Our Family Must Endure Once More

UPDATE!!! My Dad had surgery today and it went very well! He's recovering now and we'll have to wait a few weeks to see if the surgery was effective. Thanks for all your prayers!

My Dad is probably the most amazing person (besides you mom :-)) that I know. Whenever I have a question about life, finances, spirituality, marriage, etc - it is him I want to call. It is his advice I crave. It is him that makes me feel better about MY trials. And yet, here he is facing his biggest trial. My father has cancer. And I hate it.

I have tried not to think or talk about it much, mostly because I don't really want to believe it is there. You see, I truly cannot imagine my life without him. Now, don't let me fool you, he will fight. He is a fighter in every sense of the word. But cancer is just mean and his future isn't certain. I like to prepare for the future. I like knowing what is around the corner. And I want the future to be WITH my father, forever really, because that's how long I NEED him to be in my life. I guess I'm selfish like that.

I have to face the reality of what is happening. And I could use your help. He's having surgery on the 8th and I would love for all my friends to be praying for him. All who meet him, love him and he deserves some extra help from heaven! :-)

Love you Paps, be strong and remember I love you the most!!

Toilet Paper Gratitude

About a week ago I was moaning and groaning to Annalise about how sad I'll be when she goes to Kindergarten (Please tell me all moms give their kids guilt trips about leaving them?). I was telling her all the things I'll miss about her being gone. Then I said, "Plus, who will bring me toilet paper if it runs out on me? Ava doesn't even know where to find it". I was very serious in telling her just how important her role as my daughter is! :-).

Now fast forward to today. Lunch time roles around and I'm talking to her again, saying things such as, "You can't go to school. Just stay home one more year, I'll miss you so much, etc....etc...". She tells me she definitely IS going to school because now she's excited about it. Then after she gets up I hear her go into the other room and say this to Ava, "Ava, come here. I need to teach you something. I need to teach you where the toilet paper is so if Mommy ever needs some you can get it." Well, Ava must not have been a good student because then she says, "I'll just get one out for ever day I'll be gone". And lo and behold, I went into the bathroom and there is about 10 rolls gracing my magazine basket. I guess I go through a LOT of toilet paper people!

I think it's hilarious that the thing she thinks I worry most about her being gone is me running low on toilet paper! Gotta love it.

Ready or Not....

I cannot come to grips that my little girl is going to Kindergarten soon. One more week. That is all I have left and then, she might has well be in college. I mean really? This is the end of her childhood at home. It won't ever be the same. Really. Yes I am moping. I have so many "what if" questions. Like what if other kids teach her bad things? Have I taught her enough to make good choices? I don't know. I do look forward to there being a bit more quiet and peace with her gone during the day, but I will miss my firstborn. Really I will. She makes me laugh and I just love her. Her sister will be so sad not to have a playmate. Every night for the past week I have gone to sleep asking Joe questions about what I'm going to do when she's gone. I know I'm probably blowing it way out of proportion, but this seems huge. I am not looking forward to next Monday. Life will change. I'm not one who particularly likes change. Any suggestions for this scared little Mama?

One Loved Man....My Dad!

Dear Dad,

Happy Father's Day!

I hope you know what wonderful memories I have of my childhood and a lot of that is because of you! You always initiated family outings, work projects, and everyday ways to become closer as a family. At the time I didn’t really understand what you were doing – I truly didn’t realize how much work and effort it was to include us kids. It’s so much easier to buy “the wanted toy” for your child, than to teach them the principle of hard word and ownership. I find myself constantly thinking how you would handle a situation. Most of the time I feel like I am failing miserably in comparison to how good of a parent you were to me. But I’ll keep trying – with advice from you along the way!!

I also find myself telling me friends about you often – about the principles you taught us, and all the lessons I learned as a child. Many of these lessons my friends are now learning the hard way. THANK YOU!!! I am truly indebted to you for the wisdom I learned at such a young age. I’m also so grateful that you were strict enough to keep me in line – because heaven only knows what trouble I could have found myself in, if not for your watchful eye.

And along with the lessons learned, you showed me great love. You always tried to spend time with me. I didn’t always take advantage of that time, something I wish I could take back. I always felt so special with the one on one time you gave to me. I knew you loved me then, and I know you love me now. I always felt important in your life. And you – dear Paps – are just as important in MY life. I love you so much. Thank you for being the most wonderful Father I can imagine. I love you!

Alisa

PS - let me not forget the father of my children either. Joe - you are such a wonderful father to our little girls. Often I find myself wondering how you have the patience you do with them. They adore you! They light up when you come home. They ask for you constantly. They LOVE you and so do I. Thank you for being so wonderful.

Pony Party for Annalise and Ava the Birthday Girls!

Lots of Pictures of the FOUR parties we had to celebrate our girls! Sorry they are not in order - something is wrong with blogger so I can't move the pics in the right order! Ava and Joe at their bday party.

Joe enjoying the last of Shirleys cake!

Ava eating her edible bracelet.

All the kids got to make bracelets.

The cute cake Shirley made. It was yummy. She's so sweet to make cakes for them. It's become a tradition that they remember and ask for her cakes every year. Thanks Shirley - you are a wonderful friend.

The long line for a pony ride!!

The Darling Birthday Girls!

What a fun day!

We are blessed with two beautiful daughters whose birthdays are just a month apart. Annalise turned 5 and Ava turned 3. Actually we ended up doing about 4 parties - one for Annalise with Joe's parents, another later that day for Annalise with MY parents, one for Ava with family friends and the big joint party in between their actual birthdays! Whew! We decided to do a joint party for them and go all out and get ponies! They were soooo excited and had such a wonderful time at their party. All the kids loved the pony rides too. My good friend Shirley made the rainbow cake and it was as good on the inside as it looked on the outside. We forgot to get a good picture of it before the first piece was served though. I made the other pony cake - although half of the marshmellow "fence" got taken down before we got that picture too! I was nervous that one cake wouldn't be enough so I made an extra one just in case. Boy am I glad I did! The day was wonderful with lots of family and friends. Also, the birthday for Ava was also celebrating Joe's bday (Happy BDay Babe). I made a yummy Lemon Poppyseed cake with strawberry filling and a white chocolate frosting. Holy Cow was that worth every calorie! Thanks to all who came and Happy Birthday my darling daughters! We love you!!

Sweet Annalise

I had to blog this so I didn't forget.

Tonight I made a dinner that Joe and I love - it's very healthy and kind of a "raw" dish. Well, tonight I decided that the little ones would try it for the first time (usually I tweak theirs to be more kid friendly) but I was cranky and tired and didn't want to make two dinners.

They tried it.

They tried to be gracious.........Well, Annalise did. Ava immediately spit out each bite she'd take. Finally she settled on just eating of few of the veggies raw - w/o the rest of the meal.

After trying and trying to get them to eat, Annalise comes to me and whispers, "Please Mommy, can we not eat this?".

I looked at Joe - the look that says, "Okay, I give up, they don't have to eat it". I put my head down on the table - I wasn't crying or anything - although I thought about it. I was just sad they wouldn't eat this healthy meal and again - I was TIRED. Joe - being the rock star he is - jumped up and said, "who wants eggs!".

Annalise after seeing my head came and asked me what was wrong. I told her I was sad because they didn't like my dinner.

A few minutes later she whispers in my ear, "I know what will make you not be sad.... I will clean up the whole play room and surprise you!". I smiled. She cleaned. Joe made eggs. They ate them willingly. Then Annalise brings me a present to make me feel "even more happy". It's a necklace that I had given to her when I was cleaning out my jewelry last year. I was re-gifted by my 5 year old (yes, she's 5 now and my next post will be about her awesome birthday party).

Joe then leaves to do Elders Quorum visits. I start the dreaded kitchen clean up of 2 meals, plus banana bread I made earlier. I sent the kids outside so I could clean. I'm still tired.

After a few minutes I check on the girls. They are swinging together on the glider swing and no one is yelling, fighting or crying. I tell them thank you - this is a big thing in our house. Annalise tells me I'm the "best Mommy ever for not making her eat that dinner". She checks on me again, asking if I'm still sad. She says, "Mom, I'm very sorry I didn't like your healthy dinner." I smile and say it's okay.

Sometimes that little devil can be so sweet and considerate of my feelings. I just had to write it down so I'll remember the other 95% of the time! :-)

PS - are you wondering where all these fantastic photos of my family have been coming from? Trevor Dayley Photography. He's stellar. Seriously. Amazing. Like a miracle worker for my children. Go check out his blog and if you mention I'm your friend he'll knock off $50 from your session, photo shop select images AND give you all the digital negatives. He's seriously awesome. Plus, you'll get to see many more of our families photos - we're all over his blog. Yeah, I'm pretty much famous. :-) http://www.trevordayley.com/

My Beautiful Mother

Dear Mom,

Do you really know just how much I love you? I hope so! As Annalise would say, "I love you all the way to Jesus and back - and nothing is bigger than that!". We've had a lot of memories together over the past 29 years! (I'm especially fond of your laughing episode at the Chinese restaurant! What ever happened to that rag anyway!? :-)

All of these memories have taught me many lessons. I've learned patience. I've learned humor (karate-kicks :-)). I've learned loyalty to your spouse. I've learned hard work - boy you were always busy working and keeping the house in order. How the heck did you always get everything done AND have dinner ready for Dad at 5pm? I've learned kindness. I've learned unconditional love - you still love me after all :-). I've learned humility. I've learned service - you were always there helping us into the early morning hours with our school projects. I've learned to "shake things off". I've learned to be a friend. I've learned to be a wife. And most importantly, I've learned to be a mother too. And I must say, I've learned from the best. I love you Mom. Happy Mothers Day.

Love,

Alisa