Sunday, June 19, 2011

Happy Father's Day

Well Abby and I were supposed to be in Washington already, but we hit a few snags along the way. So not we are flying to Washington tomorrow (Monday) and we are currently at the Garrett's enjoying Grandma, Grandpa and Granny Ruth. We are excited to fly out tomorrow! Abby is such an amazing traveler.
Happy Father's Day! I love Father's Day--a day to celebrate wonderful men that make such a difference in our lives. Today after Church Abby took a picture with two of her favorite men: Grandpa Roger (choo-choo Grandpa) and her Daddy. We appreciate all that Grandpa Roger does for us and Abby gets so excited to see him, especially when he takes her to see and ride trains.
We love you Grandpa Roger.
Here is picture of my amazing Dad. Did you know he is training to ride the Seattle to Portland, 200-mile bike ride! He is one of my heroes! My Dad has taught me and given me so much. My love for music began with watching him play the piano. He plays with such passion and is so good at passing that passion for music to all he encounters. He has over 12 private students right now and they aren't just piano! He can play so many instruments and I know he has blessed countless lives. None more than mine. I love you Daddy. Here is one of our very first pictures!
And another when Dad first met Abby!
Matt is the best father and husband. I could make a list of his many unbelievable characteristics, but I don't think anyone wants to read that long list. Let's just list a few highlights: he takes such good care of us, is so organized, gives his all to his calling, tackles any project he says he will do (the backyard is a perfect example), makes us all laugh, and so much more. I know more and more everyday that I married the very best man and cannot even begin to imagine my life without him. He is my greatest support and my very best friend. We love you Mattie (Daddy).
Last Sunday I snapped a few quick pics of Abby. She just always looks so cute and we had matching hair.
Sunday evening we invited our friends, the Henrie's over and had a wonderful time chatting with them over dinner. They are such wonderful people. Abby was in heaven playing with their youngest daughters. She got to eat at the kid table with them and them had a blast in the playroom. Abby did not want them to leave. Steve Henrie helped put in an electrical outlet above our kitchen cupboards and now we have a soft light to illuminate the nice things that will someday be up there. It will also make it wonderful during holidays when I can put up the Christmas lights and be able to easily turn them on and off. Thanks Steve!
Monday morning Abby and I had dentist appointments. It should be obvious from the picture below that Abby got a little upset and we decided to take her to a pediatric dentist later that will be much more comfortable and familiar with frightened children. She did watch me get my teeth cleaned and thought that was pretty cool, so I think it will go better when she tries again.
Abby did her last swimming class for a little while at least. We can now sign her up for dance classes and I think that is a better investment of time and money. Besides, we just cannot afford 3 classes! She dances all the time, so I think she will love it. We will keep her in gymnastics and dance when we return from Washington.
Abby doing push-ups at gymnastics--she was the only kid that could do them.
Tuesday night when Matt was teaching his night class I took Abby out to feed the fish that only eat late at night.
I noticed a large toad across the pond and took a picture so that Abby could find it and we could put it on the blog. We still need to name him!
I was also able to capture a picture of some of the fish!
One of our tomatoes and some jalapenos are actually ripe!
I finished another blanket and this time it is for my friend from high school, Lorien that just had a baby. She lives in Provo so I sent it to her this week. I love new babies!
Matt and Roger took Abby to something called Travel Town in L.A. on Saturday while I took care of some medical stuff. She had such a blast with all of the train stuff.
She cannot wait to go back.
This Sunday morning Abby helped Grandma Barbara put away silverware, wash dishes, and load dishes in the dishwasher. She is such a big help.
I want to express my gratitude for our friends and family. We are so fortunate to have such wonderful people in our lives. Especially in time of trial they are so full of encouragement and love. I appreciate all of the prayers that are uttered in our behalf and know that those prayers bring about great miracles in our lives.


Monday, June 13, 2011

Girls Night

This week began with playing the piano at Cal State University Bakersfield. I play the piano for five of the voice students and they had a recital Monday evening and their vocal juries on Tuesday. Everything went well and Abby enjoyed playing with Matt on Monday and with her friend SoJung on Tuesday. It also gave my hands and brain a pretty good work out too! The five kind students I played for ended up going together and getting me a gift card which was so kind of them.
I had an experience while at CSUB--it's interesting how you can be reminded that the Spirit speaks to us about even small and simple things. I changed my clothes for the recital on Monday night at CSUB. I changed in a bathroom stall and then used the mirror for a few minutes. As I left to go to the recital I looked around and gathered up my things. Something very clearly told me to go back to the stall, but I had already looked in there earlier out so I began to walk out. Then I was prompted again. So I opened the door and stared right at my car keys sitting on top of the toilet paper thing on the wall. It sounds like an insignificant thing, but I can just imagine myself after the recital, searching through my bag, dumping everything out looking for my keys and not knowing where they were. I probably would have found them eventually, but how wonderful that I did not have to go through all of that. I am so grateful that my Heavenly Father watches out for me--even for the little things.
Tuesday and Thursday mornings we went to gymnastics and swimming. Matt came with us on Tuesday and that made it even more fun. Abby likes to do flips on Matt:
Abby wanted to show her Grandma's her new swimming suit.
Abby jumping in all by herself on Thursday!
This Friday night Matt had a camp out with the Young Men which meant a really fun Girls Night for Abby and I. After I finished teaching piano Abby wrote letter to her cousins Preston and Noah. They sent Abby a letter and so we sent one back. Then we walked to the mailbox to mail the letter.
After our walk we made some dinner and ate outside.
Abby showing off her Orange Julius mustache!
After a quick bath Abby picked out a movie--Kung Fu Panda and while we watched we painted our toe nails which even included little white flowers.
To finish off our movie we made popcorn and little chocolate milkshakes and sat cuddled up on the couch together.
To end our night we fed the fish (who only come out and eat at night), read the Book of Mormon, brushed teeth, prayed, sang our songs and went to sleep. Well, Abby went to sleep--I stayed up doing county adoption paperwork! What an amazing Girls Night!
Saturday morning I cleaned our house top to bottom since we had friends coming over on Sunday and I want to leave Matt with a really clean house before we head up to Washington this coming Saturday. While I cleaned I brought out a painting project for Abby and you can see just how much fun she had doing it!
Garden update:
We have a Roma tomato that is turning red....how exciting!
Here is another tomato plant that now has tomatoes growing
I brought this Roma tomato plant back from Arizona. Look Megan--it's growing!
Clementine tree
Look closely--Clementine's? Not sure yet, but hopefully!
Lastly, I should provide an update on my wonderful mother. Abby and I originally planned to go up to Washington during my Mom's stem cell transplant so that I could help take care of her. Thursday my Mom found out that the doctors did not recommend doing the transplant as they knew it would do more harm than good. This was a little disappointing for my Mom, but she is doing well and we are looking forward to spending a couple weeks with her. She will now get to enjoy all the bundle of energy that is Abby and I can help her finish projects that are hanging over her head. We are really excited to spend time with my parents and my sister and her family.