Imaginary Friends

When Aren was about five years old he learned about imaginary friends. It only took him about five minutes to decide they weren't worth much. I remember him walking into the room and announcing that he had a new friend and pointing to his left where nothing stood, he introduced us to "Mario". Rick and I both looked at the big nothing standing next to him and Aren looked at "Mario" then at us and announced, "This is stupid. I just can't have an imaginary friend." And that was the end of it.

I never could do the imaginary friend thing as a kid, but as an adult I've found a whole slew of "imaginary" friends. I met a bunch of LDS ladies on a mom's chat board almost four years ago and although I've never met most of them in real life, they have become some of my dearest friends. Today I finally had the opportunity to meet one of them and make her "real". Hilary came down here to visit some friends and called to see if we could meet in Tombstone for the afternoon. Of course I could and what a wonderful thing to finally meet someone who I'd known for four years but never met. Thanks for the fun afternoon Hilary! And thanks even more for cutting out the imaginary part and becoming a real person.

Happy Father's Day

My father passed away when I had just turned eleven years old and he had just had his 45th birthday. While I don't remember much about him, I have been blessed with a few memories that I cherish...trips to the local hardware store always ending with a penny for the gum machine, early morning newspaper deliveries where he never got mad at me for being sick from the car fumes, singing songs to him when he'd come home from work. I love all those memories.

I don't feel like I missed out on life experiencing it without a father but how grateful I am for the two fathers in my life today. Almost seven years ago my mom remarried an amazing man by the name of Bill. While all of my brothers and sisters were grown and had moved away by the time they married, some of us have had opportunities to live at home and get to know him. I have been blessed with such an opportunity. I have felt of his strength and his power through priesthood blessings. I have felt his love as I cried and laughed in times of despair and joy. Thank you Bill for being the man you are.

Then of course there is Rick. Every day I watch him go to work to a job that was his second choice so he could support and care for a family that needed him. I watch him come home to a family who has been anticipating his return since he walked out the door. I watch him love his children in all the ways a father should...throwing a football, encouraging Aren to learn a bigger word than the day the before, painting Tatiana's toenails, being with his children so I can go to a meeting and never complaining that another one is just around the corner. Thank you Rick for everything you've been through that has made you the father you are today.

Flipping the Switch

Tatiana's a funny little girl. I think I've said before she's a good lil' combination of Aren who's a social nerdy butterfly and Lily who when asked said every color was blue and every letter was G and pretty much decided you were guilty until proven innocent. Tatiana seems to warm up a lot quicker with folks and although isn't playing video games and reading like Aren was at this age, she sure can sign like a maniac...thank you Signing Time!

Anyways, Tatiana turned two a couple weeks ago and it's seriously like someone went into her brain and flipped a switch because she hasn't shut up since June 6th. She is coming up with things that I had no idea she knew how to say, much less use in the right context. This morning while changing a poopy diaper she looked at me and said, "Mom, that's sick!" Tell me about it! Everyday at the pool she tries to convince me she can swim by herself while I try to convince her that just knowing the signs for "my turn" and "swimming" does not a Michael Phelps make.

A couple days ago was by far the best expression of her knowledge yet. After knocking on her door in the morning and hearing her sweet voice say, "Come in!", I took her into our bedroom and sat down on the bed next to Rick, who immediately began playing "Where's my(insert body part here)?" game. Thinking that Rick would be able to stump her he said, "Tatiana, where's my hair?" A little confused, Tatiana looked around for a bit, then promptly tilted Rick's bald head down and touched...

his back.

That's my girl.

Why?

Twice a week I watch a really cute little girl for a friend of mine. I love her and love having her in my home...her mom doesn't even read this blog so I really am being sincere. The only thing that is about ready to drive me to drink is the repetition of her favorite word...why.

"What are you doing?"

"Washing clothes."

"Why?"

"Because they're dirty."

"Why?"

And so it goes. Most of the time it doesn't bother me, but today was not that day.

"What are you doing?"

"Cleaning the dishes."

"Why?"

"Because I'm the only one that ever does anything around here, sweetheart. I'm cleaning the dishes from last night's dinner because I was hoping to high heaven that once, just once, someone besides myself would see that dirty dishes need to be cleaned and dishes don't wash themselves, but alas, my sweet three year old, that never happens. Watch and learn honey, because thirty-plus years from now, this will be you. You'll be cleaning the kitchen three times a day just to wake up in the morning and clean it again. You'll wash four loads of laundry every other day and and every two weeks or so you'll ask yourself why you never put any of those clothes away right after they were done and you'll curse yourself for letting the clean clothes mix with the dirty clothes so now you have ten loads of laundry to do. You'll find yourself wanting to vomit because apparently your nine year old son doesn't understand that the wall is not a place to wipe his poopy fingers and booger hands. You'll ask yourself if you're really the only one that sees shiz falling out of the garbage can and onto the floor and wonder if you're the only one who knows where the garbage bags are. Get used to it sweetie. This will be your life."

"Why?"

"Never mind, sweetheart. Never you mind."

Old Mcdonald Had A Farm

EIEIO! And on that farm he had a...

Alpaca?

I remember seeing those commercials years back when you could have your "very own alpaca farm" and I remember thinking, "Really? Who does that?" I'll tell you who. Janice of Hereford, AZ does that and she's amazing at it. Check out her website HERE

For those who live around here, it's absolutely free and all you need to do is contact her to set up a time that's good for both her and you...she even does weekends! She shares information with you and the entire time you're actually in the pens with the alpacas and can pet them and love them. I hate animals...hate them...and even I found a small remote spot in my heart and actually pet some. After learning all about them she lets you feed them and hang out with them a little bit more then shows you her store and you can buy clothing and toys made from alpaca fur. The kids really had a great time. Aren thought it was pretty cool and Tatiana couldn't figure out if these things were dogs or cats. Anyone know the sign for alpaca?

Feeding time

Just hanging out

Alpaca kisses...or eating bugs out of Tatiana's hair. Can't really tell.

Happy Birthday Tatiana Claire!

Holy crap. My little girl is two years old and she made it to this age with no hospital stays and minimal medical coverage! Way to go sweet baby!

Tatiana is our favorite second daughter evah! She seems to be a great combination of everyone around her. For those of you have met Aren, you know he is extremely social and polite and is everyone's best friend right off the bat. Lily, well, not so much. She hated everyone and would only open up to a very select few and mostly only in the comforts of her own home around her own family. Tatiana is not afraid to yell out, "Suck-uh!" when you've lost a game of Mario Kart, and will still bury her face in daddy's shoulder if she's not completely comfortable.

If you want a good cry, check out Rick's thoughts on the day of Tatiana's birth HERE. My husband really is an amazing writer. And for the record, Rick is good and Tatiana has him wrapped around her finger...as every little girl should.

Pedicures

Tatiana decided today was the perfect day for a pedicure. The only problem was she didn't clear it with me first...