Monterey

A few weeks ago Jesse suggested that we should go to the beach again since we hadn't been all summer. I booked a hotel in Monterey and a few days ago we headed over. We stopped at Phil's Fish Market where Jesse and Atreyu feasted on seafood while Cambria and I ate some grilled cheese and chicken. I wish that I liked seafood (and a lot of other foods) more. I think it's just my own pickiness and I don't allow myself to enjoy or, a lot of the time, even try new foods. I know Jesse gets frustrated sometimes but I'm glad that Atreyu loves trying new things with him.

We then had a good time sitting on the beach, chasing the waves, and building sand castles. The ocean is so peaceful and I'm thankful Jesse suggested we go. Unfortunately, I got a cold and wasn't feeling the greatest but I enjoyed being at the ocean with my family.

The next day we explored some beaches and tide pools around Monterey. It ended up being a warmer day than we had expected which we were thankful for. We thought we were going to have to wear our jackets all day. Jesse and the kids even swam in the water for a bit. Jesse is so good to the kids. There was no way I was going to get in the cold water but he took them in and they all had so much fun. I'm thankful for him and that we get to raise our kids together.

Trials and Blessings

A man from our ward named Kenny invited our family to dinner today. As we sat there and visited with him, he told us a bit about his life. His wife is currently in the hospital and has been since November of last year because of a heart and liver transplant. Because of all the meds she's been on, her kidneys are failing too. The doctors were trying to recommend that she just do dialysis. Jesse told Kenny that dialysis is basically for terminal patients and that she wouldn't have much of a life. He encouraged Kenny to try to get her on a kidney transplant list and he was optimistic and said he would definitely try.

He shared with us that he had been homeless when he was younger multiple times and during one of those times, he had his daughter he was trying to provide for. His life has really turned around since and he and his wife have a home and he has a good job. He's going through a huge trial now and keeps having other things happen as well such as his water heater going out and car problems. Jesse told him that he felt that the Lord was trying to humble him and let other people help him. 

When we were driving away, Jesse and I both felt that we have been so blessed. We have had small struggles but we really have no idea what a huge trial looks like. I am so thankful for my Heavenly Father and the things he has blessed me with. I know that in the future if he asks a huge trial of us we will be able to do it together and with His help.  

My Baby Bump

I took my own picture today at 25 weeks. It's not the best picture but I just wanted to remember this baby bump. This pregnancy has been more difficult than my other two. I felt sick for so much longer than with the others, the sacroiliac pain started sooner, and my emotions have just been all over the place. I feel that I have probably been very difficult to deal with but I am hoping that I can get my emotions a bit more under control and be happier for my family. I know this little girl will be such a wonderful blessing for our family.

Lost Teeth

Cambria lost her first tooth today! She has been wanting to lose a tooth forever and as she was chewing on her dress (yes, she does that) it pulled the tooth right out. She was so excited! The day before, Atreyu had lost another tooth as well. They thought it was so fun to lose teeth around the same time. Atreyu had forgotten to put his tooth under his pillow the night before, so they were able to be excited for the tooth fairy together. They put their teeth under their pillows and then went to get ready for bed. Strangely enough, the tooth fairy came during that time so that when they went to bed and checked their teeth, they both had dollars waiting.

I just love these two and I'm so grateful I get to be their mommy.

A Walk With My Girl

Jesse took Atreyu to scouts so Cambria and I decided we should go for a walk. It was fun walking and talking with my little girl. She has such a fun personality and she always makes me feel loved. We had fun looking for golf balls. I think we found eight and she was kind enough to share with her brother. It always makes me so happy when they look out for each other.

Happy 6th Birthday Cambria!

My little girl turned 6 last week. I say it all the time but the time really goes by too quickly. It seems I was just pregnant with her in the heat of the summer and now she's ready to start 1st grade. Cambria loves dolls, LOL's, ballet, tea parties, make-up, Diesel, and mac and cheese. She is so spunky and sassy and (just like her mom) rather clumsy. She gets hurt constantly but thankfully she gets up and keeps doing what she was doing. I love the funny things she says and does and I feel so blessed to be her mom.

This was the first year I didn't make her a cake. I really just need to buckle down and figure out how to bake cakes in my oven. I miss making the kids cakes for them. Cambria chose this pretty cake and I added the ballerina Barbie. I wish I had gotten a better picture before it started to melt. We had a pool party with a bunch of kids from church and a few from the RV park. She loved having so many people to play with and I'm thankful for all the mom's that brought their kids. It was a good day!

 

Gymnastics Olympic Week

The kids have been in gymnastics for a year now and they have both really enjoyed it. Since Cambria is going to start ballet she won't be continuing in gymnastics. The kids were both able to show off some of the things they have learned during Olympics Week and I could tell they were both very proud of themselves. They were awarded trophies at the end which had their names engraved on them.

It's a Girl!!

Here are a couple pictures of my growing baby bump. The first one is at 18 weeks and the second at 19 weeks. I'm so glad to be half way done with this pregnancy and I'm finally feeling better,

On August 1st I had an ultrasound and we found out we are expecting another girl. I was completely convinced it was a boy so I was very surprised when we saw that it was a girl. Cambria is very excited and Atreyu is feeling better about it now.

Montana 2018

I love every opportunity I get to go to Montana. Jesse puts in long days of work before we go to make sure I'm able to visit my family and I am so grateful for it. It's a long drive from California to Montana so we stopped and stayed the night in Bern with Grandpa and Grandma on our way up. It was so nice to be back in Bern and not near as strange as I imagined having someone else living in my house. We spent the next morning with them and then headed to Helena. 

The next day, all us girls had our yearly tradition of getting pedicures. I love that the little girls love it as much as us big girls. While were were getting our nails done, the boys saw Ant-Man and the Wasp which Atreyu loved.

That evening we went with Stephanie's family to the fair where the kids got to ride a whole bunch of rides. They are getting taller so they are able to ride on some of the bigger rides now. We enjoyed the fair food and the good company.

The next day was the reunion and my grandma's 88th birthday. We had lunch at the Montana Club in Missoula which my aunt Vicki so graciously paid for. Then that evening we had dinner with all the family and a fun program learning about some of our ancestors. I love being with my extended family and I feel so much peace with them.

We stayed at the cabin that night and enjoyed the lake and the new outdoor kitchen/dining/hot tub area my uncle Lee just put in this summer. It was such a wonderful day and the kids spent most of it in the water. 

We were able to go to sacrament meeting in my mom's ward the next day and then we drove down to Bern. We were able to stay the whole next day and the kids were able to play with their friends and spend some more time with Grandpa and Grandma.

I had been feeling stressed with life here in California before we left but being able to go home I felt rejuvenated and ready to go back to the chaos of California.