inspired to sit out in nature and begin his masterpiece.  Andi had nothing left in her.

WEDNESDAY

We scored at this week's movie when we were first, able to jump in line with Lauren and second, able to score the newly open theater with only three other families in there.  OH WAIT, we also scored because Andrew was home and was able to keep Cole.  Yes, best movie experience this Summer.
*Note the journals... you just never know.
Our fabulous movie experience was followed by an extraordinary swimming date!!

THURSDAY

Tuesday night my parents bought a new table for the kids.  With no shade in the back, this was quite refreshing to them all.  This inspired me to stay up close to midnight cleaning to back yard as well as the garage.  It was to the kids' great delight that their table was neatly displayed in the well groomed yard just right for "breakfast on the patio".  And no, no one left me a tip.

I got a last minute invite to the Aquatic Center and being free, we were able to pack up and head out the door about a half hour later.  We apparently have not been in a long time because last I remember, it only cost be $4 to get in... now... $15 :(

Jauna and Ito FINALLY came or a visit and everyone was so excited.  We got together that evening for a simple dinner.

FRIDAY

A teeny little cloud rained on the new table.  Bizarre!

The week was starting to wear down this crazy lady.  She made her bed and was prepared to lie in it.  Honestly, this is such a rare visual.

A child at boot camp took one of Jackson's birthday gifts and chucked it across the room.  It taught Jackson that things happen and you need to forgive.  But then the mom made her son earn money to replace the toy as best they could.  That then taught Jackson another lesson.  Always grateful for those proactive moms!

My grandpa missed my birth on account of a bowling game.  So it was only appropriate to have them accompany us on our first bowling experience.  I signed up for the "kids bowl free" shin-dig and this was the first time we were able to take advantage.  COLE LOVED IT!  He was immediately mesmerized.

It was so great having Ito, Juana, Bri and eventually grandpa grandpa there to help the kids, cheer on the kids, and experience with the kids.  

You get two free games and if Cole hadn't been there, I think the other three could have handled the second game.  Considering Cole's attention only lasted his first 7 or 8 turns, one game was plenty.  Lunch was calling our names.

Bowling kicked Cole's, Juana's and Ito's butt!

SATURDAY

Who stole the cookies from the cookie jar.....

SUNDAY

Symptoms:

Fever

Loss of Appetite

Sore Throat

Poor Cole began his cycle of Hand-Foot-Mouth... EWWW!  This was our first ever and I hope it to be our last.

Week 3 - JULY!

SUNDAY

When you're tight, you don't even have to call to make this happen.  It just does!

MONDAY

This load is heavy and I think the heat adds 10 pounds.  Or maybe 20?  Cole, Andi and Ryan love going to Magic Mountain.  Jackson isn't always thrilled but enjoys being around his friends.

We hung out alone after "our friends" left.  The kids like the little rides quite a bit so they enjoyed going over and over again on each one.  The bus has terrified Jackson but after watching Andi and Ryan going three or four times, he finally mustered up the courage to join them.  The three of them went on four more rounds until I had to tell them we were done and ready to head home.  It made me so happy to see Jackson overcome this fear.  Silly boy.

TUESDAY

With the 4th of July 5k being the next morning, Tuesday night was spent preparing our PATRIOTIC TANKS for our big day.  It was rather exhilarating I must say.

After studying up on PREPARING FOR A RUN, we felt the best way to spend the night before was to dance like fools, eat Chipotle and head to bed way too late.

WEDNESDAY - 4th of July!

Becky began picking up everyone at about 6:15am.  Whew, what a rush.  I was totally nervous pulling up to the location.  It was much like my nerves before the parades in which I have performed.  You would think as you got older anxiety would calm down.  Nope!  Luckily the goof balls kept me laughing as they "warmed up".

We all started together but soon, Jen and Michalle were in the lead.  Fran and I tried staying close behind but just couldn't cut it.  I really fell back shortly before the one mile mark.  I had to walk for a second and I told Fran to go on ahead.  On my own, I worked to try to motivate myself to keep going.  I walked three times, I believe but overall, didn't do too badly.  Jen and Michalle clocked in at about 29 minutes, Fran at 30 minutes and I came in at 34 minutes.  I could have done better I think but I really do get bored running.  What is that??  Regardless, I'm so glad I did it and want to do more.

Whew - WE DID IT!  And then one of us did it again, when she got back home, in the heat.... crazy lady!

After our strenuous run, Michalle and I walked over to the parade to meet up with our families.  The parade was lame and we lasted only 45 minutes BUT it was festive and the kids did have fun.  I really wouldn't mind doing it all again next year. Just as we were skipping out and heading to the cars, the beauty queens appeared in the parade and Andi HAD to stay and watch the PRINCESSES until she saw the very last one!

We had such a nice afternoon swimming, relaxing and cooling off.  Honestly, this summer has been so fantastic and next year is only going to get better as Cole gets older.

Speaking of Cole... yeah, he fell in, we let him, he has to learn, and yeah, I got a picture!

This year I really wanted to figure out a tradition for our family.  I feel like all day you wait around for the 9pm firework show.  Being the beach lover that I am, I thought it'd be a great tradition to go to the beach during the day, have a fire, and watch fireworks at night.  Andrew was leery saying the kids are still too young.  And the fact is, by the time 6pm rolled around, I was ready to call it a day.  Cole was done, I was done, kids were getting done.  At the last minute we decided to all go out together but we wanted to stay local which meant we missed out on an evening with some of our friends in Stevenson Ranch.  When did we get so old and lazy??  We headed over to Longshore Park in hopes that there would be very few people because there wasn't a show nearby.  

We arrived and were so excited.  We got a parking spot in the teeny little lot and set up our blankets on the grass hill along with maybe two or three other families we didn't know.  This was it - we had finally found our place!

The kids had a blast playing in park and it was really all so fantastic.... until 8:30pm.  Our fun came to a hault when tons and tons of people starting pouring in, sitting in front of us, standing in front of us, talking, being obnoxious, etc.

About 5 minutes after this picture was taken and the cupcakes were devoured, the kids left the bluff they had claimed and headed back to the grass hill with their parents.

None of us made it very long as all were cold and sleepy.  But, it was a good day overall.

THURSDAY

Ugh!!!

FRIDAY

Sanches has us over for some water fun and pizza.

It must have been a blast because this is the first nap of the summer for these two!  Well done, Julie.

SATURDAY

I washed my 5k tank to wear to church but Andi decided she wanted to sleep in it.  And lounge in it all Sunday morning.